The WTM provides great questions that you could type up into your own form. You can also take a look at the website for Noeo Science - they have a page with a variety of reproducible pages for experiments, sketches, etc. http://www.noeoscience.com/reproducible_narration_pages.html Blessings, Vanessa

You can check out books by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. She has written "The Way They Learn", and other books on personality traits, learning styles, and how to motivate your children. Tobias has spoken on Focus on the Family and/or FamilyLife today (I forget which!). I've really benefited from her books! -vanessa

I love SWR. I have dabbled with SWO to free up my time, but always come back to SWR. I asked my ds "If I were to give you $1000 for mastering a spelling list, which program would you want to use?" He said definitely SWR, although he enjoys SWO more. So, although SWO was more fun, he wasn't really learning much. That's my ds, not necessarily anyone else's! To learn SWR, take a weekend and read through the SWR TM. Gain an overall understanding. Then... sit down and work through the reference pages and spelling lists - enough to get you through at least the first month or so - that means actually writing the assignment that your child will do. That's how you "learn" the program, with your own book that you're writing in. I highly recommend you use the W.I.S.E. Guide to spelling along with SWR. Families use SWR in different ways - some strictly "by the book", others loosely according to their family style. I would just encourage you to stick with it, even if you can't do it "by the book", as long as you feel you're making good progress. FWIW... Have a blessed weekend! -vanessa

Greetings, I also have a bit of an age difference. My oldest ds is 11, and the next ds is 6, and finally the last ds is 4. I use Tapestry because it stretches from 1st grade to 12th grade. At the younger age we do interesting reading -- if it's not interesting, he won't sit through it. So it's almost all fun picture books that cover the same topic as the big brother. Tapestry provides the reading for each level (Lower Grammar, Upper Grammar, Dialectic, and Rhetoric). You could probably pick up a used TOG manual (classic is the older version) that matches the time frame you're studying with your older student. (Probably could find it on the WTM For Sale board.) Then you would have a list of books for your younger child without so much research on your own. Tapestry will also give activity ideas, as well as a wealth of other information. So... that's one idea! -vanessa

Thanks for the info! Do you find the Foundations manual helpful? Should I buy the Memory Cards, or the Memory work on CD? What seems to be the easiest way for a family to do the memory work (which resource)? Thanks!

I'm thinking about doing CC as a co-op. I've heard the pros and cons of doing it this way, but cost is my problem. Since cost is also a concern for buying materials, what would you buy? Here's what I'm thinking.... VP Cards - yes, because that's the history timeline work Essentials - no - I can't buy it anyway if not enrolled IEW - yes, I'll buy the one that matches what we're studying Would you: Buy the Foundations manual to extract all of your other memory work or - Buy the memory cards instead or - Buy the CD's instead? Any suggestions would be most helpful! -vanessa

I'm in central Virginia. Wanna join? -vanessa

I have Writing Aids, but don't use it, simply because I already had a program I wanted to use. It looks like a good program, though, and I might use it in the future. Within the TOG manual, short descriptions are given for each assignment. There's a Writing Aids CD with instructional info that can be printed out for the student. Additionally, there's a Writing Aids manual that gives more indepth instructions for the different topics. Check out www.tapestryofgrace.com and go to the community and forums to get even more information. Blessings, Vanessa

I, too, have been checking into CC. I was very excited, and already looking to purchase materials. I did a google on Classical Conversations review, and came up with a variety of informative opinions. In our CC, there are no tutor positions available. And the price is a little hefty for me. Because of the price, I've decided we could do this as a co-op instead, tailoring it the way we want. Here's my plan FWIW (if I find like-minded people to join me!): Everyone in the co-op can buy the Foundations manual which can be our guide to memory work and activities. It is my preference to limit memory work to the specific topic we're studying; so we'll study only year 2 history timeline, and only astronomy/earth science for the science. Each family can purchase the appropriate Veritas Press cards for the history memory work. The Foundations manual provides guidance (I think) for the math memory work, experiments, and fine arts. Since I have upper elementary kids, I would also like to do the IEW writing, specifically tying to our year 2, which would be IEW Medieval. I don't want to use their grammar program or Latin memory work, so we'll just leave that out. I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, that as long as everyone purchases the manuals, there's nothing illegal or unethical about using their materials. (Essentials manual, however, can only be purchased if you are enrolled in the program.) So, that's what I'm hoping to do. I'm just now putting feelers out for people who might want to join me. Blessings! Vanessa

