I've really enjoyed reading through this thread. Your stories are so helpful. As a brand new homeschooling mom I'm curious as to how many of these college success stories are from children who homeschooled all the way through high school?

Thank you, ladies. I'm not sure that AoPS would be the best program for her. She grasps math concepts quickly, but I don't know if she has that analytical edge. I think she is more of a traditional student. This will be my first year being her full time teacher; I'm sure I'll have a much better idea next Spring :) So this is what her math sequence looks like to me: 5th Grade - Horizons 6 6th Grade - Pre Algebra 7th Grade - Algebra I 8th Grade - Geometry 9th Grade - Algebra II 10th Grade - Pre-Calculus 11th Grade - Calculus 12th - ? Does that sound correct? 7th is not too early for Algebra I? Do you typically study Geometry for a full year, then go to Algebra II? Or is it best to do Geometry after the two Algebra courses?

Thank you, Ali. I'm planning on homeschooling all the way through high school graduation. From what I've read in the forums, it seems like AoPS is done as a supplementary program to another Math curriculum. Is this a correct observation? I hear of some people doing one or two AoPS courses, then switching to another text later. Is AoPS more of a specialty curriculum?

If I choose Horizons Math 6 for dd10 (this is our first year homeschooling) at what point do I need to switch to a different curriculum? She would be going into Pre-Algebra next year. 8, I know you favor Foerster's for high school level math. When is a good time to make the switch?

It's so reassuring to hear about your experience, 8. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for your input, ladies. She took the placement test this morning and placed in 7/6. She got 18/20 correct in the 5/6 level. I am still a little doubtful advancing her a whole grade level. My main concern is that division by two digit numbers is introduced in Math 6/5, so she would miss that lesson if I send these back. I'm thinking I may have her do the last quarter of this book and then switch in 2-3 months when she finishes it.

I'd love to hear about this too. My 5th Grader's favorite subject.

We just received our Saxon 6/5 books in the mail today for my 5th grader. In going through the book together, this level seems too easy for her. With the exception of two concepts (square roots and division by two digits) she has mastery of everything else in the book. So basically she is solid on the first 3/4 of the book. (In retrospect, she should have taken the placement test). What to do? Do I stick with this level? Start towards the end of the book and switch to 7/6 somewhere in the middle of the year? Start her on 7/6 now? Will it have enough review of the previous material? Although it's lovely that she's ahead I don't want to push her so much that she gets turned off by Math; maybe she needs the drill? On a side note, I'm completely in love with Saxon. I wish I would have had this growing up.

Have you found a program that you like to fill in those gaps?

I called RFWP to get their opinion on the appropriate level as well and they suggested Level 3- Voyage Level. They advised me to wait a couple of weeks since Caesar's English 2 will be coming out soon. I then found out from DD that she used MCT's Caesar's English 1 in enrichment/ gifted in PS last year. So it sounds like the recommendation was spot on. Are all the books (7) in the bundle necessary in your opinion? I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible for our first year and that sounds like a lot. Thank you! :)

Hello ladies! I'm new to homeschooling and new to Classical Ed. My fifth grader is a natural speller and writer. She was doing very well in Language Arts in PS last year, writing good essays that were several pages long. I'm not sure that I want to eliminate grammar altogether, however, since this is our first year together and I want to make sure she is truly solid before skipping any content. I've been looking at RS Following the Plan as suggested in TWTM, vs. MCT Magic Lens 2. Any thoughts?

We are very open minded Catholics :) I'm looking for curriculum that places an emphasis on academic achievement. We share Scripture and prayer throughout the day so I don't feel the need to incorporate religion in every single text. I'm fine with a textbook that includes evolution. I'll look into your suggestions. I had been wondering whether SWO would be useful for her so I'm glad to hear about your experience. She is a natural speller as well and placed in several rounds of spelling bee comp. the last two years. I have been wondering whether I should move her directly into Vocab from Classical Roots?

Thank you :). Our curriculum is: Math - Saxon 6/5 Grammar - Rod & Staff Following the Plan Spelling - Spelling Workout F (I've considered cutting this; she is a very strong speller) History - History: The Definitive Guide Logic - Building Thinking Skills Latin - Latina Christiana (tentative) Science - Still Looking (she has an Apologia textbook, Zoology of Flying Creatures, that we bought on a whim last year. She asked to do Biology instead) I would love to hear more about the Latin/ grammar combos.

Hello ladies! I'm new here, and new to homeschooling. Reading through this forum the past couple of days has been so inspiring. I have so much respect and admiration for you ladies! You are a smart, accomplished bunch! I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Odalys. I pulled my 10 year old out of public school this year. I have been wanted to HS her since she was in First Grade but my DH had reservations and I wanted to have him 100% on board. My DD10 has been a perfect student with straight A's. She genuinely loves studying, homework and school, which for a long time made us doubt whether we should pull her out. If it isn't broken, why fix it? However, this year I observed her slowly losing spark. She was just going through the motions. I just have this gut feeling that I can do better at home. Her favorite subject is Science. she wants to be a chemist when she grows up :) I also have a sweet, creative DD who is five and homeschooling Kindergarten. A little budding artist :) My questions for you today are: 1. Can you suggest a great Biology program/ textbook for my fifth grader? Any great Science Kits? 2. Can you give us some feedback on our planned daily schedule? We want to keep it as simple as possible, since this is our first year homeschooling. I'm a little concerned about doing History and Science only twice a week for 1.5 hours each instead of more frequently. I'm following TWTM. Is anyone else out there doing the longer, 1.5 hr sessions for History and Science successfully? Also, is Math only four days a week ok? Here is what our schedule looks like: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Math (1hr). Math (1hr). Math (1hr). Math (1hr). Logic (1hr). Spelling (15). Spelling (15). Spelling (15). Spelling (15). Latin (1hr). Break. Break. Break. Break. Art (2hr) History (1.5hr). Science (1.5hr). History (1.5hr). Science (1.5hr) Break. Break. Break. Break Grammar (15). Grammar (15). Grammar (15). Grammar (15) Latin (45). Logic (45). Latin (45). Logic (45) The above is about 4.5 hours of instruction per day. She also has: 2 hours a day of independent reading and creative writing. 30 minute violin lessons a week with daily practice. Swim-team. We are a bilingual family, so she will be doing some Spanish reading at her leisure as well. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!