GSWL right now but I'm not very far in and I'm wondering if I should switch to Henle. It's going to be a long haul.

I'm on a bit of a break right now while we move but when I start back up it will be algebra, Latin, grammar w/diagramming, classic lit, and world history (audio book thankfully).I'm going to see if by some miracle I can cram it into an hour at night and during my daily commute (20-30 min round trip).

Thank you!

I hate to even suggest this but those horrible multiplication rap apps for iPad worked beautifully around here. Be prepared to buy some ear plugs though.

We generally are using three different programs each day. It generally looks something like this: --LoF --Read a chapter of our current literature selection --LLTL (grammar, poetry, diagramming) --Memory Work --SM-CWP --Latin --BA --Writing/Spelling (we only do our writing/spelling rotation last because it involves several dictation sentenceswhich tends to be where he dawdles so having it at the end keeps him motivated) While it does vary, I'd say he generally only spends 15-20 minutes on each round of math.

I've been really pleased with LLTL.

The plan is to just keep plugging away. LegoMan thrives on routine and breaks are extremely problematic for getting back on task. Artsy girl is suddenly very ready to be a full blown kindergartner so taking a break probably isn't he best idea.

I figured you guys are about the only people on earth who would understand. After approximately 18 months of struggle, I think I finally have LegoMan working at an appropriate level for all his subjects. I truly thought we would never get here and I'm going to enjoy it for the whole 30 days or so it's likely to last. This is tough! I realize I shouldn't complain but having a kid who works so drastically outside grade level is exhausting. For the last several years I have felt every day like I somehow failed him. While we are nowhere hear perfect, it's just nice that for this moment I feel like his math, LA, etc. are where they should be. And seriously, thank goodness for Latin because something should challenge this kid. For the record, he'll be 7 in late June, is legally in 1st grade and here's where we landed: Literature: Working our way through junior high level books as part of our school day and more fun (but still quality) books in the evenings; he reads 4-6th grade books for fun. Spelling: AAS5 mainly doing lessons, review, and dictation (he's a very natural speller and may not truly need AAS but I still see benefits) Grammar: LLTL3 with diagramming every day. We are 1/3 of the way through, trying to do lessons 6 days a week, and planning to move to MCT when we finish this summer. I'm not overly concerned with the grammar honestly but he really enjoys diagramming sentences and I love how pulled together the literature and poetry is. He even wrote a poem the other day for a dear family friend (our former babysitter) which ended with "This is the first stanza." Writing: WWE2. I think this is one of the areas where he shows some of his age. He actually does very well with narration but we could certainly use some practice with identifying main themes and of course WWE2 is excellent for that. We are working on an accelerated schedule and we're running through 1.5 weeks of lessons weekly as I can't imagine he'll need anywhere near 36 weeks to grasp the concept. Generally up to writing 30-40 words worth of sentences in cursive daily. My goal is 50-60 words worth of sentences by this summer. His cursive is amazing. I am blown away. Planning to add IEW this summer or fall. Latin: LL1 (which I'm incredibly thankful for because Latin clearly makes him think) Math: Should be done with Fred Decimals shortly then on to LOF Elementary Physics and pre-A. Also working through SM CWP and BA4. Will do sections of MM5 & 6 at some point in the next month or so (statistics, etc.; the stuff that isn't covered by Fred or Beast). DH and I are getting ready to start working through Jousting Armadillos and AOPS pre-A in preparation. I got him the dragon box app tonight. He worked through the first 3.5 levels in 45 minutes, told me it was very easy, but still fun. I'll take that. History and Science are on hold until after we move in mid-May. Something has to give right now and he reads extensively from our science, history, and geography encyclopedias. Anyway, just wanted to say you all are amazing and I'm very thankful for the wisdom. Thanks for being here. I thought LegoMan was going to be the end of me but I feel so propped up by all of you. Which is probably a good thing since we are gearing up for round two as ArtsyGirl is showing signs of a similarly advanced skill set (she's 4) and The Monkey is scaring me being far far ahead of where the other two where at 20 months.

We used NAC with our STEM oriented kid at 5.5 years old (he'd managed to teach himself printing more of less). He has lovely cursive now at almost 7.

Daily: Math, Latin, Lit/Grammar w/diagramming, Memory Work. Rotate: Spelling (lesson and dictation) and Writing (narration and dictation)

Excellent points! If anyone knows of a national test that doesn't happen to list grade level, I'm all ears. We try to talk about things in terms of numbers or levels (e.g. book 5). A few weeks ago he saw a 1st grade book at Costco, exclaimed "I'm in first grade!" and went to pick it up and look at it. I was barely able to redirect him. I'd just like to keep him ignorant of reality for a while longer.

I tried a few months ago an only picked it back up this week. It's going amazingly well but LegoMan is now solidly working on a 3rd-5th grade level for LA subjects (minus reading which he's significantly further ahead on). I'm glad we dropped it. I think his retention (and my stress) is going to be far better going forward.

Following. We are required to test in 2nd, 4th, and 8th grade. LegoMan will legally be in 2nd grade next year so that will be our first run through. I'm concerned though about giving him a 2nd grade test 1) because we'd really rather he not know how far ahead he really is (2-5 grades depending on subject) and 2) I don't want him to get the impression that tests are super easy and he shouldn't be concerned with giving them any thought at all. Tests are part of life and while I certainly don't want to stress him out, I don't want to go too far the other way either.

Well if it helps, that was my primary concern as well :) And following because we are going to run out of elementary school for math, spelling, and literature here shortly.

We are using LL because I'd already purchased it and I think it's rock solid but for myself I'd go with GSWL all the way (and if I was on a tight budget, I'd use it for the kids too).

We only got through maybe half of RS-B before both LegoMan and I lost our minds (I really wanted to love it) but from what I've seen the "too much" review complaint is common with RS-C and D. We went to SM which I really like and we're only using such a wide assortment right now to deal with the very wacky math progression we've end up on. I think SM was a great follow up to RS.

Anyone want to compare them? I love the idea of BFSU, I try so hard to make it work. But I have zero science background and I can't help but feel I'm really not doing a good job with it. The idea of videos appeals to me and I think they'd work well for LegoMan. It sort of looks like her new online system is kind of like BFSU in how it lays out topics. I keep seeing the criticism though that you have to gather supplies. But do you really? Can you just watch the experiments? I have one of those kids who doesn't need to do everything himself, watching works great for him. In the end he is a hard core STEM kid and thrives on learning everything he can about STEM topics. I really need something more open and go than I can make BFSU right now. I feel guilty admitting that but it is what it is at the moment. Thoughts?

I think there was an Advanced Language Lessons in the works but SWB dropped it to work on other projects like WWS and the high school writing series that I believe is coming (I have zero idea how she accomplishes as much as she does!).

I'm trying to say ahead of LegoMan :) I'd like to start working through a grammar course. One that is incredibly thorough and will not only drastically improve my understanding but allow be to be an effective teacher in terms of grammar and diagramming. I need something I can add to the math and Latin I'm working through at night (history gets done as I commute to work, classic books at bedtime). I'm looking at Analytical Grammar. It's really spendy but I'm willing to do it if it will get me to my goals. Anything else?

Awesome! Hopefully if lots of people watch it more will show up soon.

Our library is okay. Picture book selection is good but I am very unimpressed now that LegoMan is deep into chapter books. 95% are straight twaddle. Also he has a rough time finding books he wants to read. It works better to request books and then just go pick them up. I feel like taking him there and having him browse is just a huge waste of time and frustrates us both. I was just telling my spouse last night that I'd like to just figure out a weekly budget for used books on Amazon (or occasionally if I find something that the thrift store). I'd like to invest in lots of bookshelves and lots of good books.

Sometimes very neglectful homeschooling (below what the PS could generally manage to accomplish) can work out. I'm living proof of that. I got very lucky and worked very hard to leave that part of my life behind me although I still feel the effects daily. My three siblings however require public assistance to care for their families and survive and there really isn't any reasonable hope that will change anytime in the future. The odds of doing well in life after a neglectful education are very poor. Sure it happens and I know everyone likes to point to those cases. But there are far more examples no one wants to talk about.

I really like the Right Start place value cards.

Professional piercing shop. A hollow needle and skilled hands is not only drastically more sanitary and safe but also less painful and potentially damaging.

What level of WWE and FLL are you using? I found we had to jump way ahead to introduce challenge.