It is still without formatting and make it so difficult to read the digest. I sure hope someone would be able to fix this soon.

Not for all pieces, but especially in second grade book, there are composer bio and explanation about some of the songs. For example before Hallelujah Chorus, there is an explanation about 'oratorio' and George F. Handel

Hi all, What is your favorite field guides for nature study to identify trees/flowers/bird? I would need something simple, specifically for area around San Jose, California. Thank you.

Thanks for sharing your view on this and recommending the Sally Walker books.

Do you know about their other set, the 80 models engineering set? http://www.amazon.com/Engino-80-Models-Engineering-Set/dp/B003DKJEBU/ref=pd_sbs_t_4 I'm confused why this engineering set is recommended for 6 -15 yo, where as the simple machine set you reviewed is recommended for 8-12 yo. I'm thinking that simple machine should be simpler than the engineering set. Am I wrong? I'm considering this for my almost 7 yo. Not sure which one but tend to choose the simple machines. Do you think it's simple enough and the concept is clear for 7 yo?

I don't feel SL is too disjointed. Perhaps because I mostly do 4 day SL and one day CC. The 3 day SL cover same topic for several weeks. Day 4 is experiment that eventhough is unrelated to the other 3 days, it's covering the same topic again for several weeks. For me this is ideal since I don't think I can do experiment more than once a week and covering the same subject weekly let it simmer since we review every week before continuing with the new experiment.

I meet with two other families and do atelier. That way we share the cost and the dvd teach the art lesson. After watching dvd we do the project. And atelier is on sale at homeschool buyers coop right now until end of april.

Thank you for the suggestions... Another question is, when/at what age would you start doing the guild audition etc. Right now she is also taking violin lessons, just started about 8 weeks ago... Just to expose her to other instruments. When should I ask her to choose and specialize? I'm torn between letting her explore various instruments or making her focus in one of them...

I taught my kids to read using the old set without using the tapes, just like pp. both of theam read well at 5 yo. The steps are the same... Imho if you have it already, it would works. English is not even my first language, but my kids are readers. The key is being consistent and let them read... Read... And read :)

What about certification? How important is it for preparing her, in case she want to take college degree in music/ teach? And when to start more serious study (theory, improvisations, ear training etc)?

I have some question for experienced music teachers here... I teach my daughter piano since she was about 4 yo. Now she's almost 7 and gone through Suzuki piano 1 & 2, John Thompson book 1. Currently she is doing Suzuki 3 and John Thompson book 2 plus various fun books from Fabers. In Suzuki 3, she's done some sonatinas... I've been relax on theory so far, focusing on technique (Schmitt and Hanon) and playing. I'm thinking about my plan for her... when should I send her to other music teacher so that she can do certification/competition? Or should I just continue what I'm doing with her... she said she wants to teach piano someday. But I know... 6 yo... she might change her mind :) Any advice?

There's another free list : grammar stage memorization by Hannah Wilson http://www.lulu.com/product/file-download/grammar-stage-memorization/631808

I'm planning to use this website as supplement next year http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/us-state-games.html

My daughter go to saturday chinese school. They offer CSL (Chinese as second language) and the parents are allowed in the class. That way I get to learn too. And we use betterchinese.com as supplement. We love the website (online lesson + all the online extras) compared to buying the CD and the books. They have summer promotion now, promotion end June 30.

Used it with my 4.5 years old and LOVE it. We did that book and now she's working on the JT First Grade Book. She started Suzuki Piano level 1 at the same time (she has good ear) and now just started Suzuki Piano level 2. I have music background (private lessons not music degree), but I think Teaching Little Finger is quite straightforward. It show where the notes are on the keyboard and what fingers to use, so just follow one page at a time and before we knew it, we finished it. I'd like to recommend Studying Suzuki Piano More than Music. It provides me with all the guidance I needed to teach my daughter piano. And it also has all the technical points and interpretation for all 7 levels of Suzuki Piano Books. http://www.amazon.com/Studying-Suzuki-Piano-Handbook-Reference/dp/0874875862/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288859877&sr=8-2 Grace mom to Gaby (5) SL K, CC, SWR, Piano (JT + Suzuki + Faber)