Agree!

Lori, Thank you for your detailed response. My twins both love reading and read on a high level. We've been following WTM's logic stage literature recommendations, so I think they are mostly ready for the leap. DS is way more of a history buff than DD, but she still enjoys it as well. I'm definitely sensitive to the fact that I don't want them to end up hating these ancient texts; that's why I thought supplementing with Vandiver would bring the stories to life and maybe her love for the texts would rub off on them (and me!). I like your suggestion for moving Herodotus and Josephus to History; that makes sense. I also like your suggestion of adding in "Till We Have Faces." It has been years since I read that book! Do you have any recommended myths or books to add in? They read the following in 5th grade: Coolidge-Greek Myths Coolidge-The Trojan War Myths and Legends by Anthony Horowitz Puffin- Tales of the Greek Heros Puffin- The Tale of Troy, Heroes Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths I wasn't planning on having any other literature works of high interest built in as they both enjoy reading in their free-time, but it is something I will think about. I definitely don't want this course to be a burden and a drag, but I also expect it to be challenging. Thanks again for your input!

Thank you all for your input. It is greatly appreciated. Below is my revised plan. If you are familiar with the texts, please advise on if there seems to be enough time in each week to roughly 4 hrs/wk on the course. Thank you! Ancient Literature High School Level, 1 Credit, 4hrs/week Texts The Holy Bible: Genesis & Daniel --- 1 week Epic of Gilgamesh --- 1 week Homer, The Iliad --- 6 weeks, 1 hr/wk of lecture Homer, The Odyssey --- 6 weeks, 1 hr/wk of lecture Aeschylus, Oresteia --- 2 weeks, 1-2 hr/wk of lecture Sophocles, Oedipus Rex --- 2 weeks, 1-2 hr/wk of lecture Sophocles, Antigone --- 2 weeks, 1-2 hr/wk of lecture Euripides, Medea --- 2 weeks, 1-2 hr/wk of lecture Herodotus, The Histories (Selections) --- 4 weeks, 3 hrs/wk of lecture Aristophanes, The Birds Plato, The Republic (Selections) Virgil, The Aeneid --- 5 weeks, 1 hr/wk of lecture The Holy Bible: 1 & 2 Corinthians Josephus, Wars of the Jews (Selections) Athanasius, On the Incarnation Supplemental Courses The Great Courses. The Iliad of Homer. Professor Elizabeth Vandiver The Great Courses. The Odyssey of Homer. Professor Elizabeth Vandiver The Great Courses. Greek Tragedy. Professor Elizabeth Vandiver The Great Courses. Herodotus: The Father of History. Professor Elizabeth Vandiver The Great Courses. The Aeneid of Virgil. Professor Elizabeth Vandiver

Yes, I should have clarified. We will have a separate Grammar & Composition course which will include Writing With Skill 3.

I'm currently planning for my twins' 9th grade Great Books Study for the Ancient period. I don't really know what I'm doing, but I can't afford to outsource. I'm hoping to read along with my kids and learn as much as I can as we go along. Below is what I'm thinking. Please let me know if you think it looks sufficient for a full credit course. I'll likely get some sort of study guide to help me discuss the books that I do not supplement with Great Courses. Do I need to add any writing component, or just read, listen, and discuss? TIA! Texts The Holy Bible: Genesis & Daniel (1 week) Epic of Gilgamesh (1 week) Homer, The Iliad (6 weeks) Homer, The Odyssey (6 weeks) Herodotus, The Histories (12 weeks) Aristophanes, The Birds (1 week) Virgil, The Aeneid (6 weeks) The Holy Bible: 1 & 2 Corinthians (1 week) Josephus, Wars of the Jews (1 week) Athanasius, On the Incarnation (1 week) Supplemental Courses The Great Courses. The Odyssey of Homer. Professor Elizabeth Vandiver (12 lectures, 2x/wk) The Great Courses. The Illiad of Homer. Professor Elizabeth Vandiver (12 lectures, 2x/wk) The Great Courses. Herodotus: The Father of History. Professor Elizabeth Vandiver (24 lectures, 2x/wk) The Great Courses. The Aeneid of Virgil. Professor Elizabeth Vandiver (12 lectures, 2x/wk)

Thank you for your responses. This is exactly what I was feeling, but was letting the pressure of long book lists cause me to doubt. I've read a couple of abridged books to them this year, but they were definitely not as rich in language and vocabulary.

I'm reading aloud to my three grammar-stage students. I'm curious on others' preferences regarding reading unabridged versions aloud, but getting through fewer books in a year, or reading abridged (i.e. Classic Starts) versions in order to expose children to a variety of stories. Our literature list contains books such as Little Women, The Jungle Book, The Time Machine, Peter Pan, The Wind in the Willows, The Secret Garden, Heidi, A Little Princess, The Little House on the Prairie, The Adventures of Pinocchio, etc.

I'm in the exact same situation and have been doing research to see what may be best. I've decided to drop R&S for the reason you mentioned and plus I believe we could use a bit of a change! Right now I'm debating between Analytical Grammar and Grammar for the WTM. I'm considering Grammar for WTM for my 5th grader next year, so I will already have the curriculum. HTH!

elroisees- thank you for your response. I'm also considering the program for my 5th grader next year. ETA: But also wondering what the dynamics would be if I did grammar with my 5th and 9th graders together?

