So, from everything I'm learning, I think I most like the WH format. However, our family has taken a somewhat laid back approach to homeschooling, similar to a Charlotte Mason approach with some Classical influences. I encourage independent learning and daily mold the assignments and expectations to each child’s strengths and weaknesses as well as our family’s needs. I’m slightly concerned that the transition from our previous approach to that of the on-line classes will offer some challenges and even frustrations. So, right now I'm considering the self-paced courses for one year before doing WH because of the flexibility and more independent learning (as opposed to teacher directed). What I mean by independent isn't that he chooses what he studies but that he can move more quickly or slowly as he chooses. That's more similar to what he's done in the past. His learning, much like his physical growth, tends to go in spurts, but he still finishes a set amount of material in a year. Anyone have experience or thoughts that might encourage or discourage this approach? Thanks! Kristin

Perfect! Thanks so much! Kristin

A couple more questions. For WH - Can you work ahead at all? If we did self-paced, my son was wanting to get started this summer so that he'd have more flexibility throughout the next school year. Also, jjeepa, you mentioned papers due. Who reads/grades them? The parent or the teacher? And, approximately how many students are in a class? Thanks! Kristin

Thank you all! This had been so helpful. Homeschoolmom3, if it's not too much trouble, could you give me the list for Omnibus 2? I'm starting to look into where we can get the books (free online downloads, library, purchase). Thanks! Kristin

Yes, I was just looking for the booklist for WH to see what they omit, but thanks.

I can't find the book list online. We couldn't get through all the books in Omnibus 1 in a year, so I wondered how they would do it. Then, I found out that it actually counts as 3 classes for VP and 2.5 for WH, so we obviously weren't dedicating enough time to it, thinking it was essentially just 1 class. I'm very curious to know which ones they omit though. For those that have done WH, how do they do grading? Are there tests? Are they done online? I watched an archive of a VP online class and wasn't impressed with the format. Now, I'll start by admitting that I taught school before having children (and before online classes were available), but the VP online format seemed like the equivalent of trying to teach a group of students while they were all constantly talking. The teacher seemed distracted trying to read the constant barrage of student comments while teaching the material, and I was distracted reading them while he was teaching. Do you have any idea if there are archived sample classes available for viewing for WH? Thanks for your help!

My son has been doing Omnibus 1 this past year and discussing issues with my husband and me. However, I don't feel that I can adequately help him through these courses. He could continue to do it independently, correcting his own work with the teacher CD and discussing issues addressed with us, but I'm leaning toward trying something else next year. The price tags intimidate me a little, so I'd appreciate hearing from anyone that has tried the self-paced courses offered by VP, the online courses offered by VP, and/or the online Great Conversations courses offered by Wilson Hill. I'd especially love to hear from anyone that has tried both on-line and self-paced. I'm looking for information on how they compare and contrast as we try to decide what would work best for our family. Thanks. Kristin

I don't know if the format just changed or if I just haven't been here for a few weeks, but I'm thoroughly confused. How do I search for posts on a specific topic? Thanks!

We're considering a family trip to Mount Rushmore soon. Do any of you have favorite sites, activities, etc. near there? We'll probably be staying in Rapid City for a couple of days. Thanks!

We're planning to do ancient history (Creation to Christ, so will include some Classical history, too) next year, and I'm looking at Usborne Internet Linked Ancient History or Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia of Ancient History (What's the difference between those two?) or Kingfisher History Encyclopedia. Anyone have any strong preferences for one of these or another reference book? If so, please share and explain why. Thanks! Kristin

I'm wanting to buy Tapestry of Grace Unit 1 used to try it out but am wondering if I'm going to be able to print the book updates since I didn't buy them directly from TOG and won't have an account with them. Does anyone know if I'll be able to access them if I've purchased the curriculum used? Or, do you know how helpful they are? I can already tell by looking at the website that I'll be replacing some of the out of print books with the ones they've suggested as replacements because I or our library already have them. Thanks! Kristin

The paint is drying in our dining room, and I want to get some of those bulletin bar strips to hang around the room so that we could just tack maps and projects and such to them and hang them on the wall. Anyone have anything like and can recommend a product. I thought I knew what I was going to get - 1 1/2 inch wide cork board strips in an aluminum frame, but I was reading a lot of reviews on Amazon that said the cork is too thin to hold anything well and that the push pins can only go 1/2 way into the cork because it's so thin. I saw some that are recycled rubber without a frame. Anyone have anything like this that works well? Thanks!

I was looking at reviews on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-World-History-Fiona-Chandler/product-reviews/0794526888/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 And, one gal praised it: "I am excited that there are 100 pages dedicated to prehistory, including the birth of our planet and the beginnings of life. " And another gal was unhappy: "Historical timeline is inaccurate, based on evolution not creation." Both were red flags for me.

I've used Easy Grammar for the last 3 years with my almost 11 yos. I'd like to do some sentence diagramming with him but am not sure which curriculum to use. I know I don't like Rod and Staff. Anyone have other recommendations? Thanks! Kristin

I'm looking for an alternative to the Usborne Encyclopedia of World History because I don't want the evolutionary prehistory perspective. Any suggestions? Also, any suggestions for something similar that covers specifically American history? We're trying to implement many of the ideas in the WTM this year, but I had already purchased a bunch of materials for American history before reading the WTM, so I want to use a lot of the approaches but within the context of American history and then if it goes well start the 4 year world history cycle next year. (We'll apparently have to cover run-on sentences this year. Ha, ha!) Thanks! Kristin