Ah, I use Primary Phonics (with readers) and Explode the Code. :D We have a library of vintage Dick and Jane and Elson readers too! We do spelling (with lists and worksheets) as well as word walls (lists of specialized or topical words). So, I would disagree about mutliple resources and overkill. Review isn't always the point - it's all about the mastery and the volume of word exposure. I do vocabulary with our "word wall". I just didn't by WW. I have handwriting practice and copywork during the week too. Paragraphs/Journal entries each week and grammatical studies (we are studying capitalization and punctuation as well as verbs and nouns). For me, LA and Math are the primary needs in K through second grade. You can never have enough practice. It makes the difference in all content areas. We are done with "class" in about three hours and four hours if we have jitterbugs. I send her off to read and color. I think where I slack is on history. I don't follow a classical method, but more an interest-led or Charlotte-Mason style. I hit the biggies, ie community helpers, holiday origins, etc. Science is every other week and I use Elemental Science. We are also building paper habitats and studying them (thanks to dollar deals). Remember each child is different. Teach as much as you can while you can. Then they turn 13! LOL HTH everyone :) ETA: I do not think that you can ever be done with spelling. Actually, I don't pick up a true vocabulary program until the seventh grade (worked both times). And honestly, most spelling books are really just phonics in disguise and don't actually label themselves appropriately. The books become true spelling books somewhere around the thrid grade. Last thing, grammar needs to be practiced and applied and not just demonstarted.... really, I'm off to read now. Bet you can't guess - Vampire Academy LOL

I didn't do any literature study at this age, but I did focus more on reading that what you are. I kept up with phonics through the 2nd grade, and I purchased Elson Readers or read them online to continue the reading complexity and vocabulary exposure. I would do that, but that doesn't mean that you should do it! :D

Ugggghhh, that is horrible. I love them. :D I want the Case of the Lost Skull. LOL

I suppose you don't want to see this either ... http://www.whfreeman.com/Catalog/product/explorationsinphysicalchemistry20-secondedition-depaula/about/features Have you looked at GEMS? http://www.carolina.com/stem-science-technology-engineering-math-curriculum/great-explorations-math-and-science-elementary-curriculum/gems-elementary-chemistry-curriculum/10797.ct?mCat=10796 While we are "dreaming" .... it can't hurt to just look. Right?

You might want to add a class on play and coloring. :) Nope looks good. I think if it is working and learning is happening that you made good choices. I add manipulatives, but very little in combining resources. I stick with what I buy and finish it. Fact fill that little one and get the basics down. You might want to unschool one day a week too. Teach things that are life skills like baking, sewing, cleaning, tieing shoes, etc.

Teaching Textbooks and the Art of Problem Solving ... BJU Biology and Prentice Hall Biology :( Nation of Nations too! Ack ... make it stop!

I browsed that Wikispace for about 45 minutes, LOL. I was creating a blog post of my clicks this month (such a stupid web surfer am I), and I had to share this one. Make sure that you check out the links on the right side. It covers more than just history with lots of resource links. I love the American history too.

http://k-12teacherresources.wikispaces.com/World+History

Actually, I found volume one to be used well with fifth grade. I could not use it at third and only some at fourth due to grammar. I approached grammar a bit later than normal with the second child. Would you miss something ... not all types, or forms of writing, are addressed by the second volume. The first volume is descriptive/narrative. Would I skip it? It would depend on what your previous focus and training involved. Look here ... http://www.diagnosticprescriptive.com/wwtb.html Both volumes are described quite well. It should help you to make your choice. BTW, loved both volumes. I have delayed using the second in favor of level six of Writing Strands at this point. I will return to volume two sometime next year. :)

I like the Charlotte Mason method too.... We have enjoyed Simply Poetry. But ... here

Typically, cursive began at the end of second grade. Practice continued through third and fourth (final drafts being in cursive for some papers have since switched to typed). By the fifth grade, most schools required everything in cursive. Due to the push to eliminate cursive in the public system, this has changed and cursive is an option. I write in cursive which forces my dc to learn to read cursive. They practice every week through the eighth grade. Copywork for their notebooks must be in cursive. I allow any other work to be in print and final papers are to be typed. By this time I have a child that can read and write cursive. Cursive will have served well to promote other development standards too. (I believe in educating and training the whole mind and not just academically filling). As for the style, as long as it has some loops, the ability to read will be much easier. The modern cursive and italic do not have enough loops for my liking. I have found it is much harder to teach the dc to read cursive when they do not write in any similar way to what they are reading. HTH

I found memo board contact paper. :) Love it.

I like the 2-year idea. I had been wondering how to fit it all into this year. I may do the same as the poster above and split it. I did the last time around. I coordinate lit as well. Thus, we are on the Crucible with the pilgrims and puritans. :) It makes it much, much more fun.

I stopped the cycle in the logic stage and began studing US history. I toss in tidbits of World History as it directly relates to the colonies or the country. I use History of Us with a more analytical approach. I felt a good view of history before the US history class in high school was needed. We will study US history before government and economics. I am going to focus on geography and cultures for the ninth year, which will be year eight for us. We are not on grade level with most subjects.

