Ok, OK !! I'll do the price book =( Now, if I could only find the other 3 or so I've started in the past.... Thanks, guys! It does help knowing you are out there somewhere!!!

We're in Acworth (Cobb County) a stone's throw from Paulding Co.

Yeah - we are slackers in notebook thing, too. The History Notebook is the only one we keep consistently.

My 4th grader does almost everything WTM except for Science. Though, I don't spend an hour on Art or Music each week (we do include Art & Music just not that much!). My 7th grader is pretty much the same BUT - we have found it much harder to be consistent with the History rec's because he didn't have history in 1st - 4th. I have, until just recently, either pushed for an outline *or* a report. Starting this week, he will be responsible for both (we just did cover reports in R&S 7, and that has really helped clarify the process for both of us). Surprisingly, he has really enjoyed the literature this year - though I did substitute a slightly abridged version of Robinson Crusoe. Actually, I find ***EVERYTHING*** is ***MUCH*** harder for my 7th grader because he doesn't have that firm foundation that my younger one has. I can tell my 4th-gr's logic-stage will be much, much easier on him *and* me. So, I guess my biggest recommendation is to start early. It's so much easier to build in baby-steps. Also, getting ANYTHING by SWB on CD or tape just really puts a friendly face on everything in the book. It will also give you that broad, birds-eye view you need to not panic when people start posting about doing things in earlier grades that WTM saves for later.

Well, mine is a library copy, and some of my "toilette books" have not fared too well. (Oh, now, I *have* to wonder where other people are keeping THEIR library books - (blech!) - LOL!)

You have given me places to start, and that's a big help! Some of the stuff at the beginning of the book just wasn't pertinent, but now I'm ready to start using the index (didn't even think of that!). Yes, you can tell it's getting a big dated, but I really need something to cheer me on in this endeavor. Thanks a bunch!

On the old boards (sniff, sniff!), someone recommended The Complete Tightwad Gazette to someone else, and I've picked it up from the library. But - my - word --- it's so long!!! It seems so very disorganized, and I only have snippets of time to read it. I was hoping to find a "Do these things first" list, but haven't seen one yet. Does anyone have any insight on how to make the most of this book? Or maybe your own list of money-saving ideas? Thanks! Rhonda

As a former SDA, I will say this - The SDA church believes that the Catholic Church is a "cult" because the Catholic Church believes (or so the SDA believes that they believe) that if a member leaves the Catholic Church, that person will be d*mned. In the same way, the SDA church believes that *once you have been "enlightened" to the "truth" of the Mark of the Beast* and have joined the SDA church, that if you leave that "truth" and turn your back on "Sabbath-keeping" (the seal of God), you will be d*mned. So, while no SDA member would ever tell a Sunday-keeper (their vernacular), "I think you're going to h*ll," they DO believe that those who *know* all the SDA doctrines and refuse to worship on the Sabbath will not be saved. I don't know if their definition of a cult is correct of not - my dictionary doesn't seem to differentiate between any group of people who follow a religion (whether they be SDA's or Baptists) and groups of people whom our culture normally labels "cults" such as Moonies, etc. But, despite the fact that the church is filled with very loving, wonderful people, many of its beliefs are oppressive and, one could argue, heretical. It is a very difficult place to leave, because as a member you really do sincerely believe that if you ever doubt the church's view on Sabbath-keeping, that you will be condemned.

Nothing to forgive - I so appreciate your answer, though it will take a while for me to digest it! (I'll be googling for days, I'm sure - LOL) I am just in vascillation-mode. First, I think TOG for sure - then why not WTM w/Susan's new book - then SL - then Stobaugh's new stuff - then BJU or Abeka - then public school - and then back to TOG. Guess it's good I still have another year to decide! It is really freeing to hear that I don't have to follow a plan - someone else's pre-designed plan - and how other people work that out into reality. The scary part of that, of course, is that I feel too ignorant to make a really good plan of our own! So, thanks for sharing!!

Periwinkle, if you don't mind, may I ask... Did you find a textbook you liked for literature? Or, did you use something along the lines of Lightning Lit? Or just whatever struck your fancy? Thanks! Rhonda

Wonderful news! Thanks for posting.

Thanks! nt (just for fun...)

Well, I already agreed with you on the other board - BUT, I will add that (since you mentioned Momof7), it's harder to find out "what's up" with people (like her move). I can't just Ctrl-F and search for her name to find out what in the world "Cheers attachment" is referring to. Oh, well, I'm thinking now I really will clean house.

Great minds think alike! =) (Sorry, I hate using my mouse when typing!!!!!) Anyway, just wanted to say "Hi!" Hadn't talked to you in so long. Wishing you all the best!

Pronouce "Thee" if the next word begins with a vowel-sound (this would include words like hour that don't technically begin with a vowel) Pronouce "thuh" if the next word begins with a consonant sound At least that's what I learned years ago -hth

Robin, you are so right on target! I was just going to post on the K-8 Board (my usual haunt) that I just scanned the entire board in less than two minutes (and haven't been there in two days!), so obviously, I will now have to actually start cleaning my house. Used to be, "checking" the board was an hour long coffee-fest affair in prep for dinner time. I simply don't have time to click on every post, and wait for it to open just to read the replies. But, I really did like reading the one-liner nt responses, getting a feel for different people's personalities, and occasionally clicking open a thread on something I normally wouldn't have just because someone's reply sparked my interest. The general board definitely enhanced and expanded my views and habits, and I will miss it even though I mostly lurked there. Of course, given the new format of the board, you won't just be scrolling down "real quick" to see if anyone's replied to you - LOL!

I don't follow WTM exactly for my 7th grader, although I think that would be easier if he had homeschooled (and had a WTM-ish history) in 1st-4th. Up to this point, we've been reading SOTW out loud (with my 4th grader) other than the time I used Sonlight (one semester). Then, I've been asking him to outline KF or SOTW, or sometimes just write a summary of SOTW. Starting this week, both my kids will be reading the Encyclopedia first (7th grader will outline). Then, we'll read SOTW as "extra" reading, and have them write narrations from that. I think this will work better because the KF just doesn't have room for all the details that are in SOTW, and so when you do the SOTW first, it seems like a step backward to do the KF after. I also request whatever books are at the library pertaining to that week, though sometimes we don't get to them. I have had a really hard time with the "now is the time to go to the library and read on whatever subject interests your dc, and have them write a paragraph (or a short essay) on that topic" part of the WTM history rec's. That is another reason I'm going to start using SOTW as "extra" reading. I don't like that my dc isn't going to the library and finding the books, and reading in several books on ONE related topic and writing about that one topic. But, although we have a great library *system*, the books are scattered between 20 different local libraries, and I have to request them about a week before we need them, and with a 2yo in tow ..... I really do think this has been the weakest link in our history program. I have been throwing around in my head something similar to what MamaLynx posted - not writing about something for *every* week, but only those topics that are the "biggies", and spreading that assignment out over 2 or 3 weeks. However, my ds has learned and retained *so* much, and he's enjoyed it. (well, as much as he's going to enjoy school - LOL!) We have also not had huge success with primary sources. I tend to find them about two weeks after they're needed. Or, I find them months in advance, and then forget them. Or, we just run out of time. The other thing we've all enjoyed is doing history-related Read-Alouds.

I love Rod & Staff Spelling by Sound and Structure. It has a workbook that basically teaches the phonemes (or sounds) step by step, just as if it were a teacher walking them through the steps. It teaches how to use similar sounds to build other words. It teaches exceptions, homophones, and how to add suffixes and prefixes correctly. And, it teaches dictionary skills. There are not as many words in the "official list" as SWO for 3rd and 4th grades, but there are more words in the lesson than *just* the words in the list. It is using the list words to teach how to build LOTS of other words.

Thanks a bunch!

it was a no brainer when I thought I had a student text for $10, but that one was gone. So... now I have to decide to spring for $25 or just keep trying the library. The library is just not my thing.... thanks for the info! I'm mulling over the weekend. :cool:

I'm wondering because in Latina Christiana, one "lesson" is a week's worth of work. Thanks! Rhonda

ugh - no nt anymore?