How do I decide if we should do essentials too? I'm not sure if my dd is ready. We are definitely in for the Foundations, but this is the first year here, so there was nowhere to visit. My almost 9yo will be in 4th grade next year. She is finish AAS level 2 and doesn't do a whole of writing at this point, so I'm worried about the writing component. I've never asked her to do much more than copy work and notebooking (which she usually copies from books.) She'll be fine with the math and I'm not too worried about the grammar. But how do I know if the writing would be helpful or frustrating? Also, how much time does all the homework take?

Babywise and Toddlerwise were really blessings for us. My kids didn't have trouble being nudged into a schedule. The main thing I did was change the diaper after I nursed one side to wake them back up. Then, they nursed the other side (I needed that too--had lots of milk!) And then, when reasonable, I kept them awake after feeding for a bit, before putting them down. It made all the difference in them sleeping well and through the night. When they woke to eat, I fed them. And I don't think that's different from what the book teachs. BUT, I could see it taken legalistically and being a problem. And compared to a couple specific friends that demand-fed, my kids were much happier, so I really had no desire to switch over to that method. At least one of those friends now has 2 very difficult kids who need boundaries. There are always other factors, but I feel like it's best to see a method lived out before you decide if it "works". I'd love to see a live, more positive demand-feeding, attachment parenting ex., but so far, I haven't seen it with my own eyes.

When I returned something (a partly used IG) I received my credit back on my credit card. Not cash, but really money on my credit card--not credit for SL. Did you buy it with a gift certificate???

That's what we've used for the emotional, drama queen in our house. But now she cuts it often before she gets to her room. She is now 4 (in March). She is strong-willed and dramatic. I think it's very important that she has control to come out--scheduled time did not work for her. And we always keep it where we are not mad--"uh, oh, I guess you need some time to complain, but that's too loud to do in here." And make sure she knows we hope she comes back soon. She goes to her room, so she has access to comfort things (blanket and animals) if need be. I say keep up the good work! I know it's tough.

I lived in Germany, and I can tell you most of them are so upset and ashamed of their past, that if she really understood that, she would not hate them, but feel sorry for them. I met one man who was a former soldier who couldn't believe there was a God b/c God didn't stop him from doing the bad things he did (he was crying on the streets and talking to foreigners with poor language skills about this!) He was likely a boy who was drilled to think a certain way by the forced public schools. My language teacher would apologize to students if they were from a town the Nazis destroyed (50 years ago and he was in his 30's!) They don't believe in patriotism or really like groups like boys scouts b/c of fear or repeating the past. They don't believe in war and thus were very against Pres Bush (marched in the streets when he came to the country. If this line of thought helps any, you might read up on the sister of the author (sorry, the name escapes me!) of The Hiding Place. (There's a movie too). She was in the prison camp and would look at the guards and say poor people! She knew the shame they would one day feel. She died, but her sister (the author) ended up ministering to the Germans. Germans were people who were tricked into letting the Nazis have power b/c of much propaganda and lies. Once the Nazi leaders had power, to oppose them could mean death. Though there were several plots to kill Hitler by Germans! I know Dietrich Bonnhoeffer (sp?) opposed Hitler.

You want the IG ("instructor's guide") plus any there may be a few other things, like the timeline figures. I usually buy as many books as I can used too. The Core is the entire set (books, other materials, and instructor's guide) for History/Geography, Read-Alouds, and Readers (so that covers literature). You can also buy schedules and/or materials for Science and Language Arts, but they are separate. The Bible schedule is included in the Core, but not the books/CD. http://www.sonlight.com/uploads/1/4TB-2009.pdf is the Core IG sample. Buy the IG new and you get forum access, which is VERY helpful and can get you lots of tips on using your Core, so keep that in mind if you purchase an IG used. (I don't work for SL :) , but I do always buy my IG's new). Does that help?

We love it too! We are finally finishing up the end of it, though my dd reads great, I don't want to leave out any phonics skills, plus we use it to work on spelling (write the words for this phonics rule).

I don't know anything that's not "rigorous" either. Just wanted to clarify that I'm not saying to switch or not. I'm not really sold either way after Alg 1. I'm planning to stay with it at this point, but who knows. I do also know that their calculus program is written with the same kind of approach that a calculus for enginneers class is as opposed to the traditional math program--it is "conceptual". I really couldn't explain beyond this, but if it's good enough for the engineers......It's good enough for my daughter who will probably not pursue a math career! I'll be interested to hear myself what people feel is lacking.

I did teach at the "best" school district around (I even taught a state senator's son!), though I did not teach the Pre-AP classes, so I can't totally speak to the "Honors" track. I taught Geometry and Algebra 1A (the first half of a 2 year algebra program). I WISH I had known some of the MUS tricks to teach my kids. I value a thorough understanding and ability to retain the information. The ideal thing would be if you could find someone who was in the school's Algebra class and look at the semester exam review sheets. That would help you know what they expect. Our review sheets were very close to our exams, so it really is a good measure, though the individual chapter tests were a bit harder than the exam (b/c the exam info had to be retained longer and had no daily grades to balance it, so it was slightly easier). Another note: when I had a homeschool student in my class, her struggle was that we taught something one day and had an open book quiz the next (it was a daily grade, so not a big deal). She didn't get it and didn't come to tutorials and sorta freaked out when I made her take the quizzes anyway. So, I would worry more about the deadlines/pace than the content. And make sure they go to the teacher for help when they need to--if people didn't come in for help, I didn't always feel a lot of sympathy for them.

I would definitely not switch before Zeta. There may be some things that MUS Pre-alg. covers for the first time that other programs might have already introduced. I will say that MUS's Algebra course starts farther ahead than the Algebra course I taught before (ps). I don't know CD well enough to know the details. I am a math tutor and former high school math teacher, so I have alot of opinions on math. :) I personally think that MUS Algebra is there strongest subject, so I would probably switch afterwards. I think giving them the reasons for the algebra is a better foundation to go on to higher math. So, I would recommend switching after Algebra (and just using the honors part of the program) and not before. I have not used anything above their Algebra and don't have any reason to say their upper level are really anything unique, but their Algebra gives more understanding than any other program I've seen--it taught me things and I've taught Algebra I and II before!

I don't know what to suggest b/c I like MUS the best, but I do want to say that this is the right time to switch. It would be a mistake to have switched before this level, but I think it will be easy to try out another program at this point, though I will say, there are not many other programs that give as good a foundation in algebra as MUS. Look for something that gives kids a good understanding of the algebra and a bit of the whys. (My kids are still young, but I tutor math, mostly pre-alg and algebra level).

Use honey for sugar. Use wheat flour for white or use arrowroot powder for white flour used for thickening. We have cookies quite often, but no white flour or sugar in ours. :) Dressing is easy. E.V. Olive oil and vinegar (try Bragg's brand Raw Apple Cidar Vinegar--very healthy!) plus garlic, honey, and favorite spices. Make sure you have about twice as much oil as vinegar (or more) and mix it to your taste. Or look up an italian dressing with EV olive oil online. I even make my own ranch (no packet) from some recipes I got offline, though I am still perfecting it, so I haven't shared it on my blog yet. Start finding recipes to make your own version of things--sugar is in a lot of things--ketchup, pasta sauce, jelly, dressings. And of course corn syrup is in more things and even worse! Check your wheat bread too.

We like Maker's Diet as a philosophy, but Sue Gregg's cookbooks--they are easy to follow, realistic and all about whole food substitutes. LOVE them! (I have some more info on my blog if your interested: www.lymeadehealth.blogspot.com.)

Anyone else? I know there are lots of Latin users around here. Can you share what you like and dislike about the programs you use?

I'd like to enter--though it depends on your time zone if I'm too late!

Looks like a neat program. It was interesting to note that older kids skip the 1st 2 books, so that does help me feel waiting is the right thing (waiting on language #3 in order to better learn language #2)

Thanks!

Do you have information on the group licensing? I'd be really interested in seeing that with our homeschool group! I couldn't say what language, just b/c I have no interest in learning, but I'd probably have to choose between what I could use here (Spanish) and something exotic like Chinese or Arabic OR a biblical language.

Help me plan my foreign language study. My dd7 is doing Power Glide Jr. German. I know some don't like it, but it works for us b/c dh and I both speak German (we lived there and dd7 was exposed to German too). We watch movies in German and dh and I speak German for the sake of private conversation and sometimes I "forget" English at dinner time and can only speak German. So, we definitely get more than what's in the box. I'd like to add in Latin next and eventually add Spanish in b/c of living in the South. I have one more book in Power glide left for next year (3rd grade). I could push and maybe get it done in a semester. Then, I'm thinking of using Rosetta Stone, but not sure yet. I think she might could go straight to level 2, but I don't know that. I really don't know what to do next, but I think I want to try a non-Power glide program. Open to suggestions. In Latin, I was considering trying Latin Road to English Grammar in 5th grade. But I realized most people weren't happy with it. But what I really liked was the idea of getting grammar and vocabulary while studying Latin AND that it helps my very practical dd have a good reason to study Latin. My dh (also very practical) studied Latin in high school and thinks he wasted his time. I'd love a program that would make the applications really obvious, like the grammar connection. I'd love something that dd could work on her own (with me monitoring) and get help from dh at night (but just as needed-not him teaching a full lesson). I'm trying to decide how far into German we should get before we add in a second language. I'm also not thinking of doing just a basic level of Latin. Understanding the grammar and basic vocabulary, but not serious reading and translating. I would like to finish Latin in time to get a really good basis in Spanish (5 years?) before graduation and don't want to do them at the same time. I'm thinking that by starting a bit later (5th grade) she can do the "real" program instead of just an introductory program that prepares you for the "real" course. I did see some reviews on here recommending Lively Latin and Latin for Children. I'm definitely wanting something interesting, but tell me how well those programs fit with her age and how long would it take to give her to get a basic level of Latin. And is there a connect made to English applications so I can convince dd and dh it is practical? Or is there another program that would work better? Advice on when to start appreciated too. Thanks! Joy