thanks, I found the link to apply for using on more than one pc in my house. that should help. Next step is to fix my printer...or trade it out for my dh's...hopefully his will work with vista. Mine worked till the cat knocked it to the floor. :glare: I am going to take this next week to get set up and organized and probably start the following week. I also ordered the writing aids, map aids and the gov reading cd's cause I feel I'll need all the help I can get. Looks like I already have many of the books used in year one...I notice the list is not so extensive in upper grammar -Retoric as it is in the lower grammar. Seems all we need to add is Math, Science, Catholic church History and Grammar.... Have you used the book, Ancient Literiture ( used in weeks 1-3) for retoric. I dont know if we should attempt that or skip it so early on. Im sure my son will say to skip it. LOL. Do they need a timeline book or wall timeline? Im not seeing specifics on that. I also have to figure out how the notebooks are set up. ... I sure hope this works for us...I guess my back up plan is using Trisms. But that requires a bit more work of us all! Donna

when my now 15 year old was 4...we used FAIR. I actually liked it for that age. we enjoyed the books and the couch time together. the only negative is that my son did NOT want to hear the same story 5x or even 2x....He liked to move on. I think its fine for a 3 year old. but I'd ditch it by 1st grade at the latest. JMHO.:auto:

Im Catholic and Im fully aware of how all the Christian denominations present their beliefs. However I use Christian and Catholic curricula as I see fit and what fits my children. Honestly most of the Catholic stuff was written many years ago and we dont care for the style. So I am comfortable using selected secular, or christian resources. There are some newer curricula..but they dont fit our needs. I look at the books themselves and their content. We like some Bible Verses included in the studies as well as Bible stories that have not been modified or that have apologetics written to the student.... We are using 3 subjects from BJU this year. They are the best written items we could find for my son. We are trying TOG. Of course we will substitute where needed in the program with Catholic literature and Bibles, and stories of the Saints. I expect others do the same when using a program with a different doctrine...as necessary. I have found things in all sorts of curricula that I dont agree with. Even in the STORY OF THE WORLD books there are sections of history that I have to work around. But I expect an author or publisher to reflect their beliefs in their works. To expect otherwise ........ I too converted to Catholicism from an Evangelical Christian Church ...and prior to that was raised Methodist. I can spot the little things that my kids dont even notice in the books. Its great for conversations. All Im saying is that to condemn a curricula because of the "beliefs of the denomination" seems discouraging...especiallly to newer homeschoolers who may find that said curricula is their best option. I hate to see anyone get bashed on these boards. I prefer to pick and choose by subject and grade. Of course we wont use BJU's history texts...but I am using their writing and grammar 3, Reading 3 (which is thorough and excellent) and the science 4 suites us just fine too. oh and please remember...while while some people are praying for us Catholics to find true faith....We are praying the same for y'all.:001_smile: We all want the same thing...Really! Love to you all...l

Hi some links for catholic homeschoolers: http://www.rchistory.com this is more of a catholic unit study program. http://www.setonhome.com yes, this one is very catholic, a good place to start. http://www.motherofdivinegrace.org/ This is a classical curricula that is very popular http://www.catholicheritagecurricula.com a really nice catholic curricula http://www.allcatholicbooks.com This is a great discounted online store where you can purchase many of the Catholic titles for seton, MODG and other popular curricula. http://love2learnblog.blogspot.com/2006/02/catholic-homeschool-online-forums.html This has a ton of info, links to curricula and reviews. There are also yahoo groups specifically for Catholics who use programs like sonlight, wtm, TOG and more in which they offer alternate readings/schedules etc. You may want to help her choose a style of homeschooling and then see what will fit best. Utilize the love2learn link as it also discusses objectionable materials too. Best of luck. Donna

Anyone here using TOG for high school. I just purchased the TOG DE yr 1 and the writing/maps and gov items to go along with it. Those of you that are using it... What else do you do? Math, science etc... I need to keep it very simple. We will be using both D and R levels as I see fits. He will be overwhelmed Im sure... I know we can use TOG for History, literature, Writing and most of our BIble(religion) and geography although We will be going light on the Bible and Literature at first. We will also do TT Math. Apologia physical Science may have to wait until we get into a routine with the rest? How much Grammar....or other electives? Were just aiming for Graduation...possible college but most likely trade school or no college. (never know)

yep. downloaded and reading it now. trying to install it on the laptop now so dh can access it too. Just trying to figure out how to start...and organize it in my head.

I purchased unit 1 year one to try it out...now what do i do with this. I have the DE. LOL. Just gotta figure it out. Help!

have you read the "Golden Goblet" as it might be a good alternative for that time period. I have not read twice freed...but I know Golden goblet is just about an egyptian boy and it doesn't talk about God. Tirzah was a good book too....touches on the freeing of the Isrealites and thier journey.

content and quality vs grade level...is what Im thinking... we also want to enjoy school time and reduce the number of seperate subjects. see my other post... for our details... http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97938 IF I do TOG...I can order the DE 1st year 1st quarter to try it. what else do I need to order? IS the writing Aids, or anything else helpful? Im not quite sure whats included in the DE ...do you get the Loom? Assesments? I have one pc and one laptop. Can DE be installed on both?(not networked)

I think maybe you may like one of the traditional homeschool courses for Bible such as, Abeka, BJU Christian Liberty press or something along those lines. I also think checking into your own methodist church's sunday school curricula might help as a guide. I understand what your asking for. Im Catholic and for that reason we go with Catholic publishers for Religious Ed. I also like the traditional. BTW..I grew up Methodist.:) I remember loving the traditional services...In fact very similar to the structure of Mass. I was a child then...so maybe I dont remember exactly...but my first Mass reminded me of it quite a bit. hope you find what you need. Blessings,

WE are trying to get back on track. we missed almost this whole past year. the kids unschooled mostly....read and did some math on their own and did a lot around the house. My husband became ill in November and is now just to the point of being able to start helping with school again. he is disabled and confined to his bed or wheelchair all the time. My 10 year old was doing grade 3/4 this year..and the older one is in High school. Both behind. :glare: for my 10 year old. Math: Teaching Textbooks 5 Reading: BJU Reading 3 (full set with tm and readers) English : BJU Grammar and Writing 3 (workbook only, do I need tm?) Read Alouds: I am reading aloud some fantasy fiction to him currently. He also enjoys books on mp3. Religion: Seton Religion 3, Bible stories and catechism at our parish Science: BJU Science 4 (full set with tm) History: Texas history (Textbook) Time 4 Learning Online activities he can do on his own...(reading, math , language science and history are all covered...) Ok that is the main stuff...I have spelling(SS) and writing programs(IEW)...but were not using them at the moment. what I need is simplicity...I wish there was a way to tie it all together ....My boys are NOT into reading ...and Im working on that by trying to introduce them to fun books that I like ... They also help with our animals and with my husbands needs when Im working.(Im the only provider now) I can work with them in the evenings and weekends...dh has to do the daily stuff... My older one, I think Im going to work him towards his GED with some online resources as well as the supplies I have here. He has Teaching Textbooks Pre alg. several grammar programs including Analytical Grammar and a high school style text. Lots of literature to read, Apologia physical science (we have trisms...but he hates it. sigh) IEW and teaching teh classics spanish 1 but he's only really doing the science and math currently..have to get him going on things. Any ideas on putting them together. I dont know if something like TOG would help us or not....for my husband he does better with a plan...but something he doesn't have to get up and go put things together...or find a lot of resources. Ive even considered a sonlight guide..but I cant find things we LIKE in those plans. and the high school level programs are too difficult for this child. (he's 15) Thanks. Donna

can you take an SAT or ACT after a GED?

anyone have a Non Studious child and simply work for a GED? How is a GED looked upon by employers vs a homeschool diploma?

I think they are great programs...and gentle enough for my math phobic kids. The program is sound...and I dont have to teach. what more do you want? :lurk5:

I'll check into these options as soon as I get home from work today.:auto:

My son turned 15 today. He's Not ready for retoric stage...We have 3 more years to homeschool him, possibly 4. We didn't classically educate him and he's had a lot of unschooling. He can read, of course, type and write...but has had little actual formal writing. he's into Music and plays guitar but not interested in Music history. He's in Pre algebra using Teaching Textbooks..and we are happy with that. So if I wanted to give him 3 good years of classical education yet not be too teacher intensive. what are your recommendations. Secular is fine as well as Christian publishers. We have apologia physical science..but he's not at all into it.. we have some other curricula..so its not like we have nothing here...I just cannot seem to peak his interest in learning or reading much. He has no learning disabilities..but he took forever to learn to read.:glare: I read a post that SWB commented about using logic stage for struggling kids..through high school...so Im very curious.

My son is 10 but not on grade level. Im looking at WWE. Can anyone tell me about levels 1 and 2. The differences....the lengths of assignments... so I can decide. Im thinking workbook 2 because of his age. Does workbook 2 use the K sized writing lines throughout? HOw much review from 1 is there on grammar and such? My son knows the basics, nouns and verbs, capitals and basic punctuation. He's just a slow writer. Im thinking of doing FLL2 and WWE but only using copywork from WWE most of the time. We also have LLATL Yellow here...wondering how that would work along side WWE. Thanks Donna

I have used it in the past and just signed up again this week. My 10 year old likes the program. I really like some of the reading fluency lessons...and for my situation right now, we need the extra tutor. School has been light this year due to my husband getting sick/disabled...and me working FT now. For us..its great..but Im still not gonna use it as a full curriculum. The math is good in it, I think. We also have Teaching Textbooks 5 and other curricula...currently Im only looking at writing curricula...especially WWE... We definately need easy here...and Time 4 learning is easy for MOM/Dad Both. Donna:)

Hi, Im considering ordering SWB's New book as well as WWE for my 10 year old son. He has not had any formal writing and barely any narration/dictation/copywork so I would need to start him easy. Not sure If we can begin in level 2. He has always written slowly/carefully...so I guess the large lines are fine for him still. I do prefer he writes smaller. What is a good program to accompany it? I have Junior Analytical Grammar but I was not going to start him on that until about 5th grade. Any suggestions. FLL would be way too much of the same as wwe...from what Ive seen. ( think I have a copy here too. LOL) should I just use an english workbook such as Seton? I could get BJU however its expensive and quite involved. We could also use Lifepac english? Or Rod and Staff 3(would be challenging for him, I think.) Thanks so much. btw. My husband may be teaching from his bedside(he's disabled) since Im working ft. It must be very little teacher prep. Donna

Kumon makes some nice math workbooks for that age and you can usually find them at your local book store such as Barnes and Nobles. We used those, some Singapore Early bird and some other colorful workbooks from the store. Keep it fun!

I purchased it 2 days ago. tm, worktext and 2 readers. Im looking for advice on how to proceed. How much do you do daily? I looked at the english and spelling however didn't purchase. Do I need the tm for english? it looks pretty self sufficient in the worktext. We have LLATL yellow(gr 3) level now and its OK but my son doesn't seem to like it much...he hates the copywork. Are bju subjects coordinated like Abeka's are? I dont see any mention of spelling or grammar in the Reading tm. I purchased this because we need a concentrated reading program with phonics practice. Im considering just doing concentrated reading this year...and skip english altogether...and just do writing? not sure...wondering what others find effective. btw my son is 10...should be in gr 4 but gr 3 level seems correct for him. Donna

as those recipes and ideas leave a bit to be desired...I just dont want to make yogurt cups...or humus. but its a good outline!!

That is a nice simple cooking plan site..thanks. Ive been looking through it...the only issue I see is on the Lesson 3 of Baking homemade bread. The recipe is different than what I do when I make bread...I think if I did that, I'd have glue...following their recipe. white bread 1/4-1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup canola oil(or melted butter...etc) 2 cups Hot water 1 tsp salt (scant) 1 heaping tbsp Yeast Proofed in 1/4 cup HOT tap water. Add 2 cups Flour to mixture...stir (use white flour here as you can add whole wheat later if desired..) Then add Proofed yeast. Mix gently. Add up to 4 or so cups flour until it is looking like dough... spread flour onto table and dump dough from bowl and begin to knead, adding flour as necessary but dont make it too dry. I knead it about 5 minutes Place it in a floured bowl and cover with a towel(thin, not terrycloth) or you can use plastic wrap. once risen to at least double size, flour table again and dump dough onto table...beat it down to get all the air bubbles out... Break it into 2 or 3 balls and knead it for 2 min and then you can shape it into either rolls or loaves and let rise. Then cook at 350 deg till done. thats the basics. We make lots of rolls here...our favorite..but we also like to use loaves and make french toast from that bread...Delish!:001_smile:

for a reluctant student. Age 14...I'd also like to be able to use it soon for my almost 10 year old. Neither like to write... I have IEW SWI B and they really "hate" it... I on the other hand..think its nice...however...I dont think its promoting a love of writing and I dont think they learn to understand writing for fun or creative writing from it....so I think they need some writing instruction that is not focused on outlining and reports. I know IEW does other writing later on..but we cant seem to get there... OK so Im looking at PTIW which seems to be the analytical Writing program...focused on building good sentences and paragraphs....I think the step by step is really good...but wonder if the Grammar/phrase /clause type focus will also turn them off the fun of writing. Jump in seems ok but I cant tell from the samples...how much it actually guides the kids in learning to write. What I want to accomplish this year is for them to NOT fear writing or reading!

Can you tell me if its good or not good...why is it shelved. Ive always wanted a Brock but when I saw this it sounded very similar. so please tell. Thanks