I am seeking ELA curriculum that is based in strong, classic literature. Bonus if it has writing instruction, not just assignments. We are looking at Lightning Lit 7. As posted by @blue plaid in an older comment, some have been disappointed with Lightning Lit 7 for various reasons & have swapped to a stronger curriculum. We are new to homeschooling but plan to continue as we have loved it! That being said, we need some helpful feedback on curriculum choices. Can you please offer some guidance by comparing Lightning Lit to other curriculums? Strengths / Weaknesses? Preferences & why?

My 5th grader is using Mosdos Press Coral and my 7th grader will be using Jade. I've searched the forums (using Google, which seems to always work better), and I've only found a couple of threads with scheduling ideas. Have you used either of these? What did a typical week look like? I'd love a few more ideas in how to schedule and use these amazing lit resources with my kiddos! For anyone else that is trying to plan this curriculum, here's a few more threads that I found to help with scheduling: -- Mosdos Press Jade Schedule -- Mosdos Discussion for Fans and Current Users - there's a few ideas here

My 12 year old son (just started 7th grade) is a super creative kid. He's very interested in poetry right now - writing it and reading it. He is working through WWS 1 this year for his writing curriculum, however, I'd like to feed this love of poetry. While I will research different poets for him to read and ponder, I'd like to find him a writing curriculum to help him understand the basics. In fact, he asked if I had "any books that could help him understand and write poetry better." In my googling, I've found a few curricula that help with poetry memorization, but we already do that. And that's really not what he's looking for. Any suggestions?

I'm trying to decide between Mosdos and BJU Literature/reading for my 7th grader, 5th grader, and 3rd grader. Do you think one is superior over the other? Does one do a better job of encouraging deeper critical thinking? For either curriculum, do you use the reading book, Teacher's Guide, and workbook? Are the workbooks necessary? I'd love to hear your thoughts, comparisons, and experiences with either of these curricula. FWIW, while we've always read and discussed ample amounts of great literature in our homeschool, we've never used a formal program. I'm not able to teach the elements of literature without a lot of hand-holding help and need a laid-out-for-me curriculum. I'm currently listening to the Teaching the Classics DVDs, but am also looking for something structured for these grades. One more question - Is this too much for me to take on with these separate grade levels? Am I biting off more than I can chew time-wise? What are your estimates for time commitment from mom for this type of lit analysis and discussion with each kiddo? Thank you for any and all insight! :)

Ok! I'm officially overwhelmed. I would really value your input and advice! Our kids had been attending a private classical school up until December (7th grade, 5th grade, and 1st grade, plus a toddler at home). Our financial situation is not good right now, so we had no choice but to pull them out. We decided to homeschool the rest of the year with as similar a curriculum as we could to give some consistency. I have no idea what next year will look like. I'm just trying to do the best I can to finish this school year. I'm reading The Well-Trained Mind right now, which is helpful. I have been able to gather a bunch of curriculum through friends who have given it to me or allowed me to borrow things. But I still have some gaps, especially in 7th grade. I had my older 2 kids doing a free trial of the Monarch Online Curriculum for the last month so that they would have some work to do while I figured things out. Monarch was definitely helpful, but it's not really right for us. So here's what I have for 7th grade. I would really love input and ideas especially if they don't involve a lot of money and aren't terribly teacher intensive. (I know that is asking a lot!). My 7th grader is a strong student and works diligently, I just need to know what work to give her! Literature: She read Gilgamesh earlier in the school year and they had started The Iliad. I have a few books from the library to help and I think we can listen to the Vandiver lectures free online. I feel like I should be giving her more assignments along with the reading, but feeling a little lost. Composition: Not sure! Thinking about getting Writing With Skill 2? Or is there something else that would tie in well with The Iliad? Grammar/Spelling: The school just integrates this into Literature and Composition after 6th grade. She had Shurley Grammer 1st-6th grade as well as the school's own spelling curriculum. She is strong in these areas. I do have Rod and Staff Progressing with Courage English 6. Should I use that or focus my efforts elsewhere? Math: Pre-Algebra, An Accelerated Course (McDougal Little/Houghton Mifflin) - This is the textbook she was using at school. I don't have the teacher's manual, but I think I can get through it with the answer key in the back of the book helping and with Khan Academy online. History: Ancient History/Egyptian Civilization - Not sure! I was looking at The Book of the Ancient World Set from Memoria Press. Do you think that could be enough to get us through the rest of the year? If we could swing it, I would love to do the Veritas Press Omnibus and have that cover history, Literature, and Bible. Good idea if we can do it? Something else? Science: Not sure! She was doing Earth Science at school. I have several science textbooks, but I'm not sure that any of them is quite right. Some that I have: Apologia Astronomy (I think more for elementary, but I like their books), Scott Foresman Science 6th grade (Maybe I should use this for both my 5th grader and 7th grader?), and I have Archimedes and the Door of Science to supplement (Just lacking assignment ideas for this). Latin: I have Wheelocks Latin, which is what she was doing at school. Bible: They were doing Old Testament at school. Not sure what I am doing with this. Someone from school recommended the book Christ of the Covenants by Robertson. Art: Books from the library? Free online classes on You Tube? Anything else? Typing: She wasn't doing this at school, but I am throwing it in - we started with Dance Mat Typing (BBC) free online, good lessons but too kiddie. Need to look for something else. Home Economics: Also not from school, but we'll focus on cooking and I think we can pull this together pretty easily. Thankful for any input you have!

Is it worth it to buy the super set for $250 or just the 2 book set for $85? How much do you use the videos?

So can someone tell me about Singapore Math post-PM6B? I really like that it is an integrated approach to math, and that they have work books to go along with it but...How do all of the different programs fit together? Why are some of them 1/2 canceled and the others not...I am confused. What happened to New Elementary Mathematics level 3 and 4? Why did they cancel them? Is it possible to order them from a different site perhaps? What is with Dimensions Math being retitled Discovering Math 1 and 2??? Are they planning to rewrite and publish the rest of Dimensions Math as Discovering Math 3 and 4? If so, when will that be out?

Hi all, I know there are many people here who have done WWS 1 so I hope I can get some advice. Ruth in NZ I know you have a lot of information on this. DS is 12 in 7th grade. He is naturally a very creative writer & often writes for pure enjoyment. DS has had no previous writing courses. DS is doing WWS 1 this year and he is continually muffing it up. We are on week 10 and he has to constantly redo the work because he didn't follow the directions correctly. He is failing to make the connections of how this will make him a better writer. I know he is dreading each day but he doesn't say much because he is compliant. I feel like this is killing his love of writing. Additionally on the brief outside writing assignments I five him it seems to have made no difference his writing is still very juvenile. So the question is ; was this a good place to start with a kid who loves creative writing? Would he be better off doing an IEW or even the 6 writing traits book from Evan Moore? I want to improve his expository writing skills. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks. Jean

I feel like I am finally getting a handle on all of this and now everyone is starting to talk about planning for next year...I am panicking a bit. Next year I will have a chronologically 6th grader and 7th grader...but it will be more like a 5th grader and 8th grader. They have been doing history and science together, along with art and music. Their math is varried and spelling is very different. Their literature and writing is sometimes the same type of assignment, but with higher expectations for the older one. We are doing Ancient History this year and plan to move to The Middle Ages next year. We started out using SOTW but it was too young, so now we are using it as a supplement along with lots of other books. In Science they just finished Ellen McHenry's The Elements, so now they will do Carbon Chem. I'm not sure what we will do next year, I think I will come up with a list and let them choose which way to go. For Math, we have determined text books don't really work, especially for my youngest, so I started just picking a topic and finding my own lessons and we started Math Journals...both kids have been doing geometry with the older one just doing a bit more in depth, but I know he is not being challenged enough in math. I still work outside the home, I'm gone about 30 hours a week. My husband is home when I'm not, but sometimes he is sleeping (he works nights) and sometimes he just isn't able to help them or sit and teach them. So I do like to have some things I can just leave for them to do without a parent. I have literally no plan for next year yet and I'm kind of scared. I feel like 6th and 7th grade should be more of a push for them, we have really taken it easy this year because it was our first year homeschooling. Any tips on curriculum, advice on what they really should learn, or any ideas or advice in general would really really be appreciated right now!!

Hi all, I've have been researching writing programs for DS who will be in 7th grade. The only formal writing curriculum he has done is the first 5 weeks of WWS when it was released on-line 2 years ago. I feel I have 2 curriculum choices that would be potentially appropriate for DS. 1. WWS 1 start back at the beginning; or start at week 6 or get WWS 2 2. IEW Ancients I have no interest in pursuing any other IEW writing course at this time. Is IEW Ancients just narrative or creative writing? Is there any expository writing in that particular book? Thanks in advance for your help. Jean

Hi all, I need help in Latin for ds 12 years old going into 7th grade. My question is what to do for 7th grade? I want him to take Henle 1 in 8th grade for high school credit. This is what we have done so far: 4th grade Prima Latina 5th grade LC I 6th grade FF I have heard that 2nd Form is not analytical enough for 7th grade. I am thinking of Cambridge Unit 1 or Latin Prep not sure what level to hold him until Henle. He will be using Rod & Staff grammar 7 to go with. What do you think I should use & what level if any would be appropriate for Latin Prep? Thanks. Jean

Hi all, My ds is finishing up VIE 6th grade & I am planning for next year & I have some questions. DS will be in 7th grade can he come from VIE 6 and transition nicely into R&S 7? Does R&S have editing in it? Can DS do this independently? (VIE with MODG syllabus is done entirely with parent, DS desperately needs independence) Thanks for your help. Jean

hi...we're looking for Waldorf 7th grade curriculum and other books and feedback from any parents who have used any of the Waldorf curriculums available for homeschoolers.....thanks....you can email me at auntiebridgedagap (at) gmail (dot) com many thanks :grouphug:

We have a special needs child that is ready for Challenge A but will not do well in the once a week program. Unfortunately, one cannot get a Curriculum Guide unless enrolled in the program. Has anyone done (or is anyone doing) Challenge A at home? Did you create your own curriculum guide? Did you purchase the same books from the Challenge A kit? Thanks.

I am in the very early stages of planning for DD 7th grade and could use some ideas! Beth

Before I present final numbers to my hubby I'd like to know if this looks like a good plan. My son is smart, but not overly motivated by any means. He does read well. Writing is not great, and he hates it, but we are getting there. We will have a newborn in September, and a 2 year old, so keep that in mind...i don't want to make myself crazy. We also attend a co-op one day a week for 4 hours, that does some science, art, and music. History, Lit, and Bible: Sonlight Core H Writing: WWS Grammar: KISS Math: Kinetic Books Algebra I Science: Sonlight Science H, which is Apologia General Science with lesson plans and a kit with all the stuff for the experiments, various science documentaries. Logic: The Thinking Toolbox from the authors of the Fallacy Detective Spanish: SOS or the Monarch version of Secondary Spanish Typing: Typing Instructor for Kids (already using and making progress slowly)

1.) How do I help my 7th grade son manage and take more responsibility for his school work? 2.) How can I help him think more deeply and be able to discuss, write, and elaborate on those thoughts? And...here are the optional details! My oldest (dd-9th grade) is a different personality and is doing well, but I'm needing to work harder with my 7th grade ds to help him...I don't know...mature academically. Comparing the two, ds is more laid back, less detail-oriented, and less of a deep thinker. Here are the issues I'm seeing: ~ Slow at school work, not finishing the day's work (then spending way too much of his weekend to finish), even though I don't think he has too much. 1.) Pre-Algebra 2.) English 1 at TPS--writing, grammar, lit 3.) Apologia General Science with labs & tests 4.) Spanish at JH pace 5.) Beautiful Feet JH history: America and the World, with reading & comprehension questions, but no essays or tests. (Theory: TPS writing keeps him busy writing, and CC history & timeline memory work take the place of history tests --??) 6.) Classical Conversations Foundations only -- several 7th graders are doing another year of memory work, presentations, etc. here (no Challenge Program). 7.) Guitar. Outside activities are youth group & Saturday tennis. ~ Needs to think more deeply -- has trouble and doesn't want to do the thinking required for the non-objective, why kinds of questions for literature & history. Generally writes as little as possible or just puts something down that doesn't fully answer the question. ~ Needs to elaborate much more in his writing -- more details and descriptions, etc. ~ Needs to learn how much effort is required to really learn the material in content subjects. How can I work with him to improve in these areas? Here are some things I'm doing/trying to do: 1.) Made a planner with his input. I planned some of his subjects and then check (& usually need to give more input on) his planning of 3 subjects' work each week. 2.) Talk to him about priorities for the day (but he still often gets distracted with something else). 3.) TPS English/Writing class for accountability, teaching, and input on writing. It's still tough for him to elaborate instead of being so concise and bare, but he improved some last year with their Writer's Workshop class. 4.) Using science as the subject to work on studying from a text book and learning material well for tests. 5.) History discussions -- Ideally, I would have weekly history discussions with him, but, so far, they haven't been happening. He's needed the time for other assignments, and I could always us the time for other homeschooling or tasks. He's handling the volume of history reading well, but a weekly discussion could be very beneficial for helping him to think more deeply, right? Any tips there would be appreciated too! If you're still with me, thanks for reading! I'm realizing one key for this child is lots of encouragement from me and less of my getting stressed about his work not getting done and deadlines for outside classes, but the work and deadlines still need to be addressed, along with the other concerns. :confused: :bigear:

Hi, I am wondering what all of you experienced high school homeschool parents would have approached 7th and 8th grade looking back on it now? What would your ideal approach? What would have been your focus? What would you have let go? What resources would you have definitely used, what would you have passed on? Just any thoughts in general you could share. I am going to have a 7th grader next year and would love to get the insights of folks who have BTDT! Thanks! :)

How many books do you expect your child to read for "literature" for 7th grade? I guess I am talking about assigned reading of classics AND historical fiction.......... okay quite honestly I mean books that he would not necessarily chose to read on his own for pleasure (like Percy Jackson or those kinds of things). Maybe post your 7th grade booklist as well? :)

Is there a christian science curriculum that is comparable to Apologia? both my sons find Apologia very dry and boring. Is there something anyone can recommend? Preferably general science or zoology, but will gladly look into any suggestions. Thanks

Okay, I'm thinking this is final, how does it look: Math: Saxon 87 Science: Apologia General supplemented with living books History: SOTW vol 4, plus Hakim's US History, plus tons of literature Literature: Progeny Press Guides to correspond with "tons of literature" Grammar: AG season 2 (plus Progeny Press) Logic: Art of Arguement Writing: across the curriculum Music: violin PE: ballet I could do Trail Guides to World Geography and US Geography. But, we did Around the World in 180 Days this year. And, I will have a gap the 8th grade year before starting the history cycle over again if I finish SOTW vol 4 in 7th. So, I was thinking about making 8th grade a dedicated geography year placing an emphasis on cultural geography before starting ancients in high school. Thoughts????

My son will be in 7th next year and I am planning on doing chemistry with him. I have purchased Real Science for Kids Level 1 for him, but am now reconsidering. Is it meaty enough for 7th grade? He has had very little chemistry up to this point. I am planning on having him memorize the periodic table, but do not as of yet have an extra resource for that. Any suggestions on additional books or supplements? Any ideas or words of advice for us? Thanks so much! Carly

Right now ds (7th grade) is doing: bible math science history language arts latin piano He doesn't like sports so his phys ed consists mostly of stuff he likes to do (like swim, golf, etc.). Not a big artsy guy either but very techie so he does graphic art stuff on the computer for fun. Right now it seems to be going well but I am planning for next year and wondering if there are other things I might want to add in? What are YOU teaching?

How is it going? Do your children like it? Do you find it easy to use? I'm re-reading the WTM and comparing what I've chosen to use in relation to what she recommends. I'd like to get back to one of the things that drew me to homeschooling, TWTM :) Now that I have older kids I think if I'd gone with her rec's they'd be very well prepared had we used her rec's. I may still keep SL for bible, history and lit, not sure though and would love to hear about time commitment. REAL time commitment, not SWB's made up ones for her publisher, kwim? How long does it really take? And as far as literature, do you feel the need for another lit program (like Lightning Lit or something) in addition to her reading list? Did spelling workout give your guys enough spelling instruction (rules, etc.)? Did you find the writing to give you enough handholding in how to instruct or did you need something else?