I have Simply Spelling and love it, but I also like Spelling Work Out too. Would it be overkill to do them both? I guess I am having a hard time stepping away from the canned spelling?? I am asking for grades 4, 6 and 7. Thanks

I am wanting to combine SOTW 2 with MOH 2, and have found several resources on different websites that combine the two. However, there is so much jumping around in the already scheduled resources that it is making my head boggle. I am wondering if anyone just read through both of the resources in order of each book, without trying to match everything up perfectly. For example, we may learn about Knights of the Round Table in MOH weeks before we come to it in SOTW. I hope this is making sense. Do you think this would confuse the kiddo's. My plan is to read MOH and SOTW, and have the older children outline the Kingfisher that corresponds with the SOTW chapter. I would love your opinion, or maybe another way to approach this. THANKS;)

Thanks for all of the replies. I have read each and every link that has been posted, which were great. I did go back and read about Latin in TWTM too. I guess my BIGGEST problem would be the time it takes to teach it, since I would need to learn it myself. It is tough to get everything done with a 3yo and toddler, but I just need to figure it out:glare: I have to say that I love the "exercising of the brain" aspect of it! I am one to give up if it takes too much mental thought, and I DO NOT want my kids to be this way! THanks again!

How about Daily Grams from Easy Grammar? Jen

I will admit that I skipped the part about Latin in TWTM, but notice that almost everyone does Latin. Will someone please tell me why? What is the point? I am just not getting the reason? However, I don't want to deprive my children on this subject, if it should be taught. We have been doing English From the Roots Up, and they will do Voc. From the Classical Roots when they are done with SWO.. so I am not a complete rebel?? Thanks in advance for any answers;)

I am using Rod and Staff Grammar and am utilizing the writing portion, but really would like more.. don't know why really, I just feel like R&S is not really enough. So, I am thinking of using IEW, Writing Strands, Format Writing or Classical Writing. I already have IEW, Format Writing and Writing Strands. My son really does not care much for IEW... sigh. He thinks WS is ok. I like the way Classical looks, but was wondering if it is too teacher intensive. I need something that will 1. create strong writers 2. is not toooo teacher intensive, because if it is then I will not get to it. 3. easy to understand and implement So far, Writing Strands with a bit of Format Writing seems to fit the bill... but it is a bit tough to see all the bad reviews of WS.... I guess I am suffering from the peer pressure of wanting to use IEW and Classical Writing, because it is so popular. Oh... this will also be for a soon to be 13, 12 and 9yo. Well, and let us not forget the 3yo and 17month old wrecking my best laid plans:lol::lol: Which is why it needs to meet #2 and #3 above!!

Thanks everyone!! I guess this is one of those "This too shall pass" type of things. It does help to know that I am not alone. He does still take an AM & PM nap. I think I am going to purchase a gate to keep him in his room for 20-30 minutes at a time. Then, I will schedule my older children with him for 30min a piece...hmm, this may be tough because they are already doing this with my 3yo, and she loves this time with them, and I don't know if it would be fair to expect them to watch both at the same time??!! Anyway, I think I will have him sit in his high chair to "color" and then have more outside playtime, which is a whole new adventure. We have a big tree house that my hubby built a few years back for the kids AND a Rainbow wooden swingset and both of these have LADDERS... which is NOT good for an adventurous 17month old boy! I am going to have my hubby make something to cover the ladders up, maybe a board to take on and off for the time being. So, I am rambling, talking out loud in my typing! If you have any other "activity" suggestions, please let me know!! OH.. I have one I can share with everyone. My boy loves balls, and so we bought him 2 big balls, 4 medium size balls, 3small balls and 3 tennis balls. His will stay in a room and play with all those balls for a little bit:) Ball is his favorite word! Thanks again... I really don't know what I would do without this board. I love it for sooooooo many reasons! Blessings, jennifer

Seriously, how am I suppose to homeschool my 12, 11, and 8yo... and keep up with my 3yo girl with a 17month boy climbing on everything... it is chaotic and very crazy. So.. I know some of you guys have been in my same situation, and I would love some advice as to how to schedule this little guy!!??:001_huh: This boy has been the most fiesty little boy EVER.. How do you do it?? Just to give you an example of what he does... He climbs on each and every chair, then onto a table, climbs on the toilet or plays in it, and so on, and on and on. We do discipline him with a spanking, which does absolutely NOTHING at all. I honestly do not remember my other guys being this fiesty. Please help me with my little :auto: crazy boy:lol::lol: Thanks, Jennifer

I would be interested in this question too. I know in TWTM, they recommend doing Vocabulary from the Classical Roots upon completion of SWO... However, I am wondering if this is sufficient or if a program such as Wordly Wise would be worth doing?

If my 6th grader only gets to lesson 80ish, can I just go ahead and move him on to the 7th grade book. We just had a tough year and he is just a bit behind. However, he has done excellent with the program thus far, and does not find it hard at all. I have not seen the 7th grade book, other than the samples online, so I am not sure if it reviews past concepts well. Thanks

Allison, I understand your doubt in teaching grammar at a young age. I truly think grammar is tough!! I am currently using Rod and Staff 3 with my 8yo, and if there is something that is hard for her to get, but I know we will get back to in later years of Rod and Staff, then I just try to help her "get" it and then move on. I do have to say though, that she has really learned alot this year, which shows in her writing. For example, proper capitalization, periods, commas... that kind of thing. She feels confident in her writing. I also make her write out her answers on paper... which I think has really helped her cement the concepts. I think of it as more handwriting/copywork practice. I do have to admit that this particular dd enjoys Rod and Staff... But my 12yo son HATES it... too bad... still gotta do it!:tongue_smilie: This is the first year we have done formal grammar too. I had her do copywork/dictation for k-2nd, and we just discussed things. So I guess what I am saying is yes, I do believe it is important. However, you can mold and shape any grammar program to meet your specific needs for each particular child that year.

