Thank you for the response! I have not been doing the CLE LA and reading. I was thinking FLL would cover that? Do you have recommendations on what would be the best history and science books to spend my money on? Thanks :)

So, we already use CLE grade 1 with my 6 1/2 yo. I also use MP Copybook 1 (which she is going through VERY slowly). I'm also using OPGTTR with her. I had the idea to use the CC Cycle 1 app (I already own the CDs) very loosely as sort of a guide. I watched a YT video on what it looks like and the different sections. I would not use the Latin or Grammar (I want to wait on Latin and plan to use FLL for grammar). I love that its cheap since i don't have a lot to spend. I like that it has things in one spot and she can sit next to me and go through some of the memorization. I thought we could have fun reading through and then looking on youtube to give some context to things like the history and science. She LOVES to learn and is always asking SO many questions so there is no chance of her just memorizing and not finding out the info behind it ;) :D Oh, I also thought about buying the CC cards to help with review and a little more info if we don't google things that day. I also considered using SCM geography, I wonder if it will go fine alongside the CC geography? Let me just say that I tend to be a perfectionist and like/need a plan, but if I can not come up with a plan then I keep putting things off. I have used MOH with my older dc and they like it but it's really kind of old for her (and I do not like the setup of the activities so we don't do those) and she loves pictures and videos. I have been hung up on what history curriculum I want to do because i feel like I need to start her in the right program from the beginning and not skip around like I did with my older ones. I'm an over thinker and research things to death and end up not taking action if I'm uncertain :closedeyes: I want to do things better with my younger children! If there's something I'm not seeing/thinking about, please let me know! :)

Totally agree with blondchen, esp IRT the SCM memory system. :)

I think I didn't explain myself very well :) I know we can't read them all, but I would love to hear how you organize and figure out what to read and when. As a side note, I don't really like how the different book lists have different grade levels, it makes it harder for my brain to know where to categorize them ;) Maybe if someone has a reading/literature program they like, you could throw that in too. :) purduemeche, we mainly just read through MOH right now, but I would like to use VP self paced as soon as I can afford it.

I have got lots of good books I want my children to read: real books and kindle books. Plus, tons I don't own yet but can get from the library and/or buy them. I have looked at all the major book lists (1000 great books, AO, Sonlight, maybe some others) but I cant figure out how to come up with a plan to make sure they get read :crying: Which are the ones that are most important? What order? I tend to be a person who gets bogged down in the details (frustrated perfectionist :blushing: ) and if I can't plan it out perfectly it's not as likely to get done. I need a plan! I think it's why Sonlight appeals to me but there would be so many other books that I want read that they don't even include. and then I'm back to square one with those books. I have 5 girls 17, 13, 5, 2, and 6 months. I was not as diligent with reading aloud with my older ones and want to do different with my littles. My oldest read/s a lot and we listened to a lot of audios but my 13yo was slower to start reading and didn't like it for a long time. Now she does and I feel like there is so much she has missed out on. Any advice, help, or just tell me what to do?? :D Maybe it's simpler than I'm thinking and I am just OVER thinking it? I admire women who seem so confident in making all these plans and schedules.

Chrissy, did you still have this? :)

Did anyone ever do this? :)

Great idea! I will keep this in mind! :)

