Has anyone tried Piano Suite Premier? I ran across it while looking over the Seton website, which I like to give a look-see from time to time. It looks pretty interesting. They sell the software, manual, and a keyboard that hooks up to the computer.

Did it...it does sound a lot like my husband...and perhaps both of my two oldest children. Where do I go to find out for sure?

This is my experience, too. My son was a late walker/talker/reader/writer. When he was 2yo and not talking very much...I began worry. My mother-in-law put my fears to rest when she confessed that both her sons began talking between 2.5 and 3. Turns out that my husband (who tests very high on I.Q. tests) was also a late reader. He just didn't have the drive until about 3rd grade. This was a great relief to hear b/c I was a self-taught reader at age 4 and just expected that my children would follow in MY footsteps.

Spell to Write and Read. Liked it, bought it, hated it, sold it, bought something else, got interested in SWR again, bought it again, LOVE it. Wish I had just not tried to figure it all out the first time around. The second time around I jumped right in and followed the steps one by one...and it's so much easier than I led myself to believe. I'm very happy with it now.

Very cute. I think I will use this. Thanks!

I have the exact opposite problem...and I really think it is one of the primary factors in my son's delayed ability to write properly. In the beginning...and for quite some time...I looked at my own hand and tried to make him hold his pencil and align his paper in a mirror image manner. It wasn't until my south-pawed sister showed up and saved me from imposing such strict limits on my son that things improved (which is great b/c as it turns out my daughter is also a lefty). Now his handwriting is...pretty good...and his pencil hold, while not my ideal, isn't a problem. Perhaps you should seek the assistance of a righty relative or friend.

Perhaps see an endocrinologist about your thyroid, since a thyroid issue will have an affect on your serotonin levels.

I cannot upload my schedules. I keep getting a message that says my single page word doc is too large...it grossly exceeds the limits. How do I "trim" it down so that it can be uploaded? TIA, Jenny

I think your schedules look nifty...maybe I'll post mine when I'm done.

I reworked your list a bit…made it look like ours (even tho we’re not using the same stuff). I only did this for the 3rd grader. Language Arts Reading & Vocabulary-- Classic Worktexts and Shakespeare Worktexts (level 3) Spelling- Spelling Power Handwriting-- a reason for handwriting English- R&S 3 Math & Science Math-- Horizons, Singapore intensive practice and CWP Science-- Zoology 1 and possibly Zoology 2 Geography-- Trail Guide to US Geography & Homeschool Ponies Humanities Bible- Who is God, Character building and Manners Matter Latin-- Song School Latin History-- SOTW 2, BJU Heritage Studies 3 Fine Arts & Technical Skills Typing Instructor Art-- This is just going to be projects with science and history 1 You need to drop the Vocabulary Cartoons since Classic/Shakespeare Worktexts already contain vocabulary as does BJU Heritage Studies. 2 You don’t need all the extras for grammar…stick with just the R&S. 3 If you use Horizons as your core math curriculum, you can supplement with Singapore’s supplementary materials…you don’t need to do two full programs plus supplements…that’s just too much. 4 Choose 2 science books to cover…if only partially this year. I cut Botany, but you may prefer to cut one of the zoologies instead. 5 Geography…I think these coordinate well with your American history program, but they aren’t really necessary. 6 Song School will be more fun and less overwhelming right now. 7 Cut BJU Heritage 4…it’s just too much considering that you’re already supplementing American history with so much geography…it won’t hurt to move that to next year. I would do SOTW as a read aloud only. 8 Typing…only do this if she’s excited about it. 9 Keep a list of level appropriate books for her to choose to read during her own 30 minute space of time each day…Classic/Shakespeare Worktexts is enough of a reading curriculum for school. JMHO. :)

Trees by Joyce Kilmer I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.

I decided to list out my childrens' classes, and then color code them (red=teacher intensive, orange=moderate-low teacher involvement, green=low-no teacher involvement). For instance, we use SWR for spelling...very teacher intensive, thus colored red. We also use handwriting workbooks...low-no teacher involvement, thus colored green. I schedule a red for one child while the other has a green (or two). Orange can be done simultaneously...and I can float betw them (usually these are the classes that require a brief review...then workbook exercises or copywork). HTH. -Jenny

Thank you for this book recommendation. I just received my copy of Primary Language Lessons a couple days ago, and was beside myself wondering how to handle the Oral Reproduction passages; Rasinski gives the answer in his book (on pg 12). My children aren't at the silent reading stage yet, but I think that it is very important that children learn to read aloud well even after they begin silent reading.

