That makes sense. I did lots of outlining in school and college, but since I am teaching my own kids, and learning so many new techniques, and backing off of so many others, I was curious about how it all played into the whole narration component that CM speaks of. I agree that it is a great skill. Thanks!

What is the reason that SWB recommends outlining? Is this skill as important as narrating? Does it take the place of it? I am confused as to when to use outlining, and when to use narrating. I come from a strictly CM background where outlining is not used, at least to my knowledge. Thanks!

Thanks for the replies. I like the idea of Teaching the Classics and WWE. I am beginning to realize that I think my issue is that I don't feel like we are getting enough from this great material we are reading, and since I am using AO as a curriculum, there are no guides, discussion questions, etc... written in. The other issue is that as we move into written narrations, I am realizing that my kids need some formal instruction on writing. Thanks!

I am wondering if you can suggest a curriculum that writes in some narration exercises or dictation exercises. I am doing AO and feel like just narrating isn't enough. The material does not seem to be cementing to us, or coming all together, if that makes sense. I don't like busy work, but would like something that uses living books, i.e. AO material and writes in other suggested activities or thought provoking questions. I'm thinking that maybe Truthquest or Biblioplan or Illuminations may be a fit, but wondering any of you have advice, suggestions, etc... Thanks!

bonniebeth and morosophe, Thanks so much for your thoughts and suggestions. I will look into all of the resources you mentioned. Some of them I am familiar with, but it has been some time since I've looked at them thoroughly. Another question I have is; I read in TWTM that we should be using the Kingfisher World History book and making a History notebook consisting of what we read about each week. Does this take the place of written narrations from our history readings? What does the classical method say about doing written narrations? We have not yet gotten there, but I do write out my kids narrations from time to time. Should I also be keeping the history notebook? Thanks!

Melis, Thanks, and you response was very helpful. You got me thinking, so let me tell you a bit more about what we are doing. For History, we are reading A Child's History of the World, Our Island Story, and American History is This Country of Ours. Geography is Marco Polo. We are also reading a biography on Da Vinci, The Story of Inventions, Pilgrims Progress, Heroes for Greek Mythology, Trial and Triumph for early Christian heroes, and Shakespeare for Children. Now, we don't get to all of that every week. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed since I am having to read all of this aloud. My 11 year ds has dyslexia, and my 9 year old dd is not a very independent reader yet, aside from books like Magic Tree House, etc... Truth be told, I think I feel like I am failing since I can't get to all of this, and I fumble through, deciding what to read from day to day, not wanting to create any gaps in learning. It has become more of a job than enjoyment for me. This was not always the case. The books are great, I think it is maybe just too much? Especially since I am reading it all to them. And, mostly my daughter is loosing her enjoyment in listening to each story, knowing that she has to narrate. It's harder for her as she is a visual learner. My son is a great narrator as he is an auditory learner. Ok, now where am I? Do I re-vamp everything? Do I just take some books out, and if so, which ones? What is the most important? Oh, and another thing. I feel terrible that we have not been doing any biblical studies. I miss having biblical history as part of our history readings. The CM curriculum I follow does not have history selections that are from a biblical history perspective. CM had the children reading right from the word each day. That is great, but I still miss the intertwining of God's story into what we are reading. I know that The Mystery of History does this, but not sure what other books I could use that would do the same. One last piece is that we are using Easy Grammar for grammar and nothing for writing. I guess I am not sure if I should add a writing piece or change to something that teachers grammar and writing together? Grammar is easy for my 9 year old dd, not quite as easy for my 11 year old ds (dyslexia). Now that I have rambled, do you have any other thoughts? Thanks so much!

Hello, I am considering a switch the TWTM curriculum and am not quite sure where to start. I am using a Charlotte Mason style curriculum right now, and what I like about it is that I can pretty much keep my kids together for History and literature. My kids are in 4th and 5th grades and we are in the Middle Ages for History this year. I realize that according the Classical Method, my 5th grader would be in the logic stage either this year, or next. Is that correct? If that is the case, would I need to begin splitting them up in our readings? Is there a way to follow TWTM and still keep my kids together. They are 1 grade apart but close to 2 years in age. My son is 11 and daughter is 9. They will be 10 and 12 this summer. I have the 1st edition of TWTM and see that there is new edition. What is new in this edition? Does the book lay out all of the books that I would be doing? Do we just jump in according to grade year? How does the catalog differ from the book in terms of the curriculum schedule given? I hope that I was clear in my questioning. I guess my 2 main questions are: How do I jump in when we haven't used TWTM in the past, and is there a way to keep my kids together in History and Literature? Thanks so much for all of your help and suggestions. Blessings, Angela