So, with your child doing FLL1 at 5 years old, would you think that it is too easy for a 1st/2nd grader? That's what I'm concerned about.

***Following*** I'm having a heck of a time getting ds7 to sit down and red on his own. I'm very glad to be reading this post. Thank you OP!

We are using Apologia's Young Explorer Astronomy with the Jr. Astronomy Notebook. Ds7 loves it! I do not have him do all the assignments though, as the book is not necessarily grade specific. At first I thought that the book would be boring for a 1st/2nd grader, but I was completely wrong. It is one of the only books that ds7 asks me to keep reading to him. I have a few other friends that have used this series and their kids love it as well.

I have just purchased FLL 1 & 2 recently. I have been using Climbing to Good English (CTGE) up to now for my ds7 who is at a 1st grade level in school right now. After flipping through the FLL books, I am concerned that by replacing the CTGE book that he actually may go backwards if he starts in book 1 when it comes to work ethic. CTGE does not begin formal grammar in book 1 but FLL1 does, however FLL for the most part is worked on orally. CTGE (from what I've been told) is really strong in phonics reinforcement and is good for spelling. Ds7 is still learning his phonics (I have been using the OPGTR) and I feel that I need to push him a bit harder because of his age. I decided to hold him back from 2nd grade because I felt he just wasnt ready for 2nd grade work. I have also purchased WWE 1-4 to have him practice his writing (copywork) but now that I'm flipping through the pages of these books, I'm concerned that he isnt going to be challenged enough in FLL/WWE. I am concerned that starting grammar before he is solid in his phonics may create a problem as well. I was given R&S English 3 so when he gets to 3rd grade things will definitely step-up, so I'd like some input on which may seem a better fit for ds7. Would it be going backwards to use FLL1 next year after we complete CTGE? Or should I just stick with CTGE for the long haul?

The Treadwell Readers definitely can be used for literature because that's what it is... literature/stories put in order according to reading difficulty (ie- The Little Red Hen", "The Gingerbread Man", etc. They most likely will be reading those anyway down the road.

What a wonderful idea!

Prices are so incredible! I just purchased SOW 2-4, SOW AG 2, WWE 1-3, and FLL 1&2 with free shipping! 60% off!!! I can't even buy them used for that price :)

I'm so torn between all the wonderful book options out there! I purchased the Yesterday's Classics ebooks and really want to implement those books into school but I dont want to put down SOW! I thought that I'd use AO for the main school books and then add in SOW, but I love the open and go of SOW and it's corresponding activity guide. Anyone in the same boat? The only thing that I have found that I'm not liking is that literature lists suggested in the activity book. Either the books are bleh! or I cant find them at the library. Anyone have any suggestions on how to put these two together?

We love the Apologia Young Explorer Astronomy so far. I think it is a good science for those that are in to the CM philosophy and Classical. It's easy to get done and only takes 1-2 days a week to work on. I do not think Apologia is too wordy. It's a book that speaks to the reader instead of being text-booky.

Have you heard of Yesterday's Classics? There are HUNDREDS of vintage books and they are in epub and kindle format. If you take a look at the list of books, you can find a good portion of them for free at places like "Project Gutenberg", however if you can afford the downloads for YC, it's so much better because they have taken the time to format the books where the chapter links work.

I'm looking for a reading list for TOPGTTR. Does anyone have or know of a literature list that has books at-level-reading according to the lessons? My ds is bored with just reading from the guide but I dont know what books to use and when. If not, I'm considering changing over to Memoria Press's Classical Phonics program that has it all mapped out. I like how they use real books in their Storytime Treasure series. We have the Pathway Readers but I dont know when to add in which book along with TOPGTTR. I'm tired of trying to piece everything together. Please help! Thanks :)

