So, the first week actually went really well. The MAIN thing I learned though is that for history, science, and geography (they like the subjects well enough), was to just get one or two resources to work from. For example, we are learning about animal habitats. My boys are very interested in the subject, but why did I get 5 books from the library about rain forests, 3 about deserts, etc. Geez...I was making myself crazy :banghead: . They are really only interested in reading through one (maybe 2) fun books -- like the Magic School Bus, Gail Gibbons books, or the Dr. Seuss Learning Library books. They aren't even 5 yet for goodness sakes. What was I thinking?!?!? Can you say overplanner? I know you all are gonna be laughing at me, but I wanted to share.

Thanks! The stuff was just too cute to pass up :-)

Hi all! My boys' 5th b-day party is this Sat. We are having a Batman themed party and I've collected stuff for goodie bags. I'm one of the weird moms that loves doing these and I try not to get junkie stuff that goes right in the trash. Well, I didn't think the girls would like all Batman stuff in their bags so I found this adorable Hello Kitty stuff in the Target $1 section (coloring books, pencils, lip gloss, and mirror compacts). I was getting stuff together tonight and noticed the mirror compact (shaped like Hello Kitty) says for 8+ (under 8 is a choking hazard). I'm guessing this is in the event the mirror breaks. So now I'm freaking out about giving it to the girls. I have enough other stuff (that I was going to return) that I could take these back and be fine. If you've read this far :-), would you allow your 5 year old daughter to have this if she received it in a goodie bag? Thanks much!

We just started this past week and have completed week/lesson 1. They've like it so far, but are chomping at the bit to get into next week (habitats) and learn about the specific animals :-). I love the the layout and the book selections. I'm doing Biology (just animals) starting in K, but just purchased her new Intro to Science (just came out) and will start that when I finish animals. Then back to finish Biology in 1st.

I was at Border's looking for something else and found this on the bargain table. What a beautiful book -- I took one home with me :-). Thanks for the tip!

Would you mind sharing what books you are using for the states :001_smile:?

I just started K with my twins today. It has gone great so far. You will do fine :-)!!! Just don't let her see you sweat -- LOL! Have fun!

My boys didn't want to wait for August and I finally have all my curriculum (except for Rightstart -- on order) so we officially started K today. I'm shocked at how well it's gone so far. Made it throug HWT, Math (workbooks until I can get my curriculum) and OPGTR (review) and ETC by 9 am. Now off to a playdate and then science, geography and history this afternoon. Hope it continues to go well. Thanks for listening. I'm not sharing this with me IRL friends because they think I'm nuts :D. Have a great day!

I would have been totally overwhelmed if I hadn't researched so much on-line, read what people said on this board, and had my selections picked out :-). I probably would have started and then turned around and walked out -- LOL.

I'm a newbie getting ready to home school K. I have been researching on-line for 6 months what I thought I wanted to use after looking at most of the options -- many were suggestions on here. Very overwhelming process I must say. I just went to my first homeschooling convention in Richmond this weekend. I spent my time looking through the curriculums that I've heard and read about and then I looked through what I picked to use from my on-line research. I was actually very happy with all my choices and purchased them. I had also researched prices so I would know if a good deal was to be had at the convention. While some of the prices were a tad less, I didn't have to pay for shipping which saves some money. I loved seeing all the stuff in person. Good luck. I did research for K and 1st and know I know what I want to use for both years so I don't need to go to another curriculum fair/conference for 2 years :-). Mendy

My boys are young, but we are starting our study of the Presidents and states. I'm going to use age appropriate read-alouds to cover some of the important events that happened as we run across them in our studies. I'm starting SOTW 1 next year, but wanted to get some American history in this year. Good luck! Mendy

Does your library have the books containing the experiments? Mine did (for Biology at least) so I could check it out before buying. We are starting Elemental Science Biology for K (starting with animals), then going to Intro to Science when it comes out and back to Biology for 1st to finish human body and plants. I love the look of the program and can't wait to get started in 2 weeks :-). Since we are starting early and I'm not in a hurry to get through, I'll be supplementing some of the student workbook pages with pictures and worksheets from www.enchantedlearning.com and putting it in a notebook format. Good luck with your decision.

