Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies. I guess to make this decision I should probably look in the 7th grade books. That's probably the only way I will be able to determine if next year will be 'busy work' or contain valuable information. I haven't found 5th or 6th grade to be busy work. I think it's been great. I appreciate all the responses! Bethany

:bigear:

We've been using BJU reading 5 and now, this year 6th grade. I am wondering how long do you think 'formal reading' programs should be used? We've really enjoyed them. They have a lot of content that I would have never thought of teaching my son. I'm only asking b/c as he gets older, his work load is getting longer and just wondering if this might be an area we could 'cut' next year? Thanks for your thoughts! Bethany

I'm using it this year with my 12yr old. It looks very doable, but we haven't started yet. I think many ppl use it for 12 yr olds. He should be fine. HTH, Bethany

Thanks ladies, I will look into all of these suggestions! I'm so excited!

Anything you would recommend for my son? He is a grade level reader (5-6th). He gravitates toward the funny books like Geronimo Stilton series and Diary of a Whimpy kid, loves the comics in the Sunday paper.;) But, I would like to require more of him this summer. Any thoughts? A friend asked if I would like to do the '39 clues' series, but I dont know anything about it. It looks good. Anyone tried those yet? Thanks in advance, Bethany

thank you...that was extremelly helpful. I enjoyed seeing the book! How neat! :)

:lurk5:

I am looking over this curriculum, but I can't really tell how comprehensive it is. Could I get some feedback from anyone that has used it? I have no experience w/this particular series. I see there is a book 1 and 2. I would be interested in this for a rising fourth grader and 2nd grader. Thoughts? Pros/cons? Thank you! Bethany

thank you for your response. anyone else have thoughts?

I have this book for next year but I am trying to decide if it's worth the effort. If I am teaching latin with the Prima Latina set...will this be over kill? I guess I want to simplify. I have not time for anything that is busy work! Any thoughts on this book? Did you think it was truly helpful? thanks, Bethany

Thank you. I suspect that is precisely what has happened, but I did want to try to touch base with her and find out when it was mailed. My purchase was April 26th.

I have tried to make contact, but I haven't gotten a response. I bought megawords in April and have not rec'vd anything as of yet. Pls contact me by PM or Proudmoma@hotmail.com thank you! Bethany

My favorite site is www.spellingcity.com my kids love it too!

Thanks Robyn.

:lurk5:

In short, I'm so frustrated trying to decide on a grammar program. I think I am going to order JAG. So, the big question- Is it enough? That's the only concern I have. It would be for my 4th, and 6th grader. Thanks so very much!

First- (((:grouphug:)))!! What a year! I am sorry to hear about your loss and your cancer scare. I can't imagine that on top of the duties you have as a homeschooling mom! I'm not sure I can really help. I dont' know. We've had math struggles here too. My son has been in Horizons, Saxon, and this year BJU. Out of those, BJU has been the best fit. However, we hit a fraction wall (after hitting a wall in multiplication) and I just decided to start over with MUS. MUS seems to be the program that everyone suggests if you are having a 'concept' issue. So, that is what I am doing for next year. I will also supplement with BJU. (if everything goes as plannned) So, you might want to just start her over with MUS and stick with it for the next few years. I've also heard great things about Math Mammoth. That might work as well. HTH! Take care! Bethany

I have a ton of EG books too. I never thought they got the job done. We started with those books in the beginning, but I can honestly say they didn't retain anything from doing them. That might just be my kids though. They clearly need more than just the worksheets. Bethany

I will admit that I have friends pushing me to use SL this year. I really value their opinions as they have children in college. So, I've seen the results of their home school education. :) I'm very impressed. Having said that, these are questions that I have about the program that I can't seem to figure out: 1. What do they use for LA and Math? Are they their own unique programs? Or, are they something that is published by another company? I ask b/c those are two very important subjects and find it hard to believe that I will be able to use what they offer for all my kids. (I have 4- three in school) 2. How can you POSSIBLY teach them all at the same time? Do you try to match core's? I just can't figure that one out. I realize the read alouds can be used for several kids but what about all the other material?

I'm trying to decide if I should switch handwriting. I have my oldest (6th) writing pretty good. Still not so much cursive. My second (4th) still likes to use cap's waaaay too much! And, my youngest (2) writes really well. The two youngers like to write from the bottom line up. I just can't seem to get them to break that habit. Just wondering if this is the best program or if I should reconsider for next year. Any thoughts?

This is so exciting! I'm waiting for my order! :) I SO need to get a life!!! :)

Thanks Sue! Yes, when we hit the brick wall in multiple digit multiplication this year, I tried everything. Graph paper of all sizes. The best we ever did was when I printed the practice problems out online AND it was printed on graph paper. That really seemed to help, but that was off of a generic/practice concepts website. I'm just going to hope that the MUS resonates with him. We'll see. I'm starting him at the very beginning. We will move quickly, but I just feel like we need to just simply start over and build up. Bethany

Great! Thanks for the quick response!

Hi mommas, I am in purchasing mode, like so many on here these days, and the questions just keep coming! I have a rising 6th grader next year and we will be using mfw. I am super excited and so are they. However, my oldest LOVES science. Would it be too much for him to do his BJU science and incorporate him in the MFW science (if he wants and do expect he will enjoy it).? My fear is that if he doesn't do HIS own BJU science that he won't get enough. I haven't purchased my MFW TM yet so I'm not sure what the schedule will look like. We already own the Apologia and I have a good idea about the program itself. We will be doing RtoR next year for those that have gone before me and are familiar with the cycle. Anyway, just curious if that would be too much for him. He's enjoyed BJU so much this year that he has asked me repeatedly for their Science books for next. I do NOT want to interfere with his love of Science at this point!!! Thanks ladies! Bethany