We have had success with Phonics Pathways 4 times.

That's how we would handle it, as well.

My dh works super-hard at 2 jobs so that I can stay home and home school our children. And for that I am very, very, very thankful. If you are overwhelmed, cut the fluff. For instance, we do very few field trips because I find them overwhelming in our current stage (read: with a 2 year old.) We are usually at home, which allows me to keep up with the housework, my 2 year old to get regular naps, and the schoolwork to get done. Yes, I feel overwhelmed sometimes. But usually things run smoothly.

Beginning year 8, 16 to go :-)

Yes, there is a yahoo group, as well as message boards. Just google and you'll find them.

Ah, I see. We start writing in the 4th grade. That makes all the difference for us. CW recommends 3rd grade at the earliest. I have found 4th to be perfect.

We switched to a 4 day week last year, making Mondays our fun extras-type day. We have our discussion times on Mondays. There are still times when we need to stop and discuss during the week, but much of the discussion of reading can be done on Mondays.

Singapore Math 4A/4B Latin for Children Primer B Classical Writing: Aesop Rosetta Stone German Typing Instructor Deluxe SOTW 3 My World Science Green Violin Weekly Picture Study

Well, we use the workbooks and it takes us much longer than that to complete the lessons and writing assignment. Especially in Homer. Lots of analyzing and parsing which, at least around here, takes time.

Well, same here with five. But I see you have at least two, maybe three, who would not be doing CW right now because they are so young. My oldest is moving into the stage where much of his CW work will be independent. I never anticipate spending 1 hour per day with all five. My oldest will be 19 when my youngest is old enough to start Aesop :-) It just comes down to priorities. I really, really like CW. I think it is a superior program and I am willing to put the time in. When we started Aesop, I skimped with time (30 minutes a day) and really felt like we did not get everything out of the program that we could. I decided then that it would get more time and the difference during the Homer years was amazing. I can honestly say my son's writing is extremely good for a 12 year old. But, then again, I like teaching writing. So keep that in mind :-)

Well, I have a budget for all of the same things (groceries, toiletries, clothing, paper goods, gifts, etc.) of $1200/month. We are also a family of 7, but we live in a very expensive area (L.A.) so that's probably a bit on the high side.

I would drop the spelling completely if she has no trouble at that level. Just correct her as she misses words in her writing. I am assuming you have completed CW Aesop (?) CW Homer will cover vocabulary for you. I would apply your grammar lessons to CW, as well, leaving all of the writing out. Otherwise, it looks similar to what my 4th grader is doing: Singapore Math 4A/B CW Aesop Latin for Children B Rosetta Stone German Typing Instructor Deluxe SOTW 3 My World Science Green Mind Benders Picture study Violin

I will let you know after this year. :-) I will have three levels going this year. My oldest is in Maxim: Diogenes. He is enrolled in the online tutorial this year, so that takes a little bit of the pressure off of me. My 6th grader will be in Homer B and my 4th grader will be starting Aesop. I have broken down my schedule so that they all get me for 1-1.5 hours per day to work on writing. It's a lot, but I love the program and am willing to see if we can make it work. Teaching the youngest should be easy, since I've been through the material at least once before. Up until this year, my oldest 2 have been together. This made things easier, so I would definitely recommend pairing kids up if you can. However, my oldest is a much more advanced writer, so I will separate them this year.

Yes. My oldest 2 are beginning their 4th year. We completed LfC and are beginning Ecce Romani in the fall.

Since it's only been a day, I would not worry too much. He needs to have a success outside and be well-rewarded for it. Once that happens, I think you will see him shifting to going outdoors.

My personal experience, from having taught 4 children with PP, is that they end with a 3rd-4th grade reading level. All of mine could easily transition into Magic Tree House and My Father's Dragon-type books after finishing. We do, however, work very hard with the last 1/3rd of the book. HTH,

Thanks, Dana!

Just don't forget, Greta, that the most important commandment is "to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." The second most important commandment is "to love your neighbor as yourself." I believe the modern day church frequently inverts those two most important commands, loving unbelievers at all costs, and bending the Word of God to do so (in a most un-loving way toward Him). Remember, He said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15) So we need to KNOW His commandments by knowing His Word. Not bending it to suit our earthly desires or misconceptions. (I am not saying you specifically are doing this, but that this is running rampant in our church today.)

If it were me, I would keep: Perrault's & Grimm's Fairy Tales Pilgrim's Progress (I would probably assign Little Pilgrim's Progress to a 5th grader, not the original) Robinson Crusoe (maybe? My dd read it in 5th grade, but it was slow going) All the Wordsworth poetry The Rime of the Ancient Mariner The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle Christina Rosetti: Goblin Market; A Birthday; Sister Maude; No, Thank You, John Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea The Lady of shallot and The Charge of the Light Brigade The Raven I think that would be plenty for a fifth grader who is a very strong reader. Maybe even cut a couple of those.

May I ask where you purchased the materials for Ecce Romani? Did you contact the publisher directly? I have the readers, but have not been able to find the supporting materials anywhere. Thanks!

What we're doing: Memory Work: IEW Poetry, AWANA, Charlotte Mason Scripture Memory System Math: Singapore 6A/B & Brain Maths 1 Latin: Ecce Romani I Language Arts: CW: Homer B & Harvey's Grammar Literature: primarily WTM suggestions History: Teaching Co.'s High School American History Science: My World Science Green Music: viola Art: picture study & informal lessons

Very cool! Kudos to your dh!

My 6th and 7th graders will be doing the American History DVD this coming year. We've watched the first 2 lectures and we all loved them. Personally, I didn't find them at all cheesy (nor did my kiddos.) Of course, we love Teaching Co. history DVD's and have not found them boring in the least. They have been engaging and full of great info. Maybe we're just all geeks :-)

Yes, yes, yes! The problem that I see with all the researching, planning, re-thinking, re-purchasing, etc., etc., is that it leaves very little time for actual teaching. It's the focused, dedicated teacher that will have well-learned, enthusiastic learners. And they will be so, not because of curriculum choices, but because the children have been taught diligence, fostered a love of learning, and the ability to focus. Make a well-researched choice and stick with it. Every now and then a change will be required, but I can honestly say that in 8 years of homeschooling I have only really needed to change a curriculum choice about 3 times.

I love IEW's poetry memorization and Charlotte Mason's Scripture Memory System. I only have 4 school-aged children, but it works great for us. We simply work on memory work for 15-20 minutes at lunchtime. I have found my just turned 6 year old to be just as adept at memorizing as the older children. For instance, he was able to memorize all of Genesis 1.