Bumping it up :)

I am thinking of starting my fourth grader in Essentials next year. Does anyone know if it's worth to do it? Is it too difficult? Do I need a separate grammar, writing, spelling program or Essentials is all I need to cover Language Arts? If you are doing Essentials, what else do you use? We're also in Foundations. Thank you.

Have you tried analytical grammar? They have a junior version now. We are using FLL 3 too but I am thinking of switching to AG bec. I heard it's good and the kids get it and don't have to do the same thing over and over again.

DK Illustrated Children's Dictionary and Scholastic Children's Dictionary are good for first - 3rd graders. American Heritage Student Dictionary is good for upper grades.

In the past, I've used several different curriculum to homeschool and we're also in CC. We mainly use CC as a memory program but we didn't allign it with what we study at home. However, I am re-thinking if it's worth to continue CC this coming Fall. Some people have actually streamlined their curriculum to just using CC materials and getting supplemental reading materials (for history, science and art), have a Math program. They said that their kids retain more because they are studying what they are memorizing and that it has simplified their homeschool. Has anyone done this? Do you think the kids are getting enough or more than enough education when using CC as a spine? We are going to do Essentials next year too. I heard that it's a complete L.A. program (minus spelling) Any advice? I appreciate it.

I have a curious 3 year old who could be ready to start doing "school" with her big sister. What can I get that is like a open and go activity kit or a preschool curriculum? Has anyone use BFIAR and liked it? Is FIAR too advanced for a 3 year old? Any other suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

In the Philippines, the Chinese people celebrate with sticky rice cake. It a round cake made from sticky rice flour and sugar. You sliced them and fry them in oil or you fry them dipped in egg batter. Happy Year of the Rabbit!

Thank you for your suggestions. I am checking into them. What kind of Bible curriculum do you use...if you have one that you use separately. How often do you do Bible study? Do you do it before school starts?

Hello, I would like to start a Bible Study curriculum with my dd8. I want something that will teach good behavior, good values and include parables. I also hope it's not a lesson that will take all day to do but is interesting for a girl. It can also be a Mother/daughter type study or just for a young girl. Is there such a thing? Thank you.

We bought the Ancient Civilization and had fun with it. We didn't do the activities are too redundant but went online and searched for more things to do to include in the pockets. It was fun and my DD7 (at that time) enjoyed showing it off. I would say it gives you a headstart but you can do many other online activities/printables and add them to the pockets to make it more unique.

How does R & S Math compare to CLE Math?

OH these postings are sooooo helpful. I am printing them out to do my research and borrow some from the library. I really appreciate it ladies! DD8 is now reading Nancy Drew Clue Crew books. Are these any good?

Thank you Pata. Yes, I forgot she has read all ramona books. She doesn't like Boxcar :(

I feel that my dd8 is going backward in her choice of reading materials. Last year she read a bunch of illustrated classics. This year, however, she likes to pick comic books (Nancy Drew comics), wants to buy Archie comics at the store, and has been checking out simple picture books at the library. She does not want chapter books with animal stories, not farm girls (Little House series), not American Girls, or fairy or princess books. She also does not like anything that is set in the "olden" days. She enjoyed Judy Moody, Stink, Clementine and Pippi Longstocking. Those were fine but I don't know what books to suggest now. I tried books by Ronald Dahl but she only read one but didn't want to pick his books. She is intimidated by small words but I know she can handle them. I just don't know how to convince her that she can. I feel like I am pushing if I do and don't want to take her love of reading away. Yet I feel that she is not moving forward with her selections. I heard some people say, "as long as she is reading, it doesn't matter what kind of books she reads (of course with an understanding that they are age appropriate books) but I think she should be reading better books than just comics. Can anyone give me some advice and suggestions on what kind of books I can get from the library for her to try? Thank you very much ladies. I really appreciate it.

We are using R&S 3rd grade spelling this year. The words are too easy for my daughter and it seems like busywork for her to just be filling in the blanks in her workbook. Did you find this spelling program very thorough and at-grade level? Should I order up or switch to a different program? For vocabulary, we're using vocabulary cartoons. DD reads one work a day and then we review with me asking questions (giving the definition) and she giving me the vocabulary word from past lessons. Is this enough vocabulary or should I add another vocabulary workbook? If so, please suggest. Thank you very much.

We switched from Horizons to CLE and it has been a blessing! DD8 no longer cries during Math and she is understanding what she is learning. Last year her Math scores were below average so I'm hoping that her score will greatly improve this year.

We switched from Horizons last year to CLE Math this year. My daughter was starting to hate math with Horizons. But since we've been using CLE (we're in the 3rd book now), there's been no tears and she's learning better. I love that the drills are incorporated in each lesson and that the pages are neat with just 2 colors over white. It is less distracting in my opinion. There's plenty of review and the concepts are introduced gently in each lesson.

My dd7 enjoyed SOTW1 with the activities. We didn't do all that AG suggests but we did some along with Ancient Civilization History pockets and some online craft activities I found. www.lessonpathways.com have lots of activities that goes with SOTW 1 too. Enjoy!

You described what my daughter was last year when we started WWE2 midway in our school year. This year she is 8 and is a new 3rd grader. We're picking up where we left off and continuing on with WWE 2. I've noticed that she is starting to get it and knows how to narrate back using 2 sentences :) Instead of letting her do her usual copywork in print, she's now doing it in cursive. WWE2 is for 2nd and 3rd grade anyway (I think I saw that online and decided not to rush it.) It worked better for us. HTH!

Hi, which AP book lines with SOTW 2? Thank you.

Thank you for all your suggestions. We bought the Adventure Bible :) I will also need to get Bible tabs to make it easier. Thanks again!

I am looking for a Bible for my 8 year old daughter who loves colorful texts. We had a Rainbow Bible with larger print but it got lost. We prefer a Bible versus Bible story books. I don't know if there's one that would be for 8 year old or a NIV would be easy enough to read and understand. Please recommend. Thank you.

CLE Math

My daughter is not enjoying FLL3. I generally follow the script but skip a few things here and there if I see that she's getting irritated with all the, "say it three times with me sentences..." Is there anything I can do to make it worth our while? How do you use FLL3 if you don't follow the whole script? Thank you.

I am interested in finding out more too :)