I'm leaning towards Latin for Children at the moment.

I want to take the time now thru the summer to ensure we have a solid base for grammar in prep for Latin come fall for my 3rd grader. Is a solid knowledge of FLL 1 and 2 enough or do I need more, and if so what more? RS 2 or 3? FLL3? or what would those of you who have taught Latin successfully find to be essential knowledge before diving into Latin so we don't have to stop to teach basic concepts I didn't know to master. I don't want (us both) to get discouraged from the start. Any FREE resources of course would be awesome for this!!!! Thanks for your advice!!

I can look around and see what's public knowledge. I should have been more giving in my background. I worked for Pearson Education for 9 years and was given access to state longitudinal data that was profoundly shocking to me. Not only did it show the decline in literacy across the boards since the early 1970's (male group was the biggest loser), but also the decline of education for the urban areas in math, LA, and science over the rural areas. The districts that had the most money per student were teaching them the least. The programs that were decidedly "not modern enough" were thrown out in the 70s and early 80s, and this pattern continues to repeat itself and the substance gets thinner and thinner in the classrooms replacing it with more color, more fun, less structure, less learning. I personally watched districts lower standards repeatedly, so as to maintain the level they needed for funding. This is one of the big reasaons I love the WTM philosphy. we've lost something so simple. And made it so much more difficult. It's something I had no clue about until I worked for an large Ed company. I thought hey schools do the best they can and yes there are issues, but they are doing their best. I was naive, I had no idea what went on behind the scenes of the school boards, the reg agencies, and others, of course special interest groups, and that there was so much more involved than just finding the best way to teach all students so we could succeed in life. I researched the reg ed programs Pearson, HM, Harcourt, and the programs Pearson had designed to raise students AYP (yearly progress scores in general), but the result was we were preparing students for better test taking, not helping them to learn to learn --or any of the basic things like the WTM ideals and others with similar ideals impart. 6th graders showing up unable to write and form a proper 4 sentence paragraph, and 7th graders not have the ability to start pre-Algebra, but the test scores were going up so hurray we are having success type of thinking so advance to the next grade. Personal side note: I find it interesting that schools can spend weeks and weeks practising for a play about whatever social or political topic is deemed teachable, and that material is completely ingrained in students because of their efforts, but those same students in that school suffer greatly in basic reading, writing, and math. We've become "so smart" that we are becoming more stupid. This attitude is rampant among public districts. I've met with over 30 supers who saw this, but were unable to move to make the changes needed to really impart real change for the better. Sad and depressing. I will check my old work laptop and see what statistics I can find for you and post again. There may be some I can cross ref online to share as well. I apologize my post was not as concise as I could have made it, I take for granted the knowledge I have taken in from my past exposures and assume others to have the same, or at least deduced the same from reading sources in the media and watching over the years with open eyes as one a failed program is replaced by another one, more watered down than the last expecting better results. Rinse lather repeat. I hope some of this clears up my perspective, and brings a little light into the darkness.

Of course they could. Giving the best education to our children has never been the motive. Unfortunately it's about money. Aside from maintaining the power of state rights which I believe is highly relevant: They won't do it because that would make logical sense, not cost us a fortune, would streamline learning objectives, simplify the classroom and not be worth it at all, oh yeah - but the govt is involved. (and they like to make money off every piece of this they can all in the name of "helping the children and raising the bar." while dumbing us down. Talk about good fiction writing!) In another few years it will be yet another failed program attempt with another cool name or slogan, lotsa funding and lotsa hands out. Interesting fact: Since the founding of the US Dept of Education in 1979, each year children have gotten less education and worse test scores.

Good news! I hope many states will follow suit. The educational policy of this country is in serious trouble. Much of this was about money, publishers, and test scores yes and of course the odd data collection/privacy issues. But the much bigger picture was more indoctrination leading to the loss of our freedoms. Parents should not sit down and be told our children are not our children. It only takes one generation to lose freedom.

Ok after 12 months of borrowing TWM from library, and waiting on the hold list many times cuz man this thing is ALWAYS checked out with a wait so you couldn't keep it longer- lol Drum roll please . . . . I had to order Step by Step piano books by Burnham (what I used to learn in the mid 70s and still so awesome!), I saw TWM was on sale for 22 and I grabbed it! Clap for me I am so excited!!!! My husband says I'm a true geek now to get so excited about HS books over anything else. He just doesn't realize this is THE book to have for our trivium plan. (Which he only half understands what that means when I say it truly. . . ! ) Insert his head here . . . :smash: Just had to share because I know many can relate to my illness and this book helps me at this time of year when I want to look at buying curriculum we will end up not needing. Hurray!

