Thank you for the suggestions. I had him do some of the placement tests, which he enjoyed, and I think I'm going to buy him 5C to do for fun. He can always tag along and peek at things when his brother does the other levels, but still got most of the 5C questions correct (it just took him some thinking time!), so I don't want to spend the money right now to get him all of the level 3 books. I just bought 3A for his brother to start...it all adds up fast! I think we'll see how he does with 5C and then give him tests for the AOPS books. I have a feeling he'll pick up 5C quickly and be ready to move on. Or maybe 5D will be done soon? Is that a thing? I actually love that he was able to figure out these placement tests since he initially thought they looked hard. He has learned *something* from me! Also, I didn't know you could get practice tests for the amc competitions...thanks!

My youngest (4th grade) is currently doing CLE math. I decided to supplement with Beast Academy to make sure he is using his brain and can problem solve...instead of just following a formula. I started him with 3A because I think that is where he'll fit best. Now, my older boy is suddenly interested and wants to take on the challenge (some of the placement questions are hard if you're not used to thinking that way!) My oldest is in 7th grade and has always been a gifted math kid. He is taking Geometry through a tutorial now. Where do I start this kid? I think he'd blow through parts of BA, but he may struggle with others. I have always considered using AOPS for him, but I honestly think he could benefit from some of the younger books. Has anyone ever placed a much older child in the BA books? How?

I have used suggestions from above (Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, TWTM, SOTW) and also our science curriculum (Elemental Science). For poetry, I've just picked some that I like...same with Bible verses. I came across this recently and it may be helpful to you: http://afterthoughtsblog.net/memory-index

What does WHA stand for? I didn't see that one on the link.

I kept trying to figure out that website! I didn't realize it was all free stuff! Thank you for encouraging me to figure out what it was all about!

Good idea about the audio CDs!

I've been looking at Cambridge Latin now on Rainbow Resources. I really like what I see and I do think it will fit what he's looking for more. There are so many different components, though! I don't need tests. He gets plenty of that with SFL! What other pieces do you think I'd need? I'm thinking that I'll either pause SFL and let him play with this for a bit and then maybe work some schedule where he alternates the two methods. Workbook? TM? Student Book? (Is that the reader?) Amazon has some pieces cheaper, but I wonder if I'll end up different editions, so I'm wary of that... Before I order any of it, I'm going to wait a bit and let him look it over, too. I don't want to waste a bunch of $$!

Thanks. We had a little chat about it today as he was doing his Latin work. He said it's hard and Spanish is so much easier. I said, "that's because you've had 3 years of Latin! LOL!" I tried to explain that learning Latin first would benefit him in the other language. I am going to look into the resources mentioned and look for something for him to read. I've asked him to get through 2nd form and then we'll talk at the end of the school year. We do Latin slowly and try to make sure he has plenty of practice and time to do the worksheets, but I get that it is boring. He takes Spanish with a tutorial, so I'm sure it's more interesting and it's going to win every time. I do like the idea of do Latin less often, though, and just getting through it at his own timeframe without ever fully dropping it. That's a great idea!

I love this...thank you for your detailed response... My goals have been tweaked over the past couple of years, honestly. Initially, I naively wanted him to go through high school. Then, just get through Fourth Form Latin and maybe by then, he'll want to go further anyway. Lately, I've just been thinking to get him through middle school...8th grade, so one more year. I do wonder if there is something I can do to make Latin more engaging. I like your suggestions and I'll look into those. I'm really torn because I know that dropping Latin will open up time in our day for other studies, but I also know that Latin can be so beneficial.

My 13yo 7th grader is really disliking Latin this year. This is his 3rd year. In year 1 (5th grade), we did LFC primer A. In year 2, we did FFL, and this year, we're doing SFL. This year, he also started taking Spanish at a local tutorial. He much prefers the Spanish and does not want to keep learning a language "that no one speaks." I know that Latin is important for many reasons, but how long should I keep pushing him to do this? Any suggestions?

I don't really have a system for deciding...If I think a book will be particularly interesting to my older child, I assign it. If I think he'll hate it, I read it aloud. It seems to make it less horrible if I read the book. :)

Is the Teacher Guide necessary if I'm just getting English 8? I think I read somewhere that it is not, but I may like it for my own confidence!

May I sneak in here and ask a question? I'm curious about the workshop format some have mentioned on the boards before. Of the instructors listed above, do any of them use the workshop format? and how do I find out if you all do not know? Can you tell me if you think the workshop format is effective for a reluctant writer? Thanks.

Yes, I use the Activity Guide, but mostly for reading suggestions. My 4th grader does the mapwork, too, but we don't do the coloring or games. I like the sample of the Civics course, but I think that pairing it with SOTW 4 would be too much...and I don't want to leave the most recent history uncovered...

