We are using McRuffy for 3rd grade science and it works well. It's a pretty independent program, though DD needs help with some of the experiments from either her older brother or I - some of them take 2 pairs of hands!

Last year we did social studies for grade 2 using workbooks like the Complete Book of Maps and Geography and US Presidents. Those were lots of fun and very independent.

Thank you guys to all of your wonderful responses!! I will have to check some of them out!

What do you think of SOTW? Would that make things a little more independent?

Also, something that I just found out about: Veritas Press offers an online class for this age, but the student goes at their at own pace and has a year to complete it. Have any of you heard of that or know much about it? That would be totally independent and Veritas Press has a very good reputation!

I *really* like SOTW, but it isn't from a Christian perspective per se. I'm assuming that you would prefer that being that A Beka's in the running? You can, however, pair it up with something like Veritas Press Cards or The Children's Story Bible to add that perspective.

Here are some schedules that line up SOTW with other resources:
http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/SOTWmenu.htm

Also, we have used it along with Biblioplan and Truthquest guides in the past to add just that. Hope that doesn't complicate it for you though! I know you're looking to simplify.

Angela :-)

Hey Angela!!

I actually have thought about using the Veritas Press cards with SOTW, but I'm confused as to how they would line up. I have checked out redshift.com, but I still don't quite get it. Do you read SOTW chapter by chapter and then add in VP cards, or vice versa?

Thank you! :-)

We do and it works out pretty well.
It's open, read, and learn. If we want to add in
more, we do. A text gives a solid foundation
and scope to follow. :)

Michelle32

cam112198 said, "I actually have thought about using the Veritas Press cards with SOTW, but I'm confused as to how they would line up. I have checked out redshift.com, but I still don't quite get it. Do you read SOTW chapter by chapter and then add in VP cards, or vice versa?"

Actually, I'm not crazy about the "read a few SOTW chapters then read the VP cards" approach, but it may work for you as it does Michelle.

I like one source to read from. It just flows better and I can keep my guys attention. Unfortunately, I have not found any Ancient or Middle Ages history texts for grammar/elementary age children that give us the Christian worldview. This is why we chose Biblioplan. It worked okay for the Ancients, but since there's no commentary I found it more difficult to do for the Middle Ages. (It's our personal conviction that history be from a Christian/Biblical worldview.)

I'm also beginning to embrace the more conventional method of waiting to instruct young dc in these particular time periods. It's a lot of information for even an adult to grasp. That's why we're back to American history for now. My boys are understanding and enjoying it so much more. Perhaps because they can relate to it more?

*If* we do an Ancients study for our youngest dc during grammar years, I will likely use Living Learning Books' Creation to Nehemiah study. They use SOTW, but add Bible verses, Biblical commentary, and add visual resources (encyclopedia, timeline etc...).
http://www.livinglearningbooks.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=321

I've probably given you more information than you needed. LOL. Never-the-less I hope it helps!

Angela :-)

We really like using Steck-Vaughn worktexts for science and history. They are secular but work well for us.

Becky,
would you mind posting a link to the ones you use?

My son is using Singapore's MPH for science and he's really enjoying it. I'd love to find something for history that was more text based like that because I think this is the last year I can really keep him and my dd together. Her reading skills just aren't at a place where they work well together anymore.

Kel