I use Bob Jones I like it so far. I think the first grade reader is a little hard to start in so we started with Dick and Jane and Clifford books. I like it pretty well for my 5th grader.
We did 10th grade BJU with my oldest, and I thought it was very good! It was also VERY tough, though and took a LOT of time to do the dvd's, study, do the projects and assignments, as well as the quizzes and tests! I don't know what their elementary stuff is like though.
Deena your my gal then.....with the dvd's can you just skip the quizzes and tests and make the day shorter? I dont care to test my son in things like history or science. If he gets it we move on if he doesnt we wont. I just dont see the point of having him stress over these two subjects. He's very sensitive. He's gifted and we need a curriculum with more meat esp. in Math. Jackie
I might give it a go....They do have the 30 day return policy which is nice. I'm going to order my 5 yr old their kindy program. Abeka is great but I'm having trouble teaching the reading....it would be nice to have a "teacher" helping me lol. He understands what I'm teaching...its me with the problem kwim? He's actually doing really well. He just turned 5 and he's reading short vowel words already. I just dont know how to go about teaching the long vowel words lol. Then April or may I need to order Noah his 3rd grade curriculum, and by then I'll know if i like bju or if i want to stick with Abeka.
I used it for English and Spelling last year. I loved it. In fact, I think I will be going back to it. I have commitment issues with curriculum. lol.
Ava Rose, your so funny! I have the same issues...I'm always looking for something better. I also have the same thing with my homeschooling decision... Should I home school? Am I doing the right thing? Do my kids have enough friends? I know they are learning plenty from me...it just, i dont know the comments from other people get me thinking sometimes.
I used their Math 1 last year, and it seemed to be for slower kids. I base that on the fact that other moms- both ps and hs- were talking about things their kids were doing, and BJUP hadn't even touched on those things. I liked how it was laid out,though, I liked how colorful it was, and I really miss that format this year. We use Horizons now and there's little intro to things, as compared to BJUP. I bought the BJUP Math 2 TE to help me intro things like multiplication, just because I really liked how they did things. I will also say Jeannie doesn't like her math book at all this year. She missed the storyline BJUP used through the book, and the colorful pictures.
We use their English 3, and I really like that. The funny thing is, I feel like their English is a somewhat advanced. I never looked into the possibility, but like Deena said it is a very good program. I feel like between that and her Saxon phonics, my daughter is getting great English and phonics instruction.
We use it for Bible and Science. Science we're almost done with and I think it was good for an all around science program, but rather dry- I had no problem beefing it up though. Love the Bible.
I looked at their scope and sequence and its really behind in their math.....it kinda shocked me actually. Noah is in 2nd grade Horizons and he's doing multiplication....The 2nd grade BJU book doesnt even start mult. in second grade. Well poo there goes that idea... Anyone try Abekas dvd's?
I have used some of their materials for elementary and enjoyed them. They seemed like a good value as well.
Jackie, My middle daughter is using Horizons 2 also. Most programs (at least based on previous ps experience) don't introduce multiplication until 3rd grade.....which is one reason why I chose Horizons because the kids needed a bit more challenge. I knew my middle would balk if I just got her a 3rd grade curriculum (she does well in math but doesn't like it). By doing Hor 2...she doesn't always realize she's "ahead" unless her sister tells her " I didn't do that until 3rd grade"....which of course, then gets older sis the "evil eye" from Mom...LOL. Rhonda C.
Rhonda, My ds is the same way! If the book says 3rd grade he tells me what he thinks...it isnt pretty LOL. Were doing Abeka Language 2 and he probably should be moved up to grade 3 or 4 but he wants to follow the rules and do grade 2. So this summer well start grade 3, he cant complain since we already will have finiched grade 2 LOL. We homeschool year round and so far he hasnt noticed his friends dont.
Jackie, That's funny. We already ditched Abeka Lang 2....I couldn't stand having her do one more lesson on putting periods at the end of the sentence...lol. Actually, we aren't doing Abeka for any other subject and so the language didn't work as well as it would if we were doing the other "seatwork".....so she's doing a Spectrum Lang Arts 2 workbook....it progresses faster but has shorter lessons (and less review) but since we'll cover it all again in 3rd grade...it's a good fit for her. I had planned to add it First Lang. Lessons and we have here and there but not consistently. My oldest is using Abeka's Language A (4th grade) successfully. It would have been way too much writing for my middle daughter though....and with 3, I can't always do her LA orally....just not enough of Mom to go around some days. Rhonda C.
I've never heard of that curriculum. I'm off to look at it now though lol. I love Abekas phonics for the little ones though, I think it gives the younger kids a solid foundation in reading and spelling. I'll definately use it to teach my youngest 3 kids reading. The launguage does move slow....I just thought that was normal lol. My ds however bright he is in Math and Reading he just cant seem to get the fact he needs to put a Capital letter at the beginning of Sentences. Ok thanks forthe tip....or should that be no thanks? Just what I need...more books LOL.
Jackie, I got it from Barnes and Noble. Spectrum has a lot of subjects and test prep books.....mostly used (by some) for supplemental or review before a standardized test. For my DD7, it's just the right amount for 2nd grade. We used them in the Spring when we began HSing in March. The girls only had one quarter of school to go and I wanted to gauge "where they were". The workbooks are about $8 or so. Borders or Books-a-million probably carry them also. DD7 does a page or so a day (both sides). We'll finish it before the "end of the year" but I'll just buy her the next (if I haven't found another full curriculum) by then. I've thought about LLATL but she has some vision issues and I haven't looked at the print in the book(s) to know if it would be a good fit for her. She's also doing the Spectrum 3rd grade phonics (although an older version they had on clearance for dirt cheap...as if phonics have changed...lol). I've got a few more too that I use more as supplemental. Since I got them half off....what I don't use now, I'll use later with another kiddo.....with 3, someone will use it eventually, right? Hope that helps. I know CBD sells them too and the website that publishes Explode the Code (EPS, I think)...I'm pretty sure I saw them on their site also. I'd probably start with CBD at www.christianbook.com first though.....cheaper if you don't have a book store close. Feel free to pm me for any specifics on what we're using. Rhonda C.
