Right now I'm using them as a read-aloud with my 3 youngers. I read the story or poem, and then ask them comprehension type questions. We talk about words that they don't understand, and basically reinforce the moral teaching in the story. I also have my ds read aloud to me from them. He struggles a bit with reading and needs the extra practice. The readers seem to progress rapidly in terms of difficulty. How do I stretch out the "lessons"? What else have others done with these? TIA:bigear: Jackie

No. Webex access is included in the cost of the course.

I would start with Henle via the Memoria Press Syllabus. Henle is a little bit gentler than Wheelock. And if the teacher (I assume that will be you) has no latin background, I think Henle is a good choice. It is very strong in grammar. Good luck with your decision, Jackie

My dd is enrolled in the Veritas Scholars Online Omnibus I classes. I will do my best here.... I'm a complete computer neophyte. OK, the classes are conducted through a Webex classroom. You'll need a high-speed connection and audio capabilities. My dd uses a headset with a mic. The classroom consists of a white-board, a chat box, and of course the audio component, which allows the student to hear the lecture, and ask or answer questions during the class. The instructor sometimes sends "handouts" home via email. All writing assignments are submitted via email to the instructor. Does that answer your question? I did my best :blushing: Oh, and we've been thoroughly pleased with the entire course. It's been one of the best homeschooling decisions I ever made. HTH! Regards, Jackie

Nan, I have not yet been where you are, but your sadness is so evident in your post. (((Nan))) I hope that you can find solace in the fact that you've tenderly, and wonderfully prepared your children for their respective futures. I hope that you will be able to share in their joy as they experience life to the fullest. And France for 3 weeks? I hope that mine will be so blessed. Blessings and hugs, Jackie

We have used MUS all along (K-6th), but decided to switch to something else from pre-Alg forward. We did so due to the many comments on these boards which raised questions as to the sufficiency of MUS for the college-bound student. I also believed it would be a good idea for my dd to have some math taught to her by a "different teacher" (so-to-speak). We settled on Lial's for pre-Algebra and Algebra I. We plan to use Jacob's for Geometry, and after that, we'll assess and plan from there. We were thoroughly pleased with the grammar stage math from MUS, and I have found my dd to be well-prepared for pre-Algebra. But sometimes, change is good. Just my 2 cents. Regards, Jackie

I wanted to make sure that I would actually use it before I spent any $$. I've been using it for about a month, and it has helped this extremely disorganized person get organized! My kids like the assignment sheets that I print out for them daily. Katilac's post about the HST+ has piqued my interest. I can sure see a benefit to the assignment planning features that she mentioned. Anyway, it certainly has helped me to focus, and NOT just do the next thing. My kids were tired of that, and wanted to see the bigger picture. HTH, Jackie

I've used it for my oldest 2, and am planning on starting it with my 3rd child. I love the retention that my kids get from Shurley. They really know their parts of speech cold! I also like the way the reference "charts" are set up in the student workbook. We have looked at them again and again for many grammar topics. I don't use the writing portion. I use CW instead. That said, I wish that my dc also knew how to diagram sentences. Diagramming seems to be the method of choice for more advanced grammar programs. I feel limited by our lack of training with diagramming, and will probably have to "bite the bullet" and teach that method also. So, mixed feelings here. I have no experience with Rod and Staff, but have heard so many good things about it. I look forward to reading what other posters think. Jackie

So obviously, I like it. I'm currently using the PM 1st grade for 1 ds and then the PM K for my last ds. I also used it for my 2 dds, now 7th and 3rd grade. We used the whole program. I used the workbook along with the teacher's guide and it was great. I will admit that like a previous poster, I hate the readers. I wish they would improve them. But I just supplemented with Abeka, and Bob books. With my 2 dds I did use the readers, but I just couldn't bring myself to use them with my 2 ds. They're pretty awful. But the readers are just a small part of the program. I like the PM for the writing, and for the thorough phonics training. Yes, there are some sight words, but those mostly go with the readers, so if you don't use the readers, it's not a problem. I think this program is easy to use. The TM gives step by step instructions for each lesson. Also, there have been different aspects that have "stuck" for each of my dc. Some of my dc are visual learners, some are auditory, and some are tactile. This program has worked for each and every learning style. I'm starting to sound like a commercial, so I'll quit. But first I will add one more note. The PM is the first step in the VP program which is considered by many to be fairly rigorous. It has given my dc a firm foundation in a program that is very strong on reading comprehension, and writing. I think it has much to offer. Just my 2 cents. Hope I helped in some way. Regards, Jackie

