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.

Math Mammoth teaches it. I don't know about MEP.

Wapiti, I'm glad you chimed in! I was literally just looking for an earlier post by you on this same/related topic. I always appreciate your math advice; it resonates with me. Thank you!

We're in a similar boat, deciding re: MM6. Don't have BTDT advice, but this thread about AOPS pre-algebra might be interesting to you, in case you haven't seen it. Some people think that AOPS pre-algebra is written in a way that makes it more complicated than it needs to be, but that AOPS algebra is much better. http://forums.welltr...entary-algebra/ I'll be listening in. Let us know what you decide!

I'd recommend Hake Grammar without the writing portion, in conjunction with WWS. The grammar component of Hake is the bulk of the program. It's what makes up the student textbook. The writing portion of Hake (which we chose not to use because I think it is not very good) is limited to the Hake student workbook. If you look at prices, the workbook is around 5 bucks or less, and it is a very minor and easily omitted portion of the Hake program. Each level of Hake has around 120 grammar lessons, so if you do one lesson 3 days per week, you can finish it in a 180 day school year without doing it every day. The lessons take my DS about 15 to 20 minutes each. That leaves a lot of time for you to spend on WWS, which is very much worth it, or so I've been told. :coolgleamA: Also, if you haven't considered writing materials from Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW), I recommend taking a look at that too. The Student Writing Intensive B did wonders for my DS who I felt wasn't quite ready for WWS last year. Lots of info here on the boards about IEW as well. Here's a thread where I posted about IEW in posts #6 & #8. IEW is pricey, but I'll spend money to get a quality writing program and scrimp other places if I have to. Also, they have a LIFETIME unlimited return policy (even if you use it and don't like it) and re-sale prices are very good on the used market.

Yes, that is their main website. But if you click on the Visual Link Spanish link in my sig, you can sign up for free lessons to sample. Plus, if you like it, when they have your email address, they'll send you sale notices. Don't pay full price. The various levels are discounted often at different times.

In the bolded above, you meant K12 Human Odyssey, right? There is a different program published by Pandia Press called History Odyssey. Just wanted to clarify for any future readers. :)

I'm sorry to say, we bought The Learnables and didn't like it. I had read good reviews, but for us it was really dry, drudgery to use, and difficult to navigate (unless they've changed the format in the last two years or so). Perhaps an adult strongly motivated to learn Spanish could learn from it, but there are more engaging options out there for kids. As I mentioned above, DS likes Visual Link better than anything else we've tried - has used it consistently and happily for just over a year now - and has specifically asked to keep using it through all the levels.

Splash Math. Not a free app, but worth it. We also like Rocket Math mentioned previously.

Ah, I see. Thank you, and thanks also for posting the links!

DS learned to type by the end of 3rd grade. When I started to require more written output for his assignments, but he was reluctant to write by hand, he was quite self-motivated to learn how to type. :coolgleamA:

Edeemarie, I am curious what your thoughts are regarding the $10 overview DVD. I'm a past IEW user and fan, but have not seen that overview DVD. In recommending IEW to others who want to teach it, I've wondered, is that overview worth watching, or is it more like an IEW promo for parents of kids who are being taught IEW by someone else (like at a co-op)? What did you think, was it very useful or not?

Check out Getting Started With Spanish. The website has free downloadable audio files that go along with the lessons in the (very inexpensive) book, so that covers your requirements for both written and spoken elements. BTW, the book is available in paperback or Kindle format. The lessons are brief, especially in the beginning, so it could probably be done daily without being too intense for your younger kids. But it depends on the kid and how much you are involved as teacher. You have a wide age range for wanting to use the same program with all. Another program, which my DS really likes, is the Visual Link Spanish program linked in my sig. He uses it independently, at his request. The format is not too heavy, so might work for your youngers, but also teaches thoroughly. I think it works for a range of ages, but again, it depends on the kid, esp. for your 2nd grader. DS specifically asked to continue it next year. You can sample the generous trial version for free. The entire program is on a computer in visual and audio format (no written component), with the student also speaking into a microphone for practice with pronunciation. We supplement with the Practice Makes Perfect workbooks recommended by the author of GSWS. Here's a link to one of the series: http://www.amazon.co...perfect spanish

OP, neither R&S nor FLL can be used very effectively without teacher involvement, IMO. If you need her to be independent, I don't think you'll get what you want from either of those programs. What exactly did she dislike about EG's Daily Guided Teaching and Review for grade 2? Perhaps it was partly because it was too basic/easy for her, do you think? I don't know her situation, just asking. A lot of grammar repeats year after year, so maybe a program that is meant to be used independently and is closer to her grade-level will fit the bill? With grammar you generally do not have to start at the very beginning level-wise for an older student, just jump in with your chosen program at grade-level. I like both Easy Grammar and Hake, and both are workbooky programs that can be done independently at your DD's grade level. If you could pinpoint what she disliked about EG, maybe others could offer more suggestions.

I agree, K12's American Odyssey book could work well for an 8th grader. It is a high school (targeted at 9th graders?) level text. K12 also publishes a new concise version (4 volumes) of History of US, but that is targeted at 5th and 6th graders. Although probably too young for OP's needs, I much preferred the editing and tone of the concise version over the original Hakim.

I'd recommend either #1 - Teaching Writing: Structure & Style, OR #2 - a Student Writing Intensive. You do not need both. #1 TWSS - teaches *you* how to teach using IEW methods. You'll then either have to come up with your own sources for assignments, or use one of the theme packs like Ancient history-based writing, etc. TWSS was the original product. In response to customer demand for more hand-holding/open-and-go, they came out with the SWIs (and the follow-up SICCs, which are just continuation courses). #2 SWI - gives video instruction to the student (the instructor, Mr. Andrew Pudewa, has videos on YouTube if you'd like to sample them to see if you/your son like his style - my DS likes his sometimes quirky humor but maybe some people wouldn't). Assignments are laid out and scheduled, along with sources, and grading rubrics for each assignment. IF you watch the SWI videos with your student, you'll be able to support and guide him as needed. If you go with SWI, I'd suggest level B, based on how you've described your DS, and the fact that he's been working, albeit slowly, through WWS1. My DS did SWI-B as a just-turned 10-years-old 5th grader. I watched and learned it along with him. The reading levels/quantities were not an issue and the output required is easy to adjust down if it seems overwhelming. (Its easier to reduce workload for level B than add to it for level A, IMO. More than simply adjusting length of the final product, it is more about steps or techniques.) I resisted IEW for a long time, partly due to price, and partly due to the formulaic nature of it. I regret that I resisted for so long. Also, the return policy is amazing & resale value on the used market is very good, FWIW.

I totally agree with the PP - give IEW a shot. IEW will give him clear, incremental steps to follow and that will likely build his confidence, and you can always return to WWS later. (IEW worked really, really well for my writing-phobic DS in a huge way. Now I believe he can tackle WWS; before IEW, he definitely would have struggled.) In IEW the student begins by creating a keyword outline to summarize a given piece of writing, then uses the keyword outline combined with given stylistic techniques and "dress-ups" to re-tell the story. It also offers lists of strong verbs, quality adjectives, etc., and teaches a few words of vocabulary at a time relevant to each writing selection. So the student doesn't have to struggle to find the "right word". (After a while, the dependence on these various word lists fades away, BTW.) About the only thing from your quote above that IEW doesn't explicitly give hand-holding on is writing coherent sentences, but I think that will come via the keyword outline and stylistic techniques anyway. Plus if he's been working through WWS1 he clearly has the ability, and probably just needs a shot of confidence from something he can feel successful with more quickly. Also, FWIW, there's not much (hardly any that I recall right now) creative writing in IEW at the beginning levels.

Useful info. Thank you for sharing this!

IMO, Elemental Science delivers what it promises. You'll see mixed reviews, but if you dig into them, negative ES reviews are generally from those who 1 - don't like the encyclopedia-spine format (of the Classic Series), or 2 - clearly didn't understand what they were purchasing, or 3 - haven't actually used it and thus have opinions based on misconceptions. None of those are the fault of the curriculum. Carefully studying the samples and researching the required books is the best way to decide if it might be a good fit for you.

"grade 5 will be available for purchase in a day or two", posted today, May 28, 2013 - http://homeschoolmath.blogspot.com/2013/05/math-mammoth-review-workbooks-for.html No mention of any for grade 6+, though.

Yes, where I live anyway (central US). It is called their "home free" program and certain labeled items ship free to your home when your order total is at least $45, which is easy for me to meet when I place a bulk order every other month or so.

Since you mentioned having lots of Usborne books around, Elemental Science might work for you. ES uses encyclopedias as its spines, and it consists of a schedule with hands-on weekly activities, discussion questions, vocabulary, quizzes, etc., all laid out for you. You can skip the exercises or topics or output that don't appeal to you without missing out on anything. ES is very flexible that way and provides a good foundation. You don't have to use the specific encyclopedias that are recommended if you have an equivalent on hand. I think your 5th grader and 7th grader could even use the same package (intermediate/logic stage), with possibly more output required for the older if you wanted to go that route.

We use Amazon's Subcribe & Save, but since the prices are not locked in and do fluctuate, I comparison shop frequently. FWIW, it is less expensive for me to buy in bulk for certain things like TP from Wal-Mart online with free shipping to my house (not Site to Store) vs. Amazon. So check your prices and don't assume Amazon is always a better deal.

This.

Thank you!