I wish I could go less than full time, but I'm a graduate assistant as well and full time is a requirement.

WOW! And here I was feeling overwhelmed! My hubby has my daughter out having fun today. I'm so thankful he is here. But I too understand saving school for evening. When night falls and my daughter is asleep, it's straight to the books for me. Congratulations on your impending graduation. I am so impressed and encouraged that you have done this with six little ones. What is your major?

How did it go? I'm in grad school while homeschooling and directing a CC community). Today is a particularly difficult day with an abundance of work. I decided to see if anyone else was going through this unique journey too. I'm in my second to last semester for my MSIT program and really feeling the burden. I feel like this semester I only get 5 minute breaks here and there with no real time to stop and refocus. Anyone else have this issue or have encouragement for a particularly difficult semester?

My understanding is that Challenge A is the place to start with a child of age 12. Of course, one can wait. You will actually see a variety for ages in Challenge A. Challenge levels in general are more skill sets than age levels.

Thanks so much all. I understand better why vocabulary is useful. I am going to start with a basic book with dictionary look-up exercises and look into the better curricula to move on to using once we finish these two little workbooks. Now to see which program will fit us well!

So how do Wordly Wise and Building Language compare

I see vocabulary options in curricula and am curious if it is necessary. If not, what circumstances would make it necessary and what did you use and why? If you think it should always be used, why and which? Just curious :001_smile:

CC Communities are different from co-ops in many ways. There are information sheets that list the various distinctions. But in a quick summary, the major distinction is that co-ops would utilize different mothers for different subjects, perhaps based upon experience, skills, gifts in that area. At CC, one mother would be the tutor for a class modeling the material to the parents and children. This is because CC can be done at home if you are not near a community AND the idea is to model/demonstrate what the parent would do at home or at least give ideas. As for CC Connected, it is an area on the website that has user-uploaded materials in one portion of it. This includes songs, printables, etc. CCs CD content is there as well. There are other areas there, including an area for review with visuals and songs. There are many resources available to compliment CC. Not all subjects or materials are put to song by CC on those CDs. Some of it is just spoken. History and math are all songs I believe. But geography isn't and the other subjects often are not. That is where I find CC Connected to be superior, as many creative parents have created wonderful songs to compliment the materials. I imagine there are song CDs for many subjects by various publishers if you are just looking for complimentary songs (e.g. math and geography songs). CC songs can be great, but aren't the main draw of the curriculum for us.

CC can be used either way. We started with it as a supplement, but as my daughter has gotten older, it is truly our spine. It builds to prepare for the Challenge years. We use SOTW with it and there are files on CC Connected that match SOTW by week and page numbers to CC (and other curricula as well). I used to desire total matching, but it isn't as important to me now as we begin our second go round of the cycles. The songs are great in aiding memorization, as are the hand-motions and other tools. Some of the best songs are on CC Connected created by users. But for us, it is the sense of community and my daughter feeling encouraged by her friends that really makes CC a success for us. Good luck in your research!

Me :tongue_smilie:

It was easier for my daughter to learn, helped with letter reversal issues, easier to read her writing, makes sense historically (was taught first years previously and to understand historic documents), she is a lefty, she has dysgraphia, she desired learning it and enjoys it...

We are taking a look at this for next year and trying to cut back. Right now DD7 is in piano, ballet, soccer, AHG, Keepers at Home, fine art, Spanish, and CC. Over the summer, we do swim team. We probably have felt guilt over an only child being homeschooled. But with play dates and outings, she has a great many social outings. We look forward to slowing it down and learning our lesson.

I have one and I prefer to customize. There is no "one size fits all" and I feel it is one luxury of having an only.

Both! They combine well.

Classical Conversations RightStart Math & Dreambox Math RS4K & Nature Journaling w/ Drawing with Children Webster's Speller Artist Study Composer Study Songschool Latin Rosetta Stone Homeschool Spanish SOTW Loads of Living Books to compliment CC and all we study Loops and Other Hoops Cursive Deciding on Language Arts (FLL, MCT, or an old book I found from 1924) Letterboxing/Hiking/Nature Hikes/Gardening Handcrafts (Finger knitting, knitting, etc.) *Not doing all of these very day. Mixing things up and may try some block scheduling. We'll see after I lay it all out. Things will change along the way. Extras: Continuing AHGs, Soccer, Horseback Riding, and Swimming Probably adding ballet and piano during off time from others.

