We tried many and got behind bc nothing was clicking - MEP, MM, RS Math, Khan, etc. However there were two programs we loved and used - Miquon (all 3 years) and CLE. CLE has been a life saver and I have been so pleased with the results. My two oldest will be doing CLE Algebra for 7th grade.

Wow Lori D. thank you for all your work and effort! I have just found my winter's reading list. . .

We used NL Science levels 1-3 - it was a get 'er done, hold my hand, everything is in the box kinda curriculum for us and the kids loved it. It's pricey but gets done and is easy to implement. Just what I needed. Hunter - You always share some of the neatest resources!!! I'm going to go take a look now....

Anyone?

I have two sixth graders that love science and all things STEM. In the grammar years I loved BFSU but it never got done, so we switched to NL Science for 3 years and loved the open and go nature of the program. It got done. I'm the type if it isn't open and go, or I have to hunt the house/buy things on my own it will not get done. I think I have narrowed it down to: Rainbow Science - (strive to do it in a year) some say it is weak on explanation of concepts (perhaps I can pick up RS4K to read about those topics?) Apologia General Science - I worry about all the reading, some say it is dry and my kids aren't strong readers, and getting all the supplies CPO science - looks good but I don't have a good handle of what I need, what is required/how to tweak for homeschoolers I want my children to have a strong science background so I am leaning towards this schedule: 6th - General Science/Rainbow Science 7th - Conceptual Physics 8th - Biology 9th - Chemistry 10th + - Physics and other advanced sciences Any comments or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I'm leaning towards Level III and maybe taking 2 years as they have more to memorize. Thank you again!

I'm hoping the VT will help with some of the academic issues, including spelling. I like R&S Spelling for an independent spelling program.

For those who have used the MP Geography series (I-III), can I skip books I and II with 6th graders and go straight to Geography III or would they be missing foundational skills? From the samples I have seen online, it seems as though the skill/work level jumps quite a bit, however, I don't like busywork. Would love to hear your recommendations. Thanks!

My ds and dd are starting 6th grade this year (logic stage for us), we have been homeschooling for the last 5 years, and (gulp) have never once studied history formally for the entire year. I know, I know. . . hanging my head in shame for the very unclassical approach we have taken. We all love history, we talk about it constantly, we watch documentaries, movies, Liberty Kids, visit museums, parks, etc. They have been exposed to "living" history in a very natural and informal way, but nothing sequential nor systematic. Part of it has been my OCD, perfectionistic nature to get "just the right" curriculum, handouts, aligned books, timeline cutouts, etc etc. If number of hours studying programs and books counted, I believe I would have earned an advanced degree in History at this point. I have studied them all in depth, IN DEPTH - SOTW (have that one), SL, TOG, CC, VP, MP, MFW, HOD, BiblioPlan, History Revealed, Trisms, History Odyssey, etc. etc. etc. I liked portions of many of them and ended up doing none of them. So strike one for OCD/perfectionism. Number 2 - many years we were just holding on for dear life and getting the core grammar subjects done and by the end of the day and week I was just finished. Lots to the story, but I won't bore you with the details. So here I am - with 2 children in 6th and 1 in 1st who know lots of random history facts and people but have not studied it in a comprehensive manner. I'm thinking of doing a quick 1 world history tour for 6th (something like they would get in ps), then 7th - American History (I know it's not the WTM model) and then 8th - State History and US Civics/Government. I am open to suggestions on this proposed sequence. I also need help for a get 'er done, open and go, fun (yes fun and stimulating) 1-2 year World History tour, that is visually stimulating (my kids are uber visual, not auditory nor strong readers), and age appropriate. What do you have?

Have you already searched the forums? I believe this topic has previously been covered - "Ignore this thread". :lol:

I have highly visual, poor auditory learners with lots of learning challenges/delays and auditory processing disorder. My DS does not have good reading comprehension nor reading skills. We used AAS, WWE, and FLL in 3rd grade and it worked for them. I would have liked something visual for the grammar/writing but it worked. WWE has helped my son narrow down his thoughts to the main point and construct his sentences more appropriately.

We use Typing Instructor - it gets done, it's independent, my children enjoy it, and they are learning how to type. It's been a fine fit here.

