I voted for K12 Human Odyssey. I own three of your options and we've tried all three but we're sticking with K12 Human Odyssey. Here's why: We read through Builders of the Old World to give a quick overview before we begin a new topic. I really like it, but my DS10 has a higher reading level as well, and the text is too simplistic for him and it just skims the surface of what I want him to learn. So I suspect this would be the case for your DC as well. We tried World in Ancient Times, and I wanted to like it, but DS did not appreciate its level of detail, and it is quite expensive. (He is definitely more a math and science kid, for history he just wants to get it done.) We are now using K12 Human Odyssey as our spine. It is just right for us. The reading level is perfect for DS and includes enough detail but not too much. (Also, I admit we have not tried History Odyssey, but we do the bulk of our writing in other subjects and History Odyssey just looked like a schedule of writing and reading assignments from an encyclopedia spine plus several other books, not what I was looking for. My DS does not enjoy notebooking. Your DC may have different preferences.)

What have you used up to this point? What do you like and dislike about it?

I can see why some people might assume they are related, because the titles are similar. However, The History Channel's video series "America: The Story of Us" (which is what the OP asked about) and the Hakim books "A History of US" are completely unrelated. Well, other than that they both present a version of American history. One is not meant to be based on the other. There was a PBS video series done a few years back, hosted by Katie Couric, that IS based on Hakim's books. The PBS series is called "Freedom: A History of US".

I don't think the K12 student and teacher guides are absolutely essential, but I do find the teacher guide useful for the following: 1 - It gives an overview (usually a brief paragraph) of the material covered in each lesson, which is handy for me if it has been a while since I pre-read a particular set of pages in the text. 2 - I appreciate the keyword and pronunciation guides. (I often get tripped up on correctly pronouncing lengthy Greek names, for example. I do want to try to get them right, LOL.) 3 - Most (or nearly all?) lessons we've done so far (halfway through Vol. 1) have both online and offline questions. The offline Q&A printed in the guides (we're not using the online program) are plenty sufficient for us in assessing comprehension AND discussing the material. Even if you don't have the questions in front of you, the short answer sections are written in such a way that the gist of the question is easily inferred. 4 - I also was pleasantly surprised to find sections that often go beyond just basic fact regurgitation, into deeper connections. One example is the compare/contrast charts over various aspects of the different cultures that have been covered so far and their connections to modern cultures. This week, the sections I used in the teacher guide included the answers to questions like these: Who was Pericles and what are some things he is remembered for? What were the main causes of the Pelopennesian War? What was the Delian League and why did Sparta not join the Delian League? What could Athens have done to avoid war with Sparta? The teacher guides do have suggested scheduling for lessons, but I find we don't need it. We just read a chapter or two a week, depending on the length of the chapters. Also, the teacher guides have lists of third-party (not K12) web addresses covering details specific to each lesson in case your student is interested in learning more about a particular topic, like the Persian Wars or ancient Hindu art, for example. We've used those from time to time and found most of them worthwhile. The guides looked to me to be a lot of busy work at first. I do still pick and choose what parts of the guides to use. If you want to use Human Odyssey solely for WTM-style narrations, outlines, etc., you definitely don't need the guides. But, especially since they are usually inexpensive to buy used, I do not regret purchasing them. Hope that helps you! Feel free to ask if you want more details. ETA: I have never seen online samples, either. (I'd be surprised if K12 provided samples online.) Also, my understanding is that student and teacher guides are only printed for Human Odyssey Volumes 1 and 2. There is a print text for Volume 3, but I'm not aware of any offline student or teacher guide for it.

We're using Wordly Wise 3000 workbook level 7, and we do one workbook lesson per week, spread over two days. My DS does sections A through C on the first day of the week and finishes the other parts (section D to the end of the lesson) on the second day. (I don't know if the earlier levels are as lengthy though. We just started it this year.) We alternate vocab days with grammar days. I think spending one week per vocab workbook lesson is working well for us. We also use the online games at http://www.wordlywise3000.com/ (click on "students") to reinforce the workbook lessons and for review.

Thank you for taking the time to post this. I'm saving it for future reference!

