I'm a big fan of interest led, but I like to have a guide or something to fall back in case interest fades. It helps keep me accountable, especially since I am "homeschooling" a friend's daughter.

I saw that this is recommended for 3-6 and 4-8. Would you think some of the levels could be used with 2nd grade?

I'm looking for suggestions for science for 2nd grade. If you've used something for 2 or more years, what do you like about it?

http://www.soundfoundations.co.uk/en_US/ It is a British company with a few British words (torch/flashlight​, rubber/eraser) but they have a US spelling version.

My 8th grade daughter will be doing BJU earth science online. I've heard wonderful things about Mrs. Vick.

My daughter has shown amazing improvement with Apples and Pears. It's so simple. I did not like All About Spelling.

I just bought U.S. Facts and Fun. Darn it. I got the older one for later since I like the looks of grades 1-3.

I really should aim for a mix. I guess I should see how they could fit together.

I have the free trial. I've been able to look through it pretty thoroughly. If only I didn't like both programs...

I've been looking at both of these curricula, and they seem to be similar. They start with a question and use their formats to then answer that question while going deeper into the concepts. The main lessons could be done independently. They would lend themselves to a more Charlotte Mason approach by adding living books and notebooking. There are activities included in each lesson. This would be for a 2nd grader. She would have zero difficulty in doing the lessons independently. I could then focus on going deeper with her. If you've used one or both, help me decide which would be a better spine.

I figured HWT would be the best option, but I've never dealt with incorrect letter formation before. I'm going to check them out more.

Is there a program out there that would be the best to fix mistakes? I'll be homeschooling a 2nd grader coming out of public school. She's not my daughter, so I am just now noticing her weird letter formation. She hold her pencil correctly. Her handwriting is not that bad, considering that she forms them strangely. For example, her 9 begins on the circle at 9 o'clock. She goes clockwise 1.5 times until she hits the 3 o'clock point. Then straight down to finish the 9. Make sense? What would best correct this?

That's an awesome list. It gives me a lot to check out. Thanks.

I'm excited to hear her speak at our convention. I plan on attending every one of her lectures.

Well, I'm listening to For the Children's Sake and will read TWTM next. Maybe just reading about different approaches to education will give me the extra something I need to recharge.

I can tell you what we're planning on doing since we're just beginning. We're using 8th grade to make a 5 year high school plan. She'll be taking 9th grade cultural geography, English I, and Chinese I this next year. This gives a little more wiggle room in her schedule. She takes 2 art classes and 1 open studio per week. She draws all day when she's not working on school. When she starts her official freshman year, she'll be taking her art classes at The Art Institute of Chicago school in their early college program. She's super excited about this. She'd like to eventually go to college there. Since one semester college courses count as one high school credit, this will also give her more flexibility. Math is not her strong suit. I plan on getting her through Algebra II. Most of her electives will be in fine art and foreign language. Her education will still be as rigorous as she 8s capable of. She has minor LDs, which is actually why we have a 5 year high school plan. She can move at a slightly slower pace. We also school year round which lightens her load even more.

I'd really just like some inspiration. My daughter will begin 8th grade this year with a few 9th grade classes. I haven't read Teaching from Rest because I heard that is was mainly geared toward families with younger kids. It doesn't have to be only for older kids, just not focusing on dealing with young kids, multiple kids or ages, etc.

I'd really just like some inspiration. My daughter will begin 8th grade this year with a few 9th grade classes. I haven't read Teaching from Rest because I heard that is was mainly geared toward families with younger kids. It doesn't have to be only for older kids, just not focusing on dealing with young kids, multiple kids or ages, etc.

I think I'll cut a few sections and try not to go overboard with activities. Now it's time to start culling everything that I want to do and pick the best.

I'm planning on using SOTW 2 next year with a 2nd grader. We'll do a one week history/science rotation. With 42 chapters and so many fun activities in the guide, how do you finish in a year. What would a typical day include?

There's an option to select 'all day'. That is what I'll do. Also you can set it to repeat weekly. Then you choose which days you want it to repeat. It seems really pretty simple once you mess around with it. I'm a notebook person myself. This feels like that though because I can set "do math" for every day this year. Then I can add other assignments daily so I don't feel behind. Adding chores is nice too.

Thanks, this is encouraging. It's been quite a while since I had a 2nd grader. I have to reacquaint myself to that age and their thought processes.

. I never thought about it this way. If she sticks to the schedule, she would be in ancients at 10. She'd get a ton out of it at that point.

I never thought about R&S grammar. That is something else to think about. I know it's a great program. I'm seriously going back and forth between SOTW 1 & 2. I don't know why I can't make a decision. I still have plenty of time though.

I think I will probably do this as well. We'll probably do some creative writing as well for fun. Maybe making some books. I would help her through spelling and grammar. Hmmm. Sounds like I have a plan.