I am considering French. Can't believe my high-schooler wants to do French... but I did French 1-3 in high school, so I will really enjoy it. Leaning toward BJUP simply because I see their Spanish program being used in our homeschool co-op, so it must be good LOL.

Is Rosetta Stone a good choice for high school? What about BJUP?

Several years ago I stumbled (through this website I'm sure!) across a homeschooler's Christmas Devotional online. Each day contained scripture reading, song, books to read, craft projects, etc. Does this ring a bell with anyone? Can you help me find it? Thanks much! Vanessa

At our state convention this year I came across an elementary math curriculum that I hadn't seen before. It was a full size colorful workbook - I think spiral bound. I think there were just a few levels of early elementary - perhaps more to come in the future. The unique characteristic is that you read aloud something "real life" oriented (perhaps in story format), and then learn the math that it's related to. TI think it's a brand new curriculum. If you have any idea what I'm thinking of, please post a suggestion. Thanks much! -vanessa

I have been directing a co-op for the last two years. We modelled it somewhat after Classical Conversations - teaching similar subjects. After two years, we've continued to have the same problem with the middle school kids - lack of motivation in class, as well as with completing assignments at home. I've spoken with friends who speculate that students in "pay" classes seem to perform much higher than in classes where all the moms are pitching in together. There may be some merit to that, in that both parents and students feel they have more invested. However, I'm sure there must be other ways to motivate these students, and perhaps even the parents. Incentives, performance reporting, etc... Do you have any suggestion to pass along? I would greatly appreciate it! This year we will be doing Tapestry of Grace History/Geography, Apologia Physical Science, and an art class for these middle schoolers. BTW - it's a class of six boys! TIA Vanessa

I am doing a middle school co-op. We have a group that did General Science this year, and will do physical Science next year. However, we have new students joining next year, that will want to do General Science. Could we, instead, have the new students do Physical Science next year, and do General Science the following year? Also, a friend has told me that Physical Science and Biology are difficult to do in 2 years, and she recommends spreading them over three years - that means 1 1/2 years for physical science, and 1 1/2 years for biology. Does anyone agree with that? Thanks for your comments! -vanessa

Anyone see Lost Tools Of Writing for sale - 50% off at Classical Conversations? I saw it online yesterday, but it doesn't appear on the website now. Either they sold out, or they changed their mind? Looking for info.... Thanks, Vanessa_Short@comcast.net

Does anyone know whether the LTOW is being rewritten, or is there a plan to re-release it? Thanks, Vanessa

Does anyone know whether the Lost Tools of Writing Level 1 is being updated, or is planned for a new release? vanessa

Greetings, I just came across the idea of a postcard exchange. How fascinating! Each family purchases 50 postcards (and stamps). I coordinate with 49 other families from all the states (except Virginia - which is where I live). On each postcard, you write interesting information about your state. Throughout the year, at designated times, each state will mail your postcards to the other families. By the end of the year you will have received a postcard from a family in each of the 50 states. I have another mom who will prepare an address label file with all of our addresses, and email it to everyone. I will only take one family from each state. If there's an overwhelming response, I'd be glad to help start an additional group of families. I will get back to participants once the list is complete. If I add you to my list, I'll email you back "You're in!" I hope this works out! If you would like to participate – see if your state has a name already assigned, down at the bottom of this email. IF NOT, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT vanessa_short@comcast.net TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE LIST. In the subject line put POSTCARDS (your state). DO NOT RESPOND TO ME ON THIS FORUM - I WON'T BE CHECKING FOR A WHILE. -vanessa STATES: AL Coleman AK AR Wenger AZ CA Berryman CO Corona CT Ploszaj DC DE McGinnis FL Lafler GA Taylor HI Young ID IL IN Schlenker IA Low KS Heck KY Webb LA ME Whitney MN Heide MS Long MO Roseman MI Delaney MA Key MD Blazes MT Willems NE Fox ND NJ NY White NC Swick NH Paquette NM Rendon NV Gallew OK Julie OH Garber OR PA Doggett RI SC Brown SD TN Tobens TX Gonzales UT VA Short VT WA Brokaw WV Jones WI Webster WY Kappeler

Art of Argument looks great! I think that's what I was remembering. We'll be doing that over the summer, for sure! We did Fallacy Detective this year in co-op, and we'll be doing Thinking Toolbox next year.

bump

Let's see if this works for art kits: http://www.millerpadsandpaper.com/catalog.aspx?categoryid=42&ItemsCategoryID=42&ItemsItemID=1472

I am planning on using this in a co-op next year - from preschool all the way up to Jr. High. After reading these posts, now I'm considering it for the high schoolers as well! Any suggestion for making it work in a co-op that meets just once a week for about an hour? I thought we might have to assign a project at home to be able to complete it in the year. Regarding purchasing supplies, you can buy kits from Miller Pads. http://www.millerpadsandpaper.com Sorry, I don't know how to include a link here. -vanessa

I can't remember! I saw a post sometime back about a workbook that covered fallacies. We are completing Fallacy Detective, and I thought it would be a good reinforcement over the summer of what we learned from that. All I remember was that it seemed to be a workbook that could be done independently. Any clues? TIA, Vanessa

