I don't think there are answer keys. I've done at least four levels and have never needed one.

Jen, There are many other parents more qualified to answer this question. I can only share my personal experience. I have blown through Writing Strands, Wordsmith, IEW, SL LA, and LL in the last couple of years in search of the "perfect" writing program. There are things I like and dislike about each. Someone will probably comment on just being consistent. Honestly, most of the programs didn't "feel" right for us. Guess what? It's not the programs, it's me. I have a BS in Journalism :D and the nuns taught my English classes. This should be easy, right? Years of grocery lists and emails for the majority of my writing has left me with sloppy skills and a lack of confidence. There is no answer key for teaching writing. Whether you need another program to go with LL, will depend on you, your goals, the style of writing you want to achieve with your children, and your confidence level. Sue in St. Pete offers valid points about LL. I do like the fact it doesn't give specific instructions like never use certain words or always be sure to add "ly" words. There is a tendency in this part of the country to have middle schoolers start every piece of writing with a question. Not a bad hook. However, have you seen the kids' reviews on Amazon? Ten reviews starting with questions is a numbing experience. By the way, reading aloud and narration are a strong foundation for any writing program. You are off to a good start. To make your head spin, (if my post doesn't) check out http://www.bravewriter.com/program/home-study-courses/the-writers-jungle/ This is for you, not your kids. I currently sleep with The Writer's Jungle under my pillow. My writing curriculum is being sold (except for LL and Best of...) and my dc have no complaints. Whoooa! sorry, Jen. I knew I shouldn't have had that coffee today:lol: I can still pm you about the Best of ...series, if your eyes haven't rolled back in yuor head.

Oh no! I just got an email that the talented Amy Pak at Homeschool in the Woods has a new release: http://homeschoolinthewoods.com/HTTA/AP/Composers.htm It takes us awhile to finish our projects but the end result is something my dc show every family member and neighbor. This one is on the great composers with music samples and can be downloaded. I have books and CDs on composers. Do I need hands-on projects? Someone talk me out of this.

Patchfire, Would you mind sharing? I'm curious to see what you you've done. I have spreadsheets for weeks based on handwritten notes for the days. Unwieldy!

Jen, You will need at least a grammar program. Vocabulary is up to you since you could use the vocabulary lists in LL. Some of the things you would cover in LL7 include plot line, outlines, rhyme in poetry, creativity, nonce words, facts vs. opinions, dialogue, brainstorming, note cards, writing paragraphs, sound in poetry, and so much more. You will encounter grammar where appropriate such as when writing dialogue. My 5th grader's two favorite units are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the one on sound in poetry where we studied Edgar Allen Poe's The Bells. I have used IEW and LL. I prefer LL. I think the writing instruction in LL produces a cleaner, more natural writing style. But that is just my opinion. I forgot. Hewitt Homeschool does offer their Best of ...series for 5th and 6th graders. If you are interested I can tell you more about their content. I am using them next year along with the LL we didn't finish this year.

We are using Apologia Physical Science for 8th grade. You can order a schedule and supplies from Sonlight for a reasonable price. The lab items are fairly basic. I think, but am not 100% sure that Donna Young has Apologia schedules on her sight for free. The Sonlight schedules tells you what supplies you will need for the following week, so you have time to shop if you don't have a kit. We have a more secular orientation than the Apologia curriculum but it works well for us. My ds has scored well on testing. Just another option. Good luck!

Hey Bill, Thanks for our "Word of the Day". I made the boys go look up "hagiography". I mean why should I leave my computer and my coffee when my dc could be the beneficiaries of my...umm...laziness and ignorance. Oh, youngest ds just informed me that if I didn't know what the word meant, I could have looked it up on the computer. Rats, again!

Tuckabella, Call Sonlight at (303) 730-6292 and all will be clear. Their customer service is outstanding. You are usually talking to a mom with years of experience homeschooling and using Sonlight products. I can't tell you how many times they have talked me down from the tree-and we're talking an "old growth" tree here.

This thread is too good to read without the cup of coffee I was not going to have today. I agree that the assessment of Hakim's writing style is fair. "Sea-sick" is an apt description. Whenever I finish a volume of A History of US with the dc, I experience the same rattling in my head that occurs when all three dc talk to me simultaneously while I am cooking at the stove with the fan on. However, as Bill pointed out I did not like science in high school even though I took three years of it. Homeschooling changed that in a hurry. (Aaaagh! Mom is getting out the lab equipment...again!) Now I can't get enough of it. The Joy of Science is the best resource I have found so far for our study of Ancient times. I guess I am looking at it as a jumping off point for rabbit trails. I will be using it with some Living Math books also. Oh rats! My coffee's cold.

I bought mine online http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/catalog/ I've done the Blue level, and A-C level here and have never needed a teacher's manual. I can't say enough good things about the ease and effectiveness of this program. Explore the website and you will find the section for kids that includes pronunciation, word searches, hangman, and crosswords. Sadlier-Oxford, I believe is a Catholic publishing house. Their Vocabulary Workshop is secular but very appropriate. If you search this forum for them you will find another post that describes the contents since they don't have any sample pages on their website that I know of. (Sorry, still figuring out out quotes in posts). I hope this helps.

Capt. Uhuru, Sorry, I had forgotten that you had already posted the sample pages. Were you looking to use the series as a complete science program?

