Susan Wise Bauer Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Folks, With John's help, we're restarting our YouTube "Ask SWB" series. So...what's your question? (Preferably something I can answer...) Post here! SWB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenL Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 I would love to know your thoughts on 2e kids. My son was recently identified as gifted with ADHD. His GAI is very high, but his working memory and processing IQ's are statistically lower. I'm trying to figure out how to do things classically with a child who would be better served typing everything and who has such a lower level of output vs. his ability to intake. Writing is a particular area of weakness as is his ability to recall things he's memorized. He is frustrated most of the time because he can't get what he knows out to prove he knows it. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 My child is just like Sidput's child. I would love some suggestions to her questions also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 I would love to know your thoughts on 2e kids. My son was recently identified as gifted with ADHD. His GAI is very high, but he his working memory and processing IQ's are statistically lower. I'm trying to figure out how to do things classically with a child who would be better served typing everything and who has such a lower level of output vs. his ability to intake. Writing is a particular area of weakness as is his ability to recall things he's memorized. He is frustrated most of the time because he can't get what he knows out to prove he knows it. Thank you! I have the same general question. In fact, I started a post recently wondering what you would do in my shoes. (I need to get back to that post, but have been overwhelmed with OT and doctor's visits lately.) I have a child that works on two levels: Advanced and... Well, the mechanics of writing overwhelms him. He was just diagnosed with a mild brain injury from his premature birth, along with a neurological disorder that prevents him from using half of his hand in a normal manner. He reads at a very high level, pulls information together quickly, fantastic memory, is a true joy to homeschool, loves Latin and Greek - yet can't write even simple words, more than likely due to this brain issue. (He can edit and find all his errors, but something is getting mixed up from brain to hand when he writes.) Most of the specialists have said, "Oh, great! You homeschool. Just put 100% of his school work on the computer and forget about penmanship." I finally have a few specialists taking - I think - a more practical approach: Put maybe 90% of his school work on the computer, but still keep working to get to a more functional level of penmanship. But how does this look in a classical education? I can't wrap my brain around what I need to do to get him ready for college. (He wants to go into engineering or chemistry.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 1. I always like to hear your thoughts about the questions you get like: Is this good enough, Am I doing enough, am I doing it right etc? 2. How to find a balance in the high school years between the goals of a solid classical education and OMG AP!!! SAT!!! MORE AP!!! I do have your wonderful lecture about preparing for high school (I have all your lecures, in fact) but this is a specifc issue that many of us really struggle with. My kids thrive when I use the methods put forward in TWTM, but I feel so much pressure to conform as high school looms. I feel like I have to choose between the two approaches, and I don't like it one bit. Are we really giving up our shot at a top tier school if we don't make the next 4 years all about testing? And FTR, my kids have that shot, so this isn't a concern I can easily dismiss. 3. Logic stage history and science always seems amorphus to lots of us when we start. It is so hard to give up the routine and comfort of SOTW. For 4 years we opened the book, read, did narrations and did the activities. When we have to move on, it feels like free fall. You might even want to read some of the logic stage history and science threads to see how the same questions come up. There have been some changes in TWTM between the editions and I think the last edition really made it much more clear. I also love how you made the focus on the method, not the materials. I think lots of us could use some guidance. 4. I loved your lecture about preparing for high school. I made some immediate changes in our schooling. For example, I enrolled my son in an online math class as a 7th grader. I would have loved a similar advice about moving from elementary to logic stage. 