:D We had planned on starting tomorrow but I haven't been able to buy what I need yet :tongue_smilie: So, we will continue with "keeping busy" until I can buy something more structured (I simply cannot get anything done if it isn't scheduled no matter how hard I try :confused: ). Ugh, that sounds terrible when I read it in the preview but it's the truth lol! Anyone else starting back/over tomorrow? Cindy

Have you seen Children Around the World from WinterPromise? It is not cheap but I have seen it for sale used here on the For Sale forum (and on homeschool classifieds & homeschool reviews) for about half the price as WP. Cindy

I contacted Funnix support & asked if it would expire at the end of January. This is the message I just received: Cindy

I just sold ours on eBay for almost $100 so you could always sell them if you have an account there!

OW!!!! :w00t: :lol::lol::lol: My dd is 8 & my ds is 16.

Another occasionally depressed feel-like-a-failure-mom here. My dd is barely reading cvc words and I won't even tell you how far behind my ds is. Our problem is well, partly me, partly dh (he has some serious health issues), and partly financial. I save up for what seems like forever to buy something only to find it is either a terrible fit or once it gets here I suddenly need the money more! :tongue_smilie: My biggest obstacle is trying to schedule everything! I REALLY need a guide that says, "do A then B then C etc" or I never get anything done! I even tried writing my own curriculum with everything loosely planned and that was a huge bust. I wish there was an inexpensive, easy to implement hands-on AND literature based curriculum that even had the necessary supplies scheduled but did not rely heavily on a library (ours is useless for homeschoolers because inter-library loans take months and they NEVER have any books I need). I love the look & layout of HOD & MFW & WP but they are totally out of our budget. We are going to attempt to start in January with the few things I have around here. We normally start in January anyway but this last year I decided to change things to a more traditional schedule (wow big mistake). So, add us to the line up to start in January! Maybe someone can go around with a virtual cattle prod to get us all motivated :D Cindy

Zoo Books and Ranger Rick My 8yo dd is determined to become a veterinarian so animals are a hot topic around here. I just asked her what her favorite magazines are and she said by far Zoo Books is the best followed closely by Ranger Rick! They have magazines for several age levels at both sites along with samples so you can choose the ones you think will fit your dd's reading ability.

I got K & 1st on Paperback Swap. You can get any book for only $3.45 if you do not have any credits. In fact, I just checked and 1st is available right now! If you are not a member, you can join (free) and buy a credit to obtain the book without even posting anything first. They even accept PayPal as a payment method. Cindy

My order was canceled too. :glare: I was notified that my order shipped Monday but on the site below the shipping status it said canceled. I contacted customer support and they said sorry looks like your book is not available from the publisher. They also said that I was notified that my item was canceled within a few hours of purchase but I did not receive any cancellation notice until last night (which I am sure is because I sent them an email telling them I was not happy about being charged for something that they said was shipped that was now mysteriously unavailable :confused:). Why would they say it was shipped if it was unavailable (I never did get an answer to this question)? Funny thing is the books is still available but at a higher price! I definitely will not purchase from them again.

Beautifully done! Thank you for sharing, my dd was VERY excited when she saw them! :lol:

Looks like their site is down. You can call them & order books 1-800-776-0478

Squidoo Thanksgiving Live and Learn Press has a free Thanksgiving Learn N' Folder that is very nicely done (they have several freebies). You can Join their Yahoo! Group for details (the info on how to get the free lapbooks will come in your initial email). Thanksgiving theme page with links to hundreds of activities, crafts, coloring pages, games, etc that would work well in a lapbook. I forgot to say that you can see samples of the HOAC lapbooks at CurrClick (this link will take you directly to HOAC holiday lapbooks) Cindy

You can include a card as long as it falls within these guidelines Enclosures in Books Enclosures in books mailed at Media Mail prices are subject to these additional standards: a. Either one envelope or one addressed postcard may be bound into the pages of a book. If also serving as an order form, the envelope or card may be in addition to the order form permitted by 4.2b.. b. One order form may be bound into the pages of a book. If also serving as an envelope or postcard, the order form may be in addition to the envelope or card permitted by 4.2a.. c. Announcements of books may appear as book pages. These announcements must be incidental and exclusively devoted to books, without extraneous advertising of book-related or other materials or services. Announcements may fully describe the conditions and methods of ordering books and may contain ordering instructions for use with a separate order form. Up to three of these announcements may contain as part of their format a single order form, which may also serve as a postcard. The order forms permitted with these announcements are in addition to, and not in place of, order forms that may be enclosed under 4.2a. or 4.2b.. Written Additions Markings that have the character of personal correspondence require, with certain exceptions, additional postage at the First-Class Mail prices. The following written additions and enclosures do not require additional First-Class Mail postage: a. The sender's and the addressee's names, occupations, and addresses, preceded by "From" or "To," and directions for handling. b. Marks, numbers, names, or letters describing the contents. c. Words or phrases such as "Do Not Open Until Christmas" and "Happy Birthday, Mother." d. Instructions and directions for the use of the item mailed. e. A manuscript dedication or inscription not having the nature of personal correspondence. f. Marks to call attention to words or passages in the text. g. Corrections of typographical errors in printed matter. h. Manuscripts accompanying related proof sheets and corrections of proof sheets including corrections of typographical and other errors, changes in the text, insertions of new text, marginal instructions to the printer, and corrective rewrites of parts. i. Handstamped imprints, unless the added material is in itself personal or converts the original matter to a personal communication. j. Matter mailable separately as Standard Mail printed on the wrapper, envelope, tag, or label.

