I agree that is where the rep comes in. I try to give rep when someone takes the time to thoughtfully answer a question I had. Which means, not everyone else knows I replied to that person. And of course, there are times when things get lost, someone replies later in a post that you sent days ago, and think has passed into oblivion, and don't realize there is a recent reply to it :)

I agree! I hate that it is so hard to go back and look for old posts, and harder to scroll through to see replies without clicking on each persons reply!

I have used them, and really like them. They are grouped by cultures, so not completely chronological. They are very nicely done, and if you have a child who enjoys drawing they are a fantastic way to create a beautiful notebook. I struggled a bit with finding pictures online (my child was too young to search on his own) but now she has the teacher's guide which helps a lot. Not that is was hard to find things, it just meant spending time on the computer finding the images and saving them to a file and printing them. Now that would be a handy resource, maybe someone should put together a collection of links for images? I will have to think about that, I have several files where I saved images to include in ours. I think they are ideal for the 4th grade and up, I used it with one younger, and while we loved it, I can see how it would be a lot less work for me if I had waited to use it a bit later.

math, phonics and some great read alouds! We used manipulatives for math, ETC for reading/phonics (along with teaching the phonograms SWR style), and read aloud Discovery of New Worlds and Seven Sisters who Lived on Big Round Ball that Floats in the Air.

Not a fan of most readers, we have found a series I like by Yesterday's Classics - http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&ISBN=9781599151823&ourl=Reading%2DLiterature%2DFirst%2DReader%2FHarriette%2DTaylor%2DTaylor%2DTreadwell

okay - the parent manual is a one time purchase. It contains basic info about the program - I accidently ended up with 2 of them, so I could mail you my extra one (no charge) if you want. It contains an overview of the whole program (scope and sequence), what lessons each level contains, a master supply list (detailing for each level the exact # of pages of each paper size etc for each student) and a series of art terms and their definitions. PM me and I will be happy to mail it to you. As for the other manuals, they come with the DVDs, and they give detailed info about each lesson. The module price includes both the manual and the DVD. In each level, there are several lessons which focus on art appreciation. Example, in level 5 module c you will study a work by Raoul Dufy, and create your own piece in that style. If you did not want to purchase the art packs, you could print the work of art off the internet easily I imagine. The art print packs are separate, they include the prints you will focus on in the regular lessons, but also give several pages on how to study a piece of art, ways to ask questions and guide students in "art criticism" and then gives a full page with bio of each artist, info about the particular piece,a series of discussion questions, and a few extension activity ideas. You can do the program without this part, but it is a nice addition. Also, the art prints are used for 2 levels, so if you plan to do more than one level, you would only purchase 1 set of prints. For example, Modules 4 and 5 both use art print set 2 (I think that is the right number off the top of my head?) Hope that was not too confusing :)

We are using it this summer (I was just watching one of the DVD's a few minutes ago :) ). We are really loving it, and I agree, skip the supply kit. It is easy to gather most of the supplies for very little - and you probably have some of it. As for the manual - do you mean the parent manual? There is only one of those. As for the other manual, I did not realize you could just buy the DVD without the lesson manual? If you can do that, you really could save money.

you have my permission :) Enjoy the books!

Lively Latin does not have a huge emphasis on history, the main focus is on Latin language. That said, each lesson includes a story about Roman history, with a famous painting that correlates, and questions that go along with it. I find them a bonus, but not at all the focus of the program. As for LC, I have not cared for it, we tried PL and it just was not our style. I tried Latin Primer (Douglas Wilson) because someone gave it to me, but it was too much work for me, and very little practice (unless I created worksheets). So LL has beena good fit for us. It is pricey, but it is so simple to implement, and I think it covers a lot at a very good pace. I also like the way it includes dictionary skills and vocabulary exercises.

This is a bit too general. There are lots of us who use this method (though my oldest is only 4th grade) but I am not sure what you are looking for. The basic philosophy is: "much not many" - meaning it is more important to focus on a few really good books in an area and really study them than to try to read 20 books about a historical period just because they correlate with what you are studying. It considers the classical languages to be central to a classical education, not just a bonus if we get around to it. It streamlines subjects so fewer academic subjects are focused on (grammar is studied through Latin, mechanics of writing and spelling through copywork etc), leaving more time outside of school to pursue the interests of the specific child. It bases writing instruction on the classical method of the progymnasmata. It does not put history at the center of the curriculum. It considers study of the cultures of Greece and Rome to be extremely important, and puts forth as a goal for highschoolers to be able to read Homer and others in the original languages. This is just off the top of my head, correct me if I misrepresented anything Plaid Dad :) but that is my brief take on LCC.

yes! streamlining is huge, no need for a totally new grammar program if you are doing Latin, or Classical Writing. I am fortunate to have a large homeschool budget, but at the same time, I do not want to feel guilty for wasting it, so I do try to carefully research before buying something. My big money pit is Amazon. If I just stay away from Amazon, I save a fortune, because I am a sucker for books. So my rule is, I never buy anything the day I find it online. If I really like something, I try to bookmark it, and wait a few days. Many times I realize that I really don't need it, it just sounded fun. Now, I totally broke all my rules when I bought Math on the Level at convention this year, but I do think that was a good decision :) I also agree that I would not worry so much about the dollar amount as I would about what you can afford. I spend more than many, but I do have a monthly budget, I know what I am allowed to spend based on what we can afford, and I stay within that amount.

chiming in here in full agreement - Math on the Level is a winner in my mind!

1. Depends, in my mind, grammar is totally not needed before 3rd grade. What is the point? It is such an easy subject to master, with a finite amount of information, and is much easier to teach when they are a bit older. So, for me, any grammar before that would be enough :) I just don't get the idea of covering the same grammar concepts over and over and over for years, when they can learn it very quickly in 3rd or 4th grade, or in Latin. Believe me, they will not learn Latin without also learning grammar, and learning it well!!!! So, I would not worry. The only exception to that is like another poster said, if you know you will be accountable to someone, and they expect your child to know it, then you might want to cover the basics. I just don't see the need to spend a lot of time on it. 2. How adept at the physical act of writing is your daughter? What I have found these past two years, is that if your child can not type, and hates the physical act of writing, it is better to wait another year for them to mature before diving into CW. If she is one who loves to do copywork and writing, or can type, then go for it. If not, I would hold off one more year, there is plenty of time - spend 2nd grade focusing on Latin! 3. Lots of poeple follow LCC but continue with a 4 year history cycle. The point is that history does not rule it, and you select a few good books instead of trying to cram in every historical fiction ever written for that period :)

I am using it with a group of kids ranging in age - 4,5,6,7,8 &9. We are using Level 4 and having no problems (the 4 yo is just along for the ride, but the 5yo is having no problems with it so far). To be safe you might want to start with Level 3, but really, I think either one would work.

second this one - it is a great book for history in that period!

Another option - have you considered Greenleaf guide to Old Testament?

Adam & His Kin is a historical fiction. She embellishes to create a story, there is dialogue included etc. Genesis Finding our Roots is an interesting read, but again, it is a lot of interpretation of events which no one is sure about. She talks about the race of giants on the earth that came from the union of women and fallen angels. She links the constellations to Biblical stories (this I found fascinating). I think it is one of those books you should read yourself before giving to your kids, to be sure that you agree with the doctrine included, and the interpretation of things, and be prepared to explain to your kids where she gives facts, and what is her belief concerning certain events.

My son has improved his drawing by leaps and bounds using the Lee Hammond books - they teach great shading techniques, grid drawing, focusing on contour lines etc. They are available on Amazon, and I have seen them in places like Hobby Lobby.

I have one years lessons. I did not end up using it, mostly because I decided to stick with focusing on fewer artists and composers. It is a nice program if you want someone to create a basic plan for you - but it is very basic. Here is a run down of the year two plan: 6 composers, 8 artists weekly schedule - listing 3 different options (levels of study), with one activity per week. You spend about 4 weeks on one artist and composer. Example: weeks 1-4 Option 1 - gives a list of works by the artist that can be used for your picture study Option 2 - gives 4-5 pages to read each week in Come Look with Me books - and gives one activity each week (example: draw a picture of your favorite season) Option 3- lists one piece of art each week to view (from child size masterpieces) - and assigns a page to color from a Dover celtic stained glass coloring book. Music - listen to Vivaldi's ring of mystery from classical kids, and an album of Vivaldi music. It uses several different books (artistic pursuits, the Come Look with Me books , the Dover coloring books etc.) I just found that it was just as easy for me to pick my own artists and composers, and keep is simple. I use Ambleside for ideas of artists, links to artwork, and composer lists. I think if you go to her website you can probably look at samples of the lesson plans to give you an idea of exactly what it provides.

We started ours at ages 6 and 8 - I have told them they have to take for atleast 2 years, if they absolutely hate it at that point , we will reconsider, or discuss another instrument. My son was difficult at first, he complained about practicing, and tried to hide when the teacher arrived, but he has now taken for a year, and once he reached a point where he could sit down and just play a piece, he got to enjoy it. now I rarely have to make him practice (other than to remind him occasionally). He often will go to the piano on his own and just sit and play for 20 minutes. I think that the motivation increases as they get better and realize how much fun it can be - so they really need to commit to it for atleast 2 - 3 years. I feel certain though that neither one will want to quit next year!

AO stands for Ambleside Online - a CM based free online curriculum plan that uses living books - many of them older. It is an excellent resource book lists - we use lots of the books listed. Ambleside Online

we tried to do CW Aesop this year (ds 3rd) and I wish I had not bothered. I think it depends on the child, but he did not know how to type yet, and hated the physical act of writing, so I was typing his stories as he narrated, which really defeated a lot of the "editing" stage. I intend to try again this year, he will know how to typ by the end of the summer. I would not rush it, I think that it is okay to wait a while, especially with a reluctant writer!

I would just go with the nature notebook for science, save Apologia for another year. Also, I really think doing SOTW and MP FMO books is overkill. If you are just going to listen to the SOTW on CD, and read the others, maybe it will work, but I just would not overload too much on history in 1st grade. Concentrate on math, reading, and some really good read alouds.

Definitely! My husband has an irregular schedule, so we often school Saturdays when he is working, and we often have one week day off. I try to look at his schedule for the month (I usually get to see it at least a month in advance thankfully!) and plan around when he is working. He also works some really late nights, so those times we might even carry school later into the day, to make up for being off extra if he is home for more than one day a week. I am so thankful for the flexibility. I know my kids would be miserable if they were in school on daddy's days off!

I have Level 4, and we began doing them this summer (loving them!). I am wondering, do you think it matters whether you do them in order? In other words, if I am doing level 4, but want to mix up the order of lessons within module A, can anyone see any reason not to? I cannot tell that there is progression at this level that would make it a problem (I suppose with higher levels it might matter more?). Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts.