I'm doin A LOT of 5th grade LANG. ARTS research! What do I want for my homeschool?

I've been having thoughts! Should I continue with IEW? Should I go back to TGATB? Or try something new altogether? There's a lot of things I need to consider for our homeschool next year, and I've decided that this homeschool mama NEEDS SIMPLICITY!!! Parenting teens is hard and I need energy to "fight the good fight!" So I'd rather give my energy to that, that to spend it all on teacher intensive homeschool curriculums, as fabulous as they may be! At the same time, I have an up and coming 5th grader who is a JOY TO HOMESCHOOL! She's full of enthusiasm and wonder.....I want to enjoy these years with her and fan those curiosity flames. Maybe I should focus there!
Come brainstorm with me for the 2024-2025 homeschool year. I've watched so many youtube videos on these homeschool language arts curriculums, as well as the websites.....my head is spinning....BUT...I thought you might interested to know of some of these homeschool gems I've run into. And maybe in my ambiguity, you'll find that you are not alone in the homeschool planning and curriculum research "squirrel" syndrome! 😂 FOCUS!
IEW writing & grammar instruction: iew.com/OurHomeschoolPlan
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Been having thoughts!
01:23 It's Classic Literature's fault! 😂 (well, partly....)
04:27 Simplicity needed bc of my teens!!!
07:24 IEW?
08:35 What exactly do I want this year?
09:25 My Father's World?
11:36 A Gentle Feast?
12:24 McGuffey Readers?
16:07 Brave Writer?
17:27 TGATB?
19:18 EIW: Essentials in Writing?
21:13 Learning Language Arts Through Literature
22:26 Classical Conversations?
24:59 Homeschool Conventions
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🎥😄 OUR HOMESCHOOL PLAN VIDEOS MENTIONED:
How IEW TEACHING the CLASSICS works: I'm gonna break it down to you: • IEW Teaching the Class... &list=UULF6E99KHex7M8Xm0gSzjD8uw
Some awesome READ ALOUD suggestions: • My All-Time FAVORITE R... &list=UULF6E99KHex7M8Xm0gSzjD8uw
I can't do this anymore: I thought motherhood would get easier as the kids grew up! Boy....was I wrong! Raising teens is hard! • I thought motherhood &... &list=UULF6E99KHex7M8Xm0gSzjD8uw
Why this IEW curriculum?: • IEW: Teach 4th-11th gr...
Brave Writer Faltering Ownership: ALL the details explained! • FALTERING OWNERSHIP wr... &list=UULF6E99KHex7M8Xm0gSzjD8uw
Brave Writer Arrow Guides explained here: • 7th grade Homeschool C... &list=UULF6E99KHex7M8Xm0gSzjD8uw
My thoughts on TGATB writing! • TGATB LA 5 improvement...
My thoughts on my struggling writer TGATB vs. IEW? • I'm STRUGGLING w/6th G... &list=UULF6E99KHex7M8Xm0gSzjD8uw
Why I left Classical Conversations years ago: • WHY WE LEFT CLASSICAL ... &list=UULF6E99KHex7M8Xm0gSzjD8uw
Pros & Cons of Classical Conversations: • Former CC leader share... &list=UULF6E99KHex7M8Xm0gSzjD8uw
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♥️HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM I LOVE!! ♥️
LEARN MATH FAST:
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discount code: HSPLAN for 10% off at checkout
COMPASS CLASSROOM:
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INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITING (IEW):
STRUCTURE AND STYLE FOR STUDENTS - IEW.com/affiliate/280966/sss
TEACHING WRITING: STRUCTURE AND STYLE - IEW.com/affiliate/280966/twss
VIEW other IEW products from this link. On the left side, filter down by grade, & then view products.
WHERE TO BEGIN - IEW.com/affiliate/280966/start
NOT CONSUMED HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM & PRODUCTS:
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NIGHT ZOOKEEPER online language arts GAMES & writing program for ages 6-12:
www.nightzookeeper.com/parent...
NATURE'S WORKSHOP PLUS: (for science lab kits + more - they offer a variety of homeschool resources including curriculum): www.workshopplus.com?ref=rach183
TUTTLE TWINS book series:
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[@landofkakiakahomeschool]

McGuffey enthusiast here! Highly recommend! I've developed quite a few resources to support using both the Original and Revised Readers for language arts, including plans, companion notebooks, copywork, and more. I even created a spelling program based off the spelling book. I detail it all on my channel as well.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’ve seen some of your videos! 😉

[@landofkakiakahomeschool]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan yay!

[@faithfullyinfertile]

This was a true Classic Rachel video....real, transparent, relatable, humorous, informative..... loved this!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you so much!!! 😊 💕

[@learningwithboys7431]

As you were talking, My first thought was LLATL😉 I have done it before. My other thought- thinking simplicity😉- Do Fix it and let her read. Maybe pick 4 books she could maybe do a book report on. From my experience she is soaking up information and will blossom into a great writer. Maybe just let her journal about what she is reading. But you could let that be natural this year while you help your 2 oldest transition ❤ I have been there and done things like that! I only have boys, so love to hear she is reading Little Women🤗

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

She’s already writing stories and using old fashioned words! ❤️

[@homesteadschooled4587]

Yes! Teenagers are so exhausting. Two teen boys here (along with two younger brothers) and I was telling somebody recently that some days they seem so grown and mature and other days they are like toddlers. Most people think that by the time their kids reach the teen years, they will be mostly hands-off, but I've found that the teen years require so much constant work. It reminds me of bowling and we parents are the bumpers on the side that constantly have to steer our teens back towards the middle as they bounce back and forth with their decisions. Also, this will be our 12th year homeschooling and I've never had a perfect year. In fact, the longer I homeschool, the less I feel certain about going into each new year! I think there's a part of you that realizes how quickly it all went by with the older kids so you feel a sense of panic about trying to squeeze everything in, but in reality, there isn't enough time to do it all, nor are the older kids even interested in all of our big ideas!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I feel EVERYTHING you said here!!! And I LoL’d about the bumpers!!! That’s exactly it! 😂 Maybe we feel less certain about each new year as experienced homeschooled mom bc we’ve learned!!!! We might make our plans…..but it’s the LORD who directs our steps! We’re finally accepting it! 😉

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

My recommendation is Written narration. 1x/week to start. Just keep up fostering the love of reading. ❤

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

❤️❤️❤️

[@andwill636]

If she likes the reading list you could use Moving Beyond the Page. The instructions are written to the student starting in the 5th grade (they call it 9-11) level. That could take a lot of instruction off of your plate. Good luck choosing!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thanks!! You’re not the first to suggest this one. I’ll have to check it out. 😁

[@nicoleo6373]

I was going to suggest this too. Gathered and Grounded has lots of videos on MBTP, although it’s the younger years. We have recently switched to Moving Beyond the Page for everything and this is our “magical” curriculum. 😂 Check out their lesson samples and see if it’s a good fit for your family. I have one in 10-12,which is mainly independent and one in 7-9. There’s enough hands on activities, art, teaching writing (which my kids need help on), and easily customizable. We’re coming from TGTB which I loved, but my kids not so much. Plus, my kids don’t even mind the plain black and white pages of the workbook. 😅

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@nicoleo6373 I’ve never looked at it. I’ll have to check it out. But finding curriculum videos for my kids ages is definitely a challenge. It’s so hard to really know if the videos are only for younger years. 😕

[@faithfullyinfertile]

If she is becoming a reader of classics, you are GOLDEN. Don't put literature guides in front of her! Just let her read and enjoy reading and then you can discuss literary elements etc with her during read alouds but I think lit guides/studies kill the joy of reading for so many kids and they are just not necessary! She may very well like CC too since it is so literature heavy. For 5th grade, I would do some Grammar, writing and spelling (if she needs spelling) & then keep her well-stocked in classics/variety of literature. My top choices for those are Fix It grammar with IEW OR Essentials in Writing (which includes both grammar and writing) and then All About Spelling or Phonetic Zoo. I've not done formal "literature guides/studies" with my girls through middle school. They are both avid readers & the oldest is thriving in CC and I pray the second will next yr too. :) I'm not finished watching, but this is fun. I am very much in the planning/brainstorming phase for next year. :)

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’m thinking the same thing about the Lit Guides. I’m not thinking she needs that. I was thinking how can she read more and maybe do some fun writing about it….

[@genabrady1348]

McGuffey can be done mostly independently once a child can read well. There are comprehension questions at the end of each passage in the 4th reader. They are also available to download and print for FREE. If it doesn't go well, you aren't out a ton of money.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

That’s true!! I may buy a set anyway just so I can have them for my grandchildren! Lol! I do love the simplicity of them!

[@UlyGooly]

You can make any book into an LA course. The point is to take delight in a book and learn from by writing down words we want to dive into more, sentences or passages that strike us deeply..etc..We naturally learn the structure of sentences and all that stuff as we acquire a relationship with the author's writing style. Simply having a notebook for analysis, and a commonplace notebook may help with the rest that will come naturally. Yesterday's Classics is nice to dive into. Their website is very humble :).

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I need to introduce my girl to the commonplace book idea!

[@pianoteachingmom]

We have been an AGF user for five years. I'm a mom to three boys, ages 15-1/2, 12, and 10. We love it! Morning Time is one of my favorite aspects and it's really NOT time-consuming as it may seem. It takes us 15-20 minutes per day. It's really beautiful. Also, I will add that while we use AGF, we do not use many of the Tea Time activities like Handiwork, Plutarch, Swiss Drill, etc. Our extra-curricular activities do not allow time for it. We use the Morning Time and Main Feast, and read aloud. Also, while it looks like A LOT of books, its really not as consuming as it seems. It's a lot less reading than Sonlight or somethings like HOD. Wishing you the best in your search.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you!! My concern with the morning time commitment is that I already do a Bible study with my kids that can take 30-60 min on some days. So any morning time activities would be on top of that. I love the idea though. If I were starting over, and had you get kids, I’d definitely add something like this in. It’s sounds wonderful!!!

[@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras]

Have you looked at the Robinson Curriculum? Love Mom Delights! She’s coming out with a new notebooking workbook. Mott Media (the publisher of the Original McGuffey Readers) has a grammar curriculum: Harvey’s Grammar. They also have workbooks to go with the readers. There is also a book, Grammar Land, that uses fun stories to teach grammar.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I looked a little at Robinson awhile ago! And I watched one of your videos about McGuffeys too! 😉

[@gbcflower]

The McGuffey Readers do give spelling and vocabulary words at the end of most lessons. You don't have to pull your own unless you would like to. I know the way that Sherri Hayes from Mom Delights does it is that she has her children pick a paragraph to copy. Read the lesson and copy that one paragraph-that's one day's work. The next day they might be copying the spelling and vocabulary words from the end of the lesson. The next day they're studying those words and using them in a written narration. The next day would be due a dictation over the paragraph that was copied a couple days before. I may not have that order exactly correct but that is the basic idea of how to use the McGuffeys in a very open and go fashion.

[@catherinepeacock8301]

Thank you so much for your content. You’re so relatable! I find myself cracking up listening to your videos and shouting yes, that’s exactly how I feel. Thanks for the reminder to not buy all the things at the beginning to allow myself the freedom to add things my kids are interested in.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You are so welcome! I’m so glad you can relate! Then I don’t feel alone myself! 😂

[@allheartandsong]

I enjoy how relatable you are and real. ❤

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you!!! 💕💕💕 I told my husband…I feel like I’m just babbling in this video,, but sharing my thoughts….. and what I’ve been thinking lately…those are often the videos that you all say are so relatable! 😂 it’s how a mom’s brain work! 🤪

[@homeschoollifemom]

I completely agree about LLATL. I think my daughter would love it content wise. She also loves reading. But when I showed her it versus TGTB. There wasn’t much competition. She loves art so the watercolor component of level 5 she was super enthused about. I do know people love LLATL, but until it’s more aesthetically pleasing I don’t know that we’ll use it. It just so hard for me to use black and white curriculum.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Is it that hard to make the curriculum beautiful?!?!?! 😍 😁🩷 I loved the art aspect of TGTB too bc I loved art as a student. But for some reason I habitually neglect it in my homeschool. ☹️ TGTB has some great ideas!!

[@homeschool.pray.repeat]

Moving Beyond the Page Language Arts!

[@WatchingtilJesusComes]

I feel like I was on the same merry go round with you…lol…I did so much research also wanting to simplify next year. 5 kids at 4 different levels is hard to manage. I am pretty sure I am going to go with 7 sisters literature guides…that way we can choose each book specifically and not be overwhelmed taking the joy of reading away with a ton of analysis. I am looking forward to see what you land on.❤

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

7 sisters guides aren’t too long! I’m excited to see what happens too……and nervous! Lol! Not nervous about my 5th grader….nervous about the teens! 😂😂😂

[@gabrielledrummond]

I love @momdelights! I’ve been thinking of using the McGuffey readers as well. I’m all about simplicity this upcoming school year. Especially with Language Arts. I was also looking at Masterbooks because of its simplicity and not being overwhelming. So many choices!! Sounds like we are in the same boat when it comes to LA 😂 Thank you for making this video ❤

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’re so welcome!! 😉

[@BenjesBride]

For literature, my fifth grader reads from the AmblesideOnline literature booklist. At this stage I just want to encourage a love of books so I only require a brief oral narration. I don't want to suck the fun out of reading with analysis (yet). Im glad you mentioned Mom Delights--great channel.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

This is what I’m thinking as well now! I DEFINITELY do not want to ruin the fun of reading for her. And she actually does a great job of telling me details! So I know she’s absorbing it!

[@becwalker]

I was jumping in the comments to say this. I think narration would be a great idea. We use ambleside online as well. But she could choose whatever books she wants (given she’s liking classics) and just do narrations. She might also enjoy keeping a commonplace book. It would not be teacher intense for you at all, and wouldn’t dampen her enjoyment of the books as narration / commonplace is about her impressions, and pulling out the bits she likes.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@becwalker I LOVE the commonplace book idea!!!!! She puts flags all over her books now to mark the passages she loves. And she also loves to write out the Bible Verses used in our church services and make them look pretty. Maybe a commonplace book is right up her alley!! Thank you for this idea!! (And simple narration is also what I was leaning towards after all the suggestions on lit guides, bc I just don’t think I want to go down that road yet!)

[@shayj3373]

Lots of great ideas... Can't wait to see what you go with.... 🤗💕 PS: Apparently you have a major fan girl over here.....about 50 compliments just flowed non stop out of my presh 9 yrling DD "Mama I love her room decor. That blue and the white with that yellow chair. Actually, I really love her entire house! " a few mins later... "Oh I just love her. What a sweet lady. Don't you love her makeup mama? I love her makeup. Very natural and pretty." 💞💓😁

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Awe!!! That’s so sweet!!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@amandaelser9249]

Love Momdelights! We use McGuffey readers daily. You have to do what you’re comfortable with. For LA we use-Queen Homeschool (a curriculum you won’t hear about in the homeschool circles!) It’s open and go. We use this along with McGuffey, written and oral narration, copy work, great literature selections, and dictation (spelling Wisdom from SCM.) 7th grade and up we use a grammar book added on. We call it-the blue grammar book (The Mother Tongue.) My kids check their own work. The bulk of my involvement is ensuring work is done and dictating to them on Friday’s. Good writing and communication, comes from exposure to excellent literature! We use AGF for morning time plans! Worth it! 😅

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I have The Mother Tongue!! 😀

[@amandaelser9249]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Awesome! I know a lot of people use- Our Mother Tongue. The Mother Tongue, is a lesser known grammar book. So glad Blue Sky Daisies decided to re-publish it! ♥️

[@juliewright1895]

I don’t know if we’ve ever truly had a year go exactly as I planned! I used to feel bad about that but I have come to understand that I’m not flaky, I’m just being flexible and following the lead of my children’s educational needs.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I love how you said that!!!! Yes!!! I’ve felt so guilty as a KZbin creator that I can’t show you all HOW to plan perfectly but that’s not really how homeschool and life work! You’re right! We need to be flexible to twist and bend with our children and with what they need and what WE need. And it’s impossible to predict! This encouraged me!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@kimberlym4834]

Your video was so relatable!! My dd will also be a 5th grader next yr. I also need simpler and for her to be more independent. I had done Sonlight since kindergarten, but really struggle w/ the instructors guide. I even had bought it again for this year and only used the first 8 weeks. Such a waste, 😩but the LA level we got was a poor fit for us. Plus for being open and go, I still had to get 2-4 other resources for spellings, grammar, etc. I didn’t mind the extra workbooks, and neither did my daughter. However I felt like I was failing and the year barely started.😢 A friend was using CLE and had great things to say so I thought “ why not.” So I bought just the first 2 light units of CLE LA level 4 and I like it so far. It’s thorough, affordable, rigorous and fairly independent…. simpler!! I may try S&S IEW next year in addition as she loves to write , I just need to outsource that a bit too.🤪 My daughter likes it too btw.😊 Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us !! I totally rambled!!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

CLE has been mentioned in the comments more than once! 😁 I didn’t realize you still had to add more to Sonlight! Wow. It’s really expensive then, isn’t it?

[@gardenia77]

Also, LLAtL was on my short list if I were to do ELA at home. I love the literature selections and everything it covered. EIW also offers a grading service, but it sells out quickly.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I didn’t look much into the grading Service, but that would actually be really nice for highschoolers!!

[@stefaniesmith7240]

So light, we love this literature based Christian curriculum. You can open and go and you don’t have to do all books but they have been great for my book loving kids.

[@mhals5251]

I can relate to this video so much!! My, we had such a crazy homeschool year too!! The Lord had complete other plans for us to work around. I had to simplify as well because I needed my older two, 7th and 5th grade, to be more independent to give my time to my 1st grader. We went back to Christian Light. It is sooo great. Highly recommend.The Reading curriculum is great for both my book reader and non book reader child. Very independent except every other day is an oral reading day and they read to me. If I'm pressed for time the curriculum suggests 20 minutes that the child reads to you and then read the remainder themselves after. I'm doing their Language Arts curriculum (just the Grammer sections) with my 5th grader but my 7th grader is doing Fix it Grammer. They both are using Phonetic zoo for spelling. Making things work for us! I'm just not sure of writing this year either if we will stick with IEW SS. Oh check out The Little Women movie with Elizabeth Taylor from the 1960s. My girls LOVE it!! ❤️

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Christian Light has mentioned a few times in the comments!! 💕 I will check out the Little Women movie! I knew there were others, but I had only seems the 90’s version (which I actually liked more than the newer one).

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

I love it when my kids love good books!!! I only have one that is tho!!! My anime lover is starting to read classic books and I think she could become obsessed!!! My 16 year old choses his own books!!! I’ve noticed that the min they becomes teenage they change!!! Earlier I was looking at what I’d planned and I had to add some stuff till next year!!! I bought a literature guide form where‘d you learn that!!! Idk what I think yet!!! I’ve noticed TGTB books are old fashioned but good!!!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

That’s what I wondered about TGTb literature. Is it really old books that they are bringing back to life? Or are they newer books just written for the good morals? I’ve never looked into them to find out. I just know I don’t know the stories.

[@joidavis5210]

I've just recently started paying attention to Generations curriculum and plan to try some of their stuff out this year. I've heard great things about their Literature! Right now we're really enjoying MasterBooks Language Arts along with some supplements. ❤❤

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I was gonna look at the Masterbooks for high school for my son when we go to the Ark. it says they read Pilgrim’s Progress! So is Generstions literature all Christian or is some classic?

[@faithfullyinfertile]

Planning: I used to plan SO MUCH every year, because I love planning, but apparently my kids nor my life appreciate my efforts very much because it was de-railed every single time, every single year. So I started planning not so far ahead (as in for the entire year) but instead just planning one subject/curriculum for each child and then when that is nearing the end I think about where that child needs to go next in that subject and how....then I plan for that. This works WAY better & I am finding that my plans aren't going to waste!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

This is a great tip! I’m not concerned as much with finishing curriculum. We can always pick up the following the year or move to something else if it’s not working. I mean that’s what I’ve always done with math anyway! But definitely….the planning is what I’m going to do less of (I think…..we’ll see how the summer goes! 🤪)

[@juliewright1895]

We’re in our 21st year of homeschooling. Our oldest three children are ages 27, 30, and 33. They all graduated from our homeschool. There is an 11 year gap and then we have a 15 year year-old and a 13-year-old. We adopted both of them, one at nine months of age and the other one came to us at 4 1/2. I saw the transition from the age of wonder to the teen years also. My teens we’re still interested in much of their schooling because we did a lot of interest lead learning but there truly is a difference in the younger ones and older ones. I noticed it and really got to enjoy “the wonder years” with my third child. Then I had a bonus of starting over with two more kiddos! Aside from dealing with some neurodivergence in my youngest and trying to navigate that, I have absolutely loved getting to continue on with homeschooling my younger ones. I’m still doing morning time and read alouds with my two girls. My 15 year old lives for that time!! Seriously!! She’s very good at doing her schoolwork independently (except her math, even though she likes it she drags her feet, UGG!) so I’m surprised that she still wants to be a part of morning time, but I’m just enjoying it since I know we don’t have much longer. ❤ I love Mom Delights too!!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’ve heard about teens who still love read alouds!! I hope my youngest might be like that! Sometimes I feel like she’s growing up faster bc her older siblings are “pulling her up to them.” But awe!!! ❤️

[@JuliaCantley]

We use EIW and it's been great! We like the bite size pieces that really help you get the basics down and take time. Just know that it starts with a whole part in grammar then does writing at the end. The lesson videos are short and that's good for my boys.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yes! I noticed that. I’m definitely leaning towards it with my son!

[@fab5bailey369]

Sending hugs your way! I have two possibly three options/suggestions: 1. DIY LA- Write down everything you love about each LA curriculum and make your own. I did this for my daughter this year and we love it. It maybe more work at first but you can make it work for you. I got this idea from Simply Learning together here on KZbin. It's so much freedom, I promise. Whatever book my daughter is reading we apply the grammar (from Evan Moor) she using and a literary analysis. She also does copywork, spelling and vocabulary all from the book she's reading. I google comprehension questions for the book and we do those orally. 2. Sonlight- can be affordable! You can buy it use or just the teacher's manual and student LA sheets. Also remember that Sonlight covers history and literature. So it like a two for one. 3. Not Consumed Reading journals and add in your own comprehension questions. *Bonus* Solio and Sage on Instagram and KZbin has a very cool Reading curriculum for older grades. Pray this helps.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you for all these great suggestions! 😉

[@HomeSweetHomeschoolLife]

I’m so intrigued by the McGuffey readers. If I had to do it all over again, I would choose that route.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Same, girl!!! I LOVE the old school readers!!! I actually did use Dick and Jane readers a lot. I loved those. Had no clue at the time there would be something even better.

[@Michelle-sl9gj]

We use TGTB, but we pick our own books. Any questions in the curriculum about the story they were supposed to read, we ignore it. I just have them read a classic one that I know they will love, and I may come ip with my own questions or just let them enjoy the book.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yeah! Thats kinda of what I did the last year we used it too! 😉

[@katielopes8280]

I need simplicity as well but always plan too much. I’m letting curriculum sit in the online cart for a few weeks so that I can be realistic with myself and delete what isn’t needed! Haha Have you looked into Memoria Press literature guides? We just started Memoria Press grammar and are really enjoying it. Very open & go. We are doing other subjects from them next year as well, including some literature guides. I’m letting my daughter pick a few of the books she wants to read out of the selection so she’s excited about it 😊

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I wasn’t thinking along the lines of full out kit. Guides. I guess I was just thinking of assigned reading like how TGATB does if. But may just stick to letting her pick books and maybe I’ll just pick out a few myself that I’d like her to read. Letting the cart sit there is a good idea!! Maybe decide after a particularly difficult day!! 😂

[@courtneysimon444]

Hi! I wanted to drop a comment about the McGuffy readers and workbooks from Momdelights. I’m currently using that with my 3rd grader alongside Masterbooks Language arts. These two go together so very well since Masterbooks is light and gentle, yet it covers the technical side of all the things needed covered on a “checkbox” type level. For reading, we’re using Daily Reading Practice by Judith Holbrook, Finishing ETC along with independent reading.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

That does sound like a great combo!!

[@Mrstriplejranch]

I liked Daily Reading Practice. It covers all the literary analysis and it’s short and concise. For kids that like Fix It, that repetitive element, probably would like it. However, the reading section is really short. To me, it’s not quite enough. But that with something else, or just “choose from these books” to add extra reading? Idk.

[@courtneysimon444]

@@Mrstriplejranchyeah that’s what I’m doing. She needs to read for 20mns after doing ETC, Vocab and DRP. I really like that DRP is good for test prep.

[@Mrstriplejranch]

@@courtneysimon444 I agree. I think DRP is an underutilized program.

