Hey, folks! I'm trying to put together a reading schedule for my sons for next year as we cycle back through Year 1 (with one in lower grammar, one in upper grammar, and one in the dialectic stage). I'm desperately trying to find a few titles on CD (we LOVE listening as we drive!), but unfortunately, I can't find a single decent book on tape to correspond with ancient Egypt (haven't looked yet for Greece/Rome). My library system carries most of the popular/must-read titles... but only in paper format. Any favorite titles you might be able to recommend that my library just may have sitting on its audio section?? I'd really, really appreciate the help!!

A monosyllabic teen... oh, I can SO relate!! Sue-- your explanation really makes this decision easy for me! Thank you for taking the time to explain the differences as you did-- I think I WILL check out the Classic Club dvds, just to be sure, but from what I'm gathering thus far, I think LL will be a much better fit here. Thank you one and all!!

I'm trying to decide for next year (ds will be in 7th grade) between these two options. Does my choice basically boil down to this-- independent work vs. a parent-led discussion?? I haven't actually seen either program IRL, but I've gathered tidbits about both from these boards and beyond. And now I'm torn. So might I ask-- why did you choose one or the other... or why not either of them at all?? Junior high is unchartered territory for me, so I'd love any feedback you have to offer!! And thanks :)

This is very helpful, Trish!! Thanks so much!

Might I insert myself here with a quick question re: LL7?? I'm wondering what sort of time committment it requires-- is it something a student works on one day/week (with reading on the other days), or is it intended to be used on a more regular/daily basis? I've never seen it IRL, so I'm not real sure what to expect (though I've heard great reviews & hope to take a long look at it at the state convention in June). Thanks!!

Thanks, you guys, for helping me think through this possibility. I think I'll check out the Omnibus text when I go to the convention next month; in the meantime though, it's good to know that the ToG notes are enough!

I just got this crazy thought-- IS it possible to combine Omnibus and ToG? Or at least use Omnibus in conjunction w/ ToG somehow?? As a quick note of background-- we've been part of a Tapestry co-op for 2 years now, and next fall we swing back around to Year 1. While I LOVE our co-op and all its benefits, I'm very attracted to Omnibus and think it would be an excellent course of study as well. Without having ever flipped through the text though, I wonder... can I merge the two... or is that simply educational suicide?! Another thought-- perhaps I could buy the Omnibus text to further educate *myself* and then use what I learn from my personal study in discussions w/ my kids??? (Ages 10 & 13 in the fall). Any ideas would be lovely-- I NEED to do more work on my own (to learn the material *well* before I encouner it with my kiddos), and I love the idea of having a single primary text to draw from (as opposed to a gazillion resources to gather together). Oh, the choices & the decisions... ! OK-- sorry for the rambling. But please-- DO share! I'd love to hear your thoughts :)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your input, ladies! You've been a tremendous help :)

You're not boring me at all, Heather--- this is exactly what I needed/wanted to hear! One other question for you-- have you ever considered enrolling your middle dd in the latin classes in addition to her other classes there? I'm torn btwn sticking with the Form series, switching over to Henle, and taking the Latin 1 class w/ VPSA. I LOVE the notion of having an instructor actually INSTRUCT ds (as opposed to the self-teaching methods we've been using... b/c he surpassed me long ago :) but have yet to sign on the dotted line!

bump :)

Ds (12) is wrapping up First Form this spring, and I'm torn-- should I move on to Second Form or skip on over to Henle 1 (of course there's always an online Wheelocks course thrown in the mix, too... perhaps through VPSA. Oh, the decisions!). Anyone in a similar boat? First Form has not required much of ds this year, yet he's done very well with it. I think he could handle an increase in intensity and work load, but I wonder if there's any need to push?? Is it better to follow the Form series through to later pick up Henle in highschool?? Or do I up the anty now, so to speak, and require more? Just thinking aloud here as I'm overwhelmed with the options (and am a terrible decision-maker to boot)!! I'll likely buy either dvds or choose the online academy route to aid in the instruction (he's already well past my knowledge base, though hopefully this summer I'll close the gap a bit :) Anyway... any input would be treasured! And thanks~

I'm hoping to hear *anything* about the latin classes offered through VPSA (or any other courses w/ them, quite frankly). Were you pleased? Was it a success? Did your kids enjoy the class? Was it worth your dime? And will you enroll with VP again in the future? I'm considering their secondary Latin 1 for next year (I love the idea of having a qualified instructor do the instructing, and I've heard good things about Wheelocks) but would love a bit of feedback before I sign on the dotted line... thanks! {For what it's worth, ds12 has complete Lively Latin 1 and most of First Form 1-- I can't decide if I want to keep moving forward with the Form series or if I want to switchover to Wheelocks w/ the VP online instruction.}

Really?? Well, perhaps I oughta pull it from the shelf for a closer look! It really has been a long time since I paid it any attention (in truth, I never did more than a quick flip-through). I guess perhaps it's time... thanks, Pam!

MIch elle, I've never once peeked at CLE before now, but I must say that I really like what I see!! So may I ask you this-- is there a lesson in the TM that I would need to teach each day, or are the workbooks designed to be self-teaching (do they contain examples of new things, etc.)? Just trying to get my arms around a new-to-me program so that I fully understand how it works! And thanks :)

Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts. Here's a link: http://www.rfwp.com/mct.php

I've *never* needed the IEW syllabus, and I've been through the program 3 times (perhaps that varies from program to program and instructor to instructor??). All we've ever used = their grammar guide and the history-based lesson book (all the IEW work/explanations/lessons are found therein). I *did* buy Our Mother Tongue the first time through, but it's only collecting dust on my bookshelf :)

I'm in the *same exact boat* and am leaning heavily towards Michael Clay Thompson LA-- not the writing books in any great capacity (we are happy with IEW); just the grammar and vocab. And maybe the poetry for fun :) I've been drooling over it for weeks now and am almost ready to take the plunge!

Ooop... I guess that would help :) 5th grade for R & S. This year we've been dabbling in Our Mother Tongue in addition to our studies via Essentials.

This year ds has used: Math: Singapore 4 A & B (Primary, IP, and CWP 4) Language Arts: IEW, Rod & Staff 4, Evan-Moor Daily Language Review & Paragraph Editing History & Literature: ToG Year 4 Science: Christian Kids Explore Biology Latin: Lively Latin Bible: Scripture memory & daily devotions; Character Building for Families with the rest of the crew Extras: Competitive, year-round swimming; piano lessons, and art via co-op

bump :)

Ok, here's my deal: We've used R & S on and off for 4 years. We've also taken Essentials (with Classical Conversations) for 3 years. Ds (12) has a very solid foundation and he enjoys diagramming. In a nutshell, he does very well w/ grammar; he gets it. As I look ahead to 7th grade and beyond, I'm feeling the need for a change. While R & S is great, it doesn't get done here b/c I'm constantly skipping lessons (material he already knows), and quite frankly, ds is bored with it. While I love the look of MCT's grammar, I'm not interested in the whole program (we use IEW for writing and are very happy there). Does it still work well if I only use the grammar and vocab?? I love MCT's front-loading mindset-- teach ALL the parts up front and then practice, practice, practice. IS there anything else like that... w/o the fluff and stuff and all the extras (just intense grammar practice and application), or is MCT my best option? Thanks so much for your thoughts-- I just want to be sure of my options before I switch gears. Younger dc are following along behind and I'd love to find something to stick with for the duration if possible!

You know, I go back and forth. Right now, I'm simply weighing my options-- Rod & Staff is very thorough, and we've learned a lot, but I LOVE MCT's approach-- all the grammar up front followed by practice, practice, practice. We've taken Essentials (through Classical Conversations) so my son is very familair with the 8 parts of speech, clauses, phrases, etc. Now I just want him to apply all that "stuff" *every day* instead of slowly but surely adding in new parts as we press on through the text. Does that make any sense?? As for which level of MCT-- Town it is. Thanks so much you guys!!

Ds is finishing up Rod & Staff 5 this spring. Is Grammar Voyage the logical starting point, or should I plan on breezing (hopefully!) through Town first?

Thanks, you guys, for all the great feedback! I think I'll consider skipping over to E & S next year... but I have to confess-- I really hate the idea of skipping that Life Science class with Mrs. Vick! Oh... the decisions!!

Ok-- if you had to choose, which one would you pick?? I only have one year but 2 wonderful courses from which to choose, and I simply cannot decide which is best. Please help! Ds (12 yo, 6th grade) is taking biology this year through our co-op (they're using Rainbow), and while he's done well, I don't think he's retained a ton. Still, he's at least been introduced to lots of terms, etc. Next year for 7th, I was thinking of doing BJU's (7th grade) Life Science course (w/ the dvds) b/c I've heard SO many wonderful things about it; I was going to consider this year's Bio class an intro of sorts. The tricky part--- I *really* want to do Physical Science in 8th (likely w/ BJU's 9th grade program and dvds) b/c I want ds to take Biology in 9th grade. SO... as I ponder this scenario, I'm torn. I've heard great things about both the Life class and the E & Space one, and I don't know which one to pick. Is it "ok" to change our pace and study earth & space for a year before physical science in 8th and Bio in 9th, or will BJU's Bio class be too strenuous w/o the foundation of the Life class?? Would you all recommend the Life class over the E & S one, or do you think I'm good either way?? Which one would YOU choose? I'd love ANY input as every day I waffle back and forth, back and forth... and would love to decide once and for all!! Oh, the decisions.... :)