We did Classics for Young Readers 6 last year, and I bought the teacher pages (not student pages) for guiding our discussions about the reading selections. We did everything verbally, no writing output. The teacher pages saved me time and helped me know what to highlight in our talks. We didn't do the online program, just bought used and did it on our own. I even learned some things. : ) We enjoyed the stories and I don't wish I had done it differently now. It was an easy, light intro to lit analysis. Like PP, I bought the reader and teacher pages used on Amazon, I believe less than $15 for both.

Bumping for new posts and updates. Anyone else like me (updated post #16), still tweaking your plans? :)

It does seem like a lot on the surface. However, you don't need to do each one every day of the week. I dropped spelling in favor of vocab/roots with my DS starting in 5th grade. Which Killgallon - elementary or middle school, sentence composing or grammar? What has your DS used for composition/writing in the past? I wouldn't expect my DS in 5th grade to research and write a paper every week. IMO, I'd prefer fewer writing assignments done well and less frequently, rather than an approach where he whipped through a different paper every week. (Gently . . . If he already doesn't like writing, pulling back and/or changing approach might help more . . . it helped immensely with my previously writing-reluctant DS.) I have no experience with Daily Language Arts. I don't know exactly what that covers or how long it should take. Maybe you could do a block schedule type approach, where you do a couple of these LA areas for a few weeks or a month, then rotate? You didn't mention it, but do you also have lit/reading time in his schedule?

Bumping for you. Answers to a few questions might flesh out what you're looking for and get more responses. Do you want all subjects covered with one provider, or are you willing to select (and juggle) the best provider for each particular subject? Secular or Christian (since you mentioned Abeka above) or no preference? If you want science or history, what did he do this year? Did he like it? There are some online providers geared towards gifted learners with more depth and different-than-standard output expected - is that what you want? Or are you wanting to accelerate into high school level work for credit? Also you might want to cross-post on either the high school or gifted learner sub-forums, depending on what you are seeking.

IMO, if a student definitely wants to pursue medicine or another health-related field (non-engineering), then algebra-based or conceptual physics (non-calculus physics) as the only physics prior to university can be fine because it frees them up for more advanced bio, chem, and/or A&P at the end of high school, which can be very desirable. Whether that conceptual physics taken as an 8th grader is "rigorous enough" may be another issue that could depend simply on curriculum choice. One downside is that it is difficult to predict, when a student is just an 8th grader, what they might want to pursue four or more years down the road - medicine/health or engineering or more general STEM or something entirely different. But some kids know early, so IDK. Just my two cents, another way to look at it.

The Nova Science Now series from PBS (hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson) is really good too. Netflix has several of them.

Swellmomma, do you have Barnes & Noble bookstores in Canada? I bought my latest Mosdos at Barnes & Noble online in the U.S. at far less than the normal retail price. I've also seen used copies on Amazon. Sorry, I'm rather ignorant of what your options might be, just trying to think of other source options for you to find Mosdos if you want to try it. My DS loves Mosdos too.

Another option I saw mentioned elsewhere is Chemistry Matters by Singapore. I believe it is new, though, so not sure if many people have experience with it yet. It says recommended for 9th - 10th grade, but perhaps an eager logic stage student who has completed Algebra could tackle it. Anyone here used it or looked at it?

You said history is something she specifically requested this year . . . but what exactly will she be using/doing for history? Something not writing/output-intensive? Could history be integrated somewhat with her reading time, two birds with one stone? Just trying to see how to balance her desire for history with her two full science classes and related homework. Also, maybe others would disagree, but I don't think grammar has to be covered every year, especially if remediation is needed in other areas of LA. Is it an option to not do grammar for a season, since you say she NEEDS vocab and requires a specific spelling curriculum? Needs vs. wants is hard but it does look like a lot for a 12 year old, esp. if she struggles with dyslexia. Just trying to think outside the box. :grouphug:

Just put this in my cart, thank you!

My 6th grader's weekly checklist is a spreadsheet with two sides. The front side has only the subjects that must be worked on every day. On the back side are subjects for which DS gets to pick and choose when he does what, as long as they are all finished by the end of the week. He's pretty disciplined, fortunately, and this bit of freedom motivates him. The reward of a light day at the end of the week pushes him to get more work done earlier in the week. I think its a good bridge towards even more independence as he gets older, because I still have control of the core subjects for now, while he gets more freedom & ownership on his other subjects. The front side includes these daily requirements: math, grammar or vocab (alternating), writing, literature, Spanish, and daily physical exercise. The back side has all his other subjects and the related assignment that needs to be completed that week for science, history, art/music appreciation, geography, health, and logic. Last year we used a paper copy but this year I'm transitioning to OneNote rather than a hardcopy (thanks to that great thread recently). I'll copy from a template to set up an electronic checklist for each week. He'll check the boxes on his laptop and it will sync with my version on my laptop.

OP, don't know if you saw it yet, but I responded to your question on another of your threads: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/476386-how-much-time-daily-for-iew-for-6th-grade/

I'll take a shot at answering. You didn't say which IEW product you'll be using, but my DS did SWI-B last year. He was very writing-reluctant initially too. We typically do school 4 days per week and he spent roughly 30 minutes every school day on SWI-B, and we stayed right on track with the recommended schedule and even got a bit ahead at times. On days where we watched the video instruction (usually once per week or sometimes once every two weeks, depending on the lesson), sometimes he would go closer to 45 minutes per day. I felt that spending longer than 30 - 45 minutes per day on writing would be counter-productive, for him, but he was a young 5th grader at the time, so YMMV. He typed everything except when taking notes from the videos. (Note-taking from the videos never took very long though, even by hand.) As we got closer to the end of SWI, he had enough confidence and willingness to do more writing across the curriculum, so he started naturally writing more in his content subjects, but I didn't count that as "writing" class, it was part of history/science/lit class. I didn't add any other writing curriculum at the same time that we did IEW. (The previous year he did WWE4.) Following IEW, we spent a few weeks on Paragraph Writing Made Easy (b/c I felt he needed more explicit instruction on how to structure a well-written paragraph) and a formal outlining workbook, just to get him geared up to start WWS this year. HTH.

We used Hake Grammar last year and will continue this year. I second everything mama25angels said, especially about doing level 8 instead of level 7 if you want to skip. If you look at the TOCs, they are very similar in concepts covered, 8 just goes into more depth.

I agree. This is great advice. Remember, you don't have to have something for every subject in place on Day 1. Start with the 3Rs, for example, and gradually add things in as you figure out what works for your style and your DD's. That will save you money in the long run too (don't ask me how I know, LOL). And use your library for history, science, art, while you get your feet wet.

Welcome! I've linked a thread below for you where board members have been sharing their 8th grade plans. It might be a lot to read, but it would give you a survey of more curriculum at which to look, and give you an idea of how others handle workload & how to piece things together. Then if you come back with specific questions about certain curricula, maybe you'll get more help. Also, in case you haven't seen them yet, there is also a sub-forum for accelerated kids and another for those with learning challenges, which you might also find useful. The posters in them are very helpful! http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/448902-8th-grade-plans/page__hl__%2B8th+%2Bgrade

Are you asking about doing SWI-B before WWS, or SICC-B (continuation course) before WWS? Your title says one, but post indicates another. Have you already looked at the comparison charts that show what is covered in SWI vs SICC? Topics in SWI Topics in SICC My DS did IEW SWI-B this past year and will start WWS in the next few weeks. I don't feel a need to pursue SICC-B but we'll see how things go with WWS. (I also added in Paragraph Writing Made Easy and a short book on formal outlining after he finished SWI because I'd read they would be helpful prior to WWS.) WWS has always been my goal for him, but he needed what IEW teaches to build his confidence in writing and help him see that he is good at it. The clear, incremental steps, the key word outline method, and the dressup checklists in IEW helped him immensely. Now I believe he's ready (skill-wise, and emotionally, LOL) to do WWS. I don't have any real BTDT advice, but you might be interested in this thread if you haven't seen it already. It's about using both IEW and WWS (but not concurrently) and how they complement each other. Mostly just consider this a bump. :coolgleamA:

How old is your daughter? Most students can jump in learning grammar at their age/grade level, regardless of how much previous instruction they've had, because so much of it repeats and builds on itself with gradually increasing levels of depth. MCT requires more teacher involvement/discussion, takes a less conventional approach to grammar, and many people love it for that reason. Rod & Staff English is more traditional, decidedly not secular, recommended in TWTM for grammar (not writing). Other options mentioned here often: Hake Grammar - secular - includes diagramming, spiral review in every lesson, workbook format, written to the student, no need for a Teacher's Manual, only a solutions manual Easy Grammar - secular - teaches a prepositions-first approach (which I liked, made a lot of sense), does not include diagramming, no spiral review but does have "chapter" reviews and cumulative reviews, workbook format, mostly independent but does have a teacher manual for additional instruction if needed Analytical Grammar/Junior Analytical Grammar - gets good reviews but I have no personal experience with it - search for threads here KISS Grammar - no personal experience, but available for free online, also gets some good reviews here

Check with your public library. Nearly all of my Kindle reading lately is books borrowed for free in Kindle format via my library's free online lending service. Most medium to large-sized libraries are linked into a statewide network where I live. Not all the library's physical books are available for Kindle, but I have been very impressed with the variety. I can do it all from home. It's awesome. Also, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can borrow a book per month (with no set return deadline) at no extra charge from their selected list of books eligible for that program. Sometimes I can find something I want there too.

Thank you! I like that plan. I've been eyeing MCT vocab materials as well, so perhaps we can do something similar. Thanks again!

Luckymama, this book you're using as grammar review, do you happen to have a link for it you wouldn't mind sharing? It sounds interesting to me, but a search didn't get me very far. Thank you!

You've received terrific advice specific to math already. One more idea I'll throw out there, consider looking at the book I've linked below and see if any of what it talks about resonates with you regarding your DD. If it does, this book gives tons of practical advice. I'm definitely not saying your DD has ADHD, but kids (and adults) with ADHD often need help tuning up their "executive skills" - not executive as in CEO, but as in executing and succeeding at certain tasks, i.e., staying focused, resisting impulses to act or speak immediately, learning from mistakes, etc. (I've also learned that others besides those with ADHD also have concerns with "executive skills", BTW.) Anyway, this book was very helpful for my niece (who is close to your DD's age and has similar concerns) and her parents. Smart But Scattered: The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential :grouphug:

From their website, those in need who request books from Book Samaritan can either make specific requests or general requests by subject/grade, and they fill the request as best they can with what they have on hand.

Thank you for posting this reminder about book donations and ways to help other homeschoolers.

The best advice I can offer is to check your library and see if any of the books you have in mind are available to peruse before buying. If your library doesn't have them on-hand, inquire about inter-library loan. That will save you in the long-run. The Kingfisher Illustrated History of the World (white cover) is well-liked by my DS, similar age to your oldest. It is out of print but still pretty widely available. Watch the prices, they fluctuate - I paid less than $15 with shipping during the curriculum shopping "off-season". It is a higher reading level than the Usbornes, more detailed, written in coherent paragraphs rather than summarized bullet points. Most topics are covered by a two-page spread (once in a while, a topic goes to 3 or 4 pages), includes some illustrations and photos but not visually over-stimulating, and a continuous built-in timeline, which is nice. For us it makes a good spine to make sure we cover the important stuff, then can dig into certain topics of interest with more targeted books when desired.