I use LOE too! And my 2nd grader is in Essentials right now. It's.... Ok. It's rather a waste of time (or money...) because I only want spelling and there's so much of grammar and some writing. To me it's not a good grammar program. I skip all that. So I'm not sure I'll use it again... Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

vaquitita: YES i am thinking this will be us, too. do you really think ELTL will be easy to do with several kids? I am just worried about all the required reading...

Meadowlark, that is interesting! WWE seems quite doable. i am worried that coupled with FLL it is just too much.... copywork, everything. i had read that at one time FLL was meant to be a full program, and that WWE isn't necessary. I am not sure I believe that. but what are you thinking of using for LA?

What is ALL? Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

Mamakelly: I've also considers abeka... It's just so workbook oriented I'm worried it's too much. Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

I'm glad I'm not alone! That concerns me about your experience with FLL/WWE... I'm thinking it may end up being the same with me. I've heard SWB is recommending R&S but I fail to see how that's more independent.

Paradox5, you think ELTL would be more independent and easy to use with 2 different kids/different levels? Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

Thank you so much:) so do you think FLL/WWE would be too much to do with two kids? Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

So, I'll have a 3rd grader, 2nd grader, K and preK next fall. I am in love with the look of FLL/WWE for my two oldest. HOWEVER... I must admit, I am feeling drained already just thinking of all the LA it feels like we'll be doing. I don't see a way around it though, as I WANT to teach them, I don't want to hand them a workbook... it is the nature of the beast I know, but I admit I'd like a bit of a workbook approach for at least SOME independent work... What is it I am looking for? CLE feels like TOO much, TOO hands off maybe for me? R&S has been on my heart a lot but it feels too textbook-y, not enough workbook, all answers need written out and my kids would explode. FLL/WWE- is it too much to do separate levels with both kids? I was thinking of doing FLL2/WWE 1 with my 3rd and FLL1/WWE 1 with my 2nd grader. Is there another program you'd recommend that melds both worlds of oral/workbook approach that is VERY VERY doable with multiple children working at different levels and not taking ALL day? I'd appreciate your help on this:)

No problem! [emoji4] May I ask what you use for grammar, when you use it? Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

Farrar: I wouldn't do both, I had said I'd do FLL or R&S. I'm so glad to hear you think FLL might go nicely though:) I'm thinking of Jot It Down/Quiver of Arrows for my boys (2nd and 3rd grade). Maybe add FLL to my 3rd graders. Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

Do you use it as a stand alone writing grammar? If not, what do you add? Which other curriculums go well with it? I'm aware that you can do as much or as little of BW as you like. I'm looking at it and thinking I'd add to it but not sure what. My son will be 3rd grade and so I was considering doing R&S or FLL 2 with it. Anyone do that? How does it work? Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

I will have a 3rd, 2nd, K and PreK next fall. I am looking for easy to use, low planning, interesting history/geography. This year we are using MFW adventures and I am not thinking we will stay and move on to ECC next year. Biblioplan looks amazing but it also looks like it might be overkill in history or have too many parts and pieces. I also am not sure if it's worth the extra cost? Many people say the companion is overkill for young ages. they have the younger companion out now, but only for one era. Wayfarers looks maybe more simple than biblioplan but i also cannot seem to figure it out. does it just use SOTW as a spine? so you buy the wayfarers AND SOTW? do i need to buy any other texts? finally, what about JUST using SOTW? with the activity guide? is this not easy and open and go? is this why people tend to use other spines that plan SOTW out? my kids are young so maybe SOTW by itself is enough? I need your input! thanks:)

thanks so much! so you felt your 3rd grader did ok at learning the chunking and marking easily and caught on quickly?

I've seen a few threads on this in the past but no real decision was made it seems on the comparison and I've tried to compare them myself but i'd like to get any opinions from you that might have actually USED both these curriculums. I currently use MFW adventures and we like it... my issue is for the cost, i am not sure it is worth it because we cut so much out. i have tweaked the program for our needs and only really use the social studies and bible. i wonder if wayfarers would be a better bet but i'd like to know if it is similar in style to MFW (is it open and go? laid out nicely? or is there much planning on the part of mom to do?)? thanks for any and all opinions you can provide!

Funny thing, i bought SYS and then returned it because I was convinced it was not going to be rules based enough. we are now using LOE and I find myself skipping so much of it that I don't need/want and the spelling portion is great... but I can't see spending the money on it for another kiddo:) I am wondering, is SYS easy to use for the mom? independent at all? I am between using SYS or R&S for next year, for my 3rd grader. I just am not sure you can jump into SYS in 3rd...

I'm sorry, that's what I was asking, was if it seemed parent intensive to you [emoji4] maybe I'm doing it wrong [emoji23] it seems rather easy, open and go to me. Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

Apples and Pears is popular. Is LOE essentials parent intensive? Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

I use the logic of English essentials and like it for spelling Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

i'm in the same place. my 2nd grader is in singapore and I am considering moving him to MM next year, also my 1st grader who is in right start. I just really like the simpler layout and ease of use...

Ha! I'm curious about AAR. honestly. But LoE seems to be working. AAS seems to have more parts a pieces, ive read. So what will you use for spelling? Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

This is interesting! I invested in all of LoE foundations and it has taught my boys how to read easily. I like that it feels more open and go, streamlined, than AAR. but I haven't used AAR personally. I've always wondered about it though. I'll be reading along to learn more. With LoE spelling and reading are included. With AAR. It's separate. I kind liked that it was together. Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)

sounds really great! what is OPTGR?

Can anyone compare my fathers world with barefoot ragamuffin history curriculum? We use MFW now and I've thought about switching. How are they different? Is the TM laid out nicely like mfw is? Is it easy to use, or are you gathering lots of items before lessons? It's primarily a spine and it's assumed you'll check out library books or buy them, right? Are there corresponding worksheets? Thanks! I am currently looking at 3rd grade/ECC for next year:)

Thank you all so much! Homeschooling mama of 4... Preschool 3, preschool 4, 1st, and 2nd:)