Thank you. I guess my real question is, "What lets me know that the square is a symbol for a function rather than a variable?" When I originally looked at the problem (substituting y for square), I read yx=x^3 + 2. What is 2y? Since those symbols were next to each other, I thought that it was indicating multiplication rather than a function. That was the source of my original confusion.

Remedial question here - is that square thing a common symbol for a function? I thought it was another variable. Once you explained that it was a function, the rest was straightforward.

It is taken from a SSAT practice exam: http://downloads.ivyglobal.com/ssat/middle_test_1/ssat_middle_level_test_1.pdf(Section 1, Question 24) What is this question even asking?

OP, I hope that I don't drag your thread off-topic, but this is a wonderful response. Thank you so much for this post, and it really spoke to me. I have two kids with special needs in addition to a sixth grader, and this past school year, I felt as if I was spending every waking second schooling, planning, or shuffling kids to an activity. If not for my husband, our house would have been in shambles. I was beyond drained at the end of the school year. I am definitely seriously contemplating our long-term goals because I am not sure if another year like last year is sustainable. Have you considering sending him to the public school and just see what happens? If he goes to public school and it works, keep him there. If not, pull him out and return to homeschooling. That's pretty easy to do. However, if you begin this school year and realize that you aren't/can't giving DS what he needs, you won't have the option to send him to that school. Good luck!

I will check out Abeka because a shiny, happy version of R&S sounds perfect! Ironically, I just bought the entire Abeka Language Arts kit for my youngest (1st grade). Does the worktext need a lot of instruction? To the above poster who mentioned the CLE samples, I have looked through all of the fourth grade ones (LU 401-410). Out of those samples, I did not see any new material. However, I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing since my son definitely has not mastered his grammar lessons. As an aside about CLE grammar, I was reading an article/blog post last night about the spiral approach to grammar taken by CLE. In so many ways, I think that would be perfect for my son. The small, incremental pieces may really solidify the concepts in his head. At this point in time, I am strongly leaning toward CLE, but I am going to look at Abeka as well as any other programs that may be recommended in this thread. ETA - My kids all use CLE math, which is a perfect fit for them, so I am familiar with the program. I just wasn't sure how CLE LA worked!

Do you not use CLE English or just the spelling component after fourth grade? I looked through the samples online tonight, and I am really torn. On the one hand, I like the rigor of R&S, but on the other hand, I am not sure if DS can handle it. I can't decide if this is one of those situations where less (material) is really more (retention/application).

I am also wondering if there is something as in-depth as Rod&Staff but in a workbook format. I would love some suggestions.

I have used R&S English (grammar) with my kids for two years. For my daughter, it is a great fit. She understands the lessons and grasps the concepts quickly. She is able to apply what she is learning to her writing. For my son, the story is completely different. He cannot stand grammar, and it takes him forever to complete his work. It is the bane of my homeschooling existence. I think that a workbook style program would better for him. How does CLE compare to R&S? Is the learning student led? Thank you! ETA - My son will be in fourth grade.

Thank you so much. I ordered A Beka at the convention this afternoon. I have my fingers crossed that this will be a great fit for us!

I had to laugh at your last paragraph because honestly that is one of my favorite things about the program. Last year, I tried to wing things a bit too much with my son, and this upcoming year I need accountability. I love that I will know exactly what needs to be done each day to stay on track. Thank you for the feedback on the readers. My son is not the most competent reader so I think that they will be good for him.

Is there any place where I can see samples of Lial and Dolciani?

Thank you. I could not find the fence straddlers thread!

My daughter finished CLE 600 this past year, and I would like a year of pre-algebra before moving onto Algebra 1 the following year. What are my options? I am not interested in the AoPS. I looked at Saxon, and honestly it did not look the best fit. I don't even know where to start looking, but I need to order something this weekend. Thank you!

I am so torn on this as well, and I need to order our math this weekend. I was planning on moving to Saxon Algebra 1/2, but I did not like the looks of it at all. I was able to view it this afternoon at our local homeschool convention, and I am back at square one. I really want one year of pre-algebra.

Thank you! Did you also like the spelling component? Did you continue with A Beka in second grade?

I am looking for any feedback on A Beka Grade 1 Language Arts. I am completely at a loss with what to do for my son for the upcoming school year. My son will be in first grade, and I feel that his Language Arts skills are lagging a bit behind where they should be. I need an all-in-one LA curriculum for this upcoming year. I looked at the program today at a local homeschool convention, but I would love some feedback from actual years. Thank you so much!

This thread is making me hyperventilate. I cannot believe that I will have a middle schooler next year, and it seems that I have a lot left to plan. Math - Pre-Algebra (No clue which program we will use) Science - ??? Grammar - Rod & Staff English 6 Literature - ??? Composition - IEW Medieval Theme-Based (or an online course) Poetry - Robert Frost via HOD CtC Vocabulary - Wordly Wise 3 (the original version) History - K12 HO (Medieval History - last 1/3 of Vol. 1 and first 1/3 of Vol. 2) I think that is everything. Exhale.

I am beginning to plan out middle school science for my DD and would like to dedicate one year to each of the following sciences: Earth/Space Life Physical sciences Any ideas? Any places to look? I am having a hard time finding anything and need some inspiration. Thank you! ETA - We are not interested in any YE science program.

My DD is in fifth grade, and I am beginning to pull together our resources for next year. At this point in time, we are not sure if DD will attend a local high school or if she will continue to be homeschooled. In light of that, I find myself feeling the need to put together a cohesive middle school curriculum. Here are some of our goals/requirements: Not YE - It does not need to be secular, but YE will not work for us. It must be easy to pull together. Experiments are hard for me because of the planning that is required. I would much rather be able to buy everything in one kit (or at least have a comprehensive materials list where I can pull everything together before the year begins). This is not a requirement but a huge bonus! I want DD to be ready for high school level science - analytically and conceptually. Any suggestions for resources? Specific program recommendations? Things I need to do with her? I really need some guidance as this is the one area that requires extensive effort on my part to not fall through the cracks.

Isn't 1737 a restrictive appositive in this sentence? A restrictive appositive does not require commas.

I was wondering the same thing. This will probably be my daughter's last year using NL for science, but I am not sure where to go. Prior to using NL, we tried 3 or 4 programs that did not get done. They all looked great, but there was too much effort and planning on my part. We always planned on catching up "tomorrow." I do not want to repeat that cycle again. On a somewhat related note, my daughter said that she wanted something a bit more in-depth, and I completely understand.

What is the reason for the comma after Pennsylvania? Does a comma always follow a city and state? It looks so foreign to me, and I don't ever recall being taught that. I am not doubting you, but this is new to me. As for the comma after October, I thought that it was incorrect to put a comma between the month and year (unless, of course, there was a specific date as you mentioned above). The TM had five commas in the sentence (after the following words) - October, 1737, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Rotterdam.

Would you mind explaining the use of the comma between October and 1737 as well as the comma after Pennsylvania to me? I thought that a comma was not used between a month and year.

I think that the R&S English 5 TM has a mistake in it, but I wanted to make sure. The book asks the student to put commas in the following sentence. In October 1737 a sailing ship arrived in Philadelphia Pennsylvania with a group of Anabaptists from Rotterdam Holland. After which words should there be commas? Thank you.

I am bumping this to see if there are any additional ideas. Thank you.