You guys have been so helpful! Thank you! I've been praying for wisdom and have talked things over with my dh. I decided to take the plunge for TOG! I bought Year 2 Unit 1 with Map Aids. I agree that some things make so much more sense when you can see it in front of you. I also got the Planning 101 video and watched it all last night, lol. I had already watched the planning video on Marcia's blog. I have been so blessed by some of Marcia's blog posts. Ok, so I am determined NOT to let this curriculum rule me :tongue_smilie: Already I was thinking of a different book I could use instead of one of their Summer Reading catch-up books. I am usually a person that likes things laid out for me, but I think I have gotten a little more confident over the years. Also, I agree that I don't need to follow someone else's commentary blindly. I actually never do this, but I don't want to have to be swimming against the tide through the whole thing and constantly on guard for the tiniest little comment, yk? Knowing that the author is Reformed in background makes me feel much more at ease. But, I can't help but be critical in everything I read and watch (it kind of comes naturally, maybe from a cynical nature? :blush: ). I teach my girls to do the same thing. But, if someone who is older and wiser than me and has the same basic beliefs has taken the time to research something, I feel a little more comfortable in taking their word for it and not having to do all the research myself (otherwise why would I even buy a curriculum??). Y'all are making me feel so much better about using D for her sometimes if I feel more comfortable with that! I have only looked at the first week and so far the history discussion seems almost exactly alike in the D & R levels, but I'm sure that will change as the weeks progress. She has already read so many of the books on all the "lists" (AO, 1,000 GB, etc.), so I don't think she will likely be lacking in the lit department even if I skip some. I keep reminding myself that it is not only OK to pick and choose, but that is what they EXPECT me to do. :chillpill: Thanks again!!

I really like the overall point/goal of TOG. I like that it comes from a reformed perspective (even if it doesn't show up much in the notes). I believe someone's worldview WILL show up in a curriculum even if they try to be neutral. I can even get over all the planning :D Here's what I am wondering: * How important do you think it is to have the exact editions of the books that they say? I was really thinking of getting a Kindle for my oldest and getting a lot of the books free or for less. I know some assignments give page numbers, but how often is this and would it be easy to know where to read in an e-book form? Or even just a different edition of a paper book. It would be cheaper to buy that way, or borrow from the library. (Though, someone just said that they don't carry very many of the books on Kindle, I'll have to look into that). * I don't like some of the Rhetoric level literature books. I thought about doing Dialectic for some things, BUT is there a huge difference in how you teach/discuss with them on these different levels? One of the main things I want is for her to learn how to view these materials through a biblical worldview. It's why I am attracted to this curriculum. Will she miss out on that in the D level? Or will it just be tamed down some? * As I said earlier, she is not college bound. It seems that there is a big focus on having them ready for this and even using college level books. Would I be short changing her to do some or even most D level literature books and notes? I looked at MFW but I really wanted something that includes all ages. I didn't see that as an option. I did look at Biblioplan again like someone suggested, but from the sample I could see, they seem to have Catholic bias? The way they had several saints in the sample really gave that impression. Plus the teacher's guide seemed kind of, IDK, busy? cluttered? too packed with info that would not be easily translatable to the kids? Maybe it wasn't their best example. I guess I want the biblical worldview and commentary interwoven in the way that TOG does, but much prefer the D level lit books. Though she has already read at least 3 of them. I also wonder if it is overkill? Why do SO many people talk about burning out, taking a break, etc.???

To throw something else into the mix, I am kind of liking the look of SCM :P I can't find any definite info on what their beliefs are though. And, I don't think they provide commentary or worldview. I looked at Biblioplan, but their website is hard to navigate and their samples are just one page and some of them make my computer freeze. The website is so unappealing it makes me wonder about their curriculum. I just can't really "see" how it would work, yk? I also saw that year 2 wouldn't be ready till later this year and it didn't have samples for it. I really appreciate everyone helping me think this out. :)

To throw something else into the mix, I am kind of liking the look of SCM :P I can't find any definite info on what their beliefs are though. And, I don't think they provide commentary or worldview. I looked at Biblioplan, but their website is hard to navigate and their samples are just one page and some of them make my computer freeze. The website is so unappealing it makes me wonder about their curriculum. I just can't really "see" how it would work, yk? I also saw that year 2 wouldn't be ready till later this year and it didn't have samples for it. I really appreciate everyone helping me think this out. :)

Kelly, thanks for chiming in :) I will look at MFW again. I don't remember why I thought it might not work. Don't be surprised if I end up PMing you at the WS. ;)

It seems like TWM does not include Biblical worldview or commentary since it is just kind of a guide or recommendations, right? I looked at AO, but again, no guided Biblical commentary. I'm going to look at Biblioplan. But, I am thinking I might just go with TOG. How have you found using Kindle versions of books works, esp. if they say to read certain pages? Is it hard to adapt? If I can truly use Kindle, I think I will definitely go with TOG. Unless anyone has any better ideas. :D

Oh, I didn't realize it was only in the book. :)

Would you believe I have never even looked at the WTM plan? Does anyone have a link? :) Thanks for this info! I would love to hear from anyone who has used Yr 2 to know if this is still the case.

