Another question.....do you do the Notebook with the upper levels or just do the questions, tests, and experiments?

I think he is the type of child that would be overwhelmed going from a level like Chem & Physics to a level like Physical, so maybe fitting General into the schedule would benefit him - allow him to get use to a more demanding load incrementally rather than just jumping into the deep end. Hmmm....lots to consider here.

It's good to hear you can safely skip the General science. That opens things up a bit for us. They really like the series and would like to explore more of the available topics before doing the "have-to's" for high school.

Thank you for that great advice about the upper levels. He's only entering 7th but I'm already fretting about high school and what that's going to look like. :o

Yeah, I'm considering that as well. This ds is the one who finds the whole idea of college repulsive and states over and over he's not going. Which very well may be true. However, I'd rather him be properly prepared if he might ever change his mind. I guess I'll get a better feel for things the closer we get to high school. Thanks so much for your input! :)

Thank you for that schedule Kinsa. Would it be possible to do : 7th Chem & Physics 8th General 9th Physical 10th Biology 11th Chemistry 12th Physics or Adv. Bio or Adv. Chem ? He definitely doesn't HAVE to do the Chem & Physics....I just thought he'd enjoy it. :)

We started Apologia science last year and my oldest two - dd11 and ds13 - have finished the Land Animals and the Swimming Creatures. I think dd11 will do the Flying Creatures next but I'm stuck as to which one to do for ds13. I was thinking the General but read someone else thought the Chem & Physics would do well for 7th. And then I'm thinking ahead as to where Physical would come in.... What would be a good schedule for these starting with 7th grade?

Thank you Ellie! Do you suggest my correcting the work for accountability reasons?

Is Easy Grammar Plus a regular level that can be used for 7th grade? It's one of my considerations but I don't know if it is a full Grammar program or just a review level. My Ds needs a program that teaches from the basics up. Thanks!

Thank you GeoKitty - that does help. :) Another question for those who have used it....I've read some have experienced their children finding a "pattern" to the work and therefore they aren't really engaging their thinking skills. They say their kids weren't retaining anything. Do you find there is a "pattern" that could easily be taken advantage of in the grammar?

Thank you ClemsonDana! My kids are seem to more of the "get it done" type so this may work for them. :)

I'm trying to decide between grammar curricula for this year and GWG is one I'm considering. This would be for my just turned 11 dd and my almost 13 ds. We haven't done any formal grammar/LA instruction - mainly CM type stuff (copy work, sporadic bits of dictation, and some Queens). Should I place them according to grade level (6th for dd and 7th for ds) or should I considering backing up a grade or two since they haven't done a lot of grammar work? Also, I am looking at their Soaring with Spelling and Winning with Writing.......any placement advice for these as well? Thank you!

She loves language....but only the spoken variety! LOL She detests any composition work but her grammar skills might have a play in that. None of my kids are writers though so..... I'll check out the Wordsmith - that sounds interesting. :)

Thank you SilverMoon for your suggestion. My daughter struggles quite a bit with all of grammar so I feel JAG would be best for her at this time. But I suppose she could do a writing/composition program along side the grammar if it wouldn't overwhelm her. That would have to be felt out along the way I suppose.

I'm thinking (still deciding between this and another program) I might get AG for my almost 13 DS and JAG for my just turned 11 DD. I am also thinking I'll get the Beyond the Book Report for DS and integrate that according to the schedule outlined on the AG site. But I'm wondering what to do with DD after she's finished the JAG Grammar and the JAG Mechanics in regards to writing/composition. Would starting something like Winning with Writing make sense (basically almost at the end of the year)? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around scheduling so that she is working on some part of grammar and/or writing for the whole year while DS is working on his (already planned out) schedule. Any help welcomed! :)

I started my ds10 and dd8 this summer in Year 1 mainly as a test run to see if AO would fit our family. It seems to be a winner so far - we only have about 9 weeks left. I would like to continue using AO but I'm unsure if I should keep the kids combined or if should separate them. Dd8 would definitely go into Year 2. I like being able to read to everyone at the same time vs. reading lots of different books to different people. Yes, ds10 could definitely take on some of the reading responsibility and would have to if I put him in his own year (maybe Year 3?) I know the site advises placing each child in their own year but I was wondering if anyone combines kids with a two year age gap and how you've found that works for you?

Thank you for the recommendation and all the information about it. I've actually never seen that curriuculm before. I'll look it up and see what it's all about. :)

Hello, I'm looking for some curricula suggestions. My dc are ds8, dd6, and ds3. I did a very relaxed approach for my oldest when he was between 5 and 6 but then went more formal with HOD. That's what we've done up until recently. Now, despite that I do like the program, my kids do NOT like it. At. all. It literally brings tears to my 8 year old's eyes when I bring the books out. So, we've adopted an interim plan for right now. This involves: Family - Bible reading, bible scripture memorization, reading a story from The Millers, reading a selection from current read-aloud (Farmer Boy) for ds8 - CLE Math 200, R&S 2, the level 2 reading list from HOD (but not DITHOR) for his reading aloud, dictation from the Bigger guide, Cheerful Cursive for dd6 - CLE Math 100, sometimes the spelling list 1 from HOD Beyond, the emerging readers books from HOD, copywork from FIAR title Then we will row a FIAR title and do an accompanying lesson with it (Social studies, LA, Art, and Science) That's it. Is this enough? I've been reading a little about classical education and I'm intrigued. What specific curriulua tends to fit this philosophy? I wonder about bringing in a history program (sotw, moh?) and a science (apologia?). And grammer for the 6 yo? What should I be doing there? I feel totally lost since laying down HOD. It's not worth the tears so I'm not going back to it but I don't really know where to go from here. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.