I had the same exact mental struggle the week of VBS.

We started today.

I accidentally click/tap on a username at least once a week.

We are and I have a very excited 6 year old in the house!

I was able to borrow one from Dh's work, but DD loved that unit so much that buying one would have been worth it.

We did Scholastic's Success with Maps 1st grade workbook last year for kindergarten. It is only $5. Other than that we just got geography books from the library that looked interesting.

The lesson plan books don't have 36 weeks of pages though. I can't remember the exact number but it was around 25.

They are at our Target.

Costco link Can anyone weigh in on these options at Costco? Specifically, the Yamaha models that are $130 and $180? I think the full length options are going to be out of their price range for now. Could something like these get them started?

This looks like it would almost do it! It looks like it only goes 4 rows across though and I will need 5. (or can it be customized for a 5th row?) It's a very nice looking app though and I will keep it in mind for other needs. At this point I think I'm looking at a paper planner. Though the one I bought from the Target dollar spot only has 25 weeks??? Sigh...

Thank you for the replies. I looked at the suggestions and they are not quite what I am needed. I want the look of a blank weekly lesson plan book, where I can type data without having to attatch it to a certain time. Most of the planning apps I have looked at are much more complex than this, but this simple idea doesn't seem to exist. I've looked at templates on Google docs etc.... but am having a hard time finding something I can edit on the iPad.

I bought an inexpensive cabinet at Target last year that has a child lock on it. This year Dh is also installing some high wall shelves.

Singpore Essentials plus playing with manipulatives and games.

:lurk5:

Thank you for this! What a great overview. This is one of the best blog entries I have seen for SOTW1.

I got the basic interactive kit and Level 1, but didn't really think about narrowing it down further. So far a regular index card box that I already owned has worked well. I really only use the key cards. I prefer to look in the teacher's manual to review words vs. the word cards.

I have looked at various iPad planning/scheduling apps, but they are all more complex than I am needing. I would really like something that looks like a page in a basic teacher's weekly lesson plan book - squares where I could enter text. (typing) I don't go by the clock so I would like something that didn't have me entering things at specific times. Does this make sense?

I have both of these planned for my pre-k student, 3 days a week. My thought was to do HWT in a similar manner that I did with my oldest at that age - no workbook but following the TM and using their manipulatives. Their order of teaching the letters is based on difficulty. (all straight line letters first, before any letters with curves etc..... ) However, I was just looking through my AAR stuff and they suggest using a handwriting program of your choice - but doing the letters in alphabetical order along side the AAR materials. This is different that the HWT order that I am used to and I'm uncertain how to combine these. I realize that it is quite possible I am over-thinking this or there is an obvious solution I am missing ;) but I would love to hear any suggestions.

I'm asking for a family member, but also hoping to make this purchase ourselves in the next year or two. Does anyone have suggestions for a keyboard to buy for someone with a very tight budget? Or suggestions on what features to look for? I want a full length keyboard but beyond that I am not familiar as we had a regular piano when I was a kid.

The Jesus Storybook Bible with CDs. I think it's called the delux edition. We also have the Big Picture Story Bible but I found the writing a bit redundant and painful to read.

Thanks for all the great ideas! I think fun bandaids and duct tape will be perfect for them.

I bought an iPad last spring but my children will only use it as a supplement at this point. One of the main reasons is that I want them confident in their handwriting ability with pencil and paper. I have some concern that a lot of stylus-writing might counter early handwriting skills. Just today I put some worksheet PDF's on the iPad for her, but they are just the type where you circle answers, draw lines etc....

We just started the 6 year old with loading and unloading the dishwasher, with some help from us. She also helps me with little things like loading the washing machine, carrying in groceries, wipe down baseboards etc.... We are about to add a few weekly chores too - wiping bathroom sinks, swiffering bedrooms and cleaning the sliding door.

I'm looking for any ideas under $10 for my nephews for Christmas. I usually get them a couple of books and then one or two little fun things. They are getting older and I'm less aware of what this age range likes for the fun stuff. Thanks!

Yum!!!! I think I just added asparagus to the grocery list.