I wonder how those who are doing 2 cores find time to read from two read alouds each day? Looking towards the future, Shannon

Hello, I am considering Sonlight next year (Core 3 or Core 3+4). I love the idea of a literature based program. My question is, do you feel you have to add something to make this program more complete. I know the one criticism is that it doesn't have hands-on activities but I'm thinking of other areas. For example does it have enough mapping assignments or do you add extra? I definately don't "need" tests but not having anything "written" or a final product might worry me. Does anyone do lapbooks or notebooking with the curriculum. What about even having children to do a written narration with some of the material. Any ideas would be appreciated? Shannon

How do you "keep" your children from learning words by sight instead of phonics? I have introduced 2 children to reading and am working on third. I always start with phonics but then the child's reading tends to "take off" and making them do phonics is so labourious for them. I do use ETC which I find helps more with spelling. Now for two of them they are reading well. The middle child still struggles with reading so maybe I should do more Phonics? I would be interested in hearing ideas. When I was a teacher, and I won't say this is correct or not, we taught using both using a "balanced" approach. Thanks, Shannon

Hi all, I'm looking for your favourite Am. History Spine. The age range I'm looking for is grade 6 and grade 4. Thanks, Shannon

I noticed in your tag line that you are using CW Homer. How have you found it? Do your children like it? My daughter loves writing but she now says it is her worst subject! She's a natural writer and is very good but finds the Analysis tedious. She does love doing the projects though. I'm on week 8 and I'm not one to quit without giving it a fair try but I find myself struggling to teach it too. I think I need to spend more time studying the Core before I try and teach it to her! I'm also not very good with the grammar terms so everytime I come to one I don't know, I have to keep looking it up. Any ideas? Thanks, Shannon

I need some advice. I'm currently using CW Homer and am not sure whether to stick with it. If I did switch, I'm so confused as to which program would be best. The two I'm considering are IEW and Writeshop. Can anyone compare these programs for me? My daughter is currently in Grade 5 and a really good natural writer. Her style is really good but could use some practice with different structures or forms of writing besides narratives. Thanks, Shannon

Does anyone use these two programs together? I like Sonlight books but want to add more hands on. Would this be too much to tackle? I'm thinking of Core 3 or 3+4. Thanks, Shannon:):chillpill::chillpill:

Help! I'm currently doing every subject individually and have realized that I would love to have things more integrated. Of course, the easiest way to do that would be to combine History and Language Arts more. I'm considering Sonlight Core 3 or 3+4 possibly along with their Language Arts because we are planning to study American History next year. TOG intrigues me but I'm wondering if anyone could give me feedback on Writing Aids. Does it actually teach you writing or just give you assignments? My older girls will be in grades 4 and 6 next year. I think eventually we will use T0G because I have 3 younger ones as well but I'm wondering if Sonlight would do the job for us now. Any opinions? Thanks, Shannon

Those of you who use TOG, how well do you think the program incorporates the Bible and Church history? I'm looking for a program to do that as it is a priority for our family. The program has interested me for a long time. Would I be happy with TOG in this regard? Thanks, Shannon

Joanne, I don't mean to pick a fight. I definately know some people don't homeschool for religious reasons but it sounds like you do (at least as one of your reasons). I live in Alberta, Canada and this is a big issue here. I'm just curious, if you are using the WTM method, how do you sync that up with a state-approved curriculum from a virtual school? It seems to me the classical method is quite different than the public school curriculum. I was just curious. Does this cause you alot of hassle? Do you just use a virtual school for certain subjects, not history? We find people who use blended homeschooling here tend to feel such pressure to keep up with the public school kids, it causes them to give up and send their kids back to school. Are you free to choose the curriculum and methods that you feel are best for you kids? Thanks for your reply, Shannon

Joanna, Do you mind if I ask you if you are a Christian? Why are you accepting funds for books from the government when you can't purchase Christian content? I'm not trying to judge you but just something to consider. Why do homeschoolers "sell out" to the gov't for money? Isn't it the same reason that we pulled our kids from the public system - you couldn't talk about your faith? Just my two cents, Shannon

I love the loop schedule so far! I have 3 kids doing school and what's working for us is index cards. It is so easy scheduling this way. They each have their little box and cards put in order to be done. They work for an hour, break, then another hour. The afternoon is left for those subjects we do together. I can also secretly "tweek" their schedule by rearranging the cars on a particular day if I need to. Shannon

This question is for those of you who already own WWE. I will be ordering it soon and want to order the appropriate workbook. Could someone summarize the difference between Levels 1 and 2 so I know which workbook I should purchase? Thanks, Shannon

If one feels they understand SWB philosophy already on beginning writing can one purchase and use the Workbooks first to get started and wait to buy the textbook later or do they intermingle so to speak? Also, is Workbook 1 for "grade 1" or level 1 and Workbook 2 for level 2 or are they only one year's worth of work? Anyone know? Thanks, Shannon

Maybe this is a dumb question but I'm so confused about Wrinting Programs. We have successfully done CW Aesop I and Writing Tales 2 now with my daughter. She's a great writer. Is all of CW imitative writing or mostly Aesop and Homer? I totally understand the benefits of Imitative writing but is there a place for "non-imitative writing" and does CW cover this in later years? IE) fictional story writing, reports etc.??? Help! Shannon

Thanks for the input. Do you recommend buying both the TWSS and the SWI or could I make due with one or the other? Thanks, Shannon

Hi, I'm looking for a writing program for a girl going into grade five. She's a very strong writer, I would say "gifted" in that area. She loves writing. We have done Aesop I and Writing Tales II which she really enjoyed. We've done some history narrations but not lengthy reports or different forms of writings as much such as persuasive. Would IEW be a good fit for her at this stage? She is very creative but also very teachable however do you find IEW very forumulaic? (if that is a word) or can the ideas be used along with ones personal style. She has great style in her writing and I would hate to tell her to change it to match someone else's however I do want challenge her with her writing to become better. Do you think IEW is the program or should I try something else? I was thinking of doing Homer from Classical Writing however she is already really good at narratives and I wanted to give her practice with other forms. Any help appreciated, Thanks, Shannon

Just wondering where you order Harvey's Grammar from to go along with Homer? Are there different versions? Thanks, Shannon

Thanks Langhaven, Just wanted to mention I like your blog and really like the beautiful music! Nice to listen to after a hard day! Shannon

For any of you with experience with Writing Aids, can this program be used independantly of the TOG curriculum. I won't be using TOG this year but focusing on Canadian History as we are Canadian. Then we'll take American history next year using TOG. I have pulled together some resources for Canadian History and was wondering if I could use Writing Aids to add some writing projects to the year. Is it usable without using the TOG curriculum or is it pretty interwove? Looking at the samples, it looks like it would be okay to do this. Also, is Writing Aids actually a hard copy or is it just available on a disc? Thanks for you help, Shannon

Hi Shelley, I'm curious which books did you use CW and R&S togeher. Have you used Homer? Thanks, Shannon

Those of you who use this program, would you consider it more a "unit study" encompassing history, geography etc. or mostly a latin program. It seems to add so much, I'm just not sure we could manage doing it all. I know that's the draw of the program though. So do you replace other subjects with it, and if so, which ones? Seems to me, studying ancient history at the same time would be prudent? Thanks, Shannon

Just curious, do most of you TOG users make the plunge and buy all the books or try getting most from your library. I can see where owning them would make things much easier but I guess cost is a factor. Thanks, Shannon

I'm looking for a follow up writing program to Writing Tales 2 for next year. My daughter is in grade 4 going into grade five. Last year we did CW - Aesop. I liked both but found I like the way Writing Tales is more "teacher friendly" in my opinion. Anyhow since there is no WT 3 yet, I was looking at Homer. While the stories don't look too difficult, the grammar is what scares me. We've been supplementing WT this year with Growing with Grammar 4 so my daughter has been doing grammar, but it seems pretty intense (more than I ever learned). Also considering Poetry perhaps and leaving Homer till we're done that. Anyone have any other ideas or suggestions? My daughter is a strong writer and I want to keep developing her skills but with a new baby coming I'm worried about tackling Homer next year. I'm open to other curriculums if you know of some. Thanks, Shannon