Could a 2nd grader start this? I was planning on doing it next year with my 3rd grader along with the IEW writing (using All Things Fun & Fascinating) ... and considering adding my will-be 2nd grader as well. ..... or would it be wiser to wait another year and continue to work on cementing reading/phonics?

I have a similar question about Fixit and adding CLE (instead of R&S). I watched powerpoint/video thingie about the new Fixit and it sounds like it is 100% stand alone and that a secondary grammar resource is not necessary at all. Have you found this to be true as well, those who've used Fixit?? Thanks!

Thanks for the explanation Timberly! That helps!

You've all been so helpful... Thank you! What if I have to sub out a book...like if I choose not to buy it and/or our library does not have it? Will I be able to do the student activities or have to find something else that would work. I didn't think I should use the Primer since I will have a third grader next year... I thought it was better for younger ones??

Thanks Sherry! I am wondering, then, what the advantages or benefits would be in actually purchasing the TOG year plans at that age instead of just viewing the books they have and utilizing their book list, so to speak? Does that make sense? I'm curious what the benefits would be if you're not really using the threads/activities if you don't have the books, etc.

I am considering TOG. I keep reading that substituting books is fairly painless especially for grammar stages. If I substitute any book how will that work in conjunction with the activities and suggestions in the threads? Also it seems like I have read that many families mostly just read the books in the book list for the LG level and don't do much with the activities... So, if you're a TOG user, can you help me see the value in purchasing it for the LG level if I could just mostly read the books and find some maps online to do map work etc...? I love TOG :) and I'm currently borrowing a paper copy of Y1 to look through to help me decide if TOG is indeed a good fit.

This was so helpful to me. Thanks so much! I'm the OP you are helping... :) I think you are so very right about diligence. To the others: Yes, it sounds like we've surmised that perhaps birth order technically has nothing to do with perceived 'success or failure' in homeschooling. Perhaps I'm focusing on a weakness I think I have and wondering those weaknesses or challenges in who I am {regardless if it was from birth order or whatever} would be LESS than helpful in educating my children from home. Sometimes you can want to do something but it really just does not make sense. You know? That is kind of where husband is at as well. Just because you want to do it does that mean you should? We do have excellent public schools here and I'm not 'convicted' to homeschool like many are (like, I don't feel it is wrong NOT to homeschool). Ugh, anyways, more to think on and thanks for your thoughts, all!!

Too fishy? What is?

Laughing Lioness, your blog looks interesting and I'm familiar with CT's stuff. Very neat! And thanks for the encouragement, Maize! I think you're right, I think I need to figure out what would work for me but also realize I have to make my husband comfortable with it all too, some how...

I think you are right, in part. I'm probably stereotyping like mad, but I do think it's helpful to have some sort of plan/structure when educating our children. I may be too hard on myself too at this point. I need to hear Hope, I guess.

So... we're discussing homeschooling and my husband is doubtful I can do it. He's not completely throwing me under the bus, to his credit, but he is - truth be told - not being an encourager or a supporter or a believer in me. Now, I homeschooled one year while also working parttime and it was a challenge. We had good days and bad days, as does everyone. Many days I thought it was a bad mistake. Other days I was thankful and happy. The kids learned and did well, but did best with consistency and some sort of a schedule. Part of the 'problem', 'issue' or 'challenge' we seem to be having as a couple about this is disunity and my husband's belief that maybe I'm not really cut out to homeschool because of that one year that was hard-ish. Nearly everyone we know (98%??) who homeschools, the mom is a first born, organized, orderly, planned, yet also some how able to shrug off the hard parts and move on with a can-do attitude. It's really neat to see them and I applaud their success for real. I'm a middle child and not highly organized. I do like a plan of action, I'm not completely spontaneous and see high value in having a plan of action for homeschooling (we would not unschool or be willy nilly about it all). I like to plan out the weeks ahead of time but I am by far (!!) one of those SuperWoman Moms with an entire year fabulously ready in cute little binders and such. I think I'm rambling... So, my husband kind of thinks that I might be all over the map, here and there, and that our children will not thrive or be in the best situation for them. One of my children loves public school and honestly never seems to have a bad day. This child is a delight to the teachers and has a really happy attitude and can-do spirit. My other child struggles a bit with reading and is considered 'not up to the level they should be at in the grade they are in', but this child has help from a resource teacher and is improving weekly and doing well. Long story short, I'm feeling a bit discouraged and devalued. Hubbie is a good man, trying to shoot me straight, but unintentionally deflating my heart. And I am hearing all sorts of doubts in my mind like maybe he is right that our kids will flounder and I'll either be too laid bad or too strict to overcompensate for my weaknesses. This post may just be my desire to process out loud. But are any of you not first borns who are doing a successful job with your kids? Ha ha!!

Yes, I plan to use CLE LA as well.

Thanks! I think I meant that I would do WWE instead of CLE Reading program. I do hear many say they love CLE Reading though... thus the "torn" feeling I am having! ;)

I am putting together next years' curriculum. I will have a 2nd grader and 1st grader. I was thinking of doing CLE LA and CLE Reading with them, but also contemplating doing WWE. I'm torn between doing all 3 of those versus just CLE LA plus WWE and omitting the CLE Reading program. I don't know how I feel about a 'formal reading program' - I go back and forth - and wonder if WWE will suffice? Or is it overkill to do CLE Reading and WWE? Thanks folks!

I have friends that do the Writing Road to Thinking and Reading - Riggs - and they swear by it. I know someone who has used it for all her kids with different learning styles and they have all learned to read and write well using it. We are planning to use it this year, too. Yes, it does take a lot of time, from what I have observed but worth it as it is kind of a few types of curriculum in one.