We have been really happy with Apologia Astronomy and the kit from Home Training Tools. (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/catalog/science-kits-for-curriculum/cat_kits-for-apologia-curriculum.html) We'll be doing Botany next and getting the kit for that as well.

My vision has fluctuated since age 8 and one of my sons has had vision issues as well. He went through a year of vision therapy and is waiting right now to find out if he needs to wear a corrective lens. We learned that thing to help us voracious readers is to look up after each page and focus on something out the window on the horizon for a few seconds. Same thing with computer use. I find that it really helps me a lot, I haven't needed my glasses in years.

thanks for the suggestions ladies! Now you do realize I was trying to narrow down my choices and instead you gave me more to consider?!? :tongue_smilie:

All in one packages haven't worked well for our family so I can't really give you any advice there. We tried Sonlight, My Father's World, and Learning Adventures and neither was for us. Which surprised me because I really though unit studies like that would be my thing. If money was no object, I would continue with what we have been doing (listed in my signature), plus add... a new piano and more lessons (we only do once per week right now but they could really use more) Spanish immersion experiences for the family (preferably on a beach in Mexico!) Spanish speaking housekeeper, preferably one with a Spanish speaking child she could bring over to interact with my children LOTS of travel... we'd probably travel around the US for at least a couple months, then go overseas with the Adventures by Disney tours, and then... oh sorry I drooled on the keyboard an art tutor for both art history/appreciation and lots of fun messy art projects more legos a cool homeschool studio with a huge reading library/sun room in one corner, a legos station, an art station, etc. and a new grammar & writing program, which is the only thing on this list that will be happening this year!

Julie, have you seen the free notebooking pages on the Apologia elementary yahoo group site? You have to join but it is free. Let me know if you are interested and need a link! ETA: oops, I see you are not talking about the elementary levels at all, never mind me!

if money was no concern, I would probably hire a few tutors! But can you tell us about your kids and how you envision your teaching style? That would help narrow it down a little.

My 9 year old son started LLATL - yellow (grade 3) yesterday and we did one week's worth in about 20 minutes. I looked through the whole book and realized he is already ahead of this level. (He has done Critical Thinking Language Smarts Level B workbook and a few other things and he is a very advanced reader and natural speller). I like LLATL because it is based on literature which works well for him, he loves to read. I would not mind if it was something he could do more independently than LLATL but it's fine to do it together too. But I have read some really good things about both CLE and MCT lately and wonder if we would be better off with one of them? I don't mind if handwriting is not included like LLATL because he is just learning cursive so I assume I will need to add a separate cursive program, he's been doing Reason for Handwriting so we can always continue with that in addition to the new LA. My main concerns are: (a) grammar -- covered thoroughly but not with a ton of drill/repitition - he learns new concepts quickly and I don't want it to become drudgery for him. (b) writing practice -- beginning to write poetry, stories, reports, etc. This is an area where he does not excel and needs to be babystepped along. © something that incorporates or is based on literature. So which program do you love and recommend I check out? Since I just wasted my money on the LLATL yellow books (although I can save them for my younger son) I really want to do some research this time! Thanks for your help! Tana

Love all the previous responses, and really I think that if for 6 months all you did was snuggle with the new baby, read books to the kids, count diapers, and throw out the crayons and play dough on the table a couple times a weeks, your kids would be way better off. I just wanted to add that I think sometimes people say things like that when they think you are willing to listen and perhaps insecure enough in your own decision/ability. Not that your mom is a bully, but people put out there what they think you're willing to put up with. Now of all times, you need to get that kind of negativity away from you. I would suggest that you let your Mom know, politely but firmly, that you have done your research and made your decision and her input on the topic is no longer welcome. You don't have to convince her, she will see the results and probably come around in a few years. Because she's your mom and you want to maintain a good relationship, you might want to divert her "helpfulness" into an appropriate method... like Mom you are so great with art projects, would you like to come over and do one once a month? Or take the kids to the local symphony's children's performances if she's a music lover... that kind of thing. Good luck and congrats on the new baby! Tana

this thread about 3rd grade will give you some idea of curriculum that others are using. But I agree with previous posters, it takes a while to find your groove and figure out what works best for you and your child, so don't make any big investments at first! http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90737 Tana

we do light schooling in the summer -- math, piano and Bible daily. And lots of reading which the kids don't realize is part of school. Tana

Hi, I'm really new here but here's what my 3rd grader is doing this year: Science: Exploring Creation with Astronomy, miscellaneous other experiments/discussions as they come up (like throwing boiling water into the air to make snow and sprouting seeds in the kitchen) Reading: anything he can get his hands on -- esp. comics, Hardy Boys, historical biographies, sports stories, Sugar Creek Gang, Freddy the Pig, etc. LA: LLTL yellow, CTC Language Smarts C Logic: CTC Mind Benders Handwriting/Drawing: Reason for Handwriting B and starting cursive transition book soon, plus Draw Right Now Math: Horizons Math 4, just started 5, adding Life of Fred soon. History: Diana Waring Ancient Civ, plus some from Learning Adventures (stuck on Ancient Egypt right now and will probably be here for awhile) Misc: piano, Cub Scouts, basketball, baseball, football, Art, Science (Astronomy/Weather) and Gym classes through our local co-op 2x monthly, and lots of legos time. Sheesh, I was feeling like I wasn't doing enough with him lately; I feel a little better about myself after listing all that, haha! Tana