Thanks! I've read through Chapter 8 and that's only up to the second time the Speedwell turns back. I really don't want to add to my summer pre-reading list. Anne Bradstreet has always been a favorite of mine. I think I'll use her Meditations as a primary source document instead.

I admit, I'm looking for a shortcut here. I have a copy Of Plymouth Plantation. I would like to include some of it in the fall for a 5th grader. Are there any not-to-be-missed entries?

Nm sorry!

It's all fixed now. Thank you!

I know this is an old thread but I had to add that we had a German Shepherd find us (just showed up on our porch and wouldn't leave) when I was in first grade. She was the best dog. We named her MacDuffy. My husband, who's a Marine, wants to name a German Shepherd Belleau Wood.

Oh my goodness! The grumping, griping, bickering, tattling, teasing.... The list could just go on! I thought we would have a lovely summer off because we have a lot of ps kids in the neighborhood and that made it difficult to school through the summer last year. But oh my word! All my two older daughters do is yell at their little brother, bicker, tattle. I'm ready to throw them in Summer School somewhere! They do not do well off a schedule. I've planned fun activities for us to do but they are unpleasant while doing those too. I'm seriously considering something regimented-school like too keep them so busy they can't stop to complain. Anyone else in the same boat?

I've had the same issue with mine since it was reinstated.

Our kids are the same age except I don't have a 4yr old and will have a 10 year too in the Fall. I also love planning. I'm trying to change that to preparing...being prepared...not just scheduling. Anyhow, as for when I plan, we have mandatory quiet time everyday and I'm not a good housekeeper. So while the kids read or nap I research, plan, read or nap (when I should be scrubbing floors). Last year we did the fun messy stuff while my youngest two napped and I lost some of that mandatory quiet time. This year I scheduled it so that while two kids are doing school the third school aged child will play with the toddler and preschooler. I plan on having special books for them to read and special activities. I'll change the books/activities out weekly. We're going to practice later on this summer to be "ready" when school starts in September. I have no plan b. :) Let's hope it works. BTW I found a lot of humor in Cindy Rollins' remark that she has no solution for toddlers. She's a mom of 8 and still hasn't figured that out. If she hasn't then I'm guessing God just wants us on our knees daily during that stage more than He wants math to be completed without my one year old climbing on the table or my 2 year old doing flips off the couch. ;) best of luck! Liz

I use the following books as part of my kids' Kindy year. For picture books: Running Shoes by Frederick Lipp Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams Basket of Bangles by Ginger Howard Four Feet Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams The Butter Man by Elizabeth Letts, Beatrice's Goat by Page McBrier, Mia's Story by Michael Foreman Muktar and the Camels by Janet Graber Nasreen's Secret School by Jeanette Winter For Christmas picture books: An Orange for Fankie by Patricia Polacco Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry (this one is more about how our excess can bless others) Hth Liz

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I'm married to a Marine. :) He's in the big sandbox right now. It's our 5th deployment but the first with kids. Wow what a difference!