Welcome! We also love your videos! I recently found your Science Fair resources quite helpful. Many homeschoolers on this board study one or two science topics a year. Susan Wise Bauer's book "The Well Trained Mind," provides detail about a classical approach to education that many here follow. During the elementary years, exposure is one goal. Here is what a typical progression looks like: 1st grade: plants, animals, human body 2nd grade: astronomy, earth science, weather 3rd grade: chemistry 4th grade physics These topics are generally repeated for a total of 3 cycles through the major sciences. I think your website is already organized by science topic, which makes it helpful for homeschoolers to coordinate your resources with their studies. I'd love to see a resource that integrates your resources and a general science encyclopedia. Maybe a web page that says, "read this from xx encyclopedia, then watch this, then try this experiment." Thanks for such a great website!

My son is nearly 12 and in a strange transition stage. He cares less and less about toys, but doesn't really know what to do with his time. One of my closest friends decided to try a family experiment: no TV, video, or computer of any kind for two months -- for the WHOLE family!! I think I'd die!!!:lol: Their kids took it pretty well . . . the parents "prepped them" for a couple of weeks. The kids discovered so many new things. Their 12 yr. old boy made all kinds of cool things out of duct tape, including wallets for both of my boys. Everyone read -- alot. They played board games together and wrote letters to relatives. The 12 yr. old boy made a couple olf extremely cool wooden play swords. He blazed a path in their woods for thier 4-wheeler. The 15 yr. old daughter began a hobby in cooking.

Homeschool in the Woods' Time Travelers has worked beautifully here. We have all loved the projects. The lap book has also been enjoyable to do.

The program Five in A Row uses lots of great picture books. Many of them were favorites. The caldecot award winner list is another great place to look. Some picture books that we loved were: Goodnight Moon Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel Katy and the Big Snow You are Special Stone Soup The Story about Ping Make Way for Ducklings Curious George All Dr. Seuss Books

:iagree::iagree: I have been reading this thread all afternoon and am shocked by some of the judgmental comments that people are spewing! I find many of the comments shared on this thread FAR more offensive than the VP Christmas Video. If you would like to hear Mr. Wilson explain his views on Southern Slavery, watch this and listen to him explain that he is NOT a slavery supporter -- quite the opposite. FWIW, Wikipedia is not always a reliable source. When researching a topic, one should always find additional sources to verify accuracy of information. Veritas Press is largely a publishing company and distributer of educational materials. A huge percentage of the things they sell and recommend are things that MANY other companies and respected homeschoolers promote. Veritas Press certainly does not promote slavery, racism, or violence. IMO, they work hard to provide helpful, excellent educational products for homeschools and private schools. Their Christmas video was a little atypical . . . that's all. So what.

I'm not doing that this year, but we did last year. I decided to switch gears with our history and science studies in January 2011. Boy am I glad we did! 2011 has been a great success and I've found that I've been very content with the changes I made. If something isn't working, then free yourself to make changes. That's one of the HUGE benefits of homeschooling!

Well . . . Especially knowing that you enjoy these books, I'd say that they're worth having in your library. However, you certainly don't need them if you plan on using the SOTW AG. As you probably know, the AG is full of activity ideas, all of which coordinate with the chapter you're reading. You'll have less "complications" if you just use the AG. On the other hand, if you feel you need more involved activities/projects, then by all means get some of the other resources you mentioned!

You're welcome! I'm glad the map resource will help you. :) If you're doing history with a 7 yr. old, I would use A Child's Story of America instead of A History of US. A Child's Story of Am. is enjoyable, easy to follow, has pictures (although basic), and coordinates VERY well with VP. It is just the right amount of info for elementary. History of US is great, but will have more info than you need for that age. HTH!

We are in our 5th year of CC. Some years we've done memory master, and some years we were not. Most of that just depended on what "life" was like for us that year and how self motivated my boys were. However, each year we have put consistent time (15-20 minutes most days) into our memory work. I didn't consider MM until my kids were 8. For us, it would have been too much when the kids were younger. I absolutely see the benefits of the memory work. The best thing to do is use the memory work as a tool. How will it benefit your kids? What do you value? The history timeline is my favorite piece of memory work. Because all of us know the timeline, we have a 160 point frame of reference. Having the timeline in our minds truly helps us as we encounter events/people in literature and history study. The math memory work helped both of my boys "get" multiplication. They memorized the skip counting before they knew how to multiply. When we began learning multiplication they would say "4 threes" and skip count. I only let them do this for a very short time. We actually purchased the "Tables, Squares, and Cubes" product from CC and that helped solidify the actual multiplication facts (not just the skip counting). Because they have memorized math facts and formulas, math is less time consuming. We generally memorize the science. I always read the science snippet or the Classical Science Fact card that goes along with it. If you plan to study Latin, then I'd encourage you to memorize this! However, don't pressure yourself with kids this young!! You have PLENTY of time to learn the Latin memory work later. When someone if unfamiliar with Latin, I must admit, the Latin component seems like a waste of time. In reality, memorizing the declension endings (cycle 2), conjugation endings (cycle 1), and some basic vocab (cycle 1) is extremely helpful in Latin studies. We probably would not memorize nearly the same amount of Scripture if it were not for CC. I appreciate the fact that the CC program has a large passage of scripture to memorize each year. The English Grammar has been VERY useful, especially the weeks that the kids memorize the definition of a part of speech. This year's irregular verb lists are my least favorite. We don't kill ourselves over those! Cycle 2 has kids memorize a list of about 55 prepositions--very helpful!! I'm thankful that my kids KNOW what a verb is, they KNOW what a past participle is, they KNOW what an infinitive is, etc. Believe it or know, some of these things are very helpful in Latin studies, too! The mapwork is a HUGE hit here. My kids know more about where places are than I did after I graduated from college. I learn right alongside them, so thankfully, I've smartened myself up, too. :D It is totally okay to study the things that you feel enthused about -- maybe the mapwork, math facts and history. Or maybe some other combo. Introduce the subjects that you are less excited about just for the benefit of exposure, but don't stress about it. If you stick with CC, you'll discover that your dc will remember or at least recall much of the material, making it MUCH easier to memorize it. Once the light bulbs turn on, it will then be a great jumping-off-point for more detailed information.

I'm with you on this too! Great minds think alike, don't they!:lol: VP is very easy to customize -- something I truly appreciate. Good look as you put together the perfect thing for your family.

If I absolutely HAD to choose, I'd pick Rod & Staff. However, I'd be sure to supplement with plenty of living books so there was some color and variety! I wouldn't choose either of these as complete packages unless I absolutely HAD to.

Yes, I do plan to use VP history resources next year, although we'll just focus on the timeline because I have a somewhat altered history schedule than the typical WTM schedule you often see on these boards. My history plan: 1st - 6th grade: 1 cycle of VP History (some years I added to it, but VP has been a staple.) 7th - 8th grade: A two year world history tour using Sonlight 6 and 7 9th - 12th grade: A third cycle of history **************** I think 45 minutes is a more realistic timeframe for VP history. I've never done the online self-paced course, so maybe someone else can speak to that. You should be able to read the back of the card, do the online course portion, and maybe even fit in the encyclopedia reading within 45 minutes. I usually have my kids narrate the card orally. We do the worksheet questions orally, too. One thing to note: you could EASILY just do VP History (and Bible for the matter) 4 days a week. You'll find that 4 days on one topic is plenty. A new card each 4-day week is a comfortable pace. There is more than enough review work in CC. I don't recommend adding the Bible song as true memory work. I had my kids listen to the song (or a portion of it) most days. They became VERY familiar with it, but I never required that they memorize the whole thing. (It is a long song ;) My goal was to really build a foundation of Bible knowledge/stories in their minds and hearts. VP Bible does an excellent job of that. I don't know how old your kids are, but if I were you, I wouldn't do two VP self paced lessons in one day. Why not just make shorter lessons and do a little history, science and Bible every day? Don't feel like you need to do too much--or all of the things written in the VP TM! Figure out what you think is doable and then try to stick to that schedule. The VP Bible could be paired down into something simple and quick by making most of it oral. Pick a few projects to do for the year that would be "special" and skip things that seem too time consuming. Remember: you're doing other Bible things in the evening as a family!

First . . . don't despair! It will be alright! Your son can and will learn math!! ;) Saxon has lots of built in review in 5/4, 6/5, 7/8, and 8/7. There is even opportunity to skip a level later. It sounds like your 11 yr. old placed in 5/4. It is MUCH better to start your child where he placed than to be concerned about the level on the front of the book. You'll find that the first 30 lessons will provide lots of review of basic concepts. If they are easy--great! If these lessons are challenging, then sit with your son and work the problems together. Spend extra time explaining concepts and using hands-on stuff to make the lessons tangible. If you are diligent, then you'll set your son up for greater success. Use the practice tests to ensure that he has his math facts down cold. Saxon is a great curriculum that provides plenty of explination and practice. Here is a possible path: 5th: 5/4 6th: 6/5 7th: 7/6 8th: 8/7 9th: Algebra I (Saxon says you can skip Algebra 1/2 if you score 80% or better in 8/7) 10th: Algebra II 11th: Advanced Math 12th: Calculus

My suggestion is to begin your day with VP Bible, so it gets done. Begin by playing the song. Maybe a schedule like this would be doable: Monday: Listen to the song. Have someone read the back of the Bible card aloud, then have someone read the scripture passage aloud. Tuesday: Listen to the song. Read the back of the card. Go through the questions orally. Wednesday: Listen to the song. Do a craft/project from the TM. While the kids work, you could read the back of the card aloud. Thursday: Listen to the song. Review past cards or continue with a project from yesterday. Keep it casual. Your goal will be to get these important stories in the minds of your kids. The daily review will help. Don't feel like you have to do everything in the TM. You can do much of it orally, which should cut down on the amount of time you spend on it.

:iagree: I agree with those who posted about "Leading Little Ones to God". It is a great book. Picking out a bible story book is also a terrific way to go. One of our favorites: DK Illustrated Bible Another fabulous resurces: Long Story Short.

Welcome! We've been educating classically for 5 years and I've been so pleased with our success. TWTM really helped shape our homeschool and gave me a solid understanding of *how* to provide a classical education for my kids at home. It is a book that I refer to over and over again. Enjoy the journey!

Saxon uses an incramental approach. They introduce concepts in baby steps, rather than introducing a fuller scope of a topic. The assignments have a handful of practice problems that cover the newly introduced concept. Most of the assignment is practice. IMO, Saxon feels more random. One day you will learn about area, the next about fractions, the next about geometry. Then . . . the next week you're learning about area again. However, when you revisit area you are diving in a little deeper, thus reviewing what was introduced previously. Horizons uses an spiral approach. They introduce a concept over a period of time. At least half of the assignment covers new things learned, the other half of the assignment is review of past concepts.

:iagree: Horizons Stays on the same topic for multiple lessons when they are introducing new material, but there are sections of review in every lesson.

I tutored Challenge A for two years and currently tutor Challenge B. I don't have any experience with Omnibus. Challenge A doesn't have any formal history study. I do think its possible for students to do the Challenge A course load AND history study. Success with adding history would largely depend on how motivated your middle schooler is. Omnibus I is quite challenging. That might be too much. CC uses the Challenge A and B years to prepare kids for high school largely in the areas of independent learning, study skills, composition, math, and Latin. Challenge A has lots of memory work, lots of writing, and many opportunities for kids to discuss the things they study. What are your goals for middle school? Intense and thorough history study? Discussion time with peers? Focused time on writing and/or literature analysis? If you choose Omnibus, will you want/need help with math, science, foreign language, etc?

Since your oldest is 6, is it safe to assume that you'll begin your 4 year history cycle next year? MFW Creation to the Greeks would not be a good fit for kids 6 and younger. You would be scaling things back constantly. It is an absolutely wonderful program, but not a great fit for kids as young as yours. Biblioplan schedules SOTW, a history encyclopedia, and some readers and read alouds. Their read alouds are terrific, but many of them may be to long/advanced for your crew. You could, however, pick a book from the 3rd - 5th grade reader list. They also have coloring pages, mapwork and timeline, etc. that you might like to use. Biblioplan is especially useful for families who have kids in different stages. Why not just use SOTW with the activity guide? The activity guide is full of literature suggestions and it even coordinates encyclopedia supplements. There will be plenty of time for Biblioplan or the upper levels of MFW when your kids are a bit older. Or: rethink the MFW programs that they recommend for K - 2nd grade.

:iagree: Socialization is definitely NOT a problem here! MFW is a great choice. Much of your schooling will be planned and coordinated. It also enables you to do some subjects together. Begin looking for resources/programs available in your area, such as art classes, music classes, P.E., support groups, field trips, etc. There may also be a yahoo board or homeschool forum for your area, so search for those because they can provide lots of info about homeschool activities near you. Be sure to check out your state homeschool organization.

Living Books Curriculum Thanksgiving Holiday Helper: http://www.livingbookscurriculum.com/pdf/HH-Thanksgiving.pdf

"Hmmmm.... We have 'recess' after lunch for 30 min. I don't help much in class. Our tutors are beyond amazing. I do the coffee run at 10 AM and help clean up science. I bounce back & forth btw my dds' presentations so I can watch. Our CC is top-notch. These parents are cream of the crop classical homeschool pros. I'm in awe." :) I echo these sentiments about my campus, too! In fact, I thought you were talking about my campus! :lol::lol:

What about using the new Sonlight Core Tips resource? Would that work?

Read away! If your child is enjoying just reading through these books, then go for it! I think your idea to read through volume 1 -3 twice is terrific. You dc will remember more during the second reading and pick up on new/different things. After you finish reading the books a second time, maybe you'll discover a particular area/topic you'd like focus on more deeply. Middle ages? Ancients? Egyptians? American History? Who knows! If you felt comfortable, you could just wait and see.