Once I ordered two WP exclusives, I received them within two weeks.They look great.We haven't used the program yet (it's the Equine Science one) but to me things look wonderful.

I used it with my DD in first grade. It worked well for us then. We used a separate notebook to write in, just a composition book. She retained the info well, enjoyed the experiments, and we completed the entire book, one lesson each week as planned. I didn't use it for multiple children at the same time, though, as you appear to be doing, but it would probably work just as well! Hth!

Well, we do 3-4 pages of math. Some science reading or activity or both (maybe 2 or 3xs a week) History/geography read aloud by him or I along with some questions or activity (mostly each day) Silent reading, independent (about 30 minutes each day) along with some sort of answering questions or narrations Handwriting (part of a page, for quality not quantity) Grammar work (page or two) Occasionally phonics Spelling (either in copywork or other program) Devotional time misc. activities he likes to do: legos, snap circuits, etc.

I've responded to several recent threads about this. We are finishing up Paths of Exploration. I plan to use Paths of Settlement next year. Some liked it, some did not, some used it in parts. I fall in the latter crowd. I did not use it SOLELY, although I LOVE this program. It's easy to use imo, but some did not like the lengthy 6 week focus on units/subjects/books. I also cut down some units to 3 or 4 weeks at times. I'm not sure I'll post more of my thoughts right now, as I have several times recently, so if you do a quick search, you'll find some more information. But, I'd love to answer any specific questions you have!

These are superb! She should be thrilled!!!

I didn't use the whole curriculum but did use More Storytime Treasures with my DS First Grader. It was great for language arts and comprehension for my DS! He enjoyed the activities. HTH.

That sounds good to me. We do another writing program as well, so that's why we haven't spent more than 30 minutes or so with IEW. Next year, for 4th grade, we'll step it up a bit. I think your plan sounds great. :)

The young Nancy Drew series (there's several different ones, I believe). And then anything horse related. :)

I know for the theme-based program (LEVEL A) I've used with my DD this year, we use it 3-4 days a week, about 30 minutes or so each day. HTH.

Well, I will answer your question although I certainly was not as avid with IEW this year as I thought I'd be. I got the Fairy Tales/Myths for my daughter this year and we are just now going full force with it, meaning being more consistent, about a little bit each day, four days a week. I didn't do any other IEW program, just this theme based one. It has gotten my DD to expand the structure/style of her writing, most definitely. I'd like to use another theme based program next year for her, maybe the Fascinating one. I'm not ready to spend a lot of money on the Student Intensive stuff or TWSS. I like what this simple theme based book does, especially since we use that along with other writing!!!!

:D I totally feel the same way. I like the buffet style of teaching.

Well, you're bound to find people in both courts here AND people who do buy full core curricula packages AND bits and pieces- like me! I see it as what fits YOU as a teacher and your children, as the students! Don't feel badly if you need a box curriculum!

:lol: To answer your last question- totally!!!!!!

Ugh. Totally understand. I play the piano and sing. Here at home and each week at church. We had done lessons (outsourced) but we don't do lessons right now. I TRIED to give lessons myself and it doesn't get done. Actually, I had someone else teach the kids the past couple years and then decided we needed a break from music this past fall!! :lol: It's so hard to get other things done- and I felt so stressed trying to make them practice when they weren't enjoying it. I took lessons for at least 12 years! I DO want them to go back to piano but I'm so lost with when to do this, and if I made a mistake having them take a year off!! :tongue_smilie: I really felt in my heart to just STOP the lessons this year, and I suppose in the long run, it must have been for a good reason but I don't know exactly why yet. My DH plays several instruments and at times the kids will pick up one of his harmonicas, the mandolin, or the ukelele and just play around. Osmosis, right? :D

What an interesting question! I'm sure I have one, and the first thing that comes to mind was just something my DD used for spelling in first grade- Building Spelling Skills. It didn't "take" in her mind. This year she finally made headway with spelling, after I've implemented dictation instead of an official spelling program. I've been thinking, seriously, of how much time I wasted doing spelling in first grade with her and wish we hadn't done that. Knowing that, I didn't do an "official" program with my DS this year for first grade either, because I figured what was the point. HA! He's spelling fine on his own. Hopefully, I've answered your questions somewhat correctly. I fear I'm rambling!!

I've had a whole day now of straight anxiety and worrying. LOL. It's silly to worry but it happens. It's good to come on here and ask and see how others are doing. I think it helps soooo much!!!!! I've seen a pattern for me, the last few months. It's our third year of homeschooling and my kids are still in the elementary- we need to be easy on ourselves especially since it seems that we are of sound mind when it comes to wanting to give our children the best homeschooling possible. If you're diligent and aware of what your child needs and attempt to do things that will improve and teach and enhance, even meeting difficulty on the way- it is okay. I don't think there's anything to screw up yet! :) Now, to take my own advice!!!! HA!!! For me, also, I keep thinking of the what-ifs or should-haves, etc. and it screws with my mind! It's hard to keep confidence and I think that's so normal.

