I like this idea! I'll check into the elementary school ones. I read another thread a while ago that suggested the Grammar for MS was a stronger edition than the SC for MS because it was more recently revised. So confused! LOL

I've been using Daily Grams alongside our grammar for 2 years and what I'm noticing is that my oldest DD really needs to focus on her sentence structure/combining skills. To that end, I'm debating adding in a Killgallon's book for 8th grade (probably Grammar for Middle School because it's the newer text), but I'm not sure how to use it? Do I schedule her an activity per week in addition to her grammar (GWG 8)? Do some people use it as "stand-alone" grammar? I'm open to ideas. :) If it helps, I'm planning to use IEW SWI B for writing next year and we'll also be doing a vocab program (Sadlier-Oxford) and a lit program (LL8) - so I don't want this to be an over-balance of LA but I do feel it's an important skill for her to master. I'm hoping it can just step in and fill the 10 minutes in DD's morning that Daily Grams used to fill - but maybe I'm not fully understanding how to use it. ;)

I've been using Daily Grams alongside our grammar for 2 years and what I'm noticing is that my oldest DD really needs to focus on her sentence structure/combining skills. To that end, I'm debating adding in a Killgallon's book for 8th grade (probably Grammar for Middle School because it's the newer text), but I'm not sure how to use it? Do I schedule her an activity per week in addition to her grammar (GWG 8)? Do some people use it as "stand-alone" grammar? I'm open to ideas. :) If it helps, I'm planning to use IEW SWI B for writing next year and we'll also be doing a vocab program (Sadlier-Oxford) and a lit program (LL8) - so I don't want this to be an over-balance of LA but I do feel it's an important skill for her to master. I'm hoping it can just step in and fill the 10 minutes in DD's morning that Daily Grams used to fill - but maybe I'm not fully understanding how to use it. ;)

Is it crazy that I'm actually kind of "afraid" to answer this? :ohmy: I've made several important decisions, but not all of them yet! So, subject to change . . . Math: CLE 800 Science: planning on Rainbow Science Year 2 (unless we change our minds) LA: Writing - IEW SWI B (moving on to SICC if we have time, but I don't want to rush) Lit - Possibly LL8 + Figuratively Speaking (unless I decide that's too much overlap) Grammar - GWG 8 (maybe adding in Killgallon's Sentence Composing) Vocab - I really want to use Sadlier-Oxford C if I can figure out how to get a teacher guide/answer key (which is proving annoyingly challenging!) Is it necessary? Bible: We're considering Positive Action "Wise Up" History/Geography: SOTW 3 with additional fiction/non-fiction reading (we used selections from Classical House of Learning this year, so we'll likely do the same for next year) Foreign Language: L'Art De Lire French Logic: Thinking Toolbox (1 x week read/discuss) Art: Home Art Studio (I bought it for our youngers but she'll likely enjoy it with us!) Music: Piano lessons PE: Ballet/Dance classes Outside class at co-op (this year it was Drama - they put on a play each year)

I've often looked at the BJU sciences and wondered if they could be done "independently" only because my DD likes to work this way with science (hence our Rainbow choice). I'm concerned that she would be frightened off by the "meatiness" of it all since she's not very in love with science! Reading threads like this just piques my curiosity even more. I love the look of the new edition of Earth Science (4th ed) but without an online class option, I don't know that she would get much from it. I've heard that BJU science needs to be "taught" - ie by a science teacher ;) lol

Thanks! I'll check into it - it's one of those things that seemed sooooo far away until I started planning 8th grade science and had one of those "ummm, what?" moments! ;) I think she'd like the idea of AP Environmental Science. She could also make peace with something like Earth and Space science or Geology. I'll check what we need.

I'm trying to figure out what we would lead into if we continue with Year 2 of Rainbow Science for 8th (our current plan). Assuming we go ahead with this plan, DD will study Biology and Science Applications. She is SUPER excited about this - why? She wants to dissect a frog. (Umm, yes, I can do that with you any time and I'm more than happy to do it. LOL) She is almost certainly NOT headed for a STEM career (current choices in her mind include ballet dancing and theater major - please, PLEASE let her decide before college-age what other money-making vocation she can pair with these LOL ;) ). Anyway, since she only likes biology (she's decided for sure now!), she wanted to do the Apologia Marine Biology class in high-school. I assume that's ok for one year of credit. I've already broken the bad news she indeed has to have a whole year of her nemesis - physics - and another year of her other phobia - chemistry. I will be researching ways to make it happy or at least livable for both of us! ;) That leaves year 4 - or 1 or? I'm not really sure? Does anyone have a science "line-up" in their head for HS and if so, does it requre a physical science course in 8th (since clearly that's out because we just did similar subjects in 7th)?

:bigear: Listening in - I'm still trying to figure out what we should do for 4 years of high-school science. I figure Biology, Physics, Chemistry - ummm, what else? She wants Marine Biology one year, so I suppose that's fine? I guess one year is for those who want to persue an AP or college level science? :confused1:

http://www.classicalhouseoflearning.com/ In case you hadn't seen this yet. :)

Overall, it's been a good year. I have liked the measure of independence it provided for my 7th grader. I really like the simplicity of the teacher manual. Key thing to remember for me? My dd just doesn't like physics and chemistry isn't far behind! ;) The concepts are meaty enough that with NO prior introduction these ideas, she was regularly stretched by the material. She attended private school for 6 years and never heard a word about Newton or gravity or acids/bases etc - so when you consider that each and every page was new information for her, I think she handled it well. The labs were very simple (mostly) and they got done! All I had to do was stick to our schedule and she did the rest - about as easy to implement at it gets! She is looking forward to biology next year - especially the frog dissection ;)

We try to keep it around $1,000 for our 3 each year (coming up they'll be in 8th, 6th, 4th). First year was more because I bought extra readers which we have enjoyed owning. I spent less last year because I took the time to find deals/used books. This year I'm hoping it will be more like $800 - but that depends on if I add in the things I've already purchased for the fall lol ;)

My issue exactly! Buying does not equal doing!! lol Such a shame because I've purchased some wonderful things we haven't used - yet ;) I'm looking at the MP guides too. I haven't yet decided if I even want a 'guide' though - I'm debating just discussing, using a Book Adventure quiz and maybe a basic 'book report' for my 9 and 11 year olds. My 13 yo will do a lit program but I haven't picked which one yet.

For those using Vocabulary Workshop, where do you purchase the teacher guide/answer key? That's my only holdup with using it next year.

I think EG 4 or 5 would be fine. Or maybe look into Growing with Grammar if you want to continue to incorporate diagramming.

Ok, might have solved our issue! Apparently I just had to post about it lol For anyone else attempting this, we are trying the instructions found here: http://greenstreet-online.board-directory.net/t21-how-to-migrate-typing-instructor-for-kids-2-data-from-one-computer-to-another We'll see if it works! Update: it worked :)

My DH is a computer guru but in transferring our school computer to a newer model, he is coming up empty on where to find the saved data for our typing program. I know it's not the end of the world to start over, but the kids would lose all the saved profile achievements and information on which drills they've completed etc. I know lots of people use this program - has anyone successfully transferred the program + data to a new school pc? :)

We introduced French with SOS Elementary French - it was fun without being babyish. We've moved on to L'Art de Lire now and the kids love it.

My 5th grader is very 'into' science and loves being a spectator for her sister's labs. I think it could work for a 'science-oriented' 5th grader if you were willing to use the teacher manual to guide the questions and do the work orally - more like teacher-student discussions. You would probably need to do the labs together and I would skip the quizzes or make them open book/note. My 7th grader does it mostly independently but I wouldn't recommend that for a 5th grader.

We also use this and like it. We get 'Top Story' for our 7th grader. I order a single subscription to 5th gr and 3rd gr Scholastic News for our younger kids, but everyone reads everyone else's magazines too!

I was looking at the buyers co-op trying to make my final decision between Atelier and HAS, when I clicked on the link for the "recommended supplies" and noticed that the levels I was looking at are on a "super-sale" for $7.99/ea at Jerry's. http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/dvds/home-school-art-studio-program/k-5.htm With shipping ($8.95 - ouch!) for 2 levels it was $25 Just thought I'd mention it in case anyone is trying to make the same decision. Also, how necessary/overpriced are the art kits from Jerry's? I was contemplating this but figured I could put together my own supplies for less by using Hobby Lobby/Michael's coupons over the summer?

I'm listening to this too. I've purchased SWI-B for my 6th/8th graders but I wanted to try ATFF with my 4th grade DS. My plan is to watch the overview DVD that came with SWI -B and see if I feel confident enough to try it. I do have a background with professional writing but not necessarily the IEW style.

Yes, this! My DD doesn't like books with death in them. She is the oldest, and at the time that she read it, her brother was 6. :( I don't push her to read things that upset her because I feel there are enough classics I can supplement for her. ;)

Yes, this list seems quite simple - I guess I saw things like clay sculpting, paper mâché, and 'dry powdered tempura paint' and glazed over lol. We do actually have clay and glue etc on hand - I really don't know why art intimidates me so?!

That list is awesome, thank you! From reading through that, I'm wondering how specialized (aka expensive) the supplies will be? Hmmm. More to consider!

Thank you! :) Ok based on this, I would totally see us being more comfortable with level 3. lol My middle dd loves to draw but hasn't had any formal instruction other than things she's picked up in art books or from a few artist friends we know. I didn't want it to be too simplistic or feel 'babyish' for my older one, but since none of them have had structured art classes at home (or in the 6 years of private school for my older dd!) I think we'll be better off with level 3.