Thanks, deerforest, for the info. I'd be very interested in how you like Mosdos this year! I've considered it, but prefer whole books, and thought the large teacher's manual might make me quit it instead of wading through all those pages. Sounds like I need to look at it again. Must confess-- I read your first sentence and was thinking, "Yes! That's what I wish I had time to do!" But alas, I don't have the time either!

Sounds like a great year of art, thank you so much for sharing your plans! I've got the 13 artists in my wish list already, so the match ups really help!

Thanks, Farrarr. I've got Figuratively Speaking in my Rainbow wish list, will look into it. Any ideas on a guide book with synopsis of fiction for this age group? I can't get my own work done and pre-read enough to keep up.

What do you use for Lit for middle grades? I've got a good bookshelf stocked with historical, popular, non-fiction, and classic reads. Always before, I've let DS free range read, and he reads as fast as I can stock the shelf, in many genres. At his eval, he's topped out their elementary set, and she suggested working on literary elements, recognizing themes, etc. Where do I start with that? He likes graphic organizers, but not a ton of writing or busy work. He reads quickly, so 100+ worksheet pages on the same book isn't ideal. Comprehension and vocabulary are strong, discussion ok, but no need for more worksheets here. I'd like something with an answer key or at least a story synopsis and discussion starters. Maybe a quick analysis or story map, chart of which books to use for which elements, type of guide for multiple books? Anyone know of a curriculum or TPT bundle that covers this stuff? Feeling lost, since I was thinking we were good with just reading everything in sight for a couple more years.

We do the timeline at home, and may start using history sentences this year, but that's it. The timeline is the best part, IMHO.

Side question-- what art spine are you using? Would you mind sharing your match ups? I've procrastinated on planning art! Also, pitterpatter, you may like this one, it looks to be a no prep, open and go, similar in style to Kilgallon: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sentence-Spotlight-A-Collection-of-Mentor-Sentences-BUNDLE-2134935

I like Miss Giraffe for K-1 phonics and math centers and worksheets: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe I've also really liked https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Nothing-But-Class and would like to find another store with similar novel studies and more titles. Good stuff for middle grades from Runde's Room and Nitty Gritty Science too. I like Mel & Gerdy, but we're not on biology this year. Looking forward to using their products when we are back to bio again. Was disappointed in the word roots things I bought from Lovin' Lit, but we'll see how it goes with DS. (These are very color and write oriented and he doesn't like to color, likely my own fault). Any recommendations for grammar or Lit/novel studies for middle grades?

Both of mine did 3 and 4 yo preschool and then were home for K. No problems with transitioning to homeschool for K. Younger had been going to co op and field trips along with preschool, so he didn't want to give up those friends for unknown K friends. May have helped that the kids in his preschool class went to 5 different elementary schools, so they weren't all moving together.

How are you getting accelerated reader? Thru your local school? I didn't think it was available for homeschoolers. Interested!

Do the Monday history and Wednesday biology classes count as subjects for you or enrichment? If these are your history and science, with 1-2 other work periods at home to be complete, then this would work for me. Looks like you'd have math and LA to teach at home, do able in your mornings, then the prep for science and history, mostly independently? I'd consider busy bags or a soft car tray to make some portable fun things for engaging your littles. And, do tell more about this adventure group! I'd give a pretty penny have that option for my kiddos!

I don't think the apologia chem and physics elementary would be deep enough. We used it in 3rd, and I'd say its target is 3rd-5th, it would be light, and the tone kind of childish for middle school.

I'm worried I'll hate geology too, dropped that class in college after only a week! My plan is to do 3 units, roughly 12 weeks per unit: Earth, Space, Water. We've covered chem and physics this year. I'd be interested in what you are using from TPT, here ar some of the things I'm considering from TPT. Doodle style notes, these would be right up DS's alley I think, maybe better than note booking: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Earth-Science-Doodles-SET-of-8-BUNDLES-at-25-OFF-1554934 Interactive notebook, power points and notes, middle school level, may buy just a few units: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/EARTH-SCIENCE-CURRICULUM-ULTIMATE-BUNDLE-v-20-2419897 Less involved notebook: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Earth-Science-Interactive-Notebook-335412 Activities to go with notebook, this is the space topic one: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Space-Stations-A-Big-Science-Stations-Unit-1117903 Interested in what you're using from TPT, that site may be worse than Pinterest as a time suck!

Sweet pea, checking in on how your plans are going and any recommendations you have? We don't start earth science until August, but I've been following along and as we wrap up this year, ready to plan!

I'm considering using this off of TPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Greek-and-Latin-Roots-MEGA-BUNDLE-2340139 Will definitely be purchasing these little posters regardless of what we use for roots, for $3: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Greek-Latin-Roots-Posters-2124054

If you're needing additional spelling work, fun ideas for spelling practice: write words in something messy-- sand, shaving cream, pudding spell while jumping rope or on trampoline sidewalk paint or chalk water colors, paint, chalk, pastels playdoh stamping letters banangrams or scrabble tiles to build words write with glue and cover in glitter, colored sand, etc. bite off pretzels into letter shapes to spell use large sheets of paper with letters on them and build a crossword puzzle on floor (or tape off and play boggle) Lots of good spelling review ideas on pinterest. Also search sight word games, and there are tons of those that can be modified for spelling practice too.

Not a fan. Very little teaching and not in context or logical order. Ds could follow the examples to easily complete the work, but we used as a supplement and dropped part way through the year. Retention may be an issue if using as main program.

Sign up genius is helpful for signing up to do/make/bring.

Used apologia Chem and physics with the guest hollow schedule this year and have loved it! Wishing she had earth science for next year. Check out guest hollow.com and the one that goes with Chem and physics is called knowledge of nature. It has videos, extension activities, book match ups, more/better experiments, etc.

Following because I have the same questions. There was a thread last week or week before discussing also.

BusyMom, did you find the teacher guide necessary or helpful? Were there answers to the workbook in the workbook or just the teacher's guide? Did the guide have a lesson plan/schedule to follow? At 600 pages, I'm worried it will be so dense that I'd never get around to using the teacher guide.

We like skrafty for monitored, kid friendly server play. http://whenyouriseup.com

Considering these for science curriculum, anyone have experience with either? Review? Especially looking for how easy the materials were to use, and if the kits/experiments were worthwhile. Modules: http://www.deltaeducation.com/stem-solutions/delta-science-modules Nutshells: https://www.deltaeducation.com/stem-solutions/science-in-a-nutshell/ Samples: http://www.deltaeducation.com/stem-solutions/delta-science-modules/samples

Following!

Nathan hale's hazardous tales graphic novels were a hit here with 9yo ds, as was King George what was his problem, loads of who was books, and assorted graphic novels on cotton gin, steam engine, etc. Ben and Me was a hit. He also read many classic starts series this year (Les Mis, Oliver Twist, Three Musketeers). He liked ravenmaster's secret early in the year, also. Betsy maestro early Americans book for colonial times. Graphic histories and cornerstones of freedom series were good. I looked at but did not purchase the history of us book series. We're starting lewis and Clark and pioneers next week so I will try to post again with his reviews. He thoroughly enjoyed building a model cotton gin from a shoebox this week, dying a hard boiled egg like George washington's teeth, etc. History Pockets were a bust here. I had planned to, but ran out of time for painting blank matryoshka dolls (Amazon). There are lots of brainpop and school house rock videos for this year. Liberty's kids was also enjoyed. Hope that helps some!

Hisfothomeschooling bumped up an old thread with a free earth science curriculum that has scientist study and non fiction books and experiments outlined: https://wateronthefloor.wordpress.com/free-curriculum/earth-scienceastronomy/