I'm considering this program instead of ECC. I've loved our first year of homeschooling with Adventures and am definitely tempted to use ECC. The things holding me back are the price, the use of the book basket and my plans to use a different science curriculum. I think I want to do a year of geography before we start the 4 year history cycle and my dd loves all the hands on activities and read-alouds with MFW. So . . . this has me eyeing GTG. I'm wondering, though, how much of GTG requires the use of other books to drive it and make it rich in content. I would buy the books on the core book list except Considering God's Creation (and I'm not sure about Aquariam Guide and Zoo Guide). Would I still need those? My plan is to use Apologia Zoo 1 (Flying Creatures on the Fifth Day). I live overseas so I must carefully consider using any curriculum that relies heavily on checking out library books. Any thoughts from those that have used GTG? Thank you!!! :bigear:

We are loving Rod and Staff over here. Quick, simple and thorough! :-)

Oops I don't know why I thought the books had internet links! They still look like they would complement ECC well!

Julie, thanks for your words of encouragement! Btw, I don't think you were venting at all. Sometimes it just helps to write out things as we see it and then we can take a step back (sometimes with different eyes and sometimes it is what it is). I am praying for you. The Lord does care about the details of our lives and will show you what to do. We will be taking our first furlough in December (just for 2 months). I've decided to drop MFW and stick with the 3r's during this time. We will enjoy the use of the library and can dabble in some history and science. I do plan to do one of Evan Moor's history pockets that coincide with MFW. We can always finish it up here if we aren't able to complete everything. I love Adventures, but I don't want to take a bunch of books with us and I want to be able to take my time to really go through and enjoy the curriculum. I don't want our furlough schedule to disrupt our joy of this curriculum so we will wait until I know I can pour more of ourselves into it. Heritage Learning Academy. . . Thank you! I was considering adding Children Just Like Me, but I didn't know about Celebrations or that they had internet links! :) I'm leaning towards using ECC, but still need to decide if I want use different read alouds. I know it will all come together. Thank you all for your insight and helping me think this through.

Thank you!! :001_smile:

Thanks for your help ladies! I hope you are all still with me...I had intended to comment earler, but we were without power for 12 hours. Julie, we are missionaries too. We are in Albania. I'm wondering if ECC will be a good choice if it requires more use of the book basket to carry it through. I've also considered Galloping the Globe with just the core books, but I'm afraid I might be in the same boat using a curriculum that recommends the use of other library books. I would love to stick with MFW but wonder if I will have this problem every year. We do have access to a small library at an international school so that does help a bit. Do all the years of MFW rely heavily on the book basket? On a side note, I met with friends today and one of them has Apologia Zoo 1 that I can borrow next year. :-) This will save me some money and allow me to try out a curriculum that I've been eyeing. I'm excited! :-)

I'll need to give this some more thought and review. We are enjoying Adventures, but the science seems light for my science-loving dd. I've read several comments of Prop of Eco being dry and over the heads of younger ones which causes me to doubt. I've also considered using Considering God's Creation. I guess I'm undecided and all over the place with science. I love how everything flows together in MFW and would love to maintain that balance. We live oveseas so getting apprropriate book basket books can be a challenge. ECC is a bit expensive and I want to be careful not to spend money on things we won't enjoy or use. I'm tempted to buy the whole set, but you raised another thing I was wondering about (using different read alouds). I've read mixed reviews about reading Kingdom Tales to the younger set and others not enjoying the biographies. I think I want to include Kingdom Tales, but the price seems steep. Other books I'm considering are 10 Boys and Girls Who Changed the World, Missionary Stories with the Millers, Children Just Like Me, and Around the World in 80 Tales. To summarize, I guess my concerns are making ECC budget friendly while choosing age appropriate, engaging science and read alouds that will tie into the curriculum. Decisions, decisions...glad I have time to figure this out and I'm thankful to you all for sharing your experience and wisdom. Blessings!!

I know you must all think I'm crazy, but I'm already starting to plan for next year. We are loving MFW and will probably continue with ECC. I'd like to use Apologia Zoo 3 instead of Properties of Ecosystems that MFW recommends. With that in mind, I'm wondering what else I won't need to buy from MFW we if we go with a different science. I want to keep the program rich, but would love to be able to cut some costs. I'm also wondering if we need both the classroom atlas and the illustrated world atlas. Help please! :001_smile:

Yes! All three of my kids have used it through the years. My yougest recently earned a 6 month subscription for Highlights and is working toward her next reward! The quizes are simple, usually 10 questions, and they have a good book selection as well. I highly recommend it. :-)

Elf and Bedtime Stories are a couple of our favorites

Thought this thread might be helpful. :) http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/shothread.php?t=406778

We are enjoying Horizons math. The spiral approach works well for my dd and helps hold her interest. Our lessons consist of speed drills, board work for examples and oral teaching. She loves the colorful workbook and when Igive her opportunities to solve things on the white board.

I think my dd would do best with multiple subjects.

I see the exam as another hoop to jump through, but this is our first year homeschoolong and I don't feel confident to teach high school on my own. Maybe we will get there. I'm loving the freedom of choosing my own curruculum for my 2nd grader! Thankful for so many choices! :)

High school students in California charter schools must also take and pass the CAHSEE (exit exam) to receive a diploma.

I met with a friend tonight who told me about this app. She doesn't have first hand experience, but shared how well it is working for a friend of hers and how much her kids enjoy it. If anyone here uses it, I would love to hear your thoughts! :)

We have not used CLE, but are enjoying R&S. I was worried by dd would'nt care for it since she loves workbooks. I'm pleased with the short, solid lessons and plan to stick with it.

We live overseas and will be taking a 2 month furlough to Southern California in December. Unfortunately, I will need to leave my MFW curriculum behind and we will be focusing on the 3 R's. Can the Hive help me come up with some ideas to take advantage of some opportunities while we are in California that will help support what we are learning? We will definitely be taking advantage of the library and going to the museum. I'm also thinking of doing one of Evan Moor's History pockets and having my dd write a letter to the president. Any other ideas would be appreciated! :001_smile:

Thanks for the words of wisdom!

I filed my PSA and think I will enjoy the freedom! :001_smile:

This is really helpful! Thank you! Silver Moon how do you feel about keeping them at grade level or bumping it up? Ellie brought up some good points to consider.

That is a great question! I will be listening in and hope you get a response.

Can anyone help me compare Spelling Workout with Rod and Staff? My daughter is solid in phonics, is reading above grade level and is a natural speller. We are currently using SWOB which is very easy for her. My dd thinks the activities are fun, but I don't want it to just be busy work. I'm considering bumping her up to level C or trying R&S which I would also bump up a grade level. Any advice? Thank you! :001_smile:

:bigear: I'm having trouble deciding on writing too. I plan to try WS next year, but am also curious about Essentials in Writing. IEW is not in the budget and I'm afraid to spend that kind of money on something we may not like.

:bigear: I'm having trouble deciding on writing too. I plan to try WS next year, but am also curious about Essentials in Writing. IEW is not in the budget and I'm afraid to spend that kind of money on something we may not like.