My 7 (now 8) yo loves the game: Where's My Water? There is a free version you could try. It's a puzzle-type game. He loved stack the states & stack the countries also!

:iagree: Everything in a closet is "off limits" to little ones without permission in our home. That is where board games, legos, play-doh, etc...are kept. This is how I keep my sanity! For our school room (a converted bedroom) I would have loved to add an elfa-type storage system in the closet, but we are currently in a rental so it wasn't an option. I use these shelves from walmart (in different sizes) instead since the bottom is solid & books don't fall through. I also LOVE my Staples desk apprentice which I keep right on our large school table for my materials, blank paper, etc... & things we reference on a regular basis but the kids don't use on their own. The kids keep their active curriculum in these magazine holders from Ikea since they are pretty durable, although my rising 3rd grader might be running out of space in his for next year. Also, I had considered the Trofast system so I could implement a workbox-type plan, but it was a bit beyond our budget this year. I do have some of the other cheap storage boxes from Ikea for all the misc. little stuff...index cards, post its, tape, etc...which could make any open bookshelf less visually cluttered. Love Ikea!! The closet storage works well for us right now because it allows more space in the actual room. I have toddlers though, and it helps to have the floor space for them.

It already expired :glare:...

I'm almost positive that I saw a post with a CBD free shipping over $35 code but I can't find it again. Can anyone help? Thanks!!!

There was a thread on the Logic stage sub-forum about planners and I had mentioned on there that The Well Planned Day is coming out with planning software that is *supposed* to be able to work with mobile devices. It looks really nice! About the printer situation, I believe you have to have an AirPrint compatible printer in order to print wirelessly using the built-in print buttons on the iPad. That said, I can print to my Brother wireless all-in-1 via an app that Brother has. HTH!

:iagree:

My Well Planned Day has now posted pricing & screen shots. I haven't really looked into all of the info & am curious how it may handle re-usable lesson plans as this was my main draw to HST+. It is really pretty though! :001_smile: p.s. i have no affiliation at all...just want something sort of mid-range. not too complex and not too simple... The allure of keeping everything in one spot for home/school is compelling too!

:iagree: I totally understand! This is one of my main issues with HST. I really wish the interface was just...well...easier to use & pretty. And most of all - without the huge learning curve! With one in HS and my other 5 being 2nd grade down, I just can't spend hours upon hours entering/tweaking/rearranging...etc... I had the printed Well Planned Day planner (which looked wonderful) but I sold it because I really wanted something electronic. I just hope the cost for the software is reasonable!

Hi! I usually don't post to this sub-forum, but I currently have HST+ but may be moving to this (price-permitting) so I can access from other devices: http://www.homeschoolconvention.com/mywellplannedday.html HTH!

Hi! We used Tog at the "R" & "LG" levels last year and I actually created a spreadsheet to calculate the cost of the books. I dont recall the exact numbers off-hand, but we did purchase the "core" books and used the library for all of the literature/add'l history books. I would place holds for about 3 weeks worth of books & pick them up together when they were all ready. Our library had most of the recommended books, but if they didn't substutions were easy to find (esp at the lower levels). FWIW, my kids really enjoyed TOG at that age! HTH!

I thought of one more resource that might have some good info... http://www.monergism.com/ They have a bookstore that has a variety of materials for biblical studies.

Wow! Thanks so much! I also picked up LoF Beginning Algebra & The Algebra Survival Guide (w/workbook) at our local homeschool sale this morning. I'm hoping one of the resources we have will be a good fit for her.

You may try some of the materials from Desiring God: http://www.childrendesiringgod.org/curriculum/curriculaGroup.php?curriculaId=8 HTH!

Thank you all so much for your replies! This is exactly what my dd needs - clear, to the point and do-able. I don't want to discourage her any further! I probably should have mentioned that we did a program online last year for 9th that she worked through but didn't seem to retain at all. She said that she still felt lost after doing almost the entire year. We were supposed to do the Lial's this year together, but it just didn't work out the way I had hoped. As of now, my dd does not have plans for college that would require high level math, but I definitely want her to "get" algebra...not just "get through" it. Now that you mention it though, the LOF idea may work well for us also! We have done the LOF Decimals & Percents and the Fractions books previously. I'll have to take a look at the samples again. Thanks for the idea! Now, this begs the question...what is the best way to assign credits at this point?!?!?

Hi everyone! I really need to find an inexpensive, straight forward Algebra I program for my DD to work through over the summer. She is way behind in math so we're trying to play catch-up before the fall. I'm hoping to find something that she can work through independently. We have a copy of Lial's Introductory Algebra (8th ed), but I would probably have to go through it with her. I was thinking one of these may work?? Key To Algebra or Math Mammoth Algebra 1 Thanks so much for your help!!!

:iagree: can I vote for Singapore Essentials (A & B) followed by Horizons K? This combo has worked beautifully for my 5yo.

This site may be helpful too: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/ I don't know about the technical aspects of downloading to an iPod though. I have only played it through my desktop pc.

Maybe some Kumon books or Pattern Block sets?

Singapore Essential Math there are 2 books - "a".& "b" Along with Cuisenaire Rods. My daughter really loved these!

There is so much great advice and wisdom on this board! At the end of the day, for me, the hardest part was to just...well...begin. Each situation, child, schedule, etc...is so different. Once you begin, you will be able to take the ideas from here and elsewhere and apply it to your specific challenge areas. I tend to over-plan and feel a bit defeated when I can't get to everything. Focusing on the 3 R's is a brilliant plan for your oldest esp. since you are beginning in the middle of a "school year". I have a 16 yo then the next one is just-turned 8 (followed by DD5, DS4, DS2, DS 4mo). Honestly, I focus on the basics for my 8yo and all the other little ducklings seem to just soak up the "extras" without much effort - science, geography, etc... I think you will be amazed at how time-efficient it is to homeschool & should be able to orchestrate the time for your home business without much struggle. BTW...we school year-round also. I find that we don't have that month or more of review at the beginning of a traditional school year and my LOs seem to retain much better that way. I can empathize because de-programming from a formal brick & mortar school has really been a challenge for me. It just takes time and, in my case, some trial-and-error. For us, no one year has looked the same, but each is fun and challenging at the same time. I have no regrets!!

:iagree: Great as a guide! We change some things around a bit since I'm not the most crafty & have added some books from our library: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Like-Mine-DK-Publishing/dp/0789488590 http://www.amazon.com/School-Like-Mine-DK-Publishing/dp/0756629136/ref=pd_sim_b_1 http://www.amazon.com/Nat-Geo-Wild-Animal-Atlas/dp/1426306997/ref=pd_sim_b_1 They love the passport & flag info, but mine are 7, 5, & 3 so things like population etc, are a bit meaningless to them right now. I don't want to overcomplicate it for them! :001_smile: I added the above books to "Children Just Like Me" because they love learning/seeing the cultural aspects. It seems very easy to adapt to a variety of ages with the addition of age-appropriate library books & maybe adding to the mapping activity. Also, I am hoping to make at least 1 recipe from each country we visit as our "hands-on" activity. (although this hasn't quite started and we're almost out of asia :blush:...but, hey, it's still a goal) The author has posted on her blog some of their own experiences through the curriculum. All in all, it's been really neat to see our little ones grow in understanding that there is a much bigger world out there than our little state. Enjoy your geography trip!

Another vote for Singapore Essential Math K to start. My 5 yo devoured it! Since we finished both books in oh, about a month...we started Horizons K. I almost feel like the Essential Math laid a good conceptual foundation in my dd's head so the more traditional Horizons program isn't as difficult for her. Overall, she has loved both. Ditto on the Cuisenaire rods also! We used them with the Essential Math to help her problem solve when appropriate. But, I find myself pulling them out often for multiple grades. Well worth the $$! HTH!

maybe it's me but i'm noticing from the posts that the pattern of distraction really shows itself in the math area. glad we're not alone! my problem is that the distractable one is the older (almost 8 yo) who easily carries the youngers (5,4,2) along with him. :glare:

I would ask this on the High School board since there seem to be several Lial users there. I'm not sure about the other books, be we have Introductory Algebra (8th ed) and are using it for Alg 1. HTH!

Just in case anyone was interested. http://all-about-spelling.com/activity-booklets