Sounds to me like you've got it covered with the things you're going to add for the most part. If you're going to the library a lot you must be reading to them quite a bit, too. I would definitely do that! Is your 8yo just doing what's in your siggy line? If so I would definitely add in at least copywork and dictation for him as well as even a gentle move towards more formal language arts. If you're enjoying McGuffey's I wonder if you'd like Primary Language Lessons or Queen's Language Lessons as a next step? Glad you've made progress with your ds! Takes more time with some kids than others. I know from personal experience, too! :001_smile:

What a GREAT thread! Thanks for starting it! I definitely gleaned from it and have also found a bunch of free books for Kindle now that I didn't realize were out there. I got side tracked by recommendations on Amazon and downloaded some classics for myself, too (shhhh!).

The zoo sounds fun! Is that in the book or are you making it up yourself?

Great list, Mandy! A Child's Geography Explore His Earth http://www.amazon.com/Childs-Geography-Explore-His-Earth/dp/1932786325/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331376638&sr=1-1 A Child's Geography Explore the Holy Land http://www.amazon.com/Childs-Geography-Explore-Holy-Land/dp/1932786333/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331376638&sr=1-2 Paddle to the Sea http://www.amazon.com/Paddle-----Sea-Sandpiper-Books/dp/0395292034/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331376608&sr=8-1 Queen's Homeschool has a revised version of Charlotte Mason's Elementary Geography http://www.queenhomeschool.com/alphapage/alphaframe.html

Bob books are pretty fun! My boys both really enjoyed Pathway readers and the first one is quite easy. It introduces new words as sight words really well in a very systematic way so that dc can add in larger words pretty quickly because they're repeated a lot. http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/2-140/?list=Pathway_Readers_Grade_1

Bump! I like your list so far and want to know what others will say, too! :-) One thing I've thing I've often seen combined with the SOTW 3 period is George Washington's World by Foster.

We've read Hero Tales, M. Stories the the Miller's and Heaven's Heroes. Heaven's Heroes is my favorite!

I've used QLL and while I wanted to really like it it just seemed too light to me. It may be good alongside a dc who is already studying Latin or something but while I haven't used it, the lessons in PLL seem very much in the same vein but just a bit MORE without being too much. I'm starting ILL with my ds soon.

I really, really think it would be good to have your dd tested if at all possible for learning issues. Some of the stuff you're saying is sounding familiar, probably exceptional in some ways but struggling in basics in others and forgetting those basics over and over. My ds wasn't evaluated until he was 10 and it was such an eye opener! I was so very glad to finally know what was going on with him and while it was daunting to have a 'diagnosis' it's also good to know now where he needs extra help so he doesn't fall even further behind. I'm glad now because we can give him the best chances possible to work through his extra challenges. I have another dd who is really smart and has no problem with school, yet she often thinks before she speaks so says some pretty silly stuff, too. But, while I'm definitely no expert, that combined with stuff that your dd's not remembering sounds like she could need some specialized help and finding out what that is could be good before she gets any older.

Thanks for this! Am still on the fence a bit myself but I think my ds would love them, too!!! And since I've NEVER thought Math was fun maybe I should let him have the chance to think so. :001_smile:

The best thing I ever found for my Dyslexic/ADD ds was All About Spelling. He actually loved doing it! I'm not sure if it's orton gillingham or not but is multi-sensory which kept his attention for longer and I saw lots of progress while we used it. It was the first program that we did that actually made him feel good about his progress! We only stopped because he started going to a school.

I have 3 options to give on mine. We're overseas 'workers' though and have found it easier to post it there then keep telling people when they want to give and forget how. I HOPE it's tactful! Never even crossed my mind that it might not be!

Very cute!!!! And I used to live in TX! Yeah, doubt there's an arch inside?

I couldn't get the link to work but found it from the name in the link :001_smile: Those do look really useful! The black MIGHT dress up a bit. These look similar in a low boot. Wonder how these would do??? Hard to find stuff with a good footbed!!! http://www.amazon.com/Keen-Womens-Clara-Casual-Potting/dp/B004KNWPWE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I6WT5DWVX25KR&colid=3EID5XRRI36CQ Still kind of hoping for something that could dress up a little with slacks..... These are kind of cute but not totally enclosed in the back: http://www.amazon.com/Merrell-Womens-Encore-Ice-Slip-Ons/dp/B003JJ9BUE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2XQKBKOQHF2OS&colid=3EID5XRRI36CQ Are these in style at all? http://www.amazon.com/Born-Womens-Toby-Dark-Brown/dp/B003SPEYLA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3DGPQ4JQZXGPV&colid=3EID5XRRI36CQ VERY much appreciate all the helpful posts!!!!! Thank you!

True!!!! I look rediculous walking around the house in all the layers I've used when there, ha! But you're right. Warm feet equals all around being warmer. I may have to let my cute Mary Jane ideas go! I would still love to see some past the ankle boot ideas!!!!!

These really aren't bad! Wish I could see them on feet to know if they're kind of just OK or cute on.

My husband wears those ugly Keens all the time here. :001_smile: Thanks for the good report about the first pair!!! Really like those! Now I have to decide it they'll be friendly with the weather or not. Cuteness or sometimes clammy with wet socks......?

Does anyone have a boot recommendation?????? I've looked but I really don't know what to like or not! :001_smile: Styles have changed heaps. I probably wouldn't want something that goes up much past my ankle.

True, I'm probably a bit of a wimp, ha! Auckland isn't too back, though. It can get down to 10C/50F but that's about it. It does rain quite a bit, though........

I haven't read more than samples of the Pratt books but they seen quite 'young' in tone to me. She talks to 'boys and girls,' etc. They seem maybe 3rd grade and below to me. For that reason I've decided to use This Country of Ours (http://amblesideonline.org/TCOOContents.shtml also available at Amazon and on Kindle) with my 4th grader. Some people don't like it because of occasional words like 'savages' being used and pro the conquering white man, but I see that as a good chance to talk about that kind of stuff. And I like the tone for later elementary. Ambleside and charrlottemasonhelp.com recommend this book. I love the look of the Guerber books but to me they're written more towards middle schoolers (may just be me!). I'll probably use them alongside SOTW 3 for 5th or 6th grade. The Memoria Press versions look good to me!

Am I headed in a better direction with these? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Z4K7XS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1HHNK9O9KHPAW I've had Keens in the past I think they're pretty good for PF, right? These seem like they would span over seasons a bit, too. I also like these but can't find a review on them: http://www.amazon.com/BORN-Womens-Christabel-Taupe-Nubuck/dp/B00598NAAU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=IT5ITCJ3801QS&colid=3EID5XRRI36CQ These are pretty cute as well: http://www.amazon.com/Ahnu-Womens-Bennie-Mary-Sepia/dp/B0056SWE0K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1SKUCBC06NAJH&colid=3EID5XRRI36CQ Any opinions? I've looked at boots a bit but I have NO idea what's cute or not in them!!!

Thanks!!!!! I will have to look at styles with a good footbed!!!!

For me it's all about the shoe having a good arch. To add to the good list you've been given Reef flip flops have an arch as well as Chacos. When it starts to act up at all Birkenstocks are what I turn to, though!

Really good food for thought already, ladies! Been browsing online. It's also really late here so off to bed but look forward to seeing if there are other suggestions later. Thanks sooooo much!!!!

I LOVE boots but it's not actually THAT cold in NZ (North Island), just chilly for a long time. Maybe just short boots........?