Yes, I freaked out when my ds was 5 (he's now 11). We're now going into our sixth year, and my younger one is starting first grade in August. I knew that I wanted to homeschool, but until I read the The Well Trained Mind, I felt a lot of fear. I had picked up The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading at the library, and used that while my son was in K to teach him how to read. I loved it so much I wanted to know who the author was. That book led me to TWTM. I felt like it was just put in my lap, and it was exactly what I needed. Prior to reading TWTM, I had no idea where to begin and I had no idea where I was headed. I had no idea what to use for curriculum and I didn't even know how to go about selecting what I needed. TWTM gave me immediate direction and a long-term goal to focus on. It answered all my questions and it gave me the confidence I needed. It's normal to have fear about homeschooling. I still have moments where I panic, but they are very short-lived. I grow more confident every year. Make a plan and know what your goals are. You can tweak things as you go, but you do need to know where you are headed. Also, do your research now, and pick curriculum that you feel you can teach with ease. I think too much emphasis gets put on the curriculum, and when issues arise, it seems that the answer is to toss the curriculum. I think that is probably the last thing that needs to be changed. Kids that are in PS are forced to adapt to whatever curriculum is being used. That is a freedom that you get when you homeschool, but I (personally) think it's better to make a list of the top 3 or 5 in each subject, and just pick one that suits you in regard to teaching and go with it! You can still adapt HOW you teach to your kids learning style. My ds6 is more hands-on, and I'm making sure that we have a lot of projects and activities planned for him. My older ds was not interested in the projects, and he just wanted to get the work done. Just have a good, solid plan!

~ I just want to add that I also only had ds do ONE side of the worksheet. If he missed a problem, I'd have him re-do that problem on the other side of the paper. Additionally, I did not do the entire meeting section. DS knew the calendar VERY well. We also did not chart the weather, and I switched up the counting sequence, pattern sequence and clock. I'd do one of those concepts each day, not all of them EVERY single day. Unless your ds needs the practice, tweak it how it makes sense for you. The word problem of the day is important and I would never leave that out. My younger ds is in K and we are using Saxon 1. I do the meeting part every.single.day. I do clocks every day and money every day and the calendar every day. I take the earlier years to cement those concepts in and by 2nd and 3rd grade, we just review. Good luck! :)

Saxon is a very solid math program and I, personally, would NOT switch. I've used Saxon since K and my son is in 5th grade and on level 7/6. Saxon is strong because it is very repetitive, and it continues to revisit previously learned concepts. They do give a lot of math problems in the upper levels (around 30 per lesson), but this is what allows the child to master and really cement the concepts in. It is very thorough. I don't think math should take longer than an hour a day. Is it taking your son a long time to work through the problems? Is he understanding the concepts and doing well on his independent work? The better your ds understands the concept, the quicker he will move through the problems. Is it more of a doddling issue? My ds STILL doddles, but as long as he gets his work done, I kind of leave him alone. I've got another child that I also have to dedicate time to, and I've just told my older ds that the longer it takes him to do his work, the less time he'll have to do what he wants at the end of the day. I've had days where it's just driven me crazy to watch him do math, and I've even had a few nervous breakdowns over it! But honestly, it's not worth it as long as he eventually gets it done. I did have days where I set the timer and gave ds one hour to complete his work. If he did not have his stuff done, I told him we would move on to the next subject and that he could do the rest of his math at the end of the day (kind of like homework). He did not like that, and it caused him to focus and get it done. How you handle it depends on why it's taking your ds so long. I do think it's important to have him do every single problem, but many hs parents don't agree with that. You can always give him an hour, and if he's really working hard, just let him be done. It's your call - but I would not switch.

This is my second time too.... We are completing Saxon 1 in a couple of months, and also TOPGTR. Math: Saxon Level 2 Spelling: Spelling Workout A History: SOTW -and as many activities and projects as possible Reading: (using SOTW as a guide) Science: God's Design for Animals, Plants, Human Body Grammar: FLL Writing: Copywork I used the exact same curriculum with my older DS (currently in 5th) and I loved everything enough to continue with it for my younger DS.

Thanks for your input. That was very helpful. :001_smile: In regard to dictation, I have asked ds to give me the main idea of the more difficult dictation passages. I've asked him to listen carefully and then put what was read in his own words. I do feel that skill is very important. He's doing great, but I did stop expecting him to remember those extra long dictations (80+ words used in more complex sentence structures). I break them down. Again, I am sticking with the program, but tweaking it so that he won't become discouraged. Outlining is a skill I did not learn properly when I was in school. I do see how it would have benefited my writing. I had such a difficult time writing papers in college because I had not learned how to organize my thoughts properly. DS has had some practice with outlining through SOTW4 and also through R&S. He will begin the logic stage of history in August, and will be using reference books, writing outlines on his own, etc. He will have more practice using the skills he has gained. I want to be confident as I guide him further. I'm excited about the change, but I also want to be prepared to help - not hinder. It seems that IEW could really help me. It is pricey, but if it is a program that works well, it's worth the cost to me. I watched all the videos on the IEW site, and I like that the program covers so many different skills in writing. However, I'm wondering if it is possible to teach my kids how to write well by just having the right tools to teach them. Is that enough? Would I just begin with the Teaching Writing Structure and Style DVD Seminar (and accompanying workbook)? I noticed there is a combo pack that includes Level A for the Student Writing Intensive (as a PP mentioned), but it indicates it's for use in grades 3-5. Is it a course that builds on previous skills? I imagine I can call and speak with rep. I sit with DS for every writing assignment, and I summarize passages and recall dictations, etc. I join in with everything he's learning and I'm learning right along with him! When it comes to writing, I need the tools to teach and the confidence that the tools are enough!

I have also broken down the dictation in WWE4. My ds11 was doing extremely well remembering lengthy dictations, but at some point along the way, they were just too far beyond what his memory could hold. Additionally, I have so many questions in regard to the punctuation that is used at times (i.e. - why dashes are in place instead of commas, etc.). I'm also baffled by the long, long, long sentences. DS is always asking me why there are so many run-on sentences. So I have a difficult time feeling confident in teaching what I don't clearly understand. WWE does go over some mechanics, but for me, there are not enough explanations for the lengthier passages, and more complex sentences. That aspect has left me frustrated. I'm still completing what we started, and I do believe ds is still benefiting from the program, but maybe I'm not skilled in enough to RECOGNIZE how he continues to grow. I don't know. Is the goal also to teach the student to take notes? What are the clear reasons for dictation? In a college setting, a student does not take exact notes, word-for-word. It helps me to keep my focus on the goals of what is being taught. :001_smile:

Well - :confused::confused::confused: I don't even know! That's how bad it is! I've listened to SWB's CD from WWE several times, and the direction she has laid out is my overall goal for my kids in writing. I want for them to be able to go beyond rehashing information from an encyclopedia. However, writing is NOT my strong point. My own head gets flooded with thoughts, and I can't make heads or tails of them. I am reluctant to even offer too much feedback on my ds11's writing (narrations and small assignments from R&S6). I believe he does very well, and I'm afraid that my lack of skill in this area will hinder him. I'd truly just rather pay someone to teach him writing, but I don't have that resource available. Are there any writing programs that come with a DVD where ds can sit and listen and be guided by someone else? I pretty much serve as a tool to frustrate and confuse my son, more than anything! It's all I can do to keep the words, "I HATE writing," from leaving my mouth! Does that give a clear picture? I need a Teaching Writing for Dummies book. I need a curriculum that can help me guide him and that is well laid out and scripted.

@ Capt Uhura: Thanks! I looked it up and saw that - I just wish I could peek inside so that I can make a decision!

I've used God's Design since day 1 with my DS11 (5th grade). I'm going to start DS6 using God's Design for animal science for first grade in August. However, I am in great need of some fun/hands on projects/activities to use along with the curriculum. Is there a good project-oriented book that I can just buy to use along with it? This is my child that needs to be involved in the learning - reading about it and looking at books is not enough. I need to be able to involve him.

I have not looked into IEW. I've read it's more difficult to teach, but it may be worth my time to explore. I know it was recommended in TWTM - I'll check it out. Thanks. :001_smile:

I did have a friend send me a link about Writing With Skill. It seemed that it was going to be a while before it would be released. I did a search and maybe the timing will work out. I'm sure it's worth the wait. I can't find any links or information on the content of the curriculum (WWS). Is there also a creative writing book coming out to go along WITH it? I'm wondering how the two go together. I have loved WWE and all of SWB's curricula. If she writes it, I use it. However, the latter part of WWE4 has made me lose some confidence in my ability to teach writing. The punctuation and difficultly of the passages of the dictation selections have left me a little frustrated. The writing selections for narratives have been fine. But it's been a love/hate for me. I'm wondering how Writing With Skill differs. I hope it's designed for the reluctant writing teacher! Thanks:001_smile:

Thank you - that is all I needed to know. I'm going to stick with what I have. :)

We will complete WWE4 in August. I need suggestions for a good, solid writing program to use next. I need something very scripted and easy to teach. I'm terrified of teaching writing, and I need a program/curriculum that holds my hand. I've been given a few suggestions, but I want to explore further before I decide. :D

How is the revised FLL different from the original (combined) FLL for year 1 & 2. Is there a reason I should purchase the newer version when the old version so well for my older ds?

thanks for asking this, I have the same question for beginning our study of Spanish.....

Thank you for your response. I was just curious. I guess, in truth, it does not really even matter because he will be learning Spanish during part of those high school years. But I just thought I'd ask! :)

1. DS10 is getting ready to begin Second Form Latin by Memoria Press. Is there a reason to continue the study of Latin after we complete this next book? 2. The Memoria Press website noted that both First and Second Form Latin can count as a high school credit for a foreign language. This may be a really silly question, but can I count those credits later on, even though DS is completing those courses now? Or, are credits earned for highschool only earned during those years? I haven't a clue. Thanks!!