That will be the hardest thing for me..... DON'T THEY SEE WHAT THEY'RE MISSING IF THEY REJECT MY DD/DS!!???!!! When my dh was rejected from a University, my mil went to the admissions office and said just that: "Don't you see what you're missing here? You can't possibly mean that you don't want my son to come here!" :lol:Somehow it worked. They admitted him. He graduated with honors. But that was a different time, and a different school. I hope your dd bounces right back. Their loss. :grouphug:, Jackie

You are so deserving of this. CONGRATS!!!

First of all, welcome. There's a lot of wisdom on this board (speaking of others here), and a lot of generosity too. I'm glad you're here, and glad you're homeschooling. Of course your student can go to college without completing Alg. I in 7th or 8th grade. There are a million ways to "skin a cat" so to speak, and the important thing is that now that you're homeschooling, your dd will be able to get the individualized attention that she deserves in order to prepare for college. Kudos to you for saying yes to this challenge!:001_smile: And it is a challenge, but certainly one that is surmountable. So tell us more. What specific curriculum are you considering? What are your students' strengths and weaknesses? What are their interests? Believe me, you'll do fine. I've been homeschooling my dc from the start, so I'm not in the same boat as you, but I'm sure you'll get plenty of encouraging words from those who have a situation similar to yours. Blessings to you! Jackie

These reasons make sense to me! And they lead me to ask my next question: should a student focus on AP classes in his/her field of interest? For example, my daughter excels in languages and reading comprehension. She LOVES (right now) history and philosophy. I know it is too soon to tell where her ultimate interests will lie, but assuming she stays the present course, should she then forego science and math AP courses for Latin and Humanities? Thanks again!

I'm new at this high school stuff. My oldest dd is 13, going into 8th grade next year.... And in looking ahead, I see that our current tracks will lead her into several "AP" courses. Why are these necessary or desirable? When I went to high school (many moons ago:001_smile:), there was no such thing as "AP" classes. The larger High Schools had "Honors" classes. I was not in a large high school, so a few teachers tried to help me with "Independent Study" in English, History, etc. But all these classes did was keep me interested in school. There was no college level credit to be earned in High School. Is the purpose of an AP class simply to gain college credit? If so, what is the rush? Are AP classes necessary to earn college scholarships? Please enlighten me. I'm in the dark :001_huh:. THANKS!

She took the Omnibus I course online, and they read Herodotus cover to cover. As I asked her about it this morning, her eyes just lit up!:001_huh: She says that in places it is very dry, but that the key to understanding Herodotus is embracing his "wandering" style. The gems, she says, are contained in his fascinating observations about different cultures. I have seen Herodotus referenced in many other books, articles, etc., so even though I have never read this book (I know my time limitations) I thoroughly admire all you Moms (and Dads) out there who are making the attempt. Stay with it! Apparently it's worth it;). Jackie

What a coincidence! My daughter also has a ewe named Nellie (as in "Nervous Nellie"). She also has Biddy, Betty, Silly, Molly, Fatso, Freckles, and 2 others that I can't remember right now. She is quite the entrepreneur..... She would disagree with you, though. She thinks sheep are very dumb, and always in need of a shepherd. And she LOVES being their shepherd. We often apply the behaviors of her sheep to God's word. As in, "And they, like sheep, were led astray." And, "The sheep know the voice of the shepherd". Your sheep sure needed you today. I'm glad you were there to shepherd them :) . Jackie

