Yes, this is a favorite of mine too. I think they are called a "prep set". Someone gave them to me as a gift and I use them a lot. Over all, my favorite PC pieces are the stoneware. I have had a couple of trays, a pizza stone as well as cupcake and mini bundt pans. I've had them for years and they just keep going! Blessings, Lucinda

I have accounts on both sites. I list the better books are on both sites, but do I have to be sure to update on both whenever a book is taken or I end up having requests for books I no longer have. My more worn/used books are only listed BMooch. There are things that I really like about both sites, but I think I like BMooch the best. The point system is much better, for one thing. And I've gotten some really nice books there at times that I was very surprised. The only thing that I feel its missing on BMooch is the shipping label option that is on PBS. I really wish it were the same on both sites. Blessings, Lucinda

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Tina, that was great input. Thank you! I can see that I will have to schedule our week differently than with UG too, especially to include more open discussions that the D level will require. I had thought of only buying the books for the first unit too, and your post cinches the idea. I do think that dd can handle the lit and hist both, but we'll have to test out the other subjects when we get there. Thanks Heather. Our situation is a bit different in that dd is the only child at home. She can't fly under the radar - but your post made me realize that she can put things off when she wants to. And she can whine and connive as she tries to convince me to extend deadlines. The check-in suggestion is a good one just because of that! Blessings, Lucinda

I just got done writing about things related to your questions on my blog, so I'll point you there if you are interested. (See siggy) I share part of our story in the first 3/4's of the article, but then the answer comes at the end. Blessings, Lucinda

Well, there's bound to be SOMEONE that is in this boat with us. :lol: Lucinda

As I continue to think and plan for next year, it is suddenly becoming clear to me that dd is really more ready for the D stage that I had realized. In looking at the TOG website, I see the following references to the D stage: Dialectic • Reads to learn • Approximately grades 6-9 • Enjoys making connections and learning to debate My dd is at about 8th grade level in reading (but is actually in 5th grade this year). We have been using UG books for 5th grade, as it is our first year with TOG and I did not want to overwhelm either of us. Most of the reading has been easy for her, but she does love the picture books and hands-on activities. When we get up to ages 11-12 though, I can see that she is going to need more than that. Are there other benchmarks to be considered along with the points listed by TOG (above)? When did you know that your UG student was ready to move up to D? Although I'm all in favor of customizing our plans and moving up and down as needed, but I'm not so sure I want to obtain all the books for one level only to realize that we need to be in another. Blessings, Lucinda

I've pretty much planned what we will do next year, which will include continuing on with the same curriculum at the next level. I was thrilled to find that our science co-op will continue, because dd really loves the teacher's style and is getting a lot out of it. We will switch over to Spanish from Latin though, and it will either be with SFC or I may use some A.C.E. Spanish curriculum that a friend has offered simply because dh is still out of work and we are trying to stretch our dollars. I usually plan my list this time of year, then start buying the books bit-by-bit until we have it all in the fall. Blessings, Lucinda

Olive Garden TGIFridays Ruby Tuesdays Panda Express The Old Spaghetti Factory Don't go out all that often, but when we do these are our favorites (at least in this category). Blessings, Lucinda

I have never done LG, but our UG weekly schedule typically looks like this: MONDAY - Introduce new theme. Go over student threads and SAP's, discussing anything I find to be useful from T.N.'s that apply to dd's learning level. Literature/History/Bible reading assignments given. Dd writes this down in her weekly schedule pages. (For LG, you will need to help with this so the reading is broken down to daily assignments.) A good hour is spent reading on this day after assignments are given. Composition - Give weekly assignment from TOG weekly suggestions, using Writing Aids as guide. (We also slip in Writing Strands from time to time.) Vocabulary - Dd and I look through the vocabulary list, noting any words that are unfamiliar on a list. Dd looks for these during reading time. TUESDAY - Dd spends about an hour reading her assigned pages, and also continues with her composition assignment. (LG students might use this time for related copywork or dictation exercises, as well as other penmanship practice.) WEDNESDAY - TOG discussion related to week's theme, sometimes including supplemental info from TOG website. (Our mid-week discussion is most often from the T.N.'s) Dd then continues on for about an hour with assigned reading, or we have time for reading aloud. This is then followed by a check-in on weekly writing project, and time given to continue unfinished work. Geography - Every Wednesday we work on the TOG maps together. (Most often I display the teacher's map <Map Aid's> on the screen of my laptop, and we explore the lay of the land and then color the map/maps with colored pencils. Often times we go over various atlas information or go online together to see suggestions from the TOG website. THURSDAY - Same as Tuesday in many ways. Dd spends an hour reading her assigned pages, and also continues with her composition assignment. (LG students might use this time for related copywork or dictation exercises, as well as other penmanship practice.) We try to go over the vocabulary words that were noted on this day as well. Hands-on projects - After lunch we spend a chunk of time on art related projects connected to our unit/week plus we do the weekly lapbook project. FRIDAY - All reading must be finished by lunchtime. We have a short discussion on the literature assignments and dd completes the SAP worksheet. Please note that this schedule is for TOG related studies only. We also fit in all other subjects on specific days. (Mon-Fri includes math, grammar, spelling, Latin, etc. Mon & Wws include science co-op, and Fri includes art class. I think that a LG student's schedule could be somewhat similar to this, but without as much independent work. We LOVE our TOG studies! Dd and I are both learning more this year than ever before. Blessings, Lucinda

