Thank you for these suggestions. I will take a look again at MFW.

That's a good idea. I should also say that I am kind of looking for something that is scheduled out. I have 3 kids and 2 to a competitive sport that demands quite a bit of time practicing and traveling. So it makes it all easier to have school structured a little bit...or a lot. If it isn't, it doesn't get done. Sorry, this is just what works for us.

In years past, we've used SOTW for history. This year we went off on our own and used a unit on WWII from Homeschool In The Woods. The older 2 wanted to study this war, so I went with it. We read a few books on that time period like Number the Stars and The Little Riders. For literature, we didn't really do much instruction, just read. But my kids love history, so combining the two would be great. I am thinking perhaps Year 4 (late modern) for next year to cover the rest of this time period.

Help, please! Background- my kids are 8, 11 and 13. I typically have the older 2 work together on history and science. The 8 and 11 yr old are somewhat advanced. Somewhat. Next year will be our 5th year. Geez, I still don't have this figured out! I like the idea of combining history and literature. I've looked at Biblioplan, Build Your Library and even Bookshark (not full grade, just hist/lit). I own Notgrass America the Beautiful and Uncle Sam and I. This also has literature suggestions along with it. Considered this since it's already on my shelf. I like the looks of Biblioplan because it would be one thing for all 3 kids--just plug them in with what works on their level. But the weekly plan looks confusing. But then if I do BYL or BkSk, I feel like I would be doing at least 2 levels. We are Christians but don't need Christian curriculum. Likewise, we aren't turned away by Christian curriculum unless it is new earth. I don't know if this makes sense but can someone help me gain some perspective. Perhaps you've used one of these and love it or hate it. Maybe you see something that I don't. I would love some clarity. ETA- I am looking for something that is easy for me to use. I have spent years planning on the weekends and I am done with that. It's great for some, but I just can't do it. :)

Every time I look at Apologia I just love the way it is laid out. But we are not new earth people. I cannot get past some of the things I have read in it so it could never be an option for us. I know many of you love it. So please, no bashing. My kids love science. I would love something that is laid out, easy to use, engaging and I don't have to print pages every day. They are 13, 11 and almost 8. I usually combine the older 2. I would very mush appreciate any suggestions you have. Thanks!

My older two (11 and 13) loved SOTW. But my 7 yr old, that's working a year ahead, hates it. She has amazing reading and comprehension skills, but I think she just lacks a love of history. It makes me sad because I believe that SOTW encourages a love of history. I don't think the purpose of the curriculum is to have kids memorize dates, names and facts. When I used it with the older 2, I just wanted them to have a general understanding of major events and when they took place. And what do you know, they love history! I agree with the PP about doing more of the projects. Kids always remember the project!

Yes, just going to the page that is actually linked to Sketchfab is all you need to do. THANK YOU! My brother has pulled into 2nd place! He has until December 11. So if you haven't clicked yet, please help! Thanks everyone! 😘

Thank you for clicking and thanks for the tip.

Thank you if you've visited. Please keep it up! He has two more days.

My brother is a Navy veteran. He is now pursuing a degree in art and trying to win an art contest. His winning depends on page views, which I find crazy! You don't have to vote. It's a Star Wars art contest. If you can give 1 minute of your time, I know my brother would be so appreciative!! www.gphelps.net Feel free to actually check out the cool Star Wars art too. That's all. Thank you!!!!

Yes, that does help. I was able to preview it on Amazon but only a few pages. So I was left wondering if it was a repeat every X number of pages. Thanks!

