I'm just about to start WWS1 and it looks like I need a Thesaurus and possibly some typing lessons for my child. Can I get some thoughts about using the "old-fashioned" book thesaurus vs the Apps or online versions? The same for hand writing vs typing at this stage. My daughter is almost 12. Entering 7th grade in the fall. Thank you for your advice!

Thank you both for your analysis. It looks like these 2 programs are more different than I first thought. I appreciate your insights!

After our first year of Essentials class in Classical Conversations which uses the History-based IEW curriculum, I'm wanting to switch my almost 10y/o out of it for next school year. I'm torn between WWS1 and CAP's new writing curriculum, Writing & Rhetoric. She's already done up to half of WWE3 before we switched to the Essentials class and I don't think WWE4 will be a good fit for her. Can anyone give me a comparison between WWS and W&R?

My 7 y/o daughter completed WWE1 and FLL1 and we're now in WWE2 and FLL2. She has always enjoyed the time with these subjects, but I think it's mostly because it's one-on-one time with me (which is a premium around here). We're about 3/4 through level 2 and for that past 2 weeks, she's really struggled/dreaded/complained/sometimes cried her way through the summary part of the writing. I've explained to her about my writer's block I struggled with in high school and college. (I do NOT want my kids suffering the same fate!) Once you get over the hump of not knowing how to start, the words flow much more easily. And it is true in her case. She just dreads and complains about how to start the summary. After her first sentence comes out, she's fine. But I dread her crying. I know it's coming! Should it be this way? I do have part Tiger Mom in me (reference Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother) so I'm not against pushing through this tough stuff, because it will get easier later. But I'm also questioning if I should go another route with my writing curriculum. I heard SWB speak at a convention and I just thought "whatever that woman puts together for a writing curriculum, I'm gonna do it!" This is because out of all subjects, Writing is the one I'm least confident in teaching, and SWB seems VERY knowledgable. I use My Father's World as my core and they recommend Writing Strands. I'm just wondering if I should switch to something more "Fun", or if this is a battle best conquered early. Thank you for any advice!! -Theresa

Why did you switch to GWG from FLL?

So would it be okay to do Prima Latina with the first year of FLL & WWE. Starting all 3 of them at the same time?

I just received the latest issue of Classical Teacher from Memoria Press. There's an article in there about how grammar in English isn't necessary if you're already doing a Latin course. I was planning on doing Prima Latina and First Language Lessons with my 6-7 y/o next year. Can I just drop the FLL and just do the Latin??:confused: I was also going to start WWE.

In reading the TWTM, SWB advises against reading "cartoon" books or books like "Sweet Valley High" because of the easy language, shallow plots, etc. I wondered if the American Girl series of books falls into this line. Because the authors focus in on a bit of American history, I thought it would be okay, because some history is learned at the same time. However, in reading just a few pages, the words are very conversational... nothing challenging. Any thoughts? Thanks! -Theresa

Monalisa, I watched the youtube video link Dawn E posted and she says that a revision of FLL is coming out in the Fall of 2010. Is that latest revision what you have. In the video, she says that it would not duplicate the exercises in WWE. Is this not really the case? Thanks!

I've used MFW for K and now we're in 1st. I was debating skipping Adventures next year, but after reading (and writing) a lot on the MFW Forums, I'm considering trying Adventures out. I hear great things about it. Many moms have boasted that it was their family's favorite year. My advice to you is to go over to the MFW message boards and pose your question in detail. There are many great advisors there who can help you and I've run into several who have experience with Classical Conversations and Sonlight.

I thought I heard SWB say that either WWE or (more likely) FLL was being rewritten in order for families who are doing both to not have to do exercises that are repeated in both books.... true? And if it is true, when will this rewrite come out? Thanks!

Hello! I have a question about when (and if) I should employ FLL and WWE. I'm using the My Father's World (MFW) curriculum for 1st grade and so far she has only had to copy sentences down. Further in the curriculum, it looks like my child will have to read, and/or be read to, a Bible story, and then write a short summary. After 1st grade, MFW recommends Primary Language Lessons and Intermediate Language Lessons by Emma Serl to cover Language Arts. My worst subject in school was LA and I've always dreaded writing. After reading TWTM and listening to Jessie Wise Bauer at a homeschool convention, I was "sold" on her methods for teaching grammar and writing. I remember wishing Jessie would just come up with a curriculum of her own so that I wouldn't have to piece-meal it all together from her array of recommends. Imagine my delight when I found that she does have a LA program! Now, how, and when, and if, I should implement. I want to start either Latin (through Prima Latina) and/or Spanish (through Rosetta Stone Homeschool) next year with my 6yo dd. I'm wondering if she'll get enough "grammar" lessons with the foreign language study to cover her needs. So would FLL be necessary? And any thoughts on what to start first, Spanish or Latin? And should I begin WWE now? Should I have her do it after MFW 1st grade and then speed her though the 1st grade portion? Thanks for any help out there! What a great wealth of info y'all have to share!