[@mrs.jaywojo5426]

Hi! I have been missing your videos lately because there has been so much going on! But God is good! After a few months of looking, we got a new apt! We move in June. I can relate to the struggle juggling all the roles... 😅 Your talk here is everything i have been feeling. I need simplicity. So many ideas... we got some of them, maybe most of them done, but it feels (to me) like (I) am not doing enough... but that's crazy talk... Someday i'll get caught up on videos.... lol

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yah on moving!! I bet that’s a relief! Simplicity is needed some years more than others. But it’s NEVER a bad idea on any year!😉💕

[@mrs.jaywojo5426]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Yes. I was getting so bummed out by the housing issue... its so expensive, but artificially so, because some of the places are pits.

[@homeschoolingmamaof5boys395]

This was our best school year. We started and were all on track. 5 boys. And then I had a stroke in Jan. Everything went downhill then. Still going ok. Just bad to take a month and a half off. I have the same desire....to plan less next year. Thought about a co op but we are night owls and can't make it to the one I liked an hr away. So, I will plan less like you said, and fit what I can in later. For Language Arts/English. 11th grader & 9th grader next year (Easy Grammar Ultimate Series & Books from the library). Also will have books to read in History. They do Bible copy work everyday and still cursive. 2 - 6th graders and 1 4th grader - Language Lessons for a Living Education workbooks and Explode the Code online for one struggling reader. Library books, Bible copy work, Spelling You See, A Reason for Handwriting for Cursive. All have a "sticker sheet" ti complete assignments for the day and I'll check when I have time. I fit a unit study from IEW in when I can for the 9th & 11th grader

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

That’s a fantastic plan!!! Oh my on your stroke! How scary! Bible copywork is a great idea for so many reasons!!! My daughter copies all the verses in church! It’s so good for retaining and thinking about what you’re actually copying down, let alone the academic benefits of spelling worlds and complex sentences. 💕

[@colleensaliba4342]

Lightening Literature 🎉

[@annaramponi4505]

One thing I try to remember is that”not all the things, but the best things” and choose 1 or 2 things to focus on per year. (Maybe like 3 things in upper years)

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yes!!! This is a great strategy!

[@Thebergnest]

McGuffey lover here!! I also love Mom Delights and have her books for my kiddos. I have five kiddos ages 16 down to (almost) 3. I just jumped in a couple of months ago with my k'er and my current 4th grader and will use it with my other kiddos too when the time comes. My 4th grader is dyslexic and she's doing quite well with it and doesn't hate it, which is quite a win in my book! I'm also using Mott Media's phonics program with them which is recommended in the McGuffy instructor's guide. I'm loving the simplicity of it!!

[@Thebergnest]

Side note: What state do you live in? I'm really hoping to go to our own convention here in Minnesota but am still undecided!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

That’s wonderful about the readers!!! I’m about 90% sure I’m going to buy a set even if it’s just for posterity! I’m in Illinois. We have a FANTASTIC convention!!! Very Christ -centered and family discipleship centered! Infact, this convention, we have Ken Hamm coming as well as Israel Wayne and Kevin Swanson (I think…..)

[@kadieschaefer2874]

We love Essentials in Writing, even for Elementary and Middle School! Videos are about 3-7 minutes for Elementary!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Oh wow!!! That’s pretty good!

[@ProverbsThirtyOne]

😅 I just am so very thankful to you! I feel like you're in my head. I needed this video b/c sometimes I feel like Im the only one that goes through these homeschool dilemmas! I contacted you a few months ago about me considering leaving CC. I'm still struggling with it. When the Lord says a double minded man is unstable, He wasn't lying 😄😅😂 I will pray for you as I pray for myself! What state are you in?

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

lol!! I think this is mom life! Maybe we’re the ones willing to admit it! I’ve thought very seriously about CC again myself! So yes! Pray! And I know God will give PERFECT peace with where he wants you!! I’m in Illinois. So going to ICHE conference!

[@pacificnorthwestgirl2725]

The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts might be a good fit for your 5th grade child. It's open and go, something that would be manageable for your daughter and provide simplicity. I think it's neat your youngest child is enjoying the classics. :) I combined level 7 TGATB with Easy Peasy level 7 because I felt together, they made a really solid curriculum. Easy Peasy can be online or offline, but my daughter really enjoyed it.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

TGATB is definitely simple!! It’s a fantastic curriculum! I wish I would’ve done the level 7 for my high schooler. I skipped right from level 6 to the HS curriculum bc I didn’t realize that level 7 can be considered high school level as well!

[@nataliemorelli7729]

Confessions of a homeschooler has literature unit studies for classic literature. They involve lapbooking. Also memorial press has literature guides that are workbook style for classic literature. We just finished our first year of cc essentials and I used a mix of both of those literature study styles for my daughter, she loved them both.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

How did you like essentials??

[@nataliemorelli7729]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan it’s a lot! I feel it is kind of disorganized, everything could be done so much simpler. We hardly did anything at home other than IEW writing because I was overwhelmed and confused. My daughter cried two times in class throughout the year and one time we had to just leave. The year also felt so rushed like we didn’t have enough time to actually get the hang of anything before moving on to the next week. We did not do every paper from Iew either. I’m really torn on what to do next year, I’ve even been considering not homeschooling and sending them to a private or hybrid model school bc I feel so burnt out and don’t even want to think about planning next year. Leaning on the lord for guidance. Im also being pressured to tutor essentials next year if we stay and continue on. Our community is very small and I was pressured to tutor foundations this year and now I’m being pressured to tutor essentials and probably foundations again. We barely survived this year with me tutoring just foundations and idk if I could handle tutoring both!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@nataliemorelli7729 oh my goodness! I’m so sorry! Essentials is a lot of info that kids will not fully understand the first year especially. So if your daughter is frustrated that she couldn’t, I’m so sorry. She wasn’t meant to. 😔 the beauty of it is that next year will be basically the exact same info. Basically reviewing everything. And the “gaps” will start to fill in. Maybe your tutor didn’t do a great job of setting you up for success at home? 🤔 I’m so sorry you were overwhelmed. And yikes….foundations AND essentials tutoring would be tough. But I know people who’ve done it when they were starting communities. It really does just depend on how much you (and the other parents) want it. I can imagine the conundrum being a small community. It’s definitely growing pains. It’s a lot easier to manage when you have more hands to help. But also….how many moms ARE there in the community?? There’s nobody else who could tutor? When I was SR and trying to get directors….those above me said, don’t worry about it. If nobody steps up, then they don’t have a program. It really does all depend on how badly parents want the program. But they can force anybody to do it. And they also shouldn’t expect anybody to do it all. Such a rock and hard place….ugh… Well if you do decide to do it again, I promise, so much more will click this year!!!! I actually LOVE essentials so much! I wish I could tutor you! 😂😂😂

[@britneyslaughter-deeplyroo3156]

I over plan and usually have at least one overhaul in the middle of the year. 😅

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’re in good company! 😂

[@MichelleL83]

Ugh, yes we are in the thick of selecting curriculum for next year at co-op, which then leads to planning for my 3 kids, similar ages to yours. Lord, please help us all!! This is hard!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Planning is fun until it’s overwhelming!! 💕😂

[@katie7748]

​@@OurHOMEschoolPlanAmen to that! Decision fatigue is real lol

[@rebeccawilson7953]

I will say that although the good and the beautiful doesn’t use books you know, we have loved the books we have read. For example my daughter is in 3rd grade and we read a kingdom of kind as part of her lessons and it was awesome. That said, we were looking into IEW themed because my daughter needs more writing and she has very specific interests.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Fair enough! Like said I was neutral on the literature! 😉 I wish they would throw at least 1 classic book in there. In level 6, they did read Little Lord Fauntleroy which is a class. And they read some I knew in high school, like Uo from Slavery. 😉

[@melissacapps8453]

Oh how I appreciate your rawness. This homeschool mama thing is not an easy one by far. And yes there are sooooooo many amazing LA programs out there. And yes if they made them look like TGTB 😮 🤯 !!! I have been looking at beyond the page for my son. Lots of fun activities etc but I finally said no. Too teacher intensive!! 🙄

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

So true! So many just require the teacher and if I had only one kids, or it was for my oldest, it would probably be fine. But there are stages in homeschool when you just can’t do it. Regarding TGTB…seriously!!! If you stripped away all the color of it, maybe we wouldn’t be so enamored with it! But it’s SOOOOO PRETTY!! 😂😂😂 you’d have to strip away more than the color. They also have got the creative exercises down. I remember some of the spelling practice in the level 4. Writing words around a spiral, along a road….then drawing your favorite tree. I mean, come on!! They’re making learning fun by adding little games and variety. It’s hard to compete with!

