Are you thinking about next year's curriculum yet? I know I am, even though I am resolved not to order anything until August. The thing is, if I know what we won't be using, I can try to sell it off in June or July!
This will be our third year of using most of MODG and I am mostly comfortable with the subjects we have swapped for other options. Here are the subjects we have kept as is: religion, poetry, history (enhanced with History Pockets and Colonial Craft books), Latin, Latin songs, science,the literature list for each grade level, and Sound Beginnings for 2nd grade (though I might try this in 1st for the next child). We greatly enhance their basic plans for geography, art and music.
The subjects we swap for something else: spelling (Phonetic Zoo), handwriting (Memoria Press), grammar (CHC) and math (Math U See). We also added IEW Writing. I throw in books like the Christian Liberty Nature Readers, Mind Benders, and Sodoku to do during piano lessons. They are also doing Typing and Rosetta Stone French once a week.
While I am comfortable with most of these substitutions, it's the math and science options that are still keeping me up at night. I just can't decide what would be best.
Science: The kids tell me they are fine with the suggested ABeka. They like the variety of topics and color photos. I love that they can read the books independently and find the material interesting. They often pause in their reading with, "Did you know . . . ?" The quizzes and tests do not seem to bother them and I think that paying attention to terminology helps them be accountable for what they read. We usually skip the experiments if they can tell the outcome just by reading the description or if we don't have the right supplies.
So why do I have the itch to switch? I think because they adore doing science experiments and I feel guilty for not doing more of them. Another factor is that I see programs that look more thorough and/or more fun like Elemental Science, Apologia or The Young Scientists Club.
So what do you think? Should we switch to one of those? If we do, which one would be best for 3rd, 4th and 6th? Should they all do the same one? If not, which year-long topic is most appropriate for their grade level? Should I have them start at the beginning with biology? My mind is swimming with possibilities. I would like to take science off the back burner next year and do a little more with it.
Math: I think Math U See should be renamed "Math Without Tears". No tears this year (unlike Saxon 5/4)! But, we are still reviewing with the eldest (multiplication and division, planning to keep reviewing through fractions and decimals) and my 2nd grader is bored. Of course, he is the one who surprised all of us by scoring in the 5th grade level on the Peabody test in math, so this guy may need more of a challenge than his sisters. He liked my suggestion of going back to the ABeka book for the rest of this year. My 3rd grader is doing just fine with the methodical way Math U See approaches the times tables.
The itch to switch: I have a hunch they would love Teaching Textbooks. But does this program teach "enough"? Would I be out of touch with what they are learning? Would they be getting too much screen time? I also miss the hands-on aspect of Singapore, the metric measurements and the suggested games. I miss the challenge of Saxon and the inclusion of square roots, volume and elapsed time. But it's not about me - do the kids miss that? Probably not. Should my eldest repeat Saxon 5/4 and do it with her sister next year? Should they all switch to Teaching Textbooks? Or should we aim for some consistency and keep plugging away with Math U See through the Algebra level? I am torn between giving them a challenge with Saxon (even if they are not A+ math students), keeping math manageable with a slow but steady no-tears mastery program, and keeping them liking math. Would Teaching Textbooks accomplish all three?
I'll be up for the next hour chatting my husband's ear off about this as he tries to fall asleep in spite of me. If you have 2 cents to share, please do! I would really love to hear what works for you.