I used Exploration Education with my then 5th grader last year. It came with most things, including a penny needed for one experiment.. I had to buy batteries and a glue gun.

Perhaps you could say something about what was problematic about the book you found? And what age range the books are for? You ask about grammar stage, so perhaps you're looking for things for younger readers? When we studied the ancients, I had a 3rd grader and a 5th grader. For ancient philosophers like Plato, Aristotle and Confucius, I looked for either picture book biographies or shorter middle school biographies that my then 5th grader and I could take turns reading aloud with her sister. So we used books like Mary Gow, The Great Philosopher: Plato and the Pursuit of Knowledge. For authors of ancient literature like Virgil and Homer we read retellings of their works for children, so books like Emily Frenkel, Aeneas: Virgil's Epic Retold for Younger Readers or Geraldine McCaughrean, The Odyssey. Maybe you could check out the reading list for Tapestry of Grace grammar level ancients if what I've listed isn't what you're looking for. Hope that helps.

I used Deconstructing Penguins to talk about literature with a 4th and a 6th grader. I started with one of the example books, then used the method on books my dds had picked. Another very easy way to start discussing literature is to used SWB's list of questions in The Well Trained Mind. I have the 3rd edition, so the list begins on page 345 in the Logic Stage chapter called Thinking Straight: Spelling, Grammar, Reading, and Writing. It begins: Whom is this book about? What do the central characters want? What keeps them from getting it? et c. Another resource I find helpful is spark notes online literature guides. For example, I used this guide to Tom Sawyer when my 7th grader read the book last year http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/tomsawyer/ .

Thanks, Tanaqui. Sounds like another winner :001_smile: . I went out yesterday and bought most of these books. Dd11 started looking through them, and wants to read them too. I suggested she have a book club with Nana, and they discuss the books over Skype. I really hope my Mom has time to do this (she's in demand as a literacy tutor) as dd11 is pretty excited. She's making up an invitation to ship with the books. Thanks again everyone for all the great suggestions.

No experience with these classes, but thought I'd give you a bump. I'm very interested in the WTM Academy too. One idea - Bravewriter also offers online classes. Their freewriting method seems to me to be designed to help with that frozen moment between narrating the idea and putting pencil to paper. My dd11 (who is a prolific creative writer but freezes up at the mere breath of parental input) will be taking Bravewriter's mythology writing class. It'll be her first online class. Hopefully someone else can give you some feedback on WTMA Expository 1.

Thanks for suggesting Flavia de Luce, Ondreeuh. I know Mom really liked Sayers' mysteries, especially Gaudy Night. Flavia should be right up her alley. Tanaqui, Knight and Rogue sounds like lots of fun - perfect light reading. Zahrah sounds interesting too; I've put it on hold for dd11. We need more Africa resources to go with our World Geography. Stranger is intriguing - I like Sherwood Smith - though the dystopia setting may be a bit heavy. Is it very dark? Thank you all for taking the time to help me out. I appreciate it very much, and new books are Mom's favorite birthday present.

Thanks, Kareni, I just put Written in Red on hold at the library for me. I loved The Black Jewels trilogy. I will have to prescreen your other suggestions too :thumbup1:

Thank you, 6packoffun. I know she liked Goose Girl because she gave it to dd13, who also loved the Books of Bayern. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland is a good idea too. I'm not sure if she's read it yet - I'll have to ask. Thanks, Amira - I haven't seen Airborn before. It sounds fun and well-realized. This might be a good one for dd11 as well as her Nana.

Thank you both for these excellent recommendations. Jenne, Uprooted looks like just her thing. Kristi26, I think she would really like The Incorrigible Children. She has loved several adaptions of Jane Eyre. And bonus: I'm getting Miss Peregrine's Home for my dd11 who likes her fantasy with a twist :001_smile:

We loved FLL too. After a brief flirtation with MCT, we moved on to Rod and Staff for Grammar, and Andrew Campbell's book Living Memory for poetry selections.

My older dd used 4A through 6B in 4th through 6th grades, then we switched away from Singapore for pre-algebra in 7th, because the advanced books didn't have enough support for me to teach as a not particularly mathy person, and didn't follow the typical US sequence of topics. Have you thought about what you would use for 7th grade and up? I hate to chop and change too much, so would hesitate to do Singapore for 6th unless I was planning to use it at least through 8th.

Do your 8 and 6 yr olds have any particular topics they are interested in? I have really enjoyed designing science studies to go with my daughter's interest in medieval technologies from around the world. Designing your own can be lots of fun for Mom as well as the students. Another do-it-yourself option is a nature studies focus, with nature walks and possibly journalling (which might look like your 6 year old narrating to you one thing s/he saw and thought was cool; s/he draws a picture and you add a sentence from their narration underneath). For curriculum, my favorite elementary science year was Pandia Press's Real Science Odyssey Chemistry for my then 2nd and 4th graders, and I'd be tempted to try Sassafras Science from Paige Hudson if they were still elementary age. Welcome to the fun of Classical homeschooling! I have loved having a clearly articulated path to follow, and great open and go curricula like SOTW, FLL and WWE. Don't sweat science. Be open to the wonder of nature around you. Read books together. 8 and 6 are great ages to have fun with.

My two daughters loved Pandia Press's Real Science Odyssey Chemistry when they were in 2nd and 4th. I think it would be great for 1st and 3rd. The experiments were just the right level, and the explanations are simple but clear. RSO Chemistry was our favorite year of science. I got all the supplies at the beginning of the year, and it was open and go.

for my Mom. She was a high school teacher librarian before she retired, and loves children's literature. She reads widely on a huge variety of topics. For relaxation she reads fantasy, mostly, but current favorite authors include Lois McMaster Bujold and Georgette Heyer. I'd love some suggestions for books with great characterization, a little romance and a fun setting.

Have you already read the Hobbit? If not, then maybe read it before/instead of Lord of the Rings. My dd 11 loves LoTR from having it read aloud and the movies, but has bogged down several times reading the Two Towers. Another medieval-type book she loves that you might consider is Brian Jacques Redwall.

For my math struggler, it came down to sticking to what we'd picked out, making it quietly clear that a lesson a day was non-negotiable. :grouphug:

I haven't used Isaacson, but if you are looking for middle school level biographies, Kathleen Krull's Giants of Science series has Einstein and Franklin. They were part of my pick for this year's science reading for an 8th and 6th grader in my first plan. I liked the engaging writing and reasonable length.

Thanks to the Well Trained Mind Academy for sponsoring the conference. Homeschool teacher training for middle school--maybe for any level, but I really feel it as the girls get older, and I need to get better-- is not easy to find. The sessions I have attended so far have been excellent - both inspirational and very nuts-and-bolts practical. I feel empowered to put aside the scripted language arts and to tailor-make history, literature and writing programs for my students based on their actual interests. (Ironically both are interested in following the history cycle: my 8th grader wants modern history and literature and my 6th grader wants medieval :001_smile: ). I found SWB's Beyond Elementary especially helpful. For the first time, when I think of the possibility of homeschooling high school, I feel a burst of enthusiasm rather than creeping dread. Thank you!

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Score for Waldorf Education: 6 Score for Traditional Education: 0 Score for Unit Studies Education: 9 Score for Montessori Education: 8 Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: -3 Score for Unschooling: 3 Score for Classical Education: 16 Score for Charlotte Mason Education: 6 I enjoyed the quiz. I do really like the Classical approach, and that came out clearly in my results. I am thinking of putting together unit studies for literature, history geography and science next year too - unit studies was number 2. Waldorf was my third highest, which was interesting as I think of Waldorf as something for younger kids. Apparently I don't like Thomas Jefferson :closedeyes:

Beyond FIAR's selections do seem light for my dds. Another unit study option I am exploring is Wayfarers: http://barefootmeandering.com/site/wayfarers/. My3blessings, what is it you like about Beyond FIAR? Is it the biographies? Is it really digging into a few good books?

We did RSO Earth and Space when we lived in California, and had no real weather. Totally postpone it till you move. We postponed it, and it was fine.

I am thinking of combining my then 6th and 8th graders in unit studies next year, so I will be following this topic. Hopefully someone has used Beyond FIAR. One resource I am considering is Intellego Unit Studies http://www.intellegounitstudies.com/.

5th grade dd doing Horizons 5: about 30 minutes per lesson. 7th grade dd doing MUS Pre-A: about an hour.

Memoria Press 6th grade literature covers medieval: they have Adam of the Road, Robin Hood, King Arthur and the Door in the Wall with teacher's guides. No workbooks though. Veritas Press Omnibus for 8th grade is medieval too, with teacher's and student guides, covering Beowulf, Augustine's Confessions, Bede's History, The Bondage of the Will, Canterbury Tales and Dante's Inferno; still no workbooks. Hewitt Homeschooling's Lightning Literature has a medieval year, but it is aimed at 10-12th grade; maybe it could be adapted? We are currently using Lightning Lit 7th grade, and it is working well for my get-er-done dd13. Lightning lit 7th grade has teacher's guide, student guide, workbook and writing assignments, but isn't medieval. Perhaps one of the Catholic programs like Kolbe or Seton has something with a reader? Subbing - hope you get some good recommendations.