[@melissacapps8453]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan YES!!! All of this! Hahaha

[@AmatiinBC]

Have you looked at Cottage Press? Its CM/classical and literature/poetry based. Im considering it for next year. For my Gr 3 boy im considering either primer 1 or primer 2. Gor my gr 5 boy im considering Fable and Song. I tried llatl with my middle son for his gr 1... i didnt really enjoy it and found it sort of clunky. He learned how to read but i didnt do all the things in it.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I DID look at Cottage press! I’ve looked at it several times and am having a hard time figuring out what exactly it is. I need to see it in my hands!! 😂

[@lillahigdon771]

😊

[@22GodisLove1]

I was in this exact struggle. I wanted to keep IEW but didn’t feel it was quite enough. I decided to add Rigorous Reading: An In-Depth Guide for Any Novel that will help with incorporating reading comprehension to pair with literature IEW recommends.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Never heard of that!! I’ll have to look into it! Now you’ve got me wondering too…. I wonder if LLATL would be too much with IEW?!?! Hmmmm…..

[@22GodisLove1]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan yes I did IEW and LLATL this year for my 5th grader and although it was doable some days it was a bit much and we were constantly behind schedule. . My daughter also has attention disorders so it that made it much more difficult.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@22GodisLove1 good to know!!!

[@jennajadeg7010]

Jamie from Unlikely Homeschooler, she uses LLTL and I also look into it! I love using books to help, especially with my youngest. We use TGTB but I wish there was more pulled in from the books, like copywork and figurative language.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yes!! The integration of the literature is the best part about LLTL. Although I did see some people say, “if your child doesn’t like the book, though….it can drag on.” There’s pros and cons to everything. Ugh! But the copywork….wish I would’ve done more of that when they were younger. Once my homeschool journey is done, THEN I’LL KNOW HOW TO DO IT!! lol!! 😂

[@jennajadeg7010]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan 😂 I feel this!! My son has expressive language disorder so figurative language is so hard for him, so trying to find something to help is hard. So I’ve been piecing together a lot. 😅 wish it was easier!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@jennajadeg7010 it’s hard! And one day they’ll thank us for trying so hard! …..right? 😉

[@jennajadeg7010]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan we can only dream! 😂 but for real, I hope so.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@jennajadeg7010 me too!!!!!!

[@noahsmilkshake]

Writing with Skill by Well Trained Mind is looking good to me for my middle schooler. It looks similar to IEW but written to the student with a very helpful teacher guide if they need you to give guidance. But I might have to look through language arts through literature now...😅

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’ve never looked too closely at the Well Trained Mind curriculums, but I know they are very classical. So it doesn’t surprise me that they are similar to IEW. That’s interesting!! LLATL I know!! It looks like such a sweet curriculum! So many are saying it’s too gentle…. But I guess it just depends on you. Gentle doesn’t bother me too much bc you can ALWAYS beef things up! (Especially if you’ve done something like IEW before!)

[@arikaporche]

You've done the 7 sister's literature guides before right? Is there a reason you would or wouldn't use those? Considering them for my daughter

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Those studies are fine. I bought one for my high school son, a cinema study. It wasn’t anything Mind blowing….but it’s cheap and it’s done!!! So I always say “time is money!” For me anyway! My son didn’t enjoy watching the same movie three times over. But I don’t know that anything is really going to satisfy him when it comes to literary analysis bc it’s just not his thing. Having gone through Teaching the Classics now, I do feel like I could write my own Lit study guides as well as the 7 sisters if I wanted to, simply bc they aren’t long, like Progeny press or Memoria Press literature studies. I don’t think the 7 sisters guides are for 5th grade either. I could be wrong bc I’ve only looked at them for high school. But I’m also not necessarily looking for Lit study guides for her bc I don’t want to squash her love of reading. I just want it incorporated somehow. (More babbling thoughts there….🤪)

[@macnsydsmom4835]

I am leaning towards using the McGuffey readers with my daughter, who will be in 8th grade next year. With it, we'll be using Ecletric Foundations.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Eclectic foundations?? I’ve never heard of that one.

[@macnsydsmom4835]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan me either. When I searched for the McGuffey readers on Rainbow Resource, it came up as a suggestion. After researching it, I think it's the way to go.

[@susiebyler5226]

I'm only half way through watching the video and I just have to stop and say. I'm struggling and thinking about the exact same thing.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’re not alone!!!!! There’s so many choices and things to consider!! Hugs 🤗

[@robbiegleason4462]

I bought a used copy of LLATL and I don't think you'd like it either. It's very gentle... too gentle imo. I'm not an over-achiever academically I promise, but it was way too easy for where my son was at grammatically. And it's not independent! The idea of it was so appealing I was sad I didn't love it. I wish I lived closer... I'd show you all the things so you could make an informed decision!!! I'm kind of a curriculum hoarder. 😂

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

lol!!! I love to be shown all the things! 😂 Somebody else also thought it was too gentle. But I asked if I could pair it with IEW and another thought that would be too much. I’m thinking it’s more of a grammar and literature curriculum rather than a writing curriculum. So wondering about LLATL and IEW writing? But I do love fix it grammar too. Ugh…

[@allheartandsong]

Next year, I plan on doing less sports and committing to activities. I miss just reading to my kids. My oldest is 13 and I feel like time is going quicker each year.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yes!! Time is flying bad and it’s so bittersweet!! And sports does seem to steal some of that precious time! It’s a tough balance!

[@robbiegleason4462]

17:00 I'm just starting your video, but I've been in this mindset for several years. I loved what we were doing with our eclectic choices, but LA was taking f.o.r.e.v.e.r. I finally gave in to TGTB for the simplicity, and let's be honest... the beauty, of it. I didn't like their writing or spelling, so I was supplementing... and I feel like it's a little all over the place and not as robust in grammar as I want. I decided to look at Christian Light. OMGosh why didn't I look at that sooner? It's all independent, robust, covers all the things except literature (not sure about writing though). It's exactly what I wanted! They do have a reading curriculum as well, and it's only 1 semester, which means it wouldn't be a daily thing. Then, I plan to do a thematic writing course with IEW and Sonlight for the literature. My son is a huge reader as well and does Sonlight completely independently. We tried that for the first time this year and history is now his favorite subject. I started having to work outside the home 32 hrs a week, so I need as independent as possible. I can help with writing and math when I get home. And yes, I over plan. The CLE reading might be overkill, but I don't have time to do the discussions with Sonlight, so I'm thinking the independent units in CLE will teach the literary elements I don't have time to do. But seriously, check out CLE if you haven't already! It only goes to 8th grade, but I'd seriously consider the core English for 9th or 10th based on how it compares to level 7 TGTB in grammar. I tried the arrow guides, and based on what you seem to like, I think you would be disappointed in those. We didn't last more than one unit with those.

[@robbiegleason4462]

I lied! CLE goes through high school, at least for LA. I thought they only went through 8th!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I can’t remember if I looked at CLE. I looked at SO MANY things. I only spoke on the curriculums that left an impression! 🤪 I definitely think TGTB is for a certain student. Maybe not all students. I’m so happy with the IEW Fix It grammar. It’s way more challenging than it appears. Thank you for the recommendation! It’s always good to have a list of things to look at once I begin narrowing things down.

[@PurposefulHomeschool]

I loved fix it grammar for my now graduated high schooler. I might return to it at some point, but we use paragraph editing by Evan Moor for editing practice right now. CLE has editing built in, plus sentence diagramming! It includes spelling as well. Only a couple of writing assignments through the year so we'll use something else for that... I always just poo pooed CLE and now realize it has everything I wanted but was piecing together on my own. I even bought Diagramming the Scriptures like you did and just didn't have room in my homeschool to include it! I'm just sayin' you might like it too! They have pretty good samples on their site. The stories in their readers are so touching and faith- filled as well!! I was sleeping on them and kind of wish I had found them sooner!

[@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras]

We are loving CC. … The great thing about having only one child in CC is that you wouldn’t be aloud to tutor or do any leadership role. That might help the experience be better for you. I know the dynamic of the group makes or breaks the experience. Our group is very small and made up of mostly families we are already friends with at church, so it works because we would be hanging out anyway 😂

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I would never get sucked into as many roles as I did before!!! I’ve learned my lesson! 😂

[@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Lol. I get it. I’m a tutor now. I can’t imagine taking on more and running my own homeschool. One role is more than enough.

[@amandab.6815]

For your 10 year old- What about something independent for writing and grammar like Essentials in Writing or BJU English, and then lit guides for the classic novels like those from Memoria Press, Progeny Press, etc? LLATL also sounds like a great idea for your situation.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

There’s so many great options!! I did look at BJU also but I must’ve marked it off early bc I can’t remember anything about it. 😂

[@amybowman5686]

Have you considered literature guides for the classics. Keeping everything that's working currently. But just adding in the literature guides with the books she wants to read? I personally would not change anything if things are working. Just add to the things that are working.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I agree!! If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. It’s not broke for her….i just may need to change something for me. I honestly don’t think I want to do literature guides for her. I’m ok just asking her questions. Maybe having her write something about what she’s reading. But I don’t want to destroy that love either….with reports! 😂😂😂

[@jenniferharley8987]

We have the 1911 McGuffeys

[@myshaharmon6808]

We do TGATB LA and don’t care for the readers either. So we do Sonlight Readers, or readers of my choosing, and then they write a book report at the end of the book. Meanwhile, during read aloud time I make sure to talk about all the things I learned from Teaching the Classics. So when they do their book reports they understand what is expected of them.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’ve got it together, girl!!!! 😀

[@jenniferp2613]

Not Consumed has a reading log that might be fun to pair with Fix It Grammar? Just a thought. :)

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’ve had a similar thought!! I do have all their reading journals!

[@fab5bailey369]

@jenniferp2613 I second this.

[@promisedpearl]

A. Whatever feels simple to you, go with that. But if your plan relies on other people, always have a backup so if it’s not a good fit, you don’t have to feel stuck. B. I’ve learned to plan loosely, not less - for example for Language Arts I never do a full curriculum but I have at least 2 or 3 loose plans for how I will tackle reading, writing, grammar, etc. and I schedule in pre-determined times to readjust the plan as needed. This keeps me flexible but not wishy-washy. I try to support interest-based learning so it feels less frustrating to them. C. Think about where they really are in their skills. If they are capable of dictation, they don’t need to start with copywork. If they are dictating successfully with acceptable but not necessarily perfect grammar, start working on outlining a longer passage and picking apart what is the topic sentence, the supporting details, etc. Check out the recent Well Trained Mind podcast about teaching writing- it’s fascinating and I wish I listened years ago! Excited to see what you land on, you got this!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Loosely for me is to plan less for me, the teacher, to facilitate! 🤪 I tend to plan as if I’m going to be able to sustain teaching energy for 5 hours and that spiritual battle seriously takes so much energy. But I understand what you’re saying! I’ve never finished an LA curriculum (except for Masterbooks level 1 w/my youngest! 🤪 Good point about the copywork. My daughter is definitely not so advanced in all the grammar. Even I struggle with quotes….when to start a new paragraph. For some reason that one rule trips me up. But maybe if I go this route, we start with dictation and see how she does. She actually copies and writes a lot herself. I’ll check out the podcast. I’ve looked at well trained mind forums and it felt like information overload!!! But CC forums can be like that too!

[@robikanobi8358]

I am a working homeschool mom. This is what I do. Lol. We've used the Robinson Curriculum booklist for 3 years now for reading. We use CLE for Language Arts. I have not taught my kids anything separate for writing at all up until this point, nor have I had to use a separate curriculum for history (because the RC books are all old books). My big kids teach themselves by using Saxon 2nd Edition textbooks. We're currently using Science Shepherd for Science with my 10 year old and 9 uear old. My 13 year old is using the Elementary Anatomy from Masterbooks. (It isn't really easy or too simple at all, it is more like a Jr. High Curriculum). The kids have vocab from the Robinson Curriculum. Also, we have BOTH sets of McGuffeys. My kids read the originals just like they're a regular old reading book. Then we use the revised set for the Mom Delights Style of teaching. There seems to be no major differences between the 2, except that the revised are easier. My 10 year old is in the third revised right now and it's very easy for her. If your girl can read Little Women, then I would suggest using the 4th reader. The way that we do it, is we do 1 lesson per week. The first day, we look at the word lists at the beginning of the lesson. They write them in print and in cursive. If there are words that they don't know, then we look them up. It takes like 5 minutes! Then I give them an assignment. The assignments vary. It could just be copywork (with attention to punctuation). It could be writing an alternate ending to the story. It could be writing the moral of the story...whatever. It takes them like 15 minutes. Then the third day is to rewrite any corrections that I made to their rough draft. --- Personally, if I were you, I would cut out any writin lg courses. Give her McGuffeys and a grammar workbook from Amazon. The. Wait until after your high schooler is graduated to worry about your baby's writing skills. Just let her read a lot. I promise, it works!!

[@robikanobi8358]

My bad about the grammar errors lol I'm about to clock in for work! I love listening to your videos while in the car ALONE 😂

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’ve actually looked at the Robinson curriculum too. There’s so many options!! I don’t disagree with you about writing except that she actually loves to do it. But I definitely don’t feel pressure to do zip through a writing curriculum in one year. Ok. I’m thinking about McGuffeys again! 😉

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

And thanks for listening to my videos!!! 🤪

[@karynnekrasowski3525]

Is LLATL independent? I crossed it off my list because the review I watched had the mom reading aloud for kiddo to write. My 6th grader wants completely independent.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

That’s a good questions. I wouldn’t read aloud if I went that route. I’d have her read the book.

[@lesliedavis5323]

What about Memoria Press? We’ve loved using it!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I haven’t looked too much into that one. 😁

[@lanaslantern5969]

Honestly I would be concerned about the workload added by trying something new! I say continue with what you know and add-in literature guides. We like Memoria Press and Progeny Press Lit guides. I heard even Amazon has lit guides for specific books. Hope this is helpful

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thanks!!! There’s definitely a learning curve to anything new.

[@jessiemadanat5455]

Novel Ties by Rainbow Resources I think Memorial Press has the same concept with classical books.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I haven’t heard of Novel ties!

[@ReiverGrad14]

Have you looked at Masterbooks Writing Strands?

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yes I’ve looked at it.

[@gardenia77]

I agree so much about making homeschool choices around mom being all the things and priorizing which roles are most important. With my 15 year old son, we will be outsourcing ELA and Math for the rest of high school, and any subjects done at home will be graded by someone else or subjects that don't require much feedback. I love homeschooling and part of me is sad about this, but I also have to make choices based on where we are. And I have seen that my son just responds better when someone else is teaching him now. It's Not even always about butting heads, but when it comes to school, he is just so much more invested when someone else is the authority. It's like he just believes it more and works so much harder when he's accountable to someone else. I'm still here to guide him and answer questions, but I'm not doing much of the actual teaching anymore. It honestly is great for our relationship too. I'm still the authority overall, but not having mom "criticize" his writing or teach him something hard in Math is just better for us. And honestly, teens are just wired for this. I can still tailor his education.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I can relate to ALL of what you said so much!!! It’s sad bc we are in a new era! When they’re little, being teacher doesn’t feel as hard. At least for me. It felt more fun. It’s just different now! And having other eyes on their work….yes! Why do they believe others more even they’re saying the EXACT SAME THING!?!?! 😂😂😂

[@gardenia77]

@OurHOMEschoolPlan It's so hard and I wasn't prepared for it. I always wanted to homeschool, but we came to it late. We had so many beautiful homeschool days and I was looking forward to more of that, but... boom! New chapter lol.

[@MichelleL83]

I can see this developing in our family too! Can I ask where you outsourced things to?

[@gardenia77]

@MichelleL83 He will be taking composition at Write from the Heart. They provide a lot of feedback along the writing process, not just at the end, which he needs. I haven't decided if he will take a separate literature somewhere else or if he'll do a Lit & Comp at Write from the Heart. If he does do literature separately, I'm considering Write at Home. They have classical and traditional tracks. For Math, I haven't decided yet. He'll take French at co-op, and some courses through Outschool. Haven't completely finalized all our decisions yet.

[@MichelleL83]

@@gardenia77 Thank you for sharing the details. I haven't heard of those resources, but I'll make note and take a look. I appreciate knowing about some options. Each kid is so different, though I don't want to completely cater and in the process complicate everything. 🙏

[@sarahe7515]

I am interested but at the gyne office and have to pause. I have a 9 year old and I need something different for writing. We like fix it grammar but I need something else for writing. We suddenly are binging on the Renaissance and the royalty in that era.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Hmmm….maybe I’ll give you some ideas then!

