Can anyone help me out with this?

I am planning on doing Exploration Education Physical Science Advanced for 9th grade. I have read that it isn't very meaty so I am planning on supplementing it with something else. I need something secular for sure. Any recommendations? I think just a textbook for reading and maybe some questions/tests would be enough I am also considering Hewitt's Conceptual Physics for 9th grade. We haven't spent much time on physical science topics and I think my ds would like it a lot more than Biology and Earth Science, which is what we have studied the last few years. I like the idea of Exploration Education because of the lab kit. Could I get some kind of kit for Conceptual Physics as well?

Does anyone know if the 2005 TE edition will work with the 2009 SE? Or if anything important changed from the Astronomy 2005 SE to the 2009 SE?

I know I could get by without the teachers edition, but I prefer to have it to make things easier. We did Holt Earth Science in 6th grade and it was too time consuming to look for the answers to the end of chapter questions. I haven't decided for sure on the workbooks. I wish I could see a sample of them. The lab videos set looks pretty cool. Does it cover all 16 books or all 3 main books? What exactly is the video explorations?

I am going to use 4 Science Explorer books for my son this year. I plan to use Astronomy, Weather and Climate, Chemical Building Blocks, and Chemical Interactions. I plan to buy the Student Edition, Teachers Edition, and the Guided Reading and Study Workbook x2 (one for him and one for me to complete as an answer guide). Do I have to buy matching editions of the textbook and teachers book? For Astronomy, I would like to get the newest student edition, but the newest teachers edition is $40, new or used. Could I use the newest SE and the 2005 teachers edition? How about the workbook? Would the 2005 workbook work with the 2009 student edition? That doesn't matter as much since they are so inexpensive.

Thank you so much! Too bad the one I was watching sold last night! Hopefully another one comes along...

Does anyone know what changed with the 2nd edition of LL7 and LL8, besides the student guide and workbook being separate books? I am looking for this used, but I want to make sure the older edition is OK if that is all I can get.

My son is in 8th grade, but I am preparing for the high school years. I am trying to figure out the right sequence for science. I haven't decided on science for this year because I am trying to figure out the high school years. We are in Kentucky, and the pre college curriculum says: 3 credits to include life science, physical science and earth/space science (at least one lab course). There is a good possibility that we will be living in Florida when he is in college, so I am also looking at the college requirements there. UCF lists: 3 units of natural science (at least two with laboratory). So my question is, will my son need to take Earth Science in high school for Kentucky colleges? He doesn't like Biology/Life Science, so I wanted to put that off until later. We just did Life in 7th grade and he hated it. So what sequence should I use to fulfill both states requirements? He will be doing TT Algebra 1 this year for 8th. He is interested in Physics type science stuff, but has never really enjoyed science. I think mostly because of the curriculum choices not fitting his learning style. We have't done a lot of organized science. We did Earth Science in 6th with Prentice Hall Science Explorer and Life Science for 7th with Elemental Science Logic, both of which he didn't like! Here is what I am considering: 8th- Chemistry with Ellen McHenry Elements and Carbon Chemistry and additional resources/labs 9th - Exploration Education with an additional textbook for reading 10th - Biology or Chemistry again 11th - Biology or Chemsitry 12th - Physics or Community College Science OR 8th - Exploration Education Advanced Physical Science with an additional textbook for reading 9th - Chemistry 10th - Biology 11th - Physics 12th - Higher level science, interest led or Community College Science OR if I have to do Earth Science 8th - Exploration Education Advanced Physical Science with an additional textbook for reading 9th - Earth Science 10th - Chemistry 11th - Biology 12th - Physics or Community College Science Does anyone know if we will have to do Earth Science for Kentucky colleges? If we are moving to Florida, it won't be until he is in 10th or 11th grade.

My 12 year old son needs handwriting practice! He types very fast, but I need him to write faster now. He knows how to write in cursive, but he is VERY slow and has to think about every letter he forms. His cursive looks ok because he is going so slow. His manuscript is just terrible, letters all different sizes and he also thinks about every letter he writes. He prefers to write in cursive because he says printing is harder. He really needs to practice both. Should I work on both at the same time, or one this year and another next year? Which one should we work on first? Melissa

I am trying to get a used copy of Lightning Literature 7. There seems to be a First and Second edition of this. I have been looking, and the only difference I am seeing is that there is no weekly schedule in the First edition. Is that the only difference in the editions? Thanks, Melissa

Hope you don't mind if I join this conversation, but everything sounds so yummy! Here are my 3... Coke Zero Skyline Chili Pretzels dipped in cream cheese icing!

I have been on Seasonale for 5 or 6 years. I could try to answer any specific questions you have about it. It took several months for my cycle to go 3 months. I just got a prescription for LoSeasonique last week and will be starting that Saturday. I am making the switch because I started getting brown sun spots on my face and I want to try something with lower estrogen. Melissa

I am using the Earth Science book as a spine for 6th grade. I am trying to make up a schedule with additional books and labs. I was looking at the Reading and Comprehension Guide that you can buy separately. Has anyone used this? How does it compare to the questions at the end of the sections/chapters? Does it come with answers? Does the Teacher Edition text come with answers to the questions in the student textbook? Melissa

That is a lot of great ideas! Thank you all so much. I will look over all of these and figure it out. I am leaning towards Spelling City combined with alphabetical order, etc. or Spelling Workout if we want a workbook. I appreciate all of the advice. Melissa

I have Vocabulary Workshop A for him to do this year. I was just going to use a spelling program too for 6th-8th. Is there a place I can get a list of words for 6th-8th graders?

I am looking for spelling for a 6th grader. My son has always been a natural speller. The only program we have used is Soaring With Spelling for 4th grade. It ended up being too easy and he could spell all of the words correctly with the pretest. We prefer a workbook that is pretty independent. I also need it to be secular. I was looking at Soaring with Spelling again and Spelling Workout. However, my son really dislikes crossword puzzles and word searches. I see them in the samples for both of these programs. Are there a lot of these throughout the books? Is there another spelling program that is workbook based, secular, and doesn't have puzzles? TIA!

Where is the best place to buy these books? I am looking to buy Life, Earth, and Physical Science. I found the website that shows all of the ISBN numbers (new and older editions), but is there a good place to get a used copy with no writing and tight binding? Is the teachers manual necessary for these books? If so, would I need the Student Edition and Teachers Edition to be the same publication year? Thanks so much!

Thanks Cindy! I contacted the company and they recommended that I start at level 5. I want to make sure he has plenty of practice with the writing process. I am just looking for gentle instruction without TOO much writing. He loves to type, but I really need him to actually write some this year. He writes slow because he hasn't mastered cursive yet and his printing is awful! :) I am sure level 6 requires more writing than level 5. I figure we can work through level 5 and then go from there.

I am trying to figure out what level to buy. I am considering levels 4, 5, or even 6. My ds will be 12 in November and is starting 6th grade. However, he hasn't had a lot of writing instruction. He did Spectrum writing in 3rd grade (didn't finish it) and Oak Meadow 5 last year. I prefer a workbook, but I am open to anything that give clear instructions and explains the assignments well. He likes to do creative writing for fun by typing on the computer and printing out stories. He does really good on these. He even adds in dialogue! But he hasn't had any instruction. He has learned what he knows through reading. He needs to learn when to change paragraphs and how to make his paragraphs longer. And I want him to write something other than creative stuff. I want to find a program that is easy to use, but will teach him the structures of writing from the beginning. I was looking at the S&S of WWW and I think my ds would need to start at level 4 or 5, just to be sure he doesn't miss anything. Has anyone used both of these levels? Which one should I choose for him? I am also open to other writing sources! I have been looking at Wordsmith Apprentice (which looks fun), Writing Skills by EPS (all the samples show are grammar lessons!), Essentials in Writing (do I need grammar with this?), Write Source, Just Write, Jump In, and Writing Strands. I would rather take a gentle approach this year. I want him to learn the basics of writing and how to put it all together. We are doing Easy Grammar 6 this year, so I am looking for something that is mostly writing. I considered Hake, but does their writing have clear instructions from beginning paragraphs and on? Any recommendations for a basic writing instruction program? I do need it to be mostly secular! I am not interested in WWE, WWS (yet), or IEW (too expensive for now). Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!

I didn't think Hake had a lot of diagramming, but it is hard to tell from the samples online. Thanks for telling me. I wish I could get my hands on it to see for myself. Maybe Easy Grammar is the answer then. I guess I will try it and see how it goes. My ds will like it since it doesn't teach diagramming. Now to decide on something for writing. There are just so many to choose from! We have never used anything for writing, so I really want something that starts with teaching the basics of sentences and paragraphs before moving on. I need something that isn't boring or hard to teach, or it will never get done. I want something that helps with writing ideas because my ds always complains that he doesn't know what to write when put on the spot.

Right now I am leaning towards Saxon/Hake Grammar and Writing. I am not sure if I will like the writing part, but we could try it out. If not, I am leaning towards Winning with Writing. If we do Winning with Writing, does anyone know which level I should start with?

I did look at Writing with Skill, but I don't think it will work for my ds. I will keep it in mind though.

I am looking for secular ideas. My son is 11 and going to start 6th grade. Here is what I have planned so far... Math - TT7 (Maybe Key to Series for reinforcement if needed) Literature - Library selections using Sparknotes and Pink Monkey Spelling/Vocabulary - Vocabulary Workshop and/or Spelling Workout Writing - NEED HELP! Grammar - NEED HELP! History - Story of the USA Books 2-10, Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, DK Eyewitness books WWI, WWII, etc. He wants to learn about all of the wars. Science- Holt Science and Technology Earth Science Typing - Typing Instructor Art - Draw Squad Logic - Mind Benders Book 3 For writing: He has never had any writing "instruction". He loves to do creative writing. He will type "books" on the computer on his own. But he doesn't do well with assigned writing, like write a paragraph (or more) about .... I think I would like to start at the beginning with forming paragraphs and then move on. I have been looking at Winning with Writing, starting with level 5 for paragraph instruction. I have also been looking at Writing Strands. Any other suggestions or anything about the 2 I mentioned? For Grammar: He hasn't had a lot of grammar. We tried GWG4 and it was a flop. He did not like the diagramming at all, and it looks like the higher levels have quite a bit of diagramming. I don't mind making him diagram, but I would prefer a curriculum with only 2-3 sentences a day and very good instruction for it. I am considering Easy Grammar 6 or Saxon/Hake Grammar 5 or 6. I know Easy Grammar has no diagramming and I am fine with that. How much diagramming does Hake have? I prefer something that can get done quickly and mostly independent. Any other suggestions?

:lurk5: I would like to know the answer this too! I am using VW for 6th grade as well.

I prefer to use workbooks for spelling/vocabulary. DS would be in SWO F. I know that I want to use something for vocabulary for Middle School. I am just trying to figure out if I need BOTH or if one would work for spelling AND vocabulary. I think I will just get both for this year and try it. If it doesn't work out, we will change things up for 7th grade. Thanks