I put together a middle grades two year US History curriculum with History of US and a Young People's History as spines, documentaries every week and historical fiction (some non-fiction) for each week that would be appropriate, depending on your kids: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15sG2o19RlWLEo7sa1k4Bw_43xe5mjQPOK4Og1Dr0Tr4/edit?usp=sharing

I used it with my oldest when he was in 5th and 6th grades along with historical fiction, Howard Zinn and documentaries. I put together a two year curriculum - you can find it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15sG2o19RlWLEo7sa1k4Bw_43xe5mjQPOK4Og1Dr0Tr4/edit?usp=sharing I am in the middle of reviewing it because I will start this fall with my daughter who is 10. It definitely could be used with older kids - most of the materials are for middle grades, although some of the documentary stuff is difficult to watch (my son was very upset with the tar and feathering scenes in the John Adams series for example), Nicole

My DS is pretty opposed to doing the copywork first and then the dictation. I'm trying hard to honor this boredom issue. Perhaps he might be okay with choosing one sentence from the passage and writing it out first. He is fine with working on any words he misspells. Thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone! Does anyone do dictation without the copywork first? I was thinking about this sequence: (1) Read the passage (2) Identify difficult words and write those out. (3) Dictation (4) Misspelled words are written out separately on another sheet of paper and we review them periodically to ensure correct spelling. I'm pretty happy with the Bravewriter Arrow passages - basically a several sentence long quote from the books DS reads each month. Thoughts? Nicole

For those of you who use dictation to accomplish spelling, could you let me know your process? We are currently using The Arrow (Bravewriter) and finishing up my son's (age 10 in February) 4th grade year. I have been moving from copywork to dictation slowly and will be doing full dictation starting in the fall in 5th grade. I am not sure exactly what a natural speller is, however, we have never used a spelling program and he seems to get his spelling correct when asked to freewrite stories or do dictation. The words that are misspelled are done so using some rule of english. For background, he has never been in school, we followed a waldorf approach for K-2nd, in 3rd we started an eclectic approach. When he was around 8 we used the Ordinary Parents Guide and he learned to read, so he did learn the rules of phonics. Within about six months of learning to read he was reading large chapter books (Harry Potter, etc). He reads a lot of chapter books (4+ each month), participates in several book clubs, took a bravewriter+grammar style writing class this past year (no emphasis on spelling) and will continue with the next level of that class this coming year. I am not inclined to start a spelling program yet (he hates anything rote - we use life of fred for math because he can't tolerate anything else) but would love to improve upon our dictation process. Wondering what folks do with misspelled words, if there are any during dictation. Do you correct them during dictation or after? Do you keep a list and quiz your child on them? Also, do your kids read the passage before you dictate it? Any suggestions? Thanks! Nicole

Thanks everyone! As far as why DS didn't like Singapore - he was just bored with worksheets and declared that he would never do a worksheet again. Maybe we will give 5A a try. We did try MM, and it was not a hit. I have not tried the Key to Series or the Jousting Armadillos. My biggest problem with LOF was that I didn't feel like he got enough repetition to let the concepts sink in. Of course, he would argue otherwise :) Jousting Armadillos looks like something he would really love.... so maybe we go: Spring and Summer before 5th Grade:Beast 4A and 4B 5th Grade: Either Key to Fractions/Decimals/Percents or LOF Fractions/Decimals and Percents AND Beast 4C and 4D as they come out AND Jousting Armadillos Does that sound like it would be good prep for AOPS Pre-Algebra? I have been wondering what Beast 5A-D is going to cover - anyone know? Thanks! Nicole

Our situation: DS turned 10 in February, so technically in 4th grade. We started Beast 3A in November, will finish 3D by the end of this month, 4A hopefully by the end of May and 4B (assuming it comes out :) over the summer. Assuming 4C and 4D come out during his 5th grade year next year, we will do those when they come out. I would love to start him on AOPS Pre-Algebra in 6th Grade. So, what else should I be doing next year to prepare him for Pre-Algebra? He hates Singapore. He does like Life of Fred, which we completed up through Kidneys before starting Beast. Should I keep going through LOF and try to get through Fractions/Decimals and Precents/Elementary Physics as well as 4C and 4D? We could probably do it, but I am wondering whether he would be ready for Pre-Algebra after finishing that. Thanks in advance for your suggestions! Nicole

Thanks for your response. I guess I'm also wondering about whether to worry about handwriting now, instead of later...versus just getting him reading and then think about handwriting.....

My DS, who will be five in February just finished ETC A, B and C and is very, very ready for Book 1 (he is already reading CVC words). I also have the HWOT Get Set for School (funny title ;) and Letters and Numbers for Me. I'm wondering in what order to do these books? Anyone have suggestions about what worked for them? My inclination is to go ahead and start both ETC 1 and Get Set for School at the same time... I look forward to hearing everyone's suggestions! Nicole

I'm curious about the use of coloring books, especially with SOTW. I tend to dislike coloring books that have you color in a picture, and I'm wondering why people use them/like them. Also, if we decide not to use them, should I still plan to use the activity guides? Thanks! Nicole

I've been making books for DS on the computer using clip art and words that I know he can figure out (we're just doing short vowels and consonants). One sentence per page (big font) with a picture or two. I've been doing 8-10 pages long, but will start longer ones soon. I usually bring one along for a car ride and "help" him read while I drive. He loves them!

Same here, although I am not surprised about the McCain thing...

Thanks - these suggestions are great!

Thanks! Just to clarify, I'm looking to supplement our curriculum (put together by myself) on earth/space science with some living/fiction-type books. They don't have to be only about earth science, but somehow feature/focus on it.

We started with Charlotte's Web. I think that picking a book depends on your child and how well he deals with scary things and his attention span. I highly encourage parents to pre-read the book to determine whether it would be suitable. There is no way I could have started with the BFG for my son without skipping over quite a bit because of the frightening aunties, etc. And I find that some of the classics do not hold attention spans well because of the language. Another quick suggestion: The Cricket in Times Square. Got to go, the baby calls!

I'm looking for some non-reference books (aka, biographies, fiction, picture books) about astronomy, stars, the Sun, the Earth, the Moon, and geology. Age range of child would be 5-10 years. Thanks for any suggestions! Nicole Graysmith