Mosdos Press - I believe starts in 3rd grade. http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?subject=6&category=953 Lightning Lit - has grade 1, I thought that they had grade 2 finished, but not sure. https://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/Elem/eLightning.aspx I have not used either program above, but have looked at them several times. Usually I just bring my children to the library and let them pick out what they want to read, with some influential suggestions.

Next year I plan on using the MP Lit guides with my 5th grade DD. MP did revamp a little, and the books for 5th grade used to be the books that they used for 4th grade (I think they still use them for 4th grade for their accelerated program), so I would use them at grade level according to their most recent catalog. I wouldn't have a child write out the answers to all the questions, I'd just pick and choose. Each lesson is only a two page spread, so should be doable maybe three times a week (I wouldn't do it everyday). Likewise, I'd do the same for CLE reading, pick and choose what you want your child to do - don't have them do it all! We tried CLE our first year homeschooling and it just was not a good fit for us because it did kill the desire to read. But, DD's were only in 3rd and 2nd grade then, and they just needed to read for fun at that age, and build their reading stamina. And, might I add, they needed to read books that they picked and wanted to read. Now that they're a bit older I will have them do required reading with analysis, but only on 3 or 4 books a year, and MP fits the bill! They can read other books for fun, and not report on them at all. CLE does have very sweet stories though and I would recommend them.

I don't grade anything, but I do have them correct mistakes, especially in math and spelling. I do put grades on their math tests (but don't have them correct mistakes on their tests), but they don't mean anything for homeschool. It's just for records in case I ever need to produce records! In our state we don't need to have grades or records until high school, but if we move to another state laws might be different.

Certainly try CLE and see how it goes. She doesn't have to do a full lesson every day, just adjust it to two days if necessary. OTOH, she might do so well with it that you can skip over sections that you know she already knows. I've had all three of my DC skip whole light units because it does become rather redundant at times, and I want to keep them moving forward.

Maybe Jump Math (jumpmath.org)? You can find some of their books at Rainbow Resource.

MP Latina Christiana definitely has DVD's to go with it, along with a CD, and flash cards. If you want an even lighter approach to see how it goes, try MP's Prima Latina (this is what they use before Latina Christiana).

Well, seeing as it's MP, you could use their Prima Latina course, which they use for 3rd grade before a student uses Latina Christiana. It might not be fun, but it will be light for his age, and it will have him ready for Latina Christiana.

Even though I no longer use MUS, I still have our block sets. They have come in handy a few times when we needed a lot of blocks, but we certainly don't use them very often. I have an older sister who did tell me not to get rid of them, as they do come in handy for geometry. She's homeschooled for a long time, so I'm trusting her judgment.

I have a child who dislikes drawing, coloring, cutting, pasting, etc... He does well with everything except art. This school year I put him in an art class hoping that if he saw other children his age working on art it might help him like it better, but he really is not interested in it at all. His two older sisters live for art, and can't get enough of it. Do I continue to "make" him do art, or just drop it? Update 5-3-16: We had a very precious occasion happen today: my DD11 asked my DS7 if he would like art lessons from her, so she proceeded to give him a drawing lesson of one of his favorite characters from a computer game that he likes. It lasted about 15 minutes, and they decided that that was enough for the day, and that tomorrow they would resume with another character.

We will continue through the summer at a relaxed schedule and see where we get in the fall. Math: CLE 204 - into CLE 300 Science: MP What's That Insect w/sister in 5th grade or ??? History/Geography: Currently doing MP's Greek Myths (as a read aloud and discuss), Famous Men of Rome with sister in 5th grade, learn States and Capitals and locations on map this summer Reading: AAR 3-4, Progressive Phonics online when we need a break from AAR Spelling: AAS 2-? Writing: It's enough for him to just write in cursive the dictation from AAS. Sometimes he tells me stories, which I write for him. Grammar: English Grammar Revolution this summer with two older siblings, won't worry too much about this until 4th or 5th grade, plus we'll be starting Latin and learning some grammar with that. Latin: MP Prima Latina Bible: Not sure yet, maybe just memorize Bible verses Art/Music: Not sure yet (I'm focusing more on math, reading, and spelling.)

Couldn't you just wait, and not do any grammar for a year?

Could you maybe do LC1 over the summer, and jump into FF for the fall? Just depends on how your school year is structured. I'm planning on trying this with my rising 5th grader.

Could you maybe do LC1 over the summer, and jump into FF for the fall? Just depends on how your school year is structured. I'm planning on trying this with my rising 5th grader.

You could try Get Smart with English Grammar Revolution. http://www.english-grammar-revolution.com/ It's all about learning grammar through sentence diagramming. If you buy the online/downloadable course, then it's all taught for you, and you can learn along with your children. Look for it at homeschoolbuyersco-op, where you can get it cheaper. Or, you can try EIW (Essentials in Writing), which teaches grammar and writing on DVD's. Again, you don't have to teach it, it's all done on the DVD's so you can learn too!

Here's what's brewing for next year for my 5th grader: CLE 400 Math Memoria Press: Famous Men of Rome (Will probably add some readers, from the library, that correspond with Rome. This will be fun, free reading. No analysis.) The Book of Insects (this will be our science) Geography I 5th grade Literature pack Catholic Heritage Curricula: Little Latin Readers - we'll start with the Primers and see how far we get.(might start this for the summer) Map Skills E (maybe, we'll already be doing geography, so this would most likely be overkill) Sewing with St. Anne (maybe) Art with a Purpose: Artpac 5 English Grammar Revolution (might do this over the summer with all the children) EIW - Essentials in Writing 6 (maybe) Megawords (maybe) CLP - Studying God's Word F As you can see we're using things from a variety of publishers. We are Protestant, but I really enjoy a lot of the Catholic curricula.

Check out Catholic Heritage Curricula, especially their science, Behold and See, program. https://www.chcweb.com/catalog/

Has anyone here used Grammar Revolution by Elizabeth O'Brien? Have you liked it? Did you use just the textbooks? Or, did you use her online program? Which is better? OR, is there something better "out there" for teaching grammar through sentence diagramming?

I was going to recommend CLE also, as someone did above. It is not mastery based as MUS is. It is spiral. And, as the above person stated, you an skip those questions, for the day, that you know she knows, and just have her do what she needs work on. For us, math is the one subject that does get done everyday!

I just put my oldest back into public school this year, after two years of h'school. At this time, we live in a great public school system. We do hope to make a big move this summer. I've been researching schools in the new area. My plan is to take my oldest on a tour of at least two schools and I will go with, we can then talk about both places afterwards, and see if we agree on which one is best for her. She LOVES going to school, and everyone is much happier now that she is back in school. If the new school doesn't work out, she can always go elsewhere, or I can always h'school her again. Just because you make a decision now, doesn't mean you can't decide differently later. FWIW, my parents let me decide when I was 6 what school system I wanted to go to. It turned out great for me, so I had a wonderful time in public schools. I wish the best for you and your daughter! You may want to homeschool for a year or two, get to know the area better, and talk to people who have their kids in schools in the area, and see if any are recommended or not.

Nothing! If it gets used, and the children learn from it, use it! The best response I have read to what is the best curricula? It's the ones that get used! If the textbooks are being used, great!

The place to purchase is here: http://www.timestales.com/ I'm always amazed that Times Tales gets such rave reviews, as I found it extremely boring and slow. Thankfully a friend let me borrow hers so I didn't buy it! You're right, it does not teach ALL the times tables, just the ones which are usually a little more difficult to learn. I have two children who used xtramath.org to learn all of theirs, but my other child didn't like that. Slow and steady wins the race with her. Other resources you may want to check out, are just search online for multiplication times tables helps, crewtonramoneshouseofmath.com, or a very similar take on Times Tales is a book entitled, Memorize in Minutes: The Times Tables by Alan Walker (I like this much better than Times Tales). Or just make up your own rhymes or stories for the times tables. One that we found online that we really like is this one, 6 and 8 went on a date, they didn't get back until they were 48. Visualize the times tables with your child first, with arrays or blocks, so she understands what it means first.

This is a great topic, and one that I struggled with too. This coming summer or fall I do plan on using MP's guide for D'Aulaires' Greek Myths. There are so many references to myths in our culture that I feel it is important for my children to know those stories. Plus, they've already been allowed to read books and watch movies which incorporate many of those stories. Just the other day my dd11 told me that the current book which she is reading has lots of stories in it about myths, and, "Mom, do you know some of those stories?" I do question my children to make sure that they understand what is real and what is not. Honestly, I think they understand better than I thought they did. Most of the time I'll get the response, "Really Mom? Of course they're not real, but Thor sure is good looking." In fact, my dd11 has crocheted two Thor dolls, and my dd9 is crocheting Loki. They also have made numerous rubber band loom dragons and other creatures, so I'm happy to have them being so creative.

My guy is finally catching on to reading, but I do sit with him during math and help when needed. I do push him a bit to read more and more in his math book, especially if the words are words that he has been reading for his reading program.

Bump

How about the Ultimate Science curriculum by Aurora Lippor? It's pricey, to be sure, but DVD based. I haven't used it, but I am considering it for next year.