I second using 12-14 for HS. I LOVE their materials and it's plenty meaty (we usually have to trim some things out!). We've used them piecemeal since about grade 4. Good luck!

I just want to say as the homeschooling parent of a highly talented, performing arts, non-math, conservatory-bound kid I am loving this thread! We, too, are playing with wording to accommodate her need to take longer in each math subject. Our goal is enough math to survive the SAT/ACT (emphasis: SURVIVE). Our hope/plan is her transcript will look something like this: 9th: Math 9 Algebra 1A (which was Pre Algebra w/heavy review and a bit of Algebra 1) 10th: Math 10 Algebra 1B (completion of aforementioned Algebra 1) 11th: Math 11 Geometry (standard course, as much as we can get through, or select topics) 12th: Math 12 Math Connections (will follow Oak Meadow Course Syllabus) http://oakmeadow.com/news/courses/math-connections/

Thank you prairiewindmomma! Appreciate the feedback!

Prairiewindmomma- what is the base amount of product one needs to do jump into MUS Algebra I if they've never done any other MUS levels and don't have previous sets of manipulatives that are specific to this program? I am a bit confused at which set of materials/manipulatives I will actually need to do Algebra I (Student Pack vs Level Up Base Set vs Universal sets...) I'll take any input you have :) Thanks :)

Prairiewindmomma- Did you use MUS in lower levels or did you jump in at the high school level? I've looked at MUS over the years but always tiptoe back to Teaching Textbooks because that's what we've been doing since grade 4. I've always assumed that you needed a foundation in their approach to math to jump in at higher levels. I'm seearching for a gentler, kinder, less-intense approach to Algebra I, Geometry & Algebra II for a non-mathy, performing arts student. :)

YES! I feel the same way- we finally made peace with not following the a-g path (for us it was "why bother homeschooling if we can't have academic freedom in our coursework and I'm just doing the same thing as the PS students?!..." ) . For college we're currently looking at BFA Musical Theatre requirements so a stronger arts base is more important for us than standardized a-g coursework. Good luck and stay strong! :)

Muse. It has all sorts of quirky stuff in it. We have subscribed for years, highly recommend.

I thought we would hate it but DD loves GWG -short, incremental lessons with reinforcing worksheet that follows. . Her retention has been excellent and it's been an unexpected YAY for us. This is our third year doing it. I didn't care for WWW or SWS- we use the Brave Writer approach for writing and Sequential Spelling for our spelling program. But like all curriculum it depends on your student's needs and the scope/sequence/rigor you're looking for. Good luck!

I don't know about Phonetic Zoo but I use Sequential Spelling with my rising 7th grader who has mild dyslexia. We started SS on level 1 in 4th grade and are now on level 3. She has made incredible strides in her spelling ability over the past three years. It's how we warm up our school day and so far she has not tired or complained about it. I do know that SS was written as a spelling program for students with dyslexia so that was what originally called to me after other list-type spelling programs didn't work. Sorry I can't offer more about the other program but I personally recommend Sequential Spelling for any struggling speller.

In addition to the ones mentioned above on my list, I would add: Farewell to Manzanar (if they can handle it), Pasquala: The Story of a Californai Indian Girl & Island of the Blue Dolphins. Good luck! I LOVED California history!