5. How much trouble would one be in if one neglected to make a timeline. Asking for a friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne J Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 I love redsquirrel's question #3. (Can you guess which stage I am about to enter with my oldest?). In addition, some suggestions for how to manage history and science when one has children in different stages would be helpful. Next year I will be teaching fifth grade, second grade and Kindergarten, and for the sake of my sanity I would like to keep all of the children in the same time period and science area. In a few more years, I will have a 9th grader, 6th grader and 4th grader, spanning all of the stages at once. Some thoughts about integrating multiple ages/stages would be nice. The hardest thing for me in trying to implement the ideas expressed in WTM is giving each child the fullest benefit of my time, and not neglecting the difficult skills with the eldest, nor dragging the youngest along too quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 I would love something along the lines of "How To Read A Book". I understand that you've done this in lectures at conferences, but it's never been published as a lecture for purchase. I really would love to hear how you go about reading a book, when you do the timeline, and honestly, how on earth you "just" read the book the first time without trying to do anything else. I can't do it. I go off on rabbit trails, look up things, try to fit events into a timeline, etc. Thanks! I look forward to anything you decide to answer!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenL Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 3. Logic stage history and science always seems amorphus to lots of us when we start. It is so hard to give up the routine and comfort of SOTW. For 4 years we opened the book, read, did narrations and did the activities. When we have to move on, it feels like free fall. You might even want to read some of the logic stage history and science threads to see how the same questions come up. There have been some changes in TWTM between the editions and I think the last edition really made it much more clear. I also love how you made the focus on the method, not the materials. I think lots of us could use some guidance. :iagree: We are about to enter this stage as well, and this is a fantastic question! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Hi Susan, I heard your excellent lecture in Richmond in 2010 about getting your homeschooler into college. You indicated that eventually you'd put the topic on audio and I've been watching for it. Getting a homeschooler into college is a very hot topic. I was just at an art class w/ moms sitting around waiting for their kids to finish and it's all we were talking about. And we all have younger kids, but many of us would like to be ahead of the curve (for a change). Thanks, Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhomemaker Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 What do you do when a skill starts to ruin love of a content subject? For example, dd is writing phobic. She can write decently (we have done WWE), but she dreads it. So in history I assigned her a biography of Ben Franklin. She was very excited, asking me questions about his life and accomplishments, etc. Then she stopped and said, "Oh no! He lived for a long time, and I'm going to have to write about all of it." Her face fell, and it made me so sad. So how can I teach skills that dc may not like through content that they do like and not have that dislike transfer to the content subject? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 How to get a child to believe that they really can read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest beatnik Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 I have a 6 yr old who is doing 5/6th grade science...I desperately need a good science curriculum... Her math & reading levels are 3/2rd grade respectively. She is a visio-spacial learner. Any ideas to keep her challenged & excited? Bill Nye, Schlessinger, & Real Science 4 Kids has worked until now, but we are repeating & she is getting bored. Is she too young to move into Middle School text books? What do you recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 I would love to hear if/how your Logic Stage writing recommendations have changed since you have written WWS. (LOVE WWS!!!). How much writing across the curriculum is reasonable if a student is doing WWS 4x per week? Is WWS enough writing, or should students also be writing in history, science, literature, etc.? If so, how often & how much? And is your recommendation different for a 5th grader using WWS vs. an older student? It seems to me that WWS is more intense than what you've suggested in the audio lectures for writing during the 5th grade year. It's great, but it feels like enough. I'm wondering if you agree with this feeling or not. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 Folks, With John's help, we're restarting our YouTube "Ask SWB" series. So...what's your question? (Preferably something I can answer...) Post here! SWB I have a question for you, but it isn't curriculum-related. Not quite sure how you might answer. It's about the passing of time... A while back, I was reading your blog post about your family's vacation and you mentioned having all four children together again. In another post, Emily was proudly displaying her blue ribbons. :) It seems like yesterday when you were posting about your boys at (I'm approximating here) 8, 5, 3 -- something like that. And Emily wasn't even born then. You've been sharing your journey with us for a long time. My nearly 6 year old twins were getting nostalgic today about last year. "Remember when we were little?" said Bang. "Yeah, remember when we learned about Russia and South Korea in Pre-K? I miss Around-the-World, don't you?," said Boom. "Yeah, especially all those interesting Rick Steves' videos when we finally got to Europe," replied Bang. They