I don't think I would choose a middle name that is too drastically removed from the first name's style. IOW, nothing too modern. I second the suggestions that are simple, one-syllable names. How about "Kate"? Good luck!

Thanks so much! This was very helpful info. Blessings!

My dd will be in 5th this year (starting next week), and I've never used a formal writing program with her. She has absolutely loved the FLL by SWB, so I'm thinking she may enjoy the WWE program. But I have no idea about what level she should start with. Is level 1 too easy for a 10 yr old? Any suggestions about knowing which level to go with? Thanks! Tara

Excellent ideas! Thanks so much for sharing...I will look forward to hearing of your success! My kiddos are ages 5, 7, and 9. I wonder if I could attempt something like this with them at these young ages. The older two are already pretty tuned in to the election, since their Mama is too! So I think they would have an interest in it.

I would strongly encourage her to check out the K12 program (www.k12.com). It fits all of her criteria, except that it is not a Christian program. However, it is decidedly not anti-Christian, and therefore very faith-friendly. It comes in colorful boxes, your lesson plans greet you every day online, it keeps track of where you are in the curriculum, and how far you have left to go. It is chock full of hands-on activities, etc. etc. This is what I used back when I felt overwhelmed like your friend does, and thought I wanted everything done for me. A couple of years into h'schooling, and now I'm comfortable enough to follow TWTM suggestions. But I still have good feelings about K12, enough to recommend to someone who sounds a lot like I used to! HTH!

A lady at our church has come to me for advice, and I will be following up with her this afternoon. I thought the wisdom from some ladies on this board would be useful for me! I'll try to "nutshell" it: she has two children, dd15 and ds12. The dd has always been placed in elite private schools and is very studious and academic minded. Of course, her parents have propelled her to be in many ways. Their ds, on the other hand has always been public schooled, and while he is bright and I think very smart, he is also rather unruly and difficult. Again, I think he's just living up (or down) to the expecatations of his family. I only know this family from church, but have observed for years how it's like he has no parents at all! He is a big boy (12), and he lays on the floor under the pew playing game boy all during the service. He has long unkempt hair and wears the same dirty cammie shorts to church every week!! In his mother's own words, "If he wants to look like that, that's his own problem!". My dh is the youth leader, and this lady tells him all the time that she and her dh just let ds do whatever he wants to do. They have no clue how to say no to him about anything and he is spoiled by grandparents with anything he wants as well. So now, at the very end of the school year, this lady calls me concerned about her son and his grades....and wants to pull him out and homeschool him. Now, I'm all for homeschooling, and I would never want to discourage anyone from making that choice. But doesn't good homeschooling follow good parenting??? I don't feel like it's my place (having all younger children) to criticize this gal, but I'm not sure how to direct her. I know this is a rather long rambling post. If anyone feels they could help me know how to help her, I'd appreciate it. And if you need to know anything else about the situation, please just ask! Thanks in advance.

I appreciate the help in this area. Good advice!

well, I guess I would call it "laziness" in a child??? My dd9 is a precious girl, very smart and loves school work, etc. But when it comes to keeping up her room, or doing any household chores she finds unpleasant, it really turns into a battle. I'm trying to teach her the value of work, and there are a few 'extra' jobs that I've offered to pay her for. Even though she has desperately been trying to save money for a CD she wants, she still turned me down for the simple job of sorting laundry!!!! This area of parenting is one of my weakest points; instilling consistency in household work. And I really require VERY LITTLE of my children at this point. I have four, of which the oldest is nine. So, maybe I could also use advice on what is age-appropriate for "chores". I would love to hear the things that help your homes run more smoothly. Thanks!

LOL! I keep responding to posts saying "just attended a seminar on this at the Midwest Homeschool Convention." However some of the topics are still so fresh in my mind b/c of this. I went to hear Sharon Madsen speak. I have mixed feelings. My opinions expressed are just that...opinions. And they are based on her seminar, not exclusively on her program. So take it FWIW! :) At the convention, each speaker is given 1 hour to present their material. And most speakers are given numerous sessions, so that people who are really looking to follow the training of a given instructor can get as much from that person as possible. I found most of the speakers to be very respectful of the clock, knowing that we would need time to make it to our next session. Andrew Pudewa being the best public speaker (IMHO), let us out on time every time, usually when we were sitting on the edge of our seats wanting more! Mrs. Madsen started her session out so well. I was really into it, taking notes, felt like I was learning things. She interjected some humor, although she didn't seem to quite understand why the audience would chuckle at her funny comments. Unfortunately she was the last session on day one, and with NO APOLOGY went well over 45 minutes past her time. People were walking out in droves. Also, as the session progressed she became more and more dogmatic about her views and her curriculum. And often attempting to tie these views to the "will of God". Using language describing other methods as "ungodly". This was a turnoff. So while I went into the session very tuned in, and she drew me in right away (and I DO FEEL that I learned some things from her), I ended the night feeling rather turned off. I never really did get a good enough feel for what her program would do exactly. She spent so much time on how WRONG everything else is, that she never really got around to her perception of what the RIGHT THING is! KWIM?? Again, this "review" is just my opinion. Or really my observation. I hope it didn't come across as too negative. And I hope it was at least a little bit helpful! :confused:

at the Midwest Homeschool Convention. It was conducted by Jim Weiss who has recorded readings of many of Henty's works. His suggestion was that these books are probably good for ages 7 and up. Although certain works will be more sensitive for a child that is sensitive. So trust your own gut there. These books are great HISTORICAL FICTION. Some of them do express views about cultures and peoples that many of us would find uncomfortable and certainly politically incorrect. It would be up to the parent how to use these times as a teaching tool. Overall, he is a highly recommended author just as you suggested that you've found. The seminar did indicate that the revival of love for Henty is predominantly found in the homeschooling realm. Interesting. Mr. Weiss also said that one of Henty's trademarks is his incredible attention to detail almost to the overkill. This is because Henty dictated his stories straight out of his imagination and study to someone else to write down. So if he digressed or repeated himself it sort of stayed there! No publisher ever called him on it. So when Mr. Weiss records these works, he does eliminate any repetition or unnecessary verbage. For this reason, I think I will prefer to listen to his great voice on these rather than attempting to read them myself!! HTH!

and at the convention, PeaceHill had these looseleaf pages for sale at their booth. I had never seen them before and thought they looked like a great idea. Alas, I did not purchase them there thinking I could order them....and now this thread lets me know I made a mistake! Meeting Jessie and having her sign my WTM book was such a treat! :)

Definitely sounds like a bargain to me; after years of doing either K12 or Abeka DVD, I am LOVING the classical approach to schooling if for no other reason, than I found it to be much more economical. You can make such great use of library books for supplements, and the books by PeacHill and other publishers are very reasonable. I am schooling 3 now, but soon will be four! So I am impressed! Way to go, 'mom'! Oh, yes, one more thought: do you realize if our kids were enrolled in many Christian/private schools we would spend that amt in just one MONTH for tuition???!!!! Yeah, I'd say we've all done pretty good! :)

These replies were all very useful. Thank you ladies. :hurray:

I posted here a few weeks ago about how unhappy we were with our Abeka DVD schooling. Many of you advised that we not try to continue on with the year just b/c we had already purchased the material. I took your advice, and we have been schooling the last few weeks following many of the WTM suggestions. Our kids have been so happy and our learning has been so much more productive! Hallelu! :) So since seeing that this classical approach seems to fit so well for our whole family, I am looking ahead to next year. I still feel a little uncertain in choosing curriculum in the areas of Math and Grammar. My kids will be K, 2nd, and 4th. I have tried to read any other questions posted here regarding these subjects, to learn more about what is out there. I am feeling a pull toward Rod and Staff grammar....but still dont' know much about it. If my child has been using Abeka, can they make the switch to R&S on grade level??? As for Math, my ds6 is VERY sharp with Math; picks up concepts and numbers so easily. He hates any program that bogs him down or that is too easy. And while my dd9 isn't as sharp with math naturally, she is quick to memorize tables and facts and with enough practice she comes around pretty quickly. We have moved slowly through the Abeka Math w/her, but I dont' want to continue. So I'm wondering about R&S Math or Saxon Math. So if this made sense to anyone, I'm curious for any advice. I will be attending the Midwest Homeschool Conv. for the first time, too. Will there be anything there that maybe could help me choose a program for these two subjects? Thanks!

Bump~!

nt

This was a helpful thread to me, as well. I've just started Prima Latina and my 5, 7, 9 dc(all just turned or turning these ages) are all sitting in for it together. So far the 5 yr old is having a blast just learning the vocabulary and pronunciations orally. I'm hoping for at least this year to stick together. We're all new to Latin, though their Daddy had to study it for his music degree and is helpful in pronunciation. Thanks for all the good insight!

You have received some very thoughtful and useful advice here. I think practical helps are crucial, like the ones Amy mentioned, and just making the effort to "remember" like someone else mentioned. The biggest "advice" that I give to people interacting with those who have suffered a loss is to avoid platitudes at all costs. Shy away from cliche's about death..."he's in a better place," etc. People mean well when they say things like this, but those comments really aren't useful or helpful. Just your presence and offerings of practical helps, and willingness to listen will be such a blessing. Let those kids know it's okay to feel whatever they're feeling. There's no statute of limitations on grief. You're a good friend, and I think you're gonna do a fine job. Blessings on you all.

how do you feel about R&S Bible for grades younger than 5? I'm very interested in Bible curriculum as well.

Very self-less attitudes portrayed here regarding the HSLDA membership. Good food for thought. Thanks, ladies. I will take this to heart.

AH! A teacher manual and a CD...yes! That makes much more sense.:rolleyes: Thanks everyone. I'm looking forward to really taking off with this now.

I live in a state with very lenient homeschooling laws. There are no requirements whatsoever, other than sending a letter to the board of education simply stating that you ARE homeschooling. No testing, or portfolios, etc. Because of this, I have never coughed up the dough for membership in the HSLDA. Is this foolish of me? Does everyone here feel that this is an essential element to homeschooling? Would love to hear the feedback on this.

ah, yes....that's right. it was the grammar, not the math. I'm sorry! :o

I have been including my dd5 in with my first grader, and she's holding her own just fine! I do more narration with her than copywork, since she's just now starting to write. But she enjoys it very much and the review helps her keep up.