There is a resource listed in the file sharing area of CC Connected. It is a PDF you can download and included readers and reference books to go along with the science in Cycle 2. It is the"FoundationsCyleResourceList.pdf. It has a resources like Usborne and Magic Schoolbus listed by weeks.

Thanks Nakia! My 5 yo DD is the same way. She adores photographing various things. Then she critiques herself. For instance, she was trying to take a picture of a woodpecker on a tree next door with my phone (which was most handy) the other day and was upset she could center and get close enough without scaring it. So I can see where just letting them enjoy it leads to learning through the experience itself.

I am looking to get a new Bible for my DD to include in our studies. She has outgrown the current version we are using. I was originally going to purchase DK's The Children's Illustrated Bible, but am now considering Vos' The Child's Story Bible or Egermeier's Story Bible to tie in with our CC history and SOTW and Kingfisher. Any thoughts between these two or perhaps another suggestion?

I sympathize! Phonics has been such a difficult decision and I am still not certain!

Michelle, I am a non-conformist as well, so I understand. My director is very flexible, which makes my "outside the box" thinking easier to be a tutor there. There is a "plum line" to adhere to, but it is really what you make of it. As for the co-op term, at the practicum the tutor trainer explained a part of the difference. Mainly, a co-op has parents teaching a specific subject, where a tutor at CC is teaching all subjects. Also, co-ops are more extra-curricular in nature having crafts, music, and more creative subjects to explore. CC covers all of the core topics (Latin, math, science, English, history, etc.). It does cover fine arts and science experiments as well. As for the cost, it hasn't been terrible for us because I have a singleton. Considerring the supply cost, I don't see huge profits being earned by directors and tutors. Being a tutor will help offset my costs annually and help me purchase some supplies for teaching my child, but to be used in class as well. I don't see it being about money really. It is about the experience. The structure of CC has kept me on track and it is a nice supplement. My daughter loves the interaction and it helps her to set and achieve goals. I imagine she will be interested in Memory master in the coming years (she is still just 5) and achieve the memory level some of the older students have now. At home, we are very eclectic. I am pretty relaxed in much of what i do. But 1 day a week (6 weeks at a time), we have a morning with structure and fellowship. It is a good balance.

On the CC Connected file sharing area, there is a PDF giving the pages by week for Kingfisher & SOTW as they correspond with CC. You should be able to get it easily if you are registered.

In my first year, my biggest lessons have been 1) remember the goal and don't lose sight of it and 2)do not duplicate modern schooling with surveys of subjects rather than digging deeper and taking more time. I have learned both of these lessons from BTDT homeschoolers and they are priceless. Because I homeschool, peers and family can be more critical and I allow myself to fall into the comparison trap. I begin to wonder if my child is able to pass certain standards and am concerned whether I am challenging her enough to stay on par with other school students. This leads to structuring a day and studies more similarly to standard schools. However, that negates one of the main benefits of homeschooling. I can work at my childs pace and gear learning more to her nature. That actually leads to a 3rd lesson, which is remembering the nature of a child. This is a big lesson for me I am trying to wrap my head around more. Modern education has glossed over a child's nature in constructing learning processes, which is a big mistake. So I try to remember I am not in a race. I am not duplicating the modern education system at home. A perhaps most importantly, my child is a unique creation and I have a unique opportunity to gear the process of gaining wisdom and knowledge to her nature and needs. After one year under my belt, I am more flexible, humble, and aware of what I have left to learn. I understand that this is a journey, a process. I don't have regrets, but rather more wisdom which will only come with more experience.

Excellent! Thank you so much for sharing!

That is helpful for cyle 2 for CC. Thanks!

Thanks for the resource!

We like watching it on TV through our Wii instantly. What a great invention :)

We are new to homeschooling, so we have done it from the start. I am not certain it would have simplified anything for us. It compliments what we do. I would think it would depend on what you are doing for homeschool now and how you plan to use CC. It is a supplement, but perhaps it could take the place of certain subjects and it applies to children of multiple ages. In that way it might simplify things.

My DD5 and I spend 20-30 minutes on average in RS B, occasionally less. Sometimes I split the lessons between days. I don't find it teacher intensive other than having to actually teach her things, clear as mud, right??? LOL! I think it is normal at this age. I don't have to prep and we just work through the lessons. I have supplemented a little with MEP. But it is not necessary. I imagine we will supplement as she gets older as needed. Right now it is just for fun and as she is interested. While my daughter has SPD, it just makes her more wiggly than the average kid. She may be a little above average (some say), but I see her as pretty typical honestly. We like the program and find it pretty easy to implement.

I believe MFW is a mix of both.

I have been struggling with this as well. But I think, with some answers from ElizabethB, we will be proceeding to Webster's.

We are currently doing vision therapy for convergence insufficiency. The inlaws paid 75% up front, or we couldn't do it. The rest was broken up into monthly ayments to make it manageable (especially since my DH was laid off last month). We do 5 days a week of therapy at home, along with one day at the clinic. We use a computer program with 3-D glasses to do this therapy. They may have it available for individual purchase, I am not certain. I know we paid $145 for it. Her doctor is David Cook, who is pretty well known in the field and has written a couple of books which might be helpful. VISUAL FITNESS: 7 Minutes to Better Eyesight and Beyond WHEN YOUR CHILD STRUGGLES: Myths of 20/20 Vision He has some sample exercises on his site Simple Exercises I imagine that the exercises should be prescribed for for the specific issues of the individual though. I know each person at the clinic does different home exercises on the software and do different things in the clinic. Will the doctor do a payment plan or work with you? I know just in the 2 months my daughter has been doing this, we have seen improvements. Her OT worked with her some in her weekly therapy on this as well. I think some homework may help, but I think it takes a bit more honestly (which is very hard on the pocket book).

How about making your own obstacle courses and even having him help design them? You can use cones, stepping blocks, tunnel, tent, mini tramp, etc. I have a Tigger and the mini tramp has been invaluable! She does OT and they do obstacle courses and she helps design them. I also have found Wii Fit to be excellent, especially on rainy days. She can do active play/exercises while having fun. She loves to "ride the bike," do the strength training, fly like a bird, ski, etc. We got one as a family gift this year for the family and purchased it through the HSN installment plan. i am not big on video games for kids, but utilizing it therapeutically for exercise has been wonderful.

Elizabeth, this is exactly what I was seeking! I need to avoid potential problems, especially with guessing (which my DD is VERY prone to doing). She likes to read basic books, but will look for clues from pictures, etc. I expect with the visual challenges she is having, she may be even more prone to using tricks and guessing. So now I am curious, if you were half-way through 100 EZ, would you finish and then move to Webster's or just go ahead and use Webster's? Is the speller found on Don Potter's site the only one needed throughout all of the phonics instruction and review? Is there a part of the site that takes you step-by step through lessons plans/approach for a rising K'er? Thanks in advance for your help!

Thank you! This type of comparison is VERY helpful. I am particularly interested in My cursory look at the speller there seemed that I would need to prepare and figure it out if that makes sense. Perhaps I need to take a closer look and try to figure it out better. Maybe I am just looking for a program to lay things out for me, which isn't necessary...lol!

Thanks so much! This is what I am trying to flesh out. I know ElizabethB has spoke to the benefits of Webster's and it being one of the best, if not the best phonics program. It is attractive because it is available for free online (which is excellent for us right now). It also has a proven history (originally written almost 200 years ago, right?) and has been successful in teaching many. But I have to print it out and sort of figure out how to teach it. It isn't going to be a program packaged to make it easy to teach, kwim? I have heard great things about Spalding as well, but there is a bit of sticker shock. I like that it covers many areas. I am just curious if the approach is as successful overall and if it lays the proper phonics foundation to carry a child to successful reading at a high level without problems in the future. My situation is a bit unique as well. I have an extremely bright child who has certain challenges. She has convergence insufficiency, which gives a visual barrier. She is currently in vision therapy and this should be overcome within the next 6 months. Also, she has Sensory processing Disorder (SPD). She is sensory-seeking and tends to learn differently (auditory, visual, and other differences). Although she has overcome most outward indications of her SPD through Occupational Therapy (OT), it is a life-long difference and will present challenges. I have to be creative and adjust to her needs. For instance, although we do 100 EZ right now, I have to teach n creative ways, like using a phono phone for "rhyming" and saying sounds and the writing portion we mix up with a mini chalk board slate, writing in sugar, on a white board, sensory paper, etc. I sometimes write out her reading paragraphs on the white board. Anyway, more specifically I might ask you to elaborate on the "rules" you mentioned with Spalding. Do they teach phonics rules? If so, how do they differ?

LOL! Spalding was suggested by a speaker at a Homeschool conference I attended along with Winston grammar. But I have heard great things about Webster's Spellers here and am leaning that way after 100 EZ. I am curious about Spalding and how it stacks up against it.

Bumpity :001_smile:

Can anyone explain the differences in these programs? Has anyone used both? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each?

Mine are laminated and two-hole punched with metal rings. I did CC last year. We used all the cards and they are used each year. I will be tutoring this year, which makes this even more handy. I take the set for the week and put them on mini-rings while we learn them and then transfer them to a ring together with the the other cards as we learn them. This makes them so easy to flip through. BTW, I paid a fraction of $50 to have mine laminated. They ran them through at a a teaching supply store and I cut them out in my spare time at home and then punched them. It wasn't costly and I haven't regretted it once.

I so sympathize... :blink: