just to make you more confused. :001_smile: We have used ABeka math since my, now 7 year old, started school in K. I love ABeka math. It takes her by the hand and has guided her so well thus far. She started the Number Skills K in fall her K year, then started the 1st grade book that January. I have to admit though that the 3rd grade book gets harder faster than I imagined. Math has always come easy for her, but now she is having to work a bit harder at it. But she still loves it. As far as curriculum goes, its always kind of a guessing game. What works for one child may not for another in the same family. I've been very lucky in that the choices I've made have all worked out so far. You just have to try not to drive yourself crazy with the process. Baby steps. I tell myself often, "baby steps". Good luck with everything, Marsha

First of all, we do history every school day. We read a section a day and write a narration for each section. Once we finish the reading, then we'll read one of the extra reading books (depending on the length of the book, it could take 1 to 3 days). Then we'll do the mapwork and read in the Kingfisher History Encyclopdia. The next day we'll take a test then start the next reading the first chapter in the next section. Did we finish SOTW in first grade? No (but I just came up with this new schedule a couple of months ago). My problem last year was I had it in my brain we HAD to do a chapter a week, so if we missed history a day I'd skip it for a week so I could stay on schedule. That put us way off schedule. Am I worried that we didn't finish the first book in 1st grade? No, because she has already learned so much more than I was ever taught in school. We are finishing SOTW I then well start SOTW II about November. The key, I'm learning, is to: one, not stress; two, keep going even when it feels endless. I hope that helps a bit. Marsha

I used a 1983 version of HOP with my oldest, now in 2nd grade. By the end of K she was reading at a 3rd grade level and by the end of first she was at a 6th grade level. We are now starting the program with my youngest, just starting K. The program I have is not like what they sell at Wal-mart in the box with the readers and games. It is a large box with 6 books and a review book. It also has a comprehension program that came with it. Both boxes go from beginning reading to college level. I have seen the entire set on Ebay and a friend of mine bought it for $35, which originally sold for well over $250. I personally can not say enough about these books. Yes, they are a little dull (no readers with this set), but once they are done they can pick up any book they want to and read it with little to no help. Marsha

but honestly none for History. I hate I just wrote that. We have a couple of the Prof. Noggin games for geography. 10Days in the US, Asia, Europe and Africa are fun. You may want to try educationallearninggames.com they have terrific selection. Marsha

We have already started school, so here is what we are doing (and still tweaking): Mathematics 3 (ABeka) Spelling Workout D Science (using the First Encyclopedia of Our World as a spine then library books to fill in the gaps) History (Story of the World I - still finishing) Language (English 3 - Rod&Staff) Geography (some cheap workbooks and geography games - also done during Story of the World lessons) Spanish (informal right now with workbooks and a friend of mine to help but soon Rosetta Stone) Reading (following the list in TWTM) Logic (on Fridays - workbooks, and games) Its been taking us between 2.5-3 hrs to complete each day. We do Geography on MWF and Spanish TuThurs, everything else we do every day. Hope that helps. Marsha

I agree with the others, but I'd also like to suggest a map/globe. We've used ours a lot. As for pencils and such, we use pencil boxes to keep pencils, erasers, crayons, colored pencils and everything else that is small that needs a home. Good luck and remember the first year can be difficult just don't give up. Marsha

When my daughter was not quite halfway through HOP, we started on level A of Spelling Workout. She loves spelling and reading. Personally, I believe the two go hand in hand. But it comes down to what the child/student is ready for. If the reading is going well and you can see hints of boredom, I say go ahead and start spelling. Marsha SC

We use HOP for reading (which I can never say too many good things about), practice writing on worksheets I make and ABeka Number Skills K. I also plan on reading her a science book a few times a week from the Let's Read and Find-Out Science series that we just discovered. Please my dd loves geography and never misses that subject when her older sister is doing it. My focus is on reading in K. I hope this helps. Marsha SC

thanks a lot for all the good advice. I knew the language was going to be a bit touch but I like the fact the LFC at least explains it for those who don't know it. I am going to look into Minimus. Thanks again! Marsha SC

I'm considering this for my 2nd grader next year. I know its a year early but her reading skills are very good and she is doing very well with 2nd grade language this year. I would like to know what you like and dislike about the program. Is it easy to use and learn (considering I, like most, have not had Latin before). Thanks for any help you can offer, Marsha SC

I used a couple of their books this year with my 4 year-old dd. She and I both truly loved "Finding the Answers". Its a great book. I don't know if you know, but during the month of March they are giving 10% discounts for items starting with a "1" (I don't know if these books count or not) and also free shipping on orders over $25. Good luck. Marsha SC

Do not bother with OPG. There is nothing it can offer if she is on the blue book in HOP, especially if you have the original version with the review book. Marsha

I think a little differently. I plan on teaching geography every year. My husband and I believe it is a very important part of our global lives. Anyway, what I'm doing this year (1st grade) is teaching the states and capitals. I've made my flashcards - two sets. One set has the state on the front and the capital on the back. The second set just has writing on the front of each card, one for each of the ten states and capitals we are working on at that time...and we use them as a memory game. Hope that helps a bit. Marsha SC