This sounds like a great school and it would be a tough choice, but I am curious to know if this is something you have to move on immediately or not. Since your children are still very young, why not hs them a while longer and send them to the school later? Your post seems to lean toward hs'ing more than the other choice, so I'm wondering if you aren't like me -- just not feeling ready for the change yet. I am on staff at a wonderful Classical Christian school and work there part time, so I am faced with a similar dilemma on a regular basis. Even still -- hs'ing my dd is working so well for her and for our family that I have made the decision to wait until high school before I enroll her there. We have many families that have hs'd their dc during the elementary grades and waited until middle or high school to enroll them in school. The students all do very well. God bless you as you pray over this very important decision. Blessings, Lucinda

I chose "other" because we are using a combination of Spelling Power, Easy Grammar and TOG Writing Aids. I also throw in a little Writing Strands now and then. All in all, my 5th grader is doing super and seems to enjoy it all. Blessings, Lucinda

I am doing that. My 10 yo dd is actually my biological granddaughter. Dh and I adopted her as a babe in arms and are "mommy" and "daddy" to her. We made the decision to bring her home for schooling after she finished 2nd grade in ps, and we have never looked back. Being a second time around parent is challenging - yes, but I would not trade it for the world. I can't tell you how much joy this child has brought into our lives and how thankful we are to have this incredible opportunity! If my other grandchildren lived closer to me, I'd hs them too -- in a heart beat! Blessings, Lucinda

Ooooooh, that's some great feedback you've given me, so thank you bunches. Now how about the above question? Lucinda

for a 6th grader....Any other suggestions out there? I really do need help with this. :lol: Blessings, Lucinda

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Thank you ladies! I don't know why I hadn't thought of that one already. I took a look, and it does seem like it might be a good choice. Is it also integrated with Shurley Grammar like the Latin program? I'm still open to other options if anyone wants to throw another one out there for me. I'm not one to get stuck on the first choice, I like to compare what's available before making a decision. Blessings, Lucinda

I'm thinking about next year so I can budget for costs, and am just beginning to explore foreign language options. Dd will be finished with LFC B, and would like to switch over to Spanish. I'd love to try Rosetta Stone, but it's just too expensive. What say you, Hive? Any suggestions for a bright 6th grader with some Latin studies under her belt? And along with curriculum choices, what about the version of Spanish we choose for her as a beginner? We live on the west coast where there are many Latinos, but I would also like her to be able to speak Spanish abroad when she travels in the future or use Spanish as a second language as a career enhancement. I do not speak a foreign language, so the curriculum of choice would be user friendly to parents that don't speak the language (like LFC, for instance). We would prefer a package that includes DVD's and/or CD's. Bundles are nice :~) Blessings, Lucinda

I'm actually looking into this and would like to apply for grad school in a year. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts (Painting), and would like to get my Masters in Art Education. Why? So I can teach more effectively and increase my hours eventually. Blessings, Lucinda

That is one of my favorite euphemisms! Thank you for the "compliment", RC! I guess I am just about as old as dirt! My dear dad used to say it frequently as well, but I'd better stop there or I'll be totally OT. :lol: Blessings, Lucinda

Anytime, Mariann....and this little friend is available too. You go ahead, I'll get to mine tomorrow. Blessings, Lucinda

It's going on noon here in Oregon and I have yet to get that load of laundry into the dryer, but its well worth the anguish because I'm so with you on your points RC!! This is our safe place after all, dag nabbit!! And its time we hs moms stop bashing ourselves the way we sometimes do. Okay, I'm off the laptop and on to other things....for awhile anyway. Blessings, Lucinda

We buy very, very little prepared foods. Everything is from scratch with the exception of a few soups (not many) that we use for back-up quick meals, an occasional spaghetti sauce, about 1/3 the salad dressings we consume, and sliced bread for sandwiches. I'm into grinding my own flour too, although I do buy a bag of white flour from Bob's Red Mill now and then. Blessings, Lucinda

I can't believe it -- that was the exact name I came up with! I LOVE it!! Josephine Mae W__-__ Second choice would be Josephine Alexis W__-__ Have fun and God bless, Lucinda