Could anyone compare the two for me? My DS is using R&S English 3 this year, we're 1/2 way through and my plan is to either go on to R&S 5 next year or switch to CLE LA. R&S has been ok, I'm disappointed with what he has retained but I think that's got as much to with him hating everything "school" and me not doing enough reinforcing orally (which we are changing) I'm wondering what's different about CLE that may or may not make it a better fit for him. Anyone? thanks in advance!

I'm new to the forum, don't post much but I read LOTS (probably why I run out of time to post :)!) Name: Kelly age of dc: 4 dc: ds 11, dd 9, dd 5, dd 3 how long homeschooling?: 2011/12 will be our 7th year, we started with oldest ds in K waaaaay back in 2004 have you taught these ages/grades before?: Nope. I'm hoping to learn something here! Do you follow a particular style of education? (WTM, LCC, CM, Electic,): I'm finding we lean more WTM as the years go by, I like the discipline but mess with the content a bit. We're in the midst of getting it sorted out. Do you plan to homeschool high school?: Yes although it might take the form of more online courses or some outside classes. I just want it to be primarily home-based ie. not all day in hs. Any favorite quotes or wisdom that get you through the day?: "Compare yourself to excellence!"

I do this. It drives me nuts. It's exhausting. Sometimes I find myself remembering situations that happened over 20 years ago? :001_huh: What a waste of time THAT is! And yes, I'm a definite introvert on every test I've ever taken. I wonder whether over analyzation leads to introversion (because it sucks the life out of you) or vice versa...

Interesting. I just finished a book today called "I Can Learn Better by Myself" all about interest-led learning with several quotes by Gatto. And I really do appreciate the concept. I think the 1:1 nature of homeschooling almost automatically contributes to more of an interest/child led atmosphere than a classroom does no matter what. Although not to the extent some would like to see. Obviously we all learn better when it's something we're interested in and we are self motivated. That being said, I'm firmly of the opinion that a balance of teacher led/child led learning is optimal in our homeschool. My kids so frequently blossom after learning something they didn't at first want to learn that I can't imagine robbing them of the experience by leaving them to their own devices :lol: For my kids anyway, they take little chunks of what they were "forced" to learn and turn them into wonderful projects that lead them to places I couldn't have taught them to go. It's quite inspiring to me! This is my very singular opinion mind you and I expect there are other kids that this wouldn't work for; however in my mind a "balance" perhaps like what you were referring to is exactly what works the best here. Hopefully what I've said makes sense I have to run to get a 5yo out of the bath whether she's "interested" in it or not :tongue_smilie:

I'm new here but I thought I'd add my 2cents. My dc don't have braces yet but I did from 10-12 yo - I'm kinda disillusioned! My bite (at 40) changes everyday, my teeth shift around a great deal - like sometimes I think my 2 front teeth are going to separate to leave a gap, and I apparently have the "common bone loss in my jaws due to braces" :confused: WHAT? nobody told me about that perk. For me as an adult 30 years later, I'm seriously questioning the whole orthodontia route. I'm not sorry I had the work done because I had quite an overbite and I'm not against fixing teeth but the quest for the perfect bite = dental health well... I'm not so sure. We'll be carefully considering our plans as the needs arise, maybe letting our dc help make the decision after discussing pros and cons or something. It's encouraging to me that my fil just got braces at 60+ for a severe bite problem he's lived with all his life, and they seem to be working great! Don't know if that 's helpful in the least :)

Thanks for posting, I've just checked it out and it looks great! Just what I was looking for :)

I think it depends on your goals really. We started with Greek because I want my dc to be able to read the New Testament in the original language or at least have a leg up if they want to go to seminary. If not for that I would have gone with Latin and then Spanish.

Hello :)

Swimmer's itch? We just got back from a lake and bil was complaining about it being like chicken pox...???? I've never had either one - that's a total shot in the dark :) Hope you find out what it is so your poor kiddo can get some relief.

I've been on a declutter program since my mom passed away last year. We also moved last year and there are still boxes packed... I really went to town while my older 2 kiddos were at camp. I've decided I'm not even going to try purging their rooms while they are here - this was so painless! So, 7 garbage bags later I feel like I'm on roll :D I have an upstairs den that I'm going to turn into a "library" (a bit of a stretch but it sounds so wonderful!). So today you all helped me remember that before Thursday I have to get the stuff in there cleaned OUT and start putting books IN. I'd completely forgotten about it until I read this thread since I don't see it everyday. I really struggle with all the stuff we do "need" to have (you know, 8 bike helmets an extra car seat, Christmas tree, enough plates for parties), it just all takes up so much physical and mental space! So then I get carried away and get rid of what appears to be extraneous but often end up regretting it when I look for that one specific thing I could really use right now! It's a constant battle to me.

