I am not familiar with CCM, but I am using Aquinas Learning at Home this year. Aquinas Learning is a "classical education mentoring program combining a once-a-week meeting with four days of studies at home with the primary educator, the parent." (quote from the AL website) We are doing the "at home" version this year while considering the possibility of opening an AL Center in our town next year. You may want to check out the website: http://www.aquinaslearning.com. Laura

I'm looking for a poetry study for one or two semesters for an 8th grade boy. We have never studied poetry before. I've thought about The Grammar of Poetry or The Art of Poetry by Christine Perrin. Has anyone used these or can you suggest other resources for middle school/early high school. Thanks! Laura

Can you tell me more about this? I like the idea of giving more freedom, but I also want my ds to learn the skills he needs and learn relevant information. I'm sure this isn't what you mean, but if I gave him complete freedom, he would read Calvin and Hobbes and research custom LEGOs and video games. I have a fear that he won't learn anything worthwhile if I give too much liberty. That being said, he does enjoy his weekly science "research project". He is given a broad topic - this week it was herbs - and he gets to pick something specific. He chose basil this time. He also enjoys modifying characters and setting in stories, so we do that with our story analysis. How do you ensure that certain subjects are covered? Do you give your son a list from which to choose? This might seem really basic, but I need some handholding right now. Thank you! Laura in KY

I've never treated my 12yo ds as "gifted", although he definitely fits the category. I've mainly taught according to his learning style and abilities. We've used Sonlight, some WTM suggestions, and Singapore Math through 5th grade. Last year, in 6th, we started Classical Conversations. This year, he is in CC Challenge A. I feel discouraged because he doesn't LOVE learning. He really doesn't like any of his school work. I really believe he should love it because he's good at it. My husband and I both remember LOVING learning at his age. What am I doing wrong? How do you create and foster a love of learning in your gifted kids? I realize my post leaves out lots of details, but I don't want to make it too long. Any suggestions out there? Thanks! Laura in KY

My boys like Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty from Timberdoodle. They also both like large balls to bounce on - my 11 yo has a yoga ball, and my 4 yo has a bouncing ball with a handle. 11 yo likes silver Ticonderoga pencils with black wood in side. They're quality pencils and he thinks they're cool. One more idea: lap size wipeoff boards and markers.

I think you'll be able to do it, too. I am an Essentials Tutor, and I agree, it can look overwhelming at the beginning of the year. However, the English language portion can be done in 20 minutes daily. My son (age 11 last year) spent 5-10 minutes on his chart memory work after breakfast. Then, later in the day, we spent 10-15 minutes together on the daily sentence parsing and diagramming. Your (parent) involvement with IEW can be accomplished in 15-30 minutes per day, most days. Your student will spend time writing, and this could take more of your time if you need to type or write for him. Otherwise, you'll just help him get started and then work on editing. The Essentials curriculum (EEL and IEW) can easily be scaled to your student's abilities and your family's needs. It might take a few weeks to "get in a groove", but you'll get there! I also agree that Foundations memory work can be accomplished with 20-40 minutes per day. It may be more at times if your kids want to be Memory Masters. However, a lot of this can be done without your help. They can drill each other. My son is entering Challenge A this year, and I'm not sure about the parent time involved. I've been told it's at least several hours per week, and that most students do a lot of work independently. You're so courageous and a faithful mom to homeschool as a single parent!

I used Phonics Pathways to teach my first son to read. One year prior I had tried 100EZ and didn't like it, but it was probably partly due to his level of maturity. With my second son, I started with OPGTR, and I was so excited! I actually purchased the book directly from Jessie Wise at a homeschool convention and she gave me the sample cards for free because they didn't have any other copies left. I had used FLL 1-4 with my first son, so I was thrilled to use something that Jessie helped create. When we started, my 2nd son knew all his letter sounds VERY well - he had probably known them for at least 6 months, maybe a year. We easily skipped over the first lessons. We kept working through, but he wasn't getting it. I finally decided to put OPGTR away and try Phonics Pathways. Now he's really getting it. I think the main difference for us is that PP spends a lot of time on two-letter blends before moving to three letter words. That might not be an issue for some students, but we needed that extra help. I may go back to OPGTR for later lessons or extra practice, but for now, we're sticking with PP.

My Foundations Director sent one to me, but I think it's also on the Classical Conversations CC Connected, if you're a member. I also think I saw it on their facebook page a couple months ago, but I couldn't find it just now.

My son never liked flash cards either, and I kind of "gave up" when we got to multiplication. Last year, we did the multiplication as copywork. We also recited the facts in order: "2x1=2, 2x2=4, 2x3=6", etc.Yes, I know, it doesn't sound as fun as an iPad or other computer game, but it really worked and only took a few minutes a day. We used worksheets created by Classical Conversations, found here: http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/tasqandcudo.html For some reason, the copy work and recitation was preferable to flash cards. Also, competition helped. We were part of a CC Foundations class, and my son really wanted to be a Memory Master, along with his peers!

I love, love, love FLL. I used levels 1-4 with my almost 12 yo. He then used R&S for 5th grade and in 6th grade he moved into Classical Conversations Essentials class VERY easily. (Essentials has lots of grammar details and most find it to be very rigorous.) I, too, liked the scripting in FLL - not because I didn't understand the grammar, but because I liked that I could "pick up and teach". I found R&S more difficult to use, but probably partly because I didn't use it until 5th grade. The concepts were not difficult, and the diagramming at 5th grade was more simple than FLL in 4th grade. FLL introduces diagramming in level 3, lesson 11 (out of 89 lessons total). We plan to stick with Classical Conversations, where I tutor the Essentials class. However, as my 4 yo begins grammar, I think we'll use FLL through 4th grade because I love it so much. I hope this helps!

Thanks for the suggestions. I saw some reasonably priced markers at Hobby Lobby, too. I'm glad to know that something like that is "good enough". You both said you purchased Sharpies - were they mainly black ones to use for outline drawing, or did you buy other colors of those, too?

I've been reading Drawing with Children by Mona Brooks and I want to start the lessons with my two boys. The author recommends purchasing quality markers - both fine and broad-tipped, and a black drawing marker. Can anyone recommend brands or places to purchase them? Thanks!

The year we converted to the RCC, we also moved 1000 miles away from our hometown, and I had my second baby 6 weeks after we moved. It was comforting to have the consistency of continuing with SL. While we were/are quite confident in our decision to become Catholic, there were many social and practical changes involved. Having the same homeschooling curriculum provided at least one constant in my life. The SL CAtholic yahoo ladies provided a lot of support, even though I was mainly a "lurker" for many months. I, too, love to research curricula, and I understand the frustration that can bring. I often forget to ask for God's guidance, but when I do, the answers come. Blessings!

My 11 yo is at Arts day camp for two weeks, so I'm alone with my 4 yo. We did our Saxon math and some Phonics Pathways, played Dominoes, and went to our local museum where they had a petting zoo set up for the day. After dinner, we plan to make a special dessert for a potluck tomorrow.

My son is just entering Challenge A this fall, so I'm interested in others' input, too. On our CC campus, most of our Challenge students (A through I so far) have done Challenge and Omnibus for the past 2 years. For them, Omnibus is mostly just reading with weekly discussion, from what I understand. We're still debating our plan for next year.