You've received some great words of wisdom. Thanks for posting about your frustrations.... It's obvious you're not alone:001_huh:. I guess that with respect to the ps topic..... I would say, look hard before you leap. I placed my 2 youngest in ps this semester for several reasons. Chiefly, I guess, because I just wasn't getting the job done. We had gone through a big move, and lost a lot of school time, and the boys were falling behind. Placing them in ps did give me some breathing room and allow me to catch my breath and regroup. It also made me realize (again) that I actually am the best-suited to teach my dc. It's almost the end of the school year. Will you be taking the summer off? I think that sometimes we just get TIRED at this time of year. Several posters talked about how it feels like schooling is all we do. That is certainly true for me. Maybe it would be a good idea for you to put the books away until you're done with this year, and have had a little time off. After having a bit of summer fun, you might just feel rejuvenated. Also, I agree with the posters who suggested streamlining and combining. My boys will be joining us at home again next month, and I'm looking forward to a relaxed, combined (with my 3 youngest) history and Bible program. Just a lot of reading and narration. They love that! It doesn't even feel like school to them. A friend of mine just gave me a whole box of Right Start math games and materials. So I'm even considering JUST PLAYING MATH GAMES NEXT MONTH!!!! Yikes!! So out of character for me! I am so type A and so focused on orderly progression. Well, it's springtime! Anything could happen! I'm going to enjoy myself and my dc next month while I school. Who knows, maybe we'll just re-discover a love for learning. Wishing you the best on your journey, Jackie

I bought this book through the Veritas Press catalog. It is in the K and 1st grade section. The Big Picture Bible Timeline compiled by Carol Eide. If I knew how to link here, I would link you to it on the VP website. Helas, I am still a neophyte, and it's past my bedtime. :001_huh: But you can easily find it at veritaspress.com HTH, Jackie

We will be schooling this summer. We lost SO much time this past year as we moved to a new ranch. Also we had livestock on 2 ranches for a year, and our family was split between the 2 ranches, etc., etc. It was terrible, and our schooling suffered terribly. So, we will be forging ahead, just trying to finish out the year in math, history, science and Bible. We plan to go outside and ride horses, work on 4-H projects etc. until about 10am each day. Then into the house for 4-5 hours of school, lunch, free-time, etc. Then back outside for more fun as the day cools off. Also the 3 youngers will be playing baseball in June and July, and we'll hopefully get some swimming in somewhere...... Whatever happened to the old, lazy, summer days of my youth?:confused1: I hope to have them back again next year! Jackie

Confessions by St. Augustine If It's Not Food, Don"t Eat It by Kelly Hayford The Song of The Lark by Willa Cather Also leafing through various home decorating books.

by Catherine Vos, along with "The Big Picture Bible Timeline" for coloring pages. All 4 of my dc have enjoyed it. jackie

I just watched this movie last week. I too, would recommend it highly. Such a tear-jerker when you read the prologue at the end. How can people treat other people this way? I would suggest only for emotionally mature middle school, or high school age student. Jackie

:iagree: My 3 youngers still where their tri-corner hats everywhere!!

1) My 2 ds's are currently finishing their 1 (and only) semester in public school. It was a bust. They will be coming home in May. I am so relieved. 2) After 7 years of homeschooling, I have just implemented "Homeschool Tracker" into my routine. I cannot believe what a boost this has been to my organizational efforts, and to our school overall. 3) I do hereby vow to implement CW to a level that feels productive. I do also vow to study, master, and be able to teach Harvey's Revised English Grammar. 4) I am admitting that the VP history series does not work for my 2nd dd, and will use a combination of VP and SOTW with her and my 2 ds's. So far, that's all. Wish me luck, Jackie

Latin Henle I BCM Omnibus I Primary - Online Omnibus I Secondary - Online Classical Writing Homer Grammar- A mish-mash of CW, Shurley review, and Harvey's Rev. Eng. Apologia General Science Health- Abeka (req. by the state) French - !st Start French Music - Piano lessons