http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162741&highlight=cle+math+singapore Here's an older thread with some ideas. I'm thinking about just getting the "A" workbooks for summer and off days. I think some others mentioned just getting the textbook. I'd love to hear other ideas too!

I didn't vote.... but would have marked three... Presentations were the best part (though with three kids trying to prepare, it was often a thorn in the side too) With 4 school aged children next year, I decided it was not worth the cost. We are not returning next year. I do not like our school work to be memory driven and I felt that to go and not touch the memory work during the week was sending the wrong message to my kids. Also, since I'll have 4 school age next year, I would like to stagger subjects for each of them and giving up a day to a co-op that didn't meet more of my needs would take too much of our time during the week. If you are only considering it for one student - you won't have many of the issues I mentioned - it could be a great co-op experience for both of you. My only caveat would be to consider if your 6th grader has already out grown Foundations.

My .02: I use CLE with my 5th grader and like it. I kept thinking I would want it for my younger ones, but ultimately decided against it for several reasons. 1) I feel like it is SO thorough that it might suck whatever joy is to be found right out of LA. 2)My oldest did FLL 1-4 (and we didn't do every lesson of 1/2, nor did we do every lesson of level 4) and went into CLE 500 without problem. In other words, I like that CLE 500 is finishing him off and making sure we don't over look the little things. But I like that FLL 1-4 gave him a solid foundation in grammar - AND we were able to do it 3x per week. (With CLE if you don't do it everyday - or nearly everyday - you get behind - and that is no fun!) So, if you did switch to FLL (or something like it instead of all inclusive CLE), I would add whatever spelling you want (try SWO if you want - it's easier on you - but use AAS phonograms and rules to apply to the SWO words). As far as WWE goes.... couple options - either back up a level (because the dictation difficulty increases quickly in my opinion) OR make up your own dictation sentences from the spelling words (gives another chance to solidify spelling instead of making misspelled words during dictation time an issue) and then just work on narration in other subjects as you already are. As confidence increases, gradually start dictating his narrations back to him, just as you would if you were using WWE. Btw, re. to understanding vs. retention with FLL: Great job that he can say all the definitions! I would definitely go on to FLL 3. He will start diagramming sentences (so gently!) that now the definitions will start to make more sense. He will *see* why it matters what a preposition is because he will see where it goes on the diagram (actually not sure if they diagram prepositions in FLL 3 or 4.... but you see what I mean?) Sounds to me like things are going well!

We have not done Challenge, so I cannot speak from experience. I considered having my oldest son do Challenge A next year because some of his friends were moving up and I think he's too old for another year of CC Foundations. But he was a 5th grader this year (though he has a fall birthday) and it would technically have been skipping a grade level for him. In the end we have decided not to do it.... All that to say this, LOL. As I was researching it, I was also trying to decide how much we could add at home (we are history lovers here and couldn't imagine a year without it). I think it comes down to your tutor. Some tutors are more laid back, or maintain greater margin for parental influence, etc. Other tutors may interpret the program more rigorously. I would talk to your tutor about time spent each week (ours felt the hour/day/subject guideline was overkill), talk to parents of kids who were in the class this year, etc. Also, remember the first semester does not have a literature component as the focus is on IEW Bible Based Writing, so maybe there will be time for extra reading? I think it would also depend on if your daughter is used to IEW, not a reluctant writer, etc. Some of our Challenge A families said one semester was more time consuming than the other - but I can't remember which. Best wishes!

Another thought might be to do FLL 3 in 3rd, FLL 4 in 4th and then switch to CLE or R&S in 5th grade. My oldest son did FLL 3 and most of FLL 4 before I put him in CLE 500 and he is doing fine. This might be a more gentle transition but still give a very sound foundation in grammar. (You would need to add spelling to FLL.) My 2nd ds has just started FLL3 and he's doing fine even though we never finished all of FLL 1/2.

I'm so relieved to hear you say this. I have had a hard time finding a grammar stage Latin program I like for this very reason. I've been using GSWL (which of course wouldn't work for someone who has already had LC), but now I don't know where to go next. My oldest can try Latin Prep, but my 2nd ds is likely too young for it. Anyway, I don't have any answers, just appreciation :)

Can you tell me more about how you do this (or plan to do it)? And why you chose the textbook over the workbook? :bigear: Thanks!

Just thought I'd bump you up again :) I have switched all of mine to CLE math this year. It is perfect for two of mine. The other ds is more mathy I think. I want to stick with CLE for him because it is so thorough and solid, but I'm thinking of adding in Singapore on the side as well. I already have CWP (old one) but I'm debating between two thoughts - either add the Extra Practice book (since it's not broken into A and B one book would cover an entire level and the answers are in the back) or add in Workbook A (since a lot of the topics in workbook B are time, money, measurement and these are already covered in a spiral fashion in CLE). Not totally logical thinking, but there it is. I also think he could handle doubling up on CLE lessons once a week or so - only doing the review from one, but the new material from two. (But then when I'm trying to decide which review to skip, I have a hard time - they both look so beneficial!)

I saw this at the Cincy homeschool conference. Not sure how many levels they have yet and whether they have one that would work after LCI. We've been using GSWL and I wasn't sure my ds would like the change in approach. I think Logos Latin is more grammar-stage-ish. (I'm going by a vague memory tainted by the overstimulation of an entire homeschool conference :D)

Great thread.... as always when you ladies poat! I'm bookmarking this one. This will have to do for "rep" I guess. :D

:iagree: I also immediately thought of the new Memoria Press State Study, which I'm tucking away in my memory bank for a future year :)

At the risk of posting an unpopular reply.... I'm not sure you and your dh are as far apart on this as you think. I'm not totally familiar with MODG, but my inexperienced opinion is that you could still use it and probably accomplish your goals as well as your dh's. Montessori is not the only way to instill a love of learning. If you love what you are reading to him (for example) he will very likely become enthusiastic for it as well. Go to the homeschool conference and enjoy it. Odds are you will both hear something new or unexpected that might give you a different perspective. It is the marrying of your two perspectives together that will likely be most helpful to your son.

I've only used SCM to help me make my own plans - I haven't used their exact recommendations.... so that's probably why my impression of SCM is that it is more flexible, while AO is more planned? If you are looking for more organized plans for AO.... have you been to the Yahoo groups for each AO year? There are term schedules in the files section.

hmmmm... the fifth grade selections would tie in nicely with middle ages if anyone's looking for middle ages stuff for 5th/6th grade. (Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green King Arthur by Roger Lancelyn Green The Hobbit by C.S. Lewis) Curious if they go much beyond comprehension? I already have a Logos Upper Grammar Lit guide that covers Adam of the Road (and 4 other books), so I doubt I'll get anything from MP. Still, it's nice to have options :)

Oooh, Carmen has a good idea with picture dictionary books. I was going to add that after you get further down the road of improved speech (and I would either seek out speech therapy or some exercises you can work on at home) I would add FLL1 before I start WWE1. FLL1 has guided (scripted) conversation back and forth - will help you coach complete sentences, etc. I would begin with this before I add the harder skills (imo) of comprehension and restating and copywork (copywork of words he will probably have no idea how to read) in WWE. Just my .02. As far as a lit. based curriculum - I don't think it matters which one. Meet him on this level and stretch his listening skills gradually and you will get where you want to go. If he still likes books on a 2 -4 year level you could easily start with Before Five in a Row, or Five in a Row. When you see more improvement you could look at Veritas Press First Comprehension Guides - they use similar books but include comprehension activities, copywork, and suggestions for fun activities too. If you want something to guide you more - I *personally* would just use the books from any of the programs you're considering, but not spend a lot of money on the whole program/guide.

For everyone, we're not enrolling in CC after 3 years. For my middle children... I'm going back to AO(year 2) but we're going to try Sonlight Science 1. For my younger (K/preK) I'm going to use CLE LTR for the first time. For my oldest - lots of new things - Diana Waring's History, Art of Argument from CAP, Latin Prep, Rainbow Science. I'm looking forward to it!

I happen to know first hand that she IS a lovely girl. I'm just sorry her job this summer isn't coming down to *my* house. :001_smile:

BIBLE BSF: Isaiah Review Gospels w/VP Cards MATH CLE 300 Singapore CWP Grammar FLL3 WRITING WWE 2/3 READING Elson Reader Book 3 SPELLING/VOCABULARY SWO C (w/ SWR markings, phonograms, rules) HISTORY/Geography/LIT/Artist Study/Music Study, etc. AO Yr 2 SCIENCE Sonlight 1 LATIN GSWL (finish) (I think Latin Prep will be next, but not sure if it will be 2nd semester or 4th grade) Competitive Chess, piano lessons

I would do this. If you want to break into AO gradually and cover ancients as you do it.... I would use a good children's story bible (Golden or Vos or whatever you prefer) and add in CHOW chapters and 50 Famous Stories when chronologically appropriate. (When you get to Rome, start adding in the chapters from Island Story until you're back with the AO schedule) Stick to 2 or 3 days a week continuing to do FIAR lightly the other days. When it is going well, add in some of the easier Year 1 readings - D'Aulaire books, maybe Burgess Bird Book, James Herriot's Treasury for Children... there are others I'm forgetting. Save Parables from Nature and the Holling C. Holling books, Shakespeare, etc. for the next year. If it takes you longer than a year to do Year 1, that's okay... she'll be better prepared to step it up a notch after that.

:iagree: I know you are providing/requiring plenty of whole, classical, living books in addition to CLE, so I say only good can come from keeping it :)

Lisa, Thank you so much for sharing your plan! That is helpful and gives me more to think about. Thanks! :001_smile:

You are SO tempting me to consider LLfLOTR.... we will do middle ages next year, but I'm debating if I'd rather save LLfLOTR until he's a bit older. I also saw some of Lori D's posts about using LLfLOTR for discussion and not worrying so much about the comprehension questions which might work better for us.... I really want to keep next year fairly simple since I will be adding a 4th "student" and dh is deployed.... Decisions, decisions :) I also bookmarked this older thread where Lori D. talks about how she used LLfLOTR: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5476&highlight=LLfLOTR

I agree with you that I would require a certain amount of time each day for Free Reading. Just put the selections you want to require on a shelf and tell them they can read anything from that shelf as long as they read X minutes/day. That way, they still have some choice in the matter. And if things get really frustrating you can always put books from earlier years on their shelf and they don't have to know you are tweaking. Also, to get them more accustomed to the change in vocabulary and sentence structure I would choose something to read aloud to all of them. Pyle's Robin Hood is a great read aloud - so many unusual words and subtle humor. I think if you want them to love these books you may have to lure them in, so to speak. And.... nothing wrong with them taking a book slowly.... letting them chew on it a bit. If they are reading more slowly than you want them to, pick a 2nd book to read aloud and let them chew on two at once. Lastly.... only you know if they will end up with too much reading adding AO books onto HO... but I would work more on cultivating the love of the books - the quantity and speed can come later.

Kim Let me encourage you! My oldest son has had the most AO of any of my children and he began as my slowest one to learn to read. That doesn't sound very encouraging.... but what I mean is this - he loved AO and loved being read aloud to even though his own reading didn't catch up for some time. If I were you I would decide which year to do based on maturity and listening skills more than reading skills. My 2nd ds was reading better for his age when I first tried AO Yr 1 with him but his attentiveness and listening skills weren't ready for AO books. Six months later he was more ready. Btw, with my oldest... he didn't read anything AO on his own until 4th or 5th grade (though we had strayed from AO a bit by then, but I still used some AO book selections). I still count our true AO years as some of our best and look to those as guidance for his siblings.

Well.... depending on how much grammar and writing you want.... you might look into... Elson Readers w/Teacher Guides or Galore Park - I forget the name of the product that would be appropriate for a 2nd grader (if there is one.... it might be more appropriate the next year) or Classical Writing Primer That's all I can think of right now. If you look at these, tell us what you like or what's lacking :)