Roku currently does not have a CBS channel. You can browse Roku channels here: http://www.roku.com/...se/most-watched

Roku output options have changed over time and the various new Roku models can have output options different from each other. There are two types of inputs on "older" TVs: composite or component, as described below in the info from Roku's website. So just check your TV's input options before you decide which Roku to buy. (FWIW, the Roku HD is less on Amazon at this moment than the most basic LT model. And you don't need an HDTV to use it.) According to the Roku website http://support.roku....the-roku-player: "The video and audio outputs (ports) on the Roku player vary by model. All Roku 2, Roku HD and Roku LT models include an HDMI port, a composite video port (yellow), and stereo audio ports (red & white). The composite and stereo audio ports on these models is combined into a custom cable with a 3.5mm jack, on the Roku 2 and Roku LT. The Roku HD has full composite ports similar to the older Roku players below. Older Roku models, except the Roku SD, have an HDMI port, a composite video port (yellow) and stereo audio ports (red & white). Some older Roku models also will have component video (red, green and blue) and digital optical audio ports. The Roku SD has a composite video port (yellow) and stereo audio ports (red & white)."

We have a Roku and it is awesome. Besides Netflix, we also watch a lot of Amazon Instant Videos on it. If you're a Prime member, many of them are free. They also have newer releases on a pay-per-view basis, usually $3 or $4 each to rent. All that said, if your TVs are older, they probably don't have HDMI input ports, which is how the Roku box is connected. So in addition to the Roku box itself, you'll also need an HDMI to component converter box. The Roku would plug into the converter box, and then the converter would plug into your TV. Here's a link to one as an example: http://www.amazon.co...mponent adapter There may be cheaper ones - I just found this one quickly. On the example picture, a Roku would plug into the input side via its HDMI cable, and the red/blue/green and white/red plugs would then go out of the converter box into your TV. Clear as mud? :laugh: Hope that helps!

Starting in 5th grade, I shifted my DS from formal spelling to vocab, and just cover spelling as part of the vocab. He gets a lot more challenge that way. He's using Wordly Wise 3000 right now and we both like it. I'm also considering some of these root-based vocab workbooks to try when he finishes the current Wordly Wise, including Word Within a Word & Red Hot Roots and others: http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?subject=8&category=1954 Hope that helps.

Hake Grammar

If you really want to know you should email Maria and ask for her draft scope & sequence for the revised grade 6 and 7. She shared them recently so I know she has them in draft form. Some topics from lower levels are being shifted to 6 and some of 6 shifting to 7, which is lengthening the program but not cutting topics. Here is a link for contacting her: http://www.mathmammoth.com/contact.php She's very helpful.

Just a few thoughts: If he is complaining that homeschool is boring, consider increasing the LEVEL of the materials he's using to match his ability, rather than just adding MORE materials. Maybe instead of bored, he's actually saying that he needs a bit more of a challenge in difficulty, but not in quantity. You said he has a "light schedule" this year, but it looks like you're hitting all the basic subjects - not too light in my view. I think you're doing great! Maybe just think about ensuring that he's working to his full potential and staying challenged, plus add a couple of things for fun to break up his day. (I listed some of our favorite fun things below.) Spelling Workout is great for a natural-speller who likes to work independently . . . so why not move him up to a harder level, if D is too easy? For science, consider adding living/library books and let him read whatever interests him. Doing science narrations from an encyclopedia would be boring for many kids. Add in science documentaries that go with the books he chooses. Do science experiments in the kitchen. Many threads on the board on that topic. Since he's a good speller, is he also an advanced reader? Maybe he'll need something more on his level/not as "young" as SOTW2? We're using K12's Human Odyssey book and love it. My DS would not be into crafts and cooking for history, either, but there are other ways to enliven history. And some kids just don't need hands-on for history, so no need to push that if he's not into it. In my opinion, WWS plus the writing in R&S would be too much. What do you love about R&S that makes you want to use it again in 5th? Again, don't reward his efforts by piling on MORE work just to keep him busy. ETA - Some fun extras that my son likes: Brain Pop (we have the app, not a full subscription) Stack the States/Countries (iPhone apps) online drawing lessons from Mark Kistler (can be purchased less expensively through Homeschool Buyers Co-Op) http://markkistler.c...nlineVideo.html Eureka science videos on YouTube http://www.youtube.c...FD&feature=plcp Beakman's World science videos (Netflix or other sources) Artistic Pursuits art lessons (combines appreciation and hands-on, look for it on eBay) http://www.artisticpursuits.com/ Scratch beginner computer programming (free website, can buy guidebooks inexpensively if he really gets into it) http://scratch.mit.edu/ How about a geography workbook he can do independently? Here's one option: http://www.amazon.co...orkbook grade 5 Do you have a Wii? My DS likes Big Brain Academy when he gets Wii time. http://www.amazon.co...ain academy wii Hopefully this gives you some ideas.