[@sarahe7515]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlanmy gyne was trying to get hold of my pharmacy and was talking about homeschooling. She asked me where I get my material and I told her there are too many things to choose from! I don’t know why she was asking so many questions but it is funny cause I was watching this in the waiting room. She and her husband make a lot of money so I am sure they are going to go to private school. I have no idea what to do for junior high. I am just planned up to about 6th grade. So many choices though!

[@stoughtoniana]

Have you tried Biblioplan? I think I might try that next year

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I haven’t. I’ve looked briefly at it! Isn’t it like my father’s world??

[@stoughtoniana]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan some similarities. Seems to cover all grades…I like all of the suggestions for enhancements, but does not include the literature books like MFW does. I’m still on the fence.

[@user-wg9dq6iy1f]

I've been. In the same boat for my soon to be 5th grader. TGTB was too much for her. She is my creative soul but struggles and gets easily overwhelmed. So this year we switched and did LLATL and Fix it grammar. Things have been so much better. But neither of us LOVE LLATL, and we have already read most of the books for next year. So next year in going to give Masterbooks a try along with their writing standards book and fix it grammar. Hoping to piecemeal it with both. I had convinced myself Bravewriter would be perfect for her but after reading the authors book and digging more into the company, my convictions were telling me not to support them.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yeah….i agree about Julie B. The more I started to watch her, the more I was ok with going a different route. She has great ideas. But the newer things she comes up with, I would definitely hesitate.

[@katie7748]

I've been hearing that from a lot of people lately and they're always quite vague. I don't use it nor do I plan to (and I'm not trying to start anything, which I can't help but presume is the reason why people don't get specific) but what precisely is the issue with it/her?

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@katie7748 I would say her worldview seems to be different. And so that’s an influence they’re seeing. I can’t be specific bc I never followed her too closely. She’s on the more humanistic side from what I can tell. She reminds me of a University academic type homeschooler. I hope that helps. Sorry I can’t be more specific.

[@katie7748]

​@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Nah, you're good. I can read between the lines 😉 Thank you!

[@katie7748]

​@OurHOMEschoolPlan OK so I had some time to do a little digging today (thanks again for the nudge) and 😳😬😬😬 yeah no thanks. Again, I wasn't planning on using it anyway but it *was* on my list of potentials for future use if we needed it. WAS. Not anymore. How blessed we are to have the freedom to choose from so very many options!

[@megansalonga6617]

What about Heart of Dakota?

[@vickiemckinney1004]

Would you consider Sonlight to be open and go? I used that many years ago with my now adult child. She loved it. It took us about a year and a half to do a core. The guide tells the student exactly what to read each day. I believe you can do Essentials without being in Foundations but a parent still needs to be with the student. We aren't in CC any longer because the high school program didn't work for us. We all need to pray for one another for wisdom as we make choices.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yes, you can be in Essentials without foundations as long as the community will allow you. What I mean by that is, they’ll give priority to families who are also in foundations if there’s a chance the community might be full. Honestly, my daughter would love to do foundations too!! It’s a definite consideration! She misses CC and she was only 6 when we left. I did briefly look at Sonlight too. I think the cost scared me away. It’s a hefty cost if we would end up ditching it. And I’ve never FULLY understood how Sonlight works. The guide looks overwhelming to me. I’m sure if somebody sat me down and explained it to me, I’d feel less overwhelmed by it. (I tend to be more overwhelmed by the UNKNOWN…. Once I understand things….it goes away)

[@vickiemckinney1004]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I understand that. Maybe at convention you can look at a Sonlight core example. I could never do Tapestry of Grace because then I would have to decide what books I wanted to use and that overwhelmed me. I like the looks of Guest Hollow curriculum but again would be overwhelmed with deciding which books to not do. My youngest is in high school and her learning style works best with a curriculum that lays out clearly what she needs to do. Notgrass works for her because once you have your book there is a website listed that gives you the daily plan.

[@therusticroad]

Sonlight might be a good choice. Lots of books to let her go on, and discussion questions in the guide, as well as writing assignments each week. You can apply your IEW writing skills to the writing assignments from Sonlight. Low pressure! Love Sonlight! ❤

[@LittleOwlHomeschool]

I’m going to sound insane but we use IEW with CC, our base is AGF/AO, and we use the McGuffey readers. My daughter is 10 and still needs help but this has been working for us. You’ll figure it out mama. 😊

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

That sounds like A LOT but I know families who are able to do all of that!! If you can, and your kids can, why not?!?! 😂 So how do you use the McGuffeys? Do you just read? Or do you also do copywork and spelling from it?

[@LittleOwlHomeschool]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I have her read the lesson to me three times a week. She uses the challenge words at the beginning of the lesson for spelling during the week. We do use the Mom Delights books. She does the book work on her own. I’ll pick something for copywork but it’s a small amount since she has copywork in the LA packet with AGF. I have the Land of Kakiak bookmarks with grammar and comprehension questions that I use along with each lesson as well. It just gives her a little more grammar practice. McGuffey readers truly don’t take us that long. The IEW writing component with CC takes the most time for us.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@LittleOwlHomeschool I’m so glad to see this is working for somebody this way because essentials, with IEW and McGuffey is what I was wondering might work….. now you’ve got me thinking!! 🤔 thank you for sharing all this!! 💕

[@jessicageorge9695]

McGuffey has a parent guide by Ruth Beechick (I think). We have it

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I did not know this! Will have to look into it!

[@koributtorff]

Check out Land of Kakiak for more info about McGuffy readers. That's what she focuses on mainly and breaks it down.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thanks!

[@mammacass5311]

I don’t have any suggestions I’m sorry I do have a couple questions if you don’t mind 1. My daughter is a rising 14 year old 9th grader she did iew s&s for the first time last year and loved it she wants to do the. Arnica study next year but I don’t feel capable to be a language teacher could she do it on her own?

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You mean she wants to do a themed writing book? At 14 years old, I definitely think if she’s been through the program once, then she’s familiar with so much of what will be repeated. She could probably MOSTLY guide herself through it as long as you’re still willing to oversee everything and check it. It will have a teachers guide to help you! But I wouldn’t leave her completely on her own. Maybe it will end up that way….but since I don’t know your daughter, it’s hard for me to say for sure.

[@mammacass5311]

Thank you that’s helpful

[@bethgagliano6473]

Would you consider Abeka English an option?

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’m not necessarily looking for a different curriculum. I’m looking for a simpler schedule, really. If I were going to use e traditional homeschool curriculum, I’d probably choose BJU over Abeka. But I don’t think either of those is the route for me.

[@elizabethjohnson4748]

Hearth and Story? We are trying that next

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Never heard of this one. It’s quite amazing just how many language arts curriculums there are!

[@katrinakim4145]

Have you considered Lightning Literature?

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I looked at it and crossed it off my list. 😉

[@GinaRLacy]

My girlfriend that has an 11 year old avid reader LOVES Lighting Literature. I’m only at the beginning of your video, but check it out if you aren’t already.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I think I did look at that too. But I can’t remember anything about it so I must’ve ruled it out! 😂😂😂 I also looked at English Lessons through Literature. Similar to Language Arts Through literature but different books. And secular. I actually liked it. Just figured it was so similar to LLATL and that one is Christian. My daughter is actually scouring my own book collections too (I’m seriously loving it bc I ONLY keep the good books in our house! If they are on a book list from Homey From a Child’s heart - I snatch them up at garage sales or thrift stores!!!! 😉 This is why her TBR list is long!! I love it!)

[@KrystleSidorenkov]

What about Memoria Press Literature Curricula?

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I don’t want those long literature guides for sure. A little is nice, but some of those literature guides are overkill. I tried progeny ores one with my son, and I couldn’t believe how much detail they dive into for each chapter. So if you only do that once a week, that’s also a long time to get through a book. But if you do it more than once a week, it’s just a lot!

[@maggiewinn1384]

For your older kids you may like Excellence in Literature.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I looked at that too! 😉 I’m tellin’ ya! I’ve looked at EVERYTHING! 😂

[@rachaelpierson3470]

Fellow McGuffey user here 🙋‍♀️. You really can’t go wrong with them. It’s so freeing with really beautiful literature that is Christian based! It sounds like you need it easy and structured. We usually do a lesson a week. Day 1- read the passage, discuss, oral/written narration, Day 2- student reviews words for the week, writes them down and researches any new/unknown words in dictionary, Day 3- student does copywork (independently), optional Day 4- dictation of passage. Substitute with fix it grammar (which is independent). So realistically you’re only needing to “sit” with child day 1 during narration and discussion. The rest she can do independently. And then let her continue to read the books she wants. Throw in a few book reports/projects throughout the year. Boom! Simplicity :) open and go, take anywhere, don’t need a screen or internet.

