We have used Elemental for the last few years for our science curriculum and it's becoming a little redundant for my kids and myself. Honestly, it's hasn't been getting done much this year because we are all bored with it and over it. So, any suggestions? My children are ages 11, 7, 5 and I honestly just need science to get DONE some days. I like experiments but simple and easy to follow as sometimes I have my 11DS do it all himself. I have to "teach" science according to my state regulations so maybe it would be good to have a textbook. Which I don't love because I don't love textbooks. I would like to have a "skeleton" to jump off of. Any tips? Advice? Words of encouragement? I am a science failure. Thanks.

My kids love it too. We are copywork fans here. :)

Why not? I find it is mostly busywork. We read a wide variety of books and talk about the new words. Simple.

I tried AAS with my DS10 who has struggled with spelling for years. I then switched to WRTR for focused phonics instruction which helped a great deal and we did that for a year. However, I needed something less teacher intensive as we made an international move. So, I switched to Apples and Pears and boy oh boy have I seen a difference. It's a great program, very user friendly, predictable, built in review, no fancy magnet tiles, etc. It gets done and I have been amazed at his spelling outside of "spelling" also. I am pleased and will continue the program through to completion. HTH. If you have any other questions, maybe I can answer some of them.

:iagree:

Phonics Pathways.

I hate 100 Easy Lessons, HATED IT. I went to Phonics Pathways and my DD reads the All About Reading books for supplements. :) HTH.

No, I am sorry for the confusion, I am on the monthly plan. If you purchase the upfront plan you receive all of the credits upfront.

For my DD who seems to naturally grasp spelling, Spelling by Sound and Structure. For my DS who has spelling issues we used Apples and Pears this year (I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WORKS BUT IT WORKS). I love it. We will go through each book and he doesn't complain and he is improving. We have done Spalding as well and it is very solid. However, we moved internationally during the year and I needed something that was not so teacher intensive.

You get 2 credits a month to use. You also get discounted "member" rates. When we first got the subscription I thought 2 a month was too little but as we have had it a little over a year now, I can say it is worth it and just the right amount. Your credits do roll over into the next month. So, if you do not use January then in February you could choose 4 books.

Success: Rod and Staff English (my DD was thrilled to switch from FLL to R&S) Phonics Pathways (so thankful I decided to stick with that -- thorough, effective, and no gimmicks) Story of the World (my children LOVE this) Killgallon Paragraphs for Elementary (my DS loved this program, he felt it gave him structure while still fostering independence). I saw great improvement in writing this year. APPLES AND PEARS (my DS is spelling and enjoying it FINALLY) Fails: Memoria Press Prima Latina (just boring) Science this year has been a fail, I have been using elemental for a few years and I think my kids are just burned out on it. Switching it up this next year with DH doing experiments each week and myself doing all the book work and I'm hopeful we all enjoy it more. WWE gets done by DD but not with zeal, gusto and fervor. :) However, if it ain't broke don't fix it, eh? Pardon the grammar, I didn't use R&S as a child. ;) Singapore also gets accomplished but not with the gusto it once fostered in our home. My daughter seems somewhat lost and my son has ebbs and flows. He will stick with it this next year (6A/6B) but my daughter might try out a few others, specifically R&S and CLE. DS 10 DD 7 DD 5

I also have a 2nd grader who is not struggling with spelling. I am going to use Spelling by Sound and Structure from Rod and Staff. She is a "get it done" type child and prefers no fluff.

I, ideally, like to have all of the "next" year's materials by April as we school year round so just finish in May for recording purposes and begin again in June. So, I have already ordered MOST of my things, I try to hold off on history, science, and books because things will change. I will do one big book haul in April, probably and then purchase throughout the year as the need arises. If I don't just bite the bullet and purchase (like I did last week), I will get paralysis of analysis.

Morning time (circle time) -- we just started this and it is working beautifully. Proverb chapter a day and subjects will be AWANA memory work, copywork, manners book, Hero Tales Vol. 1-2, and usually something I just throw in. Math: Trying out different mathematic approaches right now, we used Singapore for 1st but thinking we might try some CLE and R&S and see what we think. English: Rod and Staff English 2, Spelling by Sound and Structure (R&S spelling), WWE2, homegrown handwriting using a variety of resources Latin: Sing Song School Latin 1 History: SOTW Vol. 2, with added literature and readers Science- Nature and Astronomy and Earth Science (mom made) AWANA Piano Co-op Choir maybe gymnastics (we are still thinking on it).

My first thought was Biblioplan, I find it is easy to implement and can be used for multiple children in different stages.

I am still in the beginning stages Mathematics: Singapore 6A/6B with CWP, IP, Process Skills book (maybe adding in Jousting Armadillos later). English: Rod and Staff 6 Writing: Writing From History Medieval L2. & Writing With Skill (towards the second semester). Spelling: Apples and Pears D History: Medieval a la WTM method and lots of good readings Science: Earth/Astronomy a la WTM method with lots of experiments and good books and 2x weekly nature study. Ceaser's English - this has been a hit this year and we intend on continuing. Latin: Latin for Children 1 Fallacy Detective Lots of good books, we are going through a list he and I have compiled that he would like to read. I am trying to give him more say in his education. Piano Soccer Choir AWANA

I may *start* at 5 but I don't really expect much until about 6.

Phonics Pathways or Spalding.

Thank you very much for the resources and tips. I will check those out.

That is what I was leaning towards. Thank you. Also, yes I use the HiG.

We also needed a break from WWE this past year so we started with Killgallon Paragraphs for Elementary School and my DS10 loves it. I do plan to go back to WWS maybe in the middle of next year but so far this has really helped his paragraph development and given him new ways to construct sentences. HTH.

We have been using Singapore since 2nd and my son is now in 5th and we have hit a snag. Should I keep pushing through, it seems suddenly like nothing was being retained and that I am having to walk through problem after problem. He is not (nor am I) mathematically inclined and I am starting to wonder if I need more hand holding and more explanations than Singapore PM US edition provides. What about Math Mammoth? Or should I just stick to this topic (dividing fractions and the whole fractions unit) until we are solid? I was already thinking about next year and I was going to us Singapore 6A/6B and now I am wondering if that isn't the most prudent idea. Any help, tips, or advice? Please tell me I am not the only one who thinks that the dividing fractions unit is difficult!? Thanks.

I like Spalding or Phonics Pathways. I find them both inexpensive, easy to use (Spalding has a learning curve), and effective. I have used both with great success.

Superb. Thank you for sharing.

I use Rod and Staff English as well. I have been very pleased. We use Killgallon for writing right now, we needed a break from WWE.