Just switched my signature over -- DD9 just returned to PS this month after a year and a half of homeschooling -- our reasons were primarily financial. I don't see us having the ability to homeschool again, anytime soon. They're in our first-choice public school -- ethnically and socio-economically diverse, with a strong community of engaged parents and a strong arts focus. Both girls had been in since K: we had pulled DD9 for third and fourth grade. Continuing the list of hands-down winners from our homeschooling time (see below) is my remedy for the trade-offs of large class sizes and standard curriculum. I look forward to checking into this afterschooling board frequently! Life of Fred Fractions/Decimals, Michael Clay Thompson Town series, Latina Christiana I, SOTW II

... for the link to history teachers on youtube. I've been viewing these clips with my kid, and haven't stopped laughing for an hour...Fantastic!

For two reasons: We withdrew DD from PS after grade 2, and joined forces with a pretty creative group of moms who were on their second 4-yr rotation through history with their eldest. DD9 (now grade 4) is enjoying learning about the middle ages along with 7 other kids ranging from 7 - 12. Though we're behind the suggested four year rotations, I think the benefits of the group outweigh any costs... If there was not a group option, I still would have started with the ancients. It just makes sense. I may creatively incorporate early modern and modern in her 7th and 8th grade years in some way, but I'll deal with that later!

We're an early start here -- so after morning activities are complete, from 9:00 - 9:30 we toggle: Run around the block together (means mom has her tennies and jog bra at the ready) or yoga and meditation (using an iPhone meditation app and a fabulous poster of positions from "Laughing Lotus Yoga" here in SF) http://sf.laughinglotus.com/ These are LIFESAVERS! Also, frequent snacking. Astounding what a stack of sunflower seeds on hand can produce is this what they call "over share"... ?

I love the Great Scientist Series mentioned above! This may also be useful: Our History co-op has expanded to science and history for this year, and each Wednesday's meeting will toggle between the two: chapters/activities from SOTW II, and Astronomy/Earth Science experiments and field trips. To prep, I picked up VanCleave's Scientists through the Ages, as well as Allaby/Gjertsen's Makers of Science from the library, and noted which scientists were either mentioned or covered in detail. (These are from Ancient Times and Middle Ages only, but they may still be helpful!) Here they are, in list form – including birth/death dates. Apologies for misspellings...! Makers of Science: Allaby/Gjertsen 384-322 BCE, Aristotle 1473-1543, Nicolaus Copernicus 1564-1642, Galileo Galilei 1571-1630, Johannes Kepler 1578-1657, William Harvey 1642-1727, Isaac Newton 1707-1778, Carolus Linnaeus 1743-1794, Antoine Lavoisier Scientists Through the Ages: VanCleave 625?-?546 BCE, Thales 460?-370? BCE, Democritus 450-370 BCE, Leucippus 384-322 BCE, Aristotle 372?-287? BCE, Theophrastus 287-212 BCE, Archimedes 190-120 BCE, Hipparchus 100-170, Claudius Ptolemy 965-1039, Alhazen 1452-1519, Leonardo da Vinci 1473-1543, Nicolaus Copernicus 1544-1603, William Gilbert 1546-1601, Tycho Brahe 1564-1642, Galileo Galilei 1571-1630, Johannes Kepler 1602-1686, Otto von Guericke 1622-1703, Vincenzo Viviani 1623-1662, Blaise Pascal 1627-1691, Robert Boyle 1629-1695, Christiaan Huygens 1632-1723, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek 1635-1682, Johann Becher 1635-1703, Robert Hooke 1642-1727, Sir Isaac Newton 1660-1734, Grorg Stahl 1686-1736, Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit 1701-1744, Anders Celsius

Knowing the program was developed for older kids, I'm still going to try as much as I can with my science lovin’ incoming fourth grader. In terms of cost: I ordered the first two sets of student/teacher quest guides (along with all three main books) at a DEEP discount. Check out this earlier WTM post: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186055&highlight=joy+hakim+science

We combined MCT's Classic Word List, the Princeton Review GRE prep word list, and the occasional "word of the day" calendar entry to make a list of fun words for the year. I redesigned a worksheet I found online and have my daughter fill it out weekly: it requires dictionary look-up, synonym/antonym, "use in a sentence" and BONUS: there's a spot for an illustration. We're doing the Voyage level of MCT this year, and Caesar's English will play a big role. But this is a fun supplemental activity. I can't attach the pdf to this post, but if you want it, pm me your email address. KC

Cool. Love a relaxed approach. Thanks everyone!

Has anyone actually "scheduled" this? I just want a sense of how to pace it. My 8 year old would do this all day if we didn't have more than a few other items on the to do list... Thanks in advance!

http://www.rfwp.com/3994.htm This is a guide to literary terms, so it's not exactly what you're asking for. But since it covers film studies and media literacy, it may be helpful to you and your group. You can view sample pages and the TOC online. Here is the description on the website: " The authors describe this useful handbook as a 'toolbox' of vocabulary for literary analysis. They list and define hundreds of terms that are used to study and appreciate literature and give wide-ranging examples of where they occur. The sections cover: the forms and genres of literature, an introduction to style, Literary Movements and Periods, film studies and media literacy. There is a comprehensive index making the book an ideal handbook for students of English Literature. Sample pages show you the Table of Contents, Introduction to Style section and the Index to indicate the coverage of the book. "

I agree with above posts -- we're happy with the daily list process too. One thing to add: Once in a while my kid is inspired to write a paragraph using every word in that day's list. These pieces won't win Pulitzers, but I figure they're good spelling reinforcement (and great for a laugh).

You're the best, thanks!

Good point, quiverfull (!) Excellent suggestion ElizabethB (!) I sent notes last week to a couple of authors/companies to see if they are planning to produce posters. (Wouldn't want to offend or get into copyright trouble.) If they were not planning to, I hoped to receive permission. They'd receive full credit, no money would change hands ... No word yet. Hearing of Brunner's materials / understanding that they are tied into ABC's and All Their Tricks (by several accounts, a terrific resource!) is exciting. Does anyone own this? Have opinions? KC

A poster like this would fill a bit of a gap around here -- my kids and I aren't built for the rigor of Riggs or SWR. Though we love Spelling Power and MCT, and do an outside writing course, I think we need a more visible reminder of spelling rules and phonograms to round out our LA program. It's funny, my background is in design and I'm ending up creating a lot of the tools we need if I don't see things out there that fit the bill. I'm sure I'm not alone... Give me a bit of time and I'll post a link to a downloadable pdf for y'all in a future reply, fully crediting the source(s), of course! KC

My science-minded fourth grader is going to love this series. And I am impressed with the turnkey Teacher and Student quest guides -- comprehensive, multidisciplinary, easy-to-follow units built around the Aristotle and Newton Hakim chapters. Lesson plans? Check! Aristotle would be great to use in conjunction with (or shortly following) the ancient history year. Our history group used SOTW1 as a spine this past year, so the historical groundwork is laid. Thanks again for the heads up on this sale, Scrapbabe! KC

the source could be me -- I'll note your address and email you a pdf of what I create if you'd like --

30 views, no replies I think these don't exist :) Is anyone interested in pdfs after I create them? You can just upload them to your local copy shop to have them enlarged... KC

Has anyone ever seen a poster version of English spelling rules (along the lines of Riggs Institute or Spell to Write and Read) or a complete set of phonograms? I know you can order two-sided cards for both, but I’m looking for something I can hang on the wall. More for me than the kids, ha. Thanks in advance, KC

If that's the font you downloaded, then PM me -- I have some tricks up my sleeve and can send you MSWord docs to give you a head start!

Will you be using it next year? Yes, Town is already on the shelf. What level did you use? Island, we started homeschooling for third grade and it felt appropriate to start at the beginning. What level will you use? Town next year Did you use all of the components or some of them? All, though we're still completing both Practice Island and Music of the Hemispheres. MotH will be done by mid June, and we'll continue PI lightly throughout the summer to keep it fresh. If you supplemented, with what and why? We instituted a "poem of the day" since starting MotH -- I thought it would be nice to tie lessons into what was sort of languishing on our bookshelves. I am also thinking hard, after visiting a culmination program of an Oakland CA-based co-op this week, about more formal phonics. The kids presented their work with Spell to Write and Read and their grasp of the 28 rules was impressive. I am certain my daughter will balk, but some sort of chart or incorporation of phonics to complement our LA program would be nice to have on hand. She reads (like you read about) and spells well for her age -- I know phonics is not MCT's focus -- but supplementing grammar with some phonics work (along with our regular Spelling Power program) sounds like the perfect LA mix. The writing is not an issue around here -- she is involved in a Lucy Calkins' Units of Study class offsite. Did you make changes along the way or did you stay the course? No changes, I just wish I had started earlier in the year -- I clued into MCT after a few months of FLL3, in January. Were you happy with test results? I have not yet tested, so I can't answer. I can say, though, that my kid GETS it. She understands what Island teaches at a deeper level than I thought possible. And, I know now, it's because MCT is story-based; engaging. LA is something she looks forward to.

At last, I am beginning to clue into my kid's rhythm. I see that block scheduling, at least for science, history and art, really works for her. But our process is not too formal. Though we do core math, language arts, Latin, regularly throughout the week, if I pick up that my kid wants to go down a rabbit trail, we'll build a unit (in quotations) around it. Sometimes that's a week's adventure, sometimes it's longer. Here is a recent example: Last month she was heavy into the chambered nautilus -- mostly because her PS peers are completing their requisite third grade animal projects and she wanted to do one as well. We did month's worth of youtube, CalAcademy of Sciences, Paxton Gate visits, and library research on this creature -- which meant she had to research, take notes on, and write on habits, physical description, family tree, etc. She wrote a report, did a display board (fine art points with the painting portion), and she now knows more about the chambered nautilus and all its goings-on than most grown ups. The ability to dig down deep without time constraints was a BIG motivator for both of us to attempt homeschooling. My kid is loathe to quick changes between subjects; loves immersion. Once she emerges, I find she's (well, really, we've) learned a great deal, and covered several disciplines in the process. Block scheduling allows depth, our regular schedule offers breadth. I love making room for the combination.

We are completing our first year's MCT adventure with Music of the Hemispheres this month -- I love this book, simply love it. But I agree that the perfect poem won't (can't) emerge from such a brief introduction. I do two things: celebrate what comes out on the first pass, and sit and revel with my kid in the poetry of others (this week: Shel Silverstein and Robert Frost). We've instituted a 'poem of the day' around here -- hilarious, and challenging -- but never boring. Exposure, exposure, exposure -- without judgment, without pressure. At this early stage, I see that as key. Next year, TOWN.

Fascinating thread, thanks for starting it! Our experience is similar to other posters. Some subjects my kid just inhales, and she’d do them 24/7 if she could. Others I find myself driving, setting expectations, constantly wondering if I’ve expected and encouraged enough from her. Her weekly contact with former PS classmates through her soccer team remind her that ‘regular school’ kids have deadlines and expectations. Now, I realize she’s only 8. And I, like other posters, have high hopes that self-motivation in all of the remaining subjects will kick in next year—or certainly by 5th grade, ha! The daily “did she do enough?†question is an interesting one. Again, compared with her PS peers, I think my child is getting more in terms of breadth and depth in every subject, every day – this was a key intention when we started this journey. I think it helps to understand the yearly arc of the curriculum you choose, and ensuring it’s at least as rigorous as what his/her peers are experiencing in other settings. And in measuring daily progress, it is also key to recognize and celebrate the enriching activities, field trips, and other projects that other alternatives could not allow. My kid is still quite young. I am not sure how I’ll handle the rigor I agree is necessary in the later grades to be taken seriously for college success and beyond. I trust that the skills I’ll need to ensure she has the skillset she needs, will grow alongside. Check in with me next year.

Ha! My file size is about 433K, exceeds the limit for this forum -- I've attached a teenie jpeg thumbnail, PM me with your personal emails if you want the full size pdf file. (I designed it in Adobe Illustrator, and saved it as a pdf.) We had it offset printed -- with several families going in, it wasn't too much per kiddo. If you have access to a tabloid sized laser printer, and some laser-friendly card stock, you're in business!

Our history group co-designed an 11x17 format timeline page, with (5) vertical columns for time periods, and (6) labeled horizontal lines for different themes: Leaders, Explorers & Empires; The Arts; Religion & Philosophy; Science & Technology; Structures & Architecture; and Daily Life. The kids write in their year span for the column: for ancients, it average about 200 years per section, for modern, it may end up as few as 5 years per section. Then they print out clip art or other online resources, color copies from encyclopedias and other books, etc. and glue onto the page. As time goes on, the kids are taping the short sides of the pages together to create a long, accordion style book. When stored, it's 11x17. When pulled out, it extends longer than the living room. Pretty cool!