I've heard Omega 3's need to be replaced after each pg (for real!), but I keep forgetting to take mine (also for real). I'm glad I'm not alone in this! I am waaaay dumber than I used to be at a lot of things. Somehow though, it's made up for itself in being a lot wiser in a lot of things too.

I emailed J. Fulbright in the spring when I was trying to decide what to do and she said it "should" be out this summer. Here's hoping it's on schedule!

In fact I'm waiting for the Swimming Creatures one to come out before I start Science! My kids are not overly crafty so it was just enough for them. There were some extra activities/experiments and reading selections that were not included in the text, there's a schedule in the front and it REALLY reduced the amount of creative energy I had to put into Science this year. We did almost all the pages, we added pictures of them doing the experiments, we decorated some pages up with sparkle glue. It was fun and because it was all there, we did it. They love to look at their finished notebooks! So that is my very biased opinion :D

My best friend says "the" and I say "a" and we grew up in the same town, went to the same high school... I always thought it was very strange! I'm glad someone took the initiative to scientifically investigate this issue :D

I'm not very techy but one thing I've discovered how to do is go under "layout" on my print window and choose to print 2 pages/page - meaning each piece of paper has 2 of the printed pages on it, half size obviously. There's also a setting for 4 pages/page etc. For things that I just want to print for myself I often do 4 pages/page and I can read it just fine, of course using 1/4 of the paper and ink! Anyway, just thought I'd mention that as it's saved me a ton and makes me feel better about printing things out. Hope you can make sense of my lame description! :D

I have it. I've used it. It's a toss up between that and The Old Schoolhouse planner that comes with zillion forms that are prettier. Have you checked it out? If I had it to do over I might go that direction actually :)

Thanks Janie, I'll check it out. I completely agree with your statement above. I don't believe I've made my 2 oldest write down enough stuff. They have no handwriting or motor skill issues or anything of that sort, yet I have skimped on having them write out full answers, I've let them do too much orally. I feel it has not helped them to really work through some of the thinking processes necessary and has definitely made the whiny when I do ask for written work :glare: I'm surprised at how much more traditional my ideas of "school" are becoming! I didn't start out this way 6 years ago:001_smile:

Oh Colleen I didn't notice you were in Canada too! I usually get my BJU stuff from CHER in AB but their distributor did not have the soon to be discontinued Math3 workbook I needed :glare: Maybe I could have tried some other sources, never occurred to me! I did find a R&S Canadian distributor, but their stuff still comes from the States although the shipping seemed reasonable. Maybe it's the one you use. I'm just bitter I think ;). Maybe CHER will order it in for me next time I need to order. Anyway, thanks for the info! All this learning is so good for the mommy brain I've had for so long. I'm so glad somebody knows what I'm talking about. My dh looks at me :001_huh: like I'm growing another head! He seriously thinks I'm warped.

Thanks Colleen! If I had any school money left I would ;) Shipping in Canada (maybe the US too?) kills me (rant: I just paid 25$US in shipping from BJU because I needed a workbook I couldn't get here! :glare:). Anyway, I think I'm sold on R&S so I was hoping 3 would work to get my reluctant but gifted 5th grader going. I was reading it last night and was thrilled to actually learn something about diagramming! I've never done it before!... The things that excite me these days. Honestly.

Well, gosh, someone beat me to it (the question I had, that is). Thanks for pointing me in that direction. All in all very encouraging! I'd love to try her suggestions but now I won't feel quite so neurotic if add in some stuff from what I already have. Thanks everyone!

Am I hearing this right? :001_huh: I just listened to SWB's Elementary and Middle Grades writing lectures - which I thought were fascinating - but she said a writing program was not necessary (outside of her narration/outline etc. suggestions of course). Is it really that simple? It sounds relatively simple but then I read about people using all these different programs... I guess I'm confused! We've been using SL LA, and the Just Write Workbooks the last few years. Both of my kids are great creative writers but of course I want more than that for them. As SWB said, if these approaches worked then she wouldn't be lecturing. I was an abysmal essay writing when I got to University. I was the abysmal freshman she talks about! ICK. Can anyone enlighten me with their thoughts on using a writing program?

Wow, thanks for all of your responses. Maybe I can track down someone around me who's got 4 and 5 so I can take a peek. I don't think many people use R&S in my area. Thanks for the reassurance to go ahead with 3! As far as doing the lesson orally, how long would you say it takes?

I think this might be my first post here but I've been reading around for a few weeks and loving it! That aside... I've decided to go with R&S for Grammar for my DS starting grade 5 this year. He hasn't done any formal Grammar outside of SL LA, I already own R&S 3 so unless there is a convincing reason why not I've decided to start him there and then move on to R&S 5 when we're done. Am I going to regret that decision? Will it put him behind in some horrible way? I just didn't want to buy Grade 5 and find out we hate it. ;) Thanks for any help! Kelly (no siggy yet!) Mom to 4, 10-3