Thanks for the suggestion of Alpha Omega, but we've tried those before for other subjects and have run into some material that was anti-Catholic. I don't mind about the young Earth/old Earth debate, though, if that would open up the possibilities of other programs.

Thanks for the replies. I have looked at the Starline website, but they didn't have any samples, and I really would like to see something before I buy. Anyone know where I could view samples? Seton, unfortunately, is not booklet based, as far as I know. I've used and like a lot of their workbooks, but I'm thinking of something using shorter booklets that can be completed more quickly than one workbook used all year. I think the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a booklet is a great motivator. Thanks for the suggestion though! I did look at Paradigm and I liked it, but it's for 7th grade and up and we are working on 4th grade for both kids. :( I appreciate the input!

I was wondering what other programs out there use booklets like CLE Math and ACE do. We have had great success with CLE Math, and I like the way the info is presented in ACEs (works well for my dyslexic daughter and is a nice science supplement for my son who does CC for the bulk of his schoolwork.) However, we are Catholic and I am finding more and more in ACE that doesn't fit in with our beliefs. I was wondering what other programs are out there that use this format so that I could explore other options. Thanks! Laurie

Thanks, onestep, I might use those Keys for summer reinforcement. That's a good idea! I'll have to have a look at Hands on Equations as well. Thanks for the ideas! Oh, I'm not sure what level she stopped with Barton. I know she is past the first two levels for sure, but after that, I don't know.

Okbud, that is encouraging! If she decides she wants to go to college, we will certainly support her in that. But cosmetology does sound fun the way you describe it! Onestep, we don't really have any specific regulations as to what we teach as far as the state is concerned. Colleges want to see certain things, of course, but not the state. We live in FL. We stopped with the tutor for personal reasons. The program itself seemed to be working well, although it's interesting. She was making slow progress with the program, but now, after having the summer off, she has come back and is reading extremely well- much better than when she was in the program. I don't know if it is just a maturity thing or if the current typing program is helping or even something else. Evaluations: that's a saga. We attempted to have a psychologist evaluate her, but the insurance refused to pay and it was too expensive to pay out of pocket, so we went through the public school system. After meeting for IQ and reading evaluations, as well as meeting with a speech pathologist, we met with all the assembled "experts" to get their findings: that she had trouble with reading and memory and probably had dyslexia, but they wouldn't do further testing unless we put her in school. Basically, they just told me what I already knew. Her reading tutor is the one who confirmed our suspicions. She isn't a licensed therapist, but has worked with dyslexic children for over forty years, so I take her word. Unfortunately, I don't know about other issues. I suspect there could be some (her speech also is not very clear, although the speech path said it was about 90% understandable, so not enough to affect her reading.) I will definitely check out CTC! I would love to have her continue with CLE, as I think it is the best math program we've ever used. Thanks for the tip!

Thank you all for such thoughtful replies! Okbud, thanks for the insights on the career field. That's very helpful. OhElizabeth, that's a good idea to ask on the chat board! Onestep, it is interesting that you mentioned CLE. She was using CLE Sonlight units prior to this year and just working on a lower level (two years behind her age appropriate grade.) She would make B's in that. However, her reading tutor suggested switching her to TT, so I decided to try it, even though I am not a fan of the program in general. She placed into 7th grade TT after completeing 4th grade CLE, and she is making B's in TT. She actually just told me today that she prefers CLE, and I think it is a better fit for her, as she gets that constant repetition of useful topics likes measurements and time, which TT 7 doesn't do. She performs better in math than in reading, with the exception of word problems, of course. (She's on about a 4th grade reading level.) She does have some memory issues with abstract concepts, so repetition is very useful. She has her basic math facts down, and does well with fractions, not quite as well with decimals and percents, but still fairly good. Her weakness, apart from word problems, would be with formulas. She currently working on some compounding interest problems, and had a bit of a struggle with that. I think the advantage of TT was that the lecture was read and shown to her at the same time, and hints given when working the problems. I don't explain things as well as they do, and we would butt heads a lot over her frustration with my explanations. However, like I said, she claims she still preferred that method (a surprise to me!) She was meeting weekly with a Barton tutor, but we've recently stopped for personal reasons. She's now using a typing program that is supposed to help dyslexics with reading (Touch-type, Read, and Spell). I am still looking for other materials to use at home with her. As for cosmetology, she just really enjoys that sort of thing. She has a mobile spa that she takes around the neighborhood and earns money doing foot massages and nails for our neighbors. She thinks she would like that, but of course she is still young. She definitely claims she doesn't want to go to college, and I really can't envision her being able to manage that. I think a vo-tech track would be more within her comfort zone. I've mentioned vet tech as an option as she loves animals, but she wasn't interested in that. If she ever expresses an interest in going to college, we'll support her in that, but it's hard to imagine that happening unless something really miraculous happens. I hate to pressure her with a college track when that's not something she is motivated to work for herself. Her strengths are people skills, for sure. People just really connect with her and go out of their way to do things for her. She is also very responsible and organized (much more so than her other, much older siblings.) She's kind but tough (she'd make a great nurse if she didn't have those memory issues). She was adopted as a baby from a rather poor orphanage in China, and she has some serious survival skills.

