...and my ds seems to prefer his left as well... now to teach my him how to write WITHOUT the hook. I'm going to do my best to instill good habits from the very beginning as I am very nervous about it. "Now honey, do as I say... not as I do!?" However, the previous posts in this thread have some great tips that I will draw from to teach my ds. Any tips for the lefty mommy with the hook? Those of you parents who are right handed teaching a lefty definitely have an advantage over me. BTW, I'll be using Cursive First w/SWR. Melissa

I don't know that these are necessarily simple, but if you like AiG maybe... Firm Foundations: Children's Edition or Answers for Kids Series I haven't used either but I think that I may in the future. Melissa

I will be starting prek with my one and only ds this fall and I'm still deciding on some things I want to do with him. As I need all the help I can get, I'm looking at B4FIAR and FIAR. I can't decide whether I should start B4FIAR with him or skip it and just start FIAR. What do you recommend? Also, I'm considering SL P3/4 or P4/5. Oh...how hard it is to make a decision when they all seem so great. However, as you may know SL is the more expensive of the two. I already have phonics and math covered, so that's not a problem. I have read some of the past threads on both and still can't seem to be swayed either way (except for the expense). Would it me best to just use the books lists from SL, FIAR, and AO to read aloud and not really purchase any one program in particular? Please help! Melissa

oops, see new thread i just posted

I haven't read the previous posts to see if this was already mentioned, but have you considered Kid's Answers Magazine by Answers in Genesis Melissa

It was suggested that I could start using IEW's Poetry Memorization as early as kindergarten. Would this be... Developing Linguistic Patterns Through Poetry Memorization sold by IEW or The Grammar of Poetry I'm not sure... Please tell me when you started using these. Thank you, Melissa

I've found so many wonderful things on the Answers in Genesis website that I want to get and incorporate them in our homeschool journey. I am very interested in knowing what others may use from AiG. Melissa

I am very excited about starting Spell to Write and Read with my one and only ds4. Have you considered it? BHI won "Phonics Company Excellence in Education Award!" The Old Schoohouse Magazine recognized BHI for the outstanding curriculum, Spell to Write and Read, a unified language arts program for all ages and learning types. Homeschool blogger says "SWR is used in public and private schools, in many homeschools, and is a favored choice for ESL (English as a Second Language) tutoring for dyslexics, and adult literacy programs. Students who have failed with other spelling and reading programs find success with SWR." Check out BHI Books for SWR Materials Check out this Homeschool Blog by Britta McColl (endorsed SWR Trainer) Check out Morning Star Learning for SWR Materials Check out the SWR Group at Yahoo! I hope these links may help you! :001_smile: Melissa

Spell to Write and Read Melissa

I've never been to an AC Moore site...can you provide a link for the passports you mention? Thank you, Melissa

...and had to add it, as it seems appropriate with all the research I've been doing for our homeschooling journey and questions I have about... well, everything! "The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while conditions are still unfavourable. Favourable conditions never come." C.S. Lewis Melissa

This is just a general question, because this inquiring mind would like to know. Why did you choose one over the other and when/how did you start using it? I'm interested in your experience as it may help me continue my rough planning for the future. Thank you, Melissa

I'm looking at purchasing Galloping the Globe to do with my one and only ds for K. For those of you who have used GtG, what do you recommend as must have books at home, in conjunction with the library? Also, it looks like GtG requires Considering God's Creation (science)...however, it seems that those who use Considering God's Creation are actually implementing it at an older age/grade level...did you use this w/GtG? Did you use CGC just for GtG or did you already plan on using CGC as your science curriculum? Please help me clarify... and share your experiences with GtG. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Melissa

Thank you, I'll look into these DW tapes and SOTW CDs in the future as well. BTW, My husband and I looked into Galloping the Globe and think it will actually be a great idea, so thanks again for the tip. I know I've seen others mentioning it in the forum. In fact, I looked back and you mentioned it in one of my very first posts not too long ago, but it just didn't sink in until now. LOL! Also, from that same post you had mentioned a few other things as well... here are a couple... Well, I'm finally seeing the light and I'm tossing the ABeka stuff. Oh... I checked out some D'Aulaire books from our local library and both my ds and I love them! ;) Thanks again & again! Melissa

No problem, I should have given more info in the beginning... you're right it makes more sense! I understand what you mean and I agree with you. As far as science goes... although I plan on using God's Design for Science by AiG, it will be further down the road... not for K5 or probably even 1st... whenever I believe that ds is ready for it - I think I didn't clarify that when I mentioned it just previously. That's a great point, thanks for mentioning it. I did join the group a month or two ago, but sometimes forget about asking questions there. I'll try to utilize them more. BTW, hope you don't mind me asking but are you a moderator for that group? Oh and how it resonates, this is exactly me too! This makes me feel even better about using VP. I believe that we'll do some geography for 1st and then start OT/AE in 2nd, however, thank you for the other tips... I'll keep them in mind just in case our plans change. Oh, that leads me to another question OT... I am currently reading through an older version of TWTM on loan from the library. Do you recommend one version over the other (older or newer) for a helpful guide to the classical approach. Also, I've heard of Teaching the Trivium... what do you think of that guide? Thanks again, you've made some great points and this is yet another helpful one. I appreciate your time, experience and wisdom! I'm sure I'll have alot more questions in the future and I hope you'll be around to comment on those as well. In fact, I appreciate everyone's feedback. This is a great forum! I'm feeling the love! :001_smile: Past my bedtime now... better sign off with these happy thoughts. Melissa

