I haven't used the Classical Composition's materials for Maxim/Chreia but I started the Classical Writing Maxim/Chreia materials with my ds. To be honest, this is where CW and I parted ways. I really, really like Aesop and Homer but I could not spend weeks and weeks on the formulaic structure of the praises. I felt the convention was archaic and just didn't feel there was a whole lot of skill gained in that book. Lisa

Double ugh on the part I bolded above. That is not Florida policy; that must be *school* policy and there was no reason whatsoever that you needed to defend your decision. As if. Anyway, it's done and I hope that by now you are REJOICING in the FREEDOM you have to read books and explore the museum and play some math games and practice handwriting and set up water play in the backyard. I think it's natural to feel anxiety at such a different path than your older 3 took especially when the school demanded some reason for pulling her out. You know what? You don't have to give one reason. Because I said so. Because I want to. Because I get to. Welcome aboard for the ride of your life! I started with a good deal of anxiety of the unknown as well, but I am so very grateful we were able to take the plunge to homeschool. Also, Florida is full of homeschoolers. Contact your local homeschool representative found on the Florida Parent Educators Association site and ask for a list of local groups. Actually, you'll probably start bumping into them now that you're at the library and museums during the day! Lisa

They are for us right now in elementary. My elementary aged kids also read biographies and historical accounts (like Landmark books, YWAM biographies) and historical fiction (Little H on the P though those are autobiographical, Adam of the Road, etc.), watch documentaries and movies and go on field trips. They read National Geographic and get history from other sources. There was a time where we spent much, much more time and energy on history. i worked really hard to pull together history curricula, read alouds, independent reads at various levels, art and hands-on projects, field trips, movies/documentaries and when it was all said and done? My kids learned but I think they learned as much or more from their own independent reading. And that was using VP as a spine with all of the cards and weaving in SOTW, and many other things. So now? I want readers who are reading. And discussing what they're reading. And interested and curious about the world and soaking up what they can through discovery and field trips. And curious about the globe and the people group they read about in National Geographic. So we do have formal history and I think VP does a great job of covering history along with developing issues, causes, consequences and ideologies. But we informally round out history with plenty of other resources. Lisa

This is how I would approach it. I would prioritize by need first and then by those that are within your control. It's probably just all of the uncertainty from the big moves along with a task that is unpleasant (car shopping) that is making you stressed out. It can seem overwhelming, but really, it does not have to be done today. Well, it's not always that easy. ;) When I'm overwhelmed and stressed about multiple moving parts, I have got to spend time reading the Bible and commit my day to God in prayer. I have so many times asked God to "order my steps" and He is so good to help me deal with the one necessary thing at a time. Lisa

Things I'd love to check out or have and love to use: Math It My First Microscope GeoSafari Talking Globe and/or the other Geosafari interactive products The Global Puzzle (there's also a Global animal puzzle but I couldn't find it on RR) Where in the World game I've also appreciated checking out audio CDs of homeschool conference talks. So a collection of high quality audio CDs for the teacher/mom are awesome! Lisa

Some good ones I remember from middle school: The Bronze Bow The Hiding Place The Giver (dystopia but no se#ual innuendo) Hinds Feet on High Places The Yearling The Hobbit Patricia St. John books Tom Sawyer and Mark Twain Watership Down Island of the Blue Dolphins and other Scott O'Dell books Anne of Green Gables The Newberry Award list has some books that are great for his age as well. I think one of my ds, who read through the list, was finishing the list up in 6th grade. Unfortunately, the newer titles tend to have heavier themes. There are some good books from Lamplighter Publishing that my dd enjoyed as well. Lisa

Yes! When I start to feel like I'm completely done a change in our normal routine is so helpful! Mix it up by taking some books out to breakfast or lunch or a park. Go to the museum, plan a field trip, trips to the library or the IMAX. These are things that really help me reinvigorate so that I can keep going. Also, can you take a Saturday off or weekend off for a personal retreat time? Getting out always helps me get a new perspective on what we're doing and it is so very healthy for all of us. Sometimes, our little bubble is too confining and you need to breathe in and out outside of the routines that you've created. Lisa

Fiction: Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss helped me put the task of mothering in perspective. I wrote down so many quotes from that book. Loved it! Hinds Feet on High Places gave me perspective on trials and hard places in the Christian walk. A forever favorite. Non-fiction: Too many to name! I really liked Jean Fleming's A Mother's Heart when I was a new mom. Homeschooling the Whole Hearted Child and Homeschooling for Excellence were the 2 books that inspired me in this homeschool journey

Here are a few free online videos if your son is interested in the story. (15 minutes) Captured by Grace, produced by the Billy Graham Association. (30 minutes) at a Billy Graham Crusade. (just a few minutes of a 6 minute clip)

I actually think it's a great book, but it's a difficult read b/c of the horrors that are described in detail. There are some partying references in his initial years in WWII, but then then the majority of the book is filled with graphic abuse and torture. Some language issues and sexual abuse. I won't see the film. I haven't read the younger version, but I would not give it to a 10-year-old and I'd pre-read it before handing it off at an older age. Lisa

First of all, congratulations on your hard work! My hat is off to you for continuing and finishing this school with your kiddos. First, I think that question bubbled at the back of my thoughts on many days unless it was a day where everything flowed and we ticked down our to-do list. My house might need help and the errands might go undone, but on those school days where we focus on school it feels full and good! I think the way to assure yourself whether "your're doing enough" is to make an objective, REALISTIC list of what you want your kids to know by year's end. Not do. Know. That will tell you where you are headed (instead of just logging enough hours or checking enough boxes) and help you spend your days efficiently. Where do you want your K'er to be in math and reading and handwriting? Your 3rd grader? What are your goals for history and science -- do you want to complete a structured program or memorize certain lists or is approaching history through independent reading and read alouds your goal for the year? I know you probably feel pulled to do your school when you're with your kids and do their school when you're studying yourself, but laying out goals for the year and working toward them each day will help you find a good pace for your days. Hope that helps, Lisa

Glad you got some resolution. I guess Greenleaf really isn't selling much anymore?! I enjoyed their materials and still have my favorites on my shelf to use with youngest two when they're a bit older. Lisa

This nearly always happens to me on planes. I usually take several sudafed and just continue to yawn and try to pop it and eventually . . . creek...crackle... it will open. Lisa

This is the company out of Lebanon, TN? I haven't ordered from them in years, but they are a veteran homeschool curriculum developer. They are a small company but I wouldn't have a problem ordering from them at all. Hope it arrives soon! We're used to that Amazon 2-day! Lisa

Thank you so much for the replies. It helps me to talk this out and see what is done and what could be expected. Bless you for even reading through my original post b/c it was pretty muddled! I've edited it for clarity. This is what I've done: I've called and talked with family. Both uncles are at this point very sick and not awake/aware much. I do think there is no right answer nor do I think that either family would have expectations either way, but to tell you the truth, my family growing up didn't do alot of funerals and I'm trying to teach my kids the ways to approach these life issues. Lisa

More details: Clearly I would visit and be with my mom or mother-in-law or sibling or close relative who was in hospice. This is my situation and I've been really on the fence about which is best. I have 2 uncles, one of mine and one of dh's. Both are at the very end stages. This uncle is an uncle, not super close, though he's a good man and I still stay in touch with my cousins. The other uncle is dh's uncle and he is very special to our family. I have called and talked with family, but I wonder whether, generally and especially when there is a distance and you can only go once, you think it's best to visit in hospice or wait to pay respects and be with family at a funeral. I'm not doing a poll, because answers could really vary. Thanks ~ Lisa

It's just a kidism in my house. I think several of my boys used it when they played rec sports in the young years. I would correct it and eventually, they've outgrown it! Wish, wish, wish I had written on my calendar or somewhere all of the ways they phrased things. I only have one that still does anything near that and I miss it!

No, I didn't mean to insinuate that SWB has Rhetoric in queue to publish. I wish! I will probably use Roper's book and Horner's Rhetoric book,since I've used those and have them on my shelf. I love both of them and both fit the classical model well. Lisa

Here's one that I love b/c it is super easy and clean eating! 3 Ingredient Teriyaki Chicken. I can serve it with organic rice and steamed broccoli and dinner is served. Another favorite is a Mexican dish my dad copied after eating something like it at a restaurant. Again, super easy and my whole family loves it. Santa Fe Rice and Beans 1 pkg Spanish rice (I use yellow as my family prefers that) saute green peppers and onion and mix into rice Add one can corn (drained) and 2 cans black beans (rinsed/drained) on top. Top with green chili sauce (see below) and shredded cheese. Bake at 350* for 15 - 20 min until cheese is melted and heated through. Green chili sauce: combine 1/2 pint sour cream and small can green chilis. Super easy and a meatless meal that satisfies and fills my kiddos up. I serve it with tortilla chips.

