I'm looking for collections of classics similar to what's available for Kindles on Amazon (i.e. Louisa May Alcott Collection 39 Works), but for other readers (epub format?). I know most public domain books are available for free, but I'm willing to pay a little to not have to search for each book individually. I just can't keep up with the 2 kids I have reading these. I know about yesterday's classics. Any other ideas? Thanks! Carrie

How do they differ? Do your children prefer one or the other? Do you? Thanks! Carrie

Thank you. That book is exactly what I was looking for! Carrie

TGHEALTHYMOM- Hang in there! I could have written this post a few years ago. I struggled with homeschooling for years before my husband began to see the benefits. This last year he had a conversion experience and his whole attitude has changed (about more than homeschool). After years of praying for him just to go with us (my dd and I) to church, God blessed us beyond what we had asked- dh started taking us to church, read the whole Bible in 6 months, began being an active family leader, and wants to make homeschool and character materials a family budget priority! I found The Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Your Husband's Vision CD very helpful at this time. I'll be praying for you. Carrie

Hi, all! I'm glad you're here and I hope you don't mind my asking a curriculum question here. I would prefer to have answers from like minded believers :001_smile: . We live in a state where we get a tax credit for home school books and materials provided they're "nonreligious". (Lets not start on whether that's bad or good, my dh has decided we'll claim the credit.) Could you give suggestions for books your family has enjoyed and didn't find objectionable that could be considered nonreligious? We're young earth creationists and don't mind small references to evolution (we use evolutionary comments as learning opportunities), but right now we're looking for books that can be enjoyed unsupervised. We also avoid books with children who are disrespectful of their parents and treat their siblings badly. We're looking for- reading books science books history books art books My children are 7 and 13, but we only expect to qualify for this credit the next 2 years, so items that can be used by multiple ages are great. Thanks so much! Carrie

Do you know of one? I'm looking for my 8 yo and my 13 yo. Maybe 2 seperate books are needed? Thanks, Carrie

For those of you with large families (or just quick minds), We have 4 children and, Lord willing, we'll be having more. However, both my husband's family and mine won't be happy about it. Our youngest is about to turn 1, so I'm sure we'll get lots of questions at Christmas about if we're planning more. Any advice for how to avoid them without being outright rude? Thanks! Carrie

Thanks for the info! Do I need to order Thinking About You, Thinking About Me and the Think Social! curriculum or can I use the other products without them?

If you've used either of these, could you please chime in? I'm looking for something for my 6 year old with ADHD. Now that his ADHD is under control, we'd like to help him with his social skills. He doesn't understand any subtle social clues. I really need something open-and-go. I know there are many free things available on the internet, but I would like something to hold my hand and guide me step by step. I think Social Thinking looks more complete, but my ds loves anything on the computer and remembers what he learns using it, so Social Skill Builder looks good too. So, what do you think? Should I get Social Thinking Products or Social Skill Builder? Or both? I'm willing to pay for some hand holding, but do I need them both? Thank you for sharing your experience, this is new territory for me :001_smile:.

I'd like to just use the Omnibus, if possible.

Is it best to use all their recommendations? Can we use just the Omnibus? Would I need to start with the first Omnibus in 7th grade? Or can we stick with MFW for 2 more years and hop in at Omnibus III? Do we have to do Latin? Do we need to buy all the IEW they recommend? That's huge $ and I'm pretty comfy teaching writing from a good book. How much do I have to buy? Can I use my library for somethings (we have great inter-library loan for secular resources and an okay church library). What would you suggest to purchase vs. borrow? Will this kill my daughter (12) coming from MFW and ATTA and Nature Journaling? Thank you for your help, I'm so lost :confused:.

Thanks, Jenny! Sorry, I forget not every state has PSEO. It stands for Post-Secondary Enrollment Options and it means they take college classes in 11th and 12th grade. The college my dd has her heart set on only offers World History and Geography to their PSEO students so we need to do American History and Civics in 9th and 10th to meet our state graduation requirements.

Please excuse the "rade" and replace with grade- baby kicked keyboard and posted this before I could fix it! Help! My high school plans have been blown to smithereens! What would you use for American History and Civics in 9th and 10th grade before doing World History and Geography PSEO in 11th and 12th? We had planned to use MFW for high school, but dd would like to do PSEO at the "college of her dreams" (insert middle-school-girl drama smiley).

I bought this this year too! We played around with it a little. I really liked the emphasis on writing as a form of service. I have a very verbal dd and I was able to point out that the same rules apply to speaking. I haven't decided if we'll continue using it or not...

Those already mentioned and/or Old Fashioned Education , vintage textbooks (I asked about those once here), and The Robinson Curriculum booklist from Rosegate Harbour.

Yes, it does! I was hoping to use it for a bible study and to deal with issues as they arise.

Thanks for the heads up on the color book! I had looked at that too. I'm leaning toward the flash cards, the virtue clues, and the free downloads. I'm just worried I might be missing some important component.

I'm thinking of placing an order to We Choose Virtues. What do you think I should buy? My children are 12, 6, and 3 and I'd get the faith based version. Also, does anyone know of any coupon codes? Thanks, Carrie

Thanks Mom-2-7, I'm glad to hear it felt awkward for you at first. That's what happened when I tried to use it :). I think my children will be spending all day in the their rooms soon... Dustybug, I found out Confessions of a Homeschooler's character lessons are based on For Instruction in Righteousness. I think I'm going to see if I can design my own after doing hers.

Could you please share how you use this? I've had it sitting on my shelf since last year. I've read the how to use section in the front of the book, but I'm just overwhelmed and don't know where to start. Thanks! Carrie

Just wanted to say we've used this with good results too :D.

Thank you, that's what I was trying to say :001_smile:! My dd just needs extra practice. But I don't want something consumable, because she's the first of 4.

Thank you, Dustybug, for asking such a great question! We struggle with this at our house too, so I've really enjoyed the replies. We even had to make a rule that no one could say anything from the time we put our coats on, until we were at the end of the driveway when we were going to town. Otherwise, I kept forgetting things. I couldn't think straight with them chattering at me. Also, we have them put their hand on us when they need to say something and we're talking to someone else. When they do this, I take their hand and hold it until I can ask them what they need. That way they know I haven't forgotten them. Last week I sat our 3 and 6 year old in dining room chairs facing the couch while I read to them. Just so they could practice sitting still and being quiet for their sister's upcoming play. It did help some, but I think we need to do it more often. A Lot More Often :D.

Wow... I feel like a peasant meeting royalty. Congrats!

I don't know if your budget will allow this but sometimes we do dollar store theme baskets. They each get a few dollar store items, and then we buy bags of candy to split. I don't know why, but when the items tie into a theme the kids (and nieces, nephews, and even Dad) like them better. Here's a few things we've done- Art basket Hair style basket Gardening basket (in a flower pot) Crafting basket Car Care basket We try to put them in appropriate storage containers instead of regular Easter baskets that we're going to throw away in a week. We also pass off stuff we would buy anyway, usually summer sports equipment. This year we spent a little more and each child got a field guide, binoculars, and a sketch book. Yeah, the Easter Bunny hands out school supplies at our house :D. We've had homemade years, too. Easter seems harder to find homemade treats for than other holidays. All I could think of, besides cookies, was chocolates made with Bakers bars melted into molds. What about cake decorating supplies and a big batch of cup cakes for them to decorate?