Per Maria Miller's blog post referenced up-thread, if you bought the original versions and also want the updated versions, all you have to do is email her and ask for them. Since you bought the whole light blue series, the updated MM6 would be included in that, i.e., you don't have to buy it again. (Not clear how she will handle MM7 since it will be new.) Here is the link to her website's email/contact form that she provided in her blog post: http://www.mathmammoth.com/contact.php

Thank you for posting this link!

Have you seen the YouTube clips of Susan Wise Bauer doing dictation from WWE4 with her son? Watching it in action helped me a lot. Dictation with Dan, part 1: Dictation with Dan, part 2:

:iagree: Same thoughts here. WWS might be too challenging right now. I am waiting to start my DS on it until 6th grade and I consider him a fairly strong writer for his age. (He finished WWE4 in 4th grade and did well.) We also tried Writing Strands in 4th and he thought it was horribly boring. I did too. IEW has worked wonderfully here. Also, we are using Hake Grammar 5 and we love it. I also looked at GWG before I bought Hake and, IMHO, they are both "workbook-y" but that's about all they have in common. GWG looked quite tedious and the patterns of the exercises are predictable. In GWG it is easy to figure out the pattern and get correct answers without understanding. Hake's sentences have variety, are interesting, and do NOT all fit the same pattern. My DS strongly disliked spiral math but the spiral grammar in Hake is perfect for him. Hope that helps. Best of luck in your search.

:iagree: Especially www.freerice.com.

(Sorry, I saw your other thread first and posted a link there. Re-posting here as well for others who may search later.) Here is a link for Lial's BCM. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the tab for "Table of Contents". http://instructors.coursesmart.com/0321557123

Here is a link for Lial's BCM. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the tab for "Table of Contents". http://instructors.coursesmart.com/0321557123

My son is using Hake Grammar 5, and while I love it as a grammar program, and it does contain some vocab, I do not believe it would be adequate as a stand-alone vocabulary program (IMHO). It just isn't designed for that. It introduces two vocab words per lesson, and is designed to be 3 lessons per week. Also, I could easily be wrong, but I believe Hake currently only has levels 5 - 8. I haven't seen a level 3 or 4 as you mentioned. ETA: I just saw on another thread you're aware of this already. If you want a workbook-y vocabulary program, you might look at Wordly Wise. We're using it and my son likes it. I believe it does have younger levels. You might also consider putting off formal vocab study for a couple more years and learn vocab through your spelling program. Sorry, I'm not familiar with LOE and haven't used English from the Roots Up, so I'm not sure exactly what you meant about "extra vocabulary development words next to the spelling lists". Hope someone else can help you there!

Glad to help! Please keep us updated on how things go for you and your boys. I'll be "listening"!

:bigear:

What age/grade level are you looking for?

:lurk5: We're using Math Mammoth 5 right now as well. In looking where to go next, I compared the scope and sequence of MM6 to Lial's Basic College Math (a frequently-recommended textbook here), and found that they have pretty much the same scope of topics, but slightly different sequence in a few areas. So Lial's BCM might be another option before starting pre-algebra if you want to go that route. As for pre-algebra, you may have already seen this, but Maria Miller (the author of Math Mammoth) has a page on her website where she lists several pre-algebra suggestions. Many of her choices are also mentioned frequently on this board. http://www.mathmammoth.com/complete/prealgebra.php Hopefully others who have already been through pre-algebra will chime in for you.