Hi Everyone- I don't post much but I know where to come when I have question. I came across this product called Do-It-Yourself Homeschool Journal. There are several versions. But they all look the same. The website doesn't provide many samples. But there are a whole list of her books on Amazon. There's a plan book, timeline, grammar as well as this DIY Homeschool Journal. Now, here's my question. I am looking at the journal as a part of independent study. I have 3 kids---7, 10, and 13. They're curious little monkeys and always thinking of new things they want to learn about. Like my 10 year old spent the summer learning about the Titanic just because she'd heard about it and wanted to know more. :001_tt1: The site presents these books like a core and one and only thing to use. I would not. And we would not do 10 pages and 4 hours a day! Also, I would have each kid do their own...own topic, own journal unless they were interested in the same thing. Even then, own journal. Can someone tell me if there are other things out there like this for IS? Or, anyone used this? It's kinda new. TIA! Heather

Little House in the Big Woods

I am using IEW for my 5th grader along with my 3rd grader. Writing isn't either of their strengths. I want them both to be good writers but they have hated any program we tried in the last 2 years. We are 3 weeks into our year and they are actually asking to do writing! I am not joking. The honeymoon phase might be short-lived, but I will rejoice anytime a child asks to do writing.

Another vote for Elemental!

We only used it for 1 year and that was for 3rd and 4th grades. I will just say this, no curriculum is going to be worth anything if you don't use it correctly. Of course, there are ways to tweak any curriculum to fit your needs. I know from our experience, it was too easy to think math was done just because the kids sat in front of the computer and did a 10 minute lesson. I am pretty sure that had we continued on that road, my kids would be one of those scoring poorly on the SATs. For the record, my kids hated TT. I haven't pinpointed the exact reason, but they strongly requested something else this year.

This will be our 3rd year and I have a kinder, 3rd and 5th. I think you've gotten some excellent recommendations. I just wanted to jump and comment about history. Last year was our first year to do classical history and we started with Ancients. We just started this school year 2 weeks ago and just like last year, my kids are begging to do history first. I will tell you that history isn't an essential part of a kindergarten curriculum. My kinder wants to be a big kid, so she does a lot of the copywork, maps and coloring sheets from The Story of the World (SOTW) activity book. I figure if something sticks, great. If it doesn't, she'll get it again in 4 years. They all love to look at the pictures in the Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia, which is part of the recommended reading materials from SOTW. Oh, and if you don't have a library card, get one. The activity book has tons of recommended books to further the lesson and those are always great with the little ones. Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of homeschooling!

My youngest is 5. She is already bored with what I have for her and wants something "harder". She reads basic beginner books. She is bored with Plaid Phonics A (maybe I should jump way ahead?). She is bored with MUS Primer which we are half way through. She is interested in doing copywork with the older kids, particularly history. I am mostly concerned with the 3 Rs with her this year, so any science and history she does with us is just icing on the cake. Can you help me think of some things that might challenge her since she's asking to be challenged? Curriculum suggestions? Thanks!

Great job!

We have been using SWI-A and if it were me, I'd spend the $10 to get the handouts.

We have been using SWI-A and if it were me, I'd spend the $10 to get the handouts.

I can't see them either. Make sure you check who has permission to view the files. I make that mistake all the time.

I haven't read all the posts, so I apologize if this has been stated. 1. With MUS, don't try too hard to correlate the title with a specific grade level. Obviously, if you do the ideal thing and start at kinder and do primer and then do 1 level per grade level, then you could match up to a grade level. However, I think it is better to look at them as topics. As one lady stated, her kid finished a whole "year" in just a few months. I think it helps that there isn't a big number on the front of the book to indicate a grade level. That way my kids don't know if they're doing a particular grade level! 2. Also, I wanted to encourage you to take a look at the clearance section. You can get the 2009 editions for cheaper. Buy the student book there and find a used copy of the instruction pack. Check the classifieds on here! I was on the TOS Review Crew and we reviewed the new MUS. MUS sent us the new updated version to review. It was clear that the new edition only contains a few extra pages for each lesson...and that was so they could be in line with Common Core Standards.

looks great

Saxon is very spiral. I think most people would consider TT to be a traditional curriculum meaning that a concept is introduced, practiced, reviewed and then you move on, i.e. mastery. Even the TT website says they are "traditional" but they do not use the word mastery. I have used Saxon as a teacher and TT as a homeschool mom. My kids hated TT.