In the two years we have participated, I have never felt the need to answer to someone for decisions regarding my kiddo. But I do agree it isn;t for everyone. CC has been different thing for me at different times. Right now, it provides friendships for my daughter and me. We do not use it as our spine... yet. We are fairly relaxed and what she learns is gravy. We don't review much at home, just basic listening in the car to songs. We explore some topics further if they spark her interest (Monet, Medieval times, volcanoes, etc.). Mainly we explore living books on topics dicussed. I think many dislikes or complaints seems classroom or community specific and may be remedied with frank and open discussions with the director. I had some issues with the initial class my DD was in at first last year. She is a lovely woman, but not right for the most youngest age group. Mid-year we moved to a different tutor and things were much happier for us. The tutor opted not to tutor this year.

:iagree: , even about the windows! We are in the basement of a church in Sunday school rooms I chose the very last room on the hall with big open windows. If I didn't have this, it would have made a miserable year for me frankly becaus elast year we were in two rooms with now indows It affects me. I could have written your whole post actually. :tongue_smilie:

Someone in my family works for Apple support, so I like to encourage people to buy it for his job security ;) Honestly though, Apple is most popular because of it slick marketing and being the "hip product" more than anything else IMO. Is it the most affordable? No. Does it have the fastest or most advanced technology? Not in most areas and certainly not its iPhone. However, it has loyal customers and most are happy with the products. That is important. There is nothing wrong with owning an Apple. I typically prefer other products because there are better, more affordable products. I personally own no Apple products. The only one I have considerred is the iPad; but, I am hopeful Android will do it better again and I can go with them. I am trying my best to hold off until summer for a tablet. iPad should be releasing the next generation by then and Android should have successfully moved off its phone OS on its tablets by then. It is difficult though! I would love to have one for books. I spend a small fortune on books and e-books are such a great addition to our library.

RS and CC

Grace, it is like the phone aps. Yes, individuals make them. You can decide whether to download those or not. Read the reviews and research before downloading any ap. All the devices can get viruses.

I love the idea of this. How long do you delay?

The Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) takes approximately 2 hours. My DD was 4 when she took it, so we divided it over two days. This is the nfo from my DDs OT about it...

My DD started CC at 4. We are finishing our second year and she just turned 6. Honestly, CC is enough. If your child truly wants more, then add some math activities and maybe some phonics. I see CC at 4 as just a time to get acquainted and if things are learned, great! We didn't really even practice at home, just occasional listening in the car of some of the memory songs. I am amazed at what she earned without any pressure at all. CC has been an amazing experience and an encouragement to us. Starting with a group can be very exciting. Just enjoy it without adding too much.

For us, medication was not an option because the psychiatrist was trying to diagnose her so young (age 4). He wouldn't formally diagnose without me consenting to medicate. She was just too young in our opinion (brain developing) for medication. So, we worked on other issues for SPD (which can give ADHD symptoms). I also started utilizing chiropractic more for her and then cranial-sacral massage. Through the OT we began using tools and strategies that were helpful. We have always been careful with DD's diet. We have utiized a variety of supplements. We use Nordic Naturals Omega 3-6-9 Junior and Nordic berries. We have tried a variety of "focus" and "ADHD" supplements as well (Sea Buddies, Focus Factor, Attend). Basically, various therapies have helped. Strategies like fidgets, standing and moving while doing school work, do school later and after exercise, relaxed school approaches, being creative in how I present materials, watching diet, and providing ample exercise have all worked together to help my daughter become/appear pretty darn typical. BUT, remember every child is different and it is a matter of finding what works for your family and child. IF (and that is a huge if) my daughter came to a place where I felt medication was an important need in her life, I would consider it. However, we would have to exhaust all other options. My DH has ADD and is on medication. He doesn't want her medicated unless there are no other options. I don't judge or have an opinion on those who medicate. I don't walk in their shoes. Who knows if i may need to put them on one day...

We have had an excellent experience with RS math. I feel it does a great job helping my DD understand the process and committing ideas to memory. It is a fabulous curriculum. However, if you suspect there may be processing issues, I would suggest talking with a specialist and considering an evaluation. Curricula is only going to be helpful only to a certain point. You can;t put the cart before the horse so to speak, IMO. If there are in fact processing issues, many strides made may only be temporary and difficult to achieve. In our experience, as my DD worked on her challenges at the root cause, her learning fell into place. So, by talking to someone and even having an evaluation, you may rule out issues or find there are things you need to work on first to help his learning.