Just a little more info: * I am not confident in teaching/grading writing (it is my worst subject). I am going to have my oldest going through WWS to get a grasp on writing basics. My 11yo will do WWE and then move to WWS. * They are not college bound. It is not in their interest at all and it is not within our beliefs to send them to college. If they want to do long distance learning in something that is fine. But, I want them to be literate in things of history and literature. I want them to have a good foundation with which to teach their own dc one day. I want them to be able to converse with fellow homeschoolers and feel comfortable. * They do not have a basic overview of history. This is my fault for being so uncertain and hesitant on a history program so I just did almost nothing. I did the same with writing. I am wanting to correct that and have learned for my younger dc.

I have been all over this board and the web to figure this out. I was/am considering TOG, but a few things holding me back are the expense, the planning I will have to do, and I don't know that I really care for the selections all that much. BUT, the thing I like about it is it keeping all the dc in the same period of history at their own levels. Plus, the biblical worldview commentary. Though, I read in the sample that the sample answers given to the student questions in the Teacher's notes (I have a feeling I butchered that sentence grammatically, lol) would be slowly phased out as the unit progressed. Umm, that's is exactly why I would WANT that curriculum. :001_huh: Ok, so here is some more info: * I have a 15yo and 11yo that would be doing history. * We own MOH 1 & 2. We really like it but know that it really isn't enough for HS history. I don't like the options it gives on the website to beef it up for HS. I like the Biblical worldview included. But, it has no lit included. And the geography isn't laid out for me. I want to be able to print out a map and they tell them what to do and they give me an answer key. * I thought it would be nice to get my dd15 a Kindle and download most of the free and cheap classic books like those listed at AO. BUT, I would really love some biblical commentary/worldview to go along with this. * My ed. philosophy seems to be a mix of Classical/CM, leaning more toward CM because of the gentle approach. *I have been pretty lax on history because I figured they would pick it up through historical fiction and the MOH we have read. But, I have not been consistent with MOH, we have spent about 2-3 YEARS on vol. 1 and are just now almost through. I just have not been consistent. I am going to seriously be stepping it up and I want a program to guide me through that process. * We are definitely more reformed in doctrine so something that is heavily Arminian or giving bible book suggestions that are is really not my preference. This one reason why TOG appealed to me. I do NOT like Omnibus though. The book selections are so heavy and NOT what my dd wants to read. But, TOG's rhetoric selections seem only a little less heavy. * Oldest has read all Jane Austen & Elizabeth Gaskell books and many G. A Henty & Charles Dickens books. This is more her interest level, she does not want to read things like "The Iliad, Landmark Thucydides, The Bacchae and Other Plays, Lysistra and Other Plays, The Republic, and Introduction to Aristotle " ( reading list for 10th grade from Omnibus). * 11yo still prefers books with pictures and not a lot of small type. Her favorites are things like Hank the Cowdog and Sarah Plain and Tall. I like the idea of having a spine type book of history to read aloud to them, or a combo of a commentary with a spine (that is interesting, not dry). Then a list of living books that go along with the time period/subject, *ideally* with notes of anything that might be objectionable or possible worldview issues/conversation. There would be different options for different levels. I would like to be able to get most of them from the library, even better would be free online/kindle versions. And I would really like it if it gave sample schedules or even scheduled it out for you. Oh, and I would love for it to include geography. Not just "find this in an atlas" but give me the answer to whatever they are doing. We aren't big on things like tests, or writing essays (writing is a whole other issue we have here). Does this exist?

:bigear:

Neat idea!

:D

Excessive sugar or refined foods could cause it too.

Count your blessings! I have an 11yo like that :)

:bigear:

6th grade in private school