Anita.. you said.. [ I feel for you, I keep going back and forth with just using Sonlight or WTM, and now Ambleside (that's a whole 'nother story)... LOL... This is ME!! Sonlight, WTM, and Ambleside... I keep running the bases with all three of these! :lol: I think the problem is that they all three are truly great programs, and we feel as if we will "miss out" on something! At least that is how I feel. Honestly, though, TWTM just makes sense to me. BUT, if it is all laid out for me that would be great! Nope.. not even close to a decision yet:banghead:

M&M- Well, see, I think this may be the reason I want to go with Sonlight 7. I just got my catalogue and it just seems sooooo appealing. BUT, I can be a bit of a rebel myself:D I also agree with Carol, who said that core 7 just goes waay to fast through those 2 time periods. I agree and thought about just taking 2 years to get through the core. SIGH;.. I just don't know

I did a search for the Sonlight books arranged according to TWTM cycles and wanted to post the link in case anyone else is interested;) http://homescool-ed.blogspot.com/2007/04/sonlight-books-arranged-by-well-trained.html

Regena, I would love to see your booklist:) Thanks everyone, Jennifer

I just cannot make up my mind about what to use next year. I really thought I wanted to go with Sonlight 7 next year, but am know thinking of just pulling my own thing together via TWTM. We are finishing up SOTW 2 right now. We also have been using the Kingfisher and extra library books, and novels thrown in. It has been ok.. I think if I would have taken the summer to plan more, it would have been better. So I guess I am asking for opinions here. Is Sonlight 7 any good? Or should I just keep doing it TWTM... and just get some book recommendations?? Help

Thanks for the ideas guys... I really think we will keep doing what we have been doing, which is read, read some more, research, investigate and then write a summary on what we have learned. They are both in there still plugging away, trying to outline! My 11daughter is very stubborn and even though she says she can't do it... she will not step away from the table until she can do it. Can you say perfectionist??? I am soooooooo thankful for all of you guys... I have learned tons from everyone and cannot imagine homeschooling without my WTM forum friends.;):grouphug:

I just started my 11yo daughter and 12yo son with outlining the Kingfisher. My 12yo is doing ok with it. HOwever, my 11yo is in tears saying she can't do it. She is begging me just to write a summary of what she has learned in her own words... Would this be ok?? We are using SOTW alongside Kingfisher and adding in out own literature. GIVE ME PERMISSION TO DROP OUTLINING hhhhheeeeelllllppppp

So.. my subject line speaks for itself. I think I want to teach Latin because I see everyone here teach it. AND if you wonderful ladies are teaching it, then it must be necessary:001_smile: So, I have gone back and forth and back and forth with my decision. But, in reality, it is hard to JUST get the basics done! There is just not enough time in the day. So.. I went to talk to dear ole' hubby about it. Well.... he honestly thinks that half the stuff I do in not necessary. He thinks they should do their math.. and know it front and back... then write a paper or two a week (from which grammar and spelling will be taught) and read, read, read, read and read some more from well written challenging lit. He wants to make sure they learn how to "gather information, process it, and then communicate it" (actually he said it much more inteligently than I ever could:lol::lol:) He has said that doing English From the Roots Up may be beneficial... but wants us to continue with Rosetta Stone Spanish because he has a heart for missions in Mexico and has been there numerous times and wants to take his kiddo's too sometime (how was that for a run on sentence) Soooooooo nope, I will not be teaching Latin, and if I try to attempt it... I just don't think it will be pretty. Oh.. I really truly believe if we give our children the tools to learn, then they can learn it later if THEY see it as beneficial.

This is what is on his assignment sheet for Monday.. each day looks pretty similar.. Bible- Rod and Staff Math- Saxon- we do the drill sheet, mental math and all the problems. English- Rod and Staff-I usually do some orally, but mostly he writes out the answers.. just depends on the concept Writing- We are using Writing Strands.. we will be editing a report he did last week.. it may take all week to get this one perfected Spelling- SWO Vocabulary- We use vocabulary from the Robinson Curriculum, along with their books Latin/Greek roots- we learn 2 new roots a week. He writes the new words/def on notecards. Reading- Assigned reading from Robinson List History- Read from SOTW, Kingfisher and outline (monday) we pretty much follow TWTM on history including reading library books and preparing an essay weekly Typing- 20 minutes Spanish- Rosetta Stone- 20 minutes Guitar practice For some reason it seems like alot... then it doesn't. What do you think?

If I hear this again.... I will scream! First off, my intention is not to open a can of worms here... really :lol: But, I have friends who are much more relaxed in the educating of their children than I am. Their main arguement is that the Lord knows what they need to know/learn and He will teach them. Well, I am a devoted follower of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but I also believe he have put these children in my care to "train up in the way he should go".... So, it is my responsibility to teach them! For example, I have another homeschool family that lives next door to me... and her 13yo daughter is working on her 2's multiplication tables. She asked my husband and me if we were planning on our children going to college, and we said yes, if they choose to. She just thought that was crazy... especially for my girls, who should stay home until they get married and learn to be a wife. Um... my girls want to be stay at home homeschool moms... but, I also believe they should go to college and prepare for their future. I don't know when the Lord will bring their spouse. Anyway, I guess I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this! They also just don't see the point of teaching grammar/higher level maths, ect.. Well, the way I see it... is even if my girls do stay home to teach their children, they will STILL need these skills.. SIGH Sorry for the rant.. but I have to admit that they made me feel a little guilty for "shoving academics" down their throats... running now:auto:

Beth.. Do you have your boys complete the writing exercises within Rod and Staff Grammar as well?? Jen