Hi all! I'm heading to a homeschool convention in 2 days. I have my curriculum picked out for K, but would like to look at the spelling programs while at the convention to possibly start in late K (if they are ready) or for 1st. I like seeing the items in person so I thought I'd look now :-). I have an almost 5 year old that is reading at a 4th-5th grade level, but isn't great at spelling. His twin is reading at a 1st-2nd grade level and is also not great at spelling. I will be using OPGTR and ETC for phonics for K. So...what programs are out there for spelling and what do you like (or not like) about them? Thanks much!

I LOVE the layout of the Kingfisher First Encyclopedia of Animals. I also have the DK First Human body Encyclopedia and think it is layed out very nicely also. This are the books used in Elemental Science Biology, which I'm using this coming year. It follows the WTM way for science. Here's the link if you are interested www.elementalscience.com .

Hi all! My twins just finished private preschool and I am homeschooling K next year. I am both nervous and excited at the same time to begin this journey. I am also feeling a little sad because my boys have made some great friends (and me with their moms) through my local multiples group. The boys also made some nice friends at preschool that I hope we stay in touch with. However, they are all heading off to PS in a couple of months and I'm starting to feel like the outcast. I'm very proud of my decision to homeschool and KNOW I am doing the best thing for my boys and my family, but I see friendships fading for me and my boys. That's what makes me a little sad I think. We don't have any kids in our little neighborhood, but we are hopefully moving the end of July and I'm really hoping to connect with some neighbors (a few new playmates for my boys) and other homeschooling moms that I know are in the new neighborhood. I'll still try to connect with our current friends, but I just see their lives getting so busy with school hours, homework, andnew friends and we will be in totally different place with homeschooling. I don't know why I'm posting really -- I guess there isn't anyone else I know that might understand and I needed to share it with someone :001_smile:. Anyone else felt this way? Thanks much!!!

This I'm expecting -- LOL! I'm going on Thursday for the newbie session and plan to be at their table early on with the main part of the convention being on Fri and Sat. I did contact Rainbow Resource Center directly with my question and I received the nicest email back from them. What a lovely company. Anyway, they told me I can order whatever I wanted that they don't have with free shipping so I'm good to go. Thanks for responses :-)!

Hi all, I'm curious what types of things the Rainbow Resource Center booth at a convention would have? I'm going next week and am interested in a few things -- the StartWrite CD, a couple of workbooks on map skills, and the My Body book. I also want to see what else they have. Would these types of things be at their vendor table or will I need to order on-line? Thanks much!

My boys were way ahead of their preschool class this past year and I knew it. I wanted them to have a little social interaction and see how one of my boys did with the teacher and kids (he has mild sensory issues) and I wanted to make sure there were no other issues. They had a blast and loved their teacher, even though they didn't learn anything new, and I had a little break. I knew I was starting homechooling for K because of how advanced they are so I took advantage of the time (mostly researching and planning curriculum for the next few years). They graduated last Friday and they miss their friends already, but we plan to continue getting together with some of them through the summer. I'm guessing this will change once the other kids start PS K and mine are home with me though.

I'm a newbie and attending the HEAV conference from Thursday to Sat. I'm planning to attend 1 or 2 of her workshops and will just cut out of HEAV.

One of my almost 5 year olds is reading at a 4th to 5th grade level -- self taught. He is pretty good at spelling also, but I think he does it more from memory (he has the memory of an elephant:001_smile:) and not from sounding the words out. I don't want to miss anything so I'm planning to cover phonics using OPGTR and ETC (which I need to do with his twin anyway) and will look into a formal spelling program after that.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I'm looking at the recommendations and also put The American Story on hold at the library.

You know, I am planning to do US Geography. Maybe I can add in some read alouds about historic events that took place in the state we are doing or where Presidents are from, etc. I also live in Northern VA and we have a ton of history here. Maybe I'll just do museums and historical sites too. Thanks :-).

Sorry :001_smile:! High level meaning just touches on the subjects -- not super indepth. Just something to do a little American history until we start SOTW.

Hi all! I'm starting my homsechool adventure with my twins for K in another month. I have my plan all together (for the most part) for K and am planning to start SOTW next year for 1st. I feel like I should do a little bit of American History this year though -- something very high level. Does anyone know of a curriculum that would be good for this? I'm heading to VA's homeschool convention next week and plan to look there as well, but wanted to get the advice of all you experienced homeschoolers :-). Thanks much!