Help for a friend (boxed curriculum suggestions)

[cajun.classical]

I've got a friend who's just given birth to her 6th child and the 5th child isn't even 2 yet! To make a long story short, she needs to go with something completely pick up and go for her children this next year. She is a Christian, so a Christian curriculum would be preferred.

She needs something for two boys starting 9th grade. One is a voracious reader; the other more average. Then she's got one going into 4th, but whose reading skills are still developing, and a 6 year old who has been real hit or miss. There's been a lot going on in her life this year and homeschooling has not been consistent at all! She needs something that the older 2 can do mostly independently and that is all laid out for her. She doesn't want to have to think about what to do. She's also got the 2 babies. Husband works offshore so she needs help.

Any suggestions? I was thinking of something like Covenant Home Curriculum for the high schoolers. I've had friends use this and like it. I also looked at MFW high school. Anyone use this? And maybe Sonlight for the middle 2. Could she combine them in the same core and just pick individual readers for them? Would Core One work with a struggling 9 year old? Or MFW for them too? I want to make suggestions that will simplify things. I need your help!

Thanks for reading.

[Cadam]

If it were me I would go with MFW High School program for the 9th graders. The idea is that you work with them once a week and then they are responsible for getting the work done.

MFW ECC would be perfect for the younger two. It is nice to be able to get library books to go with it but can totally be done with nothing more than what's there. You add in your own LA and math but MFW has great, easy to use suggestions.

It is very open and go and there are not a bunch of suggestions to weed through and decide about. When I go grocery shopping I make sure I have the things on the supply list for the next month or so. Once a week I make some copies (or have my 10 yo make some copies;) ) It's pretty easy.

[cajun.classical]

If it were me I would go with MFW High School program for the 9th graders. The idea is that you work with them once a week and then they are responsible for getting the work done.

Thanks for the suggestions. I do like the look of it. My one concern was the publication sequence for High School. Do you know if the other volumes are in the works?

[TracyR]

If she wants something pick up and go you can't get any more pick up and go then Christian Light Curriculum . It is in workbook form and requires minimal instruction for elementary children and is totally self paced for high schoolers .
Its not like Ace where it is fill in the blanks ( nothing wrong with that :>) but makes the student think outside of the box . Plus it is economical , and very inexpensive yet provides an excellent education .
She can supplment with whatever she feels she wants to , or not feel the pressure of supplmenting at all right now as she'll be taking care of a little one .

There is a yahoo group if she wants to look more into the curriculum : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianlightfamilies

[susie in tx]

She could have her high school students do SL's Core 100 if they haven't done Am history. Then, she could do another SL Core for her youngers, MFW, or Winterpromise. All seem very pick up and go.

[Jennay]

SL Core 1 for a struggling 9 year old would work fine I think. The 6 year old and 9 year old could be in the same core and she could pick the appropriate level readers for each of them. She might want to pick something else for LA becasue SL language arts are pretty parent intensive. But the basic core is definitely pick up and go!

[Excelsior! Academy]

No advice, but I first read that as the oldest of the other 5 is two.
Meaning all 2 and under.:eek:

[Mom2GirlsTX]

No advice, but I first read that as the oldest of the other 5 is two.
Meaning all 2 and under.:eek:

tooooooooooooo funny....I actually read that the same way and thought 5 kids under 2! I'm glad to see I'm not the only one whose brain plays tricks on them.;)

[Cadam]

Thanks for the suggestions. I do like the look of it. My one concern was the publication sequence for High School. Do you know if the other volumes are in the works?

As far as I can tell, the plan is one a year. The second year may be avalible by Fall.... let me go ask at MFW and get back to you.

[TracyR]

Just my two cents but curriculums like Sonlight , Covenent Home and such require some teacher instruction and if she wants something independent and pick up and go she should go with something like Ace or CLE . Its sounds like her plate is full right now and those two options would be much easier and will keep her sanity at the sametime .
I can totally relate as almost 2yrs ago now my youngest was born with multiple health problems and we were using Calvert . I've continued to use it but this year my brain is ready to explode due to the fact I still have alot going on and we lost our consistency here . Sigh . I'm about ready to just get CLE and supplement with Sonlight books . Much easier .

[cajun.classical]

Thanks for all the great suggestions and things to consider. I wonder too if Sonlight would end up being too teacher-intensive for her right now. Anyone know anything about Bob Jones Homesat? She is thinking of that as well.

[Cadam]

Thanks for the suggestions. I do like the look of it. My one concern was the publication sequence for High School. Do you know if the other volumes are in the works?

ok, I checked with MFW. They are piloting the High School year two stuff this year and it will be ready for regular purchase Fall 2009. The sequence is planned to progress one level each year.

[lottie j.y6s4ly]

I've just started this on hard drive. I think if she actually hooked up the satellite(sp?) and recorded that it would be to time consuming. You can get all lessons on dvd or hard drive. I am using the k5 and 2nd. I'm finding that I'm still busy with school stuff simply because I need to prep each day by getting supplies, manipulatives, etc. ready and organized for each day. Also, each day lasts awhile by the time all classes are finished. My k5er really doesn't need any help during lessons. My 2nd grader requires more of my time. He needs me to explain directions to him again and such. I also sit with him during english for writing lessons or he gets lost. So honestly, if she needs to simplify in a big way then I would go with the ACE or CLE suggestion. good luck.

dawn

[cajun.classical]

Anyone else have any thoughts? I think MFW might be a good fit for her. It would allow the older high school students to work independently and would schedule out all the work for the youngers. She desperately needs a plan all laid out for her.