I've been using Exercises in English from Loyola Press. I believe it was recommended in one of the earlier versions of TWTM. What is recommended in the newest version? I'm looking specifically at grades 3-6. Exercises in English has worked b/c it's not a lot of parent work, but at this point my DD is getting bored with it (the format never changes). Thanks!

here!

Thanks for the input - I looked at your blog, too! Thank you!

Thanks for the link and the input!

I searched but couldn't find many posts... Has anyone used this program? I just found out about it and it looks like a refreshing change of pace... I'm really burned out on all the planning. Thoughts? Input? I have four DD (6, 7, 8, and 10). I was all set to try OM but now my thoughts are in a jumble. Thanks!

Regena - thank you so much for posting!!!!

I don't think it's secular - on the intro pages the author specifically mentions wanting to expand a Biblical worldview.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions. I do let my daughter type her finals - or I help her type them. I think she just plain doesn't like to rewrite anything (surprise for a 9-year old!). OhElizabeth - I like the idea of the editing workbook. =D She's actually quite good at proof-reading and loves grammar... she used to do the Evan-Moor paragraph editing and she has been asking to do those again. Hmmm. Maybe I can combine WT and the Evan-Moor into a new weekly thing. Thanks so much!

My 9yo DD (4th grade) is working through WT2. She actually really likes the program. After WT1 I thought I'd switch it up and do some creative writing with Igniting Your Writing but she begged to go back to WT so we did. She does fine with almost every... except writing revisions. She puts up a stubborn fuss like I've never seen. She's a great kid - usually does her work without problems and is quite independent. She just hates to do the final draft. I mean big time. I've let her do one draft many times so long as she adds in her details at that time. But after reading several articles on the importance of revisions, I have tried hard to have her do it. But the fuss... I don't have any interest in having a battle of wills each week. Especially when I don't know that I care much about all these drafts to begin with. My question is - at age 9, is it really necessary to do this? Rewriting another author's work week after week would be hard for me to do, let alone doing it basically twice. I get that the creative aspect is adding in your own details but I'm starting to wonder... I'm not knocking the program - I think it's solid and the grammar and outlining are excellent. Just wondering specifically about the writing. On the other hand, she whined and complained just as much with the Igniting Your Writing written assignments so maybe it is just her? or the age?? Any other users have this problem? Solutions? Suggestions??? Desperate for ideas here!!

I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone that's posted! This has been a very interesting and enlightening thread, and I've learned so much!

Okay - got that OOP is out-of-print... I was in the mindset of a publisher, not an abbreviation. Oops. I still don't know what CLE is. I know there's a sticky list somewhere... :001_smile:

What is OOP and CLE?? I feel like a dummy asking, but I've never heard of those! :blushing:

So Dian... Do you think doing this program with four kids would be too much (for the younger ages - I can see that once they are in the Lower School everything changes)? I wrote on the CTT board and just read the author's reply - it does sound like will be many hours of me reading and helping with the questions responses for my little ones... Next year I will have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grader - all would be in either 1st Step or Starter or elementary (plus a 5th grader but she'll be independent for the most part).

Khall - Thank you so much for the information on CTT. It is *really* hard to find anything about the program - I didn't even know about the Yahoo group. Thanks for passing that along. In looking at the program, it's hard to tell how much parent prep there is, stuff like that. I'll look for answers at the yahoo group. Audrey - In looking over the OM materials, I had the sense that the 5th grade was a good fit for the beginning Logic stage and doesn't seem a huge departure from what we've been doing with our (loose) classical. Thank you so much for your insightful and detailed replies!!! This was exactly the information I was looking for. I appreciate it so much.

Thank you both! I also asked my oldest daughter to look and research the different options - she's thrilled! =)

My mom and sister are PS teachers and pass along textbooks to me. I have found that the reading books come in handy when my little ones want to read by themselves. It's another option, another resource. I have a shelf full of them and they are free to read them whenever. The math texts haven't worked for us - they all seem fine, but just haven't worked. The science, again, we keep as handy resources and reading books, but I haven't used them to teach out of....

