Thank you for the tip! I haven't taken a close look at what they offer for high school, but I'll look it over now that you've shared this. We are so fortunate to have the wonderful choices of curriculum!! Blessings, Lucinda

We are currently using TOG and I have to say (once again) that I do love it for my dd. We have moved up from UG to D level and it has been amazing. My plan is to stay with it through 7th grade, at which time we will have completed YR-1 through most of YR-3. For 8th grade I would like to drop TOG in order to do a focused study of our region and government of the United States. As I look ahead to high school though, I am not certain if we will resume with TOG. There is a possibility that we will enroll her in private school, but if we opt to continue hs'ing I want to find out what all of our options are. I will be working part-time to full-time during those years, so part of my hesitancy to stay long-term with TOG is that I will need something that is less teacher intensive. I have always been attracted to SL, and we almost went there a couple of years ago. So SL is definitely an option for HS. The reasons this appeals is that dd loves literature, and I know that SL is a pull out and go program. Has anyone used TOG through D level and then switched to SL for high school? If so, how did that work for you and your student? Did you find that you needed to supplement any subjects to SL to make it more classical? Thanks for any helpful input you may have to offer. Blessings, Lucinda

We are currently using TOG and I have to say (once again) that I do love it for my dd. We have moved up from UG to D level and it has been amazing. My plan is to stay with it through 7th grade, at which time we will have completed YR-1 through most of YR-3. For 8th grade I would like to drop TOG in order to do a focused study of our region and government of the United States. As I look ahead to high school though, I am not certain if we will resume with TOG. There is a possibility that we will enroll her in private school, but if we opt to continue hs'ing I want to find out what all of our options are. I will be working part-time to full-time during those years, so part of my hesitancy to stay long-term with TOG is that I will need something that is less teacher intensive. I have always been attracted to SL, and we almost went there a couple of years ago. So SL is definitely an option for HS. The reasons this appeals is that dd loves literature, and I know that SL is a pull out and go program. Has anyone used TOG through D level and then switched to SL for high school? If so, how did that work for you and your student? Did you find that you needed to supplement any subjects to SL to make it more classical? Thanks for any helpful input you may have to offer. Blessings, Lucinda

That is a wonderful idea, and points well made about the D level literature. I wish I'd thought of it myself when I posted earlier! :) Blessings, Lucinda

Ah, yes...that is another beauty of using TOG. All of your dc are studying the same period of history at the same time, but at their own level. By the time you get back to the beginning, they are ready to go in deeper at an advanced level than before. I do want to encourage you as a beginning TOG user to consider starting at the beginning of a year plan because that is where the materials are designed to help teacher and students get set up for the coming year. But wherever you begin, it would be most helpful to then stay on course in the chronological sequence. We are on YR-2 and are finding it to be very interesting, but I am especially looking forward to our studies on American history using TOG. I love revisiting and learning with my daughter so much! Blessings, Lucinda

I'm sure there is more than one approach you could take here. For one, what area of history would you be going to if you were staying with SL? You could, if you wish, choose that same level with TOG and have both of your children study it at their own levels at the same time. Another suggestion would be to find out what area of history your oldest would love to dive in deeper to study, even if it has been studied previously in the not so distant past. This could be a time to learn and study that period in more depth, especially since TOG is more history based than SL is. You could then move in chronological order through the sequence from that point. Yet another idea would be to start at the beginning with YR-1 and work your way through the chronological sequence. If you stay with TOG through hs, you could decide which two of the year plans you want to have for 11th and 12th grade, where they would go in deep at the R level. The main point I wish to make is that you have options, and any of them will lead to a really great learning experience for your dc and yourself. I love TOG and am very, very thankful that the Lord led me to it for my own dd's education. The ability to customize to your dc's needs is the cherry on top of everything. Blessings, Lucinda

Congratulations on your wonderful news! My dear elderly mother's name is Lila (pronounced the same as Lyla), and my own granddaughter is named after her. Mom's middle name is Elaine, and I have always thought that sounded pretty with her first name. My little granddaughter's name is Lila Rose-Marie, and I think that is pretty too. I know you aren't asking for middle name choices, but I'm throwing these names out because they do sound pretty together. Blessings, Lucinda

All of these prayers and expressions of care and encouragement really touch my heart and are appreciated. This past week, dh and I have had such a peace in our hearts. Our situation is the same, but we have peace in knowing that God has all the details covered. Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Psalm 61:1-5 Blessings, Lucinda

Oh man, this does NOT sound good! We are trying to cut costs, not spend more money. Thanks for sharing your experience 3byzaz! I need to know these things. Blessings, Lucinda

Yeah, what about sports for dh? This would be a big issue at our house too! And.....What about the answer to my Question #2? Blessings, Lucinda

Thank you, everyone! This is perfect information and I'm going to get the movie in my Netflix queue. I did try to find "Joan the Maid" on Netflix, but it isn't available yet. Hopefully we can access that one as well at some point. Blessings, Lucinda

Is there an inspirational movie about the life of Joan of Arc that is a suitable version for dd and I to watch? She is 11 1/2 yo, and although I know Joan was martyred, I'd prefer that we don't have to watch a lot of gore. Maybe I'm asking for too much here, but I'd love to find something that will tell the story without also causing nightmares iykwim. Blessings, Lucinda

I guess I needed to specify in my post that I do understand about Roku and Hulu are. Roku is the box that you connect to the TV and Hulu is an expanded service you subscribe to that streams in TV via wireless Internet. So now that I've clarified that, I'm back to the main point of my op. I'm wondering - 1. If I need a box for each TV in the house and 2. Whether or not we can use Hulu on more than one TV at the same time, each TV watching different programs. We also have a Wii and use it currently to watch Netflix movies, but I am not sure if that is enough to watch the programs we'd also like access to through Hulu. Wow! It's getting harder to keep up with technology anymore! Blessings, Lucinda

Despite the fact that I alone would love to go without tv entirely, our family currently has cable tv that my elderly mother (who lives with us) buys for the household. I'd like to help cut back her expenses though, and I'd also like to have a bit more control over tv programs that my dd is able to watch. (Dh is addicted to tv and will not give it up, so it is here for dd to watch when I allow her screen time.) I've read some threads here about people using Roku and Hulu, and would like to convince the rest of my family to switch over to something like that. But before I present this to them I'd like to know a little more about how it works. First of all, does each tv in the house need a Roku box? Next, does a household share a Hulu account so that different tv's can watch different programs simultaneously? In our case, we have Mom in one room with her personal tv and then another tv for the family in a different part of the house. How would we need to be set up for that? Thanks for clarification on this. Blessings, Lucinda

This is our second year of TOG, and dd is in 6th grade. From the start I have given her the weekly history and literature assignments, as well as some long term composition and geography assignments. It is up to her to set up a schedule that will enable her to get the work done by our mutually agreed upon day and time. This has been so good for her, as it gives her a sense of empowerment and independence. 5th grade is not too young for this to happen. Students this age are perfectly capable of pacing themselves, as well as practicing setting goals and meeting them. Students that learn responsibility step-by-step this way do very well in school and at home with other responsibilities. That is what it's all about after all. Our job as parents is to help them in gradual steps stand on their own, and that is a process that takes years to develop. Blessings, Lucinda

Oh Chris -- thanks for your message! You guys are dear to us too. I only sent out a few cards this year, and wanted to be sure you were on the list. Prayers and encouragement are so appreciated!! Blessings, Lucinda

I am so touched by your message, Lisafriess! I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and such gratitude for your encouraging words. Bless you, and thank you for your prayers. God IS faithful! He led me to Ezekiel 37 last night to the story of the dry bones resurrection. I was so encouraged by it, and felt that God is saying that we are facing a time of being TOTALLY dependent on Him -- which is where He wants us to be at times. This is a situation that only He can solve, and I must trust Him with it. He is a God of restoration, and I'm holding on to that today. I will keep you posted as you've asked, and I'll trust God with you for your own child's needs. Blessings, Lucinda

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers! Over all of Christmas weekend I have had so much peace in my heart, and I know it is the Lord at work. As long as I keep focused on Jesus, I know I'll be all right and that my family's needs will be met. "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3 Blessings, Lucinda

That is one of my life verses too! Even as I request prayer from you all I do trust Him and know that is in charge of all the details and that He loves us. Blessings, Lucinda

I feel so loved! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers! We are not sharing this with everyone, although our pastor and our benevolent board at church know. Just know that your additional backing of prayer gives us such a boost all in itself. I will be sure to share with updates as they come up. Blessings, Lucinda

((Hug))

Dear Hive, Today is Christmas and I feel joy and peace in my heart, despite the fact that we are facing a huge trial. I don't want to say a whole lot because there is no need to unload every detail. God knows all about it, and I know He is the One who holds the future. I am not writing this to seek sympathy in the least, but I do need your prayers for my family more than ever. It has been a hard year for us. Last year at this time my dh faced several months of reduced hours and finally a permanent layoff from his job, and he was out of work for three months. He did get a job as a temp for a really good company in the spring, and it did turn in to a permanent job this past fall. Dh makes a good wage, and the company provides a fantastic benefits package for our whole family. The problem is that we were still trying to catch up from the previous months of unemployment when his new employers had to lay people off temporarily for the slow winter season -- so dh has once again been on reduced hours for the past two months and we are getting even further behind. This is all so serious that we are on the verge of losing our home. Dh and I are united in our faith and we are trusting God to help us get through this. It is bigger than we can possibly manage to fix ourselves, so we are clinging to the Lord and His promises. This need is not just for us, but also for our dd and my elderly mom that lives with us. Dh and I are stronger in faith than my mom, and she is very scared. We would appreciate your prayers so much. Please pray for continued faith and for strength as we stand on God's promises and wait for God's direction and provision. Please remember to lift up my mom so she can see God's hand in it all and find peace. As you pray, remember that we not only need to catch up, but we need very much to find supplemental income of some sort to help us through the slow seasonal months of my dh's work. I am already working part-time at a school, and also teaching private students, caring for my 80 yo mother and hs'ing our dd, so I am particularly in need of wisdom about how I could help more than I already am. As for this part, I'm not asking for suggestions on what that might be, I am just asking for prayer that God will lead us in the right direction, give us His wisdom and provide for our needs. Thank you so much for reading this post and for your prayers. You have no idea how much it means to me! Blessings, Lucinda

I grew up having a smorgasbord type of dinner with lots of finger foods and clam chowder. My husband loved this tradition so much when we married that we have carried it on with the addition of more seafood, especially shrimp cocktails. We also go to a candlelight church service, and that is my favorite part. After church we come home to eat, play games and open gifts. This year we are sharing Christmas Eve with another family that we have become very close to, and it should be a lot of fun. Blessings to all, and to all a good night!! Lucinda

My dd is in 6th this year, and because we had been lacking in the grammar department I started her on 5th grade R&S. It has been a great boost to her understanding of grammar, and I plan to stay with it for the long run. I know others use different programs, but I just don't think you can go wrong with R&S. It is thorough and complete and also very affordable. The TM is excellent, yet the textbooks are open and go if your student wants or needs to work independently. Blessings, Lucinda

I made a decision to give Galore French a whirl after we complete our current Power-Glide Children's French, but after talking to a homeschooled friend who is now in college at a party last night, I am torn once again. My friend explained in detail how Rosetta Stone works, which really set my mind going in another direction. If I can possibly swing the cost of it, I think we just may go with Rosetta. Otherwise, I do believe that Galore Park would be an excellent alternative. :lol: Oh, the choices we have!! Sometimes I wish we had fewer options to consider!! Blessings, Lucinda