FWIW, My kids HATED Daily Grams. I have no idea why. They like Daily Language. They both have similar material, but the DL looks like less for my kids (1/2 page of questions vs. full page) even though they have the same amount of questions. I agree that either should be used as review, not as a stand alone curriculum. Good luck!

I was given Algebra: A combined Approach, 3rd edition by Elayn Martin-Gay. The set includes the textbook, the solutions manual, and the complete DVD teaching series! :hurray: It looks similar in scope-and-sequence to the Lial Pre-algebra we are already using. Would the Martin-Gay be a repeat of the pre-algebra or is it Algebra 1? Lial S&S: 1: Intro to Algebra: Integers 2: Understanding Variables and Solving Equations 3: Solving Application Problems 4: Rational Numbers: Positive and Negative Fractions 5: Rational Numbers: Positive and Negative Decimals 6: Ratio, Proportion, and Line/Angle/Triangle Relationships 7: Percent 8: Measurement (US and Metric) 9: Graphs 10: Exponents and Polynomials Martin-Gay S&S: R: Prelgebra Review 1: Real Numbers and Introduction to Algebra 2: Equations, Inequalities, and Problem Solving 3: Graphing Equations and Inequalities 4: Systems of Equations 5: Exponents and Polynomials 6: Factoring Polynomials 7: Rational Expressions 8: Graphs and Functions 9: Systems of Equations and Inequalities and Variation 10: Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers 11: Quadratic Equations and Functions 12: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 13: Conic Sections I am thinking there is a brief review of prealgebra in the Martin-Gay then it is more complex than the prealgebra. However, when I did an internet search the Martin-Gay was shown to be a high school remedial math course before college algebra. Does that mean it would be a good text for high school algebra? I would like to use the Martin-Gay since it was free, but I can't tell when to use it! I'm sorry for so many questions. We are moving into the higher math skills for my ds12, and I am finding my memory of college algebra to be somewhere inaccessible! :confused: Thanks so much. I LOVE reading this board and gleaning so much information from so many wonderful minds!! Michelle

Dear fellow homeschoolers, I have rarely posted on these boards, but I am urgently requesting prayers on behalf of our 11 year old first born son. He has been sick since birth, but has been doing ok for the past 5 years. However, we were told Tuesday that he may have cancer of the larynx that has spread to the esophagus and right lung. He will have biopsies on or before 25 Sept, depending on the surgeons schedule. Please pray for healing for this innocent child and peace for him during this process. In Him, Michelle

Cade's Cove would be a must for us. My boys said they loved doing "real" history, not just out of a book. We ate fried pies at the Apple Barn rest. They were wonderful. We were able to pick a few apples and then bought some. It was really fun to watch the workers bring in fresh picked apples and then prepare them for sale. We did go to Dollywood. When we went you could go "free" the second day if you went after 3pm on the first day. You might check for any local specials.

I have a 7yods (my youngest) that reads at a high school (or beyond) level (self-taught). I am struggling to find things for him to read, and for his English class, that he is interested in and has not already done that is not too far beyond his maturity level (typical baby of the family). He completes his older brothers (4th grade) grammar work before I explain it. I have absolutely no idea where this is coming from. Any suggestions will be more than welcome. FWIW, his 2 older brothers do not read or comprehend like he does, which creates an entirely separate jealousy problem. Please help!!!!:confused:

We used Sonlight for 3 years, off and on. I, and my 3 boys, love the read-alouds. However, I did not feel like they were getting the picture of history that I thought they should. After many months of research on my part we will begin TOG in April. (We school year round and take odd breaks!:lol:) They asked to learn American History, and after many hours of research, I felt like TOG has more history that is "real." Historical fiction can be great, but it can also be, for my kids, difficult to separate from the truth. There will come a point in the future for them to decide such things, but I feel like it is my job at this point to give a little more guidance.

I may be way off base for your particular problem, however my middle ds could not recognize vowels regardless of what program I used. A close friend suggested I have his eyes checked. He really was having problems seeing and needed glasses. (He was 6 at the time.) Within a month of getting his glasses, he progressed from no reading at all to late 1st grade ability. He could not see the differences in the vowel shapes which made it almost impossible for him to learn to read. I did have to pretty much start over and reintroduce all the vowels for him, but he is doing great now, with no glasses! FWIW, if you have a Wal-Mart close to you, the eye exam is inexpensive and the glasses were only$39 with a 1 year guarantee for any reason.

I personally don't think you should put too many "eggs in your basket" with the testing. Each test you could give will be different, meaning, IMHO, that there really is no national standard. :confused: Even if you did pay the extra money for the Stanford, would it make a difference for your particular child? If so, then it may be worth the money. ;) We are required to test in our state, however, the test scores are not reported to anyone other that the parent. We are choosing to view the testing requirement as practice tests for the ACT and/or SAT. My oldest is only in 4th grade, so he will have had many opportunities to overcome his test anxiety before he has to take any test(s) that really matter. Good luck with your decision and your students potential testing!:grouphug: