We will be heading into our second year of HS'ing. We're going to use most of the same curriculum (SM, WWE, FLL, AAS, SOTW) which should make September easier as we won't be trying to figure out what we are doing. I also plan to use Elemental Science so I don't have to come up with my own topics, activities, and experiments. I have also started making my boys a checklist for each day. This way they have their own copy of what they have to do and don't have to search through my lesson plan book or ask me what is next. I also am going to avoid co-ops to keep our life simplier.

When I worked as a special ed teacher, we would have the children think of dots on each coin. At first we would actually have dotted coins (we used the centres from the hole reinforcements). A nickel -- one dot in the center a dime -- 2 dots a quarter -- 5 dots like a die We then told them to count by 5's to get the total, and then add ones if they had pennies. I am not sure you want to teach this yet, but it does work.

We love Skip-bo here. It helps learn numbers and is fun! At first, it may seem complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it's a blast.

I really like the IP books. I use them once my son has completed a unit in the workbook as review. They also have a mid year review, which is great to make sure all the concepts have been learned.

The Rod and Staff books are a good, inexpensive option, as a pp already mentioned. But, the Kumon ones are great, and we have invested in some of them. I find that spending money on things that keep preschoolers happily occupied and learning is a good choice for me:)

I just got Soaring With Spelling to try with my ds8. I, too, needed an independent spelling programme for him. It still requires a pretest and posttest that I will have to do. You could have siblings help, though. I decided against SWO because I wasn't a fan of the stories they had to read (not necessary in my mind!).

I lost two babies at about 10 weeks. I really appreciated a small bouquet of flowers and a simple card. It comforted me to know others recognized my pregnancy, the baby and our loss.

We love the Frog and Magic School Bus. My boys also love Planet Earth dvds, and any nature show available.

I had a terrible pregnancy with my son (moderate sensory/anxiety issues). I had migraines almost constantly through the last two months and ended up breaking my waters to get labour going. His delivery was difficult for me because I was so tired from the migraines and was too tired to stand up. However, it was an uncomplicated home birth that lasted about 4 hours. He had a head with circumference of 38cm (or 15 inches) so that didn't help things at the end:001_huh:.

I had a great day! It was beautiful weather and all the flowers and blossoms are out to enjoy. My kids made beautiful cards and gave me nice gifts. We had a lovely church service with an all male choir, and spent the early afternoon at the park and going for a walk. In the afternoon, my two oldest boys went to a meeting about making bracelets for a Kenyan orphanage. What a blessed mom am I!

Thanks Ladies. It is hard to go from the "pretty and exciting" Grammar Island texts to FLL4. But I do trust that it will work:)

I just received FLL4 in the mail, and after looking it over, I am unsure if we will like it. We did Grammar Island this year, but I thought we would try FLL4 next. Could someone just tell me that they like FLL4 and it works? I am afraid it is too dry for my son. I am presently using FLL1&2 with my youngest and we do like that. Thanks!

I bought the text and don't use it at all. The workbooks always get done because they are open and go. We love WWE (well, my oldest isn't the biggest fan of the dictations:tongue_smilie:).

Spelling Workout: We ditched this by the third week of school. Too much busy work. Megawords: I got this for my oldest and it too was busywork for him. Ditched it after two lessons. I am still searching for the right spelling programme for him. A Reason for Handwriting: My son did finish it, but didn't like it. He found it dull and wasn't at all motivated to do the verse and colour it.

1. WWE is a favourite. Both boys have done it and love it. 2. AAS -- This has been the perfect spelling programme for my first grader. He is already halfway through Level 3 and is thriving. 3. SOTW with AG -- The boys love the audio CD, maps, review questions, and activities. And recently, they are even enjoying the narrations they do for it. 4. L'art de Lire -- Great French programme! 5. Our own Science -- I've done our own thing (reading, talking, writing, projects, some experiments), and it's worked beautifully. Their science binders are wonderful! 6. MCT Grammar and Sentence Island -- Fun times!

:grouphug: You are not alone in this and you are not a bad mother. I have a 2 year old that stills wakes at night, and it is exhausting. I also have a four year old that finally sleeps through the night after almost three years of night terrors and sensory issues. When he was under two the only way to get him back to sleep was to pound on his bottom as he lay in the crib. Then as he got older he needed his knitted blanket to lay perfectly over him (not fun to fix five times a night!). We finally found flannel sheets as a solution and he uses them year round. It sounds like your dd may have sensory issues. Our son definitely has sensory issues that we have consulted an OT for. He hates things being wet or dirty, can't stand bright sunlight, wears only track pants, and needs routine. My advice is to keep trying different things and read lots of books on SPD. We did try melatonin on the advice of our pediatrician but found it didn't work at all. Something will help and it will get better. I never thought my now four year old would ever sleep through the night, and he does beautifully now.

We just found one that has been missing for over a month... it was behind a dresser. We were so happy to find it and glad not to have to pay over $30 in lost fees!

I am about 5 weeks from completing our first.

Could you volunteer? I help run and teach Sunday School and help organize VBS. It gives me a chance to do something for people outside my family, and helps me to connect with others. If you don't have a fiath community, there are lots of community organizations that have volunteer opportunities. Or perhaps a part-time job would be good? I tutor twice a week and that helps me feel more fulfilled. It is difficult to find something that is fulfilling and flexible, for sure. Keep your eyes open... something will come up! :grouphug:

Mat for outside the door fire starter ax tableclothes extra folding table (l use it for washing dishes -- ours is from Coleman and is great) lots of tea towels and washclothes as they never seem to dry on the line clothes line and pins warm socks plastic bins to hold pots and pans safely outside the camper portable BBQ audiobooks to entertain the kids on rainy days Have fun! We are planning our first camping of the year at the end of June!

:grouphug: It will get better. I find it helpful to think of the things my children have learned and accomplished. And remember part of the reason you home school is to go at your child's pace and meet his needs. It sounds like you may also need a night out, too. Ask your husband to watch the kids this evening, and get out and breathe. You are doing a great job and care so deeply about your son. It will most certainly get better!

We really enjoy ETC. It's thorough, fun and independent. I have my first grader do 2 pages a day, which takes him about 10-15 minutes. Some pages require some writing, but others are just checking boxes or circling words.

My boys love home schooling. They both went to school for a few years, and beg me never to send them back. Today, I had my 8yo write a paragraph about why he would like to be home schooled next year. He listed wearing his PJ's all day, not waiting for others to finish their work, and spending time with his mom as his top reasons.

I live in the suburbs of Toronto, and visit my parents regularily who live right downtown. Toronto is still a safe, clean, wonderful big city!

What is she involved in? I try to find things outside of the home for my four year old like swimming lessons, gymtime at the YMCA, Sunday school, trips to the park, time with Grandma... I also let my son play on the computer and watch tv some times when I am busy with the older ones. And I try to have one of the older boys play with him while I work with the other. Five is a hard age, I think. They can't read a chapter book for an hour, or practice an instrument on their own. Even art projects require mom's help. My older boys are definitely able to stay busier as they are more independent.