HI - just wondering if any Catholics out there use Mystery of History and how do you find it? Have you run into any issues with later volumes? We are catholic but quite flexible, and have loved using Volume 1, was just wondering about the later volumes, and if they are suitable for a catholic family. Thanks :)

She's going to be doing a LIberal Arts certificate - Latin is not required but would be very helpful :)

We completed Prima Latina and part of LC1 a few years ago. Since we moved interstate, Latin studies fell by the wayside, but I wanted to pick them up again this year, planning to move through LC1, 1st and 2nd Form over the next couple of years. However, my 16 year old may now be headed for a Catholic college next year. This now gives me 15 weeks to get back into Latin and fit in as much as we can! I'd like at least to give her a basic understanding of Latin, without pushing too hard. in our 15 weeks, would you do LC1 or First Form? I'm thinking we are more likely to complete LC1, but wonder if it wouldn't be better to jump into First Form and get as much done as we can. Thoughts? Linda in Australia.

HI - suddently I find myself in a situation where, instead of two more years, my daughter may be headed for college next year! I'm wondering if there is a book, curriculum, etc. that would give a sweep of world history - we have covered ancients and part way through medieval, so mainly from that point on - we have 4 months to fit in as much as we can! Any suggestions? Anything around the year 8-9 level would be great, just so she has a basic knowledge of world history, I don't need anything in depth. Thanks :)

Quick question - what colour were the card in the back of Fables, Myths and Fairy Tales? want to make sure I have the right ones! Thanks!

They sure are - this has been a fantastic help - thanks all! :thumbup1:

We have a WINNER! Although I'm VERY fascinated that there's a shower curtain, she's very into sudoku, and I think she'll LOVE this - thankyou! Thanks for all the great ideas - I think we'll be having some fun with this topic - love the song, too! :hurray:

Hi - anyone know of a no-fuss, interesting, even fun way to learn about the periodic table? I have a 16 year old - not much interest in science, but she is interested in learning the periodic table! Any ideas? Any downloadable things we could look at? Or any suggested resources? Thanks! Linda.

HI - I'd like to hear from those who have used, or at least had a good look at, both the IEW programme and the Complete Writer, by SWB. How do they compare? Is there much difference in philosopies between the two programmes? Has anyone out there actually made up some sort of chart to compare the two? What things are the same? What are different? Any other comments or opinions on how the two programmes compare? Thanks!

OK - so we've been homeschooling for around 17 years, and history STILL is a challenge for me! After a huge move interstate, our homeschool year has been totall disrupted, and I'm now planning for January. We are so far behind, but I think I have most things sorted - except history. Next year, I'll have my four youngest girls still at home - aged 15, 14, 12, and 10. We're probably a bit behind as far as reading and studying abilities go - so I want to use a programme that won't cause too much frustration, but will include some research and notetaking skills. We'll be doing Australian History, and that is sorted, but I'd like to do some World History as well. Nothing too heavy, or it simply won't get done, but enough so they have a basic coverage of the topic. Looking at doing history 2-3 days per week. I have so many programmes on my shelf, but I'm having trouble deciding which to use. I have: Famous Men Series Memoria Press Classical Studies Programme Guerber's History Books (Nothing New Press) Story of the World Illustrated Kingfisher History Encyclopedia ABCs of Christian Culture History Portfolios - Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Konos Kings and Queens Unit Truthquest Plus all the History Scribe Books on my Computer. And I have the Timeline Charts from Homeschool in the Woods, which we'll use. And no doubt a heap of other things - many of which are as yet still unpacked from our move. Any favourite suggestions for that age group? And should I combine them all together or separate? Linda.

Hi Angie. Basically, if a person / text / opinion is anti-Catholic, it means they are against the Catholic Church and its teachings. This can come across in inaccuracies, bias, or simply the tone and attitude towards the church. Last Christmas, for example, a Baptist preacher give the children's talk at the local public Christimas Carols. He went on and on about how Mary and Joseph had s_x after they were married. There was absolutely no reason for this, except he was putting forward his 'anti-Catholic' view - using the opportunity to put forward his opinions; it was completely inappropriate, and not the time nor the place. Some books may say such things as: 'The Catholics believed that the Pope was the head of the church, however, we know that it is not man, but God who is the head of the church'. Both Protestants and Catholics would agree - God IS the head, but as Catholics, we believe the Pope holds the position of the head of the church ON EARTH until the return of Christ. So often, it's not what is said in these curriculums, but how it is said. And, in history books in particular, the Catholic Church is presented in a bad light, as an evil institution rather than a church which serves God. I hope that helps,

LOL! After all that time trying to decided between the two, I remembered that we had 'Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings' on the shelf - he took one look and said, 'yep - I like to do THAT!'. So, that's what we're now doing. Still, I no doubt shall use both WtW and TEE in the future with my girls. Thanks for all the responses, I appreciate it.

