Have you looked at Positive Action Bible curriculum? I don't have any experience with the younger grades, but I've used the 4th grade for my son last year, and we both really liked it. It incorporated scripture memory and songs, and he really learned quite a bit. It was a fun and interesting program, and it really made him think about Bible, not just spit out an answer. I also have used Kay Arthur's studies for kids, and they are really great too. They're inductive, so the kids really get saturated with the scripture. This school year, we've just been cuddling up together on the couch doing our MFW Bible readings, and reading through The Victor Journey Through the Bible, and Trial and Triumph. I love this approach because it opens the door more for discussion and prayer for us. I don't want to treat Bible reading as academic, but more as a life-long skill that my kids will want to return to over and over again. As for Alpha Omega, I've never used their Bible, but I have used the science and history, and let me just say, BORING. I have a friend who used the AOP Bible, and she switched to Positive Action and really likes it. Hope this helps!;)

I live in Lancaster, Oh and have done a little bit of research as to groups in the Ohio area. I've heard of the INCHES list before, there's also a couple of co-ops in the Columbus area. One near Reynoldsburg called The Learning Tree and I believe they meet at Reynoldsburg Baptist Church. :confused: Not sure of the info for that one. But also you could look into Home on The Rock whose web address is http://www.hotrche.org They are out of Grove City Nazarene Church. There's also another listing with http://www.homeschoolinfocenter.net They have a listing of most groups and co-ops, and it's very thorough. Hope this helps!

This is all very helpful. Thanks so much for your input. I have a 5 year old running around here too, and I tend to skip some of the reading that I should be doing. I will definitely pay more attention to those teacher pages you talk about, because I do tend to skip over those. I'm sure that make a difference, wouldn't it?;)

I suppose what I see him not retaining is grammar rules. Lately he's confusing prepositions with verbs! I don't get that. I'm thinking now that maybe we didn't spend enough time on memorization of prepositions and helping verbs. He sometimes struggles when there is a verb phrase such as "had been going". I wonder if it's that I'm not going through the lessons with him, and essentially not "teaching" him, as I've heard some people say kids can do it on their own. Maybe that's the issue? Or that combined with lack of memorization of grammar rules and prepositions. I will definitely have to do more of that daily. Is Hake a publisher or author?

And, Ellie, I do see what you mean by the drill you're talking about in EG. I do agree with you on that, I guess, maybe I'm not sure what to do with son who is not retaining info. Do we just recite grammar rules every day and memorize endless lists of prepositions, verbs and so on, so forth? What would suggest since you use EG with writing strands? (I also use Writing Strands, btw.):001_smile:

If you don't mind, I'm sorry, I'm not good with abbreviations. IMHO means what? And you think starting with the 5th grade book would be better than the 6th grade book?:confused:

Okay, so I'm posting like crazy. My son, who has used Easy Grammar, now in the gr. 5 book, doesn't seem to be able to retain info from these books. I really love EG, the way it's presented, and the simplified approach. Since Susan Wise Bauer recommend Rod & Staff as the best, would it be a big deal to start in R&S 6 Progressing with Courage next year? I just wonder if the drill in R&S would help him to retain info better. Since there's not much drill in EG, I think that's why he seems to be forgetting. Also, any thought on A Beka Language or BJU are welcome also, as I'm considering them as well.

I have been using MFW RtR this year with my 5th grader, soon to be 12 years old. I absolutely loved it, and briefly considered switching to Sonlight, but why fix what's not broken? So here's my question: With him being a 6th grader next year, I'm a little concerned that the science in the next year cycle for MFW, which is Explorers to 1815 may not be enough to prepare him for Apologia's Gen. Science the following year.(2010-2011) I posted an earlier thread about using Apologia's Gen. Science next year, but I'm pretty sure I've decided not to do that considering the math sequence pre-requesites. However, looking at MFW's Eto1815, I'm concerned that the science might not be enough, and wondered if anyone out there has used this year with a 6th grader and what you're experience with it was?

I've seen a lot mentioned about Rainbow Science, but I'm not familiar with it. Do you have a website I could look at, or a publisher name?

MamaT, thanks for that reply. I didn't even think about the math pre-requisite for science. Good point. Right now I'm considering a few things, but have not made up my mind. And by a few things, I mean probably 4 or 5!:tongue_smilie: But he won't be doing Algebra in 8th, he'll be doing it in 9th. So that probably settles that right there. Thanks!

I have a friend who has used Apologia's General Science, and talking to her about it, she said it was hard. But she also has admitted that they are not big science people. Do you really think I could use General Science for my son? He'll be 12 in May, 6th grade next year, and an avid reader, and seems to enjoy science.

After my last post about Considering God's Creation for my 6th grader, I'm curious, does anyone have any other opinions on Apologia's General Science for 6th grader/12year old? I know one poster said to go ahead with it, and I'm very tempted. After looking at the sample pages, I don't think it would be above his head. I welcome any and all ideas.

Thank you for your input. My son does enjoy cut and paste, and it's good to know that General Science won't be too much of a stretch with not having covered every science topic. And as for it being grade level, thanks for letting me know that it might be a little young for him. It's so hard to decide on a curriculum when you can't see it in your hands, or don't know anyone who's ever done it. Thank!

I am new to this forum, but I have so many questions that I need some answers to. My son who will be 12 very soon and in 6th grade, has not had much science. We sort of skipped science our first two years of home schooling because he had fallen so far behind on math in private Christian school, that I had to spend a lot of time catching him up. Science is the only subject that we really didn't do a whole lot of until this year. We are using MFW R2R and have just completed week 21. We did a great study of the human body, and are now using Jeannie Fulbright's Exploring Creation with Astronomy. He absolutely loves it! I bought the notebooking guide from Live-n-Learn Press, and he really seems to enjoy it, and has learned quite a bit. The problem I'm having, is that I really think in order to start Apologia General Science in the fall of 2010, I think he needs a broader approach to science covering more subjects, since we skipped science instruction the last two years. I don't want a traditional textbook method, but realize that a textbook approach is going to give him a wider scope of science. I stumbled onto Considering God's Creation by Eagle's Wings Education, and really like the looks of it with the student notebook, and it also covers multiple branches of science. Has anyone used it? Or does anyone have any insight to this? Also, I feel so bad about not getting enough science before, but I was so focused on language and math, that it really just got put on the back burner. Would love to hear any comments.