I dont know if you are still following this post but I have gone back and forth between CM and Classical. So, instead of kicking myself every time I'm not fitting in the classical box, I have had to -stop- and evaluate my goals for my kids. My husband thinks I'm crazy, but I have spent a lot of time researching books, books, and more books. I just come back to the understanding that it's okay to do what I need to do. Use what works, even if that means that it steps away from what I think is more academic. I have found for our family that using a mix of CM & classical works best for us (more leaning on the CM side of the spectrum) simply because if I move more over to the classical side of the fence I get overwhelmed. In my opinion, CM is an excellent middle of the road for us. I despise boxed curriculum because A. it's expensive and B. there is no freedom. I found amblesideonline.com and simplycharlottemason.com which seriously simplified, explained and put together excellent book lists for me. I am very excited about the quality of literature that they both suggest, the ease of use (especially for multiple ages) and affordability. I even found yesterdaysclassics.com ebooks which can be used for any type of homeschool family that desires excellent literature that has stood the test of time. I suggest finding a different co-op other than CC. CC can be a huge help (my sister loves it), but it can also be too demanding of your kids if the classical approach does not click with them as an individual. Again, for me it's a freedom thing and I like my freedom. My co-op goes term to term so if we dont want to participate because we need a break, we can and we dont feel that we have been left behind. CC does not allow for breaks like that. With that said SCM has a great curriculum planner on the website that can be a great help in helping you schedule your day especially if you have more than one child.

I dont think the group exists anymore. (I know this post is old).

So if I start with CTGE 1 this year, I can use FLL1 next year and it will work fine?

I have been ordering from milestonebooks! I think their prices are very reasonable. I really like the Amish style books because of the values/morals they teach. It's hard for me to just toss them aside for Dr. Seuss or any other kind of silly reader (which I personally cant stand).

I'm curious about what other parents on here use for early reading for their beginning readers. I've read on many posts that using "readers" (Pathway readers, McGuffey, etc.) are not preferred by many. If you don't use readers, what DO you use? I have been finding that it is nearly impossible to find a good quality book that is for an early reading stage (Level 1, Level 2, etc). The stories just seem so stupid. I have Bob Books set 2 on my Kindle and Pathway Readers to have in hand. What is wrong with using these?

Which program do you think is more beneficial for a 1st/2nd grader? What drew me to WWE is the narration training (for lack of a better term). It seems to help me as a mom teach without having to come up with my own ideas for every assignment. CTGE looks good for phonics practice, but the writing doesn't seem to move in the same direction as WWE.

Thank you so much Donna! This helps so much! This is what I guess I was wondering about but not really putting in to words :) Also, if I already have WWE 1, should I hold off and use it next year?

FLL 1 and CTGE 1 So CTGE covers the same as FLL? I already have CTGE and I thought I'd use it to go along with FLL but if it would be the same then I wouldn't want to use both of them. I'm moving over to FLL because I like how it helps me teach (scripted). CTGE does not have that advantage.

The OP asked if non-christians can go to heaven. I can only base my opinion on the authority of scripture. I believe that the scriptures were divinely inspired, not written by a man that had nothing else to do with his time. I answered with what I believe to be true. Yes, there are some traditions that are holy and just such as 2 Thessalonians 2:15 that says "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter" , and 1 corinthians 11:2 that says " Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you." However, what I am referring to are the traditions of man that are based on Colossians 2:8 that says , "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." 2 Timothy 4:2-4 says "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." Matthew 15:6 says "..So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God." We have to be very careful with what traditions we are following. For me personally, I evaluate my "traditions" and weigh them according to the Word of God. Some I have found to not have anything to do with scripture (again, I'm coming from Sola Scriptura which I believe to be true) and some are good traditions that are based on scripture.

I am new to using FLL and WWE. I also own a copy of Climbing to Good English. Would it be too much to use these together?

I am not saying that people going by tradition aren't saved. What I'm saying is that we must go back to the source about salvation. I am so truly excited for you and your dh! What an incredible thing to celebrate! Praise the Lord!

So, what are you saying? That what the Bible says is not relevant because of tradition? The original writings still existed long before the Bible was canonized.

Yes, that is very true. However, I'm coming from a stance of Sola Scriptura siimply because whenever people start making their own interpretations, that's when things get foggy and confused. I personally dont care what man's interpretation is. I read the Bible for what it says and I believe what it says word-for-word. Even when I dont understand why God does what He does and I may not understand. There are many, many "Christians" out there that dont even know what the Bible says because they rely on tradition and allow others to read and interpret the scriptures for/to them. Be good "Bereans" and go to the source, not man and the opinions of man.

I'm not talking about the different views on all the pages. I'm stating the fact that the Bible has not changed in what it says about heaven and hell and salvation. Also, If a person is called a Christian, that is a name that states that you are a Christ follower. The OP asked about being a Christian. If a person does not believe the scriptures, then how can that person be a Christ follower aka Christian? How can that person follow Christ without reading the scriptures? They can't. Again it goes right back to Romans 10:9.