Thanks so much for the responses. I was not aware of Galore Park - just took a quick look at the website and it looks very promising. Laura, I'd be interested to hear more about you experience with Galore Park. Are you currently using books their books, how do your kids respond, how long do lessons typically take...? I'm looking for something rigorous, concise, and precise for grammar (but I'm flexible on the concise part.) If you've had good experiences with their books in other subjects, I'd be interested in that too. Thanks again!

I'm keeping an eye out for options after we're done with FLL. I hadn't really thought about using Singapore for English before, but we use their Math and Science books and like them very much. I was wondering if anyone has experience with using any of their books for English. Thanks!

CW with WTM. This thread has been super helpful -- thanks! For me one of the nice things about being aware of different approaches to classical schooling is that if my aproach to home schooling doesn't fit EXACTLY with a certain method, then I don't have to feel like a failure:confused:. It's good to remember that there are many good paths to a good education. As others have been saying, flexibility and adaptability, as well as staying informed, are key. This thread has inspired me to read CM's writings! Thanks again!:)

Thank you!:001_smile:

Okay, perhaps a silly question, but -- I've been trying to get a feel for Homer A & B at the Classical Writing website, and I cannot tell if the students actually read Homer or not. So does Homer A contain Homer? :confused:

I'm in the same boat, it sounds like. My 3rd/4th grader loves to read but we haven't done a lot of writing, I bought WWE recently and we started using it just last week. We started with level 1. It's not super challenging, but if it were I think I would get a lot of resistance, so that's a good thing for us. My plan is to keep going with level one and do 2 workbook pages a day, four days a week (rather than one page a day, four days a week, as the workbook inicates.) I might start skipping forward later if it seems appropriate, but I'm in no rush.

I just clued into her books and was thinking about checking out some of them for my 9.5 year old to read. What are your experiences -- thumbs up or thumbs down?? Thanks!

Thanks for the tip on the website! Just wanted to second the thought that independent language study is a perfectly respectable way to go. Homeschoolers should not feel at a disadvantage if doing foreign languages at home. Exposure to native speakers is important but not THE most important aspect, and it can be gotten through media as well as people. No, you can't have a conversation with a video or newspaper, but again that aspect tends to be overemphasized. And while I'm going against conventional wisdom, it's not so important to start a foreign language early either. The brain will adjust well to the new language later in life too. Dr. Ben Carson, the renowned pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital holds this view of the brain -- see his interview on Charlie Rose where he specifically is asked and answers the question about the importance of learning a second language early in life. Of course there are other reasons one might want to do foreign language study early, but the usual argument about brain malleability is suspect.

Great suggestions - thank you!:)

Anyone know of a great grammar book for the middle school years and up that is secular. I am using First Language Lessons for the early years. Thanks in advance.