were so wistful, it was heart-wrenching (and funny). All this on the way home from Sam's Club! I'm sure every parent experiences these growing pangs, but as homeschooling parents we are directing and guiding our child's education and environment to such an extent -- beyond the norm. As you and Peter are nearing the final stretches, what is it like for you to see two launched (into college) and two well on their way? Do you sometimes think back to the early days of beginning reading lessons, or do you mostly "think forward?" Do you like the childhood you made for your children? Do they? What are you doing (or would like to do) differently with the youngest that you can't go back and redo with the oldest? Do you miss teaching certain things when you realize you are done with them? Or do you rejoice to be finished forever with, say, 3rd grade grammar? :) What goes through your head when you put Emily's curriculum away when she's finished with it? I wonder. I will be there someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74Heaven Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 My question is about teaching boys as they begin puberty. My bright 13yo son can't concentrate and is resistant to instruction - all of the sudden. Do you have thoughts/advice on those growth/hormone periods where - seemingly instantly - a child's learning style, aptitude or interest changes? Lisa j - thanks for all the great resources and thoughts over the years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 I would love to hear if/how your Logic Stage writing recommendations have changed since you have written WWS. It seems to me that WWS is more intense than what you've suggested in the audio lectures for writing during the 5th grade year. It's great, but it feels like enough. I'm wondering if you agree with this feeling or not. Thank you! I'm wondering this too. I have been using the lectures as my guidelines, and things are going well. Am I missing some *important* content by not doing WWS? If so, what do I need to add in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 I would love to hear if/how your Logic Stage writing recommendations have changed since you have written WWS. (LOVE WWS!!!). How much writing across the curriculum is reasonable if a student is doing WWS 4x per week? Is WWS enough writing, or should students also be writing in history, science, literature, etc.? If so, how often & how much? I would also appreciate your insight on this. We followed TWTM history method (encyclopedia, map, read, write, outline) in 5th and 6th grade. We started with WWS1 in 6th grade. As 6th grade went on, I found myself frequently cutting back on history writing in favor of WWS1. My kid didn't have the focus or stamina to accomplish both in the day. Our history became more read/discuss as 6th grade went on. Now, in 7th grade he is using WWS2, and I didn't even bother to try assigning any other writing. I have a hardworking kid who tends to the academic so I don't think it is a failing of his that he can't manage much more writing than WWS2 in the week. Our history is all read and discuss, which he likes a great deal. But, and it always comes back to this...is that 'enough'? Should I be pushing things a bit? Will it get him ready for high school level writing? I am feeling like it is a sufficient amount of composition, and our history discussions are productive. I have resorted to buying the instructor's guides for our history books (History of US, Critical thinking in US History series, and Human Odyssey for year 3) to help guide our discussions. And a question for the high school years: Do you have any listing/timeline that matches up The History of the World Books (the ones published so far) along with a Great Books list. I know you have book lists in TWTM, but I am wondering how that matches up with History of The World books. Or, did I just ask you to do my scut work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toawh Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 I know the whole idea of SOTW is for it to be a school curriculum read-aloud thingy, but is there anyway it might one day be turned into a book with colored pictures. My boys LOVE it and they go back to read it over and over. I think it'd really sell well as a "Story" book. I'm thinking of a Treasury of something like the Usborne Illustrated Stories for Bedtime style. Just a thought. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the text. I no longer home school full time and know other moms who don't home school are in the market for educational, fun reading material for their kids. If something like this ever materialized I'd buy it in a flash. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 What should we be doing or not doing before kindergarten? What are your feelings on the "better early than late"/"better late than early" debate? Forum posters discussed some of the opposing viewpoints within the community in this thread, but would love to hear what you think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 I'm wondering if you have any thoughts, now that your own children are older, on what you might have done differently if you had a "do over." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoppeltGemoppelt Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 What are your most up-to-date recommendations for spelling, writing and grammar curriculums if I am just starting out with homeschooling in first grade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 What are your most up-to-date recommendations for spelling, writing and grammar curriculums if I am just starting out with homeschooling in first grade? Or, as a follow up, have there been any new curricula/materials you've seen in the past few years, since the last edition of WTM, that you are particularly impressed with and would recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekmom Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 I would like to know if you would change anything about the way you hsed now that two of your kids have graduated. Also, what are your oldest kids' thoughts about how well prepared they were for college? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeghanL Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 What is your time management strategy? I seriously look at my to do list and it has stuff on it like "clean house, feed kids, etc" completely run-of-the-mill. Yet, at 10 pm I still haven't been able to fit in a 30 min run. Then I think of you with your farm and aging parents and kids and a job and travel and while I want to feel like an absolute failure, I figure I'll ask you how you do it instead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Love watching the videos you make! Do you think maybe your mom might make one for us? Maybe something about those blessed enough to help homeschool their grandchildren? I'm very sad to say I think I'm done homeschooling, but I have hope one day my dd will let me help her. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Appropriate scaffolding as it relates to classical education (when the student needs more than what is suggested in WTM), and how to dismantle the scaffold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerico Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 The important things about getting started! SWB, I just found these on youtube and I just wanted to say that you look so young! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicMom Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Susan, Can you point out any differences between the educational philosophies you affirm in TWTM and those of Laura Berquist, author of Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum - besides the obvious fact that Berquist advocates educating children classically within a Roman Catholic framework? I plan to read both soon, and wondered if you'd care to offer a comparison. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 There's so much wonderful material and activities available now, including those that are academic, extra-curricular and many that are kind of in-between (OM, Science Olympiad, etc.). Our biggest problem isn't choosing what to do, it is choosing what not to do. Any suggestions on this, and depth vs. breadth, especially at different ages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athena1277 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I have a question about dictation. My dd is currently in 4th grade and doing WWE4 (we have done all previous levels). In the book it says to only read the sentence(s) 3 times and then the child should be able to recite it an write it. However, in the video where you do one of the dictation exercises with your son, you go say it more than 3 times, even going back and breaking it into parts. Which is the best way to do it? My dd cannot remember such long passages after only hearing it 3 times. I have started breaking it down like you did, but I feel like I am going over it way too much. Does it matter how many times it takes them to remember it before writing it down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prissygirls Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Are you going to be doing FLL for the older grades? I just love FLL but not sure what to do for 5th grade grammar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ForteMommy Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I started my 5 and a half year old in Ordinary Parent's Guide a little over a year ago and we are now in Section 8. Is this "good enough" progression? Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcjlkplus3 Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 When will Writing With Skill 2 be coming out? We're finally (after a year and a half) getting to the end of WWS 1 (on week 33) Can't wait for the new one and need to budget for ordering it - I didn't see it on the Peace Hill Press website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 When will Writing With Skill 2 be coming out? We're finally (after a year and a half) getting to the end of WWS 1 (on week 33) Can't wait for the new one and need to budget for ordering it - I didn't see it on the Peace Hill Press website. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Writer-Writing-Student-Workbook/dp/1933339616/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358467673&sr=1-2&keywords=writing+with+skill+level+2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Over the years, we've used R&S for grammar. My oldest is reviewing now with the 9/10 books, but there is still new grammar material introduced in them, as well as solidification of concepts introduced in the Level 8 book. I have seen many people say that they don't bother to go past Level 7 or 8, claiming that that is enough grammar learning. Now, I understand that your proposed ALL program will condense grammar learning (beyond FLL 4) into four more years, unlike the potential six more years of R&S; and I understand why. But I don't know what concepts you plan to incorporate in ALL. But since ALL isn't written yet, what do you think about not completing R&S 9/10 books? I mean, I just think some of the grammar concepts introduced in them (or introduced in the Level 8 book) are so COOL!!!! I don't have a full grasp yet on concepts such as moods in verbs and specifically subjunctive mood, nominative absolutes, retained complements, and loose/periodic/balanced sentences. But, when I read about *what these concepts are used for, and how,* well, I just love it!!!! I see how these can be used to make writing more interesting. And I think, "Wouldn't knowing these also complement a study in rhetoric?" So, do you think it's valuable or even necessary to learn these concepts from R&S 9/10 books? If so, why? And would you include these concepts in ALL (or incorporate them into WWStyle? or would they be part of WWSkill copia exercises?)? (please don't judge the grammar/mechanics of my post after all that - I plead that I am still practicing concepts from the previous R&S levels, lol!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julikins Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I've been asking this question on there a lot lately, and I haven't been able to get an answer. So I thought I'd try "going to the top". :) I live overseas and would like to buy a copy of the The Well-Trained Mind 3rd edition for Kindle. It's no longer available on Amazon and I have looked on Peace Hill Press and there is no option for downloadable PDF version like there is for The Story of the World. Could you put a good word in to those who decide these things at Peace Hill? I'd buy it! For sure! I can't afford to have it shipped--it's a huge book and would double the cost of the book. I guess I'm begging, but I'd love to read this book! I've read the original one way back when, but would now like to buy the newest version. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 I've been asking this question on there a lot lately, and I haven't been able to get an answer. So I thought I'd try "going to the top". :) I live overseas and would like to buy a copy of the The Well-Trained Mind 3rd edition for Kindle. It's no longer available on Amazon and I have looked on Peace Hill Press and there is no option for downloadable PDF version like there is for The Story of the World. Could you put a good word in to those who decide these things at Peace Hill? I'd buy it! For sure! I can't afford to have it shipped--it's a huge book and would double the cost of the book. I guess I'm begging, but I'd love to read this book! I've read the original one way back when, but would now like to buy the newest version. Thanks! One thing to keep in mind, Peace Hill Press doesn't publish Well Trained Mind. It is published by Norton Press. That means that PHP has nothing to do with any printing, publication or distribution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 I would love something about how to regroup when things fall apart. An unplanned move, an illness, a death in the family. Maybe you just take a look at your plans from August and realize you aren't on track to finish well. I'm not talking about having to trim here and there or go a few weeks into summer. I'm talking about big problems. How do you assess where you are, figure out where you need to be and make a plan to get there. I think this would apply to a lot of families who have just pulled out of school too. And it probablyatters most for mid elementary (struggles with reading and math especially) and high school families. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athena1277 Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I thought of something else I would love to hear covered by SWB. Narration, especially in WWE 3-4. How do you decide what is an acceptable answer? If the child does not mention all the main things in the example narrations, but mentioned some, do you let it go? Do you discuss it with your dc and help them to not give too many details in a summary? Do you tell or discuss ways that their sentence(s) could be better in order to make them more understandable or have better flow? I can give lots of examples if I'm not being clear enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMJ Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Yes, I think we can come up with some questions. I did not find out about you in time to hear you speak at the local homeschool convention last year, and am disappointed (though I do understand) you won't be presenting again this year. "Ask SWB" videos on YouTube sounds like a good substitute, and we can view them on our own schedules. Thanks for doing this! My biggest concern: How to start in the middle, with 2 kids? My kids (2 DDs) are currently in a non-classical private school, but I am going to start homeschooling them after this school year ends. DD11 is currently in 5th grade. She is ADD-primarily inattentive and has dysgraphia and slow processing speed. She's scary-brilliant, though this doesn't show through school work due to her difficulties. Since her learning/work