Help! We are halfway through TOG 2. DS is doing D-level, and hates the history reading (H.E.Marshall books). He did much better last year in UG level. He'll be 13 in September, so I feel he should be in D-level. I thought he was a good reader, and in fact, even though he did UG last year in history, he did the D level literature books. But he doesn't seem to retain as much with these Marshall books. I think he's a "just the facts ma'm" kind of kid, and the Marshall books are not that way. So... what should I do? I could just stop with the D books, and try to get UG books for the rest of the year. Or.... I could have him use some strategies during his reading of D books to try to retain, and put some structure around what he's learning. But I don't know what those strategies might be? Some kind of note taking? Outlining? If I read aloud his history, we can discuss it, and he gets it. But, it's hard for me to make time to do all of his history reading aloud - this D level has a heavy load of reading. Suggestions please? Thanks so much! -vanessa

bump - any more thoughts?

It was way toooooo late when I typed my original email. I SHOULD have been in bed! Thank you for the comments about Vocab from Classic Roots.... I wasn't aware of the difficulty level. I've also contemplated doing the Wordly Wise instead - especially since we might do Latin. Any thoughts? I forgot that we would also be doing: Lightning Literature 7, along with the Literature from TOG3. DS is a fast reader. Also, some of the reading from TOG we've already done, so during those weeks that we don't do TOG, we will work on LL7. (also, I think this is a much better lit program than TOG's.) Foreign Language? I thought about Latin. We have attempted it several times - it was quite easy for DS (Latina Christiana1), but we just didn't have the time. Meet the Composers - looks like an easy once/week listen to the music, read about the composer, and do a coloring page. There is a N.C.F.C.A. (speech and debate) group not too far away that we may participate with next year as well. Have I now gone overboard? Thanks much!

Here's what I'm planning for my 7th grade ds. Please rate by individual subjects, or my overall plan - easy, moderate, rigorous? Reasonable or unreasonable. Do-able or not do-able. TIA! -vanessa MUS Pre-algebra CW Aesop/Homer for Older Beginners and Poetry for Older Beginners Analytical Grammar (we'll do over summer, and just do review sheets during school year - or maybe we won't need to do the review sheets with CW) Vocabulary from Classical Roots A and B Tapestry of Grace Year 3- we'll do history and geography in a co-op. I'd like to do occasional writing assignments as more of a history reinforcement. Rainbow Science Year One (twice a week) BF History of Science (once a week over two years) Thinking Toolbox with co-op Artistic Pursuits Jr. High Book One with co-op

Thank you so much for your input. Your comments are confirming some of what I already thought! I will check out the LTOW - it sounds very similar to CW, with my limited knowledge of course. -vanessa

I need to choose our writing program for next year, and I'm struggling. We will be doing this with our co-op. It's for middle school students, 7/8th grade. We have just completed two years of IEW (Ancients and Medieval Times). Writers are average skills. We will also doing Tapestry of Grace together in co-op. I'm considering: Another year of IEW (not my preference because my ds tends to remember the original passage, and copy it from memory). TOG writing (a little worried that it won't provide enough instruction for improving writing techniques) Classical Writing for Older Beginners - Aesop, Homer and Poetry (seems rigorous, I like how it teaches, but worried it will be boring for students) Are there other choices that I should consider? What are your thoughts on the ones I'm considering? Your comments welcome! -vanessa

We did IEW last year (ds 5th grade) and this year, using the writing lessons in history books. Additionally, I did CW Aesop this year, without the writing assignments. Here's my take: IEW is primarily writing, without grammar instruction or exercises. CW includes writing assignments plus grammar assignments and spelling. IEW has a plan of around 8-10 types of writing assignments that are repeated each year, with increasing level of difficulty each year. You could use this program with several students of differing abilities, each working at their own level on the same assignment. CW moves through the books sequentially, with increased difficulty. Different level students would need to be using their own books according to level. Hope that's helpful.... -vanessa

I'm on my second year of TOG, and have used IEW for both years. Considering Classical Writing for Older Beginners, or TOG writing for next year. What are your thoughts on TOG writing? Does Writing Aids offer enough teaching of techniques? What has your experience been like? My ds will be 7th grade, and is a reluctant writer. TIA! -vanessa

Oh dear, oh dear! I can't make up my mind. Please share the good and the bad to help me decide. DS 7th grade next year. We will have completed 2 years of IEW. (We did LLATL before that.) Also this year, we skimmed through Aesop B. I think it's time to change from IEW. DS has such a good memory, he almost always quotes the source texts in his own writing. I feel he needs more of an opportunity, even a prompting, to compose his own sentences. I am considering: Classical Writing Homer Writing Strands 4 Wordsmith Writing Aids from Tapestry of Grace Also, whatever I choose we will be doing in a co-op. Any thoughts on how these would work in a co-op? Thanks so much! -vanessa

I'm contemplating purchasing this for use in a co-op next year. I haven't actually been able to get my hands on it yet, though, so I don't know a lot about the program. My plan was to use it JUST to learn the mapping skills. Could this be done in one hour per week? Any other info you can share about the program would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! -vanessa