@Holly Wittwer just to clarify, it is 100% okay to talk about curriculum here! Curriculum isn't the starting place for your homeschool, but it still plays an important part for many of us once we get the ball rolling. Here's what I would recommend with Monty. Seeing how he doesn't like writing, at least as it is presented in a typical curriculum, I'd go for an outside the box approach. This will be more organic and interactive and may be better suited for his temperament. Here's what I'd suggest trying: 1️⃣ Make it text-based: Start with a book that you can enjoy reading together. Have him create summary sentences orally, while you transcribe them on the white board. Talk through the idea he has conveyed and look for clarity. Include appropriate punctuation and grammar. Show the difference between communicating in written form and oral and let him help you make it as clear to read as possible. 2️⃣ Keep a literature notebook where he then does copy work based on the sentences and summaries you create together. 3️⃣ Once he is more confident in the approach have him try to write out his first-draft summaries by himself first, then review it and edit it together on the board, then have him neatly write the final draft in his notebook. This approach will take the generic, mundane nature of most curriculums away and allow him to write about things he is actively engaged in. It will also promote better reading comprehension and critical thinking as he will have to pay attention to what is read in order to accurately summarize the text. This approach can be built upon to later do summary paragraphs, then eventually to complete whole book reports based off of the notes he has maintained. It becomes a vehicle to teach writing with clear learning objectives to pursue: - Summary sentence - Summar paragraphs - Book Reports These skills would be clearly trackable milestones without the pressure of a specific timeline. Let me know what you think about this approach and if you have any questions we can address it in our live call!

The languages and travel is no doubt very cool, but the sacrifices of you and your wife to focus on your children and family… that’s really something special! @Yuan Chiang very glad to have you here and to learn together

@Hayley Love-Malchak can’t beat reviews like this. One thing Hayley has going for her though is that she puts in the work and therefore enjoys the results. I can’t make anyone Homeschool better, but I can help show you how 👏

@Holly Wittwer I’m so honored not only that great parents like you are utilizing this resource, but especially that you find it high quality enough to share with others!

@Yuan Chiang glad to have you here!

@Yuan Chiang haha sounds like a typical coming of age arc.

@Hayley Love-Malchak fun times ahead indeed! 😂

Here’s another productivity tip I have to be reminded of too often: Go to bed 🛌! I do very little productive work in the evening, and basically no creative work. But sometimes times I’ll fritter time away doing low value tasks late into the night. When I make it a goal to turn in early and follow through, I get more productive work done the following morning. We’re all different, but this is huge for me.