You've had lots of good suggestions, but I think this idea of your dh is a great one. When my 4th was born...actually, she was 6mo and I was floundering because she didn't sleep more than 45 mins for naps...dh talked to an older, retired neighbor lady and asked if she'd be interested in coming over to do some activities with our just turned 4yo dd. She nearly cried when he asked her because she said that there were so many times she wanted to volunteer to help me but was afraid I'd think she thought I wasn't capable if she offered. Ha! I know I'm not capable. :-) So for a few months, she came over and spent about 2 hrs with dd 2-3x/week. They did puzzles, coloring, letter flash cards, lacing cards, playing Playmobils. And dd loved the individual attention. The baby finally napped better, and both boys got more focused attention from me. Eventually, the neighbor had her own family situation to deal with and couldn't come anymore, but she got us through those difficult months. If there is someone in your life who would be able to help you that way, it sounds like a great option! Wise dh!

I just finished the book as well. The author mentions that reading to your children daily is indicative of higher scores on the PISA as is discussing current events and issues with them as they get older. I'm not so good at facilitating the discussions with the children, but dh is. He's good at drawing out of them their thoughts and ideas about issues or events. Listening in mow...I'm interested in others' responses as well.

I am so excited to find this writing program! Ds10 has completed WWE3 and we did some in WWE4, but we just weren't feeling it. I didn't think he was really learning or growing in his writing abilities. We're also using R&S 5 for grammar, so he is doing a few writing exercises in there. But I think this will fit in well now. I had been thinking of moving him into WWS1, but I kept wondering if he was ready. He's not a natural writer, and while I do want to teach him outlining, I think we'll save that for a ways down the road. So I just ordered and now I'm excited to see how this goes!

What about Marguerite Henry's horse series? Or other horse classics like Black Beauty?

Thank you for mentioning that I ought to look at Level 6. I wondered about that but short of looking through the whole book, I wouldn't have known. I don't care that it's not so exciting - we use Saxon math, so that's nothing new. I just want it to be thorough and independent. Thank you all for your replies!

Ds9 will finish FFL-4 this year, so I need to decide what to use in the fall. I've been looking at R&S, Voyages in English ($$$ - sheesh!), and Hake/Saxon so far. My major concerns are these: - Diagramming. We must do diagramming. Do all of these do diagramming? - How much of my time does it take? I have 3 littler ones, 2 of them doing school and a busy-bee toddler, so my hands-on time is limited. - How thorough is it? Right now I'm rather leaning toward Hake because it looks like ds9 could handle it on his own. But how thorough is it compared to other curricula? I do need to maximize my time, but I don't want to sacrifice quality/thoroughness terribly. Other choices I should be looking at? And if you've had a student transition from FLL to one of these programs, did they go right in at 5th grade level? Thanks!! Christy

Anybody know of a free shipping code for CBD for orders over $35? I managed to toss my last catalog without looking for one. TIA!

Thanks. Unfortunately, iTunes is saying it is no longer available.

I have been trying to find the app for my iPad but can't locate it. Is it called something else?

Anyone know of a resource similar to The Complete Book of Animals that is meant for older kids? I have a 4th grader who loved this book, but he's ready for something a little older. He devours all of the animal books from the library, but I thought it might be good to have something with some writing/answering questions in it. Thanks!

Does anyone know of a good place to buy a state wall map? I'm specifically looking for Virginia. I can find road maps, and I've found expensive, large wall maps. But I need something no bigger than 3' wide. :bigear: Thanks!

I don't think there is a separate teacher's guide, but the second half of the book gives the discussion questions and activities.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Get Wisdom! by Ruth Younts. It is a book with 23 lessons about living for Jesus. We haven't used it yet, but we're going to start when our school year begins in August. It addresses a certain character quality in each lesson and provides a memory verse along with a definition, discussion questions and sometimes activities. I plan to do one chapter/week. It covers character qualities such as... listening obedience contentment orderliness mercy gratitude respect and so on...

Here is the link to the forms to fill out - center of the page. You fill out the form and send it with the Loom CD and $35 to upgrade to the DE. You do not have to have bought it from them. When I spoke to them about this a few months ago, they also suggested that I call them when I was ready to send in the form and they would make sure I was in their system to process it more easily/quickly. I haven't actually done it yet, but I have a friend who has and she had no problems.

Thanks so much! :001_smile: