Thanks, Ester Maria! What do you think would be serious yet doable for first-time Latin study for 6th and 8th grades? Lively Latin, GP Latin Prep, other???? Suggestions for 3rd grade?

Is it too soon to be thinking about next year? (2011-2012) :lol::tongue_smilie: I'm just wondering about Latin. My youngest is working through Getting Started with Latin in his 2nd grade year. My oldest two are working through Rosetta Stone Spanish. (This year is year 2 of three years..... one more year to go next year.) The olders are in 5th and 7th grades this year. We might switch everyone over to Latin next year. (I'd let the older two finish RS Year 3 and start Latin at the same time). I'm most fond of Lively Latin. Could my youngest use Lively Latin next year and my older two use Galore Parks Latin Prep???? Would that be a good combination? Would it be too much to finish RS Year 3 and do Latin at the same time? Would that be too teacher intensive? Or.... could all three use LL together? (Next year, they would be in 3rd, 6th, and 8th grades.) Is LL to "easy" for an 8th grade beginning Latin student? Getting Started in Latin would have my youngest prepared, but will RS be enough to prep my olders for Galore Park's Latin Prep? What is the best way to teach Latin to 3rd, 6th, and 8th grades together when only the youngest has had the most Latin exposure?

Look at www.northwestrockandfossil.com . (You can Google Northwest Treasures.) I talked to Patrick Narre there by phone a couple of years ago when I was preparing for us to study geology. He put together a rock collection for me that was fantastic!!! I think I paid around $90, BUT that was due to the kind of collection I wanted. He'll work with you and build the kind of collection you want. I purchased examples of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. I also wanted rocks that would represent the Mohs scale of hardness so that we could do scratch tests. He also packaged rocks that were examples of intrusive and extrusive rocks. I also asked him for some minerals. It was a wonderful rock collection? All of the rocks were in individually packaged rock-sized zippy bags and each was labeled. The individual bags were then put into bigger zippy bags that were labeled for the catagories of rocks they represented: sedimentary, intrusive, Mohs, etc... I was thrilled with the whole experience, and I can highly recommend him.

I was inspired to try WTM history this year but couldn't get comfortable with planning the details. I found Biblioplan which basically organized it for me. We are studying ancients, and they provide maps and a timeline. They also have Cool History pages which have helped us pick out the most important points of a SOTW chapter. For K-2 you can buy coloring pages that follow SOTW. I'm letting my 2nd grader use these. Biblioplan also provides additional info in the form of their Parent Companion but that is a HUGE electronic document that you download and use via computer. It is against copyright rules to print it. It schedules readers, BUT you have to decide what and how much to read. This was the part I had the most trouble with. It looks a lot like Sonlight as far as the planning grid, yet not all of the books were clearly planned from beginning to end. This was a "con" for me since using SL for 2 years. It could be a "pro" for others because it gives you the ability to schedule as you want. Bottom line: Biblioplan has allowed me to try WTM history by making available readers, reference books (encyclopedias and such), writing suggestions (haven't used these yet), maps, timeline, and as a bonus, Cool History pages. You might think of this as a stepping stone to trying WTM history independently next year once becoming more familiar with this curriculum.

We use Rosetta Stone for Spanish. My 5th and 7th graders are on year 2 of 3. IF you adjust the lesson to the skills your 6 year old could do without frustration, it would be ok. For example, the writing skills (at least for year 2) are quite challenging. I think they were easier last year, but probably still too challenging for a 6 year old. You can adjust the program so that she would skip writing. Start Rosetta Stone with the skills she can use in a fun way. Add in more as she can handle them. Then, it might work.

Logic Countdown, Logic Liftoff, and Orbiting Logic are three that I've seen a lot on this board. Countdown is for about 3rd grade; Liftoff, 4th-ish grade; Orbiting, 5th-7th grades. I read on one of the boards that it might help with continuity if you start at the beginning even if you have an older student. Your choice, though. These are published by Prufrock Press, and are about $9-$10 each.

Look at Getting Started with Spanish by Bill Linney. We are using Rosetta Stone but not completely happy with it. I'm trying to supplement with GSwS. So far, so good. My kids like it. My 2nd grader is using Getting Started with Latin. We just take one day at a time! These books get rave reviews at Amazon. You can also see them at Linney's web site www.gettingstartedwithspanish.com. Adults as well as children can use them. Each book is built on the concept of learing one new idea each day. This is what makes it doable. These books are also less than $20 each. The only downside may be that they would not get you as far as "regular" curriculum would, but I'm really not sure about that. It is definitely worth checking out.

