Here's a link to Cathy Duffy's review of it: http://cathyduffyreviews.com/grade-level-packages/complete-curriculum.htm

I have been using AmblesideOnline's artist study. I click on their resource then click on the art picture and then click print. I then print them on my own photo paper (being sure to change the print quality setting to high/photo quality) and then place them in sheet protectors. I then place them in a binder labeled "Artist Study". It's a lot less expensive to it this way and more flexible as I can choose who to study. AO keeps a list from previous years and future years. Amazon also has a laminator that you can buy for $14.99(?) that works great. I just am mentioning these because you can save a lot of money and have larger prints this way. Another option is to check out "Artistic Pursuits" curriculum. It combines art study and art lessons. It doesn't have very big pictures, but it is a great series. I alternate the AO and AP every other week.

We have been using Apologia's Young Explorer Astronomy loosely for science. I say loosely because I loosely stick to the schedule. On one side I like that it is conversational and I really dont need any other books to piggy back, but on the other hand it's kind of boring. I have no problem with what it is teaching though. I do not want to do botany next year. Bleh. Someone gave me a set of Rod & Staff Science 2 but I'm not sure if that's what I want to use. Does anyone have experience using R&S science? I am using them for arithmetic and it seems to be a great program. No frills, and to the point. My ds will be 2nd grade(ish) and 8 years old by then. I like the idea of sticking to one subject instead of jumping around like a textbook. I also don't have time to do a bunch of projects, so a project based curriculum won't work for us. Is anyone following TWTM's timeline for science? I'm curious as to what is out there for the grammar stage.

This is true. However, this is true for any computer based program for the most part that I have found.

There can be a benefit to jumping from one place to another in SOW. If a parent uses a wall map to pinpoint each country studied, the child gets to learn his geography in more than one place. This can be exciting to the child and keeps boredom away. It also opens the child's eyes to how different things happen in history at the same time. I really don't see this as a negative since it's reality. At first I did not like how it seemed to jump around, but then I found out that SOW is not meant to be a curriculum that is in depth. It is a thorough overview. SOW was written to begin reading in the grammar stage and finished up right about when the logic stage begins. If a parent understands how the Trivium works, this tends to make more sense.

A decent computer based program would be Switched-on-Schoolhouse. You can walk away from the student completely and the computer even does the grading for you.

Just another option here, but if your student is a good reader and likes to cook, there is an excellent book called "Nourishing Traditions" that many homeschoolers use as their health curriculum. It's a book that goes over the old world traditional foods that have been so good for the human body, explains the science behind what and why, then the rest of the book is a cookbook. No, it wouldn't go over sex ed, but other subjects could be covered by using other living books. I can't say enough about this book!

You know you have a problem when you want to camp out at the curriculum store . Yes, I am that person :wub: . We love Story of the World, Rod & Staff Arithmetic, and Apologia Young Explorers Science. I have tried others and always end up returning them just to go right back to what I had originally. I just can't stand the feeling that I'm missing out on something in another curriculum. Right now, I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do for next school year when AYE Astronomy is completed. The next book in the series does not look appealing to me. I get bored so easy. But when I look at other curriculum, it either looks to jumbled together or it's way too complicated. I really like the idea of doing nature studies so that ds can learn and know about his surroundings in nature. That's why AYE appeals to me, because it covers those topics and a bit more when it relates. I dont know what I'm going to do. Probably just keep on keeping on with what I have found. At least until i hear about another book.... :lol:

There is a great book called "All through the Ages" that sounds like it may be a great fit for you. You do not need any specific curriculum. It breaks down history chronologically and gives you book lists that are specific to every age. It is a book that is used as a resource for the entire family through highschool reading. Check it out: http://www.nothingnewpress.com/books/all-through-the-ages-2/ I own a copy and have found that I no longer need to rely on Sonlight book lists. The author breaks down reading lists for literature, biographies, specific events, etc. I can also say that SCM is an excellent curriculum to use. I'm looking forward to getting back to it when ds7 gets a bit older. It's great for having more than 1 child to teach and now that ds17 is taking all his courses at the community college, the content is a bit too much for ds7. We used SCM last year and we loved it. Where SOW seems to go too fast, SCM has been said to take things too slow. I really didnt have that problem though.

I see that this is an old thread, but I just bought AAS last night and I do have to say I have buyers remorse right now. :/ I really hope it's worth it. I can't believe I paid so much for it, but I did go off of other's reviews because I am desperately needing something that works for ds7. OPGTR has been working for phonics and I like the idea that the two can be used/ are being used by other families here on the forum.

I see that you are using FLL, WWE, with AAS as well. How is that going for you? I just placed an order last night for AAS level 1 for ds7. Would you share how you use all these together?

