OK, I signed up for the free trial on both Cosmeo and Discovery Streaming. DS will not let me watch more than a couple of minutes of each video. When I called and asked about a full trial, they said they no longer do that. So, I went to Cosmeo and they will let me see each video in full. As far as I can tell, neither one has all the Elementary Spanish videos - am I searching impaired? I spent a big chunk of time trying to find, for example, Grades 1-2 Unit 8 on Cosmeo. I could only find lesson 1. When I called Cosmeo to ask, the lady told me that they really don't have anything extensive for spanish?!? I guess my question is am I unable to see all the lessons because it is a trial and when I start service I'll see the rest? Or is there a trick to searching? I tried all I could think of, grades 5-6, grades five and six, grades five-six, etc. I appreciate any help, I am sure we will use it for Science but I am primarily getting it for Spanish so I want to make sure before I purchase. Jill

That is most helpful. I will call US on Monday to find out why I can't see more than a few minutes of each video. I am leaning towards US. Thanks! Jill

That helps me understand how it works. Now I just have to decide between Cosmeo & Discovery Streaming. Thanks!

I am considering this for the fall to use for Spanish but I am trying to choose between United Streaming and Cosmeo. Does Cosmeo have all the Spanish classes grades 1-8? I signed up for the free trial for United Streaming but I can only see a couple of minutes of everything. How do you schedule it? Each grade (1 and 2) for example has 10 units. Are units 1-5 first grade? Do you watch the same lesson all week? Thanks for any help! Jill

http://www.amazon.com/Come-Look-Me-Enjoying-Children/dp/0934738769 Enjoying Art with Children Animals in Art World of Play There are several others, this is what I am using next year. Jill

Jessica, thank you so much for the suggestions, those look great. I love the clipart, I may just have him do a shoe box diorama with clay. He would love that. Jill

This book is by Donald Silver. I fell in love with it before I found out it is out of print. It a paper diorama book. Does anyone know of another one that is not out of print :001_smile: Thanks, Jill

I planned on using Bob Jones next year, but my son saw the Zoology books and begged for them. We will be doing the same thing as Kathy, only with the Bob Jones text. Jill

You could use Sonlight Core1 and 2 for 2nd and 3rd grades. It covers World History in 2 years using CHOW. Then you could do American History in 4th. Jill

I am leaning towards the flashmaster. I will add it to their check off sheets and it will get done without the extra work of printing out drill sheets. Thanks! Runningirl71 - I pm'd you...

I am trying to decide between these two for drill. I would be using it for 2 kids - are they really as painless as I am hoping? I want to find something that is quick and easy. Is it really worth it or would it be just as easy to have them drill on the MUS website for free. I almost think that if I have to make time for each of them to get on my computer, it may not happen. Thanks for any input. Jill

I know exactly what you are talking about. My oldest son is chomping at the bit to read the Apologia Zoology books we have for the fall- I think we may start one on Monday... Jill

I also just copy the words on another piece of paper. It works & my son has really enjoyed this series. Jill

We are back to ancients next year too - for one child anyway. Thanks!

5' 1"

We really like Bob Jones math. We have used grades 2-5 and K. I like the revised edition better but my old teachers manual was useless with the new book for K. For 5th I only used the TM and the Student book. In the past I have used the reviews book, but we did free online drill this year and my son has done well on the cumulative reviews in the book, so I didn't buy it this year. The TM is very well done and explains things clearly. I did end up needing a protractor for a few lessons & I was not prepared for that ahead of time. Good Luck! Jill

I don't think my son will in ready in 1st, so we are doing Sonlight Core K which is a World Culture study. I am adding in a few other books to go along with it - DK Children Just Like Me, DK Jobs People Do, Me on the Map, Usborne My Town & My Street. We will start Ancients in 2nd. Jill

I bought them at our Homeschool book fair directly from EPS. I guess it depends on the child. I am not ready to stop spelling just yet with this ds, so we will continue with the Calvert CDs. Jill

Thanks!

I second the School House Rock videos. Two of the neighbor kids were over playing with my kids one day when I put the video in, they all protested. When I came back in all 4 of them were singing along to the 5 song - hands in the air counting by fives and all. It was too funny. I wonder what the major difference is between the Math Shark and the Flashmaster. Hmmm.. I'll have to do some research. Jill

Where we live, Spanish is a definite plus.

I started counting in K, although with my oldest I did way more preschool than any child should be forced to do :001_smile: Jill

My sister and I use each other for going through books. When she says "We might want to use this someday," I say, "When? Make a plan now or get rid of it." She does the same for me, so it's not as mean as it sounds. Maybe get an objective friend to help you go through?? Jill

I have voicemail and I LOVE the do not disturb feature on my phone. I can monitor the caller ID - if it's hubby or something important, I'll answer. Otherwise it can wait until after business hours...

We love them. We have one small dog who does not get on the furniture. They wipe clean very nicely and I don't think they were that sticky in the summer - but we like it cool in the house (Texas). Over the winter we would grab a throw if we were chilly, but it warms up quickly. Jill