Thank you for responding, nixpix 5. :) I'll check out Singapore before ordering the CLE books. All the varieties and books confuse me a bit. :) Thank you for the advice. If I was starting over, I think I'd use Rightstart math. At this particular Montessori School, Lower El is pretty... self-directed? My daughter spends most of her time researching, writing research reports, and presenting said research reports. Which I love. She just doesn't choose to spend much time on the language arts materials. (She's a big reader, so she's probably picking up a fair amount.) However, Upper El is much more structured and spends lots of time on grammar presentations. It's the writing instruction that seems lacking with Upper El. Each program has its strengths and weaknesses. I agree that the Montessori foundation has prepared them well for this next chapter. They are both extremely enthusiastic about learning. They are self-directed, motivated, and focused. (Even my dreamy ADHD daughter is super serious during the work cycles.) Both children have plenty of confidence. It's a huge difference from where they started three years ago (coming from public school). My daughter was constantly in trouble for tipping her chair, looking out the window, swinging her arms in the hall, etc. And my competitive son was stressed out about staying on top of every academic chart posted on the wall in his classroom. Add in the social pressure, first graders with smart phones, over-the-top recess and PE rules, and homework. Ugh. ​I'm so grateful for the time we had at Montessori school, and that we have this amazing homeschool academy in our town!

Hello! Sorry in advance that this is SO long! After three years at a lovely Montessori school, we will begin homeschooling at a homeschool academy this fall. One of the reasons (among many) that we have made this decision is because our current 5th and 3rd grader are 1-2 grade levels behind in math and language arts. We expected this - to some degree - understanding that Montessori schools do not follow the same schedule as more traditional options. However, it's still a bit of a shock to discover how behind they are in these subjects. (To be fair, I should mention that they are way ahead in science and history and I could make a very long list of the intangible benefits of their time spent at this school.) ​But back to math/LA. My very brainy 5th grade son (who was in the gifted/enrichment program in public school), still has not been introduced to fractions/decimals/percents. Even though he is in the "advanced" math group. He's been doing 4th grade Mammoth Math at home for about a month. He keeps saying it feels like he's never used his brain this way before. I think he's referring to mental/conceptual math. He loves writing, and has learned what I would consider somewhat advanced grammar (transitive vs. intransitive verbs, for example). But his papers are only self or student edited, and full of run-on and fragment sentences and missing capitalization. My head-in-the-clouds 3rd grade daughter has been attempting to work through the 2nd grade Mammoth Math book at home. The concepts in the beginning review section (so 1st grade problems) were very challenging for her. She had no concept of place value. If you asked what 20 + 5 was, she'd have to count it on her fingers. She has not memorized any math facts. I'm talking basic addition. She has to count on fingers or draw dots. Mammoth Math is not a good fit for her at all. It's just conceptually too advanced. Now that I realize how much basic ground they need to cover between now and September, I'm looking for a math and LA arts program for afterschooling and this summer. I think CLE math will be a really good fit for us. I don't mind if they are still behind in math when they start in September. I am not necessarily in a rush to catch up in math. Slow and steady is fine, especially since they are used to and will continue to school year round. ​I'm more stuck with LA. My daughter doesn't know what a verb is, what to capitalize, etc. Her spelling is very phonetic (not sure if that's the right word - I mean she writes what she hears). She is an advanced reader. Her handwriting is okay. She has learned cursive. ​My son has a ton of grammar knowledge, but lacks writing basics. His spelling and reading are way advanced. His handwriting is below par. Both have been doing daily Handwriting Without Tears for years and years. ​So my questions are: Does using CLE math now and for the foreseeable future seem like a solid plan for math? We get to choose math curricula for this homeschool academy, so they don't NEED to be at grade level by September, although being on grade level (or possibly ahead, in my son's case) is the eventual goal. Do you have any recommendations for a basic language arts program that will cover the things they've missed and help prepare them for the language arts/writing curricula they'll be jumping into in September? I like the look of CLE's LA workbooks, but my son hasn't done any sentence diagramming before. Would you start them at 200 and 400? Or 300 and 500, since they are strong readers? Or something else altogether? Thank you!

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses. So CC, FIAR, SOTW, RSO, Nature Study, Language Arts, Math, Handwriting, Typing, Writing, and a full-day Co-op (with Art, PE, Spanish, Music, and an extra elective) are too much!? :) It's hard to narrow down the many fun and worthwhile options! Here is what I'm thinking, as far as paring down... I'm on the fence about CC. I really see the value in memorizing at this age, and it seems like a neat group of people. What if I do some of the memory work (from the Foundations book) at home, and think about joining next year? FIAR - I want to do this for sure this year, but will keep the activities pretty simple. Next year I could choose between FIAR and CC. Listen to SOTW 1 (we have it on CD) one day a week, with simple timeline, map work, a little oral narration, and living history books rotated into our regular bedtime reading. RSO Life Science - once a week (science is the number one reason my son is excited about homeschooling) Nature Study on Saturdays (the kids would see this as pure fun and not work) Math - daily, except for enrichment day Language Arts - daily, except for enrichment day - to emphasize phonics for 1st grader and reading/spelling/writing for 3rd grader; tons of read-alouds (chapter books, picture books, and nonfiction) as a family Handwriting (cursive for both, then moving on to copy work and typing once they've completed the cursive work) Another way I could simplify would be to do science every day, and when we've finished that curricula, switch to history. I will use summer and long breaks to incorporate extras like Life of Fred, math games, chess, poetry memorization, and keep up with reading and nature study. And possibly science and history. The fun stuff. I'll basically just drop language arts (except for reading) and moving through their math curricula. Still too much?

Hello! Does Beast cover a typical 3rd grade scope/sequence? It seems like it would be a good fit for my son. Is it something that could be a supplement? For example, could I use it in the summer and during breaks (we are doing a modified year-round schedule with a month off in the summer and December, plus lots of random weeks off throughout the rest of the year)? Thank you!

I haven't heard of Wayfarer... I will definitely check it out for Language Arts! I am using Real Science Odyssey for life science this year, but will investigate the Quark Chronicles. Thank you!

Have you found that CC is a good fit for many different types of kids? I am wondering if my artsy, fun-loving 6 year old will succeed at memory work. I see what you are saying about parent-intensive curriculum. I feel like my soon-to-be third grader should work independently in some of his subjects. Since I want to do history and science together, as well as lots of reading, I am thinking his language arts and math should be somewhat independent. But I don't see a lot of opportunity for my daughter (who will be a 1st grader) to work independently, since she is still a beginning reader. I will look at CLE and Horizons, for sure! Thank you!

I do really like the Charlotte Mason approach! I'm almost sorry to hear that LOE might be such a good fit for my daughter. I was hoping an inexpensive set of workbooks and library readers would be good enough. :) But her reading skills (and love of reading) are my top priorities, so I will definitely consider LOE. My son's spelling is good for his grade level (he and a few other classmates get more challenging spelling words in their current classroom), but I still see a lot of misspelled words in his writing. I'm not sure if that is normal for a second grader? I will check out Spelling You See. 10 fun writing projects sounds perfect! I will check out Partnership Writing. Thank you for your ideas!!

Thank you for your response. Narrowing down all the great options has been really hard. I want to do FIAR with my daughter, but I don't know how I would fit it in! I am definitely just looking for a simple supplement for writing. What do you think about just fun writing prompts, nature journal, writing responses to our reading, etc. and waiting on formal writing until 4th grade? I LOVE your idea of printing off sample pages and letting my kids try them to determine what is the best fit for each of them! I am definitely doing that! What do you think about Horizons math? Thanks again for your comments and ideas!

My son is just super interested in any and all science. We are using Science Odyssey and the life science year includes invertebrates, vertebrates, the human body, and plants. I think it only briefly deals with cells. But that is a lot to cover! My 6 yr old daughter is into science, but not to such a nerdy degree. :) So if she wants to move onto something else while he lingers on myelin, or whatever, that will be fine. I am not a science person, so I'm going to use a lot of living books and documentaries. Yes, my son will be taking the same art, PE, spanish, and piano (for grades 1-3). He's taking an extra science lab class (I can't remember if it's electricity or robotics) while my daughter has chosen a cooking class. I actually think the HWOT's style of cursive is cute! It seems like "kid" cursive. Honestly, if it is legible I don't care what it looks like, though!

Thank you for your comments about handwriting. I will definitely try the theraputty! I hadn't thought of large muscle writing at all. Sounds great and will be a relief for my handwriting-challenged kids! Do your children know how to type? I was thinking of starting typing this year so they have that option for composition. Thanks again! :)

Hello! I have been lurking on this board for a year or two, and am so excited that we will be officially start homeschooling this fall!! My son (2nd grade) and daughter (kinder) currently attend public school. I keep going around in circles about our curriculum options. Each week it seems I discover something new, get excited about it, then feel like maybe I'm overdoing it, scale back, discovering something new again, etc. I have a tentative scaled down plan (see below) and I'm wondering if I am missing anything or making any mistakes that an experienced homeschooler would catch. Here is my current plan: For my soon-to-be 1st grade (giggly, artsy & crafty, musical, ADHD, sensory loving/hands-on, and wants to do everything together) daughter, who has solid (but not necessarily advanced) reading and math skills: Core - Five in a Row or Sonlight (I want the bulk of our day to be spent reading books together) with related art, craft, and cooking activities; She didn't have a happy kindergarten experience (full-day kindergarten, no choice time, nightly homework, worksheet after worksheet, constantly in trouble for squirming, falling out of her seat, zoning out, etc.) So I would like this year to be pleasant and relaxed. Math - probably Math Mammoth 1 and we'll read Life of Fred during the summer and on breaks Phonics - (she is a solid, but not particularly advanced reader) I'm thinking Explode the Code, assorted phonics readers, and Pathways Readers would be enough? I have tried OPGTR with her, which worked okay with my son in preschool. My daughter hated it. She hates feeling "quizzed." She loves doing Reading Eggs, so I guess I could continue with that, plus ETC and readers? I have been looking at Logic of English, but am afraid to spend $200 without being sure she would enjoy it. Spelling, Grammar, Vocabulary - I am hoping to not do any of this formally until reading and handwriting are very strong. Handwriting - Handwriting Without Tears (may start on cursive as her handwriting is VERY messy, but also naturally cursive-y) and copy work; History & Geography - Story of the World 1 and accompanying living books and activities; Science & Nature - living books w/focus on life science and weekly nature study; Memory Work - I think she would enjoy memorizing poems; She will be taking art, piano, Spanish, and PE at our local homeschool academy. I would like to try Classical Conversations for my son, but not sure it will be a good fit for my daughter. For my soon-to-be 3rd grade (brainy, social, verbal, competitive, outdoorsy, science-oriented, super curious, wants to do "real" history) son: Core - I think he would like Classical Conversations. He tends to learn things very quickly, but doesn't retain them long. So I'm wondering if memory work would help with that? Math - I think he is ready for Saxon 5/4. He moves quickly through math concepts, but doesn't retain memorized math facts well. So I'm thinking a spiral approach might be a good fit for him. However, I looked at the textbook recently. It does not look... fun. I love math. I think it should be fun. Is there another rigorous spiral math program that has a more appealing format? Has anyone used Beast Academy math? Is that a complete math curricula, or more of a supplement? Phonics/Reading - he is a mildly advanced reader (a couple of grade levels ahead), but when I hear him read I notice he rushes and sometimes substitutes an incorrect word when he runs into one he doesn't know (i.e., "submarine" for "subterranean"). Do we still work on reading or do I just let him keep reading independently? Spelling - Spelling Wisdom. ? I know people love super-thorough rule-explaining spelling programs (All About Spelling, etc.), but just looking at them makes my eyes cross. I see things that I think are just excellent products (AAS, Michael Clay Thompson), but I know I would hate using and teaching with them! Spelling Wisdom looks so enjoyable to me (it is what I would choose for my 3rd grade self), but does it actually result in strong spelling skills? Grammar - I'm waiting for middle school to use Analytical Grammar, as I'm just not worried about formal grammar at this age. Writing/Composition - I have no idea. Writer's Jungle, maybe? If he does CC he'll do IEW in 4th grade for Essentials. I would like his writing this year to be a little fluffier. Literature - do children do literature study at this age, or do we just provide and read great books together? Handwriting - Handwriting Without Tears Cursive; both of my children have just abysmal handwriting, as did I until age 9 or 10. I had panned to have my son work a grade level behind and do HWT 2, but have been reading that cursive is easier for children with poor fine motor skills. So I'm going to try cursive this year. History & Geography - Story of the World 1 and accompanying living books and activities; Science & Nature - living books w/focus on life science and weekly nature study; Memory Work - I think he would enjoy memorizing interesting/exciting poems; My son will be taking the same extra classes at the homeschool academy, which will take up one full day of our week. Okay, I think that's it. Thank you for making it all the way through this long-winded post. I am open to and appreciate any input !! :) Kelly

Okay, I don't know how to answer specific posts yet... Yes, my son and daughter will both be taking those classes one day a week at our school district's homeschool "academy." I will need to focus on our own homeschool work three days a week if also do CC one weekday. Thank you so much for your comments and feedback. I am googling several of the options you shared. I honestly don't know if my children have fine motor issues or just sloppy handwriting. I guess I thought they were one in the same, but now that I think it through who KNOWS why all three of us are delayed in this one area. (My handwriting has been nice since about 5th grade.) I haven't noticed any other fine motor deficiencies, so maybe it isn't that at all. I don't think it's motivation, because they take the time to do the writing (sometimes lots of it) or answer questions correctly, but barely legibly. I'm sure I will be learning so much about how they learn and work that I don't see outside of homework time and volunteering in their classrooms. As far as writing, I didn't mention this, but plan to do narration. And definitely copy work. I guess I was thinking about "fun" writing - creative writing, journal writing, writing letters, that type of thing. I need to re-read WTM because I don't remember what she said about writing! Thank you again!

Oh dear. How embarrassing. Duh! Thank you so much for your responses! It is actually very helpful to get advice from parents who are past this stage with at least one of their children, although I obviously did not intend to post this question here. :) I really appreciate you each taking the time to give your advice and feedback! I will copy and paste it into word so I can digest again, after I move this post to the proper place. :) Kelly

Moving to the correct place... thank you again! :)