So I know pretty well what *I* like, but I'm wondering about this concept of catering things to your kids' learning styles...is it very possible to figure this out without buying loads of stuff, trying it, and discarding? And yes, I like WTM/Classical, although I've read several books on classical hsing and SWB's definitely appeals to me the most, for whatever reason. :-)

This link was SUPER helpful, thanks!

Hi, I'm new here, at least as far as posting goes. :-) I have two under two, so we won't be schooling for awhile, but partially I enjoy research and preparing, so I'm starting to look into things-- and partially, I think it's going to take awhile to sort through things, so I'd better get started. :-D I love SWB's book and that's where we'll be starting, but...even with that, I'm not sure quite how to pick curriculums or ideas, even amongst the ones suggested in WTM. I haven't cross referenced with the book, but I gather that there are plenty of curriculums discussed on here that aren't in the book, so that just adds to the list I have to choose from. :-) Where does one start? How do you choose without spending hundreds of wasted dollars on try-and-discards? Any and all advice appreciated. :-D

Well, I'm glad our oldest is still in utero...looks like it's going to take me until she starts school to get all this reading done! :-D But it's exactly what I was looking for, so thank you, everybody!

Wow, thanks! I had no idea there were so many out there. Can't wait to look into some of these!

We're just looking in to Classical schooling and I'm loving it and pretty sold on it. I don't NEED more books on the topic, but we do have a few years before we'll implement, and if there are more books out there on the topic, I'd love to know about them. I have SWB's Well Trained Mind (of course), as well as Leigh Bortin's The Core. Are there more similar ones out there? I haven't had much luck finding any. Online resources are also welcome-- articles and the like. I would also love some links to discussions or articles on the benefits/value of poetry. It's a topic I've never enjoyed or done well with, but I instinctively believe that there's some value to it if somebody would just tell me what it is. :-) Thanks so much!

For anybody who is a member of the WEM discussion group (found here), we have started the next book, Pilgrim's Progress. Some folks are subscribed to the group news forum and will receive an email with this info, but for everyone else, maybe you'll see it here. :-) And, of course, new members welcome. The more the merrier for good discussions! -Kirstyn

Wow, I'm starting to get concerned...three chapters in and I thought the book was hilarious, but maybe it gets repetitive in its crazy length? But I'm determined to get through all the books, even the ones I don't like. We can all get bored and keep going together. :-D (I expect I'll struggle with that when it's Moby Dick time...)

Thanks everybody, looking into all of them now. :-D

I wasn't taught grammar either...I picked up a lot of it by reading, but I have no idea what stuff is called or WHY it's correct. :-) That was quite a problem when I took Spanish. I'll look at it, thanks!

Looking to extend my self education a bit but have no idea where to start with Latin-- what would you all recommend for a starter Latin course for an adult?

I just think Susan Bauer is great, so anything she writes or encourages, I'm all for. :-D Isn't the WEM inspiring?! So glad you're interested in jumping in too, Lucinda...I've been looking at these others saying they're going to do WEM (or similar) AND another topic and I'm starting to wonder if I should start Latin instead of waiting until I have to teach the kids! I agree that WEM will be a long haul project, but I'm planning for that and hope to stick to it even for books I don't like, just for the good it'll do me. :-D

Thanks Lori! As soon as we get our plan of attack figured out, I'll make sure to post a note in each of those threads in case anyone is still interested (or interested again).

I'm only three chapters in, so why don't you PM me next week when you're ready to start and we can figure out how we want to tackle it? I'll just wait to keep going until then.

Awesome, I guess that decides it for us. What do you think, Amy? When do you want to start?

Amy-- awesome! I was trying to decide if I wanted a public forum (LOTS of input) or just a one-on-one scenario for discussion-- but I still don't know. :-D Thoughts? Probably one thread per book would be easiest to keep track of instead of one for the whole project. (Imagine that mess...) I just started Don Quixote yesterday, but I have NO idea how quickly I'll get through the list. I'm a fast reader but this project will take longer than a typical book. I'm enthused about the project so will probably go at a pretty decent pace but I expect Don Quixote will take me 2-3 weeks looking at the size of it! But I'll be busier some weeks than others, so if you want to commit to this I see no reason why we can't accommodate each other to a reasonable extent.

Candid-- thanks for the idea! I googled WEM and found a website that's basically a group inspired challenge to read a list of at least 50 classics (the WEM list is closer to 100) and then you can discuss them in through various ways. I think I'll do that since it's free! Nan-- it'd be awesome if you did have time, but I realize I'm in the unique position of getting interested in homeschooling (and thus stumbling across WEM) long before I have any kids to teach! That's part of the reason I'm doing this project now. :-D Good idea of posting to the general ed forum, I think I might do that. Joy-- not a bad way to do it, and probably more manageable to keep track of if it's a forum chat and not a PM. I have no idea how long this list will take me, but I expect awhile! Reading the books could conceivably be sped up, but to do all the notes and reflections will take a lot of extra time. But-- if I'm going to do it, might as well do it right. :-D

Hi! I'm new here and I actually joined hoping to find someone to work through the Well Educated Mind with. (No kids yet, so not homeschooling, although classical homeschooling is definitely our plan.) I haven't found any real life friends interested in this somewhat gargantuan project, so I thought I'd check online. I'm not really looking for accountability; I'd just like to find someone to discuss the books with as recommended in the WEM. Any interest? Thanks for your time!