We did IEW SWI and SWICC for both levels A & B. The essay instruction was satisfactory but we found that the focus was pretty rudimentary. However, when we did IEW's Elegant Essay, my dds finally started creating well-organized, well-worded essays. It was nice to take a full course and really focus on essays, which included intros, conclusions, and well-constructed body paragraphs. I don't have experience with LToW but it looks like Elegant Essay would be similar and it keeps with some of the same style techniques taught by SWI and SWICC. Just another option to consider.

Doorposts character training series is excellent for this age too.

I want to make sure I don't overlap training with my dds going into 9th grade next year. Fallacy Detective/Thinking Toolbox - 6th grade Introductory Logic (Nance) - 7th grade Intermediate Logic (Nance) - 8th grade (working through this VERY slowly as it's not clicking very well) Since Int. Logic is so difficult to "get" even with the DVDs Nance has (I myself am really struggling to understand since we started using Rules of Replacement & Inference - it's like we all hit a huge brick wall and we were going along quite well before that). We're on Lesson 21. Is there another propositional argument logic program we could perhaps switch to that explains this better? My girls really want to try the AoA, Argument Builder, and DoD by CAP because it looks more "language-based" but I don't know how much overlap they will experience and if the CAP materials will be too "young" going into 9th grade. Would rather not waste any time if we can avoid that. Wondering if we could just skip propositional logic for now and start focusing on rhetoric but perhaps with a little more training in argumentation than we've had thus far? We are likely NOT headed into STEM fields for these dds, but I have a dd and ds who likely WILL head into STEM and I want to make sure I give them the propositional logic training since I have seen they will need this in mathematics fields. Recommendations welcomed!

I've used AAR and AAS for five of my children all the way through - all four levels of reading and all seven levels of spelling. It's been okay and I don't have any huge complaints but the spelling has been lacking in that (for my kids) the review wasn't sequential enough. I'm looking for something that combines handwriting, phonics, spelling, and grammar as well as (maybe) some composition. AAS lacks in that area and I would like to combine more. Does LoE Foundations fit the bill? I have a second set of littles that I'm now introducing to reading/phonics/spelling and wonder how AAR/AAS compares to LoE Foundations. Would anyone who has used both say that one or the other is better? Which one do you feel laid a more solid foundation? They both use the OG approach, but does anyone have an opinion about the long-lasting success? I know both are very teacher-intensive, but I'm not worried about that.

I would love it if a veteran can chime in on how much time your DC spend on Omnibus I readings and assignments daily. I'm scheduling for five days per week, both primary and secondary book readings each day. My DDs are strong readers, but it looks like a lot of reading and I want to make sure I'm realistic about the time expectations, especially since there are additional essays to read at the beginning of each book section. I want to make plenty of space around other school work to get all the reading done. TIA

Wondering if anyone has done both of these together and if so, have you found it to be overkill? My dd 10 (very strong writer) and dd 12 (average strength writer) have been doing IEW since about 2nd grade. We've gone through both SWI A & B as well as SICC A & B, in addition to several theme-based programs. We're just about ready for Elegant Essay. We also have finished WWS 1 and are currently working through WWS 2. While some instruction overlaps, I like that WWS is laid out for four days and then we've been doing the IEW lesson on day five each week (and then the girls work on that assignment on their own time until the following week). It's a LOT of writing. Obviously, with Elegant Essay the girls will be spending significant time working on five paragraph essays, and while I love both programs, I don't want to discourage them as WWS adds more research projects and writing to each week as well. Would you recommend doing both in one school year? How would you do it? If we could skip WWS, I think both girls would like that because they prefer IEW. However, I don't want to miss some of the great instruction WWS provides. I'm not quite sure what WWS 3 addresses, so suggestions to that extent would be appreciated.

