I'm doing SWI-B for a second time--this time with ds. While I think he could do it by himself, I think I would then not have a clue what to be looking for to make sure he followed the directions. You should probably at least try to watch it at some time in the day so that you can help with any problems that might come up. Watching it has really helped me to be a better writing teacher. I know what to expect from ds and dd's now in ALL their writing--not just when doing writing for IEW.

I wonder the same thing. I think you are on to something there. If you do decide to go that route--keep us updated on your son's response.

I second that. :001_smile:

Okay, thanks!

Dd just wrote her characterization paper for Windows to the World. She used 2 quotations in the intro. Is that frowned on? Allowed?

Mine is up---here.

Thanks for those links!

I had decided before the Circe thread that I was going to HAVE to move away from so much historical fiction books simply because we haven't had enough time to read as many classics as I would like to. My oldest will be a junior in the fall, and I feel time slipping away quickly. The Circe thread has given me the boost I needed to go ahead with my plans. Swimmermom3, I wonder if you could share whether or not you use any curriculum or anything to guide you through your choices. Where do you get essay questions from? I know I'm giving you questions rather than help, but maybe others will chime in and we'll both get some questions answered.

We used both this year. We used Elegant Essay in the fall and are doing WttW this spring. EE was good if you needed your hand held, which I did, and if you dc needed specific instruction. Mine didn't need so much specific instruction as it offered, but they did need the specific instruction on writing a thesis statement. We finished it early. WttW has been great. Again, I needed hand holding on how to teach how to write a literary analysis paper. WttW has done that for me. I've actually enjoyed going through the program with my girls. If you don't need the hand holding, you probably will be irritated by it. For us, it is doing a very thorough job. EE's teacher manual is awful, but I needed it. I just think they should redo it to make instructions and where things are in the book more clear. WttW is much better.

Here's my question. I would like to read more classic lit to my kids as we have always done a read aloud before lunch time. They love this time of all being together reading a great book. But, we've mostly done historical fiction. So, I just wonder which classics would make good read alouds for 2 teen girls and one eleven year old boy. I read appropriate books to dd age 8 at a different time of the day even though she would be present at the before lunch reading too. I would like to start reading classics that would capture everyone's attention since this would be a new direction for us. (Not necessarily my 8 yr. old.)

I love this. I don't really get math, and I would never have thought this out quite in this way. DD hates math, and I'm going to share this with her tomorrow. Hopefully she will see the wonder in it as I do. Thanks for sharing. I can't believe I've finally made it to the end of this thread! For now anyway. Off to reread....

Oh, and thank you too, Kinsa, for providing the location of the scene. Very helpful!

Thanks everyone. Hearing others thoughts is so helpful! I'm excited for her to get to read the book.

I was thinking of having dd read this book, but I know there is a small scene in it that details somewhat a rape. How have you all handled that scene with your kiddos?

Thank you Lori D.! Awesome list, and once again I am indebted to you. :001_smile: I agree with you about Ambleside--that's been my experience too which is why I like suggestions from real-life, in-the-trenches people.

That's an awesome list!! Somehow, I had missed that one. Perfect and thank you!

Wow, that's a long thread! I'll have to check it out tonight when I have more time. Thanks! No one has any books that stand out in their memory for a boy his age?

Our favorites for first grade were Charlotte's Web, James and the Giant Peach, Pinnocchio, and the Little House Series by Wilder.

DS will be in seventh grade this fall and turning 12 in October, so I'm looking for books for him for that time. Can the hive give me suggestions as to what classic works of literature you have found to be highly accessible for a boy his age? He reads well. He read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy last year.

Lot's of robins visiting us right now! Here.

Mine is up. Here.

I haven't done one in a few weeks, so mine is up a little early. Looking forward to seeing how everyone else has fared this week! Here ya go.

One thing I wanted to add or ask about. A lady at my church just explained about FAFSA and said that we should fill out those forms in January just as soon as we would receive our tax info. She said that the aid was on a first come, first serve basis and that waiting until March might cause one to not get the aid he could have gotten if he had filled out the form in January. Is this correct information?

This is fabulous! Thank you, Lori!!

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