You wouldn't believe how much laminating we do. I'll send DH off to work with all the stuff that I want laminated, and I phone him to make sure he doesn't forget.:)

That's what my ex was like "You're going to teach Latin?? Are you crazy??" DH is much more supportive, he's a doctor and took a beginning Latin course in university. He knows more Latin then me but still wants me to teach it.:)

Don't worry now. :chillpill: When he's older you can start with some constructive criticism.

Well, I am a mathy mom and I think that TT is great. I also think that Saxon and Miquon are great. In fact, I think most math curricula around teach what you need to know. I have chosen TT for my three eldest for different reasons. Both DD12 and DS10 were understanding Saxon, but they weren't enjoying it. But with TT they do like math, something I think is very important. DD12 is very sensitive about what grade level her books are on. If she feels she is getting at all behind she gets scared of getting "behind" and lets her terror dominate her, making her farther and farther "behind". She's not behind, she's doing algebra 1, a roughly 8th grade curriculum. She loves it, she loves math and she loves algebra. We've had more than on fun session of solving algebra problems together, complex ones that challenge me and easier ones for her to do. DD9 will start pre-algebra next year. I have chosen TT for her because she is mentally ready for algebra and really wants to do it, but only nine. All the curriculum I've found slog through dull math problems and use a vocabulary beyond that of DD. TT doesn't, she finds the word problems fun and doesn't find the book to be written for high school students. I've looked at the samples of the early TT levels and I firmly think that Saxon is a better fit for beginning math. TT is overly simple then, I had DD7 take the Math 5 test just for fun and she scored well enough to be ready for TT5. DD7 isn't brilliant at math, I have my doubts that TT5 is even a 4th grade curriculum. You say " if Saxon has a whole lot of that kind of stuff in it but TT doesn't, doesn't that strongly indicate an immediate lack of content?" Couldn't Saxon have too much content? I'm not saying it does, but since when has Saxon been called "the curriculum with the perfect amount of content"? I stick to what I believe, TT works for us and we like it.

I'm not sure we have a focus, we do a balance but I would say that our core subjects are Bible, math, reading, history and science. They are all so important in life which is why I would say they are our focuses.

I bought TOG after hearing loads of great stuff, but I am very overwhelmed by it and just like to make my own curriculum so all the bells and whistles weren't necessary. So, we're sticking with SOTW. I love SOTW and it is perfect for the age of your DC. I vote SOTW.:)

I've found that there isn't a science curriculum I like, so I've been making my own plans. Here are my 8th and 7th grade plans for biology and earth/space science: Biology: 7th grade Fall – Amphibians, bugs, birds, science project, nature study Winter – Biographies, microscopes, Creation/evolution, science project, nature study Spring – Local plants and animals, dinosaurs, science project for fair, nature study Summer – Domestic animals, mammals, trees, science project, nature study 8th grade Fall – Amphibians, bugs, birds, science project, nature study Winter – Biographies, Creation/evolution, microscopes, science project, nature study Spring – Local plants and animals, dinosaurs, life cycles, science project for fair, nature study Summer – Nocturnal animals, domestic animals, mammals, science project, nature study Earth/space: 7th grade Fall – Europe, Oceania, exploration, space travel, science project, nature study Winter – Mercury, Venus, Mars, telescopes, biographies, science project, nature study Spring – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, science project for fair, nature study Summer – Mapping, fossils, rocks, shells, forests, jungles, science project, nature study 8th grade Fall – North America, South America, exploration, space travel, science project, nature study Winter – Mercury, Venus, Mars, telescopes, biographies, science project, nature study Spring – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, science project for fair, nature study Summer – Mapping, fossils, forests, rain forests, jungles, science project, nature study My 7th grader is doing chemistry and nature study right now but I haven't got a firm plan let.

We really like TT too. :) But it's not for everyone. Some people think it's great and some people think it's terrible. We can all have our opinions, that's why there are so many math curricula around.:)

:iagree: I think DC would drown in the one subject and not retain as much as they would if the lessons we spread out.

CONGRATULATIONS!! It is such a blessing to have a large family (eight's a great number:)), I pray everything goes well for you.

None of my kids can wear socks that have seems. I have so many black, white and navy blue socks that I never know which pair belongs to which kid.:)

High five! I'm art challenged too.:) We did one year of AP in kindergarten and really liked it. I would have continued but we've changed our focus to art appreciation that ties in with the history we're studying and do some projects related to the artist (this afternoon we're doing Rembrandt). I also like to have something that all my kids can do together and that has lots of books.

Yes, this boosts my kids confidence a lot.:)

:lol::smilielol5: These are all so fuuny.:)

I don't know about Chalk dust, but TT7 would work.:)

I start Latin in 3rd with Latin for Children. I learn Latin along with my kids and we have fun together. How old are your kids and what are you looking for in a Latin curriculum? Those are two key factors in choosing what to use.

:iagree: Earlier this year DD7 couldn't the "b" and "d" thing, recently it's clicked. It was the same with DS10, he couldn't figure out "p" and "q" until he was eight.

I like TT, it meets my requirements, works and is enjoyable. What more could I want? DD12 and DS10 have more confidence in math than they did with Saxon because they feel they can understand and are "ahead". It is the only thing I can find that DD9 doesn't fall asleep doing. She'll be doing pre-algebra next year and is very keen as well as mentally ready. But most algebra curricula seem to slog along and are designed for high schoolers, not math inclined 9 year olds.

Same with us.:iagree:

:iagree: Stick with Saxon!

I find it hard to define "free time" and "school". DD12 (7th grade) will get caught up in a science book and keep reading it for hours. I'm not telling her to read it, but she's learning. DD9 (4th grade) has been working through DS10's writing curriculum for fun. So, I'm not really sure how much free time and school time my kids get.

I like them and so do the kids, they make great read alouds.:)

I can't stand boxed curricula so I don't really know of any I like but I wouldn't use Alpha Omega. I used it with DD9 in K and it took the love out of learning completely. I much prefer picking and choosing my curricula.

Homemade detergent.:)

Mavis Beacon here too.:)