What ages/levels did you use DW? If DW is meant for 5th and up, what did you use for the earlier ages/grades? Melissa

I saw the AiG/DW version and thought that I may want to try it in the future, but not sure how I would incorporate it w/VP. Any suggestions? OT... I'm also planning on using AiG's God's Design for Science series. Thanks, Melissa

Just trying to get general information on what's available for history curriculum in the realm of the christian, classical approach... what are their main differences... and what is covered and when. I believe that I am getting a much better understanding though, from this thread and others on the forum. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but it's my understanding that TOG isn't just History but it has other subjects incorporated as well. Is it possible to do the history program without the extras? So far I like VP the best and since I already plan to use most of their materials recommended for others subjects (with the exception of SWR for LA), it seems that I am most likely just going to stay the course with VP entirely. One observation on VP's history is that they do a whole year of geography for 1st (I like this idea and the materials too) and then start with the OT/AE history in 2nd. However, I noticed that easyclassical.com, who follows some of VP recommendations, start geography in K. Does STOW and TOG incorporate geography and if so when? Questions for VP users: If you've used VP's history what do you like or dislike about it? Did you follow their suggestions completely or did you change things up a bit and how? Did you start with Geography in K or 1st? Oh also, what pattern does VP follow? (ex. SOTW has 4 periods with 3 rotations) Although this may be rough planning for the future, I like to be well prepared and educated in the different materials available to us. Please know that your responses are greatly appreciated. Thank you, Melissa

Could anyone please tell me the differences in these history curriculums. When and why do YOU choose to use them? Which grades/levels do you implement them? Tapestry of Grace Veritas Press Story of the World Diana Waring ------- Thank you, Melissa

I haven't used any of these, but I can tell you that I plan on using God's Design in the future. Just FYI... I almost purchased the complete set of God's Design for Science curriculum in advance through AiG because it's on sale. I called AiG and spoke to someone in their education department who suggested waiting to buy God's Design until Dec./Jan when the updated version comes out. The gentleman I spoke to said the current version is great, but since he's seen what the new one has to offer... he suggested waiting for the new one. So depending on when you wanted to start, you could buy one or two of the current books to begin with until the new ones are out. Hope that helps you, Melissa

...in my head, LOL! :lol: & :confused: (I'm not sure which of these smilies to use, so I choose both.) I have so many questions and not sure which to ask or sometimes how to word them without confusing everyone else. I start to research one curriculum or subject which leads to another, all the while having spurts of... Oh--I like this, but maybe this is better, or maybe both. I can't help but to research and plan... "Hello, my name is Melissa and I am a planner." I just want to be well prepared for both me and my ds... to know and understand all the resources which are available to us and ultimately decide what will help us reach our goals for homeschooling. Is that too much to ask all in one night?! Brain, don't fail me now. Or as Pooh might say... Think! Think! Think! I'm sorry for running on at the keyboard. I have a few questions to ask, but I guess I needed a little venting first. :tongue_smilie: I know that using the Christian, Classical method is the way for us. My questions lie in the details, details, details. Which I know will answer themselves in prayer and in time. At this time, however, I would be much obliged and hope it isn't to much to ask, if anyone using the Christian, Classical Method would share their favorite curriculum choices and when you implemented them in the grammar/logic stages. Also, in addition to TWTM, is there any book(s) in particular you have used and recommend for a Christian, Classical method guideline? This forum has been a huge blessing to me and I am so thankful for the knowledge that I've gleaned from it thus far. Thank you for reading my ramblings and I hope you all have a good night, I mean day, I mean... oh Good Night! :sleep: Sincerely, Melissa

Beginning Geography published by Evan-Moor... - Beginning Geography 1: How to Use a Map - Beginning Geography 2: Land Forms and Bodies of Water - Beginning Geography 3: Continents & Oceans Here is a link to amazon, but I would recommend trying to find them used somewhere... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-4655515-4549505?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=beginning+geography&x=0&y=0 Veritas Press starts Geography in 1st grade using vol. 1&2 as well as some other materials, but I saw that Easy Classical recommends vol. 1&2 for Kindergarten. Here are their links... http://www.veritaspress.com/products.asp?dept=1010 http://www.easyclassical.com/Kindergarten_curriculum.html I'm not sure that this is what you were looking for, but I hope it helps. God Bless!

anyone?

I'm not ready to begin history with my ds just yet, but I am researching and doing some rough planning for the future. Athough I've found some curriculum I'm interested in, I'm not sure what to do and when. I'm hoping for a little guidance from those of you who have used these materials. Which of these do you recommend and for what age/grade did you implement them? Is there something else similar to these that you prefer for starting history with the christian classical method? Mistery of History Green Leaf Press History Alive - Ancient Civilizations and the Bible by Diana Waring - or others by her such as... History Revealed: Ancient Civilizations & the Bible - Full Family Curriculum Pack by Diana Waring & AiG Any feedback you can offer is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Melissa

:iagree: Excellent Advice!!! Oh Yeah, we also had a free box everyday and that was a huge hit. We actually had one gs'r who selected a few small toys from it (packaged happy meal toys) and then wanted to give me a few dollars for them.