I am not totally sure. I would be combining our 6th and 8th grade girls and 2nd and 4th grade boys. Right now we are using TQ and I just do much better with somethng planned out for me.

Can I use SL for just the history/lit piece of it? If so, how? Would I still need the IG? We have things we like for all of our other subjects but history is always lacking for us.

I am thinking of using MOH 1 and SOTW 1 together for our world history this year. I know a lot of people use those 2 together and it works well. I would also like to add in some American history as well.Any ideas on what something easy to add in might be? I was thinking of doing WH M, T, W and AH Th, F. We are also doing US geography on Friday so I was hoping that would tie it all ok. Or am I just totally off my rocker for trying to do this?

Of the items listed...can you tell me which I need to use BiblioPlan? The BiblioPlan Family Guide, which outlines your course of study and provides reading choices and assignments The BiblioPlan Companion, which summarizes each week’s lessons and adds plenty of fun and interesting facts to liven up your class time BiblioPlan Cool Histories, weekly homework assignments based on the lessons in the Guide and the Companion BiblioPlan Hands-On Maps, weekly map assignments based on the lessons in the Guide and the Companion BiblioPlan Timelines, charts with cutouts of important historical figures that children can assemble BiblioPlan Craft Books, collections of arts, crafts and activities that highlight the lessons in the Guide and the Companion BiblioPlan Coloring Books, collections of simple sketches from history for the little ones to color.

What about Road Trip USA? http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/u-s-geography

This looks perfect! I think it would be much easier to keep up with this way. Thank you so very much, Heidi

I was just wondering if there was a series of American history books that i could use to read my 2nd and 4th grader? I would like something from a Christian perspective if I can.

I have tried a few different history programs over the years and nothing has quite "fit". This year we are trying Truthquest on 2 different levels. I have our older 2 doing Greece and our younger ones doing American History y1. I am having a hard time finding books from our library even with ILL. I think more than anything I am struggling with everything not being laid out for me. I wish I could find a history program like Apologia is for science. I love, love, love Apologia. This we are using the notebooks and we are getting science done. Any ideas on what we can try that might be a better fit? We tried MOH once before and failed. I think we may have given up too easy though too. Our kids are in grades K, 2, 4, 6 and 8. We also have a 2 and 3 year old with a baby that may have special needs arriving in Nov. I guess I am looking for something interesting but easy and will get done. Also my kids are very crafty so if I can tie that in.

For those that have a planner per child...how do you do this? Do you print a sheet out each week for each child? I too am looking for something to use for our family. :)

This fall I will have 5 kids officially doing school. Our oldest is in 8th grade and I really want to make sure I am doing the best record keeping I can. I also want an easy way to create assignment calendars for my older kids. I want to be able to go back and put grades in once assignments are completed. Would homeschool tracker online work best for this? I had tried HST+ before but gave up after a weekend of trying to understand it. Now we have a bit of time before we start back to school that I hopefully can get a handle it. Or would there be something easier that will do the same things? Thanks for any help Heidi

I have been looking for art curriculum for next year. I really like home art studio for our younger crew. Is there anything similar but for older kids (6th-8th grades). I don't need supplies included just ideas on what to do. Thanks for any help.

My kids love love love crafts....whenever I can get to them. We are taking our first summer break in many years. They are begging to do some crafty things especially my 5 year old. What are some crafts that your kids love? I can handle messy as long as it is fun. :)

I am struggling to find a language arts program for our family. In the past we have used..... CLE LA- did not work for us AOP Lifepacs and SOS neither worked GWG- works alright but I think we can find something better. I am looking for something to cover grammar mostly as well as maybe spelling and writing. I am looking for grades 2, 4, 6 and 8. If it helps any next year we are using... Math U See Truthquest Apologia Just really stuck on language arts.

Are there any science and history programs that can be done pretty independently for 4th grade and beyond?

If you had several kids and didn't want to combine what would you use? I am mainly looking for history and science help. I am looking at grades 2, 4, 6 and 8. Thanks for any help :)

OK, I am going to use EFTRU on or morning board for vocab. What would you suggest for logic? I was going to add spanish but I wasn't sure if it would be too much. We can always try it and see. Thanks for taking the time to look. I am always afraid I am going to totally forget something. :lol:

anyone?:001_smile:

OK, I think I have everything pretty well planned out. Am I missing anything? Next year we are splitting our kids for the first time. In the past we have always done science, bible and history together. Also our first year using Sonlight and I am really excited. :) Grade 8 SL core F or G TT Algebra 1 Physical Science R&S english 8 Winning With Writing 8 Typing Grade 6 SL core F or G TT 7 SL science core F R&S english 6 WWW 6 Getty-Dubay Grade 4 SL core B+C MUS Delta SL Science core B R&S english 4 WWW 4 Getty-Dubay Spelling Power Grade 2 SL B+C MUS Beta SL Science core B R&S english 2 Spelling Power K MFW K MUS Alpha SL readers

We have never used SL before but are strongly considering it for next year. Just curious which core you would recommend for combining a 6th and 8th grader. I am hoping to keep them combined through high school if I can. I am leaning towards core G.

Our oldest is finishing 7th grade this year. She has a very strong desire to work with animals when she graduates from high school. Homeschooling throgh HS is very overwhelming to me to begin with. I know a lot of HS credits are preplanned so to speak. What can I use to teach her to best prepare for this type of career? Or goal has always been for our kids to find their passion. I just want to be sure I am doing my best in helping her achieve that.

Science has often been neglected in our house. Lately the kids and I have been checking out random science books from the library...volcanoes, weather, facts about blood and what not. Is there a list somewhere of which topics to cover and when? Would this be enough for the elementary years? Thank you for any help :D

Merry, thanks for your help. I am leaning towards core B+C for the boys and maybe G for the girls. I would like to keep them together if I can. I think that would work well for them. I guess all we can do is try. :001_smile:

I am looking ahead to next year and having a hard time choosing which way to go. We have been combining using MFW but I think it might work better for us to split into smaller groups at this point. I am checking several curriculums out HOD, SL, as well as just piecing things together. Here is where we are at. 1. I would like to combine our 6th and 8th grader for everything except math and la. They are both girls and work very well together. Neither have had a lot of exposure to history and science. I was thinking of using America the Beautiful by Notgrass. Not totally sure. Our oldest is currently using Apologia Gen. Sci. this year. I am really towards using a SL core for them. Not toally sure. 2. Next are our 2 oldesr boys. They are in 2nd and 4th grades. They work fairly well together. I really want to find a great science curriculum for them. They too will be combined for everything buy la and math. 3. Our youngest boys are 3 and 5. Our 5 is doing MFWK and will finish at the end of summer. No idea what to use for him next. We also have a 1 year old who is our little bookworm and keeps us all on our toes. We are cautiously expecting our last baby in Nov. I am hoping to have a nice solid groove going by then to ensure a smooth transition with a newborn. After so many years of combining I think I am just really ready to split the kids apart. I thought it would be easier to keep everyone together but I think it is just getting harder. I know it works well for many families. I am looking forward to one on one chats with our older boys that seem to get lost in the shuffle when working with the older girls. I know it will make my day longer splitting them apart but I think it will be worthwhile. :) OK....so if you were me what would you use?

:001_smile: anyone?

Have you looked at Winning with Writing? We are using it this year with 3 of our kids. We are just finishing up semester 1 and I am seeing gradual improvement. I help them whenever needed. It is a gentle approach but is proving to be effective. We will be using it next year as well. :)