Looking through science threads I wonder if one of the Ellen McHenry books would be a good fit. Short but with plenty of activity ideas.

We've been doing science via living books and outsourced classes for years now. Science is not my forte and I hate the planning/prepping/mess. BUT my kids miss "the old days" when we did "experiments". So I'm thinking of adding some experiements/demonstrations back in next year as a biweekly or monthly deal. Any suggestions for a curriculum/book/kit/other resource that would have 10-20 experiments? I'd prefer not nature study because we do a LOT of that already. But other than that any general science would work. Chemistry would go over especially well as we are leaning the periodic table next year. Kids will be all 8-13.

I have had one child do Beast 3-5 and move on to Algebra, another that started in 3 and is now finishing up 5, and now I'm starting over with a third child in Beast 2 (the first to start since this year was published). All that to say I've done some Beast by this time 😉 I used to worry a lot about the lack of review and the lack of drill. I found that Beast does cycle back to old topics occasionally, though, as they relate to the new ones. And for the most part my kids haven't needed drill because they weren't memorizing an algorithm. They actually just understood what they were doing. (The outlier to this being memorizing multiplication facts, which in their defense they say to stop and memeorize.) Sometimes something hasnt quite "clicked", though. In particular fractions (for one), and long division (for another). When that's happened I found the easiest and most affordable route to be the topical Math Mammoth books, in PDF form so I can print (and reprint) them. They include very clear instructions as well as practice and a ton of games/online resources.

Has anyone used this AO recommended book? I'd like a simple, easy to accomplish, weekly microscope lesson/demonstration and this looks like the ticket. Or is there something out there that's much better? Also, what strength microscope will be needed? We have a little digital microscope that goes up to 1000x that we use for nature study, but I'm assuming I need something stronger.

I would do book 2, tbh. But if you really wanted you could go into book 3. I would NOT start 4 until you've gotten back into the W&R "feel", you are right that it is a jump.

I think any of those options are valid. I would start over with 2A if your daughter being frustration free is the most important factor for you. I bet she would blow through it and gain a lot of confidence. You could skip pages on topics she's super solid on if you wanted, and fill any holes that might be leftover from her charter experience. I would start with 2B if being "behind" is itching at you, though I don't know that a 2nd grader in Sing 2 is behind. I would ABSOLUTELY use manipulatives, especially with any new concepts. My child in Algebra 1 used manipulatives today. I would change programs if you plain hate Singapore and can't enjoy using it. I only have experience with MM out if your alternate choices and it would definitely feel incrimental compared to Singapore, it moves in small steps with LOTS of practice. Like, so, much, practice. I'm not sure it's a great choice for a child that's good at math.

We've studied several plays, both Shakespeare and other. I prefer to start with a viewing. Ideally on stage and I always pick one play a year based on what the local colleges are doing. If not on stage, then a video of a stage production. I don't like to do movie versions unless I'm sure they haven't changed too much, usually they have. Then we will either read key scenes OR read the whole thing. I don't like audio versions as I like to stop mid scene to discuss, but I also don't mind reading. YMMV.

We follow a liberal arts model. I used to say classical but lately I feel like the term is loaded- locally 90% of classical families are CC. I don't follow the "ages and stages" method of classical education but I am interested in the trivium/quadrivium. My goals for logic... Mostly I see logical thinking budding in my oldest 4 children. I think they would enjoy learning about logical fallicies and think it's worth learning. We are doing a semester study of government next year and a bit of formal logic would dovetail nicely with listening to debates 🙄 I don't have an end goal necessarily.

If you were to pick just one to use, which would you pick?

What are your experiences with these two programs? Even better, is there anyone who has done both? I'm looking for a 1 semester course to be completed over a year (1 or 2 days a week). Both programs look that size. My students would be two 7th graders (age 12/13) with my 6th and 5th graders maybe tagging along but maybe not. I definitely want it geared towards the older two. Both programs look appropriate for that age. Fallacy Detective's comic strips may be appealing as both my kids love classic comics. But it also looks like most people follow it up with another intro to logic. I'm not saying it's the ONLY logic I'll ever do, but I don't like repeating myself, if that makes sense. Art of Argument looks more rigorous, which appeals to my desire not to have to repeat logic over and over in increasing difficulty...and we've enjoyed other CAP programs (writing and rhetoric, song school latin) but would it be TOO rigorous for brand new middle school logic students?

I used Logic of English with several of my kids. They all had a similar response and left reading but not spelling. At first I wondered if it was the program but TBH I've NEVER had a 7 yr old that can spell, no matter what approach was used- 6 kids later. I've come to decide it's a maturity thing. Some of my kids figured out spelling around 9, a few others in middle school.

Yes, I've seen comments about the NLE. Is it a big boost for college applications? It also looks like there may be scholarship opportunities if you do well several years in a row. TBH we are a large, low income, family and college at all is a question mark. I'm trying to get the education I want them to have now because I'm not sure what I can provide later. CC and trade schools are more likely than university. My own Latin goals are pretty murky. I like the brain-training aspect of it. I like the grammar we've gained. I hear it makes other languages easier. Maybe if my long term goals were more solid I'd have a better idea of what to do now. I know in the short term that we are feeling a bit overwhelmed by LFC. Too many bits and pieces and memorized chants. I know we want more translation and a bit less grammar charting. It's almost stopped feeling like a language, if that makes sense. I also know that we'd benefit from some review, and heck...we have time for it. My Latin kids are 10-12! Anyways, thanks for all the links!!

I have 4 kids between 10-12. They are woken up at 8:15 for a pretty strict 8:30 prayer and breakfast (before work for dad). 1 is always up before that by a good hour, 1 is never awake by then, and the other two fluctate. We start morning reading somewhere around 9, and then I cycle through the kids for individual or small group lessons. Whoever's not working with me is theoretically working by themselves from their checklist. As long as they stayed on task, we take a break to eat at 11/12, and are finished by 1. So that's 4 hours of school. Sometimes they aren't done by 1, because they didn't stay on task but as long as they are done by dinner I don't sweat it. One of my boys in particular likes to take many breaks 🤷 Outside time fluctuates. My sporty boy is outside every day, at least 2-3 hours, including 2x weekly soccer. My other two boys are outside most nice days, even if it's just playing in the street. My girl gets out on Tuesday, family hiking day, and that's about it. Screen time is pretty monitored. They get 5 hrs a week to spend how they wish and when they wish (tv, movie, video game, internet ect) as long as it's AFTER school work is accomplished. I don't count the monthly or so family movie, that's bonus. "Assigned" reading is 10 minutes per grade, until they hit an hour a day. It's part of their independant work so is done during school time while I'm working with sibs. I rarely assign books, though. Mostly I let them free range from good book lists I create for them, and from their own chosen and approved books. Free reading is done whenever. Quiet time is 8 and they can stay up until 9 reading quietly, so that's a popular time. 2 always stay up, 1 never, and 1 it depends on how tired he is.

I know that's my concern- does no one continue because it leaves you withough enough knowledge TO continue? We never had the LFC DVDs, we have been learning from the book... And we attempted the Latin alive DVD but no one enjoyed it.

Oh my goodness. Edited. I'm considering jumping into Visual Latin!

I know I know, I'm still overthinking Latin. Background: My 5th/6th/7th graders have completed Song School Latin 1 and 2 and Latin for Children A (these 4 "years" taking more like 6, but who's counting). We will be finishing up LFC B in the spring. What I've decided: I don't really want to go on to Latin For Children C. It's been getting dry and honestly, a bit overwhelming. We'd like something a bit more engaging, and to back up and solidify a bit. Neither do I want to jump into Latin Alive. Honestly, it doesn't look great and I'm not impressed by the reviews I'm finding here. What I'm considering: Visual Latin. Looks engaging. Definitely looks different. We might enjoy a more whole to parts approach. But it look SO DIFFERENT. Is it too different? Where does it leave you after 2 years? Ready to move into straight translation? Ready for a college/high school program like Henle or Cambridge?

I can outsource it, or I can continue to learn along with them. I do have a genuine interest in Latin and stay successfully a step or two ahead of them. I buy my own workbook and work a quarter year ahead.

Ok, tell me what Latin program you adore. I need it to be high school level/rigorous enough to count as a foreign language credit. I need it to have at least 2 years (with the understanding that it generally takes us 3 years to finish two years of Latin because I'm big on review). I'd like it to be engaging. I realize Latin is Latin, but must it be dry as dust!?!? It doesn't need to be for absolute beginners as these are students who did both years of Song School Latin (over 3 years) and two years of Latin for Children (also might end up taking us 3 years). I'd like it to include plenty of review, though I can build in review myself if needed (obviously since I have never finished a book in a year).

I use light blue with my 7yo daughter, and blue with my 12yo daughter. For my 7yo I chose light blue as this is her only math curriculum and I wanted all topics covered, in "grade level" order. She is not advanced, so I don't expect to get ahead of grade in any topic, and I didn't want the trouble of having to organize what I'd be teaching. We simply started at the beginning, and are working to the end, getting as much done as she can in 20 minutes a day. I save all chapter review pages to cycle back to later, and did not purchase the test book. I use the blue series with my 12yo daughter as a supplement, because she has learning disorders that create gaps in her math understanding. She uses Teaching Textbooks independantly in the morning, and MM with me in the afternoon ONLY on topics she needs further help in or review in. What she's struggling with may be presented in her grade level, or it may be from a previous grade- so topical makes a lot more sense than progressive. As an added bonus I've pulled from this series for my other children (using Beast Academy or Miquon) as well when they've needed help. So I suggest Light Blue if you are wanting entire grade level overview learning or review, but Blue if you are wanting to fill gaps, give extra help in struggling areas, or move ahead of grade level in choice topics.

I'm going to share my (painful) story in case it helps. Not as advice, because I have no idea if what I did is right...but as one perspective. I have a student (currently age 10) much like what you are describing. He fought me every step of the way, every year. No learning or behavioral disabilities, actually quite smart. But lazy and argumentative and distracting to everyone. He fought constantly with me and his siblings. I tried lowering expectations, I tried raising expectations. I tried rewards. I tried consequences. I tried pulling dad in. I tried independant checklist style work. I tried side by side all day supervision. I would ask him to read 10 minutes and he would hold a book and stare at the wall beyond it, then lie and said he read. If given a math page he would guess every answer, then cry if asked to do it again. Every group lesson was peppered with commands to stop calling the dog, stop touching his sister, stop talking, ect I sent him to public school in 3rd grade. Our relationship and his relationship with siblings immediately improved. He was horribly bored, and not at all challenged, but grades were excellent. He occasionally in trouble at school for being a distraction, but behaved much better for teachers than he ever had for me. At the end of the year he begged to come home, he swore it would be better and he had "learned his lesson" that a short day at home was better than a long one at school. So I homeschooled him for 4th grade. Things were better for a month, and then worse than ever. Total resistance again. His behaviors affected everyone. I was exhausted, cranky, and ready to quit homeschooling. The other kids complained I was cranky and that this child made the day long for everyone. TBH we hated each other. I sent him back to public this year for 5th grade. He's bored again, yes. So far no reports of naughtiness. But our homeschool is 100% improved. My other kids LIKE to learn, we are all having fun again, and I'm not cranky all the time. I won't ever homeschool him again.

I meant by 6 years the 3 LFC and 3 Latin Alive. My oldest 3 kids did both Song School books in elementary slowly over 3 years. Latin for Children A in 5/6th/6th grade Latin for Children B in 6th/7th/7th grade Then I'm projecting : Latin for Children C in 7th/8th/8th Latin Alive 1 in 8th/9th/9th Latin Alive 2 in 9th/10th/10th But then my oldest two will start at the community college and drop Latin. If I skipped C I could fit in 3. But the more I look the more I wonder if I'll do a different Latin course all together for high school. I've wondered about burn out too. My oldest two love Latin. My younger one in this group, not so much. My current 4th grader JUST started Song School with my second graders. I used to regret that he didn't join the olders (he is a struggling reader and had bigger fish to fry) but now I wonder if he's not better off than his Latin hating older brother.

That helps a lot, thanks so much! First, I'd love to see your schedule. Second, Do you think its best to do LFC3 before doing LA1? Or would it work out to do LFC 1 then 2, then go right to LA? I ask because my children both plan on leaving latin in the 10th grade when they go to running start. There is a chance we wont fit all 6 books in within that time limit. All being said, hearing your experience I may just go ahead and look at other high school latin programs. My kids arent burnt out (yet) but do not enjoy LFC nearly as much as song school. Maybe thats inevitable but surely someone out there is making latin fun (ish). The dvds were a swing and a miss here, we dont use them at all. It means a lot of side learning for me, but so far I'm keeping up!

My middle schoolers are currently in CAP's Latin for Children B and I'm looking ahead. After Latin for Children did you go on to Latin Alive? It looks like it "starts over". Is this true? Does that make it to easy for students that have done all three levels of Latin for Children? Or does the background just make it a bit easier while the program moves faster and deeper? Do you suggest a different program for High School? I'll admit I just kind of fell into Latin for Children, because it came after Song School, which we loved. We don't necessarily love LFC, the chants leave a lot to be desired- but neither do we hate it, it gets the job done.

My middle schoolers are in CAP's Latin for Children B and I'm looking ahead. After Latin for Children did you go on to Latin Alive? It looks like it "starts over". Is this true? Does that make it to easy for students that have done all three levels of Latin for Children? Or does the background just make it a bit easier while the program moves faster and deeper? Do you suggest a different program for High School? I'll admit I just kind of fell into Latin for Children, because it came after Song School, which we loved. We don't necessarily love LFC, the chants leave a lot to be desired- but neither do we hate it, it gets the job done.

In the case of my 6th graders, they both mastered basic organization and mechanics in 4th/5th grade. They can churn out a 1-2 page narrative either fictional or non fictional that is clear and complete. So for middle school my goals will focus more around style (varied sentences, interesting/precise word choice, ect) and the forming and relating of opinions (don't just retell the information, but build off it). Basically transitioning from narratives to essays. I'd also like to master research reports using several sources by the end of middle school.