Thanks so much for your response. That's just the confirmation I needed! I'll be starting with my boys today. Happy reading to you as well! -vanessa

I found The Golden Days of Greece by Olivia Coolidge at my library, and would like to read it to my 11 and 7 yr old boys. I'm really enjoying it, but wondering if it's factually reliable. I haven't found any reviews on it. But I see WTM recommends other books by Coolidge. Anyone know anything about this book? TIA Vanessa

Thanks for the info! I really like the book, too, and may look for some supplemental books to go deeper -- any suggestions? -vanessa

I purchased the Exploring Creation with Astronomy for my eleven year old for next year. Although I love the format and the activities, I'm concerned the text may be more elementary than I had hoped. Would you recommend it for 11/12 year olds, or younger? -vanessa

I am using TOG 1 this year, and am very happy with the Bible aspect. We are reading through the Old Testatment as the backbone of history, and match up ancient history topics to those time frames. We studied Ancient Egypt while reading Moses. We studied Sumeria while reading about Abraham. Many weeks our sole history is the Bible. I am very happy with the questions that are provided in the curriculum to help you think deeply about what you've read, and apply it. I think you can get additional info from the forum on www.tapestryofgrace.com. -vanessa

I use a course called Peterson Directed Handwriting. You can check it out at www.peterson-handwriting.com. It is VERY easy to use, IMO, once you get the hang of it. But it does require some teacher involvement - or you can work out a system for your children to do it independently. You first learn the letters with large motor skills (moving your arms), then you move to writing. The program stresses being able to write easily. The complete kit includes a CD that demonstrates the letters with animation. The handwriting books are unique in that you don't write in them, you trace them with your finger, then write them on your own paper - hence they are re-usable. I've used it for K-3rd grade, and I will be using the advanced cursive with my 6th grader next year. If you find it interesting, I'd be glad to answer any specific questions. Blessings, Vanessa

I used MFW ECC this past year. This next year I will be using TOG year 1. I agree with those that are saying it's like comparing apples to oranges. MFW primarily provides the books and a schedule for getting through the material. There's really not much support in how to think about the material, analyze it, etc. At least not in the ECC curriculum. TOG on the other hand has a lot of info to help you analyze the info you've read. Thinking questions, comparison charts, venn diagrams, etc. My MFW ECC TM came in a spiral bound volume about 3/4 of an inch thick. My TOG Year 1 is in four 2-inch binders. I really think simply comparing price isn't an accurate comparison. You have to look at what you want out of the curriculum, and whether it will serve your needs. I'll be glad to answer any specific questions from anyone - vanessa_short@comcast.net. Blessings, Vanessa

My ds is going into 5th/6th grade. I have been "attempting" to follow WTM recommendations for topics studied, as well as narration, dictation, writing, etc. However, it seems in hind sight I appreciate and understand the recommendations more now than I did. And unfortunately, I didn't persist through the difficult times, and we are woefully behind when it comes to the writing skills. I think I will "press on" more diligently with ds number 2 who's startiing 1st grade, but I need to work on catching up my ds number 1. He should be at the point of outlining this year. He HATES to write, and responds to every assignment with how many sentences do I need to write. He writes the bare minimum. We have not done the narrating like we should have. We did about half of Writing Strands Level 3 this last year. He hated it! His spelling is o.k. He doesn't seem to struggle with it. We've done SWR very loosely. His grammar is o.k. Unfortunately we haven't done much formal grammar. Here is my plan for this coming year. We have TOG Year 1. I will be stressing the outlining (which I'll have to hold his hand through for a while) and short reports at least one each week. That combined with science writing and Literature reports - oh my gosh it's a lot! But I want it to be our focus! Additionally, I have IEW for the ancients - I think this will be perfect for him. Easy and fun writing to start off. I have Abeka Grammar for 5th grade which will probably be easy for him. We will skip most of the writing and just do the grammar. Finally, I have Spelling Workout, levels E and F. Since there's a lot of repetition, I'm hoping we can work through both of them, skipping whatever is repeated. I'm a little worried as I see this 5 or 6 or even 7 hour school day for next year, because I have a very slow worker. Even my husband is a little worried about how we're going to get it all done. (I didn't mention adding in the logic and Latin!) I know this is LONG. I would appreciate any encouragement or advice, especially from anyone who has been at this point, and successfully caught up with the skills. Blessings, Vanessa in Virginia