speed does not mesh well with a classroom we decided to start homeschooling sooner (at the end of 5th grade) instead of later (at the end of 6th grade, when we'd have to change schools anyway). DD8, currently in 3rd grade, does not share her sister's problems, but is also starting to have trouble maintaining focus when she would rather do something else. Both are highly intelligent and hate doing work for which they see no point. So, do you have any advice on "starting in the middle" (switching to classical from non-classical), and do you have advice on teaching different age siblings the same stuff? I plan on separating them for math and will work with them individually on reading, spelling/vocabulary/word study, writing, and grammar (skill-dependent topics they've already started in school) until and unless I determine that they are close enough in ability to have them do similar work. However, for content-classes and new topics (history, science, music, art, Latin, logic/critical thinking, typing, etc.) I plan to teach them together. DD8 is precocious enough I think she can handle it, and I can slow her down if need be. But since DD11 is starting "late" in the logic-phase years I'm wondering how to handle certain subjects. I figure I'll have them both study Latin for a couple of years, after which we can study other foreign languages if they like (they currently have Spanish once a week at their school, though I think that's too infrequent for developing fluency). But how should I progress with critical thinking, logic, and eventually rhetoric? Should I cram logic in a shorter period to give rhetoric the full 4 years, or should I worry less about giving rhetoric enough time for the sake of giving her a firm grounding first in critical thinking and logic? My plan for history is to blitz through Ancients this summer with both girls so we can start Medieval this fall. I have a degree in archaeology, so I'm not worried about them getting short-changed in the early stuff. With Science, however, I plan on starting the fall with biology (to help segue into certain facts of life discussions with both of them), and follow the usual rotation. I'm not worried about them getting short-changed on any science topic, either -- their daddy is an engineer and will see they get a thorough introduction to all hard sciences. Math and language arts I'll work with them from their current levels. Other topics I'll treat as "new", even if the school covered them (like typing, music, art, library, and even Spanish eventually if either girl wishes to continue it), since I want to cover things thoroughly over time instead of in bits and pieces as has been the case to date. You thoughts on how to start a classical education in the "middle"? I'll have more questions, too, but I'll list them in separate responses to keep the focus on one at a time. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Another topic would be how to study for and succeed with AP history exams without abandoning the more chronological approach to history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy2BeautifulGirls Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 I'm always confused about the actual time spent on a subject. Sometimes we can get through a grammar lesson in 5 minutes or a math lesson in 15. I know the guidelines are more than that, so I never know if I should just set a timer and let them keep working longer or just do the one lesson. (And maybe the solution depends on the age or the learning style of the child?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Elizabett Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 What should I expect in Classical Kindergarten. What is the process and recommendations for reading. We have the 5 year old in a classical school for K - lots of good memory poems etc but reading seems very delayed in its strategies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annabel Lee Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I'm interested in anwers to all of the following. 1. I always like to hear your thoughts about the questions you get like: Is this good enough, Am I doing enough, am I doing it right etc? 2. How to find a balance in the high school years between the goals of a solid classical education and OMG AP!!! SAT!!! MORE AP!!! I do have your wonderful lecture about preparing for high school (I have all your lecures, in fact) but this is a specifc issue that many of us really struggle with. My kids thrive when I use the methods put forward in TWTM, but I feel so much pressure to conform as high school looms. I feel like I have to choose between the two approaches, and I don't like it one bit. Are we really giving up our shot at a top tier school if we don't make the next 4 years all about testing? And FTR, my kids have that shot, so this isn't a concern I can easily dismiss. 3. Logic stage history and science always seems amorphus to lots of us when we start. It is so hard to give up the routine and comfort of SOTW. For 4 years we opened the book, read, did narrations and did the activities. When we have to move on, it feels like free fall. You might even want to read some of the logic stage history and science threads to see how the same questions come up. There have been some changes in TWTM between the editions and I think the last edition really made it much more clear. I also love how you made the focus on the method, not the materials. I think lots of us could use some guidance. 