Well, I just worked through the Rod and Staff series ahead of my children. I am up to grade 6, and will be getting grade 7 soon. I love R&S for the simple ease of use and explanations! Jen

My children have been going through SWI-B, and while they enjoy Andrew Pedua, they don't really like the program much. The reason has to do with all the dress-ups. They said they feel like they HAVE to do all the dress-ups, which they feel interferes with their writing. Does that make sense? I also have Format Writing, and he likes it. He really wants me to tell him how to structure his paper, and then let him loose. For example, a 3 or 5 paragraph essay, I showed him how to make an intro, body, and conlusion paragraph(s) and then he just wrote. He seems to be a give me the bones and I will fill in the rest the way "I" want to write it. My daughter seems to feel the same way. When they did the keyword outlines and then rewrote it, it sounded almost like the origional pieces! They have also said that they perfer the writing instruction in Rod and Staff. My son has referred back to it on several occasions when writing an essay. I just find this strange, since so many LOVE this program. Should I just drop it, or keep going with it? I just don't want to regret not sticking with it. Hmmm, maybe it is a peer pressure thing for me???:glare: Jen

Thanks everyone.. Ohio12- You asked what I have been doing; well, nothing in the way of formal curriculum. I do ask tons of questions about what they are reading. For example, I ask what symbolism they see in what they are reading relating to everyday life... or have them give me a bible verse or story that reminds them of what their reading. However, I have not went over any literary terms with them at all. Well, they do know about setting, characters, ect.. but nothing else. I have read what SWB says in her book, but just felt as if I still am not doing enough. I suppose I don't feel comfortable with literary analysis because in all my 12 years of Public eduation, I simply do not remember EVER being taught this. Maybe I skipped school that day!!:lol: Deece- I am on my way to check out that link. Thanks again! I am so VERY grateful for this board. I really cannot imagine homeschooling without it;);)

If so, when is a good time to start? What materials do you recommend? Jen

My guess would be that it was written for children who needed the review after summer?? I would love to know what others did in this situation. I have heard of people who make their child go ahead and do the easy lessons, thinking it will build confidence in math; others have just tested their children out until they started missing several problems on the test. I would love opinions on this. My dd will be moving on to 54 very soon too!!

Hello, I have made the decision to move to a year round schedule, after using the traditional school schedule for 7 years!! I decided this would prevent summer boredom, and so the children would not lose math skills, ect.. I am a little scared of how the kids are going to react to this. So I am wondering if anyone has any advice as to how to make this transition smooth? I have mentioned it to the kids and they looked at me like I was crazy. However, it just seems like there is sooooo much down time, which means loads of screen time!! YIKES. If you do homeschool year round, when do you have breaks? Thanks, Jennifer

Susie- Thanks for the encouragement:) I agree with you! I really did not learn anything in school. I remember not "getting" it, and the class just moving right along and I was totally lost. If I had a parent to really explain it to me, then I would have got it!! The verb/subject agreement is pretty easy to get with just going with what sounds right... but when you get into compound subjects, well, it will be a bit more trickier. So, I wanted to make sure the I really know what I am talking about here!! KWIM?? Thanks guys.... I know I can always count on the WTM boards to help with any grammar question;):D

DUH... Thanks!! I get it now! I think maybe I was distracted with the little ones when we were trying to figure this out! SIGH.. I really feel stupid now. ha ha ha ha Jen

Ok.. So in the Rod and Staff English, it says that The subject and the verb must work together in a sentence. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Then it has these examples: Wrong: Ralph write his memory verses. Right: Ralph writes his memory verses. Well, this confused my kiddo's because it contradicts the rule it states above... The wrong sentence has a singular subject and a singular verb... then the right sentence has a singular subject with a plural verb... Ok.. call me dumb here, because I MUST be missing something here. Please set me straight here... I am looking really dumb to me children.. LOL Jen

Ellen, I did not realize that Singapore had a detailed solutions manual. I guess the last time I looked into it has been years ago. The reason I feel Saxon many be my only other option is because that is what I was use to. I will look into Singapore... it is nice to know that it can be self teaching. My children are self teaching as well, using Rod and Staff.... which only goes to 8th grade!! SIGH.. works much better!

I was all set to buy TT, but now I am worried after reading responses to this program lately. My children are going to need high level math. My son wants to go into engineering, or architecture. My daughters want to go into the nursing field. I want to make the right decision now, before they go into Algebra. I also must have something that shows the solutions and has an answer book. I almost feel like my only option is Saxon.. SIGH Help, Jennifer

Thanks for the replies... I have done a few searches on TT on other boards, and it does seem that TT does go slower. However, it does seem that children using this program are excelling. Maybe this is because they have time to learn and grasp each concept?? I don't know. What I do know is that I would much rather my child really "know" the concept, than just plod on through an "advanced" text, and be totally lost. SIGH... I am seeing more positives that negatives thus far on TT. More comments are appreciated. Jen

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Julie... Do you think the reason TT has 1/2 the material than that of Saxon Alg 2 is because Saxon includes Geometry and TT doesn't? This is very interesting. I sure wish I could just buy all these texts and compare!!! I have got to make a decision soon, because he is a chapter away from finishing R&S 6.