I feel the same - I have to "let go" of my ideals and live in the real world! I am finding classical challenging for ME because of the ages of my kids. I've stuck with it, but it's getting more and more tiring. Next year I'll have a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th. It's parent intensive at this point and I get tired about half-way through the year and feel like there's something wrong with me. I'm also trying to revamp for next year... good luck!!!

I know these methods aren't classical so this is probably the wrong place for these questions, but here goes... I've been doing eclectic classical since we started homeschooling. Every year I've looked at other options and felt tempted, perhaps just for the change it would bring. I've looked at OM in previous years but until this year I haven't been seriously tempted. My oldest would be in OM5 and it's written to the child... I'm wondering if anyone has experience with OM after doing Classical. How was the transition - pros? cons? I also have three other children being homeschooled (they will be in 1st, 2nd and 3rd next year). I don't think I could handle 4 levels of OM and I'm happy with the foundation our approach has provided. So I am probably looking at just OM5 - maybe OM3 as well - but I am interested in people that use this with more two kids because it does tempt me! lol The other site I've recently discovered is Connect the Thoughts. Wow. It sounds impressive. I'm just wondering how well it actually works in reality. Everything is written to the child, it is very thorough, but I can't find enough samples to look through to get a really good feel. Has anyone used this? I'm looking at the Lower School for my oldest, but the First Steps Elementary might be an option for my little ones b/c I could combine 2 or 3 of my kids :D and that would be LOVELY. Anyone have anything to share? I feel like I'm poking around in the dark on these two packages and I hate to buy *more* stuff without more information! TIA!!

Yes, exactly - using Blue to fill in gaps. Sorry, should have been clearer!

My 2 cents: We are using it as a complete program. However, I would say that doing just the light-blue grade level might be a bit light. I have added in most of the blue, and some of the other series as well. It's been great to have the other series b/c when my child needs additional practice or instruction on a topic it's easy to add in. I like the additional word problem series as well and I'm planning to take my time with this program and hit almost everything offered. The pace seems to work well for my guys, and if you take advantage of the games and resources (internet sites, etc) it's a very fun program to boot. I think a big difference for me with this program is that my kids' weak areas have really become clear, and we've worked more on those (with good results) than with other programs I've used. It's probably not for everyone, but no program is, lol. So far I'm happy and most importantly, so are my children whereas before they hated math. Good luck! (BTW - using it for my 1st, 2nd and 4th graders - and I just started my K-er on Place Value 1).

Thank you so much for all of the input! It sounds like it will be a good fit. I appreciate everyone's help! =)

I currently have my older two in SOTW3 and my younger two (K&1) in SOTW1. I haven't found it too much. I don't do them on the same day. It's been fine for us. HTH!

I'm looking for a secular writing program to use after WT... I know the authors of CW are Christian, but I can't tell from the sample pages how secular the content of the program is or is not (i.e., copywork from the Bible, etc.). Any users out there that can let me know? Thanks!

I'm don't follow Eat to Live per se, but I'm strict veg with celiac so when I read the book I realized I basically eat that way already. It sounds like your kids are great eaters and are eating a healthy balanced diet - I'm not sure what your concern is (?)... is it the butter/oil on the veggies? I personally don't use butter, I do use olive oil and flax seed oil on veggies and salads - especially for my kids (also all vegetarian). His way is one way, but you have to do what works for you, imho.... there are so many different approaches. But if you break it down and look at what almost every approach has in common it sounds like you're doing it - eat fresh, whole foods, mostly fruits and veggies, limit animal products. =) hth.

Those were my exact thoughts w/o having seen it in person. It does look great - but not all of mine like to color that much. And it seems like a lot more writing and we do so much writing. Thank you!! I'll hold off for this year and look for this IRL vs. online at a fair next year...