I did CC this year at home and I longed for a community the entire time. We are joining one next Fall but I think we were minimally successful this year. Here's what we did: We listened to the Audio Memory Work CD's a lot! My kids were most interested in the skip counting and history sentences because they were set to music and they learned them very well. We watched You Tube clips of other communities doing the timeline with hand motions. We were able to learn quite a bit that way. I also subscribed to C3online which helped with the science, geography and fine arts, although I must say we didn't work on that stuff very much.

Never mind....

Perhaps the thread was resurrected because folks are coming here to find info about Cc since 'tis the season of open houses! I am finding this discussion very interesting, even if it is 18 months old!

Would you mind sharing which novels, etc you will have your kids read during cycle 3? I too use SOTW along with CC but I am having a hard time seeing what to use for literature choices. Is there a list showing how SOTW correlates with Sonlight readers or other Lit based curricula?

Thanks Sebastian!

Thanks so much Wyndie. You're helping me. One more question please, since you're awake;) Why do you use Protein powders at all? Body building? Meal replacement? Something else?

Why Hemp, vs soy or whey? Do you do flavors? Where do you buy it from? Can you tell I am seriously considering protein powders? :001_smile:Thanks for all your help!

Do you use one? Which and in what?

I am American and I am a Christian but we couldn't afford to join a community at the beginning of the school year. I subscribe to C3 online, which gives me access to tons of CC resources, including the stuff tutors use in their classes each week and I have found it to be a fabulous resource for my family. We love CC and will be glad to join our local community in January but for now, the memory work cd, timeline cards and C3online is a great alternative.

We often have a salad bar for groups that size. You could grill a couple of chicken breasts and cut them into bite sized pieces, then put them on a platter with small bowls of beans, sunflower seed kernels, 'shrooms, olives, tomatoes, cukes, craisins, boiled egg, shredded cheese, croutons, onion slices, bell pepper, mandarin oranges and whatever else you think folks might want. Provide a couple of dressing choices, we usually offer ranch, catalina and my house vinaigrette and a HUGE bowl of salad greens. Usually a big hit!

I have a friend who allows her kids to eat fruit and or baby carrots all day long if they like. She refers to them as 'always availables'. Another friend said PB&J is always permitted as a meal alternative in her house. If her kids don't like (or want) what is being served (at home only, not allowed when invited out) they are free to make their own PB&J and have that with milk instead. Is there anything always available for constant snacking in your house? How about meal alternatives?

I'd say the Teacher's Manual for that age is helpful for correct pencil grip, etc, (Totally not necessary after PreK or K, whichever you start with). My 4yo isn't quite ready for the workbook yet in terms of his fine motor skills but I found these cards on homeschool share and laminated them for daily practice (I am trying to link them here but I keep getting an error message from their site) Google them if you get a chance, maybe HWT cards +homeschoolshare, they work really well for us. He loves them!

I love You tube for things like this! I know this is an old thread but I was searching for the "song", found this thread then found this video. Perhaps it will help someone else!

Me too!!! Another vote for Ezekiel James!

I don't think TOG is heady at all. Like many Lit based programs, it is what you make it. We used it for dd from 1st thru 3rd grade but decided our family of extroverts need more group interaction so we switched to CC this year. Even my kinder listened in last year. Their website has undergone some great changes recently and I am an affiliate so maybe I can help you find your way around. You can download free samples that will give you a better idea of what the program looks like and even try it before you buy it. I think it is one of the best around. Start here: http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/explore/ and let me know if you have more questions!

Hi! I am a newbie here but I have been lurking for a little while and now I have a question. Does anyone know how to get the readers that go with the SF program available for free online? Each unit goes with a story but I can't see where or how to buy the stories and they don't seem to be available at the public library.

AllBoys, There is more to it than that but sometimes their website is hard to navigate. Try this link. http://www.classicalconversations.com/pdffiles/PromoMaterials/C3FoundationsTierInfo.pdf