Oh, Orthodox 6, you are one to talk. You mean there is a whole series on science in the ancient cultures? And I don't own it!:drool: Anyway, the teacher's guide and lesson plan are on Hakim's website http://www.joyhakim.com/PDF/ALTW_TQG_II.pdf I think you can purchase the materials on the Smithsonian site and I don't think they were cheap. I'll be using the first book with my 6th grader, primarily as a read-aloud.

Sorry, no help here. We'll be using HO Ancients Level 2 combined w/ Sonlight 6. My ds informed me that since I am coordinating the history, the science, the art, the literature, and yes, even some of the math, that he would prefer to have LA that was unrelated. Makes my eye twitch, but I guess I'll honor his request. Good luck and I am curious to see what feedback you'll get.:lurk5:

:lurk5: I have the book and it's wonderful; however, I was curious about the guide, too.

We did SL Cores 5 and 100 this year w/ Lightning Lit 7 & 8. It was fine, but I did make adjustments. The fifth grader did bits and pieces, as I will use the parts we did not do this year for next year. I've looked at the reading list for HO Medieval 2 and don't think it would be too much for a strong reader if combined w/ Lightning Lit. I guess my only word of caution would be to not overdo the literary analysis at this level (4-6th). It can quickly kill the joy of reading. Another option might be to have copywork that includes a literary device like assonance or metaphor. You can give a brief explanation. Your dc could then make a colorful booklet that features the literary device and an example of it. You have a nice, inexpensive, effective introduction to literay analysis that isn't overkill. It's my belief that literary analysis should be intriguing like a good puzzle where kids have an "ah ha" moment not an "oooohhh nooo" wail. Just a thought.

Rebecca and Ellie, Thanks. We'll underline it. Oh, they did close the quote. It was part of a longer piece of dialogue. Have a great day!:001_smile:

Ummm. The boys are doing some copywork from The Magician's Nephew. One sentence reads "Well, " said Uncle Andrew with a chuckle, "it depends what you call wrong. How do my dc show the special emphasis on the italicized word? Yeah, I know, my eighth grade English teacher would be disappointed with me. However, I don't think we had to deal with italics in prehistoric times:D

Sadlier -Oxford Vocabulary Workshop http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/ My dd used this in 5th grade at a pvs. She tested in the 12th grade range on the Stanford test. My dss use it for homeschool and test very high. The lettered levels (6th grade +) includes completing sentences, synonyms, antonyms, vocabulary in context, and choosing the right word. The colored levels ( 5th and below) include: match the meaning, synonyms, antonyms, completing sentences, and word association. Reviews tend to focus on reading comprehension and grammar in context. Your dc can visit the web site, hear the word pronunciation, and play games using their new vocab words. And it's so easy for mom. I just hand them the book and they do about a page a day all year. It takes a few minutes. The books cost about $11 plus shipping. I don't purchase a teacher's edition. You don't really need it. And...drum roll , please! I have two who are using Level A and C respectively and I can assign them the exact same page number. You only have to make one lesson plan! Whoohoo. Seriously, way more info than any of you wanted but they are cheap, easy (for you) and effective.

Everyone (Brindee, too), thank you for your detailed and insightful input. It was so much more help and information than I had hoped for. My dc are in a "middle ground"-they started in the school system (private/public) and will probably end up there for high school. So, unfortunately we do need to pay some attention to the ps's method of instruction. The math curriculum in our area is one of the reasons we chose to homeschool. It changes every 7 years and is currently very word-oriented. Hs also failed 48% of its sophmores in math. When my youngest ds tested this year, the administrator (ps) was impressed with his results until she heard I used Saxon (well, I did drive my Model T there!). She told me he would have a hard time in high school unless I went beyond "just the facts". LoF sounds like it would be a good supplement for him. However, I am most excited to use it for my math phobic ds. It sounds like a good option for Algebra 2. I am grateful that the cost is so reasonable. Again, thanks and blessings to you all. I'm off to to check the library for a copy and if they don't have it, I'll just be shopping:D Oh, and learning how to use quotes in my replies.

Thank you! Thank you! I think this is one of my favorite threads. Beautiful ideas and beautiful writing. The Outdoor Hour Challenges have provided a whole new perspective on homeschooling for us.

Karen in NH, If I have this right, your son is going to Civil Air Encampment this summer? Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer organization but attached to the Air Force? Does the encampment take place on a military base? Just curious because that may make the difference in what's required.

I had never heard of Life of Fred for math before joining this forum. Can anyone tell me more about. Mastery or spiral? Ages/levels? How do your kids feel about it? Thank you!

I placed my order today. It sounds like several of you have been sleeping with yours under your pillow, but are you using it ?:001_smile: If so, how do your kids like it? How do you like it..besides the glossy cover?

Thanks to you ladies, I just purchased it for my youngest. If my dd is home, she can do it with him. She has designed similar units for her dbs, but it takes a lot of time for her to make them. This should help. Cat, I know what you mean about holding the book , too. I don't mind the cost of printing so much as I loathe paying $6-9 for a really sturdy binder:D

This is a link that was sent to me when I asked the same question about a year ago. It was really helpful and came off of the Sonlight Secular group. http://www.geocities.com/wholeheartorganics/EasternHemisphere.html The plans are included for all 36 weeks.