VFCR is Vocabulary from Classical Roots. Since SP doesn't have vocabulary built in, as other programs such as Spelling Workout do, TWTM recommends using the series along with it. I also added VFCR because we have temporarily dropped Latin. We do use the student books for SP, and yes, I do have her write out the misspelled words from her other writing. I haven't added them to the daily spelling work though, have just been dealing with them as we go. I like your idea of adding them to the spelling work! Thank you for the tip. :) Thanks for the input here, ladies. I am starting to wonder if I really do need to change from SP. Perhaps I just need to increase our time with dictation and also add the misspelled words from regular writing to our daily spelling. I have been making her rewrite misspelled words 5-10 times on her papers, but this seems like a much better way to do it. Blessings, Lucinda

She's a very strong reader, taught herself to read before reaching the age of 5. Unfortunately she isn't the best speller in the world, and we're headed into middle school. What to do? I've used Spectrum and Spelling Workout in the past, but two years ago we started using SP. I really liked the idea of buying one book and using all through school, and I have been supplementing with VFCR (Per TWTM recommendation for those that use SP.) Lately though I feel like she needs a change, and I'm not sure what to do. She's finishing up Level G in SP, and does really well on the daily tests. When she writes papers, however, she misspells words that I feel she really ought to know by now. Honestly, I wouldn't be opposed to going to something else and putting her in 6th grade level even though she's going into 7th. Should I continue to plow through SP, or is there a better idea? I'm all :bigear:!! Blessings, Lucinda

I have used the planner for the past two years, and just recently received my new copy for the coming school year. It works beautifully for me and is worth every penny! This year my logic stage dd will be using the student planner for the first time, and it's really nice too. Using TWPD helps me feel much more confident and organized than any other planner I've tried so far, and the graphics are something that I truly appreciate as well since I'm also an artist and graphic designer. They did a top notch job with the design and layout of this book. Blessings, Lucinda

Another quick way to do find out is to go straight to BookshelfCentral, and do a search on each title that you've got on your list. If they sell the book, it will open to the book's page and you will be able to read at the bottom of the description what level and what year the book is used. Easy peasy!! Blessings, Lucinda

Oh but there ARE hands-on activities with TOG! With each and every unit there is at least one arts & activities recommendation on the book resource list, plus there are really great lapbooks to make. We buy the lapbook kits and have enjoyed them a whole lot. Also the book recommendations have tons of ideas for wonderful projects to make. I have no idea how this compares with WP, but one should not assume that TOG doesn't have much to offer in this area because it does. Blessings, Lucinda

I also don't have much experience with LibriVox, except that we have listened to The Famous Men of the Middle Ages stories during our time in TOG YR-2/Unit 1. It was a real boon to have the stories read to us each week, and the variety of voice and dialects was often times a lot of fun. If I'd know that these were available for free, I would not have purchased the book prior to our unit. Blessings, Lucinda

Wow. We did just the opposite - left Saxon and went to MUS, never looking back. Isn't it amazing how each of these curriculum choices offer us choices to fit individual needs? Blessings, Lucinda

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: My family has not been able to afford a vacation in quite a while, but we do take breaks to relax and disengage from the usual hubbub of life. Life is way too short! We all need to take a break now and then, and refusing to do so is just not healthy. It would be so worth it to just let the messages pile up for a few days. Announce in advance that you will be taking vacation from x/date to x/date. Small businesses do this all the time!! Those messages will be there when you come back. Blessings, Lucinda

You know, I didn't catch that at all until you mentioned it because when I had a brief conversation with SWB on FB not long ago she grouped WWS and the new grammar all together. I see your point though, yet it was easy for me to miss since my dd and I have never used the LA programs by SWB. I will have to take a close look at it all when it comes out. I personally feel that it will be a good switch for where my dd is now. We really do need to continue digging deeper on her LA skills. Blessings, Lucinda

I would think that on TWTM forum there would be more conversation about the suggestions I brought up for SWB's upcoming grammar and composition programs as possible alternative to R&S. I mean, I'm not opposed to R&S, but WWS and the new logic stage language lessons sure seem like a valid option. Blessings, Lucinda

I think that sounds like a really wise plan. If I had more than one child to hs, I would do the same thing, although I know many people do start when their dc are younger. After having done what we have so far with TOG, I don't think I'd start before my oldest was in 5th grade. That being said, I didn't even know about WP when we were new to hs'ing. If I'd known back then what I know now, I would have loved to use it when my dd was younger then switch over to TOG for UG or D level and beyond. WP looks like a really rich program and we would most likely have enjoyed it a lot too. TOG is very heavy into history, but after going heavy on the literature side with lots of visuals to go along with it as WP seems to do - I think it would be a great progression. Blessings, Lucinda

Thank you everyone. This means the world! In this season of my life, my circle of friends is small. Knowing that you are all praying for us is something that I cherish. Blessings, Lucinda

People that DO use the library for TOG resource books (please refer back to my other post), most often purchase the books that are used for multiple weeks because it is pretty hard in most cases to keep books on loan for more than the normal length of time. Just thought I'd throw that in as you consider possibilities. Blessings, Lucinda

Do you suppose the wedding will be on all the networks? CNN? We are planning to set our DVR to record the wedding mainly, but we're trying to decide which channel will be the best. We're in your same time zone BTW. Blessings, Lucinda

April in NC sums it up very well describing TOG and how it works, but I strongly disagree with her about obtaining the resource books. Many families buy the books and build up a library that will be used over the long term for multiple children. In our case, I only have one child at home, but I still purchase the books. Not long ago I shared this comment on Marcia Somerville's blog after reading her article, "Homeschool in Hard Times: Money and Books". "This is our second year of using TOG, and I have to say that it has been life changing for both my daughter and I. I am so thankful that the Lord led us to this wonderful way of learning! My family is not at all wealthy, but educating our daughter is a top priority. It is necessary for me to stay within budget every year, and I’ve developed a method to be able to do that very successfully.We are in a rural area and the only libraries require us to pay fees to use them, and not all books on the TOG lists are available anyway. For this reason I prefer to obtain our own books. I look for bargains and have my eyes open all during the year. I buy used copies, new ones, nearly free from paperback swap sites, etc. all year long. As I gather them up for future use, I just keep my Year Plan and Unit lists updated. I watch for sales at Bookshelf Central and other sites, using standard shipping methods that are usually quite reasonable. Whatever I don’t have when we are about to start a new unit, I will finally buy from Amazon with my Prime membership and have them within two days of ordering. Please note that in order to save the most money I spread it out over a period of months rather than all at once. Then after we are finished with our books I keep what we want for the family library, then resell the ones we no longer need. All money from the sale of books goes back into the homeschool curriculum budget to buy more books. I feel that TOG is worth the cost because it is an excellent education for my child, and for that reason I am willing to sacrifice. All in all, the cost of the books are far less expensive than private school." As to learning more about TOG, I agree that a person needs to obtain the 3 week sample in order to get a good feel for how it works. So far I have purchased used hard copy versions, and that has helped save money too. When I'm done with them I can sell the curriculum because it has a pretty good resale value, then like the other books I sell, put the money right back into our homeschool budget for more books and curriculum. Blessings, Lucinda

I do use Writing Aids and the TOG writing assignments, and I think it is a great program. I delved in a bit deeper this year for 6th grade and have noticed a real improvement in dd's writing. One thing that made a difference for me as the teacher was to take advantage of the supplemental resources from Lampstand Press. If you have not listened to Marcia Sommerville's lectures on writing yet, I'd highly recommend it. I learned a lot from listening to both Workshop I and II. As my dd gets older though, I have come to see that she needs more writing than TOG suggests. For this reason, I am currently supplementing with additional writing assignments from R&S English along with our grammar. Either next year or the following year we will be switching over to SWB's writing program (Writing With Skill) for dd's logic (middle school) assignments, and I will customize the TOG writing program for the next two years so it corresponds well with our other writing. Sometimes you just need to tweak your curriculum to fit the needs of your student(s) and meet your teaching goals. Blessings, Lucinda

After hearing back from Kim at PHP, a grammar evaluation is not needed and you start your student right at grade level. She explained that each level reviews the previous level while introducing new concepts. This is all sounding better and better! Blessings, Lucinda

Thank you all for your loving support. My sons live in and near the city, which is about 40 miles from here. I'm going to drive in to be with all of them today or tomorrow. We cherish your prayers. Blessings, Lucinda

We recently found out that my ex-husband, the father of my three adult children, is dying of cancer. He is in the hospital and because the cancer has spread from his colon to his liver in a short amount of time, he's being given about two weeks to live. We were married for ten years, but have been apart a very long time and I did remarry seventeen years ago. My ex was a terrible husband, but has suffered a great deal in his life and I have compassion for him. He suffered for most of his adult life with mental disease and has had a miserable existence. Although I grieved my losses long ago, my heart now goes out to my sons. I will grieve with them for the father they are losing, and the father that they always hoped to have and will never know. Please pray for my dear sons as they walk through this tough time, and also that God will give me strength and wisdom too. Blessings, Lucinda

I am in the process of trying to decide the same thing. We are finishing up R&S 5 this year. I also own R&S 6 and had been planning to use it for 7th grade, but I'm very tempted to switch over to the WWS program and corresponding grammar that will be available later this year. I know that either program will be complete and thorough, but my heart is being tugged hard toward the new curriculum. I contacted PHP and asked about whether I should make the change after R&S 5 or R&S 6. Kim was very helpful and directed me to the writing mastery evaluations to compare where my dd is now next to the WWE program. I realize this is just the writing piece, but it will help me decide at least in part when to make a transition. I'm checking to see if a similar evaluation is available for grammar as well. At any rate, I expect us to begin SWB's writing and grammar programs either this year for 7th grade or next year for 8th. Blessings, Lucinda

4-6 hours here too. I think seventh grade is going to involve just a bit more though, so we may be looking at 5-7 hours next year. Blessings, Lucinda

We are nearly done with our second year of TT and we are completely sold on the effectiveness and ease of use. I do not have to teach math to my dd because the tutor is in the program. She is gaining in knowledge and understanding of math concepts, and is advancing with above average scores. One thing I also appreciate is that I can put my efforts as her teacher into other subjects now. Blessings, Lucinda

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia! Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia! Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia! Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia! Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia! Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia! Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia! King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia! Everlasting life is this, Alleluia! Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia! Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia! Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia! Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia! But the pains that He endured, Alleluia! Our salvation have procured, Alleluia! Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia! Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

but it DOES get easier. So don't feel bad about what happened with you bff. I kind of bombed when I shared my plans with my bff as well -- especially since she has a master's degree in education and has taught school for nearly two decades. It all worked out though and I've learned that the best evidence of making the right decision to hs is the results that are seen in your dc. It takes time, but in the long run it all speaks for itself as friends and family watch see your dc thriving, blossoming and growing. Just remember: you are the mommy. You know what's best. :001_smile: Blessings, Lucinda

Isn't it a great feeling? It sounds like you have some great plans, and if you are excited and enthused then your dc will come along side you and will reap many benefits. God bless you as you head into a wonderful journey. Blessings, Lucinda