When my first child was about to read, I printed pages of various reading/phonics programs. Here is an excerpt from one: Unit 3/Story 3: Jan and her family must move away. Jan is sad. She wants to stay. Our house, our school, our friends will change…. Vocabulary Words: car, away, friends…. Selection Words: move, toys, window…. Tested Words: always, become, day…. I am looking for something for my second kiddo, and I would like a closer look at this mystery program. Can someone identify this?

Quick update: I checked on the possibility of having access to the Freetime Unlimited library without having to have the entire library on my daughter’s Kindle. I played around with the device, and then I phoned Amazon. I was told Freetime Unlimited is “all or nothingâ€. Nothing is the better option for us. I will probably remove the Freetime Unlimited app, and subscribe to Kindle Unlimited. I will also install (regular) Freetime on my daughter’s Kindle for parental control reasons (per Incognito’s suggestion). I have subscribed to Kindle Unlimited in the past; it is not great, but at least one can select and send books of choice (per Ocelotmom’s link). I'm disappointed that we won't get the year of free books, but the current setup just won’t work for us.

Thanks, Incognito. The regular Freetime sounds like it would be a better fit; however, the unlimited is free for a year with the kiddo Kindle. There are some good books available--and we don't have access to a regular library system--so I'd like to utilize the service. I suppose I can install regular Freetime, but keep the subscription to Freetime Unlimited(?). I'll try this during week and see how it goes. Thanks again everyone for responding!

Well, it isn’t just me….I suppose that should make me feel better, but I would rather be able to sort this! The sheer volume of "stuff" is something. OneStep, you are absolutely right….It isn’t all "junk". There are many gems I’d like my daughter to be able to access, but searching feels like finding a needle in a haystack. Maybe the answer is to delete the app, but keep the Kindle Freetime service, just sending books and apps (available from Freetime) from my computer. (The link from Ocelotmom would make things a bit easier.) Is this possible? If so, will parental controls still be available on the device (She is a pretty good kid, but I don’t want her to have unlimited app/game time or unrestricted access to the net.)? Thanks for responding!

Does anyone use Kindle Freetime? My daughter (9 yo) is an avid reader, but finds it tedious to wade through the library. We are also not wild about the amount of apps. (Both books and apps are quantity over quality issues.) I’m seriously thinking of deleting the Freetime Unlimited app, but we are out of the US; being able to access free, quality books would be terrific. Is there an way to skew the library toward more literary selections (e.g., classic kid lit instead of books based on t.v. programs)? Also, is it possible to just restrict apps to ones we install?

What a beautiful cake -- and what a great mom your daughter (clearly) has!

You have a terrific list -- thanks!!!

Family meals Family movies Craft or small woodworking projects

:hurray: Here's an update: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/09/15/florida-drops-test-after-kindergarten-teacher-took-public-stand-against-it/?tid=hpModule_9d3add6c-8a79-11e2-98d9-3012c1cd8d1e&hpid=z11

This article from the Washington Post contains more info: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/09/11/kindergarten-teacher-there-is-a-good-possibility-i-will-be-fired-but/

A friend recently lent me, Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple. http://www.amazon.com/Whered-You-Go-Bernadette-Novel/dp/0316204269/ref=la_B001JSAT4E_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409797584&sr=1-1 I was pleasantly surprised, and it sounds like something you might enjoy!

We have had our tarantula for a couple years. It is an interesting creature that doesn't require much care.

Could you do it together?

Thank you for the ideas, everyone!

I’d like my 8 yo to start an online keyboarding course, one which emphasizes proper finger position and accuracy. I don’t mind paying for a program. Any favorites?

I would second Elfinlady's suggestions. When we visited Atlanta, we purchased Citypasses, which included visits to some of those places. I thought it was a terrific deal. http://www.citypass.com/atlanta (I have no affiliation.)

:hurray: this, or a nice BBQ: ribs, chicken, or pork chops; deviled eggs; cole slaw or potato salad; corn; rolls (homemade or from a good bakery); fruit; and pie (possibly with homemade, vanilla ice cream).

Actually, one should have a helmet as well as three light sources (headlamp and two backup lights). Caving is an activity I would discourage anyone, without knowledge of cave safety and conservation, from doing. For those interested in caving, a well-respected organization to contact is the National Speleological Society (NSS). Link: http://caves.org. The NSS has been in existence for more than seventy years and is the largest caving organization. (Disclosure: I am a member of the NSS.)

Oh, and avocados ... yummmmm ....

I am not GF but cook GF because family members are. Potatoes, potatoes, potatoes (fried, sauteed, refried, baked, in potato salad (olive oil or mayo), etc.) Nuts Corn tortillas, tacos and taco-style food, flautas (rolled, fried tacos) "Seedy" crackers with some kind of topping Refried beans Boiled eggs or egg salad Chicken breast or chicken salad Rice pasta and rice Chocolate Items fried in GF flour mix (pork chops, chicken, etc.). I make extra and leave in the fridge. The GF-ers in this house need to maintain weight, so high-calorie food is imperative.

I don't mind purchasing worthwhile items, and I couldn't get a feel from the samples. I'm ordering the last bits-n-bobs this week and will include it. Thank you for this -- I hope so too! Donna

Cindy, thank you for this -- our Opal student text and workbook are supposed to be arriving this week. I am feeling pleased about the purchase! I did not order the instructor guide....Do you feel it necessary?

Thanks for the info and links, shinyhappypeople!

Thanks, Walking-Iris. I use Singapore with my one of my daughters, and it was not what came to mind (but we are also using the extras (IP, tests, CWP) which might be too much for someone homeschooling in the jungle). Still, maybe the HIG--if in Spanish--coupled with the text and workbook might be a good start. I had a quick look and didn't see the HIGs in Spanish, so if they exist, I'd be thankful for someone letting me know the details.

A dear friend, who lives in a remote area, plans to homeschool her nine-year-old son and has asked for math program advice. The following is a bit about her/her situation: She speaks Spanish; her English is okay, but she isn’t an “advanced†speaker or reader (i.e., an English text would need to be fairly simple). She is positive, high-energy, and very much a “hands-on†style person. She is very good with follow-through (I start projects and if I get bored stop them. She plugs through until the end.). She is creative and artistic and so is her son. She is bright but says she has no idea how to teach math. Her son does not have a strong math background. I cannot envision him doing workbook after workbook. She is expecting an internet connection in the near future. The mailing system here leaves much to be desired, though I could roll her materials into my yearly Rainbow order. I believe a simple program might be best for her. Some while ago I looked at Kitchen Table Math, and from what I remember, that seems like it might be thing to get her started. Those who use KTM, what do you think? Other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!