My son was using Monarch for Sci and History but its pretty dry. He's been getting C's and D's, is bored out of his mind and it just takes too long to reset it and have him do it again. Frankly, I'm surprised that SOS is not working for him, since we've used it in the past. I decided to change to Time4Learning. The lessons seem shorter, and more colorful and appealing. I hope its challenging enough. My youngest daughter is bored with her Science book so we'll be changing to McRuffy Science in January. What are you changing up for 2nd semester and why?
Well, I threw out our biology a few weeks ago and have started BJU biology now for my dd14. That's going great so far...she is enjoying it MUCH more. I continued in my craziness, and today I ordered new science and social studies/history for my ds9 as well!!! We will be switching from Abeka science for 3rd grade to BJU 4th and I will begin BJU Heritage Studies 4, too. I can't really put my finger on why I wanted something different for science, but I think it is because has a workbook to go along with it and my ds enjoys the workbook format. We have been using Mystery of History for history, and I started to feel a little panicky because he wasn't getting any American history. So that's why I picked up the BJU Heritage Studies (also a text and workbook) I will continue with MOH, though, because I love the chronological world history format...but it will just be surface lessons and adding to our timeline. I have been having him read novels for reading, so I also picked up a spectrum workbook for some supplemental stuff. Also, and I am REALLY excited about this...I ordered him Wordly Wise grade 3....We use Christian Light for Language Arts. The grammar aspect is phenomenal, but it's a little light for him in the spelling/vocab area. I have heard good things about WW, so I am really excited to supplement with this! Looking forward to a great semester!
We are changing the way Ems work on history. We are using All American History and it is too traditional. I plan on having Ems read the text and instead of using the workbook, I will have her summarize what she read. Then pick a person or place in the text and do a little online research. She enjoys researching online.
I am a first year home schooler, so I am not sure how much to change, but one thing I am definitely going to change is my dd14's math curriculum. She is an ELL (English Language Learner - adopted internationally this year), and we are using Saxon math with all 3 kids. I am finding though that Saxon is VERY wordy and also not terribly visually interesting. Not sure yet what we will go to, but really want to fins something different. She gets so hung up on the language that she is annoyed by the time we get to the actual math to do! We also moved our school area from our bonus room down to my sun room. While I am sad about losing my sun room, I am very excited to not be sharing space with another room and not to have so many distractions near our school area (Wii, TV, toys, etc.). We finished the move today, and the kids seem excited about changing it up a little.
You mean we have to go back for the 2nd semester???!!! The thing I am switching up is my attitude and approach, not the materials we are using. With the potential for my Ds15 to be done after next year, my focus is going to change to more writing and test prep.
We haven't made it to the second semester yet, but these are the changes so far... Science - For older son changed from self-designed study to CPO physical science textbook Greek - For older son changed from free program to Athenaze. Grammar - Changed to Rod and Staff for both of my boys.
Brooke: I know...do we have to?? My oldest dd (10th grade) is such a drama queen. She is behind in 3 classes since the ES gave her the books a month late. She's having to get caught up during the xmas break and she's not happy. I do understand, but the fact still remains, it doesn't matter WHY she's behind. She has to do the work. Period. Now, we are trying to make the break fun for her. We went to the movies, she's doing sleepovers with friends here and there, and she got a special gift (Ipod). But when I give her a couple of hours of work to do, I expect her to do it without the drama. I will be so glad when she's caught up!
