OhElizabeth, you've really given me some great ideas! And it sounds like I need to be a part of "VP Heretics". :rofl: Thanks so much. I thank you and my history-hating children thank you. Who knows, with the right approach, maybe they'll turn into history-loving children!:D Jackie

Indeed! Thanks, Amy.:001_smile: Jackie

We used MUS through Zeta, and then Lial's BCM as a pre-algebra text. It has gone well, and DD will finish BCM this summer. We've liked it so much, I decided to go with Lial's Algebra 1 for dd next fall. (She'll be starting 8th grade) Best wishes in whatever you choose :) Jackie

I am completely burned out on history. I've used VP for 5 years, and it suited my oldest perfectly. She loved it. She read every book on the suggested reading list, and asked for more. The emphasis in writing and reading above grade level was perfect! It challenged her, and she loves to be challenged. Enter dd #2. Getting her to read a book is like pulling teeth. Getting her to write complete sentences feels like an exercise in futility. She just doesn't care. Her favorite subjects are science and health. LOL! These are the only 2 subjects that I'm teaching to fulfill our state's requirements! If they weren't required, I wouldn't be teaching them at all! She likes these 2 subjects (both Abeka), because "there isn't too much reading, and I get to do the fun experiments". There is no writing required in these courses. I seriously need to make a change in History for next year. But I don't want to give up completely on VP. I think their curriculum is well-designed. I also don't want a huge learning curve which would be necessary if I switch to a completely new program. I will have my 3 youngers together for history next year; dd, age 9 (4th grade), ds age 8 (2nd grade), and ds age 7 (1st grade). My 2nd grader is a weak reader, and my 1st grader is on his way to being a strong reader. Could I possibly use SOTW and VP together? My idea is that I coordinate chapters in SOTW along with the VP cards, throw out the written portion of VP completely, use suggested books as read-alouds, and do VP and SOTW activities as they appeal to us.... What would YOU do? :bigear: Thanks for any and all help! Jackie

$4.34 for diesel. Cost me $93.00 today to fill up the ranch pick-up. $3.70 for cheap gasoline. Both in Western Wyoming. I don't know what else to cut back on so that I can continue to go to town 2x/week. Once for piano lessons and shopping; once on Sunday for church.

:iagree: I'm not sure why, but the same is true with my dd. The reinforcement through english vocabulary has made connections click in her Latin and Greek studies. Jackie

Yes, it does help. Thanks!

I was hoping you would post. Aren't you like, the GP Guru or something? ;) One other question.... How does GP translate as far as High School credit? Does French Prep 1 = 1 year of high school? Looking ahead for dd's transcripts. Thanks!, Jackie

I'm awfully close to ordering this....... I just can't seem to find anything else that I like. Can anyone out there share their experience? Good, bad, ugly? I would be using it with my 4th grader and 8th grader..... I have some french background, but am no longer fluent. ANY input would be appreciated. THANKS, Jackie

Thanks that really does help. Was also wondering.... is the "answer book" a workbook? Is there a workbook, or do you just use separate writing paper for translation exercises? I would be using this for a 13 yr. old and a 9 yr. old. Has your 9 yr. old also used this program? Thanks for your help. I sure appreciate it! Jackie

Not to sound like a broken record (dating myself here), but my dd (7th grade) has loved Omnibus primary and secondary online through VP. She has loved the interaction and the "real teachers", and I am relieved not to have to teach her Omnibus! We live in a very remote area, and it is very valuable to me to have access to teachers of this caliber. My dd has said that her Omnibus classes have been the best thing about school this year. If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to ask me. Jackie

Is this a whole to parts method? Is there an audio/pronunciation component? Do you love it? What else have you tried? Thanks! Jackie

My dd finished up Zeta earlier this year and never opened our box of algebra/decimal manipulatives. We DID, however use our fraction overlays a couple of times when she had difficulty "seeing" a concept related to fractions. If I didn't have 3 more dc to go, I'd box them up and send them to you. :) Jackie

I've been planning/buying since January. For my oldest (8th grade), I need quite a jump in order to stay ahead of her. It is harder, imho, as they get older. Also, it is easier for us financially if I can kind of spread out my hsing purchases.

