Do you mean Minimus? Yes, we love Minimus. I have a schedule for it at lulu but basically, I decided to stretch this for an entire year. What we do is one day we will listen to the picture story and then talk about the words. The next day we go over the word list and practice the words. The next day may be a Roman Report, Grammar, Myth or a worksheet. So basically I divided it into bite-sized pieces for my 2nd grader and she is really getting it. I think that you could do Minimus a couple of different ways though. You could do it in 12 weeks (in which case I don't know that there would be a lot of retention). Basically, a lesson per week. Or you could stretch a lesson out over two weeks with Monday being the day for the picture story and do the rest of the activities over the course of the week. Or you can do a lesson per month. It is a good program and lots of fun. It may look like it is tiny but the pages are packed with information. They don't put a lot of fluff in there only what the child needs to know to start picking up the grammar and vocabulary. Now the worksheets are in the the Teacher's Guide but I think they are worth having because they round out the program and give the child practice using the vocabulary and grammar. It is a bit expensive but they have a good resale value. Good Luck.:001_smile:

What did you learn about yourself this past year?I learned to listen to my children and slow down when they need it and add things in when they ask for it. Did you finally discover what works, or are you still scratching your head?We found what works last year--Singapore & Spell to Write and Read are our core. But I did find that I need to lighten the load from October to December then slowly increase from January to May. Have you changed in your philosophy or are you more sure than ever of your convictions?We played with Waldorf and I am keeping some of those elements but Classical is what my children ask for. They liked the Waldorf break but they really want the rigor of our normal subjects and schedule. Did you finally see the light about some curriculum, method, train of thought that you never thought you would?To not go chasing off after a curriculum that sounds good. To not buy something just because everyone else is raving about it. And to not go raving about it myself. I think you need to have used a curriculum sucessfully for at least a year before you brag--personal experience talking here. Are you feeling ______________ about homeschooling?I feel great about homeschooling. We love it. I taught both of my children to read and that feels wonderful.

Our focus is reading, writing and mathematics. Now that does break down into: Reading--prek-2nd phonics, 3rd to 7th grammar, Latin, spelling, history & literature, 8th+ Latin, history and literature Writing--prek-2nd penmanship, 3rd + progymnasmata, Mathematics--math. At least that is how I would break it down. I see Latin and spelling as a way to further vocabulary and reading ability while history and literature are reading material.:001_smile:

I had these problems as a child and so do my dc. So I have them try on or at least touch everything to see if it is acceptable to their skin. My general observations have been: Used is better than new (the smell of new clothes is nauseating) No sparkly thread Cut tags Turn socks inside out Try on shoes before buying them and walk them around the store for a couple of aisles. If they say something is itchy--I throw it out or pass it on Basically, they tend to have less problems if they have clothes that feel good.:001_smile:

We start Latin in the 2nd grade after they have learned to read. My oldest is a whole-parts learner so we started with Minimus, then we will do Secundus and Learning Latin Through Mythology combination and then go through the Cambridge Latin Course units. My youngest is a parts to whole learner and I am looking at using Song School Latin followed up by Latin For Children and their High School program. But we will see maybe Minimus will work for her.:001_smile:

I use things that appeal visually. She is in 2nd grade but this is what I am doing with her. My dd loves Singapore Math and Singapore Science. They both help to stretch her brain but have the visual aspect to help teach concepts and appeal to her learning method. For Language Arts, I use Spell to Write and Read because she is very logical and this explains the English language in a very logical way. I made up silly sentences and drew pictures to help her learn the phonograms. This next year we will be working through the lists but I have made charts, search a words, fill in the blanks, and activity sheets up for her so that at the end of the year she will have a nice reference guide when we are done. I am using the Ruth Heller grammar picture books for her as well and made up charts for her to fill out to make her own grammar dictionary as well. Basically, I go for the visual aspect. I do know that scripted does not work for us. Hope you have a great homeschool journey.:001_smile:

Yes, that is what I meant to do. I wanted to stretch Secundus out with Learning Latin Through Mythology. I want it to last about 1 and 1/2 years. We are taking a full year to do Minimus. I broke it into bite sized pieces and I think that really helps with retention.:001_smile:

Thanks. I'm not sure that it will work for us.:001_smile:

I'm still trying to figure this out. I never had my older dd diagnosed but we have our times where she still has meltdowns. She was a late-talker. I usually try to keep her out of situations where they are likely to happen and if I see one coming on I get out of there so she can calm down and get re-centered. But sometimes this doesn't happen and sometimes well-meaning people don't care that your child is not "perfect" and still tell you that they are being "disobedient" and that you should punish the child but don't listen to them--they are wrong. I can tell you that you are not alone. That I have found that it is better to ignore the outsiders and just do what you need to do to make sure your dd knows that you love her and that she is still a treasure and to calm her down. Good Luck!

I did Body For Life with the meal plan and exercising and got to almost my ideal weight but I was hungry all the time. Now, I am doing Weight Watchers and not exercising yet. I've lost quite a bit and I am not hungry. I get enough to eat without giving up my favorite snacks. :001_smile:

Did/can you use this program as a whole? Yes, I use this as our math program not as a supplement. Are you planning on using the program all the way through highschool? Yes, we plan on using it from Earlybird to New Elementary Math but we will probably use Charon's recommendations as supplements (Gelfand and various other Russian upper level math books.) When you buy their books do you have to buy the textbook, worksheets, test book and teacher manual? I only buy the textbooks and workbooks. I have owned the Home Instructor's Guides and they contain schedules, teaching ideas, mental math pages and ideas for games but I didn't really need or use them so I sold them. The text and workbooks are really all we have needed for Earlybird to Primary Math 3. What are the pros and cons of this program? Pros--visually apealing, inexpensive, easy to teach, straightforward not a lot of fluff, it teaches it and moves on, we know where we are heading, it is easy to slow down or speed up, not scripted but an overall great program. Plus, from the polls I have seen of children who use this math they get higher test scores. Cons--if your child is having a great deal of difficulty with a topic you may need to find outside supplements/drill sheets. I don't see a lot of cons to the program. Also does this program run ahead, behind, or right with most programs? It tends to run ahead. Last question I noticed that they have a few different math books to purchase what is the main one everyone is using? Yes, there are. 3rd edition--does not have US money and measurement. US Edition--The one I will stick with because it is excellent but has US money and measurement added. Also they made it less Singaporean in the names and such. But we still have plenty of problems about chicken and beef satay. Standards Edition--based on California standards and all rearranged. We will not be switching to this. It is more expensive and it lost a little of the character of the US & 3rd Editions. There are also supplemental books such as: Challenging Word Problems--This book is just that and follows along with what you are doing in the 3rd or US books. It is a great supplement for Level 3 and up. Intensive Practice--Is for the child who loves math and wants more of it. It takes what is learned in the text and workbook to a whole new level. It also follows the 3rd & US books. Extra Maths Practice--is just that. It is more of the same type of problems that are found in the workbook and are meant for the child who needs more practice. It also follows the sequence ofthe 3rd and US edition texts. Hope this helps.:001_smile:

I noticed that you have to pay for each store included. Where I live I get a choice of 1 grocery and 2 drug stores. What do you do for store choices? How is it working for you? What kinds of stuff do you end up buying? Tell me a little about how you use it. We're thinking about it. Thanks.:001_smile:

Thanks, this is what I need to know. So it can go like this: 2nd/3rd--Minimus 3rd/4th--Secundus (looking at Learning Latin Through Mythology combo) 5th--Cambridge begin Unit 1 and take it slowly and finish up with Unit 5 sometime in mid to late high school. Great--now I am set and don't have to research this anymore. I was looking at Salvete yesterday but it looks like it is pretty much unavailable now as a transition. Thanks again.:001_smile:

