Thank you!

Mara Pratt's American History Stories. You can look at it here: http://www.mainlesson.com/displayauthor.php?author=pratt

You might look at Dianne Craft's website. I haven't used it yet, but we probably will. Polly

Except for the "suggests a variety of good non-fiction books for each topic, but doesn't specify particular books (allowing the teaching mom to select books that are available at her local library)" criteria, I think Apologia is pretty close. I find it easy to add in books from the library and good books recommended by Yesterday's Classics, Simply Charlotte Mason, and Queen homeschool. Polly

Thank you this was very helpful. Since I can't stand spiral programs (or mastery programs for that matter) I better steer clear of it. Polly

Has anyone use the K-3 Shiller Math program? Pros and Cons? Thanks, Polly

Do you have to use the books in order or could I do the K-3 book 2 before book 1? Thanks, Polly

Do you have to use the books in order or could I do the K-3 book 2 before book 1? Thanks, Polly

Could someone give me the links or ISBN # to the 3 items that come with MFW Adventures Introduction to Tchaikovsky and the nutcracker suite? The items are: The Story of Tchaikovsky in Words and Music CD Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker Highlights CD THe Nutcracker Ballet book Thanks, Polly

I haven't used any of them so this is all from what I've heard others say over the years. Hopefully, others will chime in that have used these. Abeka has a lot of busy work built in. A solid program though. Bob Jones: I've heard more positives about BJU. Most of what I've heard is that the questions aren't just fill in the blank (look back through the text and find the answer). You have to actually use your brain to answer the questions. This is generally favorable because you will be able to tell if they are comprehending the material). SOS: Less busy work. Straight forward. Solid program but somewhat dry. I don't know if this is helpful or not.

What church is that? I'm in the St. Louis area and would love to do this as well. Thanks!

I guess I should have that I will have a Kindergartner. I really want to combine them. I thought Adventures would be perfect for that and just add more in for my 4th grader. Recently I was able to borrow a friend of mines manual and I think it's WAY TOO easy for my 4th grader. It would work for my K'er. I'm trying to find another option that I will allow me to use it for both of them. MFW EX1850 wouldn't work for that and I want it to be just one year of Am. history. I should have stated that to begin with. Sorry!

We've already used Bigger. I want something that talks about the events of American History so he has a better feel for Am. History. Beyond is too basic.

Is there anything similar to MFW Adventures that is more appropriate for a 4th grader? Thanks!

While I go back and forth between which I like better - HOD or MFW, either would work for multiple children. All MFW has done to make it adaptable for all ages is to offer books suitable for younger ages and make recommendations as to which language arts and math would be best. I've long wondered why HOD insists on people doing more than one guide (except in the K and 1st grade area) when you can easily adapt their guides for all ages. If you prefer HOD, choose a guide (from Beyond or higher) and add books in (ideas you could get from MFW, Beautiful Feet, Winter Promise, Songlight, etc) that fit their age range. We are doing Preparing this year and my almost 5 year old is doing it along with us. She listens to the the books and draws with us from the Draw Through History Books. Her copywork is in sand learning to write her letters. As I look at the guides to come I think it will be easy to adapt them. All that said, MFW is already done for you in ECC and up but it would take less than an hour to "plan" adapting HOD.

Focus on the Family: Christmas in My Heart are good. Here's one of them at CBD. Joe Wheeler is definitely a warm and snugly writer. http://family.christianbook.com/christmas-heart-volume-2-timeless-stories/joe-wheeler/9781416546788/pd/546788?item_code=WW&netp_id=527659&event=HPT&view=covers#curr

Yes! Adventures would be perfect! You could add in the books from BF if you wanted.

I am thinking of doing this and would love some pointers. Thanks, Polly

What is the age recommendation for it?

We did both. I followed the CLE books and pulled out the MUS to teach the concepts. Personally, I think Alpha is so foundational. In 13 years of HSing, nothing teaches the beginning like MUS. What my kids don't get with CLE they got with Alpha. What lessons you don't fit in with CLE can be easily done over the summer or at the end.

Try posting on the Learning Adventures Yahoo group.

Analytical Grammar

http://www.pennygardner.com/oldtest.html http://www.pennygardner.com/newtest.html This is what we do: Mon. OT Tues. NT Wed. Psalm/Proverbs Thurs. OT Fri. NT Sat. Leading Little Ones to God, Bug Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware, or Training Hearts Teaching Minds depending on their age Sun. - Hymn study http://www.songsandhymns.org/ and Storytime with the Millers series

Have you considered that he may have a vision problem (I'm not talking about near or far sightedness but problems with tracking, eyes working together, etc.)? He sounds a lot like my son who is the same age. His eyes don't work together. That makes comprehension almost impossible in any subject. If you can find a developmental optometrist to evaluate him, you might get some answers. My son also has auditory issues. I don't really have much tried and true advice but to say, he is still young. I've completely put away the spelling for now. I do dictations (2 to for sentences) everyday. They are EASY sentences. This has helped. I also give him copywork everyday. I use http://www.zaner-bloser.com/educator/products/handwriting/index.aspx?id=4296 and type up my own copywork for him to do, skipping lines for him to write directly underneath. I had to start out the year with one sentence. We are up to about 3 now. He is slowly improving. I think there was too much being thrown at him at one time. And with his physical issues it just was too much. We've backed off and are slowly working forward. HTH!

Learning Adventures: A World of Adventure or HOD Preparing