You might want to look at the Writing Skills series by Diana Hanbury King / EPS. Its very public school-ish, teaches academic/expository writing, no frills, inexpensive, and all laid out for you.

I believe the "1-6" notation you saw is referring to the episode numbers, not grade designations. FWIW, my son has watched several of them in both the American and the ancient history series since age 9 or so, and I think they're good for elementary age on up. I don't recall anything graphic or inappropriate for young kids, but DS is not sensitive to things like some kids are, so maybe I just don't recall. We haven't watched the Holy Land series though. DS also enjoys the goofy humor injected occasionally by the host, such as the Romulus and Remus toy figures wrestling in the episode on the history of Rome. If you have Netflix, several of the episodes are available on streaming, and others are on Netflix DVD. You might want to rent them before purchasing to make sure your family will enjoy them. HTH. ETA: They have their own website if you're interested: http://www.drivethruhistory.com/ There are discussion guides and such in the downloads section.

You're welcome! There's a list of needed supplies on or immediately after the table of contents page. On the link to the first middle school book, scroll all the way to the bottom. The TOC/supplies list is the last sample page, and if you click on it, you get an enlarged view. This particular book doesn't require much, just drawing pencils and pens, ink, drawing pads and related small items. I agree the supply kits are expensive, but good quality art supplies do make a world of difference in my DS's enthusiasm for doing the projects. Might be less expensive to buy locally if you have an art supply store, though, without having to pay shipping. Good luck!

Have you looked at Artistic Pursuits? They have various levels, and here's a link to the first middle school book. http://www.artisticpursuits.com/2114bk_jh1.html

Here is a free world history website for middle/high school. You didn't say the ages of your students, but maybe this would work for you. I haven't used it yet myself but maybe you'll find it helpful. http://worldhistoryforusall.sdsu.edu/

Note that the textbook contains grammar lessons only (and a small bit of vocab within each grammar lesson). The workbook contains the writing lessons, and some "extra practice" worksheets for a specific few (approximately 20 or 30 of the 120+) grammar lessons. We don't use the writing portion of Hake and have never needed more grammar practice than what is in the textbook (because it has SO much review), so we've never used the workbook at all. The textbook is definitely the bulk of the program. Many users here seem to use the grammar and do something else for writing, so I wanted to mention that in case you're planning the same. There's a link in my signature to the Hake website where you can see samples, scope & sequence, and more info. Also there are samples on christianbook.com

I'm not familiar with some of the curricula you're using, but we use the Wordly Wise workbook too. DS is doing level 8, so not sure if this applies the same at all levels . . . but, we've worked around most of the writing that the activities ask for. So, this week Activity A says to choose 2 phrases and write a sentence - DS just circles the two choices that go together, no need to actually write out the sentence. Activity B is just crossing out a word and writing a new word to replace it. C and D say circle the correct answer. Activity E, which is a reading selection and then asks for the most writing by far, we do that orally. Same learning, different output. IDK, maybe you could do something more like that too. As far as writing science reports, I agree that learning to write them is a skill. But we don't do a formal report for every hands-on lab we do. Maybe write one once in a while to keep the skill fresh, otherwise we just discuss the same content verbally. And I agree with a PP, typing as much as possible is the way to go here also.

Mine prefers to do much of his reading for content subjects (lit, history, science) in his room at night before bed. The house is quiet, he can focus better, and he seems to retain well. We then do the related discussion, etc., the next morning. Does everything that says "write this" really have to be written? Can it be done orally? Answering short answer questions, longer essay questions, and learning to *write* (i.e., composition) are skills that all require physical writing, obviously. However, with my DS, a lot of the learning assessment, checking for comprehension, and going into deeper connections can be done much more efficiently by interacting with me verbally. It took me (a product of traditional public schools) a while to get past the public-schoolish mental block that says all output must be written. That may be true in a classroom with one teacher and 20 or 30 students to assess - not true in my homeschool. :coolgleamA: The efficiency and time saved allows us to linger on more value-added activities.

Have you looked at Michael Clay Thompson's (MCT) products? It is often mentioned for elementary grades, but they have products for middle and high school too. Not textbooky at all, rather they rely on discussion/Socratic method.

His reading ability and vocabulary is above grade level, but he was a very reluctant writer and hadn't done much for formal composition prior to SWI. Additionally, I believe IEW's recommended ages are a bit off, too high. Not knowing exactly what your DD's difficulty is with reading, its hard to give advice on level, but note that the reading selections used as sources are not terribly long. Perhaps reading them aloud with her would help. And you wouldn't have to move her along as quickly as the schedule recommends - taking 5 days instead of 3 days to finish a section, etc. It's a very individual thing, deciding what level of SWI to use, but do check the samples. I think that will help you a lot in your decision.