This is what we do also - love love love the books! Which is what is most important for us now --Grammar stage. Got many from the library too which saved us money. :)

Wow this looks like an amazing program! Looks like much of my work is done for me and I can beef it up where I want to etc. Question with a smile :drool: and drool. . . . for my first and second grader. .. . Having gone thru much of our animal studies unit and just looking ahead to start anatomy April 1st and then plant study over the summer, how mean is it of me to assign the biology portion for summer school fun twice a week and rainy days? I already have the ref books plus a ton of supplemental books. We are starting WTM rec's for 2nd grade science for both in the fall even tho we've done some of it already. Hmmmmmmm. Looks like fun! I wonder if they'll think so . . .

I've never heard of Vanderpool or Starer - I'll check them out thanks so much!

Thanks so much for this one. I have a few of the dozen a day books in my big box of books and pieces from when I learned, and I believe after seeing this one that this is how I started playing in K. I contacted my piano teacher (now 84!) and she said it definately was. It served me when and started me on my 10 years of lessons so now I think I may switch up from faber and try this one. I can always add more theory as we go with the olders. I know there are always so many new curriculums that become popular, but tried and true and this being used by so many piano teachers in the 60s and 70s hold alot of weight with me. Maybe it is because I hate change :) Now I'm a curriculum hoarder so I might get faber too just to compare, then resell if I don't like it or return. :) Thanks again!

Thanks for the suggestion - I'm checking this out tonight and making a decision. This looks fun!

Thanks so much - I'll search for these tonight!

I'm needing to start this for them but don't know what books are the best to start them at? I want to start this now and continue thru the fall and then reasses for private lessons. Of course I'd love to simply put them all in lessons now but 250-300 per month I do not have. :( Thanks for the suggestions! I have musical background just need a jumping off point and keep getting lost down the rabbit hole on this one!!

Hunter, I encourage you to do more than once a week for your plan. I think you'll be surprised once you get going how easy it is! I'm not saying full unit study level by any means. I've been guilty of not wanting to do something unless it's "everything" for that topic and that shoots me in the foot so I can't get started, or I think what I'm doing is not meaningful to them. But every time I've been wrong. We all have time during the day we can be listening to things. Pick 5 pieces from the composer of the week and listen to a different one each day together alone with no distractions. Put the composer on during art or drawing time. Then play it in the background during chores or simple work like handwriting practise at other times that week. Play it in the car. Write the name of the composer on the board and post their picture up that week. Talk about what they are hearing and feeling. Ask them what it makes them think of when they hear it. Ask yourself and share it! Go to the net and pull up something about the piece or composer and read it quickly. No memorization required. Exposure exposure exposure. The resources you've listed are all great - so grab from your basket and run with what inspires.Then as another said - rinse lather and repeat. I'm sure you look back on something now that you started with that you were unsure about teaching - like when I started history - gosh how am I going to do all this? Where so I start? I started slow with SOTW, then added, added, added. I added the library book references (and others I found in searching), and then looked up pics and references on the internet, then added more, incorporated geography with it, more mapping, and culture study and religion and now today --- I have to step back or we'll do history for 2+ hours before looking up! And they love it! Music can be just as easy. Definately check out performances in your area. If you can find the Magic Flute offered anywhere go and see it. It's super fun, (hilarious when done right). Yes to Sound of Music and Oklahoma also! Check out what local smaller run productions are performing and take advantage of them. Many orchestras offer young people concerts and programs. Check them out. There are days at the local orchestras where kids can try out instruments and watch a demonstration where they will fire up each instrument section individually, then add one by one to hear the changes. . . And as another already said, mix up your composers so your not studying the same time period for a year - there will be much more variety this way in what you are hearing. Squilt and Henley are a great start to your basket as is Dellosa - then just keep adding and keep listening. Have fun with it!

Thanks for the responses and opinions. I'm looking at the iPad mini to lessen the $ blow, but still deciding . . .

Happy New Year to all! Ok I think I'm finally ready to bite the bullet and get a tablet to use for homeschool and some fun things. I'm trying to figure out is it essential we get an iPad for the app selection which is way bigger, or get an android? For the price of one iPad I could get close to 2 Nexus 7s or other brands. I know some use their kindles for school use too . . . Thoughts please, I realize Apple can't keep ahead of the apps for too much longer, but right now they do have the advantage there. Oh and yes chime in with your favorite (and purposeful learning apps) because I know literally nothing in this area. !! Thanks so much. The kids are 4,6 and 8.

This is a great idea thank you for sharing. We've chosen 18 so far for the replies I've received, and I'm still searching for a few more to round us out to 24/25. Most will get here in time for me to wrap them all and be ready for the 1st day of December when they get to pick, the youngest gets the first choice, then the next oldest the next day etc. I'm searching for crafts that may go along with some of them. As when we get to 2 weeks before Christmas we'll take it off to have some fun and bake and decorate.

Wow this is terrific, thanks for all the great ideas. I've found most of them at the library, and when we pick a favortie or two once reading them I'll get them from Amazon to add for our favorites book shelf.

That time of year is quickly approaching. Soon it will be the holidays again and I hope we get tons of snow!! I'm looking for suggestions for good read alouds for the K-3 crowd. Last year we read The Thanksgiving Mouse which we loved but just happened across accidentally (actually I saw it next to my holds at the library as another homeschool Mom held it. :) ) Of course we are getting the Nutcracker, Christmas Carol, and will read the Night Before Christmas like every year. But I'm sure there are many other great books than these, so I thought I'd ask the group! I'm placing my library suspended holds this week and next for the holidays so the books come in when I need them (an awesome tool for those that have libraries that offer this option. . . .this has changed my life!!) Thanks for your suggestions!

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm heading over to my library site now to search! :thumbup1:

For some reason, my kids love to argue with each other when we are in the car. Or at least when I am in the car when them, not so much Dad, and this is really starting to get to me. :cursing: I'm in the market for some car schooling CD's, but have never really looked at anything like this. We have listened to a few books on CD, but that's about it. I'd love to have them learn multiplication tables or something useful. What are your favorites for 1st-3rd grade and beyond?? Suggestions please???? Before I get out the duct tape :hurray: ! (They can't arrest you for that can they LOL!)

Good to know - Totally, off topic -- LOVE your peg dolls! In my free time LOL LOL over the holidays I may give these a try.

I love this forum and think love reading all the comments on this and other issues. ! Bring it! No I didn't realize this was such a hot issue here so yes I was really laughing. . . . We are fine with the path we are on, will keep going thru 1st grade material, will address his handwriting and adapt as needed of the next 12-18 months and wait and see. He loves to dictate his own stories to me (15-20 sentences total so far), then write them down from the whiteboard and illustrate them, it just takes him longer and it's not as pretty as his brothers yet. But no judgement. He will come along as he will. It confuses me why some would choose to hold back for reasons such as mentioned in other replies like sports, but again, no judgement. Some things are more important to others I guess, or at least the things they've been programmed with. Our babies came when they came, and I am thankful for that and want them to do their best per their abilities and age. It was a gal at one of my homeschool Mom meetings who spouted off about the 6 year old age cutoff here, I didn't think it sounded right and shoulda just checked. Sorry if anyone took offense within my discussion post. !

My 6 year old has his math facts down to 12, and we are working on to 20 now. He is in the blending stage of reading, and is doing well with all short vowels, double and triple consonant beginnings, and has started in on the more interesting sounds of ing, ang, ong, ew, oi.oy, ea, ai, etc. I'm laughing at myself some, so please all join in, because he was learning at a slower place than his brother now in second grade. But was thinking not all kids learn the same or at the same rate so be patient. Then it dawned on me he just turned 6 in June, he wouldn't be in first grade yet most likely anyway. ! I've read posts and blogs about placement, and many think it's more important to place for readiness rather than age. I'm happy where he is at and we are focusing this year on becoming an independent strong reader thru SSRW level 1 material and those readers along with more fun readers like Nora and AFables. He loves the SOTW we do each day, and to draw and write to summarize what we've learned. We journal science and using living books and encyclos, and flip thru the Foresman boring school textbook once in awhile also. The only area I see him struggling in is his letter formations are not neat and I wonder about motor development issues. But he is still young so when do you start to consider that as in issue? ISince he is doing well in the other areas I plan on keeping up with it so he can continue to advance. He has amazing memory skill and I'm astonished at what stories and facts he retains. Should I pull back (don't want to) or keep going with what we are doing? Suggestions on the motor issue other than patience, practise, and time?

Thanks for the info. I contacted NWEA and they said I would need to partenr with a district that is using it in my state. Maybe if they get contacted enough by homeschoolers they'll add a homeschool option to their offering.