This is my synopsis of Andrew Pudewa: 1. Read to your kids - 1-2 hours a day to increase intuitive grammar (grammar you know just because you speak it) 2. Memorize - he recommends anything (dance steps, music, facts), but especially likes poetry 3. Latin - as early as you can - if you actually have to use grammar, it will stick better. 4. When they get to the point of writing decently, editing excercises 5. Writing (using IEW) because you again are using grammar for your writing. Beth

Thank you! This is something to think about and really makes me think. All of a sudden, the path is a bit clearer. The Latin will give the grammar he needs and the other program will help with his writing. Now to consider the rest of my students and what my goals are for them. Now the question is -- do I start Latin with my 2nd grader as his grammar program (in addition to the basic IEW writing he will do)? Beth

I'm in the midst of deciding between two curriculums. So, why does one teach English grammar? Do they really need to know present/past participle - all those tenses - especially if they're learning Latin? Or, is the point of English grammar to improve their writing? If I just had them focus on diagramming past 6th grade to help them see where their writing is needing improvement, would that be enough? Do they need to know things like what a correlative conjunction is or a what the different pronouns are called? Thanks! Beth

:lurk5:

I know this has been asked before, but this is an ongoing debate in my head and my husband has given me the "whatever you want to use is fine" so that's no help.:glare: Ds has done rod and staff through grade 5. Looking at grade 6, it looks like a repeat of grade 5 for the most part (there is some new stuff to be fair) and I don't want him to waste his time on grammar. I like analytical grammar because you learn something and then review it just to keep it fresh but you don't need to do grammar every day. I also like that the review books use real sentences from literature. As a side note, he does know how to diagram fairly well. I looked at a friend's analytical grammar and while he could cruise through most of season 1, there was still some stuff that could use reinforcement. I want him to be able to eventually be able to diagram his own sentences to figure out why they may sound weird to fix them. That''s my goal with grammar instruction - also a bit to help with foreign language learning. So, I guess I'm looking for a better response than "whatever you want to use is fine." Beth

The cost for foundations/essentials is mostly to pay tutors and the director. There are also supply fees, facility fees (building rent and liability insurance), and registration fees which go directly to CC. For Challenge, a little over 1/4 of tuition goes directly to CC corporate, in addition to the registration fees that go to CC corporate, facility fee (rent and liability), and supply fees. I think your best bet for understanding the Challenge level is to interview a current challenge director and ask to look at the lesson plans. When I was a director, my tutors could have made more money working at Target for way less hassle. They did work hard for the money. Beth

One big difference is history. You will get a lot more history sequentially in TWTM than in CC. They claim to have history built in, but it's only history in the sense that you could claim to have a history program because you read historical fiction and put those events on a timeline. These two programs are really completely different in my opinion. You will have to decide what you want for your child - CC will provide the community and dialectic discussion with a group of peers. TWTM will still allow you to be in control of your child's education with what they learn and how they learn it. Beth

I count all the a,b,c's as a point also. BUT, if he forgets to add the "ft", "in", or the what the number indicated (paintings, people, etc) on the word problems I count those completely wrong. Connotation is important. In the "real" world, if you put $ instead of cents, it becomes a totally different number. beth

I used Singapore with my oldest until 6A where I realized he really needed to have more practice with the concepts before he moved on to other concepts. So, we switched to Saxon - he tested into Algebra 1/2. With ds#3, I am doing Singapore math for the mental math/how math works and Horizons math for the math fact practice. I will switch him when he's ready for 5/4 or 7/6 - I haven't decided that part yet. I agree with other posters that you really do need to supplement the math facts part which is why I'm supplementing with Horizons. Beth

The question remains - is it shorter and more to the point? I'm talking about the span of the year not necessarily the day to day. Beth

I'd like to know also!:lurk5: Beth

Yes to specific recommendations! No one I know even does anything with their face beyond soap. Beth

I did 2 years and dropped it for the grass is greener syndrome. The grass is not greener. We're coming back and I don't ever plan to leave it again. We did love the years we did and I can't wait to start up with it again. Beth

I have a Macy's nearby and an Ulta at the same location. I have a sister who uses Clinique - my concern also is the fresh out of high school makeup girl who has no idea what works for the over 40 crowd. What would an Ulta do vs. the Macy's department store counters? I have never done this and had a mom who never wore makeup, have friends who never do this - this really is unknown territory. Beth

I am looking to have someone give me makeup advice. My face is aging and looking dull. I'd like to go to one of those makeup counters in department stores and "get my face done" to see what they recommend and to get a foundation that matches my skin color. What is a good brand? Where do I start? Beth

I keep the basics the same (math, Language arts) even if they bore me to tears (FLL is this for me, but it works and ds doesn't seem to mind). If it works and the kids aren't complaining, it stays. On the other hand, I've dropped history/science programs based on parental boredom. If I can't stand those type of programs, even if the kids like it, it gets sold. Beth

Can you put any filters on it to keep kids away from smut? I am thinking about one for e-reading and also to get web access so my husband can take the laptop to work. I have a pre-teen boy and really want to at least protect him from random web surfing at home. No filters would be a deal breaker to me. Beth

I think doing CC with a 4 year old is do-able depending on the 4 year old. My 4 year old daughter is the youngest in her class and was not ready for that academic of a setting. They had a great tutor who kept them moving, but my dd could not sit still for most everything. Her class just got used to having her under the table, in the windowsill, etc. I think CC is good in that it really helps parents see what their children are capable of memorizing. It gives also gives a good community for first time homeschoolers. We will be just focusing on TOG next year using CC memory work that co-ordinates with what we are learning. The time away from home each week was just too much for our family. As far as using TOG and CC, it's doable, but don't expect them to match up that well. Do them as two separate programs and it can work. Trying to co-ordinate them won't work at all. CC memory work spans too much history in a year. For example, cycle 2 of CC goes through 3 years of TOG history. Beth

In Rapunzel, after the prince has his eyes poked out falling into thorns from the tower and Rapunzel is banished to the desert, they finally find each other. She cries and tears fall from her eyes healing the prince's eyes. She then introduces him to their twins. Yes people - the prince did ask her to marry him in the tower, but they were doing a lot more than talking. I too wonder about the whole original fairy tales. They ARE brutal! Beth

If you want scripted, shurley grammar, All about spelling, and Saxon are scripted. You will be spending a lot of time on Saxon though which can often be too much for a boy who just wants to run around. Math U See is good for boys since it has manipulatives and it has a video component to watch to teach the teacher how to teach the lesson (they're a five minute lesson) - I think it teaches addition and subtraction very well. There is really no "Classical Conversations" recommended program for Language arts, but they do recommend Saxon for math. If you want specifics for math, just ask on a separate thread and you'll get more answers than you could ever want. Beth

If you are looking for a L.A. program and plan to stick with the program until the oldest gets to Essentials, I would suggest Shurley Grammar. The grammar in the Essentials class for the most part follows that format and your student will have a very good start when they get to that class. For a child who is already reading but needs phonics reinforcement, I also would suggest All About Spelling. It goes through spelling rules which are really phonics. CC recommends Saxon for math which has very mixed reviews on this board. It is scripted which makes it easy for a newby homeschooler. I personally use a mix of Singapore math and Horizons math for my 1st grader. I never try to match them up, but Horizons gives the extra practice that is missing in Singapore. Singapore gives children a really good grounding in manipulating numbers and knowing how math works. Beth

For you Kindle lovers - that Aesop version is free on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Aesop-Children-pictures-Winter-ebook/dp/B004UJDJ2I/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp Beth

You can buy protein powder and use it as a substitute for some of the flour in baked goods like waffles. I've done that with whole wheat waffles and they get a bit more than just straight carbs. I have a friend who claims that not having the proper enzymes to digest food can cause a very young child to eat as much as a teenager and still not gain much weight. Now for those approaching the teen years - as my ds's friend has said, "I need some food and make sure there's a lot of it". And my last random comment - the more beans you eat, the more your body will produce an enzyme to break down those beans properly. After a while, the beans should have no adverse affects. Beth

First Form Latin with the DVDs. Nothing like "buying a teacher". Beth

Here's my take on Math. I was a Math major in college. I see a good grounding in math as a means to train the mind how to think sequentially. It helps with Logic. If you treat it as such, it can also help with learning to observe details (just ask my son about how I'm constantly pointing out that he needs to learn to notice details). If you get into upper level maths such as Non-Euclidean Geometry you learn that there are really two ways to see the same problem (for example, parallel lines can intersect). That whole thing can be easily applied to worldview - that a person's worldview affects the way they see everything. Mostly though, it really trains attention to detail and how to think sequentially. Beth