We found one we liked at the library. It's King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table Retold by Emma Gelders Sterne and Barbara Lindsay. It's a Golden Illustrated Classic. Both of my children are enjoying it very much. I don't think it speaks down to them at all, yet it's understandable to them.

Another vote for games here, especially card games. You can find a bunch online. We like War but instead of one card you put down two, add them together and whoever has the highest total wins. Peggy Kaye has a great book called Games for Math which has lots of ideas. My daughter was still using her fingers a lot, but now she's at the point where she rarely does. We've been doing lots of games for about 4-6 months. I also do a lot of oral drilling when we're in the car or having snack, etc.

Have you looked at Horizons? This seems like it would fit what your needs are. I tried Saxon for 2 years with my daughter and it just didn't work. She did great and I liked it, but she hated it; it was too boring and repetitive. Horizons is much like Saxon in what and how it teaches (at least it seems that way to me; we're only into it a couple of weeks) but it's much more colorful, it has a lot more variety...it's just more fun. My daughter and I are both happy with it. Best of luck in your search!

I balked a bit when I saw the price as well, but here's my rationale: first of all, break it down by number of weeks and number of kids...for me that works out to about $2.50 a week. Much more manageable number right? It's like a cup of coffee at DD. Okay, another way to look at it is (and this I picked up from someone else on the boards) you get to keep all those great books and your kids can read them over and over. Most everything I get is from the library. So that's another important point. Third, it looks like a fantastic program, so instead of looking at the total cost, just figure what the difference was between this and your second choice curriculum. Lastly, if you decided not to keep all the materials, I'm sure you could sell them on eBay or here after you're done and recoup quite a bit of your initial investment. Okay, I'm going to place my order now! :)

I hate these things and had all of mine removed last year; I must've had 15 all around my chest area. Apparently they run in my family. Anyway, I'd first make sure that it is indeed a skin tag. They are almost painless to remove though; really just a tiny prick and the pain is gone immediately. One other trick I heard (never did, but my mom did) was to tie a piece of thread around the base very tight and it will fall off on it's own within 24 hours. Good luck.

So sorry he's going through this. My first one was the worst; intense pain! I was in the hospital for 2 days and then it was another 2 days at home before it passed. I was on some pretty powerful meds. I'll pray for quick passing!

I currently use Amazon, however I don't think they're 100% accurate on their age ranges. But they're the only thing I've found so far so I still use them as a guideline.

Ambleside also has pages of wonderful copywork broken out by grade level.

I agree on the "experience". My kids have way too much stuff (2 sets of over generous grandparents and lots of Aunts & Uncles) so we're always looking for non toy gifts. Another idea would be a magazine subscription or something to start a collection/hobby. Also, classes of some sort.

Can I ask which level you're using now with your ds8? I'd like to check it out for my daughter who's the same age. Thanks!

A homeschool group in CT is getting tix for $25 for the Amherst, MA show...I think that was the price for a group of 10 or more. You might want to call and try to get a group together. Where are you located in NH? I grew up in Walpole and my parents also lived in Jaffrey for a short time.

It's SO hard I know...I keep gaining and losing the same 10-15 pounds. However, when I do lose, it's because I eat smaller amounts, but more often. I have to make sure I have a snack in the mid morning and mid afternoon. Also, writing down what I eat helps a lot to keep track and avoid overeating. I'm pretty good about exercising every day; try to do 30-60 minutes. Best of luck!

Thornton Burgess books....Burgess Bird Book for Children, Seashore Book, Animal Stories, Nature Stories, etc. They are excellent!

We found Progressive Phonics which are ebooks you can print out. Each book focuses on a phonics rule and it has helped my son greatly. He is reading much easier and faster now. They have several free books so you can try them out first. Good luck.

We bought my son one at Gymboree.

I believe AAA members received discounted tickets.

Great Books for Boys has lists of books broken out by categories and there are lots of science books.

We do Rev War re-enactments and buy our stuff from J Townsend http://jas-townsend.com/. I find them reasonably priced.

CT is SO easy...no reporting, no meetings, no NOI needed, nothing. I'm going to have to stay here til my kids are ready for college!!

We enjoyed Maple Hill Farm as well as Century Farm. I've heard Hannah's Farm is good as well, but we haven''t read that yet. No suggestions on Vivaldi--sorry.

I flipped through this at the library and thought it was a little beyond my kids (5 & 7). Ended up doing constellations with Find the Constellations by H.A. Rey. My kids and I both really really enjoyed it. They couldn't wait til we did it and they have retained a lot.

I think I found something. It's called Our Little Earth, World News for Young Citizens. I viewed some samples and it looks like what I was searching for. If you want to check it out it's ourlittleearth.com.

Hi. I'd like to start teaching my children more about what goes on in the world. I'm wondering if there are any newspapers or magazines that report global news specifically for children? I know Time has a magazine for kids...does anyone subscribe and if so what do you think? I have a 5yo and an 8yo. I'm looking for real news, just reported on their level. Does something like this exist? TIA

I, too, learned that the comma takes the place of and, so when and is used the last comma is unnecessary. That's the way I was taught and also how it worked when I was a copy editor. I hate to teach my kids the "wrong" thing, so I'm happy to see that either seems to be acceptable.

Loved Popper's Penguins too! Here are a few more: Mrs Piggle Wiggle (series) Roald Dahl books Trumpet of the Swan The Enormous Egg