This list is wonderful! Thanks everyone!

I am looking for suggestions for either a literature program or a book list for 5th grade reading/literature. Honestly, I have grown weary of the emotional weight of many options. I need a break from tragedy! This is definitely more for me than my student. It seems like everything starts like a Disney movie: get the parents outta the story line! Or some missionaries end up in a pool of blood. Or we fixate on the darkest regimes in history. Any suggestions? No murders or threats of murders, please. Thanks in advance!

I agree, the Cathy Duffy reviews are very useful. Also, she has a book I strongly recommend, 102 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum. My library has it. The first several chapters guide the reader determine their own philosophy of education, learning styles, and which type of curriculum matches those goals. (Literature based, traditional textbook, classical, and others) I have found it to be extremely helpful. Then you will have some direction in the vast ocean of curriculum options.

How old is your student? My DS finished 6b in 5th grade, and I didn't think he was ready for AOPS or higher level math (no race to calculus here, although I have a feeling he'll be there soon enough). Since then, I have had him work with a typical US text (Lial's PreAlgebra) and the amazingly awesome book Mathematics: A Human Endeavor by Harold Jacobs. It has been very enriching and adds depth and life to the study of math. I plan to stick with Harold Jacobs for Algebra and Geometry. There truly is a period of withdrawal when the Primary Mathematics era ends.

I love MFW but I would never use it behind grade level unless my child needed remediation or accommodation. It would be too weak. You're right about the first grade bible program; it's wonderful. The bible notebook is my favorite keepsake from all my homeschool years! A couple of sessions a week will complete it in a school year. If I were you I would use the 2nd grade program for all subjects plus the bible reader and notebook from the first grade year. Best wishes as you begin your journey!

As soon as Mary goes blind the whole tone of the series changes and it just isn't as much fun. My dd age 8 noticed this and commented on it.

I agree with the Answers in Genesis suggestion. I think they present an underlying respect for people of different viewpoints. The other suggestion I have is Berean Builders. Science is presented in the context of history so other viewpoints are presented in a matter-of-fact sort of way. "So and so concluded ..... because.....". Each lesson includes an experiment on a scientist's discovery. I have not used RSO or Noeo.

I have found the Discover 4 Yourself series by Kay Arthur to be excellent. It teaches inductive Bible study in a great workbook format for upper elementary. My kiddo does it completely independently. And you can pick which book of the Bible you would like to study. (I don't think she has all of them, but quite a few choices) This year for 6th grade we are doing 4 workbooks.

Yes, you could easily begin using the series at your current time in history. Occasionally the book may refer to a lesson from a previous book, but the student does not need to have remembered that information. I love the series and highly recommend it!

I would like to recommend Mathematics: A Human Endeavor by Harold R. Jacobs. It's an old textbook (I think I found my copy on eBay) and it is a big hit in this house. The author is a master of the artistry, patterns, and usefulness of math. No algebra required. Lots of people have referred to it on this forum; if you do a search I am sure you could find more descriptions.

I love MFW Adventures and the history cycle that follows. I don't have any experience with TGTB. Yes, it is easy to add your own language arts program to mfw. You would simply ignore some of mfw's l.a. suggestions; they are sold separately anyway (this mainly applies to years in the blue investigate cycle). The program is not too demanding of time. So your idea sounds great!

I have been using mfw for years but I don't use it as suggested for every subject. The packages for 2nd grade and up don't include math or some of the language arts items. I do think first grade is all sold together in the package. However, you can buy each item individually from the mfw website too. This is a bad idea if you want all or most of it (more $ total). But it is an option. Also check used options, buying student consumables from mfw. I use it mainly for Bible, history, book basket/reading, and sometimes science. These are the main things in the teacher manual so yes, it is easy to swap out language arts and math (which isn't really specified as the pace is different for each student) I haven't used the first grade; only grades 2+.

Just to add: Playing the piano should never cause pain in the fingers (or hand or wrist). Something is not right; there really shouldn't be physical or emotional pain with piano practice. Whatever he's doing to make his fingers hurt, it's incorrect and can cause damage. Honestly it sounds like the whole situation needs a new philosophy.

Based on what you wrote, I would go back to bju. She is in the pre-algebra/algebra phase and I don't think that's the ideal time to experiment with new math curriculum. It sounds like you have successfully identified how she learns and succeeds with math. (And I believe there are videos if you want her to remain more independent)

My 10 year old is nearing the end of Singapore Primary Mathematics too. If your child can do those challenging word problems at the end of 6B then I would say he likely does understand the math fully. I am planning to use Mathematics: A Human Endeavor by Harold Jacobs before moving on. But I don't think there is anything wrong with just moving on. Certainly something interesting and somewhat challenging is appropriate, so your plan sounds good to me!

Yes it does. We are doing the whole series here, and I consider myself a science snob.

Atmospheric science = MATH! Lots of students drop this major because they can't handle the math. High school science prep is secondary to the math prep. Is he rock solid in Algebra 1 & 2? Make sure he masters that pre-calc. I can't speak specifically for the bju high school materials but I am not convinced it was directly the cause of your friend's child's college troubles. The following skills are needed for college science: Discipline and general study skills MATH AND HOW TO USE IT (except biology. Then you can just memorize the whole textbook) Writing a lab report according to a template Test taking must be top notch And even a very intelligent and motivated student may struggle with self directed learning of chemistry, pre calculus, and such. Do you know anyone who could take on the role of tutor? Or other outsourced resource? Best wishes!

Remember that you don't have to plan the next 12 years of schooling now. Based on what you shared about how your husband feels, I would agree to the public school. If it works, great! If not, you can reevaluate and change plans in future years.

22 months is a short amount of time to go through 2 Suzuki books. Make sure she's doing lots of review (sounds like it won't be her favorite) and the teacher should be facilitating this as well as making sure all the foundational technique is super solid. For my Suzuki violinists, a short amount of practice time is basically"goof off" time. They play around and learn to play whatever they want by ear (read: chicken dance, star wars cantina, etc. But NOT future Suzuki songs). But the rest of practice is super disciplined. And they get candy rewards based on how hard they try. Her current level is really increasing in difficulty and if she loves playing she will have to tackle the tedious technique work. It pays off but not immediately. So yes, incorporating some games in practice time will help, but it's still hard work. And in my experience practicing with the parent is more about the parent/kid dynamic and respect than it is about playing the violin. Best wishes!

I would definitely respectfully address the issue with the appropriate staff member. It's likely also hurting people's ears, causing hearing damage, and preventing anyone with hearing aids from attending. If they are unwilling to fix the problem, I would leave.

If she is college bound in any field, I would strongly recommend she has a 9th grade science credit on her transcript. The coop is correct in that high school chemistry requires a mastery of Algebra 1 as a prerequisite. Otherwise she will be extremely unlikely to succeed. So if it were me I would find a different science credit.

My son begged for a violin at age 3. We made him wait a full year to see of his interest faded. It didn't. Now he's a 10 year old thriving with it! The lessons are much harder to find (and afford) than the little violins. So that will be your main investment. I would say a Suzuki certified teacher is best for your situation. Best wishes, and I hope he feels better soon!

I have never used Great Science Adventures. I am in love with Berean Builders science series. It goes through the history of science (we kinda match it to our history) and has a notebook assignment for each lesson. It would work well for your kids ages. The only prep is gathering items for the experiment /demonstration but you can easily look ahead and organize a bunch of lessons at once. Most things really are readily in my house. I like how my kids are learning HOW scientific information was discovered in historical context. And congratulations on that long list of subjects you've assessed as successful!!

We loved the Geography Game from My Father's world Exploring Countries and Cultures. You could easily make a home made version. It's a map (one for each continent) but instead of the names each country is labeled with a number. Then you have a pile of cards with a country's name on it. If you correctly identify the country to the number on the map, you get a point.

Yes, we did Science in the Beginning first. I do think it's a better starting place, especially if you have a child on the younger end of elementary school. Plus Science in the Ancient World mainly begins with the ancient Greeks. So it was easy to hang out in Science in the Beginning during the whole ancient Egypt etc era in history. I do think it can be done in 4 years, but like I said we are dedicated to science in our household. The books each have 90 lessons (includes some challenge lessons that can be skipped), times 5 books, divided by 4 years = 112.5 lessons per year (or less without the challenge lessons)