I naturally think the Asian math way, but because I figured it out myself instead of being taught it, I do so in a clumsy inefficient way. Still faster (for me) than the American way though - I never could get those stupid multiplication facts memorized! :) So the Asian way really appeals to me. My current plan is RightStart A & B, then moving to Math Mammoth after that. We sporatically use Miquon and MEP as supplements.

What is the huge deal with Tim Hawkins? Am I the only person who had never heard of him before I started getting emails from the convention?? Is he all that? What is he - a comedian? A musician? A motivational speaker? Should I be totally embarrassed that I don't know who he is? :confused:

The workshop schedule is out for the convention in the Southeast (in Greenville SC). I don't recognize many of the names. Who are your favorite presenters? The Wises, of course, but who else is a don't-miss? http://www.southeasthomeschoolconvention.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2011-SouthEast-_Greenville_-Schedule-of-Speakers-Topics-NEW.pdf

RS A & B, then move to MM MM usually goes on sale in March for 40% off at Homeschool Buyer's Coop, so no pressure to buy now!

It's all the basic facts for the basic subjects. Definitely good for EVERYONE of all ages. It's truly just FACTS, though, not poetry or that kind of thing. Basic history facts, basic science facts, basic math facts, basic grammar facts, etc. I have Living Memory as well, but that is more of a compilation of things to learn over a lifetime. It includes everything from poetry to hymns to geography. CC is more cut & dried. If for some reason we end up not sticking with the CC program, my goal would be to get through the CC memory work, then the Living Memory stuff would be the add-ons. CC is the basics, LM is the basics plus a lot of other stuff that is to make you more culturally knowledgeable. CC has a very clear schedule of what to learn when, LM is the a really really fat book of lists of stuff to learn. I was overwhelmed by LM even though I loved the idea of learning from it. CC seemed more do-able.

I REALLY like the Foundations Guide, and am glad I bought it. (And I would be even if we weren't going to start CC next year.) It has the vital things for each subject, and they are broken out by week. But then, I like schedules and the more scripted type programs and having it all laid out in black & white. :)

I am so glad I read this! I probably would have felt obligated to at least have them try this upcoming year (kindergarten), but it sounds like it really just should be more of an exposure experience this go-round.

I should have mentioned that my friend and her DH are NOT Christian, and were perfectly comfortable at this program. So it really is appropriate for ALL married couples, Christian or not. My friend went, and although NO sharing is required or even encouraged, discovered that their marriage problems were no worse than anybody else's there. There were people who had had numerous affairs, people who had run up thousands of dollars of debt without the spouse knowing, etc. Major problems. It was really a relief to her to be with other people who could understand. And it was NOT a big blame-session. If you have ANY thoughts whatsoever that you might want to salvage this marriage, I can't recommend Retrouvaille highly enough. It may or may not work, but when you finish the weekend, you will know that you gave it everything you had, which means that you will never look back and wonder if you should have done something different. Regret is a horrible thing.

I've seen something similar, but given that it doesn't have the footrest, I don't think it would be ideal for school-at-home. Perfect for meals, though, if you would rather that than a booster.

You can buy the CC Foundations Guide, and all the facts for every subject except the timeline are in there. That is for history sentences, Latin, English grammar, science, math, and geography. CC sells other things to do with it - CDs with the facts to songs, flashcards, etc., but the Foundations Guide has all the basic info except the timeline. The timeline is from Veritas Press - CC has their participants purchase VP's timeline cards & CDs with the timeline on them. Here's a sample from the Foundations Guide. http://www.classicalconversations.com/pdffiles/Press/Foundations3rdEditionSample.pdf

I am serious about at least considering addressing each area, can't hurt right? But I am able to laugh at my paranoia, as I continue considering. I know I know I know, I need to chill out! :)

$140 with no tax & free shipping is the best price I have seen for the Keekaroo $226 with no tax & free shipping is the best price I have seen for the Tripp Trapp - the price of that one is higher if you want a different color than natural I have not yet investigated whether or not some places will give a discount if you buy more than one. both of those are through Amazon (though I have looked a lot of other places)

We have narrowed it down to the Keekaroo and the Stokke Tripp Trapp. Has anybody used BOTH the Keekaroo AND the Tripp Trapp for a period of time (like more than a few months) that can compare? It seems like everyone on the internet loves their TTs over long periods of time, and everyone loves their K's, but the K people all seem to be commenting having just gotten them out of the box and are commenting about price. I don't see the K people coming back after having used them for a few months and commenting on 1) how often they have to tighten them, 2) how easily they can be cleaned, 3) how they are holding up, etc. I would LOVE to save the $100 x 4, but only if the Ks are truly as good over time! If I am going to end up replacing the Ks in 2 years, I might as well get the Stokkes now!

