I bought mine used for much less -- maybe this would be an option? Many items, such as a clock, you could provide on your own. The shapes from Saxon are very helpful, though, as they colors and sizes match up with what's on the student pages.

I don't have experience with Abeka English, but I just started BJU English 2 after dropping FLL. I like how easily everything is laid out for teacher and student. The TM is geared to a classroom, but it is easily adaptable at home. You don't need anything fancy -- maybe a white board or index cards or even plain paper for the "write on the chalkboard" part. The student edition is set up by chapters, every other one focused on grammar, then writing, then back to grammar, etc. Each individual lesson has a "guided practice" page that we do together, then an "independent practice" page that DD does on her own. There's also a CD of worksheets if you want them for extra practice. I found the set on sale at Christianbook.com plus free shipping. Good luck with your decision!

Keep us posted! I bought 1A and 1B workbooks as a complement to Singapore, but I didn't buy the MIF TM. Glad to know it is useful!!

We often drop science, but since we're in CC on Mondays, I know the kids will always have a science experiment that day, plus new memory work. If history gets dropped, then I'll put the SOTW2 audio CD in the car and listen to the chapter a couple of times in the car. I'll often have them color a page about the history, such as from the activity guide in SOTW. My kids are often doing coloring, painting, and other art (plus they get some in CC), and so we don't do much formal art instruction anyway. Math and language arts are always non-negotiables, but then again, it is second grade and pre-K for us, and so those are the key things. I like the idea of a make-up day just for science or whatever else!

I am in CC, too, and have children age 7 (2nd grade), 4, and 1. I know nothing about Sonlight, though, and so I can't comment on the choices. Here's what I'm thinking, but not too far down the road: - This year is SOTW2 - Next year, Cycle 3, American History. I will probably do MFW Adventures or Heart of Dakota Bigger w/3rd grader and let K'er follow along - Following year (oldest in 4th, middle in 1st), Ancient History. Possibilities include SOTW 1 or Mystery of History Ancients for 4th or stick w/MFW or HOD. Good luck!

Our Planet Earth may work for you. It's from the God's Design Science series from Answers in Genesis. Definitely creationist. http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Our-Planet-Earth-Teacher-and-Student-Pack,6563,194.aspx Rainbow Resource and Christianbook.com also carry this series.

I would love to use something like this for French, also! :bigear:

I'm doing CC this year (my first w/CC) and we are doing SOTW2. I just couldn't match up everything, I so I thought that Medieval and Renassiance history would be good. For next year, which is American history, I am looking at either MFW Adventures or Heart of Dakota (Beyond and Bigger are both American history oriented). My oldest will be in 3rd grade then. We'll get world history later -- it would be a lot for a younger child to absorb along with CC.

Heidi gave a great description. The CC web site has a cute video of some Foundations (elementary) classes. http://classicalconversations.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=article&id=85&Itemid=54

I did Little Hearts last year and used a modified workbox system. Some things were the same box number every day (like Bible reading was first, math second, snack was fourth, etc.) but we also did science and reading on a different schedule. Basically, I just opened the guide in the morning while kids were doing morning chores, stuffed a book or activity in each box, and we were good to go. On more organized days, I filled the boxes the day before.

Thanks! Yes, just moved the pack-n-play into the school room. Now he is tossing every toy out of it, but at least we can do some math. :) This house has new-fangled doorknobs (think lever-style versus the round knobs) and so childproofing will be an adventure. I appreciate all the suggestions!

Thank you, thank you both. I just needed other smart people's ideas to give me perspective!! Mallory -- Yes, I like the idea of focusing on the four core things each day. We can vary history and science -- great ideas! I also want to work with each kid by themselves. Thanks for your suggestions! Sail -- Love, love the free SOTW2 plans from Paige. Thank you!!! I have one of her Elemental Science editions, and I didn't know she did history, too. Awesome!! Bless you both for your help.

Hi, ladies! I am in a very busy time right now -- just moved, boxes everywhere. Plus my special-needs toddler decided this is the time he wants to start cruising and destroying everything. :) Today he discovered the "pool" that is the toilet bowl. Ah, the joys! So my planning time is nil. I have a 2nd grader and 4 year old whom I'm trying to teach, and I'm thinking of springing for something like Easy Classical or something like that to help keep me on track. Last year, we did HOD, which was so open-and-go. But this year I wanted to study SOTW2 and Middle Ages, and nothing fit my kids ages for HOD and that topic. We're also doing Classical Conversations, and so at least one day a week I know the girls will learn something. Any advice on planning sites or guides? Thanks!

We started CC this year with my 7 yo and 4 yo. Four yo is getting some things and is able to pick up on hand motions, etc. For her, I wanted more the experience of the program and to catch on to some things, but certainly not all. During our daily review of the memory work (first 20 mins or so of each day), I expect my 7 yo to work with me, repeating things, etc. My 4 yo is at the table, listening some times, reciting sometimes, staring off into space sometimes, and that's OK with me.

We've done a few switches as well, mostly because we just started hsing in January after pulling DD7 out of school, and she still needs to catch up. -- From FLL1-2 to BJU English2. I wanted more of a workbook, structured approach that wasn't so repetitive. -- Adding in Saxon 2, as Singapore moves quickly and we need a pause. I need more of a scripted lesson that covers more skills at a time. We're sticking with Classical Conversations, SOTW2, God's Design for Science, R&S Spelling, and ETC.

Yes, Signing Time is awesome. Even my one-year-old with an intellectual disability has learned some signs, while his big sisters are itching to learn more.

I just got BJU English 2 for my daughter (who will turn 7 next week). I wanted something like a "workbook" for her to do while I help her sister and brother. There is some hands-on part, but then there is an independent part (such as, "Underline the subject of each sentence" for ten sentences). There is writing, but you could adapt those sections as needed.

I wasn't keen on FLL and WWE, either. I wanted my DD to have her own book and write independently (even just a few sentences) sometimes. I bought BJU English 2 and so far we are only into the first few lessons, but as an English major and former high school teacher, I like what I see so far. DD is happy with the colors and the Christian references; I like how the lessons progress from modeling to guided practice to independent practice. Every other chapter varies -- one is more grammar focused and the next is more writing focused. Not cheap at $90 new (free shipping at Christianbook.com) but I figure I can use the TM with future kids. I'm sure homeschoolclassifieds.com would have something used. I'm sure there are many options out there. Good luck with your decision!

Glad to hear that others are having a good experience. We start on Monday with week 1, and this will be our first year with CC. I'll be tutoring, too, as it's a new campus and they needed help. I'm really looking forward to the interaction and accountability!

We just finished first grade in Virginia, and I think Math Mammoth will do fine to prepare your child for testing. We had a testing person administer the WRAT, and it was all basic computation skills.

Minstrel in the Tower, Marguerite Makes a Book

:lurk5:

Hi! I am new to CC, too, but have had a chance to go to training and also read L Bortins' The Core, which outlines her plan at the end of the book. I have made a schedule using SOTW2 and God's Design for Science to go somewhat along with the CC schedule, and I've shared it with many here. Feel free to PM me with your e-mail. As for planning, I hope you get a lot of ideas. Here's my plan: --CC is Mondays. No other school work, as we are there until 3:00 (I tutor Essentials) -- Each day Tues-Friday -- CC review, math, language arts, read-alouds -- 2 days each -- science and history Hope this helps!

Thanks, again, for all of the ideas! I think I'm going to start with R&S books C and D and see how it goes, plus we're also doing Classical Conversations starting next month. I may add in some K math later in the year -- McRuffy Color looks cool, and I'll check out the other recommendations as well. Thank you all!

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I will check out the R&S books, as my daughter *wants* to do school books like her sister. I also appreciate the suggestion to let her learn about life and reading. Hope I can find a balance.