I began using literature guides from Memoria Press. My children still get to pick their own chapter books from the library, but I pick the books for lit. guides. We also use a lot of living history and they read from the Faith and Freedom Readers daily. In addition to that, they take quizzes on Book Adventure. They are collectively earning 10,000 points for a huge reward.

Thanks again for all the helpful info. We are only on L2 right now. I've decided to start DS2 on Prima in January and take him through Prima, LC1 and LC2 before he gets to FF.

This is helpful for me to read. My son did LC1 in school last year. He was able to get about 1/2 of FF lesson 1, but what came to me is that we need to recite the chants daily. I decided to take more than a week for the first few lessons, so we don't miss something he needs to memorize. I prefer him much more to the lady with the accent in the LC DVDs.

You may be right that for the most part that China doesn't care, but I don't think the article would have run if in some level they didn't see it as something to make sure doesn't excite any type of independent thoughts among groups that might want them. They are in constant fear of anything that will undermine their communism which they constantly try to portray as not communism. Reading The Heavenly Man really gave me a good insight to the lengths that China goes to putting out any sparks of ideas that are contrary to the state. It also makes me think of Fahrenheit 451 where the burned books were passed on orally. As much as China tries to snuff them out, they may survive. I agree and disagree with this. I used to think of myself as Italian American until I spent time living and working in Italy. I came home realizing I am American and with a sense of patriotism I'd never had. I loved Italy, but it wasn't my culture. I never call myself Italian American anymore. After all, I'm 2nd generation and unlike my father, I did not grow up in an Italian ethnic neighborhood. I do see things through an American nationalistic lens, but it does differ from a European nationalistic lens that has centuries and centuries of history. (Although Italians aren't particularly nationalistic with respect to Italy, because they are more tied to their regions which were separate before.) Yet I feel that so many Americans are a bit oblivious to the role of culture. I particularly see this with how some churches handle mission work. They go to other parts of the world expecting those cultures to practice Christianity the same way they do in America with no regard for the local culture. They are completely ignorant that they've confused their mission work with exporting American Christianity. But that is an entirely different thread

From the article on China: The Scotland issue is not just of nationality. Its also about political control and resources such as oil.

I have not used PHP, but I vote against PAL. I love IEW TWSS, but I don't like PAL.

Although a previous poster is accurate that Scotland's issue is one of a shared culture,etc, that doesn't mean that places don't have a right to secede for other reasons such as subsidiarity. I hope it passes for the simple fact of setting a precedent that a region can secede from a larger country. (Although technically the U.K. is made up of 4 separate countries.) Catalonia is getting the independence bug big time now. Flanders is talking of it, though that would be a different issue and create two separate countries. IMO China is afraid, especially considering regions like Tibet and Taiwan. It is exciting to see that Scotland is trying to achieve this without violence. That speaks volumes. Another point relating to the Civil War. Maybe that was the answer for that time period. Maybe for this time period there is another answer, especially since we are in a time 50 years after the civil rights movement.

I graduated with a BA in Elem. Ed in '98 and an M.Ed. in Elem.Ed. in '01, and although they call it a mixture of whole language and phonics, sight words are still king in academia. I took two grad level courses this summer from a well respected university and my professors (Ph.D's mind you) seemed oblivious to the rules of English found in AAS, LOE, WRTR that I've learned from homeschooling. This is why your MIL doesn't know them.

I agree with this. My son is doing really well with spiral curr. like Abeka and Saxon. He complained that he knew everything in 6/7 already and he did. I just let him move up until he found something he didn't know. He's currently working two years ahead in Saxon. We can always break for living math fun when we need to:)

Thank you!!!! I just used a Zaner-Bloser pad for my oldest, but I think DS2 would prefer these. For those that haven't seen it, I have spelling city review lists for Levels 1-3. They include the extra words and are not listed by steps. I plan on adding 4 and 5 this year.

I went to TPT and searched nonsense words. Many items came up, but this one was free.

Another thought is to get Singapore's Intensive Practice books for first grade. They are challenging, so don't order a grade up. They could be a fun filler until Saxon 2.

If you've already done Saxon I would not get RS B. I did love RS B, but hated C. It is better for a beginner though. If math is coming that easy, I don't think it matters much which you choose. All 3 of my children have done different math for that age and are just fine. I find I rarely have to teach math here.

I used RS B with a first grader, but with a K student would use it at half pace. Loved it, but didn't have time for it. My current K is using Funnix and and Abeka K workbook that was passed on to us for free. She just rips pages out on her own and teaches herself. I also make thematic games from TeacherPayTeachers that I change every 3 weeks.

Two years ago I ordered the DVD for teachers (structure and style) and the SWI-A for my 3rd grader. I also was able to attend the first day of his workshop in person. It ended up sitting on the shelf, so I sold SWI-A. The next year we were all in school and I taught at a school that uses IEW. Although we are so happy to be home again, it was a great boot camp for me. We are now using IEW at home as a family (K, 3, and 5). I honestly think that ordering the Structure and Style binder itself is a great start. Read through it, teach them how to make KWO (key word outlines) over and over. Take simple stories like fairy tales and Aesop's fables, make outlines and teach them how rewrite the stories with the dress-ups. If that is all you do for 3rd grade all year, you will be way ahead of the game. I'd advise that rather than just waiting. The next year you can start at the beginning and then progress further with the units. Then move on to the other books like Bible, history, etc.... If you want something to pull it all together order the Aesop's Fables pocket books by Evan-Moore.

I recommend Logic of English as well. I myself use AAS, but since he is that old, LOE would be a better fit.

The Boxcar Children

I'm so glad. We were in school last year, so we are just getting back into AAS. I'm happy to have this for my kids still. I'll be working on 4 and 5 later.

Thank You! :hurray:

CBD has them on sale until tomorrow, so I want to buy them now. Do I just need the Level Kit? What about the practice book and CD? Can anyone enlighten me on those? Also do you get the vocabulary? Thanks!

Hi, I'm interested in a program for my bright 4 year old girl to learn Italian. Any opinions on Professor Toto? Other programs? Thanks

I wish the LOE app was available on android and especially kindle. I am wondering if I could utilize youtube for phonogram reinforcement. I will look and post if I find anything. In the meantime has anyone else found a good one?

Thank you. It seems to be only on ipad/ipod etc.... I am to the point where I might by an ipod just to have a good phonogram app. :)

The simple fact that the o in word is a different color than the r makes me leary. or is a phonogram and should be together. Does it have accurate phonograms?

I'm done waiting for an AAS app. Which of these would you suggest for an AAS user?