I watched the SWI-B DVDs with my DS when he did the program as a 5th grader. The SWI DVDs don't take that much time overall and it is spread out. Obviously there is instruction taking place on the DVDs, but there is a lot of guidance also in the printed pages. The DVD lesson isn't used every day. As I recall, it probably averaged out to once per week, around 30 minutes or maybe 45 minutes per week watching the DVDs, and the rest came from the step by step instructions and rubrics in the printed materials. The SWI materials are so well-organized, open and go - it was awesome for us. I wouldn't get both the TWSS and the SWI. I think buying both is overkill and I don't think it (TWSS) will help you in the way you want. TWSS and SWI cover the same ground, SWI just does it more efficiently and lays out the assignments & sources for you. (TWSS was their original product; SWI was created for those of us who wanted an open go version of TWSS.) Rather, if your days are really crunched working with your younger kids, perhaps you could preview the relevant SWI DVD section for the week on Sunday night after the kids are in bed, for example. Not ideal, but I'd prefer that over having to pay again for TWSS. (My hat's truly off to you, homeschooling four from 7th grade on down.) My DS was probably at least 80% independent with SWI-B. I watched the DVDs alongside him, checked on him periodically to make sure he stayed on track while writing (he did), and graded his writing against the rubrics. Basically, I watched the DVDs just for my own learning, and then I got out of the way. It turned out to be exactly what we needed, which was putting someone else in the role of teacher, for that subject, for a time. (He's a perfectionist, and for a while it was a struggle to work with him on writing because he wanted so badly to get it perfect that he would just melt down over the slightest things. It was probably a combo of IEW and more maturity that fixed that problem. Little tips like: write in pen, don't erase, just cross it out, a sloppy copy is expected while you're doing your rough draft, etc. Hearing those things from someone besides mom helped a lot. ) I can't give advice about combining kids in the same level. Have you looked at the extensive samples on the website? Maybe show them both to your DD and see how she feels about which level looks right to her? BTW, A level and B level teach essentially the exact same skills, using source materials at different reading and vocabulary levels. The assignment requirements/rubrics are flexible though. You could use B for both and simply require your 7th grader to meet the more challenging end of the rubric, and have your 5th grader work to the less stringent end of the rubric. It's easy to customize that way. And far easier to remove requirements from level B than to beef them up in level A. IEW does have an amazing return policy. If you bought level A for your DD and ended up deciding it was not a good fit, you could return it at any time (forever) even if you used it. Or maybe one of your youngers could use it in the future. Re-sale value is also pretty good currently. By the way, you probably already know this, but IEW has a great reputation with those whose DC struggle with reading. Ditto for those who happen to be reluctant writers, like my DS was. Investing in IEW was one of the best decisions I've made yet as a homeschooler. :coolgleamA: Hope that helps a little.

Yep, I agree. Sometimes the simple stuff works wonders, so that's where I'd start. DS has a high reading level but reading isn't his first choice for a free-time activity. However, when I allow him the option of staying up an hour later at bedtime to read, it works like a charm. I don't dictate what he can or can't read during that time. Win-win for both of us - he's reading and I don't have to force it. Also, we got him a Kindle, so he instantly looks up words that are new to him (built-in dictionary), and that seems to have increased his enthusiasm too.

I think my DS would enjoy this too. Thank you for sharing!

This is awesome! Thank you for sharing your work.

I agree with Abigail about the subjects to be covered at that age. If you still feel a need to cover history, literature, science, etc., how about having the kids listen to Story of the World audiobooks while you do other things? Or watch a nature/animal documentary or Magic School Bus for science? Or cover those subjects together via bedtime reading? Not all schooling happens during daylight hours or only M - F. And another aspect of your schedule that stands out to me. . . 1.5 hours for prepping lunch, eating, and chores? That's a huge chunk out of the middle of your day. It really helps around my house when I do meal planning and batch cooking on the weekends, even if its just for one week at a time. I either prepare double or triple batches of everything, we eat last night's dinner leftovers for lunch, or we keep lunch extremely simple, like cheese and fruit or sandwiches. My house isn't spotless, but it's functionally clean. At that age, my DS was dusting, helping with dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, wiping down bathroom sink and tub, etc. Everyone pitches in on laundry, folds their own and puts it away. It won't be perfect but it will be good enough. This is a busy season in life and something's got to give. : ) Probably not exactly the advice you were looking for, and maybe you're already doing those things, but hopefully it helps a little.

Well, I don't have any BTDT experience with multiple young ones, but my first thought (gently) is that if you're homeschooling from 9 to 3, with a 2nd grader and a 1st grader, then you're probably doing too much. My son is a 6th grader. Trust me, there's PLENTY of time for longer, really serious school days when they're older! Maybe if you post the schedule you've worked out we can offer more feedback. :grouphug:

I wouldn't do an independent grammar program with a 2nd grader. Just spend the time on reading for now, and he'll learn a lot of grammar naturally that way at this age. But if you really want formal grammar Easy Grammar is one he could probably do independently if you spend a few minutes getting him started on each lesson. (R&S really works better with a teacher.) Easy Grammar starts at grade 3 level which is probably fine if he's already done FLL1 and 2.

IMO, the text of the Famous Men books themselves are more 4th grade reading level than 7th grade. But if you were using the texts alongside MP's student workbook and TM that were written for the Famous Men series, then that's a full program that is more appropriate for logic stage than 4th grade. Some sources rate them as for ages 8 and up. You can "look inside" on Amazon. Perhaps you can have your kids read them now and again in middle school with more time spent on activities/questions on the second round, like some people do with SOTW.

My DS is very much a get-down-to-business type of student (no crafts or songs here, LOL), but he appreciated the cartoons and the elements of whimsical humor (which isn't condescending like some programs are) in the text of The Elements. He learned a lot from it even though it was just used as a supplement for us. (He was 10 at the time.) Like yours, he was already interested in the topic. Since he's my only student, we skipped some of the classroom/group activities. He asked to do the follow-up program, Carbon Chemistry, just for fun in addition to our scheduled science. There is a generous 2 chapter sample of The Elements on the website. I'd try that & see if your kids take to it.

I made note of this recent thread on the Logic Stage board regarding a Modern Era book list for a 6th grader with an advanced reading level. Maybe this will be helpful for you too. It's a wonderful thread, lots of great advice. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/479813-ok-guys-help-me-refine-a-modern-era-reading-list-for-a-6th-grader/?do=findComment&comment=5073179

Just curious, Goldilocks, how long ago did you call K12 and ask about this? Was it very recently? I'm simply wondering if they've already stopped providing hard copies of the student and teacher manuals, or if they have plans to stop but haven't actually done so yet. The SM and TM are no longer advertised or even listed on the K12 store website anymore, but they used to be.

Totally agree with the previous posters - I think level B is where you should have your kids start. In case you haven't seen it already, because sometimes the website is hard to navigate, this page tells you how the SWI levels (A, B, C) compare to each other, and the graphic at the bottom of the page tells you where to start in the sequence (depending on the age of your kids) and how to proceed through the various products. As the website states, "Each group (A, B, or C) presumes no previous experience; levels differ mainly in the type of source texts used, speed of presentation, and sophistication of vocabulary. Choose the level based on your child’s age and maturity rather than writing ability." FWIW, my DS did SWI-B as a 5th grader (with a slightly advanced vocabulary & reading level) but no previous exposure to IEW products, and it worked just fine for him. (And vastly improved his writing-phobic attitude!) :coolgleamA: Best of luck!

I think your plans look great! Maybe your kids have already had plenty of grammar instruction in prior years, but is grammar covered in the materials you have listed? I'm familiar with all of them except Progressing with Courage Set from Rod & Staff, and grammar was my only thought when I read what you're planning for LA. For a free/cheap elective, my DS liked doing Scratch computer programming last year. There's plenty to learn and do on the free Scratch website, by MIT. You can also buy an inexpensive guidebook to go with the website, but a book isn't required.

Welcome! You've received some great advice already. Hope we can help you sort things out. I agree, for the grammar stage. I found the 3rd (newest) edition of The Well Trained Mind more helpful for the logic stage - more fleshed out, especially in the "how to do it" sections. Either way, OP, I highly recommend reading TWTM, no matter what flavor of homeschooling you end up with. :thumbup1:

Great thread! Thanks for starting this. Mine is excited about returning to a normal routine as well. We school nearly year-round but we took off most of June for sports, camp, swimming lessons, and just to have a formal break before starting the new "grade". DS is also excited about doing earth science this year. He's one of those kids who's always scoping out the ground for interesting rocks wherever we go. He has kept a rock collection in a box under his bed for a long time and has always liked breaking rocks apart with a hammer to see what they look like inside. So the curriculum we're using along with TOPS Rocks and Minerals and various kits and geology stuff from Home Science Tools have really ramped up his enthusiasm for this year. He also likes language study, especially vocabulary, so we're both eager and happy about the outside class he'll be starting soon that uses MCT Caesar's English and their grammar materials. We haven't tried MCT before. I'm hoping it will be a good fit! Finally, he says he's excited to finish up elementary math and move on to algebra. I like that he's finally getting motivated to really firm up all the math basics. He knows he can't move on until the basics are rock solid AND he gets consistent about being very neat and meticulous in showing his work. :)