I am looking to get something a little more independent than IEW for my twin dd, ds 7 as well as dd 9. We did Bible Heroes and dd 9 is working reluctantly through SWI-A right now. I'm sold on IEW methodology, but Bible Heroes honestly went right over twins' heads and there isn't really anything that I like between that and SWI-A (tried All Things as well as Fairy Tales and we all struggled not having the video lessons). We are using FLL and WWE but the kids would really like to do some creative writing. I'm wondering if it would be too much to add WTM Creative Writer into their days. I've got two middle school students as well as a preschooler and toddler so really need something more independent that isn't going to require a ton of prep and assistance. At these ages, do I really need to worry about adding in more writing to FLL & WWE? We use AAS (which means I skip the dictation portions of WWE) and dd9 is also working through IEW Fix-It. I keep thinking that composition is lacking, but perhaps I can just wait a bit?

We've pretty happily stuck with SL since the beginning of our homeschool journey (6 years). As we finish Core E, however, I'm realizing anew that it simply is not rigorous enough. I've added quite a few resources in myself, which has created more work and it's too much with a family of 9. At this point, I'm looking at going either into Core G or Omnibus I for 7th grade. My dd 11 and dd 10 are the ones I'm choosing curriculum for as we're heading into 7th grade in all subject areas (though I recognize they are a little on the young side for going into mostly logic stage coursework). However, many of the works offered by VP look quite advanced at least for this age. While I love how rigorous it looks, I am a little concerned that we aren't quite ready for it. What ages did you start Omnibus I? I don't really want to start Core G and then not do Core H. Nor do I want to do Core F and leave the girls completely unprepared for how challenging Ominibus I will be, though I REALLY like the book list for Core F. I just don't think it's going to push them enough. Have any of you in this situation done some sort of transition course? VP has one for history, but I'd like to get some details from someone who has used it successfully.

I'm looking for some thoughts on math curriculum for going into 7th grade. We are using MUS for all seven of my kids and plan to continue with it as the mastery-approach has worked well. My dd9 and dd11 have recently completed Zeta but math time has been a bloody battle just about every day. We have progressed slowly, steadily, and they have gotten every concept but not without a TON of drama, tears, and frustration. I've had them do all the review pages to slow down the pace and keep them from being overwhelmed (i.e. make sure they really have cemented the concepts) but it still has not made the subject easier on all of us emotionally. I just don't think I can face MUS pre-algebra with them right now even though technically it should be a seamless transition and Steve Demme has been with us the whole journey. I'm sick of the fight of it. Not that they aren't ready conceptually but the emotional side of tweenhood is taking its toll. We've been using Math Mammoth to keep some concepts fresh but that is not going very well either. We've also tried Life of Fred which has been a complete waste of time. I keep coming back to MUS - but then I am not a math person either and the very thought of algebra anything makes me break out in a sweat. I need some serious hand-holding. I almost think that I need to remove myself entirely from their math instruction for a little bit and do something completely different - like Teaching Textbooks. Knowing that TT is a year behind, I don't think either of these two dds are headed for engineering/maths. They are artistic, lingual people and math is only to be survived as far as they are concerned. I wonder if TT will set us back far enough not to be worth it? Will we end up having to take "real" algebra classes at some point in high school anyway if they are college-bound and need the SAT/ACT? Are there other independent math programs that would remove the relationship aspect of lessons each day? I think the girls need a break from my voice as much as I need a break from their drama. Should I just bite the bullet and dig in with MUS for round 7? Any suggestions appreciated!

I'm getting a bit confused with all the options available for grammar/composition/vocab for my 4th-grade-ish dd8. She is just finishing up FLL4 and has done very well, though she is a somewhat reluctant writer. Here are my ideas: -WWE Level 2 or 3 - not sure exactly where to jump in here but TWTM has been so great so far and the open-and-go is just too good to pass up -Latina Christiana I -MCT Grammar Island & Practice Island -MCT Building Vocabulary -MCT Musical Hemispheres My question is if it would be wise to use MCT Sentence Island as the writing component along with WWE or if that is way too much. If you had to choose between WWE and MCT writing, which would you choose? I already have WWE materials but haven't yet purchased MCT. Also, does the MCT vocab dovetail nicely with Latin studies or is this overkill as well? I'm thinking particularly of the future levels when we'll get to Caesar's English and beyond.

I am using Vocabulary from Classical Roots for my dd10 and dd9. It's fine, I guess, as vocabulary workbooks go, but I am not impressed with retention. At the same time, we're also doing Latina Christiana I & II. I've seen people suggest focusing on Latin instead of vocabulary workbooks, but it's hard for me to take the dive and just do one. RAs play a large part of our daily schedule, so dds are exposed to a lot of vocabulary. I'd like to know from a veteran hser if getting rid of vocabulary workbooks at this stage and working hard on our Latin is the best choice. It's starting to feel like too much to do both Latin and independent vocab studies.

I hate to admit it, but I think I'm going to have to try a different writing program with my DD 8. My DD 10 and DD 9 both love IEW, understand the principles, think Andrew Pudewa is hilarious, and use the concepts pretty well in their own compositions. We are in SWI B (along with Fix-It grammar, which is going swimmingly) after using SWI A and SICC A, as well as a couple of theme-based books. We started early and slowly with IEW and I never thought I'd have to look to a different program. These DDs are the first of seven. Enter DD 8 who would rather run around the backyard, build forts, do paper crafts, play her violin, or do ANYTHING other than put pencil to paper. While I can push to get narrations out of her, she can't stand to sit still and apply any sort of stylistic techniques to her writing (i.e. dress-ups). I don't think it's just that she doesn't like writing, I think she really struggles with the concepts of IEW. We s.l.o.g.g.e.d. through Bible Heroes and All Things Fun & Fascinating, and we are about a third of the way through the Fables, Myths & Fairytales, but it is not clicking. Her writing doesn't seem to be improving. While I can get her to light up talking about what quality adjectives are or what strong verbs are vs. banned verbs, when we go to apply those things to any sort of paragraph structure, she melts down. I don't want to create a hatred of writing, so I need something simple and straightforward that perhaps just gets across some sentence and simple paragraph practice. We are using FLL 4 which is great, but it doesn't really address composition. I've just recently looked into WWE, but don't know if the narrations and copywork would bog her down. I might start with level 3 if we give it a try. Two other options I'm looking at are WriteShop and Writing Strands, but I have no clue if any of these would be a good fit. WWE looks pretty dry, and DD needs a creative outlet. Does WWE include enough opportunity for adding some stylistic techniques? If not, do WriteShop or Writing Strands offer some of this? My hope is to get back to IEW at some point in the future, but I don't want to set aside composition altogether right now. Any opinions or comparisons of these programs for a somewhat reluctant writer?

I hate to admit it, but I think I'm going to have to try a different writing program with my DD 8. My DD 10 and DD 9 both love IEW, understand the principles, think Andrew Pudewa is hilarious, and use the concepts pretty well in their own compositions. We are in SWI B (along with Fix-It grammar, which is going swimmingly) after using SWI A and SICC A, as well as a couple of theme-based books. We started early and slowly with IEW and I never thought I'd have to look to a different program. These DDs are the first of seven. Enter DD 8 who would rather run around the backyard, build forts, do paper crafts, play her violin, or do ANYTHING other than put pencil to paper. While I can push to get narrations out of her, she can't stand to sit still and apply any sort of stylistic techniques to her writing (i.e. dress-ups). I don't think it's just that she doesn't like writing, I think she really struggles with the concepts of IEW. We s.l.o.g.g.e.d. through Bible Heroes and All Things Fun & Fascinating, and we are about a third of the way through the Fables, Myths & Fairytales, but it is not clicking. Her writing doesn't seem to be improving. While I can get her to light up talking about what quality adjectives are or what strong verbs are vs. banned verbs, when we go to apply those things to any sort of paragraph structure, she melts down. I don't want to create a hatred of writing, so I need something simple and straightforward that perhaps just gets across some sentence and simple paragraph practice. We are using FLL 4 which is great, but it doesn't really address composition. I've just recently looked into WWE, but don't know if the narrations and copywork would bog her down. I might start with level 3 if we give it a try. Two other options I'm looking at are WriteShop and Writing Strands, but I have no clue if any of these would be a good fit. WWE looks pretty dry, and DD needs a creative outlet. Does WWE include enough opportunity for adding some stylistic techniques? If not, do WriteShop or Writing Strands offer some of this? My hope is to get back to IEW at some point in the future, but I don't want to set aside composition altogether right now. Any opinions or comparisons of these programs for a somewhat reluctant writer?