I would second CLE. It is inexpensive, easy to implement and seems like a solid program. That gives you some time to get a copy of WTM and get a feel for what you want. I also would start with math and language arts and really not worry about anything else yet. You are moving, expecting a baby and starting to homeschool - all in the next 3 mos! Just worry about the basics. Good luck!:D

Just my opinion, of course, but I don't plan to test until R.

I agree to combine. I just wanted to add that not only will it help you keep your sanity but I think your kids will get even more out of it because they will all be learning/thinking/talking about the same thing.

I have redesigned so I can't address your 1st question. However I have heard that not only is it OK - you are supposed to use the answer key to label maps. There was a thread about this at TOG a while back and Marcia said the learning comes from labeling a map not endlessly searching for answers. HTH a little.:001_smile: ETA: LOL! You beat me momee. I wasn't just copying you - really.

You might want to check your state Dept. of Education website. They probably have grade level requirements broken down by subject somewhere.

Thank you so much. This is really why I am curious. My "friends" made fun of the way I talked and I could never relate to my peers. I see this happening with my kids now. DD has more in common with older kids but they don't want her around because she is little. She doesn't notice but it bothers me. I want some reassurance that this is because something is "right" with us not "wrong" with us if that makes sense.:001_smile:

:tongue_smilie: but I am curious. Is there any way for an adult to find out if they are "gifted"? I was in an "academically talented" program in school but I had to stop after one year because my parents couldn't afford to pick me up (vs. riding the bus). So many things I am reading ring true to me but I never really thought about it before. I see some signs of low level giftedness in my own kids and that makes me even more curious. I see some parents posting who are gifted. How do you know?

I guess I thought this was something everybody (states) did. Do any other states allow you to deduct your homeschool expenses?

There is no federal deduction but check your state taxes. In MN it is called education credit or subtraction (which one you take depends on income). I don't know if it is unique to this state hmmm.... now I am curious.

I don't know if he is right but my doc explained it this way: You are born with the ability to reach a certain level. Whether or not you reach that potential depends on your environment. I think there is no doubt that a gifted child is born gifted. I think someone who is extremely gifted will excel no matter what. However, it seems the environment a child is raised in could definitely make the difference in whether some children ever "live up to" the abilities they were born with.

We are doing Ancients this year - they liked Ancient Egypt (we mentioned that they worshiped false gods but didn't study the gods or anything) and they liked the Bible history. We are moving into Greece and they don't have a ton of enthusiasm for it so far but we are only on the first week so we'll see. I love the idea of starting from the beginning. The second half of next year will be American history up to President Adams so I don't feel like they are missing anything by not studying it this year. However, we did some American history in K so they know our flag, G. Washington, A. Lincoln. We compared our culture, food, geography, etc. to other countries. This was a lot of fun and a good start to the 4 year cycle - IMO.

You are not doing anything wrong.:001_smile: These are only marketed to youngers because some kids LOVE them. I think pushing them will only make them frustrated perhaps undermining what you will expect them to do in 2-3 years. I bought one for my daughter for next year because I loved them when I was 7 or 8 but if she doesn't enjoy it or "get it" I will put it away.

I haven't found anything yet that I can really recommend except maybe Explode the Code. I would not take it easy though. I did this with my first and had to back track a lot when we started K. It was very disappointing but it's really a matter of use it or lose it at that age. I have liked 100EZL but would agree that it needs to be followed up with a more thorough phonics program.

I like Essential Math better than Earlybird. Maybe you have ruled this out for some reason but I never saw it when I looked at SM with my first so I though I'd throw it out there.:001_smile: Book A is more Pre K level but book B is advanced K in my opinion.

I was just wondering this too.:001_smile: I was also wondering if Zoology has to be done in order or if you could mix them up. 14-28 weeks of swimming creatures seems like a long time to me but I think my kids could do animals FOREVER!

I think your question is with TOG? You have a book that you read about the time in history - Ancient Egypt for example then if you choose you can read an in-depth book on pyramids. Then you have a lit selection of either historical fiction set in ancient Egypt or a literature selection from that time frame. So you have several books but they are all on the same topic. Sorry if that is not what you are asking. :001_smile:

I thought I read somewhere that the BFSU 3-8 book will follow the same "flow" so you can incorporate the K-2 book with your younger kids. Anyone heard such a thing or was I dreaming? :D

It seems there are a lot more who are looking at TOG than using TOG checking in here. Maybe you'd have better luck starting a new thread?

I was afraid you might say that.:001_smile: We too often wonder aloud if he would have been an only child if he had been born first.

My #3 seems to be a complete "mold breaker" too. I was curious when you started thinking that. I keep hoping I'm wrong and that as he gets older maybe.........but I have a feeling that I am going to have to think outside the box with him.:tongue_smilie:

It may seem surprising but I really agree with most of your post. When I have told friends about TOG I tell them why I love it but I can't recommend it. Now it seems that they may choose it anyways but then that is their decision. I have thought about "what if" I don't end up using it for some reason and I have no answer for that. When I saw TOG it was literally an answer to prayers. This is the only one of my decisions I haven't second guessed and I could very well be in your position in 5 years but I can't ignore how strongly I feel like it is the right decision. This thread has made me feel even better because I don't think you can get the same thing at less of a price. Thanks!

I agree it is so hard to know what books someone else will want. I would not buy books without a chance to look through my year plan first but that's just my opinion.

I am thinking about using CLE and supplementing with the IP books. Can you tell me why you didn't like them?

This is what I am doing too and that was an incredibly motivating thread. I don't use SOTW but I am using TOG on a very light level for the kids while I get a feel for it. I think that is why so many wait until their kids are older to start and I can see their point. Ihave learned so much and can't wait to learn more. For me it is wonderful.:001_smile:

I think you only get that info if you buy it. I think the resource list and bookshelf are pretty much the same for someone who hasn't bought a year plan yet. I *think* the bookshelf is a complete list of all the primary resources but I have a page of alternates listed in my pages of the year plan. What the bookshelf doesn't tell is whether a book is core or in-depth which would be pretty helpful and it tells how many weeks it will be used but not which ones. I would think they could put this on there because I don't think people buy TOG for the booklist so I don't think it would hurt them but maybe there is a reason I don't know.:confused: