mamakelly Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I'm looking at their language arts for my upcoming 4th grader. It looks like everything I'd like to include in our school day (art, geography, writing etc...) all combined into one. Thoughts? https://www.jennyphillips.com/good-beautiful/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insertcreativenamehere Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I looked at all the downloadable levels and it's certainly appealing! It's laid out nicely and what I've seen is well done. I haven't seen levels 5 and 7 and that's what I'd need for my older boys. I looked at level 2 for my daughter and although I think she'd enjoy parts of it (especially the art!) the fact that all of the LA subjects are combined is a negative for me. She's reading at about a 4th-6th grade level so she doesn't need the phonics in level 2, but her spelling is right on grade level and her writing is about the same - so I don't want to bump her up to level 3. The other thing that makes me wonder is whether trying to cover too many subjects in one course is a good idea. Reading, writing, grammar, art, geography, spelling -- is everything being covered at sufficient depth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scbusf Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I've seen a few posts about it, but it's hard to search for! I'm going to use it next year. Definitely use the placement test on the site. My kids all placed at a level below their grade, which I think is normal. I think I'm also going to order the Nature Notebooks. They look great!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insertcreativenamehere Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I think I'm also going to order the Nature Notebooks. Yes! I am planning to get those, too! The handwriting also looks promising. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scbusf Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 The other thing that makes me wonder is whether trying to cover too many subjects in one course is a good idea. Reading, writing, grammar, art, geography, spelling -- is everything being covered at sufficient depth? I think this is a valid concern. I have not used it yet, but my plan is to be flexible - take rabbit trails when we want to, skip a lesson if we want to, etc. And at lower levels, I think it's OK to cover some things superficially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I looked at all the downloadable levels and it's certainly appealing! It's laid out nicely and what I've seen is well done. I haven't seen levels 5 and 7 and that's what I'd need for my older boys. I looked at level 2 for my daughter and although I think she'd enjoy parts of it (especially the art!) the fact that all of the LA subjects are combined is a negative for me. She's reading at about a 4th-6th grade level so she doesn't need the phonics in level 2, but her spelling is right on grade level and her writing is about the same - so I don't want to bump her up to level 3. The other thing that makes me wonder is whether trying to cover too many subjects in one course is a good idea. Reading, writing, grammar, art, geography, spelling -- is everything being covered at sufficient depth? Not needing the phonics in level 2 wouldn't be a problem imo. Just approach it like it's spelling, and don't buy the reader. Level 5 is being revised and won't be out til next month. The newly revised level 7 just came out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 The other thing that makes me wonder is whether trying to cover too many subjects in one course is a good idea. Reading, writing, grammar, art, geography, spelling -- is everything being covered at sufficient depth? This. I looked at the program and ultimately decided to do ELTL instead. Though I liked the thoroughness of G & B, a few things stood out to me. 1. We wouldn't use all components. Paring it down to what we would use made it comparable to ELTL 2. Level 3 gets a lot more preachy about what a "good" book is, and the emphasis is not on the quality of writing but the values written about. 3. The geography wouldn't work for us. Level 2 & 3 have the exact same introduction to geography, making it redundant, and I cannot with a straight face read that Pangea happened because of the Tower of Babel. Not once, and certainly not twice. By editing heavily we could make it work. I'd really rather not, though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjand6more Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I was looking at the grade 7 set. I really don't like that she uses a reader instead of classic literature especially at that level. Love the idea of what she is doing. We are using ELTL this year. It is similar. Still looking for the perfect LA... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 (edited) The strictest adherents of G&B are very all about her booklist, to the exclusion of everything else. It's a real problem in my estimation because I see so many people just choosing a product, rather than figuring out their own values and ideals, and rolling with it. Not just G&B. Some Pathways readers and McGuffey people do it too. CLE reading proudly states that they don't include any fairy tale/imaginary nonsense, which makes me: :001_rolleyes: Instructions at all levels do, however, include daily reading of your choice. Edited May 11, 2017 by OKBud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoutingmom Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 We are enjoying it. 2 kids i level 3, one in level 5 (older version) Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 All the links are broken when I get to the levels. Can anyone link me to Level 7? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Scroll down to Level 7-9 (this is for history Year 1) http://www.jennyphillips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Student-Explorers_Samples_Year-1.pdf Here's Level 7 for Language Arts: http://www.jennyphillips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/SAMPLE-PAGES_Level-7-Course-book.pdf Does anyone know when History Year 2 comes out if you can start there instead if Year 1? Does it matter if you go out of sequence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Thanks!! Wow level 7, all the levels are the homeschooling curriculum I personally have been dreaming of for the entire time I've been at this. Too bad my son is too old.. My dd could use level 7 next year BUT she's my extrovert and does so much better with outside classes. Even an online program is better for her than bookwork with me grading. :( as much as I'd love to use this for her I know the hours spent quietly studying would be so depressing for her :( Too bad we can't go back in time. Even the font, colors, spacing and pictures are exactly what I love. So pleasing to the eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Scroll down to Level 7-9 (this is for history Year 1) http://www.jennyphillips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Student-Explorers_Samples_Year-1.pdf Here's Level 7 for Language Arts: http://www.jennyphillips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/SAMPLE-PAGES_Level-7-Course-book.pdf Does anyone know when History Year 2 comes out if you can start there instead if Year 1? Does it matter if you go out of sequence? It comes out in June and all levels are a broad overview, with pitstops in different places each run-through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 I have spent hours looking over this curriculum. It's really lovely! Thank you for sharing it. I ordered the level 7 LA for my son just now & Im considering Year 2 History as well. This is totally and completely not at all what I was planning, but it looks so good! I wasn't even tweaking anything in my mind while reading it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLife Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 I've seen a few posts about it, but it's hard to search for! I'm going to use it next year. Definitely use the placement test on the site. My kids all placed at a level below their grade, which I think is normal. I think I'm also going to order the Nature Notebooks. They look great!!! I want the Nature Notebooks, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3girls4me Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 I've purchased the language arts for levels 7, 4, and 2 and they look fantastic. I'm still a bit concerned about it being too preachy or LDS teaching seeping through, but it certainly looks like a great change from what we've been doing. We'll see if we start it come August! 😠Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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