I've been sitting here watching all the videos. :) It looks so great if I can get it all figured out! I've had the free version for a long time, but never used it. But I've been making my own plans and this looks easier! My dh just bought me a laptop 'puter so that will be nice to have it open during the day on our table too. Good luck! Post anything exciting you learn. :)

I just purchased this. Do I want to start my school year starting right now or should I back track and start the school year at the beginning of this past fall? Help!

Um, well, you know me and I just *bought* the plus edition after showing it all to Phil!!!!!!!!! I joined the Yahoo group to share files and it is so cool! It has lesson plans for Rod & Staff Bible 4, CW, SWR for youngers and olders and probably other stuff I didn't see yet! I'm pretty excited about the whole cotton pickin' thing! :) I don't know why I didn't do this before! I'll be able to pull up my first grade plans and just use them again for Isaac and Grace (from what I can see). AWESOME to not have to re-invent the wheel each quarter! ETA: It even has lesson plans for the preschool program stuff you did with Kianna!

I just started using Writing Strands in addition to WWE with my 3rd grader. So far, they are a nice complement to each other! I love WWE, but the workbook isn't out in my oldest's grade level, so I started looking for something else to increase his writing. I'm using Writing Strands and finishing WWE, then I'm jumping ship to Classical Writing for him next fall. I'll continue WWE with my youngers though!

Uh, Lori, is this something that I need?????????????????????????

For skin care try the oil cleansing method. It has completely cured my oily skin! Here is more information about it: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/OIL-CLEANSING-METHOD-Hi-t141871.html. There are lots of other places that have information about it. I use 1/4 ratio of caster oil to olive oil. It's cheap, natural and works great!

I think a rich deep red sounds wonderful with your furnishings. I think something formal for the floor- some type of cherry perhaps.

Here is a copy of the article found at: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4727161/ Raleigh, N.C. — A judge in Wake County said three Raleigh children need switch from home school to public school. Judge Ned Mangum is presiding over divorce proceeding of the children's parents, Thomas and Venessa Mills. Venessa Mills was in the fourth year of home schooling her children who are 10, 11 and 12 years old. They have tested two years above their grade levels, she said. "We have math, reading; we have grammar, science, music,†Venessa Mills said. Her lessons also have a religious slant, which the judge said was the root of the problem. "My teaching is strictly out of the Bible, and it's very clear. It is very evident so I just choose to follow the Bible,†Venessa Mills said. In an affidavit filed Friday in the divorce case, Thomas Mills stated that he "objected to the children being removed from public school." He said Venessa Mills decided to home school after getting involved with Sound Doctrine church "where all children are home schooled." Thomas Mills also said he was "concerned about the children's religious-based science curriculum" and that he wants "the children to be exposed to mainstream science, even if they eventually choose to believe creationism over evolution." In a verbal ruling, Mangum said the children should go to public school. "He was upfront and said that, 'It's not about religion.' But yet when it came down to his ruling and reasons why, 'He said this would be a good opportunity for the children to be tested in the beliefs that I have taught them,'" Venessa Mills said. All sides agree the children have thrived with home school, and Vanessa Mills thinks that should be reason enough to continue teaching at home. "I cannot sit back and allow this to happen to other home schoolers. I don't want it happening to my children,†Venessa Mills said. Mangum said he wouldn't talk with WRAL News Thursday about the details of the case because he hasn't issued a written ruling yet. He said he expected to sign it in a few weeks. An estimated 71,566 students were taught at home during the 2007-08 school year, according to figures released by the state Division of Non-Public Education. The enrollment amounts to about 4 percent of students ages 7 to 16 in North Carolina – students in that age range are required by state law to attend school. About two-thirds of the schools classified themselves as religious schools. Home school students and their parents plan to come to Raleigh on March 24 to lobby at the state Legislature. They want to demonstrate they have a strong voice regarding education. * Reporter: Valonda Calloway * Photographer: Greg Clark * Web Editor: Minnie Bridgers

Tee-hee! I was so rejoicing in my decision I forgot to write it down!!!!! :tongue_smilie: My decision is (drum roll please) Classical Writing Aesop B. However, I'm also keeping Writing Strands and am starting that right now to start beefing up ds' writing. I'll have WS in case I need a break from CW. I'll be honest, CW scares me a bit, but I'm pretty impressed with how it works. Whew! That was a load off my shoulders to have made the decision. :lol:

I feel your pain! I've been AGONIZING over a writing curriculum decision forever! There are too many choices, yet I can't get them all in my grubby paws, the ones I can get to see still don't help me decide, then I come here and learn more things........ it goes on and on.

Heather, I'm asking b/c I wonder if I need Rod and Staff or if CW's grammar is enough. It does seem like a lot of work on it's own, without R&S. And, we're doing Latina Christiana next year too. I don't want to drown myself b/c I'm also adding my 3rd son in the fall. There are just too many choices and decisions!!! :)

After many, many questions for you all and many purchasing of programs and many nights of reading manuals, I've made a decision. I at least know where I'm starting! My ds may hate it and I'll be right back here in a year with more questions, LOL! Thank you everyone!!

wait for 3rd grade and just start with the 3rd grade text? I'm currently using GWG with my 1st grader, but he isn't retaining it. Anyway.... just curious when others start R&S grammar.

Acquiring more information!!!:tongue_smilie:

Mama Lynx - What do you mean by the above statement? One can go faster through the lessons? There is much repitition?

Thank you for that information! That makes me feel much better about Classical Writing! SWB's recommendations mean a lot to me. :) I see so many folks using CW, yet all I had read, SWB didn't recommend it at the lower grades.

This is the kind of information I'm looking for. Classical Writing is *so* different! I'm drawn to it, yet I'm nervous it won't prepare my kids for college level writing. I'm also concerned that it is so difficult that it will be hard for me to implement along with teaching 3 other dc.

I hope I do too, b/c this decision is *killing* me. :001_huh: And, b/c of all my emails, you're suffering with me! :lol:

Why did you decide to go with Classical Writing although SWB doesn't recommend it until high school? I'm *still* trying to decide on writing. Thanks for your thoughts!

You can find out where he is by clicking on the the "Where is BigRig Steve?" It shows a map with a pin in it marking where he's at. Cool site!

My dc will be in 4th, 2nd and K next fall. We will be ready for SOTW 4. I do use Biblioplan, so I'll have age appropriate books for them. But there aren't any coloring pages in the AG. What did you do to make up for the lack of early activities in the AG?

As you may know from my many posts, I'm trying to decide between WS, IEW & CW for writing next year. If only SWB's program was out in workbooks through 4th grade! Anyway... How long does CW take you? I realize the days are different, but on average? How about IEW? Are you still doing grammar with CW?

I just got this in the mail today for my oldest. It does look good. A nice varity of things to read and write about!

I've wondered the same thing for my boys. My oldest isn't as old as yours, but is advanced in many ways. I'm afraid level 1 will not be enough information. I've kind of decided to do level 1, but add some more biographies for my older son.

Has anyone used the poetry books? I have them in my cart at Amazon. :)