Kelly, Thanks for your reply. I looked over your daughter's reading list. She is reading/has read all those books this year? How did she put the list together? Looks amazing! You are right about TOG - it does take a bit of work in itself; it's not like it works for you! But just being able to open the book every week and see all the reading laid out with pages numbers etc, it does keep us moving. Melissa - thanks for the encouragement. That is a good idea about 8th grade. since that's what we're coming up to and I feel all "revved" up about WTM, maybe this is the perfect time to really dive in. Jen

Thank you Melissa - It's good to hear your thoughts. I haven't looked over the TOG rhetoric years that closely yet; do they cover the great books in roughly the same way as WTM? I know the time periods differ somewhat. I guess I should go through my units again specifically looking at the rhetoric section. You are right about how SWB lays it all out in the WTM. It looks so doable and simple that I think "hey! I should just be able to do this myself!" But it's true I am not always that motivated to make things happen when I should. I guess that's why I'm looking for reassurance :) Like, how much work is it really? Thanks again Jen

Gina and Elizabeth, thanks for your replies. I've looked at omnibus and frankly, I'm worried about some of the same worldview issues as with TOG. Maybe I should look them over again, though. Gina, thanks for the encouragement that you are making it work. I do have doubts about doing this with 4 younger ones needing a lot of my attention. Especially since I will have to be reading the books as well. But I'm trying to see that part as a plus. Getting the education I never had. Thanks again I'd welcome anymore suggestions (or warnings:) Jen

Thanks for your replies! Yes, it does partly come down to just not knowing if I would have the discipline to make sure it all happened on my own. And I can't imagine spending the whole summer planning! Does anyone else just do what it says in the WTM? Without another curriculum? Do you have to spend a huge amount of time planning? Thanks! Jen

OK, I've just finished rereading the wtm. I feel like I've got my bearings again. I'm rededicating our time to really getting the skills down: outlining, narration, etc. I'm thinking ahead (a little- my oldest will be 8th grade next year, so I don't have much time). We've been using tog this year and it's been....fine. I've appreciated having a schedule and all the books laid out for me. The main problem I have with it is their worldview. Not trying to step on any toes here, but I just don't have that same providential outlook of history. We're definitely Christians, but I think differently on lots of key points. So far it hasn't been a big deal, but I'm wondering if it will become an issue as we get into the rhetoric levels. Because that's where more philosophy, etc. comes in. So I'm reconsidering continuing on with them. After looking over the rhetoric stage recommendations in wtm, I feel like they are hard, but doable. But am I fooling myself? Will I wish I had more of a structure? I have 5 kids, so that does make a difference in terms of how much time I have available. If I only had two or something, I wouldn't be as anxious. But I"m worried about how much time it will take to be doing all these really in depth studies with my high schooler(s). I'll be reading through some of this stuff (ok, most of it, who am I kidding?) for the first time myself. Any advice from people who have gone through this already? Is there a curriculum that I'm overlooking? Thanks, Jen

Thanks for your replies everyone. rosie - thank you! for the link to the Nan thread. That is exactly what I needed. I would not have bothered to post at all if I'd seen that to begin with! I've got some good things to chew on and new motivation! Jen

OK, I know this sounds pathetic, but I guess I need a pep talk or something. I'm just rereading the well-trained mind and feeling like I'm missing so many crucial things. I have 5 kids. my oldest is 13 and youngest is 5. We are so busy just trying fit "everything" in that I can't imagine doing things differently, but as it is, we're not doing ANY narration, memory work, outlining or reading discussion. I mean, we just read the books for history and talk about them a little as we go, but that's about it. And my older daughter works mostly on her own; I have no idea what she's learning about half the time! I feel really behind and sad. I know we're doing "ok", but I had dreams of their education being truly excellent and at this point I don't think it is. I don't know how to get "there" from here. Having so many kids feels so overwhelming - but there's nothing I can do about that :) So what can I do? fwiw, we don't do any outside activities, we "should" have enough time. Maybe it would help to see what we do: singapore math and lof handwriting spelling geography occasionally stow and lots of extra history reading (we're in american history right now) biology - elemental science cle bible drawing mct all levels, grammar practice, vocab and poetry once in a while my oldest is doing sonlight 5 on her own basically and getting started with latin I think that's about it. But there's also dealing with all the housework, meals, and my 5 and 6 yos who interrupt a lot. So what to do? Start next year lol? I really would like to get on top of this stuff sooner than later. I feel outnumbered - by life. thanks Jen

Thank you!

Thanks Robin! Do you need the student manual AND the workbook? Jen

This is an example from a workbook: She is famous for dancing on stage. OK- "dancing on stage" is labelled a gerund phrase. Isn't "on stage" a prepositional phrase? I'm confused.

We are currently doing mct. all 3 levels and I like it a lot. However, I would like to supplement with something that will cover actual diagramming. This would be for 3rd, 5th and 7th grades. I have money available to me to purchase whatever I want, but it has to be from a secular publisher. So, no rod and staff (that was my first choice). Any good ideas? thanks! Jennifer

I haven't read the replies, so maybe this has been gone over, but my two little boys have played with playmobil for hours EVERY DAY for the past 2 years. Since they were 3 and 4 and are now almost 5 and 6. Yes, there have been fights and drama over lost pieces, but I just cannot believe how much it has occupied them. Especially living in oregon where it is so stinking rainy most of the year. And it's great because it's not a messy artsy activity that has to be overseen by me. Anyway, YMMV, but I wish I had know about them when my older kids were little. jen

My mom looks great in jeans and she's almost 60. Age limits are silly.

Thanks for the replies! Maybe I should look into an abridged version... Jen

I haven't read this yet, and I'm wondering what age the kids might enjoy listening to it on tape? Anything inappropriate I should know about first? Any good versions to recommend? The library has several. Thanks! Jennifer

I'm so sorry! This happened a few times to us as well. I never really got the smell out - I guess it did fade over time from repeated washings. Mine were mostly kitchen towels, so I did throw a few away. It's such a bad smell! I say, just wash it a bunch of times. good luck!! Jen

Thank you! These are some great ideas! Jen

thanks for the suggestions! I'll check them out right away Jen

I'm just not getting around to geography with them and it is such a shame. Especially since my 11yo LOVES it and begs to do it every day. What can I give them that they can work through on their own? 11yo is doing early american history. Not that it matters, they can do any topic, just so they are working through something steadily. Thanks! Jen

Yes! all of these replies are very helpful! I am in the bad postition of having been told all my life that I was a very good writer, without actually ever being taught writing! I always just assumed I picked it up from reading so much. At this point I think I looked like a good writer in comparison to my peers:001_smile:. Anyway, I'm learning right along with my children. I really appreciate the comments about topic sentences, etc. Or sentence structure in general. Do NOT worry about being too critical. I have no illusions concerning our education. The only way to improve is to be honest about where we need help! As far as what we've covered...."nothing" would be the answer. As in, she's never heard of a topic sentence. I have been having her write a page almost daily (about a topic I pick) for about a year now. Usually something from history. I then correct her grammar or punctuation. Give ideas for more variety or clear explanation. Or tell her to keep her personal opinions out. But that's been it. We just started MCT this year - finished grammar voyage last week and are just now getting to essay voyage. Clearly not soon enough for the state testing.:001_smile: OK, enough rambling. thanks again, Jen

Thank you! That is a great idea - about reading backward. I'll have her try that for sure. Also I will have her double check the informality problem. This is something she does a LOT. She's extremely chatty and it comes through in her writing. I have to tell her to not put her personal opinion in her paper about King George or a state report, etc. :D Thanks again, Jen

I have no idea whether this is where I should put this, but honestly, I was really just hoping for a little feedback by the end of the day. Testing is tomorrow. Thanks for any help you all could give me. Jen My 7th grade dd is getting ready for her state evaluated writing assessment this week. She has not done any actual essay writing for me so far and so I had her write a practice essay so I could see where she needed improvement (trying to help her get ready for the test). I gave her a few guidelines - make sure you have some sort of intro, pick a main point to prove or explain and sum it up at the end. After she wrote it, I read it over and realized that I'm not much help because she's my oldest and we haven't done this before. I thought she did great, but I don't really know if it is up to a standard or not. I mean, I can correct grammar, etc. But the quality of the writing? I just don't know. So I hoped maybe some of you could give it a quick read and let me know if we are in the ballpark or if there are some major areas that she should be concentrating on improving. Thank you all so much! This is what she wrote with no corrections: Why a Guinea Pig Would be a Good Pet Many chilren want a pet by the time they are 4-7 years old. There are many pets that are suitable for young children, but none better to my mind than the guinea pig. These small furry creatures are perfect size for little hands, and they are oh, so cute. Guinea pigs are about the size of a large rat, not too big, not too small. This makes them perfect size pets for children ages 4+ provided the child is gentle. They are normally very calm animals, and will never bite unless in pain. Guinea pigs are sweet loving pets, and, in time may learn to recognize their name. Guinea pigs are social animals, so it is best to keep them in pairs or groups. Acctually, it is easier to keeps two rather than one, it prevents some illnesses caused by lonlieness and stress. They will play endlessly running and chasing eachother around the cage. They love to be in the middle of everything, so having their cage in your living room or a place where people are constantly going by. A big plus in having a guinea pig is that they will eat almost all your vegtable scraps, and more! Guinea pigs are not pickey eaters when it comes to veggies, they will eat any thing, so it is important to know which ones to feed them, and which ones not to. They love bread crusts too, but it is important not to feed this treat very often. It should cost 75-100 dollars to take care of a single guinea pig every year, as apposed to the 1500-2000 dollars it would take for a dog, and 350-400 dollars for a cat. The basics for taking care of 2 guinea pigs are: one 5lb bag of guinea pig pellet food a month, two bales of timothey hay a year, one red, green or yellow bell pepper a week, plus a few carrots, a soft plastic brush and a pair of nail clippers, an 8oz waterbottle with metal tube. Over all I think guinea pigs are a good pet because they are easy to take care of, cheap to feed and sweet loving animals. Even children who live in small houses or apartments where a dog or cat may not be allowed, a guinea pig will fit in a small cage so as to be out of the way completly.

I just saw the thread on writing...should I have posted this there? Jen

My 7th grade dd is getting ready for her state evaluated writing assessment this week. She has not done any actual essay writing for me so far and so I had her write a practice essay so I could see where she needed improvement (trying to help her get ready for the test). I gave her a few guidelines - make sure you have some sort of intro, pick a main point to prove or explain and sum it up at the end. After she wrote it, I read it over and realized that I'm not much help because she's my oldest and we haven't done this before. I thought she did great, but I don't really know if it is up to a standard or not. I mean, I can correct grammar, etc. But the quality of the writing? I just don't know. So I hoped maybe some of you could give it a quick read and let me know if we are in the ballpark or if there are some major areas that she should be concentrating on improving. Thank you all so much! This is what she wrote with no corrections: Why a Guinea Pig Would be a Good Pet Many chilren want a pet by the time they are 4-7 years old. There are many pets that are suitable for young children, but none better to my mind than the guinea pig. These small furry creatures are perfect size for little hands, and they are oh, so cute. Guinea pigs are about the size of a large rat, not too big, not too small. This makes them perfect size pets for children ages 4+ provided the child is gentle. They are normally very calm animals, and will never bite unless in pain. Guinea pigs are sweet loving pets, and, in time may learn to recognize their name. Guinea pigs are social animals, so it is best to keep them in pairs or groups. Acctually, it is easier to keeps two rather than one, it prevents some illnesses caused by lonlieness and stress. They will play endlessly running and chasing eachother around the cage. They love to be in the middle of everything, so having their cage in your living room or a place where people are constantly going by. A big plus in having a guinea pig is that they will eat almost all your vegtable scraps, and more! Guinea pigs are not pickey eaters when it comes to veggies, they will eat any thing, so it is important to know which ones to feed them, and which ones not to. They love bread crusts too, but it is important not to feed this treat very often. It should cost 75-100 dollars to take care of a single guinea pig every year, as apposed to the 1500-2000 dollars it would take for a dog, and 350-400 dollars for a cat. The basics for taking care of 2 guinea pigs are: one 5lb bag of guinea pig pellet food a month, two bales of timothey hay a year, one red, green or yellow bell pepper a week, plus a few carrots, a soft plastic brush and a pair of nail clippers, an 8oz waterbottle with metal tube. Over all I think guinea pigs are a good pet because they are easy to take care of, cheap to feed and sweet loving animals. Even children who live in small houses or apartments where a dog or cat may not be allowed, a guinea pig will fit in a small cage so as to be out of the way completly.

thank you, this is so helpful. See, I didn't even know keyboard vs. digital piano. What does weighted keys mean? Jen