[@rachaelpierson3470]

I make a check off list for my daughter to do each week so she knows what to do. She’s only in 3rd grade but it’s very independent and do-able for her.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I ❤️❤️❤️ your suggestions!!!! So which McGuffeys do you have?? Seems like the 1900’s ones are great bc they have newer stories. But I thought I’ve read that the more updates that came, the less the Christian influence. But what does that REALLY mean?

[@rachaelpierson3470]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan we actually have both sets :) the original (brown cover) is more evangelical, more stories surrounding God. The revised (the blue cover) is still Christian with great morals, I believe there’s just less stories involving God and prayer but still stories with high moral values. You really can’t go wrong with either. The original has basic comprehension questions at the end of each passage that you can use (or not). The biggest suggestion is using one right at your readers level. I imagine if she’s reading books like Little Women she’s a bit more of an advanced reader. I have only used up to the second reader in the original but have heard the higher levels can become a bit dark (I believe mom delights did a video where she said this) and that’s why she jumps to the revised. I also use @landofkakiaks bookmarks for discussion and grammar points during that day 1 sitting. Or if she’s using fix it grammar, find the lesson that week and use it for the grammar.

[@rachaelpierson3470]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I will also add that this process is so simple it feels like you “should” be doing more. Trust the process and give it time, even just for the year. Nothing is lost in a year. But what is gained is simplicity and time together with discussion ♥️ that perfect curriculum doesn’t exist, so making things easy with the basics and spicing it up when you have the time/energy.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@rachaelpierson3470 thank you so much!! Yes…I remember Mom delights talking about the older versions getting a bit heavy in the higher levels. So the newer version does NOT have comprehension questions at the end of each story?

[@TheMom2girls2]

I'm not a fan at all of EIW. I've used Levels 4 & 5. The writing has very little "how" to it. Maybe since your child has already learned from IEW, maybe y'all would be ok with it, but i didn't like the lack of instruction, although they do get to be creative if that's what you're looking for. I had to use it the last 2 years with our homeschool hybrid school, but we're not continuing with it next year. I'll be switching to IEW for my 10&11 year olds, but they haven't had any IEW before. I also didn't like the grammar portion of EIW. It's basically one lesson on a concept, then it's never reviewed. Not spiral at all. My kid can't remember all the things from one lesson each. I started supplementing it with Easy Grammar, and on the days we don't have time to do a new lesson, they do Daily Grams, which is a spiral review of Easy Grammar, which is mastery. So far, it's my favorite grammar. And I've also used BJU, CC Essentials, and Fix-it Grammar with my older kids. I feel like Fix-it is good for review, but not as simple as Easy Grammar for learning it initially. We're pulling out of the hybrid with textbooks/worksheets bc wonder is definitely lost that way. Next year, I'll be using Five in a Row vol 5 (volumes 5-8 incorporate chapter books!). I think this will help increase their interest and wonder in science, geography, applied math, fine arts, etc through the literature. I'm hoping it helps strengthen the relational part of our homeschool, too, to be doing it together. Then one will be doing Saxon math 6/5 with mymathassistant videos and online grading, while the other one will be trying TGATB Math 4 with videos. I'm all for independence in high school, too! My rising senior will be almost all dual enrollment next year. She has also participated in a co-op where other teachers do the grading the last two years and uses Shormann for math with the online lectures and grading. Very nice to just assist her but not have to teach and grade those classes. Also CC may totally be for one child and not the other. My oldest LOVED it (she was my voracious reader and also loves the classic literature) and stayed through Ch IV, while my other kids aren't in it anymore.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I looked at 5 in a Row too!! If I had known about that when my kids were younger, that’s definitely one I would’ve considered!!! Totally agree on CC not being for everyone. I thought we’d do it til the end. But 2020 happened and my son is NOT a voracious reader! If you don’t like reading, not sure CC is the place for you. 😂

[@jenniferharley8987]

We use Masterbooks Language Lessons for a Living Education. Modern CM inspired. All in one. Each lesson allows time for independent reading.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’ve used Masterbooks before and you’re right! Theres plenty of time for extra reading.

[@gabrieladelopez941]

Hi! My daughters are Louisa May Alcott fans too! They are 8 and 10! We are spanish native and unfortunately there aren't that amount of Literature based curriculums in Spanish. I would absolutely LOVE for my 5th grader Veritas Press Literature. Have you checked? She is now learning english. I hope some day we will ne able to use it. :)

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’ve never looked at Veritas Press. I did look at English lessons through literature. Did I read somewhere that something like that was created for English as a second language??? I can’t remember. But I know i ran across something like that somewhere!

[@gabrieladelopez941]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I hope you remember where!! 😅

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@gabrieladelopez941 have you searched rainbow resources for something like that?

[@gabrieladelopez941]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I don't know if I'm doing the research the wrong way, but I just have found Spanish as a second language. The only Spanish language art I have found are: Rod & Staff (as Vara y Cayado), ACE PACE (Español), and other 2 homeschool curriculums, none of them are Literature based. There are a lot more used in schools, but we are not traditional /worksheet lovers 😅.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@gabrieladelopez941 if something comes to mind, I’ll be sure to share it with you. Maybe I was imagining what I saw. 😔

[@thelearninghill]

DO NOT use learning language arts through literature with your daughter who loves literature! I used it our first or second year homeschooling. It is WAY too light. I felt like I had to supplement so much. I feel like the idea is great. It would probably be good for a child with learning challenges or who really struggles.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

What about combining it with something from IEW? Whats it light on? Grammar or writing?

[@thelearninghill]

@OurHOMEschoolPlan It's light on everything, lol. It's enjoyable. I supplemented Grammar, writing, and spelling. But then I was like, what is the point? BUT if you are ok doing that and knowing it is not actually a all in one, it's is enjoyable in and of itself. And because of that, it's easy for the students to do on their own.

[@annaramponi4505]

LLATL is open and go , very doable and leaves room for other reading. I’ve used this with both my children (now both in HS). I really think you’d like it. We do not use the writing component of the program. We use IEW and EIW. Another idea is TGTB Level 7 for 9th grade or LLATL + TGTB Level 8 books studies (or other book studies like Memoria Press)

[@lifeandthecity9535]

Learning Language Arts Through Literature is okay. The book studies in it are almost irrelevant to the rest of the lessons and consist of about 8 questions about the whole novel and about 5 vocabulary words and that's literally it in terms of the novel studies. I've seen some of your videos and you seems serious about writing and grammar and I can say that this will disappoint if that's your goal. LLATL is slow, and simple.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’re not the first person to say this…..😕 hmmmm…. I definitely feel a tension between the gentle approach and the classical approach to writing and grammar. Maybe it’s because I’m not confident in the gentle approach? I need to know somebody who’s done it that way. And most of the homeschoolers I know are either classical or traditional. But I can definitely say, young adults with poor grammar is such a tragedy.” 😂 it drives me a little bonkers to see the poor grammar displayed on social media. And I’m not talking about autocorrect mistakes. I’m talking about when they say things like, “check out Mike and I’s new project!” 😳 I see this so often.

[@bestlandhomeschool]

SAME GIRL, SAME. All the things. But please, please, I beg you, do not give that child any literature guides 🙏🏼. Let her enjoy the book for what they are. I’m an English major with emphasis in technical writing. I have a mom’s classic book club and we meet once a month. We have done this for years and love it. I have learn more about literature just by simply reading and talking about the book with my friends informally than in all the literature and English comp classes I took in college. Don’t ruin a good book for her at this age. Maybe sometime in high school she can learn about setting, plot arc, characters, what have you. But right now is not necessary. For college, all she needs is how to lay out a 5 paragraph essay. There is a whole lot more persuasive and expository writing than there is creative writing. That might guide your decision on what writing program. And I don’t want to throw a monkey wrench in your thought process but have you looked at Writing With Skill from The Well Trained Mind? It’s zero prep and does teach what is needed for college writing 😉

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you for your insight!!! I’ve come to the same conclusions about literature guides! 😉 Good to know about college writing. My high school son will be relieved to hear not much. Creative writing! 😂 I may have looked at writing with skill at some point!

[@vickilaudig8182]

look at lit guide at memoria press