Hmm, let's see if my signature line works this time! (Thanks to Mandy in TN for letting me know about the broken link!) Our weekly report covers the past couple of weeks and ends with our boys in their Harry Potter costumes. =) Enjoy!

We've used ECC for 9 weeks now; we used Adventures last year. The interesting thing for me is that while I found the pattern of how states (last year) or countries (this year) are introduced and covered repetitious, my kids actually seemed to love the repetition. They are always excited to do the worksheets that accompanied each country, and I think the fact that the structure was in some ways predictable freed them to enjoy the content of each country which varied. We'll add in fun activities as suggested by ECC to do arts/crafts, etc., and those also add variety. We are also loving the mission emphasis of ECC, my eldest son especially. I agree with the previous posters who feel that ECC provides both structure and flexibility; this is why I enjoy using it, and I also enjoy being able to mix ECC with other curricula as recommended by TWTM for the language arts and math. So far, I have no complaints about ECC and My Father's World in general. =) But, I know there is no one-size-fits-all for curriculum, right? We will all have our different preferences and different learning styles to consider when we make these difficult choices!

It has been a while, but I finally pulled one together after several weeks of not doing so! Link in signature, and I look forward to reading your reports!

Ours is up, too! Focus on Mexico and leaves and yards. http://trilliumacademy.blogspot.com!

It seems I'm always posting articles here! Just saw this and thought those of you using Singapore Math would appreciate it: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/01/education/01math.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general

This is three weeks in a row for me! Must be some kind of personal record. =) Our focus was butterflies, in all their life stages. We did a fun craft that was intended for the kindergartener but the preschooler and the third grader all wanted to join in! Look forward to seeing your reports as well! Have a great weekend. (P.S. Link is wrong in signature! Forgot to mention that. New blog address: http://trilliumacademy.blogspot.com)

Just saw this post on Twitter about a virtual trip to India, co-sponsored by Sonlight and Mission India. It says the deadline is Sept. 24th but I was just able to sign up. Looks interesting! http://www.mypassporttoindia.org/?referral=SL

Our experience has been different. I'm using Standards 2A, and I usually assign one of the extra practices from the topic the day before as review in the morning. Then I introduce the next topic in whatever way the HIG suggests, then do the textbook problems to make sure my son understands the concept, then assign the next set of practice problems. In total we probably spend at least 30-45 minutes on math each day.

The HIG will always list the corresponding Tests or EPs for assessment or reinforcement, and then I choose to use them as needed--like the poster above, there is no set rule, it depends on the child and what they might need more practice with. For me, it has been helpful to have it. I don't always use it, but I do use it enough that I'm glad I have it!

I am an example of a mom who did switch from U.S. to Standards edition. After my son finished 1B, I gave him a placement test to see how well he'd absorbed the material. Didn't do so well, and I wondered whether not having much review built-in to the U.S. edition was part of the reason. So I made the switch for 2A, and I've been pleased overall that there is much more review and practice built in, plus then I also added the Tests and Extra Practice books to help out. I don't necessarily feel so far that the HIG is that much better (in fact my version of 2A had pages missing and I had to get those sent to me!) but I definitely like the added practice that Standards builds in. So I'm happy with the switch so far.

As the OP, I just want to say that although generally in our house we aim not to expose our boys to just twaddle or worse for reading, I have allowed them some video game time each day (30-45 minutes, earned time depending on how they do during the day). We don't have a Wii but now that our youngest is getting older and feeling a little left out, I am starting to waver. But reading this article will likely put me firmly back in the no-Wii camp and try to keep our video-game time each day to a small amount. But it's very hard for me to imagine our boys not playing any at all. Do you all do so??? I'd love to hear more!

Take a look at this article about the troubles today in getting boys to read. I especially like the ending of the article and what it says about homeschooled kids! http://on.wsj.com/dfg36Z Enjoy!

Wow! Two weeks in a row for me! Highly unusual! =) Look forward to reading your reports!

We started in 2nd grade, slowly, also using Typing Instructor for Kids. Son loves it. He continues to use it this year, his 3rd grade, and his typing has definitely improved immensely. Now if we could get his spelling up to speed...... =)

As I'm not yet in the groove of weekly blog postings, this one covers our weeks 2 and 3! Look forward to reading others' posts! Link in signature.

Can I just say, folks, that you all are amazing! What great lists. I have to print all this out!!!

I'll look forward to any responses to KarenAnne's post. I'm a fairly new homeschooler, this is only our second year, so I'm still learning! I'd be interested to know what others think!

I thought you'd find this article of interest...fascinating stuff about learning styles and how they don't make as much difference as teachers (and homeschooling parents!) might think as well as other helpful info about how kids learn best: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/health/views/07mind.html?hp=&pagewanted=all Enjoy!

Posting here as well as in the other thread. First week of school is over! Link in signature (the RowanCourt option)!

Finally finished week 1! Trying to get back into the groove of everything again! Link in signature.

We use this one regularly: http://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-addition.html You can adjust it to use for all four operations, select the length of drill, and the parameters of the drill as well. HTH!

We just started Latina Christiana today with my 3rd grader. He did fine with Prima Latina last year, generally liked it. Latina Christiana, however, seemed to completely bore him! I didn't get a chance to watch the video lesson with him, so I was curious to know from those who have done both programs if there is a big difference between the two. My son felt as though the video went on and on and on! Did any of your children have this experience? Are the video lessons significantly longer in LC? Or is it just a natural progression of difficulty and I have to just encourage my son to stick with it? Would love advice and perspective from the Hive! Thanks in advance.

Heather, the problems that my son has with summarizing (you mean narration, right?) are more along the lines of his having trouble narrowing the details. This being our first year of homeschooling and first year with the classical approach, he is still learning the skill of summarizing as opposed to reciting everything he remembers. He doesn't have a problem, generally speaking, with putting words down when necessary. For a 3rd grader who hasn't done WWE at all before, would it make sense to go into WWE2 or WWE3? I have looked at the samples online but they don't help give much guidance with the decision. I may post a separate question about this on the boards! Thanks everyone!

Paige--that is a fascinating approach! Getting the best of both worlds! Do you think it would be hard to combine WWE 3 and 4 in one year, though? I guess there would be no way to find out unless I try it. But I find your idea intriguing and something I would have never thought about myself! Thanks for posting. And thanks to Lisa as well. Enjoying the different opinions as always!

So, I am stuck in a decision to make with writing curriculum for my 3rd grader. I had used CW Primer last year and generally liked it. But I am finding myself swayed by WWE. I have both curricula here and have read through both and I still can't decide. We start school next Monday (was going to start today but busy weekend, church retreat, lots of deadlines, etc....I gave myself some extra time to get things sorted out!) If you have faced the same decision, I'd love to hear which you ultimately chose, why, and how you've felt since with your choice! Thanks a bunch!