Link, please?

We used K12's The Human Odyssey series for 5th through 7th grade. There are three volumes, covering ancients to modern. Some people around here also really like Oxford University Press's series, The World in Ancient Times and The Medieval & Early Modern World.

I agree, the lessons are long, as written. My son does the reading and the practice set one day, then the review set the next day. And he only does evens or odds in the review section, not all of them. He writes in the book, not on separate paper. He spends about 15 minutes a day on grammar, independently. The review is spiral, a mixture of concepts from previous lessons.

Straight-forward instructions, relatively short, clear exercises, a systematic progression and review? Hake Grammar meets those criteria. Let her write in the book like a workbook. http://www.christianbook.com/writing-grade-4-student-1st-edition/9780544044203/pd/404203?event=CPOF

Our plans for 8th grade: Math: continue Foerster Algebra I with Math Without Borders videos. This has been great for note-taking skills and learning how to prepare for tests. We should finish Foerster mid-year, then start a gentle intro to geometry (resources TBD) while keeping Algebra I sharp with various things including Alcumus (with a plan of outsourcing full-on geometry with an online provider TBD, in 9th grade). English: This past year, we finished WWS1, and did Mosdos lit, separate vocab and grammar, and a library book basket. Rather than moving up to the next level of the same materials for 8th grade, DS requested a new approach for "English". So we're planning a high-school-ish Intro to Literature and Composition course. We'll focus on reading more challenging literature and improving essay-writing and revising skills, writing mostly about literature and adding a few history-related papers too. We'll build this around skills learned/improved using multiple resources including The Lively Art of Writing (already started), Essential Literary Terms, Writing With a Thesis, The Elements of Style and perhaps some Lost Tools of Writing. Science: Physical Science - Concepts in Action -- Working on note-taking from a science textbook and responding in writing to short-answer questions. History: K12's American Odyssey with Luckymama's schedule/supplements: http://nowisthebestt...y-with-the.html. Will include outlining the text plus planning, writing, and revising a few persuasive essays or research papers. Might use Take A Stand! as inspiration for writing prompts. Electives: 1st semester - finish Art of Argument; 2nd semester - not sure, probably Visual Link Spanish or The Bible and Its Influence continue outsourced piano and art lessons, HS PE class, YMCA membership (swimming and yoga), martial arts

:party: Woo hoo! Congratulations!!!!!!!

I read aloud to DS13 every night for about 30 minutes. Then he reads to me for about 10 minutes from the same book. We're both night owls anyway. I read aloud to him from birth but we stopped when he was age 9 or 10. We started up again about a year ago. We both enjoy it so we make time for it even though his life is getting busier. Currently we're reading Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. We are loving this book, and it is excellent for vocabulary development, for both of us.

Saddlemomma, that is so cool! My DS will love it too. Thanks for posting it!

reported

That's great, Polly! I'm glad you came back to this thread for an update. It's always nice to reflect on what we've accomplished. Congrats to your DD on her swimming!

Congratulations to you both! I admire what you've done and what you are doing. I agree, please keep us updated.

We're using Foerster Algebra plus the Math Without Borders video lessons and pacing/assignment guide, which were created specifically to go with Foerster. There is also a Foerster solutions manual with fully worked out, step-by-step solutions (sold separately, not from Math Without Borders). Foerster is known for its challenging, real-world word problems.

:iagree: We started WWS1 in 6th grade, got through about 1/3 of it, and set it aside. It was going OK but it seemed like too much. We picked it back up in 7th grade and I was amazed at the change in his level of understanding and how much less hand-holding was required. The extra year of maturity made a big difference and he got so much more out of it a year later. And working on it several hours per day seems counter-productive. If it is taking that much time, it is possible the program is not a good fit for that child, but in my experience it just might be a bit too soon, and waiting a little while might really help.

My DS did IEW's SWI-B, then WWS1, and I'm currently reading/studying LToW myself in preparation for using it with DS. So I'm familiar with all the programs you mentioned in your OP. WWS1 covers a nice variety of writing skills for the logic stage. It teaches expository writing, and introduces literary analysis and poetry analysis. LToW teaches one very specific essay form, the persuasive essay. IMO, LToW works best for early rhetoric stage. So if I was choosing between WWS1 and LToW for a 12 year old, I'd go with WWS1. Since he's used IEW for 2 years, I'm concerned about your son having "a lot of difficulty getting thoughts together in his brain and then unto paper." Why do you think he's having difficulty? Which IEW product has he used? Has he mastered the concept of the Key Word Outline?

What age? My DS did Fallacy Detective and its follow-on Thinking Toolbox (by the same authors) in 6th grade. Then he did Art of Argument in 7th grade. He says Fallacy Detective introduces you to informal logic concepts and Thinking Toolbox teaches you how to apply them. Art of Argument then goes into more depth on largely the same concepts, so that path/order worked well for us. If we decide to pursue formal logic, we'll start it in 9th grade. DS had a lot of fun learning about informal logic. He now loves to point out and dissect the fallacies and propaganda he sees in everyday life.

Thanks for posting about both of these sites. I've never heard of either one, but I've signed up for the free summer option on tenmarks.com and am looking forward to having DS try it out.

I posted this on your other thread, but for others who may see this one: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/499321-talk-to-me-about-online-class-options/page-2?do=findComment&comment=6368992

The logic stage section of the third edition of The Well-Trained Mind by SWB does a great job of this.

This thread lists lots of options: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/499321-talk-to-me-about-online-class-options/

My Foerster Algebra I solutions manual is ISBN 9780201861006. The best price I found was by ordering directly through the current publisher, Pearson, by opening an OASIS account (it was easy). At the time, the solutions manual cost $44. HTH.

I say don't stress. You're more than OK. 😉 The responses to this thread may help: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/552141-grammar-guilt/?do=findComment&comment=6367159

:iagree:

Yes, we do standardized testing, in spite of no requirements to do so. I want DS to be confident and comfortable with the process, as his ACT and/or PSAT/SAT scores will be critical for his future college admission and potential merit-based financial aid. He has learned how to pace himself within the time constraints, avoid reading too much into the questions, fill in the bubbles correctly without skipping a question or skipping or doubling up on a row, and focus in a large group test environment. After a few years of going through the process, he now has zero test anxiety and he looks forward to testing (and seeing his results) every year.

Hopefully this idea is more helpful than the ^^ spam. :lol: I haven't watched it yet, but I just got Teaching the Classics from CenterForLit.com. My son is a rising 8th grader, but its supposed to be helpful for teaching you how to "do" Socratic discussion and lit analysis, and it has annotated reading lists for all ages, from K through high school. I learned of it here on the boards. http://centerforlit.com/Materials/TC.aspx

AngieW, that is great feedback. My DS has been using VS Spanish, and he really likes it, but I really wasn't sure what "level" it would be considered. Thank you!