Thank you, this helps a lot. I'll take a look at Gutenberg just to get the general idea. I had thought about doing a summary of each lesson and using that through the year. I did not do it with vol 1 because I thought it would be too time consuming. However, I think it would have been less time consuming than what we are doing now. I'm still leaning towards this being my best option. My biggest issue will be in keeping it short. There is so much great information in each lesson, I'll have to try to hold myself back. :lol:

I would be interested in hearing about the Guerber texts as well. I would love to consolidate our book list. Using so many different books can become daunting at times.

I just looked at your children's ages... I would definitely look at the samples on the BIP site like Heather suggested. My dd 14 is doing MOH 3 now and loving it. It is a beautiful book. But the content might be a bit much for the ages of your kids even if you don't start until next year. Especially for your youngest ones. Of course that is just my opionion, you know your kids better than I do.:) My youngest, ds6, was just not ready to start MOH yet. We are waiting a couple of years. We are doing exactly what Heather suggested with the history encyclopedia. We are following the timeline of MOH, but using the Usborne Encyclopedia of World History, a lot of books from the library, and of course some of the activities out of MOH. I have also found some great history coloring sheet free online. He likes those too. I believe they are making folder books for vol 2. I think I saw it mentioned on the MOH 2 yahoo site.

Have you looked at MOH vol 3 yet? The lessons are much longer than vol 2. You might be able to stretch it out longer than a year. As for All American History, here is a yahoo group that has a schedule combining it with SOTW, giving you both American and World history. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AllAmericanHistory/ This site has some great books, online, free! http://www.mainlesson.com/main/displayarticle.php?article=feature

Here are some additional book list sites below. The first 2 are in the MOH1 yahoo group files page. http://www.abookintime.com/index.html http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/index.htm http://www.readingyourwaythroughhistory.com/ http://lexicon.ci.anchorage.ak.us/guides/kids/booklists/historicalfiction/ Also don't forget about all of the freebies you can use at the one below. http://www.mainlesson.com/main/displayarticle.php?article=feature

Yes, there is a book list in the back of each volume of MOH. You can actually see the book list in the files section on the MOH vol 1 yahoo group. There are also additional book lists, or links to sites with lists, that members have posted. Here is the site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MysteryofHistory1/files/ HTH :)

I have not used it myself, but will be checking into it--- Christian Kids Explore series published by Bright Ideas Press. They have: Physics, Chemistry, Earth and Space, and Biology. Here is the website where you can see samples http://www.brightideaspress.com/catalog.htm#science Click on the book you want and all of the info and links to the samples will pop up, plus a little background about the author. If you decide to check into it, let me know what you think. :)

We have Comprehensive Composition by Kathryn Stout. It is a teacher's resource book for teaching writing. It can be applied to all grade levels. Topics include: paragraphs, essays, notes and outlines, descriptive writing, persuasive writing, narrative writing, biographies, letters, reports and research papers. You can see the table of contents on Rainbow Resources and CBD. You could also check into "Teaching the Research Paper" through Analytical Grammar.

We are using the book "My Body". http://www.amazon.com/Body-Science-Books-PATTY-CARRATELLO/dp/1557342113/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254841383&sr=1-1 My six year old loves it. It gives just enough information on each of the body parts. You draw the child's outline on large paper. You then photocopy the body part pages. They color them and glue them in place. It even tells you what color each part should be and includes a guide for how, where and when to place them of the outline. We also use some of the Usborne books along with it. My son is very visual.

If you are a member, you can show them your FPEA card to get an educator's discount card.

For MOH, it says to use the "Babur" figure from HITW for our lesson on the Mughal Dynasty of India. Would that work for you?

Here's one that is on sale through homeschool buyers co-op. If you are not a member yet, it does not cost anything to join. https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_hsbc_epp_order&Itemid=1006 Sorry, I have not used it, so I can't review it. But they do have demonstration videos. HTH :)

Yes, they sell them at Barnes and Noble as well. Don't forget to use your educator's discount if you go to buy them there. But if you don't mind using them off of the computer, they would be free.

You could also use Sparknotes online for free. They have summaries for each chapter; discuss plot, theme, motifs, etc.; study questions and quizzes. If you would prefer to have a hard copy in hand they are available in download form for a reasonable price. sparknotes.com

If IEW is out only because of the cost, but you like the approach, then you might want to check into Meaningful Composition by Training For Triumph. They use the Key Word Outline approach to writing like IEW but at a fraction of the cost. $32. Each level is intended to be a one semester course, but when paired with grammar, it can be spread out throughout the year. They have samples on their website. http://tfths.com/comp.php Dd tried IEW and did not care for it, but liked this program. I would also suggest looking at Cathy Duffy Reviews website. She has a lot of suggested writing programs.

:lurk5: would love to hear about this as well.

Thank you Cyrena for such detailed information! It sounds like the entire set might be nice to have.

Hi Cyrena, Thank you for your reply. Can you tell me what types of activities are in the teacher's book? Thanks!

I am looking into the HS program for Total Health. Can anyone tell me if there are major differences between the older and the newer editions? If I purchased the newer student book and tests, would the older teacher's guide work with it? Is the teacher's guide even necessary? (We are on a tight budget, so trying to get only what is needed.) Any thoughts, likes, dislikes about the curriculum? TIA for your help! (and if anyone is looking to sell, I might be looking to buy:))

Great Illustrated Classics and Stepping Stones Books both have pictures. Of course these would depend on the age of your children.

We have been reinforcing each lesson with the activities in the teachers guide. DS is getting more out of the books this way. We also use easy readers like Bob Books, etc. You can see samples of the teacher's book here if you do not already own it. http://www.christianbook.com/explode-code-teachers-guide-books-2/9780838808535/pd/146853?event=ESP1016|928696|1016#curr

If you purchase these at Amazon they are eligible for the 4 for 3 promotion. You would get all four for 29.94 with free shipping. Not a huge savings, but every little bit counts in our house. :)

We read "Before You Meet Prince Charming: A Guide to Radiant Purity" by Sarah Mally. DD and I both loved it!! http://www.christianbook.com/before-prince-charming-guide-radiant-purity/sarah-mally/9780971940543/pd/940541?item_code=WW&netp_id=441734&event=ESRCN&view=covers

How about God's Design for Life: The Human Body http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Gods-Design-for-Life-The-Human-Body,5961,191.aspx You could also use some like the Human Body Reproducible book for labeling body parts: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=87544&item_code=WW&netp_id=188267&event=ESRCN&view=covers

Have you looked at Apologia's Physical Science? It can be used in 8th or 9th grade. Look here for a sample: http://www.apologia.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3 We are planning to use this in 9th. HTH :)