Thanks, ladies!!! You all made excellent points. I am having dd finish Season 2 before beginning spelling and vocabulary. That is really helping! As far as alternating days for history and science..... Bob Jones Life Science is pre-planned and has to be done every day. Biblioplan Ancients is done Monday -Thursday. Again, I don't know a way around that. Today, I consciously worked writing in. History writing was done pretty easily. I feel better about it. Science writing is going to be a bit harder to do. My dd (7th grade) and my other two younger kids (5th and 2nd) all watch the Bob Jones Life Science DVD video lesson together. Then my dd goes off on her own to finish the assignment. I work with the boys without dd talking about the content on their maturity levels. I can help them with the writing, but time runs out as far as spending time with dd to help her with hers. The boys have done some writing in science, but dd hasn't done any yet. The 7th grade work seems to take a long time. I hope it's just because we haven't found our groove yet..... I'm just concerned that writing isn't getting the attention required for my middle schooler. This is why most people would use a curriculum. Nothing is telling me, "Do this...." or, "Do that..." and it's up to me to be SURE we practice writing SKILLS. I'm rambling. Maybe this will work out. Until then, do you understand my concern? Does this make sense? I HAVE to teach her the SKILLS she has to know to be prepared for highschool.

I like your selection of classes! I think having a curriculua FOR writing helps. We actually used IEW Themed Early-American History for writing last year, but it was a lot to try to do as a first-time IEW user. This year, I'm trying to use SWB's middle school writing. I think it will be ok, but as this is the beginning of the year, I'm having trouble fitting it into a time slot. It has been suggested that it may be acceptable to leave spelling out of 7th grade. I must admit, this really might work. Spelling could definitely be studied within the context of writing. We also do Wordly Wise which could function as spelling..... it just wouldn't have spelling RULES associated with it. Any thoughts????:bigear:

Would you ladies look over the classes my 7th grader is taking and make comments? Math: Lial's BCM Science: BJU Life Science W/DVDs Grammar: Analytical Grammar: Season 2 Spelling: Megawords Vocab: Wordly Wise History: BiblioPlan: Ancients Writing: SWB's writing for middle school Literature: Literary Lessons from the Lord of the Rings (done orally with younger brother..... both VERY familiar with the books/movies) Rosetta Stone Spanish Year 2 also, Getting Started with Spanish when we can fit it in. Logic: Logic Countdown, Liftoff, Orbiting with Logic I'm having trouble finding time for dd to WRITE.... this is a concern, and this week I'll work hard to fit this in better. Please make suggestions concerning this. Getting Started with Spanish and Logic are not really happening. School is lasting from about 8am-4pm. I hope we'll see the length of our day shorten as we find our pace/routine. Then I hope these will fit in our day more easily. Life Science is good, yet it's the most challenging class we've done. We're liking it more and more. If you've done this, can you tell me if you did EVERY project/assignment or did you pick and choose? How did you make this class work for you? Is this a good work load for a 7th grader?

We used Lyrical Earth Science two years ago with a 10 and 8 year old. I used it as a spine, but I brought in other workbook pages to supplement. I had several workbooks that I found by researching homeschool geology on the internet. This was definitely a class that I pieced together. I did a lot of research on the internet as well. For me, personally, I listened to The Teaching Company's Geology DVDs. I think the teacher's name was John West??? He was WONDERFUL! (.... Just my opinion). This DVD series helped ME understand geology concepts. As far as Lyrical Earth Science.... my kids loved the music. Even now, 2 years later, they still listen to the songs for fun! Even though it's sort of non-traditional, it worked for us. I think the important thing is to have a spine or scope so that you have definite objectives to cover. Then use Lyrical Science and any other supplementary materials you can find to meet your objectives. Music is definitely a good way to internalize information. It really works for some.

I've heard lots of good things about The Lively Art of Writing. I haven't read it, but I think it is supposed to explain what good writing is. It is a very popular book about writing. I have Kathryn Stout's book Comprehensive Composition. I think its content is similar to TLAoW, but it is written at a level my 5th and 7th graders can understand. It tells about different kinds of writing and explains basic things like how to write a paragraph. A 9th grader could certainly use this book as well. The best sample I found was at www.googlebooks.com . Just type the title in the search box. Oh.... editing to add.... SWB's writing lectures are also a possiblity for you. I am always so thankful that she simplifies school/teaching. The way she explains writing does not require expensive curriculua or complicated procedures. You can find her lectures at Peace Hill Press.

I've used Edu-Track for years. Now, I'm NOT computer savy, but my dh is. Once he got in installed, I was able to input all of my data, and I use it without much trouble now. I must also add, I don't usually try to do anything more than set up each school year, enter current curriculua books, and update daily. I usually write long reports at the end of each year in the Teacher's Journal, but I have no idea how to use the File Cabinet. I print out attendance reports and semester grades at mid-term and finals. The reports look professional. I can also print out a lesson plan template for my kids each week for them to see their required work for the week. I use ET differently from the way its "supposed" to be used. Each year, I use Repeating Activities to enter the classes we will study. I keep a separate teacher's assignment book that a school teacher would use, and I write detail lesson plans in it. Each week, I update ET and enter grades and transfer pages completed in our school books. I haven't tried to schedule ET to this level of detail, and therefore, I haven't ever had to "bump". It is very important to go through the set-up wizard, and it's very important not to overlap school years. The support staff at ET has always responded to all problems I've ever had. Overall, I'm satisfied. I've read a little about HST+. It gets rave reviews, but it sounds difficult to set up initially. ET's Repeating Acitvities makes it very easy to enter classes for an entire school year. I am curious about the difference between ET and HST+, but I don't have a reason to switch.

