Maybe it is because I'm in the city. I always find great stuff in our local thrift stores. today: crayola 16ct crayons - new- 0.39/box foam dominoes 2.00 (really don't need more hard manips that 2yr old ds can chuck) draw & write notebook paper 0.50 plaid brand faster plaster 0.50/ 1/2 lb bag coin count-y book (saves $20 in coins as you read through and place coins in slots - i'll combine with math and household responsibility earnings) and felt material for 1.00/ huge folded bag worth maybe there are other threads like this here but i was so excited that despite my severely sprained finger (i fell on it while flying kites with the boys), i just had to post.

just wanted to add that Michael's (craft store) sells 4x6 slates framed in wood for less than $3... and you don't have to pay shipping.

thank you for all your input. what are pattern blocks? and base___ blocks? :tongue_smilie:

Anyone willing to divulge what manips you used, disliked, found a waste of time, totally loved, etc? I know this is a pretty broad question, but I see them mentioned all the time and it's a little overwhelming (to me). I realize that a lot of curricula will suggest certain helps but from the seasoned parents here I wanted a heads up. I'm open to lots of ideas and am not going to box myself into on curricula or another. :bigear:

I have the full set of the original (reprinted) 1836 McGuffey's Primers and Readers and am reading through Ruth Beechick's Parent-Teacher Guide for them. I am wondering if anyone has used them. And if so, did they ever seem too archaic? They seem pretty sound, drill intensive, and integrative. My ds6 is rising into first year of homeschool as a first grader from a Christian kindergarten school and I can see gaps in his understanding that, though seemingly patched over by his natural brightness and inquisitive nature, will most likely show up later. He has a tremendous vocabulary and is a great reader already, however, it seems to me that at times he guesses at pronunciation based on context rather than a sound foundation in phonics. I'm not really that concerned as I plan on emphasizing the basics with ds4, and naturally ds6 will be exposed to it once more, and hopefully in a more complete sequence than what he got last year.

also wanted to add that the idea book from My father's world is worth the $5... the toys they recommend for pre K and K have so many uses that are educational. I second the "keep school toys" just "for school."

Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you!

Anyone who has used these, I'm wondering how simplistic the Printing Book is vs. how complex the Printing Power book is. My ds6 is writing quite well already both upper and lowercase. He has trouble with writing in a straight line and spacing. He loves copywork. I'm wondering if I should follow the grade suggestions and get the My Printing Book or just go ahead and get the New American Cursive from MP (since he's been asking to learn cursive. I guess my question is how well should he be printing before I start simplified cursive? One idea I had was to get the Printing Power wkbk and let him go at it on his own over the summer and then introduce NAC in the fall as his interest dictates. I will, btw, be doing the PreK HWT program with my ds4. So I don't know how much will seep over to ds6.

Thanks.

so, is the co-op price worth it? It seems like a lot for a primary math program.

I haven't used it yet but the New American Cursive from Memoria Press looks good and I've heard great things about it.

OP, I saw your post in the networking forum and if you are still in Pittsburgh we are neighbors of sorts. My ds6 is going into first grade. I'm going to do MathMammoth with him as it is cheap and I liked what I have read about it. I also will be using supplemental workbooks as needed, plus tying math concepts in to the unit studies we will be doing. I also have the Saxon 1 Teacher's Guide and will use it as necessary. My dh didn't want us to buy a math curriculum for the primary grades but agreed with MM. Saxon should keep us on track but the people who have used it before the 54 level have said it is a waste of money.

We are in Pittsburgh. I have three sons, ages 6, 4, and 2. This will be our first year. Anyone with Pittsburgh h'schooling group info please contact me!

my kids are too young for this yet but they look great!

What are the favorites out there? and why do you like them? Also, has anyone used Memoria Press New American Cursive for 1st grade? I liked that it was a simplified classical style with less strokes. TIA:D

Thanks for all your replies!!! I'm no longer overwhelmed. ;) And am so glad I found this forum!

In a nutshell, this is our first year homeschooling (2yr old, preschool - though I'll most likely do kindergarten stuff with him, and 1st grade). I myself was homeschooled for 10 years so I'm pretty confident that it will go well. I'm just not sure what curricula to use. I printed out the core knowledge scope and sequence for the applicable grades we will be doing and I'm looking into starting a Classical Conversations group for my area. Maybe not until next year though because I don't think I can take on all the licensing stuff now (we are buying our first house at the end of the summer). I have veritas phonics on the way. I like a very basic math program like Kumon and Math mammoth which I will then supplement with hands on stuff. As far as everything else I feel a little lost.My dh liked the MFW materials he saw at the h'schooling convention we recently attended. I want to do lots of projects, my kids are pretty visual and kinesthetic. I don't want to feel locked in to any curriculum but also need structure for the times I'm overwhelmed and want to fall back on something that's planned out for me. I have some health issues that, at times, severely limit my energy so that's where I'm coming from. Any thoughts?