Do you have any activity suggestions for the toddler? The ones I have already thought of are finger painting, play dough, coloring books (which he tires quickly of), a tub of "school toys" only to brought out during school, and the Wiggles movie :) I also have the Slow and Steady Get Me Ready book and plan to make some of the idea's in there as time allows. Anything you can add would be a huge help, since you have been there.

Thank you so much, this really helps :) He will be two in December, so almost two. He doesn't really watch T.V. that well. He's a busy little guy. My older two would have sat in front of a movie or t.v. episode at that age, but he is a little more active. I will try those episodes you suggested though and see if he does any better with those. So far the only thing that keeps him still in front of the tv for a little while is an old Wiggles movie we had for our first. He's had a hard enough time adjusting to the baby, I hope he does alright with more attention taken from him. I really like the idea of doing the one on one time with the toddler in the morning before starting school. This would make him feel less left out later I think. Some good tips! Thanks!

I was kind of wondering about that. Good idea, thanks!

Very good question! :) I was thinking he could be either playing with a tub of toys only brought out during school hours, finger painting at the table with us, or watching a movie (although he never stays still long enough for this). I usually spend one on one with him and read him some books right before nap time. And of course he is always welcome on my lap during school too. Any other ideas?

Posting this here because I am not getting any response over at the HOD board. I am really nervous about trying to school with a new baby in the same year that we switched curriculum. We are new to HOD this year. So I was hoping to get some feedback on my rough schedule. We are going to be doing Bigger with a 9 and 7yr old. I realize I may have to change this many times to get it right, but is there anything right off that anyone see's that sends up a red flag. Like I said we've never used HOD before so I am unsure of how long or how involved each box will be. 7am Nurse baby while two big kids get morn jobs done 9yr old reads extensions, 7yr old does cursive and explode the code while I finish with the little ones and then start breakfast 8:30 Breakfast and Poetry reading (baby starts nap at beginning of bkfst) Poetry copywork after done with breakfast while I get myself ready for the day 9am Music & Bible Rotating Box English (9yr old R&S, 7yr old FLL after I present R&S lesson to 9yr old) Spelling & Dictation 9yr old DITHOR 7yr old Reading with me Science (baby nursing some time around here 10:30-11 usually) Math (after I explain the topics or go over anything new I put baby down for nap and then make lunch) 12:00 Lunch and History reading Toddler down for nap after lunch History activity on that day 12:30-2:00 Quiet time for older two and hopefully the younger two are still napping so I can have some quiet time too. Now I know this is ideal and that with a new baby you can never count on exactly when they will nap or wake or eat or do anything for that matter... but this is usually what time he sleeps and eats. So what do you all think? I am all ears, like I said I am very nervous about this year and how it's going to work. This baby came as a total surprise and I never thought I would have four kids. God has his own plans and they outweigh mine apparently He obviously thought I could handle it.

Good to know! We've been doing Dance Mat Typing and I found it wasn't teaching my son accuracy so we opened him up an email account and he emails his two grandma's back and forth. I think that has done more for him than anything else we could have tried. He is 9.

My library has it! We can try it out first to make sure it works before purchasing :001_smile:

:lol: Such a rebel! I wonder if we will feel the same way about it. You really can't judge a book by the cover... or the summary lol

Another question for you ladies. I keep reading about the extension assignments and how some people do the extensions but don't have their child do the assignment that goes with it. I am not seeing any assignments in my guide. Am I missing something? I am pretty tired these days so I very well could just be overlooking it.

I was thinking the same thing about Pedro's Journal. There is also some overlap in the suggested books for DITHOR too. I guess maybe these ones are just such good books Carrie wanted to make sure they got read one way or another :) So did you have your son read Jed Smith as part of his DITHOR assignment or did you use it for your storytime read aloud? BTW I have been really enjoying our emails :tongue_smilie: Wasn't sure if you realized it was me or not.

Ginger Pye? Really? I thought it sounded interesting and fun.... we haven't read it yet, but I have been excited about reading it. Was it boring to your family?

Great idea! Thanks!

I do want to read it, but since my son is going to be doing the extensions and it is listed as one of those I didn't think it would work.

My main reason for asking is because I can't decide on a biography. I don't really want to do the ones suggested. Ben & Me is scheduled as an extension.

HOD's online bookstore?

That would be great! We are doing Bigger :)

Did anyone choose books other than the suggested ones? If so what were they and how did you like them?

I CAN"T WAProgress;4268419]I don't have a picture, but my friend used the Kingfisher Encyclopedia as her history spine, and had her daughters make their own timeline - I'm not sure if they took turns doing a piece, but it was the neatest thing - and something she - and they - will treasure because it was all done by her daughters (approx grades 2-4?). She used index cards - they drew a picture of the person or event, including the date(s), and wrote a little about it. She may have written dates on the wall (like in real timeline fashion), but I don't think so - just the dates on the cards. For several years, it adorned the stairwell of their home - it probably stretched 10-12 feet or so, perhaps more. This is exactly what we are going to do, but are going to use painters tape for the line with dates marked on the wall. Once it is more final we will paint the line on the wall. A stairway is just the place in my opinion :) We are also going to add family photo's of important events along the timeline :)

Can the character cards be used to copy the verses from? Is the font big enough?

Thanks! That is a good point about having level 4 for preparing. BTW I am getting ready to try and figure out your Character cards :) What are you using for Bible copywork? I think the kids Bible's print is too small for them to copy out of.

Where do I place my child? How do I figure out what level to put him in? He has done about a years worth of studied dictation and is a pretty decent speller. He is 9yrs old. We will be doing bigger, but I have the preparing guide so I am thining of using the dictation in that, ,just not sure what level.

The ER set,I have. Thanks!

Thanks! This is perfct!

I've asked on here and have searced the files. Can't find anything.

:) Bigger