Thanks for your replies! I think we'll go with Windows - we've done so much essay writing, but not so much literature analysis. And, with six children still at home, I need to take the easiest route - by the sounds of it, WtW is easier to use that TEE. Having said that, we'll most likely use TEE once my younger girls have completed SICC. Thanks!

My son has about six months left of homeschooling. We've done a lot of IEW courses - SWI, SICC, Advanced Communication, History-Based Writing Lessons, and Speech Boot Camp. We've also completed Teaching the Classics and some of the extra DVDs, 'The Classics Club'. I'm trying to decide what to use as our final book - Windows to the World, or The Elegant Essay? Ultimately, I'd like to do both, but realistically, we won't have time, so, we need to choose. Ideas or suggestions?

I love that response - must use it sometime! But seriously, this is really creepy. I would never even think of doing such a thing - very weird. And unethical. Maybe I should browse their site, and see if they'll place a call to Australia? Then again, they'd probably call at 2 or 3am (had that happen before, with other companies), so best not to, I guess....

:iagree:

Next year, I've decided to use Lapbooking along with our study of the Middle Ages. Just wondering if anyone has used the Middle Ages Lapbook from any of these companies: Live & Learn Press Knowledge Box Central , or Hands of a Child Any opinions, comments, or suggestions? Thanks,

Thanks, Sandra - good info! I've been in touch with a couple of companies that import them from Hong Kong. One camera was just over $300, and at a store nearby to me, it was something like $600! Definitely worth shopping around. Good luck with your studies next year!

Amen! Don't they just drive you crazy sometimes?

Well, I'll mention this quickly, and then take a flying leap to duck the rotten tomatoes...... Lord of the Rings. I really do like the story, and I know it's brilliant, but I just cannot get through it! I did actually get through the first book (of three), but I just can't bring myself to read all those pages that describle the forest, the scenery, etc. However, I have read similar books - including the Inheritence Cycle. I also read Wind in the Willows for the first time ever this year - I LOVED it! I guess different people just like different things - and that's the just way it is.

Thanks everyone! I'm still torn between the Canon and the Panasonic - oh, decisions, decisions!

Price Range - up to about $500. But that is Australian prices, I've no idea how that compares to US prices at the moment, although it should be fairly similar, as we're currently sitting even in the exchange rates.

Just because of the time it takes, and for transportation. I need a camera I can simply pick up, turn on, and take the shot.

Hi all. My dear hubby has announced to me he'd like to buy me a new digital camera for Christmas! :001_smile: I currently have a Canon Powershot A590, so I'm looking to upgrade from that. After much research, I've come up with the following list of possibilities (but, I'm sure there are more!): Canon Powershot SX30 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Fujifilm FinePix S4000 Fujifilm FinePix HS20. I'm after something with the following features: Good zoom (doesn't need to be a super-zoom, but so I can zoom in on a building, etc. from some distance away) Good, clear, pictures Good videos (although we do have a video camera as well) Most of the photos I take are of the children - so quick shutter speed is of high priority, as they tend to move! Animals, my Art Work, and Old Buildings. Often I need to 'snap' the building as we drive past (hubby doesn't like to stop all the time). So, I need something I can pull out, switch on, and take the photo quickly. I'd also prefer a camera where I do not have the change the lens. I think a 'bridge' camera is what I'm looking for, but I'm too far from a camera or electrical store to pop in and take a look, so I'm left with online research. Any suggestions would be most appreciated - thankyou so much! Linda.

We've spent some time on the Ancients, and are now covering Medieval Times. We've been using the History Portfolios along with SOTW - love it! But what I would like to find is a 'brief' overview of modern times (1600 - ), covering the main events, places, and people of World History in around 10 weeks, so we can then concentrate on Australian History. Any suggestions?