Ok... So I am starting to plan a bit here and I have to admit that I am getting a bit overwhelmed. Tapestry is not overwhelming me, but all the other subjects that need to be added to tapestry is the problem. It just seems like there is not enough time in the day. Here is my plan: 13yo: TOG Dialetic Y2 IEW Co-op; we will be utilizing Writing Aids at home too. Apologia Physical Science Saxon Alg 1/2 Spelling Workout G/H weak speller here;) Rod and Staff English 7 Latiana Christiana 1 (just beginning Latin) Rosetta Stone Spanish The Fallacy Detective along with Critical Thinking Skills book 1 12yo TOG Dialetic Y2 IEW Co-op; we will be utilizing Writing Aids at home too. Apologia General Science Saxon 87 Spelling Workout f/g Rod and Staff English 6 Latiana Christiana 1 (just beginning Latin) Rosetta Stone Spanish The Fallacy Detective along with Critical Thinking Skills book 1 9yo TOG Y2 UG Saxon 54 Rod and Staff English 4 Spelling Workout d/e Latiana Christiana 1 Rosetta Stone Spanish Apologia Zoology (have not really decided on this yet) I just feel like there is so much to accomplish each day, and not enough time to accomplish it. I also have a 4yo and a almost 2yo to chase too. Oh, and my 4yo just started Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading. Maybe it would help to "see" how others get it all in. Please share your method?? Or how long a school day takes you. Keep in mind though, that at this stage in my life it is very difficult to sit with each child on each subject. I have trained them so far to read their math/english and just get it done. It was rocky at first but now they do it with minimal error rate. Poor guys, they have learned to learn:tongue_smilie: Anyway, please share any advice or opinions. Maybe I am just feeling guilty that they will be working the majority of the day!!!!!!!!

By staying off this message board:lol::lol: Seriously, I try to buy used as much as possible. I also try to buy non-consumables like Rod and Staff that can be used by more than one child. I have also realised that just because something "seems" better, or someone is raving over their success with a curriculum, it may not be for us. I am so bad about wanting what someone else has because of their good reviews:glare: BUT, I have realised that you have just got to pick something and stick with it. It is school work... and none of it is really much fun:tongue_smilie:!! It has only taken 7 years to figure this out:D:D Jen

I have to say that Tapestry of Grace has been a godsend here. It really solves the large family issue. I can still use SOTW for my younger children because it is scheduled in, and use age appropriate books for my older children. Many of these books are actually recommended in the WTM. So, it is very, very nice! Jen

I am very new to TOG Y2, but thought I would chime in here too. I took Karenciavo's advice and made notebooks. However, I just 3 hole punched them and stuck them in a binder. That way I can add to it if needed. I can already see this making all the difference in our house. I do not plan to substitute any books at all. We will stick with the primary sources because I have already bought them all. If they don't like them, I really don't care right now. They will just need to learn to get through it.:lol: I have looked through all of the Y2 U1 books and I do have to say that they really look fabulous!!! (ok everytime I say the word fabulous, I can hear Sharpay singing it from High School musical....yes, I have a few girls here!!!;)) I really do think they will enjoy them. I have an UG and 2 D students with an almost 4yo and 20month old running around. I will be expecting them to plan their own work, and getting it done. If it is not done by Friday, well then guess what they will be doing on the weekend. I will be getting them a planner so that they can plan our their week. I am so hoping for a very smooth year. I have spent too many years trying to pull together what TOG already does for me. I hope this helps some?? It is nice to see so many TOG'ers here! Blessings on your school year.

We will be starting a co-op using IEW, while using TOG at home. I do plan to use all of the writing assignments in TOG, and I do have writing aids as well. We decided to do the IEW co-op for several reasons. First, I will have a sounding board for my children's writing. Second, some of their close friends will be in the co-op too...think social here:lol::lol: Not to mention, social for mommy:) The co-op takes two full weeks for one paper, so it really is not much of an add-on. I am glad that they will have a pretty well rounded approach to writing. Jen

This is great... I think I will steal it from you;) Maybe we should start a 5 point check-in to see how our progress is going. I have a feeling, though, that my 13yo boy just may have a few 24hour time outs!!

My children practice quite a bit too. My 13yo boy takes guitar, 12yo girl takes voice and piano, and my 9yo takes violin. They really practice several hours a day... all broken up of course. They also teach each other their instruments too. So, they all know how to play each instrument pretty well. I have never asked or forced a child to take music lessons. Ever. They have all come to me asking/begging to take. Maybe that is key? Also, if they stop practicing, then I stop paying and we stop lessons. If they stop progressing, then I stop paying. They know that I mean business here. Dad works very hard to pay for their lessons, and they will practice and improve if they want to continue. I also have never scheduled their instrument practice. I just simply tell them they need to practice several times a day to see any improvement. They do:)

I will give it a shot. First, I know nothing about Veritas Press except what I have read in the catalog. I do have a friend who has used this and she did not care for it much. I will be using TOG for the first time this year... so keep that in mind as I give a review. TOG includes soooooooo much WITH depth. It has a biblical worldview and included geography, literature analysis, and wonderful teacher's notes!! It also includes SOTW:) Another great thing about TOG is that you can use it over and over:) HOWEVER...seeing the ages of your children, I would NOT make a big investment thus far. They are young and I would recommend SOTW or Five In A Row for them. I tried to do toooo much with my older two at K5 and 1st and it was not good. I even put them in school for a bit. I wish I would have just relaxed and had fun with them. I would make sure that they had a strong foundation in the 3 r's and then do Five in a Row..... or just read aloud for history. I really love The Well Trained Mind and follow it pretty closely, but from my experience, they don't really understand too much of history at that young of an age. I really start pushing the cycles in history at 4th/5th grade. Just keep it simple and fun. Do lots of reading, crafts, ect... So, this is probably more than you asked for:) Sorry:tongue_smilie:

Well, call me stupid..... but this is the FIRST time I have even heard of these little gadgets.... I need to check these thingy's out... fer sure. Thanks for bringing these to my attention.

I think I DO need to sit down and figure out a schedule for my family. I have Managers of their homes, but have not been able to find the time to sit down and DO IT!!!!! I may just need to pull a few late nights to get it done. My older children all do chores, and are quite helpful. I think my head starts to spin trying to teach everyone at the same time. For example, when my 13yo needs me, I can hear my 12yo yelling HELP, and then my 8yo comes to ask a question, while my 3yo is wanting her dressup and the 18month old is climbing on the kitchen table. SOOO... if I would just sit down and get everyone scheduled and organized, things would probably go much smoother. I think I also have to realise that it will take us all day (well, 8ish-3ish) to complete all our school work and chores. I have had a hard time realising that we will not finish our school by noon... it is not going to happen. I also.... little confession here... want time to myself during the little ones nap time!!!! Ok, so I have some selfishness issues that need to be dealt with:tongue_smilie: I guess in the midst of the chaos, I was daydreaming of putting the older three in school, and seeing myself running, tickling and chasing the younger two... and just ENJOYING them like I did my older 3. Then, we would go to the park, do the shopping, all without worrying that school did not get done that day. Then, I would come home and put the little ones down for a nap while I tidy the house and begin dinner prep, and maybe take a looooong bath or read a book. When it came time to pick up the older 3 from school, I would have a wonderful snack ready and waiting for them when they got home and they would tell me all about their day. I could help them with their homework, and then they would go play:) Sooooo, did you enjoy my dream?:lol::lol::tongue_smilie:

I am starting to wonder what is the lesser of the two evils here... homeschooling or public school.... I have 5 kiddos, (ages in signature). It is getting harder and harder to keep up with the littles while keeping up with the older ones. Some days I feel like I ignore my 2 little ones while trying to half way explain a math concept admist noise and chaos to the older 3. Then, it seems like we never get everything done. We all started math around 9am and here we are still trying to get it done at 11:50... It is just so tough to do it all. We will be adding more to our schedule this year, like Apologia Science (we have not done much formal science until now), Latin, Logic and Tapestry of Grace.... and I am thinking we may be doing school until 10pm at this rate.... AND forget any thought going into meals.... or laundry..... My hubby works long hours and so it is up to me to get stuff around the house done like mowing ect... which my older son helps, but I am starting feel like our life is drudging through school all day, then keeping up with the housework after school.... all the while we are all a bit crabby because of the many interuptions.... sigh... I am wondering if I sent them to school if we would actually "enjoy" each other better?????? I hope this made sense, as I am pretty rattled right now and am just rambling!!!!

I would love your opinions on this. Did they prepare your children well?

Thanks for the replies!! Anyone else?

:thumbup::hurray: I am, I am!!!!!!! We are sooooo excited too. I have two D and one UG... and a almost 4 and 20month old running loose;) I also bought Writing Aids and will refer to it some. My children are also taking an IEW co-op this year. I REALLY need someone else to help evaluate their writing. So, they will get tons of writing this year. They will write for TOG, IEW co-op and for science. They need the practice. I also have the evaluations and map aids. We did buy the lapbooks for Unit 1, but I honestly don't know if I will get to it or not. When is everyone starting? I think we will begin next week, as I still have to get a few things organized.

Which do you perfer and why? I like Spelling Workout for the exercises it gives... I feel like it helps the student, or at least I think it does. My son thinks it is just busy work. I like Spelling Power because you don't waste time learning words you already know. However, there are no vocabulary within it like Spelling Workout. I suppose we could pull out the handy dandy dictionary and look it up the old fashion way when they don't know the word:tongue_smilie::lol: Sooo, what say you??? What is your preference?

Here is ours... but, it is subject to change though.. Math: Saxon 87 then on to Alg. 1/2 English: Finish R&S 6, then on to 7 Spelling: Spelling Workout G Vocabulary: EITHER Vocab from Classical Roots or Book of Roots from Memoria Press Latin: Latina Christiana 1 (just now starting latin) Logic: Intro Logic History: TOG 2 Science: Apologia Physical Composition: We are taking a IEW co-op class this year... but we will also utilize the writing from TOG 2 Spanish: Rosetta Stone Ok.. I think that is it. HOW am I going to get ALL THIS DONE is beyond me:lol::lol: We have been pretty relaxed (lazy) the past few years, and it is time to get moving:auto:

I would take the placement test on Saxon's website to determine the best book for him to begin:)

Heather in NC said... My mom did not go to college, married and had 3 kids before she was 25yo. When we three kids were young my father had a long-term affair that my mom found out about after it had been going on for a year (my father was a youth pastor, so no, she never suspected it). She wanted to leave him but she had no skills and no way to support 3 small children. So she stayed and was miserable for another 15 years I know several people who have had similar situations as Heather in NC mentioned. One was an affair, and several other were due to the hubbies being very addicted to drugs. I want all my children to pursue college. My girls are being taught to be keepers of the home, and to be stay at home mommies... BUT, this is after they obtain their college degree. You just never know when you may need it!! Also, I do not have a degree and I REGRET it sooooo much!! SIGH... So, yes, I want my children to all be prepared for whatever life brings them. Oh... I also wanted to mention that while I am teaching them to be keepers of the home, I make it known, that it is up to them, and their spouses as to homeschool or what not. I do not plan to push an agenda on them. I want to support whatever route they take.

Great question, and looking forward to the replies.

:party: I am so glad that she has been found.

How sweet of you.... I am all for homeschoolers making money. Alot of time goes into planning any type of program, and it is nice to know that we can get them for a steal!!! You are an inpiration Jessica!!!

We have been homeschooling for 7 years, but I STILL feel like a newby... I guess I will feel like a veteran after I have graduated at least one, and then I can really learn from my mistakes!!

Thanks, You have all given me things to think about!! Jen

Our fabulous babysitter just graduated from college and I asked her what she thought was really needed for college. There were several, but she mentioned vocabulary. My hubby is really big on the kiddo's knowing a wide vocab. So can you tell me if this would be overkill for a 13, 12 and 9yo? Latina Christiana 1 with their root program called The Book of Roots AND Wordly Wise I really like both of these programs... but I don't want it to be overkill. The Book of Roots is suppose to follow alongside LC, which is good. What do you think?? Oh... and a brag. My babysitter has always been very skeptical of homeschoolers. Then she met us and began babysitting for us. She said that my children can write better than some of the people in her study group. She even said that she will seriously consider homeschooling her kids someday too!!!!!

What do you do about teaching proper sentence structure? Things like parallelism, active/passive voice, and the like.... Is this type of thing included in writing programs? I love the idea of doing Easy Grammar, but have not seen any of the above exercises in some of the writing programs I looked at. I would love your opinion on this. Also, I did not know alot of this stuff myself! I learned it in Rod and Staff Grammar with my children. I could see how these skills would have been a great benefit to me... especially in college. So, yes, of course I want my children to learn these things! Thoughts?