I don't know what I would do with out the library. I request 20 to 30 books a week. On occasion I will purchase a specific book to go along with a program we are doing when I can't get it from the library but those add up to about 5 a year.

We are Visual Spatial Learners at our house. My oldest definitely did best with a whole word approach as opposed to phonics while learning to read. We are using Singapore Primary Math and My Pal's Are Here Science with online math fact drill. SOTW is definitely good for us with lots of supplemental reading. We also do time lines as opposed to narrating. For each chapter my dc draw a picture that sums up the chapter or at least illustrates a high point. While each is coming up with their idea we have a good discussion of the chapter. These illustrations become those points around the facts are built. We are also using Brave Writer for writing with lots of copy of work. Right now we are using Calvert Spelling CD. I am not sure whether it is working as it is definitely our weak point but for some VSL's it is good.

I am joining you. I turn 45 on Monday. I am trying to live in the now as opposed to looking at the future. Happy Birthday!

The local Shakespeare company this summer is putting on Othello. I am looking for recommendations for a longer adaptations of the play perhaps at a middle school level which we can read aloud over a couple of days or weeks in preparation for viewing the play and participating in play-related camps. Nesbit and Lamb are the usual recommendations but I am looking for more or at least something different.

We use it in lieu of corn syrup or honey. Shoot, my youngest who is allergic to tomatoes uses it as a dipping sauce.

Singapore in combination with Miquon. The kids like the color of Singapore but occassionally need a break when it get hard. For that reason we switch to Miquon. As each approaches topics at different level it gives them a nice mix.

I work part-time, 25 hours a week, and I telecommute about half of the time. The plust on my side is that dh also works part-time and he is off when I am on. My children are younger, 8, 6, and 4. I have found that I do best with curriculums that are do the next thing so we use primarially textbook/workbook type programs. I am a big believer in the FlyLady system. I am constantly decluttering, I have a weekly checklist of things that need to be done, I make out my menu 6-weeks in advance, and I have a master grocery list.

I really like Brave Writer. It is definitely a take what you want and leave the rest program. We do copy work, Free Writes, monthly writing projects, movie afternoons (nights), Tuesday Teatime, and Shakespeare. I looked seriously at the Arrow but my dd was not interested in the reading list. Consequently I pull from all over for reading selections. We are also using Galore Park Junior English as an additional reading list guide, writing topic generator, and basic grammar.

Good to know.

How do you get free shipping from Land's End?

I tried to respond once but my post got lost in a computer hiccup. I am also using MPH Science. I do consider it to a complete program. For 4th grade I will probably try to have a few more hands on activities. My dd like the magnetism segment best and I think that it is partly because we had a kit to play with. My 3 dc are learning to type. The youngest is 4. I would say that he is more learning his letters than typing but the older two (6 and 8) are definitely learning. We are using Sponge Bob typing. It has instruction segments intermixed with games to improve accuracy and speed. I want to also suggest Brave Writer for a LA program or at a minimum a writing program. This approach starts with the child dictating to the mother, eventually moving into shared writing, then solo writing. It has been very effective to allow my dd to express herself without being incumbered with the mechanics of writing and particularly spelling.

The only writing my oldest did in 2nd grade was filling in workbooks and MadLibs Junior. At the very end of the year we started copywork but nothing else. In fact Bravewriter does not recommend starting that program until they are 8. At that point other than copywork the child does dictation to the parent and once a month copying their finished work.

I don't have a good source of bread recipes to offer. However, I highly recommend your friend either purchasing a grain mill or buying flour. I am not sure that it is possible to clean out a grain mill well enough to make it safe for gf cooking. I would suggest buying Bob's Redmill flours and starches at the local grocery store or health food store or ordering from http://www.azurestandard.com/ or http://www.twinvalleymills.com/. Another option is to buy bread. We really like Food For Life gf breads.

Deviate from my every 4 week hair cut schedule.

STOW, Singapore My Pals are Here Science, Singapore Let's Learn Science, Singapore Early Bird Math, Singapore Primary Math, Miquon, Explode the Code, Brave Writer, Educational Fontware and Faith First.

Have you tried a health food store for soda made from cane sugar? I drink Whole Food's store brand. I believe that Reed's which is an upper end soda also is made from cane. It might even come in a regular grocery. Arch At Home

Super!

We have been using MPH 3 with my 3rd grader. Though she could have easily handled the information in the textbook at an earlier age, she could not of handled the workbook and activity book at an earlier age. I really liked the exposure to flora and fauna of SE Asia and it was an opportunity to introduce dd to conducting searches on the web. I did purchase the teacher's guide for the activity book because that is where the answers are. The answers come with the workbook so I ended up returning the teacher's guide. I was easily able to spread it over 42 weeks by doing science for 10 - 20 minutes 3 days a week. I really liked the workbook/textbook/activity book format. Arch At Home

Do you have any friends or members of your church who might have a dress to lend? We borrowed the dress my first dd wore from the family that sits behind us. It was special to all involved. We also had several other offers of dresses which I may take advantage of if dd 2 does not fit the one we have.

I second Bravado. They are stretchy and without underwires. They have lots of patterns if you want more than the basics.

If FLL works for you family, I don't see any reason not to do it. It didn't for my family. We like to do Mad Libs Junior, copywork, read alouds, and sing alongs (memorization). I also don't see any problem with Singapore 1A if she wants to do it. My 4 yo is not nearly as advanced as yours but he is currently enjoying Kumon Mazes and Cutting and Pasting. As a family we are doing Artistic Pursuits. He really likes that also. I would give her lots of opportunity to develop fine and gross motorskills. So often those slower developing skills limit our acelerated children. We are also going to do a State's study which I am anticipating that he will like, lots of read alouds, map and timeline work.

I was advised not to upgrade to the biggest size as a residential grade range does not have enough output. That is why I settled on a 16" wok.

Over time I have participated in and have even lurked in wok threads. Often I read particularly in cook books that a large 12" skillet would work just as fine. I have always limped along with a 10" cast iron skillet because my 12" teflon skillet could not get hot enough. Finally for Christmas DH and the kids got me a Helen Chen flat bottom 16" wok. Boy is it great! I have less oil splatter. Stir fry, fried rice and noodles are so much easier. Now that I am well along in the seasoning process, I only had one quarter sized spot of fried rice stick last night. I also got a bamboo spatula to go with it. The shape is ideal for the wok. The long handle and wide paddle make it great for other cooking tasks.

I have a friend that is also considering this. The biggest issue is having good childcare. If her job is a typical 8 - 5 type job, early elementary can easily be done in the evening. It only amounts to 1 - 2 hours a day. Content subjects could be covered on the weekend. If the childcare provider is on board, then that person could help with read alouds, activities, and even drill work. If the job is a weekend job, then homeschooling can easily happen during the week.

Kumon Mazes and Cutting and Pasting, Explode the Code primers and Singapore Earlybird are popular here with my 4 1/2 yo.