Thank you for your response. After doing more research, I've decided to discontinue R&S for my 9th graders. I'm debating now between Grammar for WTM or Analytical Grammar. My only real concern with Grammar for WTM is that I've read the first edition has various errors. I'm not super strong with Grammar and may not always recognize the mistakes myself.

I have seven kids and my oldest are 8th grade twins. We've been doing R&S Grammar since 5th grade and I had planned on continuing them through the program for grades 9-10. However, I've been checking out Grammar for the WTM and am considering switching for DD who will be in grade 5 next year. 1. Those of you who have tried Grammar for WTM, what do you think? Should I make the switch for my younger kids? I already have all the R&S books for grades 5-8, but at different points I will have 3 logic age kids and it could be nice to have them all in the same program. 2. If I go with Grammar for WTM for my logic age kids, should I keep my HS kids in R&S or make the switch for them too? They could do 2 years for WTM with me and my logic age kids, then review? Or help me teach my logic age kids once they are in grades 11-12? Thanks for your input! *note: I'm also posting this in the High School Forum

I have seven kids and my oldest are 8th grade twins. We've been doing R&S Grammar since 5th grade and I had planned on continuing them through the program for grades 9-10. However, I've been checking out Grammar for the WTM and am considering switching for DD who will be in grade 5 next year. 1. Those of you who have tried Grammar for WTM, what do you think? Should I make the switch for my younger kids? I already have all the R&S books for grades 5-8, but at different points I will have 3 logic age kids and it could be nice to have them all in the same program. 2. If I go with Grammar for WTM for my logic age kids, should I keep my HS kids in R&S or make the switch for them too? They could do 2 years for WTM with me and my logic age kids, then review? Or help me teach my logic age kids once they are in grades 11-12? Thanks for your input! *note: I'm also posting this in the Logic Stage Forum

This is my first year planning high school, so I'd appreciate any input: 9th: Grammar & Composition: Rod and Staff Grammar 9 & Writing With Skill 3 World Literature: Great Books study Algebra 1: Saxon Arabic 1 Ancient History: SWB HoAW + Study Guide Biology: Apologia Art: 1/2 credit PE: 1/2 credit

They also have tutorials on MS Office. Perfect. Thank you!

Hi, Does anyone know of any resources to help teach computer skills (Word Processing, Spreadsheets, etc.) to my middle graders? Something they can learn and do independently is preferred. Thanks!

Thank you. Yes, I agree that the writing assignments from WWS are enough to satisfy writing requirements. And I like your idea of sometimes substituting an assignment from WWS by focusing on the same skills in another subject. I guess a more specific question is: how do we do history and science as recommended in WTM but not overwhelm them with work? For example, with history, if I just have my kids read the core text, jot down 6-8 facts, put dates on a timeline, do map work, and then have them follow-up by reading additional resources and doing additional activities (maybe from critical thinking in US History)... is that enough? Will they get enough without writing summaries and doing outlines? Or do I really need to keep some of the writing element in the course?

I plan to use Writing With Skill 2 with my 8th grade twins this year. What additional writing requirements would you recommend for History, Science, and Literature? Doing all of WWS2 plus all the outlining and writing summaries for History and Science as recommended in WTM and then writing summaries for the literature books seems too much to me. What do you think?

Here's what I've got for DS and DD twins for 8th grade: Math: Saxon Algebra 1/2 Science: Elemental Science Physics for Logic Stage History: WTM Modern History Grammar: Rod & Staff 8 Writing: WWS2 Vocabulary: Vocabulary from Classical Roots A/B Art: Artistic Pursuits Logic: Art of Argument and Argument Builder Foreign Language: Arabic Literature: Reading List from WTM Hope it is not too much- just the right amount for them to be challenged, yet thrive!

We live overseas without access to a library. When we followed WTM suggestions for logic-stage history while living in the US, we made great use of our local library. Any suggestions for good supplemental resources for additional reading/research? Good quality websites? I'm willing to purchase a few additional books, but can't afford too many more. My twins will be in 8th grade doing Modern Stage History. Thanks.

I feel flustered looking for the best editions of classics for my kids to read on the kindle. Most reviews are great, but then there will be some critical comments like "typos" or "not original text" but I have no way of knowing for sure unless I read through myself after purchasing. Most are free or $0.99. Has anyone navigated this already and have advice. I REALLY don't want them reading a classic that isn't the unabridged original text. Thanks for your help!

I briefly looked into them both. Are there any hidden cons to joining an umbrella school that I should be aware of? Clonlara looks really nice, but can you tell me what the tuition cost covers if we provide our own teaching and curriculum?

Thank you. I'm actually not sure if it needs to be accredited. I will try to ask. I think the gov here just needs to see a letter stating that my kids are registered in school. I'm not sure that they will investigate further. Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into them.

We are an American family living overseas and our residency visa requirements demand that our children be registered at a school. I'm looking for suggestions for an umbrella school with minimal cost and involvement. I really only need them for a letter of registration and want to use my own curriculum. Thanks!

Thanks. I, personally, prefer physical books, but enjoy the convenience of my kindle too. My initial concern for my kids' reading was the difficulty of flipping back through the book for review, writing literary criticism on the book, etc. We live overseas in a country where books in English are difficult to obtain, so the appeal of purchasing books on kindle is high in that regard, but will it do them a disservice later?

Are there any downsides to using e-books (kindle) for most of my kids' reading (including Great Books)? If so, what are they? What do many of you choose to do?