But but but but - I'm a new homeschooler! It is necessary for me to have all kinds of lists to check off to be sure I'm not screwing my kids up for life! :) In all seriousness, thanks so much to everyone who responded - very helpful!!

I am reading a book right now called "Raising Musical Kids - A Guide for Parents" by Robert A. Cutietta. He discusses intelligence as having 7 different but equal components: 1 - Verbal / Linguistic Intelligence - the ability to use words & language both written & spoken 2 - Logical / Mathematical Intelligence - the ability to use inductive and deductive thinking, numbers, and abstract patterns 3 - Musical / Rhythmic Intellingence - the ability to recognize and be sensitive to musical patterns 4 - Body / Kinesthetic Intelligence - the ability to coordinate mind and body in physical movement 5 - Visual / Spatial Intellingence - the ability to visualize an object & create mental images 6 - Interpersonal Intelligence - the ability to communicate in person-to-person situations 7 - Intrapersonal Intelligence - the ability to relate to inner states of being and spirituality So, I am confident that we have curriculum covering the first two. The book is about developing musical skills, so I understand that. The fourth one is, I guess, athletic ability. We do a lot of extracurriculars covering that stuff. Numbers 5, 6, and 7, I am a little less clear on. Especially number 5. Do you feel that you are developing your children in all of these areas? Specifically with regards to the last 3, HOW? The book goes on to discuss how aptitude (natural potential) is malleable until early elementary school. After that, achievement is limited by practice/study, and aptitude. One other random comment - I wonder why artistic ability isn't in there somewhere?

Off to look!

My almost-6 year olds have known all their letters and sounds (upper & lower) for almost 2 years, and STILL aren't reading. The blending thing has "come in" for 1, but not the other two. They just don't get it, and I'm not willing to stress them out of it by pushing. So just know that it may be a while yet before she is ready. Give it a try, and put it aside for 3-6 months if she gets stuck.

My kids are about 6 months younger than yours, but will be starting kindergarten (at home) in the fall. My plan is to build off CC. We will do American history (maybe with Beautiful Feet's Early American, but maybe just with books from the library that flesh out each week's history sentence). The following year, when CC goes back to Cycle 1, we will start SOTW 1. SOTW 1 is apparently appropriate for all lower elementary grades, so this might work well for you too. ------------------------------------------- Are you familiar with Retrouvaille? It's a marriage counseling weekend for marriages with major issues, put on by the Catholic church for all couples (Christian or not). My best friend dealt with a situation very similar to yours a few years back, and they intended to divorce. They went to Retrouvaille solely so they could tell the kids that they had done everything they could and just were unable to salvage their marriage. Neither she nor her husband really intended to work on the marriage, going was just a show. But it worked. It was an intense weekend, but today, their marriage is as strong as anybody's. They can't recommend it highly enough! It's worth at least checking into! http://www.retrouvaille.org/

At what age IS there an expectation that most kids will make Memory Master? What is the youngest that you see maybe half or more of the kids in a class going for it? (Just to give me a clue as to when it becomes more serious!) Thanks!

We do work the superman, egg, and a thousand other exercises daily. The PTs & OTs got together and make us a notebook of home exercises. We do them diligently, and it's better, but I just don't think they will ever be strong kids! :(

May I ask everyone, whether you like JW or not, where you are from? We live in the south, and naturally talk a little slower but probably more animated, and I wonder if what you are used to hearing makes a difference as to whether or not you like JW?

Can your kids pull themselves into the table and push themselves away in this chair? Or is the base too, uh, I don't know the word - not slidey? Our kitchen floor is tile, if that matters.

Oh gotcha! I guess I figured the seat itself (where your hiney goes) must get too narrow given that they advertise it as going up to 36 months.

I do NOT have a room that I can turn into a designated schoolroom, so I am going to have to use the kitchen table. My kids are currently in boosters, which work fine for meals, but their feet are dangling. After reading the other thread, I feel like I need to replace their chairs so that they aren't learning terrible posture during writing. (They already all have horrid posture due to lack of core strength as it is - I do not want to make it worse!) My kids are almost 6 years old, but small for their age. 44" tall, about 35 pounds, and wearing size 5 or 6 clothing. The Stokke Tripp Trapp chair says it is for 6 to 36 months. Is there an equivalent for kids who are too big for highchairs, but not ready for regular kitchen chairs? Something that would last for a number of years, until they are ready for regular chairs?

Now here is such a stupid thing to be annoyed about. You can't get the whole series in hardback or the whole series in paperback. There are like 3 that are in hardback ONLY and 4 that are in paperback ONLY. That just drives the perfectionist in my CRAZY!!! :tongue_smilie: