Question for those who even *sort of* follow The Well Trained Mind.......

[guest^]

History.........1 year of hs preschool,1 yr of Catholic preschool(teacher was very AP educated and supportive!).

Kinder- I used FIAR. But eventually dd was bored(could've been lack of creative teaching style!!!)
Okay!!!!!!! Soooooooooo.I checked out the new edition of TWTM from the library. And I am hooked. Very academic. Yes. Very demanding. Yes. These are the reasons I passed until dd was of the "grammar" age. I absolutely disagree with SWB when it comes to preschool and kinder.

But! My dd is 7.5 now, and is ready in every way to follow a more intense,disciplined program.

However, now that I've read what I've read, I feel very *behind*!!!!

So,this is my plan......... I am waiting for my order of TSOTW-Ancients! We are going to do this all through the summer.

Our library system has First Language Lessons and a very good friend of mine has it also. I first borrowed from my friend, then checked it out from the library......we are already on Lesson 30. I've looked ahead to lesson 50 and am confident that dd will cruise throught those bu the end of the week. It is pretty obvious that we could actually finish ALL by the start ot middle of fall. MY dd is SOAKING IT ALL UP!!!!! She memorixed the first 3 poems on the first days!!!!! I only had the first 2 lines memorized!!!!

So........? #1.........if we do indeed get through First LAnguage Lessons this summer(going through grade 2)......woould dd be ready for Rod and Staff grade 3, or should I keep her at grade 2??????

Also......I am waiting for our order from RR's of TSOTW-ancients. I am thinking we could get through this all in the summer,and be ready for level 2 ,in the fall. Does this sound reasonable?? DD is probably reading at a third grade -maybe 4th grade level.

More ?'s later.......

mp

: : : : : : : : : :boypin

[Fieryfly]

Mp,
Sounds like you are ready to jump into using some of the WTM methods. Good for you!

Please don't feel like you are "behind". Try to just start where you are at. You can choose to start the first year now and go until next summer(or whenever you end up finishing), skip the first year(the topics will come up again) and move straight to the 2nd year, or par down the 1st year so you can start year 2 in fall or even at the beginning of next year.

You really don't need to hurry through SOTW1/Ancients. Consider focusing on the major civs like Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome throughout the summer, and then move on to SOTW2/Middle Ages in the fall. There is so much to explore in just these three civs and they will give you a good idea of life in ancient times and touch on some of the more major figures and events.

We didn't use FFL or R&S. I started my DS in Shurley English 2 last fall, and he did fine w/o any prior structured grammer or language study.

Good luck!

[Amy in NH]

I agree to focus on the 3 major civilizations of the Ancients and skim through the rest. Cover 1 civ/month in depth for the summer and then jump into SOTW 2 in the fall and take your time with it.

As far as LA goes, we are following the recommendations from the 1st ed of TWTM. We used EFTC for 1st grade (b4 following TWTM!) and started Writing Strands 3 for 2nd with ds #1 who is now finishing WS4. Ds #2 (6yo) started off with FLL and flew right through the 1st half, then slowed down for the 2nd 1/2 and I started using EFTC instead. We will still use WS with him. A lot of people don't like WS, but I want something secular and we Do like it. If you want to follow the recommendations from 2nd ed TWTM I would go ahead and start R&S3 when you finish FLL, but don't feel like you have to rush through it, the 2nd 1/2 of the book is a little more challenging.

[Marsupialmom]

I currently use Rod and Staff I think you could start R&S 3 with out doing FFL in the fall. She will need penmanship type of skills though. If she is weak in the physical act of writing then focus on that in the summer. R&S 3 assumes the child has very little formal grammar instructions and explains everything completely well. My son did not have the same level of grammar as my dd is getting from FFL and he is doing excellent.

Don't feel behind you will be doing it again in 4 years.

[Jen123]

When homeschooling , there is no such thing as "behind". You teach at her level and not a skoosh above it. The whole idea is for her to #1 enjoy her time being a student #2 actually GET what you are trying to get across to her. If it takes three tries to get thru the whole book that's okay. It won't do her any good if you move on and she doesn't get it.

I just heard about TWTM a few minutes ago. I'm going to go check it out.

[phathui5]

Don't rush through the history stuff just to get to the "right level." Start wherever you're at and just go through the four year cycle. She's not going to miss out by not being exactly where the book says to be. We're using the cycles as a guide.

With FLL, if she finishes that, I would go ahead and get the next level rather than keeping her back in 2nd. If she has trouble, you can always go back.

[warriorprincess]

I agree with going at her p ace and interests. When we started on the Ancients, Matthew really glommed onto ancient Greece. So we have gone with it, reading everything we can on the subject. He did get very bored with FLL, I need to find something more challanging for him for next year. I am going to start Oliva on it in the fall, and she in Kinder.She actually has the poems memeorised already! I think I want to look for a used copy of the last edition of WTM.

[guest^]

Lisa-
Would you mind telling me why you chose Shurley English?? As far as I know, it hasn't been recommended in TWTM.....yet the few people I know who follow Classical studies, have all chosen this english curriculum. I am interested in it, but it is sooooo pricey!!!

Do you and your dc like it? Does he listen to the "jingles"? Do you feel it is worth the money????

Thanks for your help!!!

mp

[guest^]

Thanks Amy!
Your advice is great! I know *NOTHING* about the Ancient Civs, so this sounds perfect to ME at least!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!

My dd is cruising through FLL's......I am most sure she will finish by the Start of August actually!!!!! I had *NO* idea that she has such an amazing memory!!!!! She is a living sponge!!!!!!

I am sure that if she progresses at the rate she has so far, she *will* be ready for 3rd grade language-no matter *what* the program!!!

Thanks for your help!!!!!!!!!

mp

[guest^]

Marsupialmom-
I appreciate your input!!!!!!!!!! I think you are the only person to respond to my ? of R&S.......
I am thinking that I will start her at R&S "3"......but when you mention penmanship.....I am totally confused!!!!(Keep in mind, that I am coming from a very relaxed,perhaps "natural" style of HSing.....dd's writing has been copywork,letters to family and relatives,grocery lists,etc....

Currently, she is doing copywork everyday.... from the best authors we have in the house(C.S Lewis,Tolkien,Wilder,Burnett,Aesop's Fables,and the Bible.......) is this enough,or do you mean a "formal" learn to write this or that way type of program??

Thanks for your help!!!!!!

mp

[Fieryfly]

I chose to use Shurley English on a recommendation from a friend who also follows a classical education philosophy. SE is the most "schooly" thing we do, as in I usually sit w/DS and go through lessons with him about 3 times a week(it recommends 5 per week).

My DS loves the jingles, and they have an immense help in learning the different parts of speech. He is learning things that are typical of a 6th grade curriculum, yet right at his level. I try to keep the lessons short(some can get quite long) and do selected activities. The author does an excellent job of explaining things in very simple and precise language, which makes it easy to understand.

It is not a comprehensive language arts curriculum, however I have been able to intertwine writing and literature studies with our history and science studies. We also use Spelling Power. SE is pricey, but I copy the practice and test sheets so I can use everything with my DD in a couple of years.

[Unreal]

Just wanted to let you know that we use TWTM, but didn't start with it until 2nd grade (going into 4th next year)

We really don't stress about the history timeline much. We are a year off the cycle right now, but will be more after next year--I decided that since we were already behind, I might as well spread things out a bit more, so we are on more of a 5 year cycle. It just works better for us that way. I did get the first two volumes of SOTW and the guides, but Vol 2 has sat on the shelf unused this year. Ds prefers Kingfisher and Usborn.

We also had to jump around with math, A LOT. Ds flew through Miquon (which we loved, btw) and then we jumped to Singapore. Then ds said he was bored and wanted to try Saxon (he is an odd child. He was BORED with Singapore and VOLUNTARILY went to Saxon ) He is about to finish up the level and HATES it, so this summer and next year we are just going to use Singapore and Key To...

We use Shurley--which isn't any more expensive than SOTW and the activity guide I really can't get through reading the teaching scripts--they are awful, and I despise how the student workbook is set up, but I love the grammar lessons.
The writing got a bit too heavy too fast for ds (he hates writing), so we started skipping that part of the chapter. We also don't do the vocab or the state cards. (LOL but I do really like the program--Really!)
And, I still think it is worth the $$. But then again, when ds was in 2nd grade, I got Shurley level 3. We spent a year and a half on that, then went to Level 5, which we will spend 2 years on. So, each year is really only $25, kwim?

We use the building thinking skills and mind benders and Minimus Latin....

I know I'm being really abrupt here, but my eyes are trying to close
But--I wanted to share with you that you can follow TWTM and at the same time develop a program that fits your child's strengths and weaknesses.
There is absolutely NO reason to feel like you have to cover everything as it is explained in the book (even the authors mention that to try to do so would invite disaster!)
And...Don't feel like you need to go through things so fast that in a year you are completely burnt out (ds really did burn out on math after miquon and still has a hard time getting back into math )


I hope that makes sense. I'll try to post more later, when my brain cells are actually functional.

[Marsupialmom]

With Rod and Staff you copy your answer, it is not fill in the blank. My son had motor skill/writting issues at your dd age. I have seen other kids that were week in the physical act of writing which CAN make the program hard if parents are unwilling to do stuff orally.

[Staceyhsmom1]

You are going to love SOTW! We started WTM for 2nd grade and started with ancients, we are only now half way thru medieval times. Her history layout has been the one thing we have stayed with for TWTM, but we take our time with the History because my son loves it! He's in 4th grade now and we will wrap up medieval times this summer and start the renosance times.

I highly recommend the Activity guide that goes with the sotw, it is filled with crafts, recipes, games and tons of fiction and non-fiction books to read for each chapter.

As for the rest of the wtm, well, it was too structured for our lifestyle. My son is very advanced in Math, so we have tried many different math programs. And I have used a variety of language arts programs too. The only other thing I adhere to is reading an hour a day.

[guest^]

Thanks for your reply!!!!

It is the "jingle" aspect of it that appeals to me. Dd is definitely a strong "auditory" learner.....and I think this would be a big *hit* with her!

Since ds is a good 5 years behing dd, I hesitate to purchase *anything* with the assumption that it will be used by more than one person. Just too big of a gap....

Lots to consider.....

mp

[guest^]

Thanks for all of your input!!

A big part of me feeling*behind*,is that we have had a lot to deal with as a family this year,and hsing has....well....come last!!! I just strongly feel like I haven't helped dd reach her potential this past year. But then again, I have always rejected "structured,academic" learning in early childhood,and I do sense that dd is finally ready for something different. She is soaking up what I've thrown at her these last few weeks, so I feel like we're on the right track. Sort of. I guess, it's a track that hasn't been traveled by anyone but us...and this is okay.

mp

mp

[guest^]

Okay, that helps. Dd has fairly good writing skills. I guess, I wonder if R&S is scripted enough for me??? I need blow-by-blow instructions!!!!! :-)

mp

[guest^]

UNreal-
I think your brain cells are working great!!!!! :-)

I appreciate your input.....it sounds like you have a highly gifted ds......

I am trying VERY hard not to feel behind......a big part of my lack of confidence,is that I truly feel that I haven't helped dd reach her potential in an academic way. Too much "life" stuff got in our way........plus.....I have been studying the type of learner dd is.This is hard to do when you have a child leaving one stage of dev. and moving into another. But,I am sure that dd is a strong AUDITORY learner,and so my journey begins to help her....and her insatiable desire to memorize!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is amazing!!!!!!!!! NO wonder I CANNOT get through the grocery without her!!!!!!

Again, Thankyou for your time.

mp

[guest^]

THanks Jen 123! You are sooooo right!!!
mp

[guest^]

Amy-

Thankyou! DD continues to cruise through the FLL's and I feel pretty confident that she will be ready for R&S lvl 3 come Fall.

I am anxiously awaiting our TSOTW-Ancients.....and will definitely focus on the main civs.

THankyou!!!
mp