I've done three invitations, each slightly different. Ours usually have CC. For example: With great joy, Mr. and Mrs. Walker announce the high school graduation of John Jay Walker Please celebrate with us on May 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in our home at 1234 5th Street, city, State John plans to attend the xyz university and pursue a major in ... OR favorite Bible verse

:huh: Ack and Yes! And I'm headed to change my post title. In fact, I'd love to know how others who've used the earlier volumes like it? Lisa

Dc and I were looking up Switzerland today in context with our read aloud and I became so intrigued by Switzerland's neutrality in the last world wars. I've read Richard Maybury's book that addresses this issue, but I was wondering whether you all have another resource you might recommend? I can always google around, but I thought you all might have something you've read and enjoyed. Thanks~ Lisa

I think Florida has learned that virtual schools relieve the brick and mortar schools of overcrowding and also provide an alternative for some kids that emotionally, physically or even behaviorally do not/cannot be in a classroom. Our state's virtual program now offers all kinds of classes, APs, driver's ed as well as extracurricular clubs. Counties can opt in and use the same virtual school software and stucture but provide their own supervising teachers and keep the money within the school district. Interestingly, the online school draws students from across the board -- homeschoolers, public and private schoolers -- and in a lobbying influence for *alternative education* on its own. Lisa

I just got done teaching another week of writing to my 15-yr-old ds and his buddy using Writing with Skill 3 and I'm, once again, so very pleased with this writing curriculum. After finishing 2 weeks with Rime of the Ancient Mariner and 2 weeks with the Explanation by Cause/Effect in Science, these boys were ready for a break! (Which is not to say they don't like our writing curriculum this year. But they are 15-year-old basketball/baseball boys.) And what's our next unit? Movie Review! We spent the last 10 minutes of class talking about which action/adventure to watch next week. :) This is our first year with any of Susan's writing curriculum. Here's what we used previously so you can see where we were coming from. *In the early years, I tend to do a lot of dictation, oral and written narrations. *We have also used several levels of Classical Writing and a year or two (not sequentially) of IEW. *In high school, I've used several resources including Roper's The Writer's Workshop, Horner's Rhetoric in the Classical Tradition, LAOW and years of debate/speech research, writing and presenting. Anyway, nearly every week as I'm preparing and then teaching this class, I wonder why in the world we haven't used it before now!. Here's what I love: *It's written to the student. This may be my #1 love about this curriculum. Seriously, for older students I love that she tells the student everything s/he needs to know to complete the assignment in a straightforward, not dumbed-down style. *Everything the student needs is in one book. For those of us who've flipped back and forth through multiple books to actually implement the lesson, this is a turn-the-page-for-the-next-lesson book. Woop! *Everything the teacher needs is in one book. This is the easiest to implement writing curriculum I've done in a long, long while. Why? B/c I have the student's instructions followed by the assignment followed by the answers along with helpful teaching notes. I spend about an hour reading through the week's lesson and then I'm ready to teach the boys. *It has helpful writing exercises such as breaking down the writing through 3- and 4-step outlines and analysis. *Susan actually completed all of the writing exercises she asks the students to do. So she anticipates any problems and gives her finished example when it's helpful. *There is plenty of encouragement, trouble shooting and what to do if the student has a different answer or questions how to complete an exercise or complains about re-reading the source material for a second time. *Uses the classical topos to take the student through various approaches to writing. So for example, she introduces multiple ways to approach historical writing -- through definition, narrative, chronological events, cause and effect. *Has a detailed rubric for each writing assignment. No guesswork on what is required. So, halfway through this curriculum and I will be folding some or all of Susan's writing curriculum for my younger two way before we get to the WWS3 stage. One more thing: I find it tweakable. I've added on weeks when I wanted my students to re-write and spend more time on an assignment and I've skipped a couple of assignments (we spent only 2 weeks with cause/effect through science writing). It's meaty enough for my 15-year-olds but I can also see using it with an 8th grader. Hoping Susan comes out with the final level for rhetoric. Yes?! Lisa

Right now, I'm seeing 2 groups of folks taking kids out of schools: *those disgruntled with the values/climate/methodology of schools in general and *those who have a child with LDs and the school is not meeting the needs And I'm seeing an uptick in: *those going straight from brick and mortar school to an online, public FREE virtual school. *those going straight from brick and mortar school into a structured, paid-for program like CC or a university model school. I have seen little investment or independent research from the above two groups into the methodologies and curricula available in homeschooling. It's a sign-me-up and what-should-I-buy approach. <----- This is a huge loss to the parents, IMO, because I'm not sure they have stepped outside the box far enough, read and researched enough, or explored enough to see all the options in the wide world of homeschooling. I think in any area, the trend (in America) follows the money. So we might see more districts offering virtual schools to keep money in the home and we will definitely see more providers online or IRL offering paid classes to homeschoolers. One trend I personally haven't seen: more dads involved in the day to day of homeschooling or in making the overall education decisions. Among my neighbors, church, friends, acquaintances and homeschool groups, it still seems pretty mom driven. Is that the case where y'all are? Even when the parent splits the day, mom is more likely to school in the morning and dad is more likely to take afternoon extracurricular shift. Lisa