Thank you everybody! Comments were very helpful!

Thank you! Will take a look at these!

Thank you for telling me about these! Listened to the first recording last night and loved it!

-Finish AAR 2/Start AAR 3 -AAS 2 -SOTW 2 and lots of picture books -tag along with his older brother for Apologia Astronomy -HWOT and TGTB handwriting -RS C -FLL 1 and WWE 1 -Kids Cook Real Food, Typing.com, Piano, Art -start narrations with read alouds and work on reading comprehension questions

Just saw this in the IEW catalog and it looks good ... but also expensive with the DVDs. Any fans of TTC? I love the idea of having a curriculum that makes me confident in asking the right questions about good literature. I also saw a lecture by SWB on literary analysis that I want to check out. Any other good resources that teach about the elements of literature? TY!

We loved all the Henry Huggins books, all the Ramona books, The Land of Stories series, The Penderwicks, The Indian and the Cupboard (2 book series), Dr. Doolittle (many books in the series), The Wizard of Oz series, ... Of those, I'd say the only ones considered "boy" books would be the Henry Huggins ones and The Indian and the Cupboard, both great series.

Thank you Random! I just signed up!

I'm trying to decide if I should purchase the VP self-paced bible course - it's $100 if you buy before midnight. Any fans?

Just downloaded this. Can't wait to listen!

I currently use RS C and have read that D is so much review. I believe many switch after C. I am looking at Beast Academy 3A or possibly SIngapore 3. I have been having my ds slowly go through the placement tests for both curriculum so that if and when I decide to switch, I know he can handle the new load. I might still buy RS D because I do love the way they teach algorithms with the abacus. I would love to see the lessons where they teach multi-digit multiplication and long division (I'm assuming that isn't til E). I've always felt the teaching RS offers is top-notched, but in C it has been moving rather slow and doesn't feel very challenging anymore. Another concern I've read about - RS waits a while to teach long division.

This is absolutely fabulous. I do use WWI, and this is exactly what I need. TY Lori D. and Zoo Keeper!

I have a first grader who currently does oral narrations. Can someone explain to me the process for transitioning (in second grade-ish) to him doing his own narrations? I saw a little about this in the WTM book - starting with him copying his narrations after I write them out for him. Also, starting dictation - he can dictate simple sentences that I give him. So what now? Do I start having him orally narrative and write it down and then repeat it back to him for him to try and write himself? I anticipate he will need lots of help with spelling, so do I just help him whenever necessary and take it really slow? Any help is much appreciated!!!

We love RightStart games like Corners (you can buy the RS games separately). I also like Kate Snow's math books (lots of games that solidify math facts). Money Bags, Loose Change, and lots of single-player logic games. Cooking can involve measuring with fractions. Or asking them to double a recipe.

So nice of you! Thank you! WIll let you know in the fall for sure when we use it!

I heard about IEW from a post and want to purchase a curriculum. I am leaning between purchasing the TWSS used and watching it this summer and then buying something like All Things Fun and Fascinating (saw good reviews on this one). OR I was thinking of purchasing the new SSS Level A (for a 3rd grader). I emailed the company and they responded by saying the new SSS no longer requires that you first watch the TWSS dvds - they said it still helps but the SSS is a full curriculum for both student and teacher. What do you prefer - a themed-book or the SSS? I don't know much about the program so any help would be great!

Would love the extra ideas for the game! TY!

History: SOTW 2 Literature: Continue reading classics Math: Either RIghtStart D or BA 3A or both Spelling: AAS 2/3 Reading: AAR 4 Grammar/Writing: FLL 2/WWE2 or maybe Easy Grammar 2 Spanish: No idea/need something easy to implement Handwriting: ZB Cursive, narrations (work on moving towards him doing his own) Science: Apologia Astronomy or TGTB Astronomy Open ended art projects, piano lessons, basketball, baseball

Anyone supplement SOTW with anything? I love the book and the discussion questions and we do a narration, color pages, and maps, but I don't like the projects - they just don't fit us. Anyone use the Veritas Press guide? Or their cards? Or even their online course (noticed it was on sale this week)? Am looking for something physical that I can do with my kids - activities, cards, anything that they can see and touch that will compliment SOTW. We will start SOTW 2 next year. I still want it to be my main curriculum, just want something small to add to it. Thank you!

I noticed Apologia sells an Astronomy Lab Kit with all the resources needed to complete the labs for around $150. Then, I noticed Rainbow Resources has a similar kit for almost half as much from Nature's Workshop. Anyone use either of these kits and can recommend one over the other? Prices are very different! Thank you!

Has anyone successfully created a timeline that goes along with SOTW? We are currently on the Ancients and I would like to do an end-of-the-year project where we glue some pictures/text to a timeline that is taped to the wall. Not sure what paper to use. Not sure how to divide up the timeline into increments that would fit with the text. Any ideas would be much appreciated!

Read Aloud Dad - http://www.readalouddad.com/search/label/Illustrated books - this is the site I use to find unabridged, richly illustrated classics. For example, I found Peter Pan, The Wind in the Willows, Pinocchio, The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Dr. Doolittle, The Secret Garden and many more. You do have to search a bit to find these particular books on the site, but every recommendation has been absolutely stunning. I usually google "Read Aloud Dad and then a title" to see if he has a post on that specific book instead of trying to find it on his site.

With Zaner-Bloser, would you say to buy the Teacher's Edition book or is it not necessary? Thank you for your thoughtful reply! Very helpful!

Thank you for the thorough responses!

When do you suggest starting cursive practice and what are some good choices for books? I have heard about traditional cursive vs slant print or simplified cursive. Can anyone tell me what these mean? Thank you!!!!

Thank you!