Thank you for the wonderrful replies; I definitely have a better idea of if and how to utilize it during our studies. Thank you for this, Calming Tea. I am getting fairly adept at editing on the fly! I even did that with Peter Pan. This is good to know so I can be prepared. Are there any ideas for classic literature that could be used and/or read to this age group for ancient history?

I have heard different age ranges suggested for this book, so I was wondering what you all thought. Some say, due to content, they would wait until Jr. High or High School, but another source said it is good for ages 8+. I have not read the book and don't want to purchase it if it's not suitable for my two boys, who will be 9 and 11. We are studying Ancient History next year and I'm looking for some audio books they can listen to, so if you have other suggestions, I would be glad to hear them. While we're on the subject, what would be some good classic literature (I'm looking for more than historical fiction) to cover with them for this time period?

What a great thought and certainly a more positive way to think about it. Thanks!

Thanks! I noticed these cheeses have casein in them, a milk protein. I take it this has not caused a problem for you? If not, it looks terrific.

OK, I'll bite: How do you make pizza without cheese and have it taste as good? You can tell we're just on the beginning of this journey, can't you? :laugh: We are now using Almond milk and the kids seem to like that, but I don't know what to do about one of their absolute favorites, which is cheese.

Thank you for all the replies and the suggestions, I will be sure to check them out. Hey, anything to help! We have been off all dairy for about a week and I can see a difference. We were off it for a while before and then tried a few things like goat milk cheese, but alas, it didn't seem to matter. Then my son had cheese for lunch the next day and, Whoa! Did we have a doozy of an afternoon :crying: . So now we are off it altogether. But it is so hard when you're used to eating yogurt, milk, butter, ice cream, cheese, etc. Part of the trouble is that we don't live in a big city, so can't get all the non-dairy options out there. But the improved behavior is worth it. But what do you do when they're invited to a birthday party with cake and ice cream and they can have none of it? Or a pizza party and they can't partake? When we're all home, it doable, but it's harder when you can't police their every move. Then, of course, we get to deal with the after effects. I'm sure some of it is just trial and error to see what triggers the poor behavior and what does not.

I have come to realize that dairy can cause poor behavior in my son. We are now trying to convert to a dairy free diet, which is very difficult. Does anyone know what exactly it is about dairy that causes poor behavior in people? Is it casein, lactose, whey or what? And, does anyone know if it is just cows milk that causes this? Have you experimented with other animal dairy products, such as goat? I'm just trying to figure this out. Thanks!

This really resonated with me, and I have been tossing it over in my head ever since. Thank you!

We got rid of cable, etc. because, even though we wanted to watch sporting events, the commercials were too horrible to allow. Most shows are crass and foolish, or violent and filled with inuendo or worse. We don't even get basic stuff, even with rabbit ears. Just DVD's, etc. around here. And then we as a nation wonder why we have such things that are on TV in society. Are we really that blind? We don't support the family, then wonder why kids don't turn out well. HELLO!

In short, is this a good idea and what are the implications of such? I have very much taken into consideration my children's learning styles, likes and dislikes, etc. when I have chosen our curriculum (which resulted in completely changing our approach), but I have never asked them point blank "Would you like to do X program or Y program?" or "Do you want to do this book or that book?" Now, granted, my kids just finished 3rd and 4th grade, so I'm sure the older they get and I have confidence in their choices, things will change. But right now, if left up to them, we would have no English or Spelling at all! How much input do you allow and at what age? If you have allowed them input, how does it affect their attitudes? While I'm sure they like having their own choice, have you found it to later give them (for lack of a better word) an entitlement attitude? In other words, do they now think they should be able to make decisions on curriculum at their will? What if they picked something and then, after getting into it, decided they didn't like it after all? Or was their attitude and output so much improved that you wouldn't even think of not letting them pick anymore? Of course, most kids in PS have no input whatsoever and I think this can lead to a disheartened student. Other children have all the say in their education, but I'm not comfortable with that either. But I'm wondering where the perfect balance point is.

Thank you, Elizabeth, for that information. Especially good to know if it is dry; that is something I definitely want to avoid here! But it sure does make me wonder why they received so many first place votes in the Pratical Homeschooling Reader's Choice Awards (or at least that's what I think it was awarded in). I think they received 1st place in Elementary, Middle, Jr. High and High School curriculums. Wow.

