OUCH...I bought level 4 and 5 since 5 was on sale and I don't have to pay double shipping. $80 for 2 levels. OUCH...3 kids will use it and it's non-consumable - then I will sell sell sell. But still Ouch! Beth

Just so that everyone doesn't freak out...I was able to plan a unit for a 2nd grader in a 3 hour stint over one weekend and then it took me 20 minutes on Sundays before the week started to plan out the rest of the school work (math ect.). I took 9 weeks of weekly calendars and did a plan like Sonlight (i.e. I spaced out the week's book readings into a daily plan). I then added what activity we would do that week and when and also put in there when we would have the history discussion and map work. We didn't do vocabulary. So, when it was time to plan the week on Sunday, I just took my already completed schedule ala Sonlight style and added in the rest of his work (math, language arts, ect). Beth

Here's my question. My first desire is to organize a TOG co-op, but I really like elements of CC also (we have discussions floating around for both right now). The main thing about not doing CC is the cost. We just can't afford the tutition for 2 children. It would be my whole home school budget for the year and then some. What elements of CC did you find the most helpful for kids in the long run? Which memorization elements would you not want your kids to miss out on? Beth

Bump again - I want to know also. I'm trying to find a good memorization program with Year 3 and want to know if anyone uses those cards also. Beth

In Minnesota, you don't need to register your children until they are 7 years old, so my friend didn't tell anyone she was homeschooling her 6 year old kindergartener, nor did she register him for public school. She found out from a friend/neighbor that her child had a desk at school with his name on it! Apparently, the teacher was wondering where this child was. My friend never even registered this kid or showed up to any meeting for kindergarten! Our school district has records on kids if you do community education, so they just naturally assumed this child would go to their public school. That was my favorite public school craziness. Beth

I am looking into CC also. My main concern is that it will compete with our regular schooling and not enhance it. The only way we would be able to afford it is if I tutored. Any thoughts on it competing with your curriculum you already do? Beth

I don't do any teacher prep before the lesson. There is a lot of cutting with tiles and cards at the beginning, but once you're done, it's open and go. I don't think students could do this independently. There involves dictation in the higher levels. It's really an easy program to do and doesn't involve a lot of time. But, if you're looking for something you can just hand your child, this is not that program. Beth

We just finished up level 3. Ds doesn't love the tiles either, and I just use them to teach the concept. He doesn't use them for spelling the words and he is doing just fine. Beth

I just found this in my quest for physics videos online: http://www.veoh.com/collection/MagicSchoolBusEpisodes/watch# It doesn't have a full screen watch, but it's free and online. The weird thing is that there is a Bacardi ad before the video. But, it's nice not to have to rely on the library. Also, Bill Nye videos are on youtube. Beth I would really like to have schlessinger media videos to watch on line for free also. Does anyone know how to get full legth videos online? My library is lacking in the newer ones. Please be warned...this site also has some VERY inappropriate videos for children and the commercials before the video are not appropriate either. Please do not let your children go to this site alone and please let it play a little to advance past the 1st commercial. I'm sorry I didn't check this out before - I didn't even think the two mediums could co-exist so closely. Beth

I'm wondering the same thing myself. Speaking of math games, are there good file folder games for that age group with math? Ds has learned very well through games and he doesn't know he's learning! Beth

Wow- that elemental science looks great. And cheap! How do you like it overall? Beth

I've thought about that book as a supplement. I'm planning on doing the program and just having ds read books on physics topics. I'm just not sure which books to have him read. Anybody? Beth

My husband helped me realize this. I was debating grammar/ language arts programs. I was debating between one where I just hand it to ds and one where I would have to be involved. He told me to get the one where I would have to be involved because then I would have to actually learn grammar also:tongue_smilie:. Let's just say that the gaps in my own education are showing greatly in this area. Beth

We are going to do physics next year for science. My main program will be a motorized machines pack from Lego Education. What other books/ curriculum would make this a more well rounded physics year? Thanks! Beth

We are going to do physics next year for science. My main program will be a motorized machines pack from Lego Education. What other books/ curriculum would make this a more well rounded physics year? Thanks! Beth

I've used Nora Gaydos books along with it. They are colorful and really fun stories. My ds was reading anything I gave to him by the end. Beth

We used Adventures 2 years ago and are now finishing up unit 1 of year 1 in TOG. I used Adventures when ds was an older 1st grader. We did like our year overall. The thing that really made it interesting was all the book basket books. Yes, you can do the program without the book basket books, but the frosting on the cake is really the book basket. Ds learned a lot and we did have a good year that was easy on me. It really is a program for no older than 3rd grade though. I think a strong 2nd grader would be just right for it. We have now switch to TOG. I just wanted a program that was easier to do for multiple ages and had more variety. I like to pick and choose what we do and have options that I don't have to research. The thing with MFW is that there are fewer options in activities and "spines". If you don't like the activity or spine, it's up to you to find a new one or just not do it that week. It works great for open and go, but not so much with curriculum tweekers like me. We are really liking TOG because I can move through different levels with literature and history projects and it's no big deal. But, if you are looking for an easy program to do, MFW would be your best bet. Beth

My mom- the professional piano teacher - lives 350 miles away. She gave him a piano lesson when she was here and he did sooooo much better. No complaining, no whining...I guess I have the summer to figure this out. Yes- my attitude probably plays into his attitude. Maybe I just have to switch things around and give lessons on Saturdays - where there's no school. I think a lot of my dislike is that I really don't know how to teach piano. I can see where he needs help, I just have no idea how to address it. By the way, is there any place on the web where you can print out note flash cards? Beth

We ARE using piano adventures. Only because that is what my mom - the "professional piano teacher" said to use. I had her suggest stuff only because I had really no idea of what I should use. How is pianimals different? My ds is 8 1/2. I really have no idea about what is out there as far as piano instruction. If ds could play only songs that he knew and loved (he did get to work up to a star wars piece which he would have marched through walls to be able to play), I think we could make it better. Any help? Beth

I am teaching my ds piano - we don't have the funds to pay for a teacher and I can do it somewhat...It has become the thing I dread in the week - giving my ds a piano lesson. I'm not very confident in what I'm doing, and he complains and whines, and cries because "it's too hard". He winds up doing just fine when he practices. The attitude is a whole other story - he just needs to work through things that are "too hard". Anyway, while we're working on the attitude, piano has become the thing I HATE to give lessons for. So, the big question - what is a good reason to continue? Music is just not his thing anyway (he's really a science/engineering type)---any good reasons for me to not toss this one out? Beth

Just wondering - can you "rent" out curriculum? I have a friend who will be renting my TOG year 1 copy (not DE - Does it matter?) for a very small fee (just to mostly help her to feel like she's not taking advantage of me - I really could care less). Would it be legall to rent out stuff like Rosetta stone and other digital curriculum? You're not really selling it, you get it back... Beth

We started school at 8:30, had 1/2 hour break, and finished by noon. That was for everything including a different science program and Latin. Granted, I am only "really" teaching 1 child, so you should factor that in as well. About the book basket books, it just adds to the program, but most people here will say that they are not necessary. Beth

While I haven't been doing it that long, I already am seeing the benefit of being able to choose different levels even with the same kid. If the UG literature book seems too hard, we'll just pop down to LG. If the writing in level 3 seems too hard, pop down to another level...If there's a week that is really busy, just do the basics. It's flexible and allows me to tweak all I want and not have to find alternate resources on my own. I like that I will be able to include both my homeschool kids with the same curriculum at THEIR level. Most multi-aged curriculums teach to the older child, and the younger ones have to "hopefully" get something out of it or need to do a whole different curriculum. Beth

Would it be a strange course of science to take where all I do is the physical/chemistry side of science - the mostly get kids really loving science course? I did like the REAL science chemistry. Are they coming out with physics also? I think my kids would LOVE science if all I did with them were the wow experiments. I guess my goal is for them to love science and think it's great rather than learn a bunch of random facts. They would learn along the way anyhow. Science has been my new "figure this one out". With the first child, you question your path and then when you have that down, you can move on. I've got history,math and spelling down - now the rest of the subjects. Apologia for elementary seemed like the way to go, but there's not enough experiments and too much reading for science to be thought of as fun. I will admit that I like it, my ds somewhat...I will have to ponder this one. Beth

Are you talking about real science for kids or R.E.A.L. science? Beth