Interesting...so let me ask you this... If you are ending at 1850 this year, do you plan to finish the year 7 history to get to present day? Will you do that next year or over the summer? I'm looking at the Civics, too, but we will also end SOTW3 (1850) this year. I need to do modern history...

Anyone have any feedback on Oak Meadow's English 8? I know it's literature and writing based, but how is the writing instruction? Do you need another program or is their writing strong?

You guys are always so helpful! Actually, after hearing from all of you, I feel like I must be doing something right!! For R&S, we do some orally, some written. Basically, I look at the lessons ahead of time and decide how I think he needs to do it. Sometimes I assign odds, evens, or some other portion of the written work. We have done some of the writing lessons, but again, only the ones I think he really needs. We generally do it 4 days/week, but we were not doing it that frequently in the first half of the year, so I started to worry that we'd never finish the book...the book!!! LOL!! I have been considering IEW Fix It for next year, though. He likes R&S and I know it's solid, but it is a lot of work...and doesn't always transfer to his writing... Our school day generally runs 9am to 3pm, with time before we start the day for reading aloud. So, about 6 hours (including lunch and snack break). If that's on the lower end of normal, I don't really feel too bad extending the day for sit down time with mom for writing or literature. At the beginning of the year, we used Vocab from Classical Roots, but we both hated it. The only reason I felt we needed vocab (WW) is because SWB includes VfCR in TWTM...and she also includes the languages, so... This child also takes 2 classes at a high school tutorial (geometry and Spanish), so these classes do expect a high school level time commitment and I guess I generally put other things aside to help make time for them. On a good note, ds is very committed to these classes and has seen the level of work that high school with require! Next year, I'm debating the Socratic discussion class through WTMA, but I just worry about adding an additional "subject." Oh, and more focused Logic studies!! It all just keeps adding up and I know high school will magnify that...

Sometimes I feel like we do "school at home" and that was never my intention with homeschooling. This year, I have tried to relax and not worry about "finishing the book," but since my oldest is in middle school, I do feel pressure to make sure he's on target and ready for high school. My focus for my oldest is to work on his writing, but I also know that all of the other good parts of a classical education are important, too! I want to have time to slow down and work on writing, but sometimes, I feel like we need to push through other subjects just to keep from falling behind...so I want to streamline things to help our week run smoother. For example, if he's taking Latin and Spanish, do I really "need" to do Wordly Wise vocabulary??? He uses and likes R&S Grammar, but surely there is a way that he can get good grammar coverage in a shorter lesson?? And I've seen others say that if we're doing Latin, he doesn't really need English Grammar, but I'm afraid to let it go...I guess for fear that the Latin grammar won't transfer?? I don't know... If I streamline one area, I'm hoping to make more time for history and science reading and our writing instruction...without those subjects becoming "just get it done" time. I also want to add a literature guide (we usually just read and talk about the books, but I want to do ONE lit guide this year to fully dig into a book.), but can't seem to find time to add that in without making our school day longer...or eliminating a subject for a couple of weeks. Not sure if I'm making sense, but how do you streamline subjects? What is "flexible" in your house? What is non-negotiable and must get done/finish the book stuff?? Maybe it's just February funk??

I just (last week) started my 7th grader with WriteShop 1. I'm shocked, but he really likes it! We have done a few different writing curriculum, and I've liked some more than he has, but I actually really like the way WS works and he even mentioned that he likes it. It does require teacher involvement, but the teacher guide walks you through every step.

Just to update on my end...I have not heard back from Mosdos. Glad to hear that RR expects them to stay in business, though!

oh wow...I had no idea it had been that long!

I go every year...usually end of Aug to early Sept. It is hot, but it's fine. The worst part is really the crowd, not the temps. I have been in May and Dec and Feb, too. When I went in Dec, the temps were in the 80s and it was fabulous, but the next year, my brother went the exact same week that I had, and it was in the 30s the whole week! His family was wearing winter coats, gloves, etc. to the parks. I'd rather be hot!! :) In the summer, it rains daily, but it usually passes quickly. I would plan to get up early and hit the parks when they open (especially during extra magic hours if you're staying on property). Get done what you want, and then go back to your hotel and hit the pool...or other hotel entertainment. Enjoy!! We're DVC members and LOVE Disney.

Thank you! I emailed them, so hopefully I'll hear back, too.

Yikes!

That's so sweet...If you have their email address, that is helpful. I'm mostly looking for grade 8, but possibly grade 5. Don't go to too much trouble to find it, though...I'm always so indecisive, so I can definitely wait. I was just getting antsy because their website has been down for a while. Stuck inside in cold February weather just makes you want to plan for next year!