I know they are so different, but I'm wanting the pros and cons of each. It seems like VP speeds them up a bit more and gets them to point "X" quicker, but if so, is that necessarily better? While my boys are grammar stage at this point, I'm trying to look long term because I want them ready for college when the time comes. I like the book choices in both, but which better prepares them without destroying their love of learning? FWIW, anything Language Arts related is difficult and/or unenjoyable for my two, and I like keeping them together for the content subjects. We are ready to begin a 4-year history cycle, which will put my oldest at finishing that up just in time for high school. This would make VP difficult because they start the history cycle in 2nd grade, it appears, then Omnibus in 7th. We would be totally out of sync unless we could do a major revamp somehow. Maybe I should ask how people that have completed Omnibus like it. If that's not something that is too desirable, then I could just get some of their book selections and not worry about having them ready for Omnibus???

Sorry so long in replying, but yes, Progeny Press has guides. Here's a link: http://stores.progenypress.com/study-guides . A friend of mine uses them and likes them. They go all the way from lower elementary to high school. They have samples on their website. Good luck!

Agreeing with welovetoread. 4-H would be my suggestion also, more low key and less pressure, more enjoyment. Additionally, if it is like the clubs around here, your child will be exposed to other disciplines, so will be able to see if something other than hunter/jumper is up their alley. If you own a horse yourself, you are responsible for everything unless you leave it at their barn with an agreement that they will take care of it for you. This, of course, means more $$$. If you can keep it at your place, you will have to arrange feeding, fence fixing, vet, hoof care, someone to take care of it while you are away, etc.

Here's another idea: If your ds's love for history is returning with MFW, but you think it too light, why not just add to it with the classics you are desiring? You won't be spending all day on someone else's idea of a great curriculum and will have the rest of the day to read and study the classics. You can have discussions ala Teaching the Classics style, or do an in depth study of some books with Progeny Press guides or something similar. May be a nice compromise that you can try for 7th grade, then ease into something else if you like.

Nothing, huh? Well, is there a curriculum that utilizes them? Anything?

We were using Singapore math, but my ds10 just did not get along well with it. It was just drudgery to him. I personally think it is a very good program, but he wasn't thriving with it, so say the least. So, reluctantly, I made a switch. After looking at many different options, I chose Mathematical Reasoning from CTP for the main spine and then throw in a page or two from Singapore's Challenging Word Problems about two days a week. He has some other issues than your dd, so it may not work for you, but this has made math go much smoother and still gives me some of the Singapore that I like. I know some people say the MR is not a complete program, more a supplement, but I have not found that to be the case working it like we have. HTH!

Is there such a thing? Is there anywhere a person can find a chronological list and/or something showing grade or age level appropriateness (some documents wouldn't need that, but some writings might)? I would like to fit this into our studies where possible, but am just not sure where to start. Thanks!

I think it can be simplified for younger children. Also, some people have said that they slow it down and make one year last for two, changing and/or adding things appropriate for their children. The website is www.learning-adventures.org. You can read up on more there and see a few sample lessons.

I just received another one. At the bottom was this fine print: "This e-mail was sent as a special service of The Vision Forum, Inc. ... 2014 The Vision Forum, Inc., ... All Rights Reserved." So it would appear something is still going in some fashion. The ones I have gotten this year link to other websites, this particular one to underdrakesflag.com. One of the others to christianreader.com. Donna A.: I had never heard of Christian Reader before this either, but you can go to the website. I don't know what's going on, but am leery... I think mamaraby is probably right. Frankly, I wish they would just be upfront and tell us what is going on.

To the original OP, I have wondered this as well. I have looked at it online and am debating. I find it interesting that the few reviews that are out there are all positive. Usually there are some negative comments here and there about whatever curriculum, but this one just doesn't seem to have that. Everyone who has tried it and posted a review seems to like it, and quite well! Certainly makes me more curious.

I was under the impression that both (Vision Forum Ministries - the nonprofit, and Vision Forum Inc. - the profit making arm) were both closing. The commercial wing website (visionforum.com) quit selling items in December and the ministry (visionforum.org) announced it's closure I believe in November. That's why I was surprised to still receive e-mails from them; same address it came from before. Mainly, I was wondering if Doug Phillips had his hand in another cookie jar that I may wish to avoid. It appears Blue Behemoth is still operating.

Why am I getting e-mails from them? It provides links to a different site, Christian Reader, I think, but I'm surprised to continue getting e-mails from them. I'm irritated at what seems to be Doug Phillips' deception and am wondering if he still has a hand in this somehow.

I read your first post and laughed out loud thinking what people would think if I said "Oh, I could never send my kids to the government school (like you do)." I will certainly think about that the next time someone tells me they couldn't homeschool. But I'm a little warped, no?!

It would depend a bit on your audience. Do you have boys, girls or both and what ages are you looking for? The Laura Ingalls Wilders books are all good, as well as The Boxcar Children series. We just finished listening to Hatchet by Gary Paulsen that my boys enjoyed. The YWAM biographies are good as well. Look at the Sonlight books on their website, or the Heart of Dakota website. Both have good book choices, but they are just two of many.