JenniferVA Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I'd like some advice. I've barely begun researching what my upcoming 7th grader should do come August, when our family starts the next school year. I would like to know what curriculum you thought was wonderful and also what you thought was a waste of time and money. He will not be doing any more spelling and grammar. He is doing well in all his subjects, but is weak in logic (haven't done much in this area). We will continue with CW for composition work and will be studying some systematic theology with his father. He is completing SWO H and Shurley 7 in a few weeks. He is doing Henle I, parts 3-5 with the Memoria Press guide and Saxon 8/7 (not tied to Saxon, would prefer another program). I need recommendations for Latin, math, literature, history, science and logic (or anything else that I might be leaving out). Feeling a little lost right now regarding 7th grade stuff, but excited and hopeful that the lightbulb will go on soon, Jen Mom to 4 great boys, ages 12, 10, 8 & 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 if you don't mind the Christian content. Those are 2 that my dd is doing next year. Both have gotten good reviews here. I don't know what phase of History you are in, but Diana Waring has a good program for that age (History Alive). She has Ancients and has just revised her Romans, Reformers and Revolutionaries (middle ages). We haven't started Latin or logic yet. We're using Saxon right now so I don't have reviews for any other math programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Literature LL7 is a full year program on beginning literature analysis, with realistic novel, fantasy novel, autobiography, short story, and poetry all covered in a total of 8 units. Depending on abilitiy, the program could be used by a 6th-8th grade student. The program includes great teaching notes (written to the student) on the literary element covered in each unit; worksheet pages to practice using/identifying the literary element, and beginning analysis; vocabulary and comprehension questions; longer writing assignment at the end of each unit. The LL8 program has 12 units, and, depending on ability, could be used by a 7th-9th grade student) See sample pages at Hewitt Homeschooling: http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight.asp We did LL7 and LL8 last year with a 7th and an 8th grader; this year we're doing Literary Lessons from the Lord of the Rings, which fits in well with us beginning to read/discuss the a few of the Great Books in the Well Trained Mind style. Next year, in 9th grade, the younger son will do LL8, and the older son who will be 10th gr. will either do some of the LL British Lit. units, or the Sonlight British Lit. For Logic, our boys really enjoyed first going through: - Dandylion Logic Logic Countdown (gr. 3-4) Logic Liftoff (gr. 4-5) Orbiting with Logic (gr. 6-7) - various critical thinking books such as: Critical Thinking in Images, Patterns and Logic Dr. Funster Think-a-Minutes Think-a-Grams or Plexers Mindbenders or Perplexors And then in 7th-9th grades using: Fallacy Detective Thinking Toolbox (Art of Argument is another possibility) Not a big fan of formal science textbooks here, so up through 8th grade, we used "Reader's Digest: How...Works" (one a year in middle school) along with matching TOPS units. This year we're also trying Apologia (Biology for the current 9th grader), but not too fond of the overly chatty writing style and definite drop in hands-on experiments. Considering Prentice Hall instead. Best of luck in finding what works for your family! One surprise for me -- these years actually take *more* of my time than I expected, as we do read and discuss a lot together. Enjoy -- we've found the middle school/early high school years to be a wonderful bonding time with our sons as we discover literature and logic together! Warmest regards, Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elm in NJ Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 will be doing Latin Prep 2 and Lightning literature also. We will also do CLE reading 7. He will continue with the Science Explorer Books for science. Maths, he will continue with CLE 7 because he need the review. Logic, he will be doing Fallacy Detective. Elmeryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in Central TX Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Hi Jen, I have 3 boys close in age to yours. Here is our 7th grade schedule next year for my oldest son: R&S Artpac 7 R&S Grammar 7 R&S Spelling 7 R&S Math 8 Omnibus I CW Homer B & Beg Poetry B Wheelock's Latin New Testament Greek for Beginners We aren't doing a formal science program or logic for 7th grade. I plan to do Traditional Logic (TL) I in 8th grade when we get to Algebra I or I'll wait until 9th grade and do TLI and TLII together; I need to see how we do in 7th grade first. He's done a little work with the pre-logic materials (mindbenders, Thinking Toolbox, etc.), but honestly, it just seemed like busywork, so I've opted to hold off and start with TLI when he's ready. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in SW WA Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 For my current 6th/7th grade ds: Bible studies/book studies (reading Acts, The Case For Faith, The Case For Christ, Be The Change, Foxe's Book of Martyrs) Chalkdust PreAlg LC 1 & 2 Apologia General Science Fallacy Detective logic Writing (w/ grammar instruction) w/ local tutor Reading/Literature (Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Golden Goblet, Lord of The Flies, plus random non-fiction) History (my hodge podge of various sources) We'll go back to Easy Grammar after Natl. Latin Exam in March Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenKitty Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 LL7, TT, Apologia, Fallacy Detective & Thinking Toolbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basketmaker Amy Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 My 7 grade ds loves Fallacy Detective...he even reads ahead! He's looking forward to the Thinking Toolbox next week. He is also enjoying Apologia's General Science. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG4WOODS Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 TT ALGebraI Lightning Lit 7 Apologia General Science Latina Christiana I CW Aesop B/ Elementary Diagramming Traditional Logic I :Possibly need to look over content Our Pioneers and Patriots/Sudden interest in American History Catechism/ Bible God and The History of Art Boy Scouts Requirements Informally/Orally Discuss Famous men of Rome Famous Men of Greece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanaTron Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 I definitely recommend Latin Prep for Latin. My 6th grader is using this and we both love it. It can be used for a 7th grader, too, I would say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in MD Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 I'd like some advice. I've barely begun researching what my upcoming 7th grader should do come August, when our family starts the next school year. I would like to know what curriculum you thought was wonderful and also what you thought was a waste of time and money. He will not be doing any more spelling and grammar. He is doing well in all his subjects, but is weak in logic (haven't done much in this area). We will continue with CW for composition work and will be studying some systematic theology with his father. He is completing SWO H and Shurley 7 in a few weeks. He is doing Henle I, parts 3-5 with the Memoria Press guide and Saxon 8/7 (not tied to Saxon, would prefer another program). I need recommendations for Latin, math, literature, history, science and logic (or anything else that I might be leaving out). Feeling a little lost right now regarding 7th grade stuff, but excited and hopeful that the lightbulb will go on soon, Jen Mom to 4 great boys, ages 12, 10, 8 & 6 For math, my ds likes Chalk Dust, well, as much as he likes any math. :D The DVD's and consulting service (free with a new purchase) makes ds independent and it's easy on me. Both are important considerations at this age. For logic, I like Mind Benders. Thinking Tool box was also good. I'm following it up with Art of the Argument. I haven't seen Fallacy Detective, but my understanding is that as a liberal Christian, I might go a bit too ballistic with it. For history and literature, I'm basically following the recommendations in TWTM. I do use study guides when they're available. I also add in the Early Times series by Susan Strauss Art and have ds answer the chapter questions. It has been very successful and minimal prep work on my part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferVA Posted February 27, 2008 Author Share Posted February 27, 2008 looking up all your suggestions and considering what will work for us. Thanks again Hive mind, Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I really like BJU for high school science (we did Apologia for 6th this year, but didn't like it.) Fallacy Detective and Thinking Toolbox have been big hits here for Logic, too. Have you thought about Omnibus; that would take care of literature and history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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