My kids love Wild Kratts and are little zoologists from watching. Others they enjoy are - Liberty Kids (US History - Revolutionary War/Founding of America), Magic School Bus (science), Carmen San Diego (geography). We have a Roku box that allows us to stream Netflix (pay for) and PBS. There is also a FB page called HSing with Netflix I believe - always great recommendations.

You've received some good responses. We have used AAS 1-5 and Rod and Staff Spelling to supplement over the years. One child is a decent speller (DS 12) but my DD (11) who is very artistic and creative has atrocious spelling. I think it is one of the ways she expresses her creativity???? I have loved both programs but can't say whether or not they have helped my children. As a child I had spelling lists each week but was never taught formal phonics - I remember only one rule ever being taught the I-before E rule - and yet I have decent spelling. I think I agree with Hunter's assessment.

We also like CLE math, reading, and english. Rod and Staff spelling. Geography - Maps, Graphs, and Charts. Evan Moor Daily Science.

I loved BFSU but it never got done. So in 3rd Grade we started Nancy Larson Science 1. We have used it the last 3 years a loved it! It is open and go and the children really enjoyed it! It's expensive but I was able to find mine used which helped. I'm starting NL 1 again with my 1st grader and just love how it is all prepared for me.

Did you see CLE math has a 1 book Fractions Review - it reviews fraction and decimal principles from the 300-700 series. My children did it over the summer and it was a great review before heading into Pre-Algebra/Algebra. Also the Keys To Series.

Congratulations!!! So glad they got into their #1 picks. Great job mama!!! A lot of hard work from everyone! Exciting for those of us still in the trenches 2nd guessing our every decision! :)

Have him watch his favorite DVD movies in French . Great ear training. For our French Curriculum we use CAP FFC - it's been good.

Also - if she needs help with Fractions, decimals, etc - CLE Math has a great book just on Fractions that takes them from early skills up through 7th grade material. My children did that over the summer to prepare for Pre-Algebra. The Keys to. . . are also very good books for catch up/practice.

I'm sorry - I was in a similar boat about 1 1/2 years ago. I had to make up some lost time in math for my two older children. They were starting 5th grade and were behind for several different reasons. After consulting the Hive, I started them on CLE Math a few of the last 300 series, then all of 400 and 500 and right into 600. They are now finishing 607 this month in 6th grade and I have them on track for doing Pre-aglebra in 6th and possibly Algebra in 7th. So don't lose hope, it is possible to get them back on track. We didn't do math all day long - we just double up lessons for review and did a solid 1 hour of math each day. CLE was perfect for us as it is so gentle, incremental, and spiral, that my math phobic daughter didn't even realize she was learning! CLE math was a great choice in our situation of having to play major catch up! Here was my cry for help :0 - http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/564211-need-guidance-for-math-please-help/?do=findComment&comment=6582813

I just found this series for science on Amazon and it looks good - https://www.amazon.com/Human-Body-Grades-5-8-Reproducible/dp/0880128275/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AF6NRM7Q1MVJSNT8WTMQ - 100+ reproducible activities - Human Body. Good luck!

We started CAP R&R last year - book 1 for 5th grade. We did 2 sheets a week to finish half the book in 5th and we will finish the other half this year. I've liked it - it's independent, I like what it is trying to get the kids to do. I'm not sure how much this is improving my ds' reading comprehension and other prescribed goals, but I will press forward. Hard to know as we have not finished the book and haven't started the "harder" stuff as the book progresses in skills and we start from the front and work straight back (we don't skip around). I'm glad we are doing it, I will reassess after this year to see if we will do the 2nd book though. Good luck!

We have used NL Science 1-3 and will be doing 4 this upcoming school year with 6th graders. With as much science you have already been doing I believe the 4th grader may be bored to tears with NL Science 1. If it is the vocabulary you are interested in you can ask Madon from NL (she is so helpful) to send that to you for each grade and see if it would be a good fit. I would start with NL science 2 personally. There is a NL FB page which is fun and you can download the scope and sequence for each level to see what is covered. NL 1 is pretty basic if I remember correctly. I started NL 1 with 3rd graders and I think they were at the upper limit IMHO.

Thank you so much Lisa for sharing this family tradition and gift. I went to your website and read your story. What a woman of faith, courage, and devotion you are - your story was a great gift to me this Thanksgiving Weekend. May you and your precious children continue to feel God's love and grace! God Bless!