4. I loved your lecture about preparing for high school. I made some immediate changes in our schooling. For example, I enrolled my son in an online math class as a 7th grader. I would have loved a similar advice about moving from elementary to logic stage. 5. How much trouble would one be in if one neglected to make a timeline. Asking for a friend. I curious about #'s 1 - 4 as well. What do you do when a skill starts to ruin love of a content subject? For example, dd is writing phobic. She can write decently (we have done WWE), but she dreads it. So in history I assigned her a biography of Ben Franklin. She was very excited, asking me questions about his life and accomplishments, etc. Then she stopped and said, "Oh no! He lived for a long time, and I'm going to have to write about all of it." Her face fell, and it made me so sad. So how can I teach skills that dc may not like through content that they do like and not have that dislike transfer to the content subject? Some of my children struggle with that, too. They're not so young that it's due to their hands hurting when they write anymore, either. What would you recommend? I would love to hear if/how your Logic Stage writing recommendations have changed since you have written WWS. (LOVE WWS!!!). How much writing across the curriculum is reasonable if a student is doing WWS 4x per week? Is WWS enough writing, or should students also be writing in history, science, literature, etc.? If so, how often & how much? And is your recommendation different for a 5th grader using WWS vs. an older student? It seems to me that WWS is more intense than what you've suggested in the audio lectures for writing during the 5th grade year. It's great, but it feels like enough. I'm wondering if you agree with this feeling or not. Thank you! I'm particularly interested to hear your answer to this. I always struggle to find my way between the directions in TWTM vs. the directions in your published curricula. I don't know if I should be doing both, only one, or some of each and if so, how much. I'm wondering this too. I have been using the lectures as my guidelines, and things are going well. Am I missing some *important* content by not doing WWS? If so, what do I need to add in? I'm curious to hear from you, Susan, the differences between the two, especially for cases in which the parent is clinging to the instructions in TWTM & the lectures and does not have other knowledge or resources to augment discussions or assignments. I would also appreciate your insight on this. We followed TWTM history method (encyclopedia, map, read, write, outline) in 5th and 6th grade. We started with WWS1 in 6th grade. As 6th grade went on, I found myself frequently cutting back on history writing in favor of WWS1. My kid didn't have the focus or stamina to accomplish both in the day. Our history became more read/discuss as 6th grade went on. Now, in 7th grade he is using WWS2, and I didn't even bother to try assigning any other writing. I have a hardworking kid who tends to the academic so I don't think it is a failing of his that he can't manage much more writing than WWS2 in the week. Our history is all read and discuss, which he likes a great deal. But, and it always comes back to this...is that 'enough'? Should I be pushing things a bit? Will it get him ready for high school level writing? I am feeling like it is a sufficient amount of composition, and our history discussions are productive. I have resorted to buying the instructor's guides for our history books (History of US, Critical thinking in US History series, and Human Odyssey for year 3) to help guide our discussions. And a question for the high school years: Do you have any listing/timeline that matches up The History of the World Books (the ones published so far) along with a Great Books list. I know you have book lists in TWTM, but I am wondering how that matches up with History of The World books. Or, did I just ask you to do my scut work? I need those answers, too. :) Or, as a follow up, have there been any new curricula/materials you've seen in the past few years, since the last edition of WTM, that you are particularly impressed with and would recommend? There's so much wonderful material and activities available now, including those that are academic, extra-curricular and many that are kind of in-between (OM, Science Olympiad, etc.). Our biggest problem isn't choosing what to do, it is choosing what not to do. Any suggestions on this, and depth vs. breadth, especially at different ages? I would love something about how to regroup when things fall apart. An unplanned move, an illness, a death in the family. Maybe you just take a look at your plans from August and realize you aren't on track to finish well. I'm not talking about having to trim here and there or go a few weeks into summer. I'm talking about big problems. How do you assess where you are, figure out where you need to be and make a plan to get there. I think this would apply to a lot of families who have just pulled out of school too. And it probablyatters most for mid elementary (struggles with reading and math especially) and high school families. This is the question I was going to ask. This is the one I particularly need answered the most. I get what is meant