I didn't read the other replies but I will give my cloth diaper story. Started with Chinese prefold and Gerber diaper covers as they have a good velcro closure and stayed on well. But ended our career with all-in-ones. My Step-daughter loves pocket-diapers for hers. I used wash cloths for wipes. My Step-daughter made wipes out of recieving blankets so that they would be nice and soft. I did the dry pail method: Shake the diaper over the toliet or use the spayer attatchment that we bought and hooked up to the toliet. Put the diaper in the diaper genie without turning it between diapers. If a cover got soiled or had been used quite a bit I would put it in there too. Once that was full--I would unload it into the washer. I would do a soak cycle--most times I would have it fill up and soak over night. (Nothing in there but water.) I would do a cold wash/cold rinse with detergent (Free & Clear variety). I used a Kroger brand called Tempo Free & Clear because at the time it was the only thing offered in my community. Then a hot rinse with 1/2 cup of vinegar. Then I would pull out the diaper covers and hang them to dry. The diapers went into the dryer on a low-heat cycle. This method was a bit hard on the covers but my diapers were also nice and clean. The hot rinse would sanatize them. If they started to smell, I would leave out the vinegar and do baking soda instead. I loved the cloth diaper thing and even had ditty bags and took my dc out in cloth. So between nursing and cloth, I really didn't need a diaper bag. It saved us a lot of money and both potty trained fairly quickly.:001_smile:

I didn't vote either because mine didn't fit in any of the categories. I did cloth diapers and have babies with sensetive skin so I used a Free and Clear detergent. There were no perfumes, no dyes and it was safe to use with the diapers for which I used the dry pail method as described in the book Diaper Changes.

I got the book Composition in the Classical Tradition through interlibrary loan and took tons of notes in addition to printing out articles on the various stages of the progymnasmata. Then I created my own composition program for my dds. For second, we are reading Aesop's fables and then she composes a simple precis narration. For third, we will be using Old Testament stories as a jumping off point and working on a variety of narrative type writing. I have the entire 3rd grade language arts that we are doing printed up and am getting ready to load it up at Lulu but it also includes grammar pages to go with the Ruth Heller picture books about the various parts of speech. Basically, I am using my own language arts/composition program next year.:001_smile:

Our goal is to use Cambridge Latin for High School but what should we do before? Or what comes before Cambridge Latin? And what is the youngest that you would use Cabridge Latin (or set of skills)? Right now she is doing very well with Minimus. But what should we do between Minimus and Cambridge? Thanks.

Thanks. I've got quite a bit to mull over and some good advice. Lingua Latin Lively Latin Latin Prep Latin Through Mythology and Secondus Good thing I have until October to complete my research. Thanks. And if you haven't posted yet but have 2 cents to add please do so.

Ours is up too. It looks like we are back to how things were before Tapestry of Grace.:001_smile: We kind of crashed on that and the break was nice but they want all the old subjects back.

I try to make each day a little different so it isn't boring but we try to stick to a good routine. This is for a 2nd and Ker (things kind of change and evolve as life happens--January and February we started with circle time but things have changed now as needs have changed.) Get up Eat breakfast and dress Morning chores (feed pet, brush teeth, make bed) School starts I work with my ker first. We do Rod and Staff reading--she reads 2 pages, does 1 page in the reading workbook and 1 in the phonics workbook. She does a page in Earlybird Math Next week she will do 3 words for copywork. And then she is done. I have a reviewbook full of fun worksheets for her to work in that she spends time with while I read the story for the day. Story--Monday is Aesop's, Tuesday and Wednesday is Story of the World. I read 1 story and with Story of the World there are coloring pages. Phonics--Monday and Wednesday I introduce a phonogram. Tuesday and Thursday we review phonograms. I have made silly sentences and pictures to go with each phonogram. Copywork--Monday and Wednesday she copies the silly phonogram sentence. Tuesday and Thursday she works on copying her compositions. Singapore Math--We do a warm-up word problem, go over information in the text if needed and then she does 1 to 3 pages in her workbook. Composition--Tuesday she composes a story based on this week's fable. Minimus Latin--we do 1 section in the book or a worksheet per day. My Pals are Here Science--We do 1 activity per day. So we either read in the text, do a section in the workbook or do the activity from the activity guide. Mc-Call-Harby Test Lessons in Reading--She does this on Thursday and does only 1 story. My Ker is usually done in 15 to 30 minutes. My 2nd grader takes up to 1 1/2 hours. I keep things simple, short and intense. Good luck on your journey.:001_smile:

We are using Minimus this year for 2/3rd grade. It is going very well and she is retaining quite a bit. She always does best with whole to parts. I have been reading the Latin threads and am wondering about what we want to do next year. As I see it we have several options: Secondus (con--expensive, haven't heard good things about this one. pros--continues what we have done.) Then after that we move to Cambridge. Right? Lively Latin (con-expensive, poor customer service, part to whole. pros--heard a lot of good, includes history.) After this we would do Henle or Latin Prep. Latin Prep (con--moves quickly, part to whole. pros--heard a lot of good, looks great). After this series we would do Cambridge. Right? I think my oldest would do best with Cambridge as our ending point. What should we use between Minimus and Cambridge and would she be ready for Cambridge in 5/6th grade afer Secondus or would it be better to do the Latin Prep books. My youngest will probably be on the Song School Latin, Latin for Children track as she learns totally differently. Thanks.:001_smile:

Meals--if there is any way you can send a meal over I am sure it would be appreciated, especially if it is something they can reheat. I did 2 c-sections. The first one was after pushing for several hours. If she did the whole labor and pushing thing--I am sure she is tired and hurts all over. So my main needs in the first 2 months were: quick and easy meals somebody to come and do laundry and dishes Sleep, sleep, and lots of rest a good stack of library books to read while I was nursing the baby and someone going through the house with a broom once in a while was great too. What I didn't want: Visitors when the baby was sleeping because we were sleeping too. People who wanted to come and see the baby and wanted me to "entertain" them. (Visitors who helped were always appreciated if we were not sleeping.) Everyone is different though and you may want to ask her what she wants or needs. I have a friend who likes to isolate for 2 months and have no contact with the outside world after a baby is born. They don't even want hospital visitors. I respect that. Now other friends like lots of visitors.

The kids get to test in the program in 3rd grade. Then they get to go to one of two school where they are in the AP program. Basically, from what I hear they let the kids work one to two years ahead using the same stuff the PS uses. So a child in 3rd grade is using the 4th or 5th grade texts instead of the 3rd grade ones. In our homeschool, my dc get an education that is tailored to their needs and learning styles and get to work at their own pace. And follow their interests.:001_smile:

I have some stuff that I have printed out and I made folders. I have 16 folders. Folder set 1 is pre-fall of the Roman Empire and is divided into 4 groups (Old Testament/Middle East) (Egypt) (Greece) and (Rome). Folder set 2 is Dark ages to pre-Revolution. Again, 4 folders (Dark/Middle Ages) (Renaissance/Reformation) (Exploration/colonization) and (Revolutionary War). Folder set 3 is pretty much the 1800's and divided into 4 folders (pre-civil war), (civil war), (restoration/expansion) and (Victorian really 1870-1900). The last folder set is 1900's to today and divided into 4 groups (Turn of Century and WWI) (The 20's through WWII) (Post War through the 80's) and (Current topics basically the '90s to today). I thought I would just give you an idea of how I break it down. You could really break down the 1800's and 1900's into 10 groups each and do it by decade because there is just so much going on.:001_smile:

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the great ideas. I actually also have 2 boxes of couscous on hand. Today I am going to see about making some frozen yogurt. Thanks all.:001_smile: