I haven't seen many reviews of these. Anyone have any experience with them? Art in History: http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/028823/5d253f01fb176db2c7e0bfcd There's also this series, History in Art: http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/038230/5d253f01fb176db2c7e0bfcd and I am also wondering if anyone has used and can share more about the Science in... series: http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/018613/5d253f01fb176db2c7e0bfcd Thanks for any help/insight you have to offer!

Is your DS still 5? If so, he's still young so I wouldn't worry about moving on too quickly. If he's still having trouble, I would work back through some of the things you've already covered, making sure he understands before moving on. If it's not clicking yet you could slow down even more, maybe keep reviewing the syllabary but not adding anything else until you think he's ready to move on. I started on the syllabary when my DS was 5.5. He's 7.5 now and we're still working through Webster's with A LOT left to do. He could have gone much faster but I've just taken my time with going through it. He's reading great and I'm in no hurry...and this also ensured that he understood everything before moving on. We also stop to look up 'tricks' and rules etc... I add in rules when necessary as we move through the tables. Don't be discouraged! Once you are ready to move on through the tables, just look over the lists and pick out a few words from each column. I usually choose several words for my DS to read and then a handful to spell. Elizabeth's lessons on this thread were wonderful in the beginning and that really helped me to get started but once we were done with those we just kept moving through, picking words as she did. I usually try to choose words that I think will also be good vocabulary words...I choose some easy ones but I also try to challenge him with words that he's not familiar with... it's reading, spelling and vocab all at once! I also have the book The ABC's and All Their Tricks and it has been helpful when adding in rules or tricks as my DS likes to call them. Elizabeth also has a lot of helpful info on her website which will assist with adding rules etc... Hope that helps!

Thank you both for taking the time to search... so sweet of you! I think it was the academy vs. school thread. :)

Thank you for taking the time to post those links. :) I don't see the thread I remember but I will read through the ones you found and I'm sure they will be helpful. :)

Several months ago I remember finding a thread that had to do with homeschool names... not asking what others had named their school but ideas about how to word it. (academy, prep school, institute etc...) Academy is most common but I'm looking for other ideas to use... Anyone remember that thread or have ideas to share? Thanks!

Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson.

Yes I agree....what a great idea! We have the Doorposts 'If...Then' Chart and it is similar.

It seems to be an emotional year for my DS as well...he lets things get to him easily. Three at the same age must have been difficult!!

This might be the opposite for us... maybe 7 will be more peaceful. The past few months have been full of ups and downs... one day he has a great attitude and the next day he's crying because his life is so horrible. He thinks he has too many rules, doesn't agree that he should be doing school (which amounts to 1 to 1 1/2 hours per day, 4 days/week)... and he wants more free time. I'm sure it's just a difficult age of pushing the limits. We are trying to be consistent but that is easier said than done!

Thanks for all of the wonderful feedback ladies! Some of the suggestions don't apply yet but I will make note of them! I imagine things will change as I begin teaching more than one at a time... We have been 'schooling' for about a year and a half now but I still feel really new at this. We aren't doing anything really formal yet, just short lessons for reading and writing, and some math activities. I want to get some rules in place now before we begin the formal stuff. I also think part of my problem is that my DS is at that age of pushing limits... at 4-5 he was really compliant and helpful... now his attitude has changed and he would rather do everything his way with 'no rules and no school'. SIGH It has been a struggle to get through school some days... other days he keeps a good attitude and we fly right through. I'm hoping some rules will help with consistency... (MeganW, your triplets are the same age as my DS.. he will be 7 in April...I don't know if they are going through the same thing with pushing limits but if so, hang in there!)

I promise... we are not formal in our schooling! We are very laid back... this rule (raising hand to speak) is not one that is enforced at the moment but something needs to change. I want my son to learn to work quietly and stop the talking... it has really been a struggle lately and I need to have some rules in place. Really, we are not that formal. I know I cannot recreate a school setting in my home and I really have no desire to do that... I just need some rules in place so we can get things accomplished without so much time wasted. ETA I don't think this rule would need to be in effect at all times, but there are many times when I'm trying to give directions and I need everyone else to just listen and stop talking. So if I'm explaining something I would like the children to raise their hands if they need me to clarify something instead of just opening their mouth. I guess it is similar to the 'do not interrupt' rule but with that I'm mostly referring to my 4 year old coming up to ask me something while I'm explaining something to my 6 year old.

Up until now we really haven't 'laid down the law' in regards to school rules. It hasn't been an issue until now... I know I need to make some rules and stick to them. Please help me out by sharing the rules that have been an important part of your homeschool. Here's what I have so far: -work quietly -raise hand and wait to be recognized before speaking (while I'm giving directions or explaining something, for example) -do not interrupt while someone else is speaking Edited to add: my children are 6 and 4. (My 6 yr old is the only one doing school lessons at this time.) Thanks so much for the help!

I definitely think Five in a Row would be a great fit, especially if your dd likes books. I also have a 6 year old and we have a very laid back approach... I am focusing on reading and handwriting right now...everything else is just the gravy! We also include hands on math (Family Math, I love Math series and other books found here)and I plan to add Miquon math once my ds is closer to 7 years old. We don't spend a lot of time doing school each day so school isn't boring and tiresome. My kids both love Five in a Row. We already enjoy reading books so it made sense to use this type of curriculum. We don't do a story a week... sometimes it may be one story per month but like I said, my focus right now is reading and handwriting. (We don't read it 5 days in a row either... we just do what works!) We spend a lot of time outdoors and do a little bit of nature study too. This approach fits us right now and we love it. Remember that you know your kids best... what works great for one family may not be the right fit for you as a teacher or your child. ;) Good luck!

Thanks for all of the responses everyone! It is so helpful to hear from all of you. This is only our second year homeschooling...the first year we really only did a half year so I was just getting my feet wet. So, how do you all record field trip days in your log books? It is okay to count field trip days as actual school days? I can see us doing 2-3 per month. I even thought about having the kids visit a nursing home once a month to visit with the residents or do crafts with them etc... Could that be counted as a school day? Thank you again! :)

Welcome, Amanda! These forums are a great place to get your questions answered. I have learned so much just by searching through older threads...so much wonderful information to be found! Good luck, you will do great! :)