I am trying to plan ahead. My 13 year old severely dyslexic daughter is in TT7. I expect she will do pre-Algebra and Algebra I, but after that, I'm not sure. She isn't going to college; she'll probably go into cosmetology. I want her to have some good accounting skills and general math, but I really don't know the sequence, since my other kids were all on the college prep track. She will be able to dual enroll in 11th grade, and the community college does offer accounting, but I doubt she would be ready for it at that point. What should I be teaching her before that? I have a general college math textbook so I thought maybe that for 10th grade? Is there a business math that is on a high school level? Is that what consumer math is? Thanks! Laurie

I am a mystery lover as well and have enjoyed some of the authors you like, so perhaps you would like my two favorites in the genre. Alan Brady is the author of the Flavia de Luce series, which features a precocious 11 year old girl in 1950's England. She a genius in chemistry who lives in the delapidated ancestral home of her family. No one in her family really understands her, so she keeps herself entertained by solving murders. These are my all time favorite mysteries- they are humorous and intriguing, but also I think they will also inspire homeschool moms when they read how brilliant Flavia is (and she's essentially homeschooled and self-taught!) The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is the first in the series. Lindsay Davis writes about Roman times with her Marcus Didius Falco series. Falco is a wisecracking PI who occasionally works for the emperor Vespasian. His adventures take him to other lands, including Roman Britain. These books are so much fun! Falco and all the other characters are so well drawn and likeable, the stories have humor but also real suspense, and I have learned so many interesting aspects of Roman life from reading them. These are a close 2nd in my list of favorites. The Silver Pigs is the first in the series. A third on my list would be the Kate Shackleton mysteries by Frances Brody. Set in 1920's Britain, Kate is a WWI war widow and detective. These are more of your basic British mysteries, but I find them a fun, relaxing read. Laurie

Hi all! I came onto the site to see if I could find some good sources of audio history for my dyslexic 6th grader. I saw the History of US mentioned; any other suggestions? Thanks! Laurie

I need some help deciding what to do here. Background: homeschooled five, now down to my youngest three. I've been using CHC's program with a few tweaks, and we had a great year (finished by mid-April, no less, which is a success in my book). My son seemed to enjoy his work, too. But I've been working as an evaluator for a well-known achievement test used by schools, and, when I see the level of writing expected from 3rd graders, I realize that my rising 3rd grader isn't there. We haven't focused on writing at all. I feel like I need to hardcore stream-line my curricula so we can work on writing (and Latin, which was hit or miss this year.) But, I know myself. I just can't handle complex writing programs (Classical Writing would be an example of something that I really wanted to work but couldn't apply in reality; there have been many, many others.) So, all I hear about is how great IEW is. But it looks complicated! And possibly joy-killing for the child. Is it? I have Writing with Ease, which I think I could do, but I wonder if it is structured enough? I believe I am overthinking this....Help! Laurie

Ahh, I'm afraid that is a long story. The short version is: no official diagnosis. I suspected dyslexia and attempted to get private testing done, but our insurance wouldn't pay for it. So we went through the school system to get the testing done. After months of waiting for the results, they told me that she has trouble reading (which is the reason I went to them in the first place!) They wouldn't do any further testing unless I put her in school. The only other thing they could say was that, if she is dyslexic, that's not the only trouble. She had trouble with some of the verbal aspects of the test too. She's super smart in real life things, but she has trouble remembering things that aren't tangible to her (and some that are, like the names of new friends and relatives we only see once or twice a year.) Anyway, while we were waiting for these results, I started using Apples and Pears and Dancing Bears, and it's been really great- the first real progress we've ever made. She was on a first grade level in the fall, and is now on a third grade level (according to online reading tests. I think it might be more like second grade judging from the readers we use, but it's been real progress nonetheless.) These programs also break things down and make the child say the sounds before they try to spell or read. She's guessing a lot less than she used to, but still more than I'd like to see. I just wish there was some way to get her to slow down more. Thanks! Laurie

My 10 yo DD has some pretty serious reading delays and memory issues. She has made a lot of progress this year- she can now manage most words if she will take the time to sound them out. But she rarely does that- she still rushes and guesses. Like today, she read "fresh" as "fish". When she slowed down and said the sounds, she read the word easily. Any tips for getting your child to stop guessing? Thanks, Laurie

For my 10 year old with memory issues and possible dyslexia, what's working: Apples and Pears (first real progress we've ever had in reading started with these books) Dancing Bears CLE Math CHC Behold and See Science Prima Latina (done orally only) Fly Guy books (gross but she loves that she can read them herself) Faith and Freedom readers (I never would have guessed something old fashioned would appeal to the kids, but they love them, and they have been great for my DD. Just challenging enough without being overwhelming.) What didn't work: Explode the Code (which I love otherwise) Horizon math (she seemed to do well with it at the time, but couldn't retain it long term)

Hi, I have been using Dancing Bears and Apples and Pears for my struggling 10 year old, and having great results. She really enjoys it and is finally starting to read. I was wondering if there was any reason why I shouldn't also use the program for my six year old. He is on track with a first grade reading level, but the program we are using is kind of dull. I think he would enjoy Dancing Bears more (we've been testing it out and he likes it so far.) Thanks, Laurie

If it helps, these are the topics that I am thinking we need to read about (I am open to others as well, but not so much ones related primarily to the US, as we will cover those next year in American history): Galileo English Civil War Plague French Revolution Rosetta Stone Napoleon Boer War WWI WWII Cold War Major scientific and technological discoveries (Curie, Einstein, etc) Artistic achievements Looking for really juicy books that will appeal to a teenaged boy!