Hello, I am helping to choose titles for nature section, among others, for our school's annual Classical book sale (it is kind of a Christian homeschool/classical school hybrid in the lower grades). If you know of any in print or out of print nature books about nature, animals, plant life, et al, I would be in your debt. Any recommendations from picture books on would be appreciated, I think the majority of the books sold are for the preschool to 3rd or 4th grade age group. Frankly, if you have any recommendations for any books - or the books your children especially loved having read or when you read it to them - or are their "forever favorites" I would love to note any of those and review them for those sections as well. Thank you!

Hello, I am helping to choose titles for our school's annual classical book sale in the nature section, among others (it is kind of a Christian homeschool/classical school hybrid in the lower grades). If you know of any wonderful books (current or out of print) about nature, animals, plant life, et al, I would be in your debt. Any recommendations from picture books on would be appreciated, I think the majority of the books sold are for the preschool to 3rd or 4th grade age group. Frankly, if you have any recommendations for any books - or the books your children especially loved having read or when you read it to them - or are their "forever favorites" I would love to note any of those and review them for those sections as well. Thank you!

no, but I will right now. Fever virus and a laptop, at least using the time well.

thank you!

We have used a private Spanish instructor the past few weeks - she recommended the Muzzy DVDs for beginning Spanish for children. She said she has seen more success in RS for adults than children. She did say that RS has the best marketing. She also recommended going to the library and getting children's books on tape in Spanish - especially if you can find ones with bilingual books plus the cds/tapes.

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but a friend who is a bookfair buyer recommends the Opal Wheeler series for composer biographies.

We did a "Reading Tree" too a couple of years ago, but used paper apples with the name of the book, the date we read it and a little picture of the book taped to the apple. We had a really large tree from a teacher supply store laminated and we've used it for all kinds of things since then. It's been up for 5 years in one way/shape or form.

Hi there, We have decided to homeschool our two boys next year ages 7 & 10. They completed 1st & 4th at a rigorous, classical, Christian, Charlotte Mason-method private school last year that we respect and may return to at some point. But I have always wanted to homeschool and are really excited. We are going to take it year:year with homeschooling and have quite a bit of travel lined up next year including a Spanish immersion experience for a month. The school they attended uses Saxon, a grade ahead, so the 7 yo finished 2nd grade SM and the fourth grader got about 85% through the 6/5 book. Grammar has been Shurley Grammar, and they use Bonnie Detmer for phonograms (I think). A school similar to ours in curriculum changed to Singapore after adding a high school, apparently their students had an easier time with high school math/SAT, after the switch, so I wanted to consider Singapore. I also wanted to try Rod & Staff. But I have no idea where to start people, or what to order, etc. The forums here are wonderful, I've been reading for months, would love any suggestions, advice, tips, tricks, books to read, etc. thank you!

I don't know if the military is by chance an interest for your son, but our nephew (who goes by his middle name) had to go by his first in the Marines. He said it is required. I noticed when I was working several 58-60 year old men had a childhood name and then a different name at work. They said when they were in Vietnam, the military insisted they go by their first names as well. Just a thought.

We have friends who changed their son's name in Texas several months ago - it was to make a nickname the real name (both were normal names, just not at all similar). All the court wanted to know is if it was in the best interest of the child and why. Over the age of 10, the child has to be there, but not on the stand or anything, just standing in the front of the courtroom with a parent/s. As far as we could tell from what she said, the judge just wanted to make sure the child wants to do it. She said the atty said that the court would also want to know that it was for valid reasons and not to try to hide the child from the other parent or family members (if a divorce). She said most name changes are remarriage changes - so all in the family have the same name. First or middles are less usual, but the judge just wants what is best for the child/minor. Both parents need to agree, though. They used an attorney, but I think they could have done it themselves just with court fees.