I'm doing a little bit of both, though the Killgallon is minimal. I like the idea of both and alternate a bit.

Laura Frantz- she's a very special lady and her books have served so many purposes in my life. She has three novels out, and my absolute favorite is Courting Morrow Little. Her latest, The Colonel's Lady is superb, also. And her first, The Frontiersman's Daughter! :)

I don't know if there is a program like this, but I wanted to comment anyways because our Aesop set just arrived in the mail yesterday for my DS! It looks great! I am so excited! I wanted to use it for next year, in second grade for him, but I'm so tempted to use it now, at least the first book. I can see why you wish for another like this. Maybe you could take the idea on your own and come up with something?

If fortune is $1000 (or more) than real close to it, yes. Makes me frustrated though- really thought I would not get so much but I like to use/try a lot of items!

Some kind of quiet time reading several days a week. Listening to MOH Volume 1 and notebooking that a bit. Reading additional literature for that time period. Maybe a few projects. Math a couple days a week along with Ipad apps for facts, etc, fun stuff. REALLY need to keep my kids fresh with math this summer! Song School Latin (totally forgot I had this and Ella is going to do Prima Latina starting in Fourth). Simple enough. Probably giving the kids a good three weeks of NOTHING first after our "official" year is done. Really am going to miss the structure of our days so I hope to keep "some" structure throughout the summer, besides our "true" vacation days, when DH is off.

Which ones are you using (being title specific)? For my upcoming 2nd grader (DS): *from Memoria Press.... Beatrix Potter Courage of Sarah Noble (which will go nicely with POS because that is one of the books) Mr. Popper's Penguins Little House in the Big Woods *from Veritas Press... The Boxcar Children Little House on the Prairie (maybe) DD (who will be in 4th): *from Memoria Press Heidi Lassie The Moffats (maybe- I have the book and thought well since we do, we might as well do the lit guide, too) Farmer Boy (if we don't do it by end of school year) *from Veritas Press Mary Poppins Dangerous Journey *from MCT (and perhaps DS following along...we'll see) Wind in the Willows Peter Pan Alice in Wonderland This past year, DS (1st) did Memoria Press More Storytime Favorites and we are about to do Wagon Wheels (Progeny Press). DD (3rd) did Carry On, Mr. Bowditch and The Secret Garden (Progeny Press). I thought to begin Farmer Boy next week. I know my above list is a lot for next year- so I will narrow it down or just have my DC read the books without the guide. I go easy on them, taking out what I feel is too much to do, so they aren't overburdened. We also use the Arrow for a few titles as well. I may be back with those book titles in a bit. :tongue_smilie: I'm just curious to what others are using, if they are using lit guides. I am going this route along with a few misc. workbooks/things online for other reading comprehension skills.

We supplemented TT also, but mainly because my DD really needed to learn to think through her math and continue that skill. I think I will always suggest to people to use SM CWP! LOL! I concur with above post! I think her plan looks great!

Yes, they really did and I'm sad that MP doesn't have something like the Storytime Treasures for Second Grade. We could have used that for second grade, I suppose, but it worked out for him this year. I like the simple look of both, and I think my DS does well with the lack of so much busy stuff, kwim?

My order from Didax just come today. I've been searching for options of worksheets/workbooks that go over skills that I've seen in BJU, etc. just to supplement our plan with MP lit guides and Pathway Readers for phonics, etc. Anyways, many of the books are geared for high interest/lo reading but since I got grades 3/4 and 5/6 stuff I think those will work for him. He reads SO well but the comprehension/skill thing gets him at times. These were clearanced. I got Classic Literature, Understanding Change, and Comprehension Lifters. My DD who is in third this year will probably get some use out of the 5/6 grade books. Some of the activities in the Change book are word study, syllables, un-jumble sentences, matching explorers with discovery, finishing sentences, crossword, answering questions, rhyming, drawing, misc. phonics stuff. The Classic Literature book as these activities: correct order/sequence of events/opposites/same/answering questions/true false/open ended questions/comparing/ and a ton more. A few stories seems geared towards k/grade 1 given the nature of the book for lo reading, however, I am impressed with the skills beyond the reading, wherein lies the issue with my DS (who is extremely smart and does get things, but he is lazy when it comes to comprehension/remembering what he has read. drives me nuts!) HTH!