This is a great time of year to switch gears! We've had snowy, cold weather and the gloomy winter days makes me want to curl up on the couch in front of the fireplace and banish our regular routine. Happy reading! (Love your list, by the way!)

We're getting ready to complete our 6th year of CC! My kids were K5 and 2nd grade when we started, and my curricula choices were almost exactly what you've chosen. Great minds think alike, huh! ;) Enjoy CC and your new materials!

Thanks for this recommendation! I am also in the process of choosing a logic stage spine for our history studies. I did not realize that a newly revised 4th edition was available. I love that Biblical history is part of the whole-history narrative. Another source to consider: Mystery of History. It's written at about a 6th grade level.

Challenge B can be used for high school, with some additions. Here is some info that may help you: http://classicalconversations-ecfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/HS-credits_for_CHB.pdf

It is disappointing to read this. CC tutors are contractually supposed to provide the seminars as specified in the curriculum. They are not allowed to drop Saxon and switch to TT. The discussion/debate portion of Challenge is a very important part of the program. Again, dropping debate should NOT have happened. I would agree with you about the lab work, too. Why not give everyone an opportunity at hands on work? As with any class, tutors/teachers can make or break the experience. We have an excellent Challeng program in our area--one that follows the curricula guidelines.

Hello! You DO get a multi-child discount for kids enrolled in the same program. The discount is only on the registration fee. You pay the full registration fee of $75 for the first child. The other children in the same program would have a $50 registration fee. The supply fee covers items needed for classroom activities: science experiment materials, art supplies, tracing paper, maps for the classes, etc. You will need to purchase the Foundations guide and a tin whistle for each child. The guide has all that you truly need for all three cycles. However, many people opt to buy either the audio CDs or the C3 online membership so you can download the audios. Tutors don't get discounts, but they are paid for their work. Talk to your director if you're interested in tutoring! All Classical Conversations campus are on the same cycle, no matter where they're located. Next year we'll be on cycle 2.

Regarding the amount of time students spend doing their assigned work: I think 5-6 hours per day is more common. Here's how the time might've budgeted: Math -1 hr. Latin (Henle Latin Year One) - 1 hr. Science - Research/write a short report each week, sketch, bibliography - 45 min. Geography - sketch map, memorize countries/capitals, work on geo terms - 45 min Writing - an essay is due most weeks - 1 hr. Rhetoric - read assigned chapters, outline, look up scripture passages, memory work - 30 min. Some kids will take a little less time, some will need more time.

In regards to the Challenge Program . . . I do think you're right: Challenge is like a boxed curriculum, but with a tutor. Interestingly enough, I had never thought of it that way -- and I have tutored both Challenge A and Challenge B! This is our 6th year of Classical Conversations. I currently have kids in Challenge A, Essentials and foundations. The Challenge tutors really are supposed to partner with both the students and the parents. There is a set curriculum with an assignment schedule, however parents are able to tweak/make changes as they see fit. Parents definitely stay in control of the assignments because they remain the teachers! My son's challenge tutor does not collect assignments -- parents keep track of their children's work. However, students do share their reports and read/critique assigned essays. The tutor work presents material in class and teaches the lessons, but the parents are the ones who have to continue the work at home. CC really tries to emphasize that parents CAN homeschool their children through high school, but recognizes that many parents feel most overwhelmed when their children hit the logic and rhetoric stages. The tutor leads students through 6 seminars and then the parents work through the material with their children at home, but they have HELP from a tutor! Admittedly, it is a long day for the students, but they really do use their time wisely. Much is accomplished in those 6 hours! The assignment guide keeps parents informed about what is expected of the student, but it also outlines what the tutor is supposed to cover in class! I think many parents appreciate knowing that they are not working through some of these difficult subjects alone. The discussions and special projects that are interwoven into the challenge levels provide middle schoolers and high schoolers an opportunity to discuss ideas, and argue, and spend more time with their peers. The challenge program was developed so that kids can have an opportunity to study alongside other cohorts and provide a positive, comfortable environment for students to discuss the big ideas that are interwoven into literature, history, current events, science, etc. I think the kids especially appreciate that part of the program! The friendships and support from like minded families is invaluable - IMO. I must admit . . . many of the subjects do feel rushed -- and that can be frustrating! That's when I have to step back and remind myself that it is not about getting the assignment done, it is about teaching a specific skill and working through things in order to LEARN! We do almost always get our assignments completed, but if something pops up in our week it becomes much more difficult! Ugh! I suppose the good part about the set schedule is that we constantly plug along. We certainly have not fallen behind on things this year, which has been a hidden blessing! After you investigate further, you may discover that you'd happier with outside classes or following a self-paced program that guides you through some of the difficult subjects, such as Tapestry of Grace or Omnibus. But, while you are considering your options, I recommend that you attend a "Window into Challenge" meeting or a Classical Conversations Information meeting. Either of these "seminars" would inform you more about Classical Conversations and the vision of the program for the upper level students. It is very different that Foundations and Essentials. The goal of challenge is not to work though a four-year schedule of classes, but to teach kids *how* to think and to provide them with a skill set and knowledge base that will better equip them to affect their world in a positive way. You do not have to relinquish control of your child's homeschool journey if you participate in the Challenge Program, but you probably need to agree with some of the big components of the program and the overall vision. Also: there are some very helpful audio clips about the program HERE: Challenge Program Overview I have listened to them on a few different occasions and have found them to be quite informative. Best wishes!

Wow! Thanks so much for the thorough review! I did not realize the Jackdaw portfolios included so much. I will definitely give them a second look.

I just looked at them a couple of days ago at www.jackdaw.com. I couldn't find them anywhere else. They seem pretty pricey. Does anyone know if they're worth the price tag?

We used "First Favorites, vol. 1 and 2" from Veritas Press as well. Each volume has a list of about 10 books along with gentle activities that compliment the book. For example: coloring, copywork, cut-n-paste activities, a few cooking activities, gentle discussion/comprehension questions, etc. The guides gave me a nice base of quality literature to cover with my kids as well as some interesting activities that were doable and not too time consuming. I never did the guides from cover to cover, but selected activities that suited our needs.

:hurray: :hurray: We use this, too! My boys do really like it -- and more importantly -- they USE them! Yeah! The cover is plastic, they're durable, they have quality paper in them, and they have some nice "extras" that are tailored for homeschoolers such as: All about me page (2 pages) - nice keepsake for their file The future "me" I want to be - great for thinking through long term goals Personal goals for the school year Study tips (8 pages) - written with the homeschooler in mind. These are very well done, and visually eye catching. Monthly calendars - you fill in the dates, so the calendars are very flexible Weekly assignment pages with scripture and cool U.S. history facts. Activity log Reading Log Maps Awesome reference seciton Loads of stickers for the calendar Note section Year View calendars (4 years worth) Storage pocket

We have used both. I guess I'm different than many who have posted so far. I think I like God's Design Science better. Although, I do like Apologia as well. I started AIG Science when my kids were in 1st and 3rd grade. We covered human body, Plants and Animals. It was the older version. I liked it because it was very doable. The reading portion was concise and there was enough hands on to keep my kiddos happy. I always felt it was very simple to go to the library and look up books for the topic we were studying that week. I'd fill my book basket with vibrant picture books for the kids to peruse. We have also used Apologia's Astronomy and Botany books. I like them, but have never been thrilled with the writing style. Sometimes I felt that the lesson went on for too long! :bored: The projects are excellent, and this is a very good choice if you enjoy notebooking. We have also completed the newest version of AIG chemistry. My kids were 11 and 9 when we did it. We all loved the course! The reading was concise, but gave us plenty to grasp onto. The newer books have a "beginners" section that you use with your younger kids and a more advanced section with meatier details for the older set. This was perfect for us! There were many times I introduced the topic using the beginner reading section. We'd discuss and complete an activity. The next day I'd read the advanced material and we'd discuss the questions and do the workbook pages (if applicable). All of the new AIG books have color pictures and the beginner/advanced sections. The AIG books don't have as much reading material in them as the Apologia books, but I actually prefer that! I like filling our book basket with library books or supplementing the information with colorful science encyclopedias, rather than get all of our information from one book.

We REALLY enjoyed . . . R.E.A.L. Science for kids - short read-aloud lessons and LOTS of hands on science fun. Homeschool in the Woods Timeline - One of our best purchases Homeschool in the Woods Time Travelers - Excellent lapbook, handiwork/crafts/cooking. LOVED it! Discovering Great Artists FIAR SOTW with Acitivity book MFW RtoR and MFW Explorers to 1850 Bible Study Guide for All Ages

At risk of sounding insensitive . . . dump the science and history curriculum this year and enjoy your little ones! :D Your kids are 4 and 5. Correct? Read stories of all kinds to them . . . whatever hits your fancy. Enjoy play dough, cutting and gluing, paints, nature and exploring everyday things. I promise . . . they'll have a ball (you will, too!) AND they will learn tons. You needeth not a script. This is a great time to teach the basics: reading, handwriting, and math. That's all the "let's sit down and do school work" time their wiggly little bodies can handle. If you feel you must cover science, maybe you could get your hands on a few Usborne "First" science encyclopedias and read a couple of pages aloud together everyday. The pictures are vibrant and interesting, plus, they'll get a well rounded first exposure to basic science topics. Usborne has some nice history books for young ones, too. Maybe try "Stories from Around the World" or "Stories from America". Also, you could read bible stories (We loved "Bible Pictures for Little Eyes"). I remember nothing beyond chocolate milk and playtime from when I was 5 years old. Well . . . know that I think of it -- was there really anything more important?

I've been using IEW for 5 years with my dc. It is truly okay to wait until 4th grade to begin IEW. You could start next year without doing any formal writing program. For 3rd grade, you could easily focus on letter writing, envelope addressing, etc. However, if you feel the need to begin writing with your ds, my recommendation would be to order the IEW "Teaching Writing with Structure and Style" set. It is a 9 part video series and notebook set that is purposes to equip the parent to teach writing to his/her children. Believe it or not, no other texts are needed. The videos will show you how to use literature/resources that are already part of your curriculum. You would watch the unit 1 video, which is about key word outlining, and then stay focused on that skill until it becomes easy for your dd. Then, you'd watch the unit 2 video. If you move slowly, without pushing your young ds,, the program will be easy to implement. As you become more familiar with IEW, you may opt for some of their theme based writing books, but their very best (and most useful resource IMHO) is the TWSS video series. It is about $100, but worth every penny.

Ditch the idea of co-op and go for gymnastics. I was only able to dream of ballet and gymnastics when I was a little girl. You'll be able to keep the other things you need/ like as well.

Ditto! We received Forbidden Island, too! This is our first experience playing a cooperative game, and the whole family really enjoyed it.

I have a very good friend who felt the same way last Christmas. She included herself and her husband in the assessment. They had a family meeting and discussed how many screen hours they were all using, and they talked about all the things they were missing out on because everyone in the family had their faces plastered to a screen. They talked about all the things they could do as a family, such as board games, walks, crafts, reading aloud, etc. The parents also helped the kids select/realize meaningful hobbies. The family took a voted and decided to give up all electronics, including TV/videos/movies for 3 months. When their time was up, none of them wentback to their old ways.. They ALL discovered other things they enjoyed more than Internet, TV, and video games. FAMILY time became a precious, sweet part of their daily lives. I think going electronics free is a fine idea, but you and your dh should be prepared to lead by example. Otherwise the banning of electronics could lead to resentment if the grown ups get to stay plugged-in while everyone else in the family is left unplugged. KWIM? A group effort will likely go over better than a mandate.

Mine is not in the fridge.

Third grade is a great place to start. My advice: Don't worry about completing everything on a checklist. We don't want to overwhelm our kids with a long list of dress-ups that are over their heads. In these early years, keep the dress-up list simple and add to the list of requirements as their skills build. For example, If the "who/which" clause is on the checklist, but it seems too difficult for your child, don't be afraid to just cross it off the list. After they're good at doing the easier dress ups, you'll be able to introduce who/which clauses (and many other dress-ups) in later writing assignments. Another thing you can do: after you learn a concept from the SWI video and complete the assignment, practice using the same writing model again, but use a different source text -- maybe from a children's history encyclopedia, a science picture book, etc. Kids usually need to practice several times before the concepts really sink into their minds. Just FYI-- we started IEW when my ds was a 3rd grader. I remember pulling out my hair because sometimes he just couldn't seem to come up with an -ly word or a who/which clause without lots of help/input from me. Now, after four years of experience with the program, I realize that I should have done a better job at limiting his dress-up list. I also should have given him more opportunities to practice a particular writing model before moving to the next "lesson/model". Ahhhh . . . hindsight is 20/20! At any rate, I have witnessed wonderful results for both of my boys with IEW. My younger son gets the benefits of my lessons learned. We progress steadily, but a little more slowly, thus our writing "sessions" are far more enjoyable for both of us.

The old forum had a "topics cloud" near the bottom. Is that feature part of the update? If so, where/how do I find it? I really liked seeing which category topics were popular. BTW--I REALLY think I'm going to love the new features of this message board once I get used to the new format.

:lurk5: I have often wondered about this resource. Do you happen to know if there are any online samples?