I'm going to try Easy Classical for myself next year. http://www.easyclassical.com/history_product_page.html

We are currently in our second year of Miquon, and so far it is working great! I am impressed with how well my 8yo DS can think mathmatically. However, the curriculum IS a little different and since it was originally intended to use as a supplement, I am wondering where I should be supplementing IT. Are there any of you who used it and have recommendations? Are there any "holes" you discovered after switching to another program? Things like: Word problems? Money? Carrying? etc? I have my DS do Quarter Mile Math for drill practice occasionally.

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One tip that I've tried this year is setting aside core subjects for one day (we use Friday) and just focus on the things that I find hard to get to. Art, science experiments, music, foreign language, etc. Also have loved: http://www.amazon.com/Home-Learning-Year-Homeschool-Curriculum/dp/0609805851/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233875102&sr=1-1 the last few years.

Thanks! It looks like just what I wanted. My 8yo DS will probably finish FLL 2 before the end of the school year, and I think I'll get this to cap off the year. He is very visual, and gets frustrated with the audio-style learning of FLL 1/2. I'm guessing he will love The Sentence Family. Wow, some of their other stuff looks really good too, for math and art.

Times Tales.

Has anyone used "The Sentence Family: Introducing Grammar Through Art and Story?" http://www.stmichaelschool.us/sentencefamily.html

I just saw this in the HSLD magazine: http://www.homegrownprogrammers.com/

This was our exact experience also. I will finish FLL 2, but next year I'm planning on skipping FLL and just doing a writing program with lighter grammar; either WWE or Writing Tales.

I am trying SL for the first time this year. My opinion so far is that I love the books-- hate the schedule. I discovered I am not a schedule-follower either. When you purchase a SL core, some of what you are paying for is the Instructor's Guide, which has the schedule and supplementary quizzes, maps, etc. For me, the IG has turned out to be more of a burden than a blessing. As I've heard others mention, there is a bit of flipping around if you want to get all the bases "covered." I think it will be different for everyone, but I'm thinking that it would be cheaper and easier for us to simply purchase the books and read them on our own schedule. My son enjoys them so much, I don't need to worry about them getting read!

YES, it is worth it! We just got it for our 7-yr-old, and he memorized all the facts in two fun sessions. Most of it is non-consumable; there are a couple quiz sheets that you could copy off or do orally. Then it could be used for more children or resold. This was so much better than my memories as a child, toiling over multiplication flashcards during Thanksgiving vacation! I think it's well worth it considering he will remember the answers for the rest of his life.

We just got one and like it! The stories are very well told and DS actually likes listening to the parts of speech chants, which surprised me. It adds a little spark to our FLL time, which was getting a tad dry. (We're in the second half.) When the first track came on with Jessie speaking, I told my son that it was the lady who wrote the book. In an awed whisper he asked, "Is she still alive?" :D

Bookwork: usually two hours, three hours tops. Piano, outdoor stuff, hands-on projects, etc, would be on top of that, but not everyday.

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons Handwriting Without Tears Quarter Mile Math Let's Read and Find Out Science books Magic School Bus Science books Usborne's What Shall I Draw Loved FLL 1, not so sure about the 2nd half

So, those of you who are using this, how do you like it? I am considering getting this for ds, almost eight. We've been using Miquon, and like it, but I thought this would be nice to add some richness and variety. He LOVES books. How do the lesson plans work? I'm wondering if I could use this program as his main math curriculum, and use the Miquon as reinforcement/supplement. The way Miquon is laid out, it's very easy to find the various topics.

I'm new here, and in the Rice Lake area. ETA: We've moved south a bit since I've joined the forums, and are now closer to Eau Claire.

We had goats growing up, and I would say if money isn't an issue, go with a cow. And I would suggest the Dexter like others have. They are $$ though! Goats are hard to keep in, and their milk is VERY touchy. If they ate the wrong thing, or the milk doesn't get chilled fast enough, you know it! Tastes, well, strong. Also since the cream doesn't separate, you don't have the option of cream and butter. If you're tight on cash or space, they might be the best way to go. But I hope to have a Dexter some day. It would be great to share it with another family, so we could split the milk and chores.

Yes, I just learned there is blackboard paint, magnetic paint, and whiteboard paint. I read recently about a gal that painted one whole wall of their dining room with magnetic and blackboard paint, and she said it has been one of their best homeschool resources. We are hoping to build, and if we do, I'd like to paint a whiteboard square in the dining room.

I'm considering Easy Classical's for myself: http://www.easyclassical.com/Earth_Science_product_page.html

There's this: http://www.emediamusic.com/gm1.html You can get it a bit cheaper on eBay.

This is a good idea. Sometimes I feel we are just moving too quickly from subject to subject for ds to get much depth. It would also do away with the nagging feeling that I've got to get it all in everyday. I'm also considering leaving Fridays open for the things I find so hard to get to: art, music, science experiments, foreign language, etc. and not worrying about the core stuff that day.

Loose schedules are the only kind that work around here. I like what Michelle said. I got a Sonlight core to try this year (was going to compare it to MFW next year) but discovered I hate having things scheduled down to the day and page! I'm going to have to find some way to schedule our living book education so that it is more flexible. :tongue_smilie:

We don't use the workbook every day either. I find that the copywork of a classical education gives plenty of handwriting practice in between days. :001_smile: When he was younger, he just went through the workbook twice.

I'm considering doing New Tribes Missions' Firm Foundations for Children with my son. http://www.ntmbooks.com/childrens_firm_foundations_set Those of you who have seen the film, "EE-Taow" may be familiar with this type of chronological, redemption-focused study.

This looks fabulous. Are there any threads on it?