Tracy, You might want to check out the thread going below. There have been some great suggestions. If I knew how to link it, I would.....:( Cheers, Jackie

Lori, Thank you, thank you, thank you! I think I'm really leaning towards the Evans-Moore "How to Teach Art to children". And with respect to Art Appreciation...... I guess I can't resist slipping a little bit in there :) Have you .... Or has anyone.... used the "Art Fraud Detective"? It looks like fun! Jackie

Thanks for this.... because I just checked out Atelier, and it IS out of my price range!:001_huh: Jackie

Oops. Sorry to duplicate. This original thread is full of great ideas. Thanks for the link! Jackie

I have ignored art for far too long. At the same time, I believe it is very important to a well-rounded education! With my oldest dd (rising 8th grader), I managed art lessons. It seemed I had all the time in the world back then. She is interested in Visual Manna's "master drawing" curriculum for next year. Does anyone have any experience with this program? I will be teaching all 3 of my younger dc together. They are ages 7, 8, and 9 (2 boys and 1 tomboy). All I have done with them so far is, you know, the "art activities" found here and there in other subjects. Lots of coloring, cutting, pasting, etc. I DON'T want a craft program. I want an art program that teaches how to draw, the elements of color, and incorporates different mediums. I guess I would call it a basic program. I need it to be very hands-on as opposed to art appreciation. (Remember, 2 boys and 1 tomboy). Art appreciation will cause their eyes to glaze over. The program needs to be well-laid out for me. I don't have time to gather resources. I did "Drawing with Children" with my oldest..... but I need something laid out in weekly lessons with clear intructions. I would like to "do art" once/week for a couple of hours. Which programs have YOU used successfully? TIA, Jackie

My education was your basic public school in a small town education. The actual teaching was good some years, and bad in others. I still fondly remember the "good" teachers. As I answer this question, I am struck by how enmeshed are the areas of parenting and education in my mind. My parents were working so hard that they rarely took notice of what was going on with me. I was smart, and a good student, and still fell in with the "wrong crowd". It was a coach who took notice of my abiilities; and her attention and encouragement shaped my life for years to come. School became secondary to sports. But I knew I had to go to college and get a good job, so I did. Nobody helped me to shape my college choice. I was in a hurry to get done and get out so that I could start making money. Looking back, I wish that someone might have helped me to form a love of learning for the sake of learning. I was an avid reader and writer, but neither of those were encouraged or valued in my home. Only work was valued (and my Mom is a UC Berkeley grad!!). Go figure. So I guess I'm doing a 180 with my own dc. We read for the love of it. I try to provide opportunities for them that I never had. For example my dd and I will be going on the VP scholars online field trip later this month to Washington DC, and Pennsylvania. I hope that things like that will broaden my dc's horizons. We live in a very rural area. (Our local library doesn't even have "The Screwtape Letters!!) It is a constant challenge to find opportunities for enrichment here. I just want my dc to be able to love learning, and to appreciate other cultures. I want them to be able to look at the world and say "Oh, how interesting! I want to try that." Or "Oh, I want to go there and experience that place or that country." I want them to slow down and live, not just exist, as I did. And yes, those goals DO tie in to strong Latin, math, English grammar, and writing skills ;). Thanks for the post. It has been good food for thought. Jackie

Wow. Private classical school. Is that as wonderful as it sounds? And still at home 3 days/week? Sounds perfect! Jackie

Thanks, Camy. You've given me some good ideas. I might adopt some of your practices with respect to spelling, copywork, and dictation. An aside: I've been using the composition notebooks you mentioned for art. My little guys draw a picture and then construct a sentence which summarizes what they've drawn. It has been SO much fun. Thanks for your help on McGuffey's. Jackie

This is perfect. Thanks.

Is there someplace where I could see the Elson worksheets? I'm thinking that perhaps I could make something similar for my McGuffey lessons..... Thanks, Jackie

anyone?