My 2 favorite sites are: Paula's Archives Guest Hollow

I got the set on Paperback Swap. I haven't checked if there are currently any copies but you can easily search by copy/pasting the ISBN numbers from Rainbow Resource into the search box. Also, search by ISBN at Amazon, Half dot com, eBay, and Borders used marketplace Cindy

You can see some pretty good samples on Christianbook (just search Adventures in Phonics). Oops, biscuits are done be back in a sec ___________________________________________ Cathy Duffy gives a quick break down of the different levels. I am using Level A right now because it teaches all but a couple of the phonograms and dd is having a hard time with them. I almost placed her into a higher level until I read Cathy Duffy's review. I meant to say that my dd is 8 and struggling with reading/phonics but AIP has REALLY helped (and we have tried just about everything). There is a little info on Christian Liberty's site too. Other than that, I have not found any REAL info about placement (maybe someone else knows???) Cindy

DD really enjoyed Adventures in Phonics. So much that we are still using it along with Hooked on Phonics (love the readers). Many people say it is bland, drab, boring, etc but you could say that about almost any workbook-based curriculum! The teacher guide has plenty of activities and the readers are nicely done. The best thing about it: IT'S CHEAP! ;)

I prefer PBS over Book Mooch. Out of the all the books I have mooched I only received maybe half! It takes weeks, sometimes months for the books to arrive and the condition is usually terrible (these are books from the US and they are listed in like new or new condition!). Several times, I have mooched a book and waited more than a month to find out the person has been kicked off or listed as "on vacation" because they do not respond to requests. I have never received notification for any of my wish listed books either (or related editions). On the other hand, I have swapped/received hundreds of books on PBS and only had 2 lost in the mail and 1 arrive with writing inside (and all three credits were refunded to me). There is ALWAYS a member offering multiple books for less credits that is usually required (I got 24 books for 3 credits once). I obtained almost all our homeschool curriculum for the last 2 years including textbooks/teachers editions that sell for $50+. This year alone I got about $1000 worth of books for about 25-30 credits, which is a savings of more than $900. I buy credits for about $2-2.50 each from several different members so it is even cheaper than sending books. I know some people have had great experiences with Book Mooch, but I am definitely not one of them :tongue_smilie: Cindy

Primary Phonics? It is published by EPS (same as ETC). You can see a program overview here (PDF file)

That is what I figured. I have only done the lower levels, but the problem is prevalent throughout. Cindy

My dd just completed the last level and it has really helped her with blends & cvce words (she is 8 and still struggling with learning to read fluently). She went from level 50 or 60 or maybe 72 to 100 in 3 weeks (she took the placement test and I can't remember where she placed). You can sign up for a free trial (which I am happy to say is what we did especially considering how much it would have cost me for 3 weeks of lessons)! Cindy

Are the errors in the guide or in one of the books? Either way, I agree that you should contact them or at the very least post your concerns on the forum. Frustrating and just one of the reasons I cannot use their LA! Cindy

You can print some here and here. I have a few saved on my computer. Let me check where they came from and I'll post the link. Well, I HAD some saved on my computer but I guess I put them onto cd instead. I will post the links once I figure out which disc they are on! Have you seen these two books from RR: Pattern blocks K-1 Pattern blocks 2-3 I have seen them on Amazon & half dot com for a couple bucks. ___________________________________________________________________________ Duh! I totally forgot I have a Pattern Block book posted on my Paperback Swap shelf. It is an activity book that uses pattern blocks and is more advanced than typical pattern block cards. I had this one from (Rainbow Resource) but some one requested it awhile back (dd LOVED the book even though it was black & white). Cindy

My dd is 8 and STILL begs for more! She wants to learn about everything every day all.day.long!!! She can ask 800 questions an hour (and remember almost every answer you give her). Honestly, she exhausts me (where is the fall down dead smiley) but I wouldn't have it any other way. OTOH, my 16yo ds was totally opposite at that age. He would have played outside from dawn to dark if I would have let him (and sometimes I did ;) ). His idea of learning was to find out why bugs couldn't fly without wings, if carpet caught fire faster with matches or a lighter (PTL he outgrew that stage), and how much mud would fit into the mailbox. :tongue_smilie: I asked dd her reason for wanting to learn more. She said she wants to know everything because her brain is empty. She asked me, "How am I supposed to learn anything if I don't ask questions?" :001_huh: DD uses a quote from Dennis the Menace when asked why she always asks questions (she changes the age though): Mr Wilson "How come you ask so many questions?" Dennis "I've only been around for 5 years. There's a lot of stuff I don't know." Cindy

There are worksheets on the yahoo group for each module (for the first & second editions). They are fill-in-the blank summaries for each module. If you are a member (or once you join, it's free) click files on the left side then either Module Summaries 1st/2nd edition. Occasionally they will not open (yahoo glitch) so you may have to refresh the files page a couple times to get them to open. They are in pdf & doc format. Cindy