I would like to add Online classes for Groovy Kids to the list. I previewed a class offered last fall based on the book Stowaway by Karen Hesse. I was highly impressed with the in depth, cross curricular nature of the content. I am planning for my two to take it when it is offered at a time that more closely correlates with our history study. http://www.onlineclassesforgroovykids.org

We are currently enjoying this: http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Ingredients-Universe-Johnston-McHenry/dp/0982537719/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424020859&sr=8-1&keywords=the+elements+ingredients+of+the+universe My kids (3rd & 5th) are having fun with the activities that are included, and I am seriously enjoying the fact that it isn't dumbed down. It's only 8 chapters, so easily done as a unit. We plan to do McHenry's Neurology unit as well as the Carbon Chemistry.

My 7 year old girl has proclaimed the latest Newbery winner, Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, to be her new, all-time favorite book. And we read a lot of books! I loved it too and would highly recommend it as a Newbery suitable for slightly younger kids.

I highly recommend Kate DiCamillo's latest book, Flora and Ulysses. My 7 year old girl and 10 year old boy have both proclaimed it as the best book of the school year, HANDS DOWN!

My daughter has loved playing Animalogic. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002JVN9YM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1394238316&sr=8-1

My dd used Singapore Essentials and the first half MUS Primer for pre-k, then for K we finished MUS Primer and then Singapore 1A. This year for 1st, she has done MUS Alpha and Singapore 1B. It has been a great combination for us.

We use Growing with Grammar (LOVE it!) and it definitely fits your description. Diagramming is included starting in Level 3.

We loved Counting Bears here. You can google "counting bear printables" and find all sorts of pre-made sheets to use with the bucket-o-bears. Another favorite was plastic pattern blocks, also using pre-made printables that I found online. I'm not a big technology fan at that age, but the one exception I made was The Talking Letter Factory. My daughter taught herself to read at age 3 using this video and a set of BOB Books. Other favorites have been mentioned like play-doh, magnetic letters, Lego Duplo blocks, and turning them loose on the patio with a bucket of water and a paintbrush. :o)

We have LOVED this book: http://www.amazon.com/Words-Wit-Wonder-Writing-Writers/dp/1404853456/ref=pd_sim_b_4 We first discovered it at our local library. It is part of a series of writing books that are wonderfully kid friendly. It is also part of a compilation that combines several of the individual books into one, fabulously priced volume: http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Toolbox-WRITERS-TOOLBOX-Paperback/dp/B008LCR9US/ref=tmm_other_meta_binding_title_0

My dd (6 next week) is in about the same spot. I've been putting together her reading list for her 1st grade year, starting June 4th, and so far this is what I have found: The Little House series 101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith (her request) Mrs. Piggle Wiggle Anne of Green Gables Magic School Bus chapter books The Fairy Chronicles (for extra reading) Igraine the Brave Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and some Beverly Cleary. She read Socks and loved it, but wasn't thrilled with Ramona. Maybe the Mouse and the Motorcycle? I'm still looking so I'll be watching your thread. :001_smile:

We use FLL 2 in conjunction with Growing With Grammar. If you only do one page of GWG per day, it is very minimal writing. My two kids (ages 8 & 5) have done very well with the combination of these two programs. On days when they are fidgety, or just plain distracted by their own thoughts and play, we just do the GWG. They enjoy the program, seem to be retaining more using both methods, and they know GWG only takes a couple of minutes each day.

My 2nd grade ds has used Vocabulary Cartoon of the Day from Scholastic very successfully this year. I have already purchased the next book in the series. I cut them apart and he does 2 words a day, three times a week. He writes the words, definitions, synonyms, and a sentence in a vocabulary journal that I found from Lakeshore Learning. He loves the cartoons! It seems to keep it from feeling like work and has helped tremendously with retention. :001_smile: FYI, these books come up in the Scholastic eBook sale every year for $1.00.

Our favorite movie for SOTW book 1, so far (we are on Ch. 25), for that age group has been The Prince of Egypt. It follows the story of Baby Moses from Chapter 14. We also like the Time Warp Trio and the Horrible History cartoon episodes that fall into the ancient category. We have a Discovery Streaming subscription and they are available there. I'm not sure about Netflix.

Spelling. This year, it is my epic fail. :banghead:

I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but I wouldn't be without the 3M post-it like filing tabs. I use them to mark each child's start and stop points in books or workbooks (with the green & red ones), mark my own spots in teacher books, etc. They are one of my favorite things.