We just finished our second year of CC, and have enjoyed soooo many aspects of it. My dd is finishing 3rd grade. For us, it is well worth the money. I like the group aspect of introducing memory work, the accountability for ME to continually review the memory work, and the student presentations each week in class. Search for CC in the forums. You'll get a variety of threads to read. I would look for a one-day parent practicum in your area, and also contact your local director. HTH!

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. It is fictional but somewhat autobiographical. It is a very 'real' book. I, too, am missing a lot of my spark after suffering tragedies. Hope we both get ours back! hugs : )

You are so right!! I need to make sure I appreciate ALL the positives on a daily basis. Our 'recess' at the pool yesterday - twirling my daughter around and playing dolphin - was precious! Thanks for the reminder, I needed that.

My daughter is finishing 3rd grade, and we are finishing WWE Level 2. Like others have said so well on this thread, it is wonderful for reluctant writers. Spelling and writing were major issues in our home. I think I stopped phonics too soon because she was reading so well. With WWE, they emphasize that this isn't a spelling lesson, and that we are to help our children with spelling words. That really took a lot of pressure off of my daughter, and she began to enjoy narration/dictation when she knew she didn't have to write it all on her own. Her hand muscles have strengthened through the year, too. She loves WWE, and thanks to AAS, she loves spelling now, too. Whew! HTH!

Thank you for posting!! :001_smile:

Persuasion gets my vote, too. Sense & Sensibility was the first I read, in high school, but it didn't resonate with me until I saw the movie (sad to say!). I saw the BBC Pride & Prejudice, and truly enjoy it, but I don't enjoy reading that one as well as Persuasion.

We recently started using the Texas God Created, and thoroughly enjoy it. It's a good read at home, too. HTH!

Just a big THANK YOU for this thread!! :lol:

Great thread! I often think of Jane Austen's world while doing our mapwork. In the BBC version of Sense & Sensibility, young Margaret is memorizing her timeline of Kings of England. I have pointed that out to my dd as she memorizes her timeline. :001_smile:

Thanks for both of your input!! It is so valuable and gives me the 'hands-on' perspective that I need. I haven't done ECC yet - I do like the missions focus of it. hmm...more looking and praying ahead!

My dh and I have been sitting at our dining room table for the past two hours trying to decide between these two programs! For my rising 4th grader I am looking at MFW Creation to the Greeks or HOD Creation to Christ. Unfortunately, I don't have to worry about adding in other children, it is just my daughter. MFW seems to have a broader approach - including the music and art. It also seems to have more 'activities' which our daughter would love. I can't tell if HOD is as full of activities e.g. preparing feasts, Egyptian meals, etc. Any insight? Thanks!!!

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Although I have some issues with CC, overall it is VERY beneficial to us. I think the opportunity each child has for a little 'public speaking' is excellent. I also love the fine arts portions, studying the composers and great artists. These are things I would love to do on my own, but are too easy to 'schedule out'. Also, it helps to have a 'deadline' date to have things memorized. CC was also my first exposure to Classical Christian education, and seeing how other families are fleshing that out. I also think CC draws a lot of wonderful families to the program. Our closest friends are the ones we have made through CC, and for that I am extremely grateful.

THANK YOU for the heads up on this group!

This board has really been invaluable to me! I am still in the grammar stage of learning about classical education. This helps me to 'see' how it's done on a practical level. I was so stressed last year when I was beginning Classical Conversations and I didn't know what to do or not do for curriculum! My 'hits' were recommendations from this board: WWE, FLL, AAS, SOTW (I still remember how frustrating all those abbreviations were at the beginning!) I so appreciate everyone's input!

I use this one if we're picking up someone from the airport and are coming back here for lunch or dinner. It's really nice! http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Special-Sesame-Chicken-Salad

Still love our workboxes! Now, I don't use them EVERY day. Some days we are not doing as many things (I have ten boxes), so I just line up her work. The days we use them, though, are great school days. DD loves knowing what to expect, and I like putting in 'extras' for us to do together. e.g. a game or craft project. Hope this helps! :001_smile:

Those are great suggestions. Two years ago I bought Charles Stanley's Daily Life Principles Bible, to use in my devotional time. I can read through the Bible in one year, and he gives some explanations, but it's not too 'devotion' oriented. I know you asked for bible studies, but what I've found is that I'll find something that piques my interest, so I'll open my reference books, etc., and write down what I learn.

Yes, we use a butter bell! We bought one at TJ Maxx a few years ago, just to try it out, and haven't felt the need to replace it yet. I just change the water every two days or so, and we haven't had any issues with it. We drink raw milk, too, and buy butter :glare:, crazy, I know. Hope that helps! Have fun making delicious butter! Julie

My girlfriends and I try to bust the 'homeschooling martyr mom' image all the time! We tease about changing the face of homeschooling. I appreciate and have friends that let their hair go grey, wear no makeup, etc.. I only ask that they don't judge me for my highlights and red nails as I don't pre-judge them for their denim skirts. :001_smile: There's room enough in homeschooling for everyone! From a Diva ~ :auto:

Yes!! It is not just me and my best friend who is feeling this way!!! Thank you all for sharing! I am loving the learning, and my dd declares she loves school and how organized we are, but my house is a WRECK!!! We were supposed to participate in our neighborhood yard sale this weekend. What???? Add something else to the schedule? No way! And...we are not at church this morning. We slept in. Hopefully we will find more balance as the weeks progress. I would still not trade it for anything!! (Although as we drove past the public school on our way to tutor at CC on Thursday, the thought of having an entire day to myself with nothing to plan besides dinner was mighty appealing!)

I think a lot of people miss the fact that it really IS fulfilling being a caretaker and nurturer! My family loves our home and all the fun we have here together! My friend and I are in the phase right now of half-laughingly saying "What would Caroline Ingalls do?" Lovin' this thread! :001_smile:

I think you are fine with your 3 day a week seatwork, CC on one day, and Friday as your exploration day. My dd is in 3rd grade, and we do a 4-day week of actual class work. After CC she has a gym class, literature class, and horse riding lessons. She is ready for more after CC, but I am not, so it is good to get these other activities in at that time. As far as scheduling, we just start a little earlier in August to be able to get through all grammar, math, etc lessons.

Thanks for the link to this great site!! I'm going to make the tagboard type timeline for this year in SOTW 1.

Okay, seeing you all post this thread makes me feel better. Lately, I've noticed my 8.5 daughter sometimes needs a cami-type undershirt under some thin shirts because she doesn't look as 'flat' as she once did. I am not ready for this change!!