Another difficult aspect of 2e I see is with self directed or inquiry based learning. It is limited by poor writing, organization and fine motor skills. I'd love to hear any tips for moving that along. Mine is still fairly bored and restricted by what she can't do and spends free time in imagination play to the exclusion of other play and creative, productive activities.

Thank you for posting! Mine is 8 year old 2e with dysgraphia and slow processing and EF skills. I'm new at this and feel like you. The psychologist pushed accelerate, accelerate, accelerate but how can you skip over so much foundational skills?! I am using the same math and if it makes you feel better we are only on 1b. We only started last may and it is slow. I have a schedule to catch up and move ahead by going year round. I also feel mastering is important with singapore as it isn't considered a spiral program. We use the intensive practice, speed math, and word problems books too, so it is a lot and we skip bits here and there but not too much and no skip of lessons. I try to have her write at least a sentence a day outside of HWOT cursive workbook, which was a big success. No more printing. I'm an OT and we're done with the start-stop and reversals of manuscript printing. Do start cursive and/or keyboarding early, especially if he is receptive at all to either. Printing is the worst for kids with dysgraphia, and they don't need it if they cursive write. I do teach correct kb, but it is all slow, slow, slow! For me, I feel comfortable to accelerate any content that is conceptual and doesn't skip skills: history and science, reading/read-to literature, writing style/forms and process, and arts. We use a voice notes app on the phone sometimes, so she is more independent and I type it up later. She has to review it all for editing language use and sentence structure and grammar. It is so good to hear from someone who is struggling with the same dichotomy as me. Thanks for sharing. I struggle with it every day.

Anyone know of writing competitions, contests, publishing or "publishing", writing programs or scholarship? I know of PBS for contests and Stanford for advanced writer's courses but no others. Can anyone add to this?

Thank you, we just got SOTW as a framework and scoured Amazon for some beautiful supplements for history and lit - which we will largely schedule on orders to inter-library loan. I am excited about this approach and appreciate the wisdom of keeping it alive rather than counting off checkmarks.

So many thanks for caring enough to advise. We are easing in and keeping an eye on the inspiration and engaged feeling. I greatly appreciate the strategies, the 2e info, the "never hurry, never stop" and embracing savage-me over wannabe! Beautiful, beautiful women here!!!!!

DD, age 8 is hoping to share fun classes and/or field trip days or play dates with the local homeschool community, though in rural So Vermont I'm still searching for them - Anyone Bennington to Rutland, Brattleboro to Manchester / NY line Want to join us?! We hope to start or join any existing groups. We are Jewish but will be so happy to join inclusive-minded faith-based mommas or secular. :))

I loved reading this!! Important themes for all parents to be aware of. I most wish our system had the 1-teacher multiple years system. Changing teachers every year, just when they're getting traction always seemed crazy to me.

Thank you again for all the incredible advice!! These ideas are all fantastic and useful. Thanks for being such a committed community. I'm actually taking notes!!!! It would be funny if it weren't so important! SO glad I joined. Hope I can offer the same so someone else some day.

Thank you. Your wisdom is so valuable. I will consider this deeply. I am really so grateful for the guidance. We have no homeschool community near town and I've been going it alone. Your thoughts are so needed here. Thanks.

Richly colored wall map with finely grained paper (almost like dollar bills). My favorite family map! http://www.amazon.com/Colorful-Contemporary-Updated-Interarts-MagnaCarta/dp/B00L8IEOGO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433293358&sr=8-2&keywords=tyvek+world+map

Thank you!! This looks outstanding. I'm putting in my interlibrary loan request tomorrow. The mom's on this site are Simply Amazing! Thanks again

Thank you for responding. I feel a little desperate to move things in a good direction. She has had a complete psychoeducational/neuropsych. I only got the verbal from the psychologist and not the written. He said: no learning disabilities, strong verbal, slow processing and weak fine motor. High iq, though not crazy high. About 135. But if she were in public school they'd have her in a resource room in 2 secs flat. We are working well and she is very creative, but basic skills are all hard won.

Thank You so much!!!! I think that does makes sense. She moves slow, but we will go at our pace year round. I think even if we skip a bit, it will be better to start at the beginning. The meaningful context is the most powerful draw to classical education to me and I am really excited about it. I love that the concepts are connected and meaningful.

Congratulations! I commend you for starting now. We are coming into it late in the game. I hope you will be inspired together and thrive in homeschooling!!! BEST to you!! :))

My almost 3rd grader is homeschooling for 5 weeks now using non-classical curriculum. I'd like to start 3rd grade with WTM style classical education. Where do we start in terms of chronology (history & lit)? I want to start at the beginning. But that means we'll either have to restart in 2 years or skip forward by leaving gaps. What do you suggest? Thanks!