I just re-read my post and I want to rephrase what I'm asking. I realize that it is sounding like I haven't read the directions in the books. Not the case. What I'm wondering is about how others as homeschooling families use these two books alongside other curricula. What is your weekly routine? What method of using the books have worked for you the most?

Please share with me how you use OPGTR and/or WWE in the early years. Do you supplement reading with specific readers or book sets? Do you add in anything to WWE? Please share as I am in transition and trying to not overwhelm myself. Thanks!

I almost forgot about this resource on the Homeschool Buyers Co-op. They have the Homeschool Programming for Kids & Teens program. Here's the link: https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/homeschool-programming/?source=118923

Have you seen Explode the Code Online? Check it out here: https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/explode-the-code-online/?source=118923 We have also used Reading Eggs: https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/reading-eggs/?source=118923 The links above will take you to a website called Homeschool Buyers co-op that is free to join and does not give you a bunch of spam or emails and by signing up with the co-op you can get incredible prices on subscriptions for many different things that we as homeschool parents would normally pay full price for. Anyway, My Ds7 really liked using the Reading Eggs. Not so much the Explode the Code Online, but Explode the Code seemed to work. Because he didnt care for EtCO, we purchased a lifetime membership to Looney Tunes Phonics through the co-op and he loves that as well. Hope that helps give you some direction???....

My Ds17 started getting really serious about computers at about this age. Sometimes allowing him to explore on his own and find what he is interested works the best. Give him old computers to take apart and try to fix too. However, with that said, my ds17 started using Code Academy and has learned more than his highschool teachers could even teach him. Because he wants to work for Google doing computer programming, we decided to move him into a program that he has more opportunity to get the education he needs in the computer science field. Now that we have moved him over to the community college to finish up his highschool requirements, he has found that he is going to have to take those courses (that he could probably help the professor teach) because of college prerequisites. I really dont see this as a problem, but it has made me realize that ds really has what it takes because we continued to encourage him and allowed him to search for resources that may interest him in this area as well. He has now been hired on with the city internet provider at the age of 17 because he knows how to handle computers professionally and is working there as their paid intern. Keep up the encouragement! Here's the link: http://www.codecademy.com/

Funny you say that, I think I just realized that this is what he is struggling with! I decided to change our school schedule over the weekend and change what I have been doing for reading. I have been noticing that he does well when he uses a workbook to follow up his reading with comprehension, spelling, etc. I had him begin the Days Go By Pathway Reader (yes, I know some people think they are terrible but they seem to work well for ds7) I read through the teacher's guide and followed the instructions on how to present the reading lesson. He did excellent! He even stopped a couple of pages through his reading and said "Wait a minute, I'm actually reading!" And he was. I only had to correct him a couple times. Also, his comprehension was excellent. I then followed the story with the remaining workbook pages for Days Go By and he did great. I have no idea what happened but it worked. That was the reading lesson. Now for free reading on his own....

Yes, we read to him all the time and he loves it. We did borrow the Magic Treehouse from the library on cd and had him lay down on his bed and have "quiet time" listening to it. Of course he fell asleep towards the end, but he seemed to like it. My husband reads to him every night before bed classic literature like Dickens, Twain, etc. Which surprisingly ds7 really likes. I also read to him the classic Winnie the Pooh stories (which he personally requests) when my husband is working late and I'm the one to read a bedtime story.

Tea time is an excellent idea! I used to do that with my oldest ds17 and have completely forgot about it. Thank you for the reminder!

I completely identify with this. We read to him all the time and he loves being read to. He is starting to get interested in non-fiction books such as Usborne Internet-Linked Children's Encyclopedia and DK Astronomy books.

I am definitely getting this for my Kindle! Thank you!

I have tried taking him to the library. But he's just not interested. I did purchase the Frog and Toad set but haven't opened them yet, so maybe I'll give those books a try.

What is the "Read-Aloud Handbook"?

All I have been having him read are phonics readers because he's not yet ready to move on to read on his own.

My ds7 is giving me a heck of a time when it comes to reading. He grunts and groans whenever I sit him down to read. I read about all these kids that love to read and I ask myself "what am I doing wrong?" Here's the thing, he knows how to read. Sure, he's still in the process of early reading but he acts as if he knows nothing. Then he'll slip up and read a word by accident and look at me like "oops." Little stinker. I dont know what to do. I have limited his tv time, we sold our Wii, and tablet time has been limited to only after he reads an ebook on the tablet (Kindle Freetime setting). I've taken a break with the Pathway Readers to step back and fill in the gaps in his phonics and have been using the Harriet Treadwell Readers which have (IMO) good stories. He is doing fine reading these when we are sitting down but he is always in such a rush to get it done and wont take the time to sound out the words that he doesn't recognize. Then he gets upset because I make him stop and sound out the word. I simply don't know what to do. Any suggestions?