LOL ... quite possible. Is she reading for enjoyment? I was watching dd13 closer today, and I found her whispering her history. :D Yet, her fiction books are not done with those tiny whispers. It may be for comprehension or .... it has become habit. And guess what, there are worse habits! ETA: As I thought about this a bit more ... it could have everything to do with maturity as well. While they advance much faster in many areas, we forget that there will be those things that need to develop at a normal rate. The cognitive needs for reading "in the head" may not be there yet too. For instance, eye-tracking could be a problem and the oral reading is her way of keeping track of the text. I would not worry until the third grade. This is typically the point in a typical school where silent reading is deployed. Yes, I said deployed, LOL. You might have to teach her to read silently at some point too. I would start doing some research. Once she masters silent reading skills, she will be thrilled and so will you. Remember my chatty-kathy-doll!

We went in October. I loved it. The Magic Bands were great. I had the park hopper option added to our trip. We could Fast Pass three at each park. I chose them each day, and not ahead of time. I want to say that the lines were not terrible either. They were working on several rides, and I missed Peter Pan. :( However, waiting in line was somthing that my family and I are accustomed to doing with Carrowinds right down the road. Honestly, it is not that bad. I do suggest that you make reservations as soon as you can. The restaurants book quickly. We ate at the resort several times and found it acceptable. I will note that the meal plan would not have served the three of us well at all. We only spent $500 and the meal plan was closer to $700. It was the best time for us. The girls and I absolutely loved it, and we started our Disney savings again! Don't be discouraged. It really is great fun. My youngest was 6yrs.

Fast Pass is how you cut in line. If you stay at the resort and get your magic band (or fast pass card), you can go online and link your reservations at your my-disney and from there you pick the rides that you want. You tap your magic band at the fast pass line and in you go. It often makes the lines for popular rides less than 10 minutes, which is what we waited in line for the Tower of Terror. You can also go to the ride when you enter the park and tap or swipe for a time to return to the ride without having to wait. Awesome thing. :) OP ... Yipeeee ... I love Disney.

Yes, but ... Don't skip the latin and greek roots and such. Hummm .... isn't it Vocabulary Bridges? I think so. I will check this in a bit and ETA if not. It does word study. Look at the study of the Greek and Latin languages as it applies to words and study words. You will get more out of it too. Great prep for the SAT as well. :) LOL

When they start sounding the words out less and less, they do begin to eventually read inside their head. Now, my dd6, I beg her to do things inside her head all day long. She is a chatty Kathy doll, and she drives me crazy! LOL

Honestly, for Grammar at that age, I would probably use Easy Grammar. For spelling, if she is really a poor speller, Megawords is probably the best bet. BJU for vocabulary/spelling is also quite decent and an alternative. For penmanship, any handwriting book would work; however, consider something with some form of loop. I am not a fan of modern or italic because it does not seem to help them adapt well to reading different forms of script writing. Lastly, composition ... Writing Strands is still my favorite. I can prove it works having one through the books and the second coming up now (level 6 in the 7th grade). Literature ... Progeny Press still. Pick two or three of the books and guides for her grade level or slightly above. All in all, the price will be less than the Abeka pack for this grade too. :) I know this sounds crazy, but avoid doing as much as you can on the computer. The videos and math drills are great, but try and avoid completing actual lessons with the computer. My two cents worth!

You have some wonderful suggestions. However, the easiest way is to plan and organize. Without those two, you will not have an independent worker. I create assignment sheets for history and science. I use weekly folders. Everything needed or assigned for the week goes in the folder. If it is an assignment from a text, I place the assignment there with a list of "needs" on the paper. Sometimes, this is nothing more than a half piece of notebook paper! While it isn't a lesson plan per se, it is the 3-D, hands-on version which meets my planning requirements as well. I go through the week and grab samples and pieces, and bind into a portfolio. The key to independence is your ability to "get things togther" and allow them the time. Any curriculum, for the most part, can be independent if you plan it out ahead of time. :) HTH!

Honestly, I would diagram. There are quite a few diagramming texts. Learn the parts of speech in the context of diagramming. Once you have cemented this and the child can successfully diagram their own sentences, I would begin a more advanced study of grammar that incorporates with writing and style. Read here to guide you. I like Jenson's Grammar. While it says 7-12th, I think you could start early without any problems. Of Course, there is Easy Grammar as well, very similar to Daily Grams. Anyway, depending on the rigor in which you want to approach grammar, that should help you. We tended to drift away from Rod & Staff after the sixth grade. I did not like the many secular textbook approaches either. Often, I bought grammar resources from Scholastic and Macmillan. :) Along with diagramming, I have seen the complexity of sentences increase and the content develop. Do not try to cram it all in one year though. Spread it out a bit. Some grammar is better than no grammar. :)

Agree naration or summary is the best way to evaluate comprehension. :) "I don't know what I read until you ask me what I read." LOL

I appreciate the link. I am looking at some of the trips now. See you all soon too!

Two websites came to mind immediately ... Hand2Mind I linked you to the catalog, but there is a wealth of info to be had. MathFour I linked you to the about page. I love many of these hands-on idea - ex. symmetry taught by using snowflakes and Christmas decorations. :)