Since Monkeymama did the 8th grade question, I'll do the 7th grade question! My dd11 will be in the 7th grade next year, so I am looking for recommendations for that age---of ANYthing but math and Science. We already have Rainbow Science, and she REALLY wants to do the Life of Fred Beginning Algebra, so that's what we'll try since we already have it. We also have Rod & Staff 7th and 8th grade mathbooks for back-up. So, as it stands now: LoF Algebra Lightning Lit 8 (or the rest of 7 if we don't finish it this year) R&S English 6 Rainbow Science I am not set on the English--any other ideas for that? What about History? Where does the Lightning Lit actually fit in the schedule? Is it in addition to English and vocab. stuff? She will be taking piano, and possibly voice. What else do I need? Thoughts, suggestions, anyone?
Is there a particular area you want to study for history? If you do not want to do a textbook approach 7th grade is a great age for Homeschool in the Woods Time Traveler series. You could also do Drive thru History. I am not too sure on textbooks at this age. I know I like the BJU on for 11th grade history and did not like the Abeka one for history at all. Oh I almost forgot for Vocabulary you might want to start on Jensen's Vocabulary. I like that it uses Latin and Greek roots to help learn the meanings.
Rainbow science? whats that like Deena.. I am gleaning off your questions! What does R&S 6 cover? I am looking for Eng 7th too we are using SOS 8 Math, if it works cause we already own it, and Science 8 as well.. but am looking for English ideas that will be as exciting and extensive as wide a scope in Enlgish as BJU Eng 6.. so I can't help you much there... oh! What are you using for History?
Now I love the abeka 7th grade history. I think it is the best one they have, but that's my opinion. If you saw my other thread I'm wondering if anyone has used history scribe. It looks like it would be wonderful with abeka. Their 7th grade science I definately would not recommend. Spelling is still spelling workout for us and sonlight for science but other than that we are all abeka. Good luck, I know it's really hard because what works for one may not for the other.
Hey Deena check out Colorado Mom's page. I think the link is in her signature but I'm not sure I will double check. She has got these great history sets all put together. I am going to be ordering her set on Renaissance & Reformation for Sam for 8th grade. I wish I would have seen it earlier because I would have bought the one on the middle ages for this year. I think I am gonna go with Lightning Lit over LLATL. After really reviewing them I think it will be better for us. I looked at samples and the books she will read and it looks great especially since we are doing a total grammar course this year I think it will be great for next year. And I love what they have for high school! Has she done Health or Government yet? Samantha read Whatever Happened to Penny Candy this year and really liked it.
We like using Michael Clay Thompson books from www.rfwp.com in conjunction with Lightning lit. The grammar books (Magic Lens at this level) are designed to be worked through in 2-3 months. You can then just assign a couple of sentences in the practice book a few times a week the rest of the year. Vocab - Word within the Word, you work on a word list for a week to two weeks. There are also great books on poetry if you want to do more than the lightning lit covers. We just got academic writing I and it looks like a good complement to LL, although we haven't started it yet. You could use the techniques and teaching tips and apply them to the LL writing assignments for much of it, I think.
Deena, I can't believe she's a 7th grader now! How old was she when she was in the paper awhile back?
Becky, I was laughing when I saw your name as I was thinking Jeannie can't be that old already! Seriously, though, my mind has run that way quite a bit lately with the families that have been on her for a couple of years now. I keep thinking "they can't be that old already!"!
Deena, do you want art? If so, I can really recommend artistic pursuits. It is a complete program - techniques, history, art appreciation, creativity. And requires no help from the art challenged mum (me, lol) For history we are starting Diana Waring's Ancient civilizations and the bible for dd 8th grade & ds 7th grade. I am excited, but still waiting for it to come....boohoo!
I have a 7th grader coming up too. So I will steal ideas from your thread. The boys want to do the middle ages for history...which is fine with me. (we are doing ancient civ. at the moment) We used (sort of) MOH but we were not thrilled. ds did really like how the bible was integrated in it, but that is not as applicable to the middle ages. Does anyone have any good fiction books for middle ages? I want to do history and science with the boys together. (4th and 7th) For math we will use Saxon 7/8 (I guess I will use Saxon with the younger too, until we figure out what works for him) I really have no earthly idea of what to use for science. probably something younger rather than advanced as my 11 yo is not a strong reader. grammar is an issue too and writing and art and and and. I am hoping that I can find a conference to go to to see some stuff hands on. I am a very hands on kind of girl.
Aussie I would be interested in finding out what you think about it once you have used it! I have looked at her stuff for years but never ordered it for fear of not knowing if its good...
We are doing Middle Ages this year check out Story of the World? So far it has not integraded any bible, only other religions , I of course being who I am have added that in with our daily readings and dicussions on the lessons to figure what was going on when .... and how they suddenly are "protestants" in Franks? lol ANyway, we chose it because of the Activity book! we dnt use the color pages but the map work and ideas for cooking and crafty stuff is great!
Here is the link: http://www.artisticpursuits.com/ajh.htm We bought the junior high books. Book 1 is black & white, ie sketching, ink, tones etc. Book 2 is colour, and uses pencil, oil & soft pastels. The review I read recommended buying both and rotating between them, which is what I did. So we do unit 1 in black & white, then unit 1 in colour. That works well for us, b/c dd is not thrilled about working in black & white but there are lots of great things to be learnt in that medium. It was a bit of outlay financially to do it that way, but worth it for us.
For the past two years we've use write source 2000 right now for language arts, it's not all we use but it's a main part. I like it because the main book can be used for 3 years while seperate work books have to be used for each year. http://www.thewritesource.com/ We also use wordly wise and daily grams. I like wordly wise, it's what we tend to use for spelling. http://www.learningthings.com/items.asp?Cc=WW30002E&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc= Easy simple activites we do daily.http://www.learningthings.com/items.asp?Cc=EGSDAILY&agent=google&gclid=COi19uyEspgCFRo-awodtV-HVg My older daughter who's in 8th has an actual literature book. My younger daughter who is in 6th is working on her 7th grade work already.
I dont like the looks of Wordly Wise, its got the look like it is starting in the middle of a sentence. to me anyway. Is there a 7th grade english book that is brighter, in a newer font? BIGGER font even? Something creative?
There are two different versions of worldy wise, and an online tool to listen to the word as well as some games. http://www.wordlywise3000.com/ It is a different type of thing but I like using since it's a simple format.
thaks RHI, I checked the site link out it looks better on thier site, so it is in the wonderings again.. I have a problem with papers that are too dark of paper, and thin ones y ou can see through, I like the bright colors and bright .. uhmm modern fonts?
