Another option would be Meaningful Composition. You can find it at characterinkblog.com (sizable samples are available) or Rainbow Resource. The books are grade/skill level specific and some are also topic specific (ie just creative writing, or essays only). The author calls it a directed writing approach, and the instruction is very much step by step. It works well for my boys who need very clear instruction and don't love to write. You might look at the MC books 8-1 Bridging the Gap, or 9-1 Writing for High School.

Analytical Grammar does not have any writing. I am not familiar with Beyond the Book Report. A suggestion for a low cost writing program is Meaningful Composition. I would start with Book 9-1, Writing for High School. You can download sizable samples at their website: characterinkblog.com. It can also be purchased from Rainbow Resource.

Meaningful Composition - you can find it at characterinkblog.com. They have pretty sizable sample. Also Rainbow Resource sells it.

I like Fun & Fascinating best. It's really well written and easy to follow, good instructions, incremental. Two of my boys have used it and I love how it walks the student through the basics, little by little, until they are writing multiple paragraphs. Great especially for reluctant writers. I'm doing Fairy Tales & Fables right now with my daughter and am finding it a bit more difficult to navigate. Doable, but sometimes frustrating.

I've been buying it for years and don't recall seeing it on any other websites. I've always purchased from their website. Good service and reasonable shipping; I've never had a problems with my orders.

Eaglei, thank you for sharing so honestly and beautifully. Praying for you today, as you walk this hard road, and I'm so thankful for the faithfulness of God to you.

I am praying for you tonight. May the Lord give you peace and a clear vision for the path ahead. :grouphug:

We have a 2010 Sienna, and it has worked very well for us. Minimal repairs up to this point, comfortable for all six of us even on long road trips, great cargo space.

For my reluctant writer boys, IEW and Meaningful Composition have been great resources. For that age, I would look at one of the SWI or SICC video courses (depending on what kind of writing instruction he's already had). If cost is an issue, the Meaning Composition books are only $35, and the instruction and assignments are clearly explained and incremental.

At that age, it really only takes a small amount of history/science study to be "enough". For science, the goal is to help them look at the world around them with "wonder" and learn to observe and ask questions. If he has topics of interest, go to the library and get books, there are so many fun ones (with lots of pictures! the best kind) for that age. For history, SOTW is really fabulous for young kids. Keep it simple. Help them gain an understanding of the world, a context for the present time (yes, there actually were people in the world before America was "discovered", who knew?!), and give them basic pegs to hang information on into the future. It doesn't have to be complicated (or even chronological!) to be effective and interesting! Don't beat yourself up. You are doing fine. Add a little bit, enjoy the learning, and look at the long haul. A little bit at a time adds up to a lot over time!

Good to see you here! I can't believe your kids are so old. Of course we haven't aged a bit! :coolgleamA:

Resounding YES to both of these. And I would add the ability to persevere without apparent reward. 'Cause there sure isn't any pay involved, and precious few accolades/thanks. "Mom, thank you so much for letting me do such fabulous and interesting schoolwork. Where do you find all of these wonderful resources? I'm so happy to be the best educated child around!" Said none of my children EVER. Perhaps my current perspective is jaded by the homeschooling of three teen & pre-teen boys. :glare: :lol:

My husband watches medical/dental bills and calculates everything to make sure we don't overpay. Once we overpaid at the dentist and it took forever to get reimbursed! Now I never pay until I run it past my husband. When my son broke his wrist, getting the correct billing from all the places was absolutely ridiculous AND took forever. I don't know if it's ignorance or intentional, but it's very annoying.

:hurray: That's awesome! Congratulations!

Thanks for linking this article - he has some good tips. I'm having a hard time finding direction/help for the new ACT writing. Welcome to the board!

Your mom sounds like such a beautiful woman. Your loss is great, and I'm very sorry for you and your family. :grouphug:

Amazing cake - I always love to see your creations!

It's not about different schooling or even different standards. It's about them respecting you enough to respect your schedule and your choices. You have school scheduled on that day, and while you can choose to change your schedule if you wish, it shouldn't be done "just because your kids are ahead so they don't really need to do school"! If they are close friends, I'd address it in the context of them respecting your schedule and not invalidating your choices by their comments. If it was a casual acquaintance, I'd pass the bean dip this time and give less information in the future.

Just agreeing here with what Heather has said. I used BP in the past (before the Companion & updates) with younger elementary and loved it. Now I am using it with 5th, 6th, 9th, & 11th, all with the Companion and various other resources. I love the flexibility & simplicity of BP; it is a great fit for my style and for my kids. How old are your students? If you have only young elementary, then I think the Companion would be way too much. In that case I would only suggest using BP if you are interested in the resources it schedules. Otherwise, Story of the World + additional books is very good for younger elementary and straightforward, easy to use.

With the Vera Bradley - they have a huge outlet sale in Indiana once a year. I know people go there every year and buy up tons of stuff. It is in our area, and you see VB at garage sales all over the place. I always assume that at least some of the resellers get stuff from the sale.

You have been beyond gracious to put effort into the relationship for so long, but it sounds awful. Please don't subject yourself and your family to them any longer! Something to think about - by pushing this relationship that no one in your immediate family wants (and is actually harmful to you and your family), you risk your own family growing a resentment toward you. Totally not worth it. Set some boundaries, grieve the lost opportunity, make the token efforts to show them love like Harriet said above, and live in peace with your own family.

You would be better off going with a Sansa Clip. You can get a decent one for $50, works well for music.

Thank you so much!!

I have been getting an Avast message again that it is "blocking a harmful file" from the pages on this site. It stopped for a while, but has been consistent again for about the past week.

Yes, for me as well.