Here are a few suggestions. An Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice: Based Upon the Third Plenary Council Catechism It's much like other Baltimore Catechisms, but many of the questions are followed by references to or quotations of the scriptures, which would make for nice copy/memory work. Copies can also be purchased from amazon.com. RACE for Heaven's Study Guide for Mary Fabyan Windeatt's Saint Biographies Grade 6 by Janet P. McKenzie McKenzie's saint study guides are fantastic. Laid out chapter by chapter, they include a poetic summary, timeline of events, map, enrichment activities, and lots more (vocabulary, narration prompts, etc.) for each saint studied. Communion with the Saints: A Family Preparation Program for First Communion and Beyond in the Spirit of St. Therese by Janet P. McKenzie This book covers Windeatt's biographies of The Little Flower, The Children of Fatima, and Bld. Imelda Lambertini, and Mother Mary Loyola's The King of the Golden City: An Allegory for Children. The guide covers 10 weeks of carefully planned out reading and study, including comprehension/narration prompts, discussion topics, lessons in practical application, a parallel figures chart, scripture selections and citations, selections from Carmelite saints to deepen prayer life, daily reading schedule, weekend projects, weekly themes for a daily journal (pg viii), and suggested resources for study of the Mass. HTH. -Jenny

Why not use Lingua Angelica from Memoria Press? That way if you are (or will be) including any Latin study in your curriculum, your children learn some beautiful, traditional old church hymns sung in Latin.

Soap Carving! It's the prequel (or safe alternative) to whittling and wood carving. Here's a book (we own a copy) that shows how to make all the tools from Popsicle sticks, and provides step-by-step, illustrated and detailed directions for many projects. The recommended soap is plain, white Ivory...very inexpensive. I promise you'll love it!

Highlands Latin School has it's summer reading list online. It's broken up by grade, and has a great, and varied selection. So as to conserve space, I am only posting the list for 3rd graders. Rising 3rd Graders Owls in the Family, 91 p. Encyclopedia Brown, 100 p. (7 book series) Stuart Little, 131 p. Homer Price, 149 p. Mr. Popper’s Penguins, 139 p. The Cricket in Times Square, 160 p. Rabbit Hill, 120 p. Betsy-Tacy, 144 p. (10 book series) Grandma’s Attic, 140 p. (7 books series) The Midnight Fox, 134 p. Winnie-the-Pooh, 161 p. Indian in the Cupboard, 184 p. (5 book series) The Borrowers, 192 p. (5 book series) Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook, 224 p. The Railway Children, 267 p. Pinocchio, 261 p. Sign of the Beaver, 144 p. Little House in the Big Woods Little House on the Prairie The Story of Dr. Doolittle, 150 p. (7 book series), Hugh Lofting Seaman’s Journal: On the Trail with Lewis and Clark, 32 p.

We haven't used any of the old spellers, but if we did I'd probably go with Noah Webster's 1908 The Elementary Spellingbook b/c it has sentences/phrases for dictation after every lesson (starts with 2-word sentences/phrases). Then, we'd move on to Webster's The Practical Speller for the same reason (altho the lessons are more advanced and the sentences precede the actual lesson). In fact, I am sorely tempted to try them out, perhaps use them as a supplement to our current phonics/spelling program.

Ok, I give up. (((raising a white flag))) I just think what we have is great, and that we shouldn't change it for the world (even if it makes math homework simpler). But I s'pose on this I'm just outnumbered...LOL

True, the metric system is a system of measurement, and not literally a foreign language, but it is not OUR system of measurement. It is foreign to US. It is also a contrived system of measurement--artificial, not organic (unlike English, which grows out of what came before it). I like that we have our own way of doing things; I think it makes for a richer, more diverse understanding of the world. I love the Italian language b/c it's completely phonetic and is easy to both read and spell, but I couldn't justify abandoning my mother tongue for it. What a loss to all the world should we snuff out English in favor of a more "rational" language. Same for the metric system.

While I agree that the metric system is easier for doing calculations on paper, it is not as useful as the US (or, likewise, Imperial) system--that's why we have clung so stubbornly to it (makes me kinda proud, actually). Our .gov has been trying so hard for decades now to push the metric system on us through the public school system; it has failed every time b/c it just isn't as practical. Teaching our children the metric system should be, IMO, like acquainting them with a foreign language--because that's what it is. It just isn't part of our culture and heritage. Scrapping the US system for metrication would cause a break with our roots...our classical roots :D "Last, but not least, traditional units are part of our language. They are built into our historic buildings and live in our literature. If we abandon them, we lose a valuable heritage, handed down over centuries. Conservationists should oppose cultural vandalism. It is too late to value something when it has gone." -The British Weights and Measurements Association

We use the Baltimore Catechism No. 1 according to the instructions provided in the 1904 edition of Course of Christian Doctrine. You'll notice per the Table of Contents that each grade has a detailed syllabus for Prayers, Aspirations, Catechism, Bible History, Instructions, Stories, Hymns and Recitations, and Quotations to be learned. It's truly a great resource for teaching Catholic religion. Page 5 gives a breakdown of which Balt. Cat. questions to teach each week during first grade.

I second the last 2 posters.

We'll be starting back on Sep 1. We do school Tue-Fri with some review on Sat. We have 4-10wk quarters, with 2wk breaks betw 1st-3rd quarters, and 6wks vacation betw 4th quarter & the new school yr. This summer has gone by so quickly. I couldn't believe it when the stores began moving out the gardening items and replacing them with school supplies.