:iagree: With my 3yo in the house:Angel_anim: we just can't do ALL our regular schooling plus 2 hours reading every day [during school hours]. We're taking a two-pronged approach: an additional hour of bedtime reading with Dad, and the suggestion of Mt. Cougar-- alternating a week of Math, Writing, Reading after several weeks of our "regular scheduled programming." ;) It's too early to see if this will pan out in the long run. My new mantra is, "Do what you can TODAY and don't worry about TOMORROW or next Tuesday or a year from now." :blush:

We're planning to use Good Growth Guide by Schoolaid Health for 4th Grade. We used the 3rd grade this year; my ds surprised me by how much he likes it! They sell it here, but it's not published by R&S.

Also check out Easton Press books. I like them very much. :001_tt1:

Out of Africa for me. (Okay, and about 80-85% of all the other titles mentioned on this list!) Did anyone mention A River Runs Through It? Oh my. :crying:

FWIW, we love Andrew Lang's Fairy Books and own all of them. His language is wonderful! Remember, these are collected stories, not out of Andrew Lang's mind, but from the world of folk tales and fairy tales. (Folk tales and fairy tales were NOT originally just for wee ones-- quite the contrary. Imagine a storyteller weaving webs of imagination while he warms his toes by the fire, while listeners gather near with ever-widening eyes. It's our oral tradition; and the race was on among Lang, the Brothers Grimm, Asbjornsen, Moe, and others to collect them.) My best advice is to pre-read any story you're unsure about, or stick to the stories that you personally know well. What one family may enjoy, another would shrink from in horror. My ds, for example, can't stand any cruelty, but LOVES the stories (there are several) of proud young women "speaking frogs" after being bewitched on account of their pride. (The lovely, generous, humble maidens usually pour forth pearls, rubies, or gold coins from their mouths.) It's a pretty potent image!

The Lang Fairy Books, esp. the Blue, NEED to be pre-read for young dc. I remember a story about people hanging from a tree, a man murdering his wife, etc. Pick and choose. :)

Yet another recommendation for GSWL. We love it here! :)

:iagree:

ETA: The old VIE now seem to be called Lepanto Grammar. Sorry for the confusion.

How do the old Voyages in English published by Lepanto Press (and used by Kolbe Academy, among others) compare to Rod and Staff English? :lurk5:

Sleepless night here, too. I finally fell asleep around 2ish, up at 5 again ( usual time). But it's impossible to be grumpy about it when the BIRDS ARE SO HAPPY! Are you guys listening to them sing with all their hearts? Gorgeous!

:grouphug: She is in our prayers.

:lurk5:

Neat site! Thanks!

These look great! Thanks!

Thank you!

Thank you! I'll look into them! Written for children is lovely! These both look great! Thank you!!

Ah! Terrific! I just remembered and wrote down Halliburton's books before you posted; but I haven't read them, and wasn't quite sure whether they were appropriate for children. Thank you, thank you!

Does anyone have recommendations for travel writing (non-fiction) for kids 9+? I'm planning a study of geography next year, and would like a good read aloud or two. I'm finding all sorts of adult books (which would be FINE, except that the ones I've seen are written with quite a bit of *adult* humor :tongue_smilie: ), and picture books (which would be FINE, except that the ones I've seen are more on a K-2 level). HELP! :bigear:

Does anyone have recommendations for travel writing (non-fiction) for kids 9+? I'm planning a study of geography next year, and would like a good read aloud or two. I'm finding all sorts of adult books (which would be FINE, except that the ones I've seen are written with quite a bit of *adult* humor :tongue_smilie: ), and picture books (which would be FINE, except that the ones I've seen are more on a K-2 level). HELP! :bigear:

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: My parents are in their seventies. My father is still working full time, by choice, and very active socially and physically. My mother is almost bedridden. It breaks my heart . There's a WIDE variety of experiences in this life, regardless of age.

Their dictionary spellings go through into the upper levels, too. We switched to Rod and Staff English and Spelling and are much happier! :)

WWE dictation doesn't work for us, either. After reading about dictation as used in the 19 th centruy, we switched to that approach. Study the passage. Then dictate the passage, a phrase at a time. It's NOT a memorize exercise. For example, "Rip Van Winkle .......j had now entered ...... the outskirts ..... of the village." Ds loves dictation. HTH! (We've dropped WWE altogther for other texts.)

Aha! Now I see. Thanks! :)

Thank you for all the responses so far! I see that this poll is 5-CLE, 4-Classical Comp. Would anyone that recommends Classical Comp. tell me whether it includes literary analysis?