Hmmm. How about http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/ ?

I think there is a big jump from 3 to 5. I would buy 4 if it is at all possible.

Have you looked at The Narrow Way by Pearables?

I know we want them to work independently, but this is too independent for me. I think one of the purposes of the loop being a short amount of time is because mom is sitting in the room with the student. When the time is over, everyone is free for the day. I think left to themselves, many children would do the same as your son did today. The more I expect from my kids, the more they do. Just my opinion ;).

Excellent post!!!

Last year we did 6 weeks on and 1 week off, and we loved it. This year, I think we will do 4 weeks on then one week off. I loved the idea of planning the year in 9, one month increments. We do not do any school during our week off. Of course, they read, write, draw, color, create, sing, dance on their own (five girls).

Okay, here are our fourth grade plans: Math: R&S 4 (MM supplement) Language arts: R&S grammar Simply Spelling WWE 2 Reading: Literature (1000 good books) History: MOH I Science: Lots of living books Misc.: Composer, artist, poet, hymn study I think that is everything.

We are planning to start back on August 2 and finishing in May. I am not holding myself to the May end date, because I know we will take a couple more 'breaks' and will probably end sometime in June.

We liked Handwriting Without Tears, but I haven't tried the other. If he can read cursive, I think you can wait as long as you like. When was the last time someone asked you to write in cursive?

Thanks!!

Here is our list: Math- R&S 3 (supplement MM) Grammar: R&S 3 Writing: WWE 2 Spelling: Simply Spelling Reading: Literature (1000 good books list) Bible: Narrow Way History: MOH I Science: misc. living books Other: Composer study, artist study, hymn study, poet study

I have a weekly list that also includes their memory verse on top. Anything they will need to do that week is in the folder, but only the subjects that are individual are listed on their individual list. I break down everything by day on the list, but with 6 school age kids a weekly list seemed more realistic than a daily one. We used MFW last year for geography, bible, and science and I used the curriculum's schedule and checked off as we did it. If they had a geography page to do that week it would be in the folder though. I hope that makes sense.

Your school room looks wonderful!

My 8th grader: Bible: Narrow Way (with family)/hymn study/personal bible study Math: R&S 7 English: R&S 6 Spelling: Spelling Wisdom 2 Literature: books from many different lists (and poet study) History: MOH I Science: Apologia General Science Music: Composer Study Art: Artist/picture study

I have had media mail take up to a month. I believe, if that particular post office is busy they can set the media mail aside because it isn't under the same time constraint as the first class mail. I wouldn't worry yet (I know this is hard to actually do). Usually, right when I start to worry, my package comes.

I have 4 doing R&S grammar and I just do the oral part with them. After we do the oral drill, I send them off to do the written practice.

We use R&S for grammar now, but one year I decided to try Easy Grammar because it looked like an easy independent program. My kids seemed to do well, but didn't retain anything. I personally would spend the extra time and do FLL or R&S.

I have not used FLL, but we love R&S grammar over here. The second grade book is really relaxed and could be done orally. I love all the review, and we don't find it dry at all.

How about Sparknotes.com? The guides have vocab and comp questions, and seem like more than simple recall questions to me. They are also free. You would have to plan which books to buy, but other than that it could be open and go.

Dover has some and they are really inexpensive.

I think the reason Georgia homeschoolers were taking the GED is due to the HOPE scholarship. I am not in Georgia but there was a thread about this on another message board I am on. I can't remember if you needed the GED or not, but I think you did.