by "big problems", and that it more easily involves things in terms of years (or half a year, or 3 quarters) rather than weeks. What do you recommend for parents with children who are "behind" per TWTM, per the numbers on the fronts of the books, due to circumstances having nothing to do with their own ability? One of mine has 2 more years of middle school left, the other has 2 more years of elementary (if we count 6th as elementary). We lost huge chunks of time for a few years and it added up severely. I'm concerned that if I rush through things for the sake of covering content (doubling or tripling up), they might not remember it anyhow. I'm concerned about them not having the skills they will need to do appropriate work, esp. in later logic stage & high school. I'm concerned about skipping too much if we try to skip through things, but on the other hand I worry that if I take things at a regular pace, we'll still be too far behind come high school. What do you suggest? Another topic would be how to study for and succeed with AP history exams without abandoning the more chronological approach to history. I'm interested in the answer to this for future years. Thank you for your time. I enjoy the videos you made the first time around and found them especially helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I'm curious to hear from you, Susan, the differences between the two, especially for cases in which the parent is clinging to the instructions in TWTM & the lectures and does not have other knowledge or resources to augment discussions or assignments. I know you asked to hear from Susan, but I'll answer as a fellow TWTM/lecture-clinger. Suffice it to say, I am SO GLAD she is making WWS!!!!! There are SO many skills that she teaches in WWS that are not mentioned in WTM or the lectures. Things like how to outline *for specific types of writing* (it's basically how to think through several types of writing), how to research and write for different purposes (writing a chronological narrative, a biographical sketch, a narrative of a scientific discovery, a scientific description, etc., etc.), and that's just the tip of the iceburg. WWS includes copia exercises where the student learns how to use a thesaurus to improve writing, and the student sometimes uses this knowledge on his own writing, too, within the lessons. And literature - so much more guidance on reading, discussing, writing in WWS. Somewhere on these forums (maybe in the big WWS thread) is a link to a scope and sequence for all four levels of WWS - I found that very helpful to look through, to get an overview of what WWS would be like. I can't recommend WWS highly enough to clingers like me! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peach3838 Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Susan, the 2009 revised version of "The Well Trained Mind" shows currently unavailable in Kindle version. I asked about it on Facebook and one person replied she had the new version on her Kindle. Question - do you know when it will be available again on Kindle? Thanks Tina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MRO Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Hi Susan. New to homeschooling and new to this forum. Hope I'm asking in the right place. I'm reading Well Trained Mind (2004 edition). I have 2 questions. 1 - I was going to use Shurley English for my 3rd grader (recommendation from school). I don't see it mentioned in the book (though it is recommended on the website resource list for 5th grade). Would you recommend for 3rd grade? If so, would I need the additional composition exercises (like Writing Strands). You say that for your first preference, Rod and Staff, the additional composition work is not necessary. 2 - Beginning homeschooling with a 3rd grader. Would you begin reading at the Ancients or Late Renaissance? Thanks! Meredith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grapl Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I'm new to this,so sorry if I'm not in the right place. I pulled my daughter from 6th grade at the end of Spring break. This was her first year in public school after attending a wondeful private school for 5 years. She was miserable at the public school. I'm not sure where to start her in homeschooling. Should I continue with the place she left off at in public school (which was the end of the Cold War) ? I have the 2009 edition of WTM and it says to study Medieval/early Renaissance which she did in 5th grade but the website for WTM is telling me to go with the same time period she had in public school. Mostly I'm worried about covering the material she will be tested on for the state requirements of Virginia. Personally I'd love to cover late Renaissance to 1850. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Grammar after FLL IV? I've had the kids go through Mary Daly's Whole Book of Diagrams and then WWS. Do you think they need more grammar beyond that? I'm hoping we go way farther with Latin (FLL) and mod languages (RS- with grammar texts) with the youngers than we ever did with the olders. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loftmama Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 How to have a career. How do you schedule work around homeschool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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