Wow! I hadn't checked this in a while. More food for thought. I had ordered one unit of TOG last summer to try and I was completely overwhelmed by it. Maybe I didn't give it a fair shake, but it was overload to my very naturally unorganized self! Is there anything comparable to TOG that breaks it down for someone like me? I'm terrible at planning.

Thanks for taking time to respond. I'm just nervous about middle school and if I'll be giving enough of a challenge. I know SL is good, I just always find myself doubting. :) Amie

For those of you who use or have used Sonlight for history, do your children retain what they are learning? Is hearing and discussing enough for long term retention? We're moving into seventh grade and I want to be assured Sonlight is enough. Would something else be better? BTW, I'd be using core G or W. Thanks, Amie

I can't speak for the high school level of MUS, but I have used level Alpha-Zeta and my oldest is currently using pre-algebra. He has consistently scored in the 95th percentile or above on the CAT and Stanford achievement tests in the Math sections. I'm not giving the scores to brag, but to point out that I don't think MUS has harmed him or put him behind so far. He used one level per year, usually finishing up around the end of March each year. He would then move on to the next level, so we were pretty much on grade level. I think you could use the elementary series and be fine, but I would make the commitment to alpha-zeta since MUS's scope and sequence is different than most traditional books. Amie

Thanks! The replies were helpful. I just placed my order for the TM. :001_smile: Amie

Did you find these books helpful for spelling? Amie

Are the teacher manuals necessary for these books? Thanks, Amie

Which of these would be most appealing to my 2nd and Kindergarten boys? I'm using Phonics Pathways as a primer, but I want a workbook to go with it for extra practice. Which would do the best job? Thanks, Amie

Yes, that was helpful. Thanks! Amie

I have a k ds who will be 6 in Nov. He already knows all his letters and is starting to blend short vowel words. Does Saxon Phonics 1 review enough that I could just start with that and move slowly if needed? Is the k level necessary? I also have a rising 2nd grader whose reading is okay, but not reading fluently. He has done some explode the code and we're more than 1/2 way through Phonics Pathways. Would he be able to do Saxon Phonics 2? Thanks Amie

So do you think it is worth replacing my old guide? Thanks, Amie

I have the old edition of this guide. Can someone tell what the difference is in the old and revised editions? Thanks, Amie

You do for the cores from core 3 and up. You can buy a readers schedule for the younger reader packages separately. Amie

Thanks for the replies! I have cores 1 and 2 to pull from for my younger ones. I also have one who loves crafty/hands on type stuff. So I need room for that. Glad to hear I'm not the only one considering this. Amie

Has anyone done core 6 & 7 starting in fifth grade and spread it out over 4 years? I'm thinking of doing this with my fifth grader and adding my k and 2nd grader in using the SOTW and activity guides. Is this possible? Thanks, Amie