So... the writing poll really got me thinking. I would really love to try CW, but am afraid of the time commitment it would take. My question is, how long should I expect to spend on CW lessons with a 13, 12, and 9yo... with a 4 and almost 2yo trailing behind?? Oh... I would also be using Rod and Staff English 4, 6 and 7 with this also:001_smile: Thanks!!! Jen

We are very eclectic... we use the writing in Rod and Staff, which I think is very good as long as you continue to assign those writing exercises across the curriculum. We also use Writing Strands and a bit of IEW. I like to pull from many resources. I have my eye on classical writing! I know I would love this program, but just don't know if I have the time to commit to 3 children using it! Thanks, Jen

Writing Strands is pretty self instructing. My kids like it ok. We also use Rod and Staff, and if they learned how to write a compare/contrast essay in their book, I will have them write more c/c essays in other subjects. I try to keep reviewing the writing concepts they have already learned to really develop the skill. If they are a bit rusty on that particular skill, then I have them look it back up in their Rod and Staff books to review. It seems to be working. I also have Format Writing that I will implement later. I really like that book.. very straight forward!

I personally think that if you just talk about rules and such via copywork for grades 1 and 2 it will be enough. I just started doing grammar with my 8yo, 3rd grader this year, and it has been fine. I did start grammar in 1st with my older 2 and it just frustrated them and me! So, I am all for waiting a few years and then start with a gentle approach. We use Rod and Staff and I love it!

Well, I have the same problem with my children. They have admitted to only using words that they CAN spell... so, I go ahead and have them do SWO. It is really quick and simple, and I do feel like those 10-15 minutes spent on SWO is not wasted. I do, however, take the words they miss on compositions and add them to the SWO list. I also do dictation with them from time to time, but have not been very consistent with it because it is just hard to get to. But, I really think being exposed to new words via SWO helps some. We also do vocabulary and they are required to learn how to spell those words also. I know this may seem like overkill, but my children were very weak in spelling. This has been the first year I have stuck to a spelling program because I believed it was just busy work too. I tried to just take words from their comps.. however, I have to say that I have seen and improvement in their spelling this year. It may be because of SWO, and making them write much, much more than usuaul!! Hope this helps

I have a toddler you can borrow... :lol::lol::lol: Hey... it is not fun to have olders and youngers... I feel like I am running :auto: everywhere and my head is spinning!!!!! ha ha ha ha

So.. I have decided to do Latin! I need recommendations please. I will be teaching a 13, 12 and 9yo. I have zero, zip, nada experience in Latin. So I need some MAJOR hand holding here... I have looked at Lively Latin and really like the looks of it. But, I want to hear from other who may have been in my same situation. Thanks!!

Hi, I agree that if you use Rod and Staff, start at grade 5. I think the writing instruction in Rod and Staff is great. We also use Writing Strands. We also have and use a bit of IEW History Based Writing Lessons. My children have all been pretty weak writers too.. but, since I started making them perservere and write out their Rod and Staff lessons, they have gotten much, much better. I also make sure they always have a writing assignment they are working on. They are also required to write written summaries in history, as well as outlining the Kingfisher... So, for us, lots and lots of writing from many different avenues. On another note... I pray that your transition is going well... give yourself time to adjust!! Don't try to do soooo much with everyone at the beginning... just get used to being together! You have been in my prayers. Blessings!!

Lisa, I just wanted to make sure that I did not discourage you from using Rod and Staff Spelling. Like I said, it is a great program, and I am sure the revised program will be even better! I hope you make the right decision:D I have never had much trouble with making decisions... until it came to curriculums!!:lol: :lol: :lol:

Hi, I agree that if you use Rod and Staff, start at grade 5. I think the writing instruction in Rod and Staff is great. We also use Writing Strands. We also have and use a bit of IEW History Based Writing Lessons. My children have all been pretty weak writers too.. but, since I started making them perservere and write out their Rod and Staff lessons, they have gotten much, much better. I also make sure they always have a writing assignment they are working on. They are also required to write written summaries in history, as well as outlining the Kingfisher... So, for us, lots and lots of writing from many different avenues. On another note... I pray that your transition is going well... give yourself time to adjust!! Don't try to do soooo much with everyone at the beginning... just get used to being together! You have been in my prayers. Blessings!!

I would love to hear opinions on Sonlight 7. How were the books, did your children enjoy them. Any opinions welcome. We have completed Ancient history using MOH and SOTW1, then we have used MFW Rome to the Reformation this year. I am finding that if I don't have readers scheduled for read alouds and for the children to read independenty, that it will just not get done! MFW did have read aloud scheduled, but not that many... we finished them much, much faster than the origional schedule. Thanks

I use English from the Roots up as our Latin/Greek roots study. Then, I use the vocabulary from The Robinson Curriculum. There are over 6000 words all taken from the books on the curriculum. I really like it alot because they work the words on worksheets provided and then they encounter them again in the books. I then, have them use these words in there writing as well so they really get cemented.

I have Simply Spelling, and have used it a bit here and there. My children are not natural spellers either. We have used Rod and Staff Spelling too. I really like R&S spelling, but some of it was really confusing, and the printing was small... just too much on a page. But, it was a great program as far as content!! I know that they are revising their spelling, with grades 4 and 5 completed, so we may go back to it for my younger children. However, for my older children, we are using SWO and I still do dictation with them. I also keep a list of their frequently mispelled words. I pretty much do what is outlined in TWTM. As for my children, I asked them what spelling they liked the best and they said SWO. It is systematic, easy to understand and quick to do. They really hated copying out Simply Spelling every single day... especially since I make them write out all answers on Rod and Staff English, and we do some sort of composition everyday. I hope this helped somewhat:001_huh:

I would not skip either. If there is something that she has mastered then you can just go through it quicker. I really believe that you need that foundation of the 5th grade book before you move on to 6th.. there is a big difference, especially in the last half of the book!