My fourth grader went from Singapore to Beast this year. He completed 4A, but then wanted to switch because he likes a math he can read the teaching on his own and figure out the lesson himself(this child adored Miquon). He started in 3B,because I already had it on hand, and has zoomed through it. He is independent with it, so I do not really have a schedule to share. My husband was a math major, and has conversations with him every now and then to make sure he is retaining and understanding everything.

Hits- BJU Math 1 and 2 Beast Academy AOP pre Algebra Cottage Press Primer and Fable and Song Bookshark History and Science Fine-Writing Road to Reading Missed- Righstart-I thought my girls would love it, but they really did not. That was fine with my because I do not love teaching it.

We really like Cottage Press here. I am using Primer and Fable and Song. The dictations are long, so I let my kids pick the part they would like to do. It is a good mix of work without becoming tedious. I already use Writing Road to Reading, so I enjoy the spelling reinforcement. I also like using short fables and poems because we are already using Bookshark and have plenty of reading. Overall it is great for us so far(only been using it two months).

I am using Bookshark K and 3 this year, and we all love it. I have a newborn this year, and it has been the perfect amount of work, and I love having the schedule. However, I am not using the LA(because I liked what we already have).

I would try the Jousting Armadillos series, Keys to Algebra, Danica McKellar Algebra book(rather girly though), or Life of Fred Algebra. All these would be a fun intro to Algebra. Or if you want to do MUS Algebra or Teaching Textbooks Algebra, I have heard those are lighter. Then you could return to AOPS. Sorry I cannot comment on the upper level Singapore.

I love this series, and combine all my kids(4th, 2nd, K, 4). Since it is not a "draw this just like this curriculum", the open ended assignments work for many ages(even at 35 I enjoy it). My older kids have never complained about repeating books, and I just change the amount of instruction and constructive criticism I give them based on age. So, I think you can start now and then combine again later. Or wait and spend the time letting your 4 year old enjoy different types of art materials.

Funny how these minimalist threads make my shelves(at least my wish list) grow fuller!

I use it during lunch with all my kids(my 7 and 9 year old get the most out of it). We go over the new lesson orally with me saying the Spanish and them translating, and then with me saying English and them translating. I do not have them doing any writing yet, but plan to as we get further into it.

The Humpties for grammar, mine found this fun and did it independently. Tin Man Press has some books called Just Write that look fun and independent. Maybe Vocabulary Cartoons? Play Rummy Roots together? Read books like Word Snoop or Eats, shoots, & Leaves?

If she uses the copy work for dictation in FLL, would that be similar to what the WWE hard back teaches?

It is much harder when you have dietary needs. One of my six is gluten free, so our weekly tea is usually ice cream or Popsicles. Every now and then I buy a gluten free mix(brownies or cookies) or make Rice Krispies treats. Mine are young enough having any treat to eat during school time is special.

Mine are taking even longer than 30 minutes to do the DVDs(2nd and 4th). They love it anyway, but I feel like math takes over the day with BJU. The 2nd grade is fun with all the cooking projects and manipulatives, but to borrow a term from Ellie here on the boards, it is a lot of "moving parts". I am not sure how you feel about that, but for me it can be hard. We tried to gather it at the beginning of the year, but somehow it still takes about 15 minutes to get it together to start. My 4th grader is like the previous poster mentioned in that I have to spend quite a bit of time teaching after the DVD. I have taught from the guides as well. They are so thorough, but once again, the "moving parts" like transparencies and other things you print from the CD included. All that said, it is a wonderful math curriculum. I just wanted to give you more to think about. Sorry I cannot compare to CLE.

I have never used it, but from what I hear from fellow homeschoolers, Rod and Staff fits what you are describing.

I voted for other and use BJU Math. I have 4 kids and use Miquon the first few years, but have recently discovered BJU when we started foster care in October. With babies and toddlers coming in and out, BJU had been wonderful. I love the video/online option, manipulative use, story line, conceptual teaching and mental math(though not quite to the level of SM, MM, or RS), colorful graphics, that is goes K-12, and the review built into it while it is still a mastery program. The con is the price and how teacher intensive it is if you do not use the DVD/online.

Funny, I just bought this today. I owned it before when my boys were little, but they were good readers and I never really used it. They did enjoy the few games we played. Now my third child is a different story. She knows all her letter sounds and can spell words when you sound them out, but cannot blend. I would just take a break(she is in Kindy), but she loves school and wants to read. Hopefully Happy Phonics will be a fun way for her to keep learning.

If you are looking for a fun introduction to grammar, my kids have loved using The Humpties for 2nd grade.

If you ask my kids, they will excitedly tell you Bravewriter is their favorite part of school. I will let you know our schedule: Everyday- We use and love the Arrow guides. My 9 and 7 year old read the book on their own,and we do copy work and dictation from it each day, as well as discuss the spelling, grammar, and literary elements. They love making reverse dictation and French dictation for each other to complete. Monday- word fun (mainly with Rummy Roots) Tuesday- free writes and poetry tea Wednesday- art study(lately using Mini Masterpieces) or music study(lately using Themes to Remember) Thursday- nature study Friday- monthly writing project(using Arrow writing assignments and Partnership Writing) and in the afternoon we do the movie talk. I think if you want to add in more for spelling, grammar, etc. you can add it easily. Or you can add things as they are needed. Mine struggle with spelling, so I add Rod and Staff Spelling.

I feel like an oddball because I am using Singapore Essentials with my 5 year old now, with no intention of using Singapore for her past this year. It is perfect for us because it does not take a lot of my time to teach, and she loves it and begs to do more pages. Yes, A level is very easy, but she still needs that. Some kids would do find going straight to B. All the above programs mentioned are great as well but I would not tell you to dismiss Singapore K if it fits.

Here is our plan: Math-BJU 2/3 LA- Bravewriter, Pentime, Rod and Staff Spelling History-Story of the World Science-Science Fusion Art- Klutz press drawing and clay book Music- Calvert Discovering Music We will still use our Spanish tutor, go through any Tin Man Press books we can get our hands on, and enjoy lots of read alouds.

Miquon would be a great add on if you want to add some independence to what you are doing with the Education Unboxed videos. I started off playing games with the rods and modeling with the help of the videos, and once my kids started the Miquon books they just took off. I love Miquon!

We are using the SOTW audio CD's, and while listening my kids draw what is happening in a history notebook. After we listen, I ask them to tell me about it and I write it in their journal. I told them if they ever want to stop and read more about anything, or do a hands on project to let me know. This is really working well for us so far and very easy on me and easy to get done.

Bravewriter! It has really changed our Language Arts, and we are loving it.

I think that sounds like a great plan!

Ha, I am so curious what you decided. Glad you made a decision!

I just bought the first Primer, and cannot wait to start it with my 3rd grader this year. The author was so helpful in answering my questions about the series, and I am excited to see the other levels come out.