I so appreciate everyone's help!!! Thanks so much for answering my questions.:001_smile:

Thanks, Gingersmom! Not sure if 4 cups of flour is the same thing as the 2 pound loaf. I was trying to find out if I buy a machine that makes a 2 pound loaf, will it make 2- 14" pizzas?

Thank you, Mrs. F!!!!:001_smile::001_smile::001_smile:

Gingersmom, Could you tell me how much pizza your dough makes? My dh makes 2 14" pizzas that he and our children and I eat. Would 2 pounds of dough be enough, or would 2.5 be better?

Yes, we have an old mixer.... belonged to dh's grandmother! The bread machine would allow less hands-on time though which is what he would appreciate. I would still love to hear what size loaf would make enough dough for 2- 14" pizzas..... any thoughts?:bigear:

Thanks so much everyone! Ok. Considering that I wouldn't need an expensive machine for dough, now I want to know how much dough will make 2- 14" pizzas? I still kind of like the Panasonic SD-YD250 just in case we want to make bread, but it won't break the bank. It makes a 2.5 pound loaf of bread. Most machines I've read about make a 2 pound loaf. Can anyone speak to this issue?

My husband makes wonderful home-made pizza for us almost every weekend. Although it's worth the effort, its a long process, and he would LOVE to cut down on the time. We're wondering if it would be worth it to invest in a bread machine to make the dough. Amazon has a Panasonic SD-YD250 for $135. 655 people gave it 4.5 stars. It can make up to a 2.5 pound loaf of bread (the largest I found anywhere.) Its primary competition is a machine made by Zojirushi. ANY of their 2-pound loaf machines are over $200, but these get rave reviews. My husband really would never consider spending this much money, but I REALLY would like to hear comparisions between the Panasonic and Zojirushi. Can anyone tell me about the Panasonic SD-YD250? Can anyone comment about the Zojirushi? What machine would you recommend for pizza dough?...... enough to make 2- 14" pizzas.

I am using BCM with my 7th grader. It is very thorough since it starts with whole numbers. From what I've read, we're supposed to be able to go directly into Alg. I next year. I go over the side bar sample problems with my dd, and she does the odd exercises independently. We check answers together. (I have the solutions manual with the odds worked out.) Color is important to her, and she likes the look and feel of the textbook. I'm sure you know that Jann in Tx. is the authority on BCM and has helped MANY, including me, with BCM. I'm using CLE math with my 5th grader after reading so many super reviews on this board. I've read that it is like Saxon-light. It is a spiral curriculua with uncluttered pages. Appearance wise, it looks more pleasing to the eye than Saxon and has a reputation of being very thorough. I'm not sure how their pre-Algebra compares to Saxon or BCM, but it would be worth checking out.

Patrick Nurre from Northwest Treasures helped me. You can read about and contact him at www.northwestrockandfossil.com . I called Patrick and described what I wanted, and he hand picked a rock collection for us! I think I spent about $90 and got: examples of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rock; intrusive and extrusive rocks; rocks for each level of the Mohs' Scale; and an extensive set of minerals. He sent lots of rocks, and they were great representations of the "kinds" of rocks I needed to show my kids. Each rock was packaged in its own mini-ziplock bag with identification. Each grouping of rocks was packaged in a larger ziplock bag and also identified. I was very pleased with the collection Patrick made for me! He will listen to what you want and patiently work with you to select the the kit that will best fit your needs. I can't recommend him highly enough.

We've done several things for devotions. We tried a book called Gathering Around the Dinner Fable which was a lot of fun..... some more than others. Don't let the word "fable" fool you. These were Bible verses applied to stories that we could discuss. Last year, we used a Bible story book and read Bible stories! That was great fun! This year, each of my kids is reading his/her AWANA verses outloud to each other and to me followed by my reading the Bible selection from Biblioplan Ancients. We started in Genesis, and we've enjoyed several interesting bunny trails. The longer we homeschool, the more inclined I am to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. Somehow, as good as Bible studies are, it is precious to guide children in such a way to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself in a more natural way.... To ask the children, "What do you want to read today?" Or, "Is there anything especially meaningful to you in this verse(s)? Even begin to teach intercessory prayer. We have not really tried this. But, the act of waiting expectantly on the Lord to guide our devotion time makes this beginning of the day very special. I love devotion time and tend to enjoy it a little too much. One of my kids told me that if I would just keep devotions to 10-15 minutes we would be able to finish school on time!!! Those bunny trails can be great fun!

We used it last year (5th and 6th grades), and we're using it again this year. My kids love it. You asked about the teacher's manuel. Did you mean the answer key??? I would not use WW without the answer key. It makes checking the kids' work MUCH easier!

We are using CLE for the first time this year with my 5th grader. I just happenend to notice that if you print out the scope and sequence, the topics listed there are the topics which have instruction withing the light units. That would make it easier to look up something for review. Maybe that will help you. :001_smile: