Yes, I used this with my own children, and we really enjoyed it. Here's the complete series from the vendor (New Tribes Mission): http://www.ntmbooks.com/index.jsp?categoryid=181 I actually used the CD version and ran off my own copies. I'm actually done with it, and you an PM me if you're interested in buying it. No pressure. :)

I've been very happy with it, and their revised program goes through 8th now. They're working on Algebra. Our co-op uses Saxon for 7th and up, so we may go that way if they offer the level we need. Or I may teach him myself with CLE. I guess that I'm another that doesn't plan too far ahead. I know CLE for my oldest next year (6th grade), and I'm not too worried about after that.

And liked it, although she noted that it was not as parent friendly as she had hoped (it's since been revised and workbooks have been added). The review is long gone, on a previous board probably 3-4 years ago. I'm guessing that now that she has her own writing curriculum that she won't be reviewing other writing curriculums any more. :)

I've enjoyed the ones that I've read, and we're listening to one now (Beric the Brittain performed by Jim Weiss), but frankly they all have the same basic plot with some variations. They're good historical fiction though, but I wouldn't base my history program on them (as some folks do).

I don't know how closely her teacher stick's to IEW's principles, but they advocate "hands on mechanics, hands off content" during the grade school years. I follow that pretty closely in my class, although I don't mark missing dress-ups either (and many IEW teachers do).

Here was one of the threads: http://www.wtmboards.com/K8genApr242007/messages/90.html I always get slammed when I'm critical of Apologia's upper-level programs, so I'll leave the link to you and step back. :seeya: I can't find SWB's article either, but I remember that basically she felt that students needed a more balanced view of the creation versus evoluation debate than Apologia provides. In other words, she felt that it was one-sided, and I remember that she didn't like the tone of it.

When the American Embassy in Iran was seized in 1979 the Americans thought that all was "well" because everything was shredded or taken with them when they left. The Iranians hired weavers to put together the shreds and supposedly got some of the state secrets left behind. During my working days in defense-related programs we always shredded and then they took away the bags to be burned in an incinerator. We learned something in Tehran...

We've done Spanish from the beginning, and now are adding Latin. Periodically there's a mixup, but it's really not a big deal IMHO. Most of the time they keep the languages separate, in fact sometimes my oldest corrects me when I pronounce Latin like Spanish!

IEW teaches numbers because it keeps it organized, but structurally your notes are really more like bullets under a sort of heading. When you go to write it up, you don't have to follow the order of your notes if it works better, and you're free to add in more detail. It helps to cross off each line of notes as you use them. I teach IEW through a local co-op, and this was an ongoing question all year.

When my children were younger and used Singapore's Early Bird program, we did a few problems of each type together and then I sat at the table while they did the rest. We currently use a spiral math program that is self-teaching, but I still have them read and explain the new material to me, and then watch while they do the new problems. Then the do the rest of the lesson independently. Now we

It's essential with the 1st grade program, with teacher interaction most of the time and the beginning and tapering off some as you go. In 2nd they're less essential, but they have the answers and if you get them, you won't need the answer keys. I periodically refer to mine if we get stuck on how to do something as well. In fact I buy them for all the levels for that reason. They're pretty cheap and useful to me. I'd recommend that you buy just the first volume of TG's and a few Light Units to try the program before you commit. It's nice that you don't have to buy the whole thing at once, and it's been worth a little shipping to me to see what things were like. I can't speak to the Counting Book and Chart, but they are marked in the catalog as being "required."

I really like the look of it though. It's much more engaging than the other programs I've looked at. Maybe I can have him journal it and just meet with me weekly (this is for a 12 y.o.)? I'll ponder that...:001_rolleyes:

I'm a part-time CC professor, and supposedly they have a super-filter. I get 5-10 a day. Thankfully no pics, but very ADULT topics.

Definitely! I went to a top-notch public high school. Most of my favorite teachers had been classically educated and some had done their graduate degrees at St. John's College. Socially high school was yuk, but the academics were great. In college I realized just how blessed I was, and I wanted that for my children. Of course reality hit later that most public high schools are not at all what I experienced and that private schools like that require a different income level, so here we are homeschooling!

In poking around, I also found this program by Michael Clay Thompson from Royal Fireworks Press that looks like the content of Vocabulary from Classical Roots with more background and structure. So questions, questions... Am I correct in my understanding of this? Do I need the teacher manual? Is the work done separately on paper? Thanks.

In general, CLE reading is bare-bones and less "fussy," but not necessarily in a bad way. The books/workbooks are very plain, but not as plain as R&S. It's also not as strongly anabaptist in the upper levels as R&S is. For 4th and up it's a half-year course. In general, I would say that the lessons are also shorter than BJUP from the comparisons I did, and more tailored towards independent learning. I use CLE as an add-on to their Sonlight readers. I would not think that it would be good for a struggling reader. I went with it over BJUP because I wanted something inexpensive and easy to use. In general I like BJUP, but their big teacher manual and all the add-ons to their reading program turned me off. My children are good readers, but needed some accountability and structure.

DH wants a formal, college-prep vocabulary program for my oldest. We aren't that thrilled with some of the "modern" topics in World Wise, although that program would be the easiest for me to use. Classical Roots requires a bit more work if you do it like the WTM outlines. I looked at Bob Jones (too brief), and I suppose the A Beka is an option although they throw in spelling and poetry (probably not a bad thing). Any thoughts?

It's always in the background as a possibility if I need to delegate more. IMHO I wouldn't use it for all subjects, and preferrably with an older child. I have a good friend who picks 3 subjects every year for her children to do on HomeSat. It's been especially good for her high school students to get in math, science, and Spanish.

As you may remember DH has "failed back" after six surgeries including a doube fusion with a post-surgical infection that damaged his nervous system further. Work bought him this one: http://www.backfriendly.com/catalog/liberty-mesh-office-chair.html It's as good as any he's tried (and he's tried them ALL, trust me). He uses it with a tailbone pillow. The kneeling chair was not an option because of the level of neurological problems he has (he has balance problems as well).

We have too many friends who have and are still struggling with their student loans because they took out rather large ones. Granted, in some cases there isn't any way around it (several are doctors -- it's pretty tough to work and go to medical school, others got very specialized majors), but in some cases the loans were for majors that they could have pursued at less expensive schools and done just as well. Yes, engineers make good money, but you really don't know the future -- there could be significant medical expensives for a spouse/child, a change of plans, etc. etc. I worked for 15 years before children in scientific research and program management and my degrees were from "upper middle" state schools. I did just fine in comparison to "name" school coworkers who had huge loans. Huge loans are not always necessary.

I went to my 10th because I was workng in the area and able to go with one of my high school girlfriends. Didn't go to the 20th because I was pregnant and living across the country. The idea of flying that far and bringing my preschooler didn't appeal to me. Won't go to the 30th because frankly I have far less ties there now other than a handful of work friends that I still correspond with and one aunt/uncle that I'm close to. My parents live there, but both have dementia and we're estranged. Sad to say, the only time I'll probably go back is if there's a family funeral. Funny how life changes!

just a thought!

I usually figure about half price plus a few bucks, but I do check on both Amazon and Rainbow to make sure that's reasonable. Sometimes I can actually sell for more on Amazon though, so I do that. I count on selling books to buy books, so frankly having things not move is not an option for me.

Good Lord willing, my children are going to go to college. We don't have a ton saved, but they're smart cookies and the college I work for is a decent one. There are good ones within commuting distance if they need to live at home to save $. As a part-time community college professor myself, I know the benefits intellectually of going to college and how it prepares one for a good job in certain fields. For every story of someone who is doing fine without college, I can tell you ten stories of people were struggled without college. They're in my classes because they can't get promoted, change jobs, or rise above entry-level work without a degree. Frankly if you read the statistics (and I see them in our college literature), the modern economy definitely favors those who have college degrees. Also, granted this is the DC area, but there are many employers here who routinely cull out resumes of people without degrees even if they have the experience. So no, college is not for everyone, but I would head that way unless there is a very good reason for not doing that.

And some who do not as well! Among the ones who truly "keep up" with all of the children, there is a high degree of accountability and cooperation overlaying it all. Everyone does chores, and everyone works to make sure that everyone keeps up academically. Every child has very clear standards and goals to attain to, and the mother has regular conferences with each child to discuss these issues. Independent learning is encouraged at a fairly young age. Among the ones who aren't keeping up, there's usually a lack of cooperation and an over-emphasis on certain children at the expense of others.