We have done WTM style classical the whole time we have homeschooled. We haven't done any online outside courses yet, and I don't have any immediate plans to do so. My kids do an outside co-op class with requirements and tests, so that is somewhat similar, though there is more leeway and flexibility there than an online class I think. I will probably have my high schooler do a dual enrollment class in 11th grade, and definitely by 12th. But I haven't found a need to do the expensive online classes to keep them working. We read aloud and discuss and she reads and writes using WTM methods and lists and materials just fine at home. We study for outside tests together so far like the NLEs and will add studying for SAT or ACT next year. So far they have been competitive in all things they have tried educationally so far. We have done science fairs, essay contests, robotics teams, scouts, etc. I just haven't found it necessary for us.

I have ordered other science materials from Home Science Tools, so I would probably just order from there.

I don't know if it's necessary, but my kids have done years of Latin before my odd started Henle in 8th. We did easy/fun Prima Latina. That is not necessary. Then moved through LCI and the Form Series of MP for lots of grammar and songs and prayers and history before moving into Henle. And my 9th grader, who got a perfect score on the level one of the NLEs last year in 8th grade, still can have a tough time using Henle I. We have used it with Fourth Form over the last two years. So I wouldn't want to jump into Henle without some grammar before. I think it has helped immensely. All that we did was probably not necessary, but it didn't hurt. That's for sure.

I do read alouds after lunch while toddler naps. That is relaxing to me, and I want the skills mostly done by then. So our schedule w/toddler is more like this: In the mornings the toddler paints or does playdough nearby while the kids get through most of their skills subjects- math, writing, English, Latin, and some other things in. I have a written schedule by the hour that we stick to 80% of the time that divides my time up and theirs so that we can get the majority of what we need in. I do therapy and spelling exercises with one for the hour before lunch. By then toddler has finished morning table/craft time and is in my room watching her morning PBS. After a bit I require her to come back and do Legos or puzzles, and that is usually her morning between 9-noonish when we break for lunch. I read her a book here or there and take her potty and do morning chores throughout all of this. I have a list in my head of the have to have dones around the house before noon. I often write that list on my whiteboard because I like lists. Since it is my routine, the must dos usually get done. After lunch or even while they are still eating I start the read alouds. I show a video in latin or on history while we eat often, and/or I start the read alouds and discussion. Then big kids get dressed for the day's outings or gather stuff for their afternoon classes out of the house, do their daily chores or what have you while I get the toddler read to and resting. She doesn't really sleep anymore. She plays quietly in her room and listens to me reading from the living room. It is less distracting then her playing at our feet. And occasionally she still sleeps. We have started including her sometimes though and teaching her to color quietly with us. I'll have big girls get out art pads and color books during reading times, and she likes to be like them. We'll get there where she's in here eventually. We have afternoon activities a couple of days a week, so those homeschool days are shorter. We have to be done by 2 or 2:30. And those are our early days. So on those days, the read aloud time is short or non existent if they have other work they need to get finished. Then they both have evening homework, usually math or co-op homework in their science classes in the evenings and silent reading if they didn't get to it during the day on those two days a week. On our two afternoon at home, our read alouds and afternoon work go much longer- til 3 or 4 sometimes. After that they get silent reading/writing time in, do their free time, play with friends, do video games, talk on the phone, arts and crafts, just chill, whatever til dinner and any evening activities we are doing. Then after showers and such, they finish up math or science homework and reading on their own or projects for their extracurriculars. Honestly though, with all of the volunteer teaching I do like scouts, co-op, preschool sunday school, study group one afternoon a week with friends, I don't ever feel done. I get to sit here quietly right now though while they are doing bookwork and toddler is on the TV. I could be cleaning more... :) I don't really think we have ever been done by lunch. When they were in early elem, we did more outside time in the mornings and after lunch and broke the school day up, so we were always going down for rest time from like 2-4 or 3-4 for their silent reading and my alone time when school was done.

Using WTM methods are a good way to help. You study history and science by reading, researching, writing from multiple sources. There isn't a textbook with exactly correct answers and fill in the blank or multiple choice questions. I don't give multiple choice quizzes. Even the WTM endorsed curricula that include quizzes and tests like Apologia Sciences and Memoria Press Logic and Latin don't include multiple choice questions. The kids write out the answers. They have to know the material, not just have good test skills to choose the best answer that is already given to them. My kids learn about a topic, take notes, organize their thoughts, write an outline on it, and write a paper. No testing required. (This is after years of learning copywork, narration, summarizing, and then outlining over elementary and middle school.)

I really liked the Ken Burns' Roosevelts one a lot. Most of the Burns ones are way too long for my kids' interest though.

We have some semester changes, mostly with electives though. My 9th grader finished one semester of Logic. I had planned on Traditional Logic II this semester, but found we had enough going on with other electives that we don't want to drop, and we need to drop something. So one semester of Logic will be enough. For Latin, she was working mostly on translations last semester from her workbook and doing some online practice. This semester we are putting a higher focus on a more well rounded study getting ready for National exams in a couple of months. So we added in daily review together and with the online app. We are rereading mythology and working on geography and other things all on top of her translation work. We are getting back together weekly with our study group which gives her an extra curricular Latin Club on top of her credit class. Our co-op doesn't have a place to meet right now, so we are in a transition mode there. We are still meeting together in a temporary place for two core classes only. So we will be doing more art and music at home that dd12 was getting there. DD14 had two classes there last semester too that she doesn't now, so she will now join in with dd12 for art and music at home and pick those up for the three one half credits that she finished. She went from way too many: Latin English Algebra Chemistry History/Great Books Logic Health PE-outsourced 5-6 hours a week or more in her sport. Extra curriculars: Girl Scouts, journalism class, volunteering To: Latin Algebra English Chemistry History/Great Books art/music elective PE extra curriculars: Girl Scouts, Latin club, volunteering I think this is a much better balance.

My must haves: Memoria Press. It is much easier to figure things out than from their website. And it is lovely to have. Rod and Staff. Not mentioned so far. But they don't have a website, so it is good to get it. Plus you will be on the mailing list for sales. They have several throughout the year. Cheaper to order through them than MP or Amazon if you do the sale. RR may be cheaper. You have to call. They aren't even allowed to put R&S on their website. Honestly that's it anymore. I enjoyed Sonlight in the past. I still get Home Science Tools and use it occasionally, but their website is fine. I also have liked the Critical Thinking Company. I find it easier to understand their products from it. RR: NO NO! Use the website. What a waste of paper.

We have the Sonlight one for one dd, but found a cheaper version at the Miller Pads and Paper website that we like and use for a LOT less with my younger dd.

You could do a semester of Robotics and a semester of Astronomy to cover things not covered in your upcoming years. I have used the Memoria Press Astronomy. They use it as low as 3rd or 4th grade in their curric packages, but it was great for covering things we didn't know about stars and it includes the mythology behind constellations. Since it is meant for a full year, you could skip the last of the book or just skim over it as it is about planets. We did it that way with older kids since they were familiar with basic planet info anyway. A few trips to the planetarium and actual star gazing with telescopes rounded out the semester. We joined a Robotics team for the Robotics one semester and that more than covered our science. We did a Lego league which required info and field trips on a subject not related to robotics on top of the electronics part of the competition.

Oh, I would really like to hear about the math classes. I have posted before but nobody seems to know much about them. I am considering purchasing this next year for the geometry. My specific questions would be is it just like a textbook meaning I can go as slow or as fast as I want. Or does it have a 4 or 5 day plan laid out for my dd, like so many weeks on this plan and you will finish the course. I am looking for the latter. I would like for her to be able to complete it like a checklist. I know I can make my own from any textbook, but she does better with it coming from an outside course. I am ok with helping teach the lesson and showing examples to her and using Kahn Academy as back up if necessary. But if the course is decent and it is laid out well, I am really interested. I could use things like the preschool ideas and an art and music courses with my younger kids and my high schooler could pick an elective or two of her choice too. So if you have any info on the math I would love to hear it. I am curious how the grading works with it. Do is it check it as she enters things into the computer or is there a grading sheet to print out. Any info at all would be nice.

I remember the card thing from my school days. I think I may work that in more here in science and math. I think dd will like that. OP: we all have those days! Are you having to turn these test grades in somewhere? If not use them as teaching test methods. Correct, restudy, take the test again. Use testing skills classes if necessary. If you are having to turn them in somewhere, that does stink. Other than that know that we have all been there. We have all had rough days. FWIW, even for my high schooler, I don't test in history and don't plan to. We write ala WTM, although mine take the NLEs which includes history questions, so they get some practice with picking the right answers there and with the study time and test taking skills we review before those tests. In math, we just don't move on until the material is learned and I retest the chapter when I think they are ready. It happens that everyone has a bad day now and then. (even in PS.)

I don't feel the need for any program for memorization. We are Christian, so our memorywork has included learning the books of the Bible in order and things like that. For my children it helps them to be able to access the information quickly in Sunday school or something. We don't focus a lot on Scripture memory, but read it. So eventually some that come up often are memorized. In general our memory has been related to school, so mostly secular. We follow the WTM a lot if you need a program. It lists several lists in the back of the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, so that has helped us a lot. We have memorized the English kings, the Roman kings, portions of the Roman Emporers, the US presidents. We have memorized speeches like from Lincoln or from Shakespeare plays. We have learned the articles of the Constitution and the amendments. For science we have memorized the classification terms and my odd memorized the Periodic Table. In Latin and English we memorize lists like helping verbs and the being verbs and declension case endings and preposition words and the proper verb conjugations, etc. Some of these things develop a certain tune as we chant them. We end up making up a tune that sticks. Some things I give a specific tune to. B-I-N-G-O is particularly helpful in many situations from teaching a preschooler how to spell her name to using it as the tune for memorizing Latin case endings. I have picked up tips from convention workshops and from our curriculum. The Form series in Latin teaches to sing the latin prepositions to the tune of O Christmas Tree which works great. Rod and Staff English includes a lot of memorization in the oral part of the Teacher's Manual. We pick a poem or two to memorize based on what we are studying each year. I use multiple sources for this from what I have on hand. The Wee Sings America CD was a great resource with all kinds of American songs and facts. Well Trained Mind is a great resource for helping you know what to memorize each year without needing to purchase an expensive program.

So much worry on here. I hope most people have found peace most of the time with most of these. I know in general I do feel I, and the homeschoolers I know, are doing enough and are doing great. The kids I have seen grow up have moved onto college or other things they wanted to do. The ones that didn't are truly the ones that would have had similar results from public school most likely anyway just because of their family cultures. I think most of our fears are unfounded as long as we are working constantly to do the best and are searching for the answers. Maybe I am a little PollyAnna. :) I just felt kind of sad with reading all of the worries.

Holy cow, I am so used to dealing with the moodiness that I didn't even think of it. It, theirs, mine, and how to deal with it more effectively, takes up more of my daily thoughts than the things I put hands down.

It doesn't sound like too much as long as it works for you all. My first Ker liked our school activities and was advanced in reading and math, so we spent that amount of time. I was like Jackie in that we did most of her reading separately from school. We spend about an hour every night reading together for bed. She read to me, I read to her. It just worked for us since that is how she had learned to read, with me, for fun. So there wasn't a curriculum. Sometimes in preK/K age range she wanted some workbook pages so that it felt like school. So I got her store workbooks for practicing writing that reinforced phonics, things similar to Spectrum that she would work through. So for K I made sure she did some reading and some math daily. We did use a math curric. We did some read alouds at night most nights, and we also listened to lots of books on CD in the car. We did lots of fun enrichment activities like you are planning, but I did them like once or twice a week max. Other days were filled with library storytimes, field trips to all kinds of things, park days with friends, etc. Then at some point in the day we would work on her math curric and do our nightly reading. So the art, science, music, activities weren't every day at home.

I will have one at home alone almost for all of her schooling and I am excited about it as well as nervous. Of my older set, one will graduate the year she officially starts K and one will graduate when she is finishing up 2nd grade. So from 3rd grade up she will be alone. I don't anticipate that they will both leave home immediately. We have several university options near enough that they could live at home to save $. But all of her schooling will happen alone. So her life will be completely different from theirs. I am slightly worried about it. But I am also excited that I will not be balancing the needs and social lives and extra curriculars of so many all at once. I can focus more of my energy on volunteering for groups that are just for her, not trying to help everyone including a toddler/preschooler. I may try babysitting homeschooling kids some years or do some group classes. I know we will find a co-op or support group if our current one no longer exists. We may try to find one family to do a lot of our homeschooling with. I always thought it would be fun to try that. I have no idea what it is going to look like. I can't even imagine her a teenager. I am just getting into that territory with my olders. I will have more experience by then anyway.

Money is always a concern since we live on one income. Messy house/ meal planning. I have methods and blogs I use to help me keep up. But it's tough to balance. School: I am happy with what we do. I could always spend more one on one with each of mine. I felt last semester that I was doing really well with one dd, but as I assessed the semester, I felt I didn't spend enough with the other. So I rewrote our schedule for this semester to balance it more evenly. Not to mention I don't want to just plop the toddler in front of TV all day, so keeping her engaged is high on my list too in between studying older subjects. In all though I do think they get as much or probably more instruction time and one on one than they would in another school situation, and both are progressing well.

My kids are 12 and 14 (and 2.) We read aloud daily. We read so that I can read things above their level, or at least above the 12 yr old's level. We read so we can discuss and enjoy together. We read so that they also get their own reading on their own books, but can double up and have more books going than one. We read for content from non fiction books like science and history. We read from Bible together, etc. We read books below their level just to enjoy. For example, for Christmas I didn't have a copy of Dickens around, and kept forgetting to get it at the library. So instead we reread aloud The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It is still enjoyable and has a good message even though it is a short easy younger read. We also did Advent Bible Readings together. This week I have also finished reading the Gilgamesh the Hero aloud to my 12 yr old, several chapters of D'Laire's Greek Myths for review to both, and from an animal encyclopedia just because it went with a video we were watching. I read several Dr. Seuss books in Spanish aloud over Christmas break for some exposure for my child doing some beginning Spanish. And I have some art books I am planning on reading next. We are currently listening to Harry Potter series on CD on car rides and I haven't yet picked our next read aloud novel, though I think dd14 had a request. I need to get back with her. And dd14 has an hour a week at co-op where a mom is reading a novel aloud for pure enjoyment while her little sis is in a class. I think they benefit greatly from our read aloud habit.

You could always set aside a fund to buy things as they come up if you don't need anything else big right now. I often use some of our refund to make our biggest curriculum purchases at convention which usually happen in late Spring/early summer.

Yes, There are MP forums. Plus I ask and read on here, and I print out and examine the info on the NLE website. I actually even called MP last year for advice on placement and have purchased their study guides for the exams in the past. For the NLE exams, they publish all of the old exams on their site, have a syllabus about what is covered on each exam, plus have some online practice questions for the kids to do. So there really is plenty of free study material available. I always did the Exploratory Latin Exams for my elem.- middle school kids, so moving into the NLE wasn't a big jump. Last year was my first year to do them. By looking at what was covered I placed each student where it looked like they should be. Much of what is covered on level 2 is stuff we were doing in Fourth Form/Henle I, but I didn't think my students had mastered it yet, so we did level 1, and it was a good fit. They all did well on it, and after more months working through it this year, should be ready for level ii this year. **** This is just what has worked here, not a hard and fast rule. I try not to overthink it, lol. I have just moved forward from where we are constantly and this is the plan that has materialized. I put some of my kids that had outgrown the ELEs but weren't in high school yet into the intro level to try it. They were partway through First Form last year. It was a big jump from the ElE for them, but they did ok. BTW if you are looking at doing the exams, you only have a little time. Students have to be registered this month. I think it is by the 20th. Don't quote me on that. I need to recheck and get mine signed up. And FWIW, the MP series isn't enough for the exams. They cover a lot of culture and history and vocabulary that aren't covered in MP. So it takes some extra studying and reading.

For us, we will just keep going. I am not set on 9/10. I think writing instruction and grammar review can come from different sources, and I haven't used them yet. But I think I would aim to get through vol. 8 with any kid, latin or not, no matter what grade level they are, even if it is just oral review and even if the writing portions are skipped because that is coming from another source. I did skip 7 because my dd is very good at grammar, and I noticed that Memoria Press skipped 7 in their curric packs, going straight to 8. So I figured mine would be able to catch up on anything that they build on in 8 from 7. With my next I will probably go straight through.

To answer exactly: No I don't check her homework. but I have the teacher guide, so she checks her study guides after completing before exams. Expand or review: I answered expand above. Do I review. Yes, If she needs to learn the periodic table, I help her study that the same as I help her chant latin verbs or history lists. Remind them to study/do homework. YES! daily. Though mine does a pretty good job of remember to check her syllabus daily, she forgets things somtimes and needs reminded.

We aren't doing any online courses yet, but my 9th grader does science through a co-op, and has already gotten a high school credit in middle school that way. She has a daily syllabus of what to do. So I mostly just check with her orally to ask if she has done it, and to work with her on time management. I have helped her solve a problem or two this past semester only once. These classes are full, and I don't need to expand on them. They do labs there, and the labwork she needs to do at home she can pretty much do on her own. My 7th grader, her classes are still a lot up to me, even her co-op classes. I assign as little or as much as I want to them. There are other co-op classes or scout badges and activities and classes and trainings we take that are more elective style. These I often expand on to include them in courses I want to do at home or to make them into a full credit class. These are things like art, history, journalism, photography, health/safety, etc. Those classes are more do what we are doing while there with only occasional assignments or projects for home, not enough on their own to count as a full credit. We expand on them as little or as much as I want or need. And sometimes I don't at all. I just let the experience be an exposure. But full on classes like our science don't need me to expand on them. They take a lot of time with just the assigned work and study time.

We skipped 7 as we were working about a year behind grade level, and my now 9th grader is working through grade 8. I did go ahead and buy 9/10. They are basically a writing program and you can use either volume in either order. I may use them in part for composition in high school or I may do WTM style rhetoric or a combo of both. I believe my volume of WTM 3rd edition has them doing grammar through high school. But like others mentioned, the grammar teaching goes down and it is more writing, which is typical in high school English courses along with literature. My 9th grader has done Latin all along, and has at least another year before I will give her the option of switching to another language after Henle II. My current 7th grader is in the 5th grade book. I will just keep moving forward with her and see where we get to and works best for her when we get there. Both study Latin. As my 7th grader may not go as far in Latin as the 9th grader, I may stick to R&S all the way through, not skipping a grade with her, if she chooses Spanish for high school instead of Latin.