I'm trying to educate myself on the proposed Common Core initiative. I was wondering if anyone here has a good article or blog post that helped you wade through all the politically charged ones to get to the facts. I know there are a bunch of videos going around but my home's internet access is VERY slow and I can't stream videos currently. (Keeping fingers crossed for FIOS to be installed by the end of the year!) In any event, can anyone send some informative links my way?

We joined CC this year and I am trying to figure out how I will be displaying their large timeline cards. I know many people put them in sheet protectors and a binder but I would prefer (while my girls are young) to have them displayed on a wall where you can quickly SEE roughly where an event took place in relation to the others. The only problem is trying to find the space to display that. Down the road, I would love to create a fun book like my friend did. I showed picture of it here if you are interested.

FYI- Amazon's deal of the day is a Swingline Laminator (normally $51) on sale for $14.99!! Hmmmm- should I talk myself out of yet another impulse purchase?? Yet I can't help but think it would somehow be beneficial to have multiple laminators sprinkled around my house...... LOL I currently have the Scotch 3M one and LOVE it, hadn't had any problems, BUT I'm so tempted to pick this one up too!

Awhile ago my daughter watched the Lego stop-motion video on . I realize lots of people probably make these sorts of videos. My girls love LEGOS immensely and I was hoping someone might have a collection of them that are safe for young viewers. Initially I was trying to sort through them all on YouTube but I'm hoping someone here might have already found a list or made their own that they trust and can share. Any thoughts? I was in particular looking for the Illiad or The Odyssey, but really any such LEGO video that I can tie into history would be fun.

I'm still bummed that I missed out on the time they had the sets of "You Would Want to Be" books.

Whichever program you decide- I would highly recommend supplementing with Visual Latin for fun? (Yes, I said FUN!) They have 6 FREE lessons you can view online. The instructor just makes the lessons amusing and fun. I can't wait to start using it with my kids. Right now we are working through Song School Latin 2 which has been AWESOME for them and ME. It definitely got our feet wet and made me more interested in continuing with a foreign language. Actually for second grade I would still feel comfortable using SSL. It is really a gentle, gentle approach that is song/vocab based. You can read some of my thoughts on it here. (the giveaway has already ended though)

My little Shakespeare moment happened yesterday when I realized I own a 1890 edition of Charles and Mary Lamb's Shakespeare For Children. I had to hold the book so gingerly since it's not in the best shape. I did just find that you can get it for free on the Kindle here. I may use that but there's just something so "comforting" about holding the real old book in front of the girls. Don't get me wrong, we use the Kindle often. I'm just really digging the antique book. The girls and I read The Tempest last night and it was a huge success. :) Tonight we'll be reading A Midsummer Night's Dream. :)

Granted my kids are younger than your kids, but I LOVE SSL. And I am actually enjoying the songs even better on SSL2! That being said, I personally wanted a gentle approach for myself because languages were never my "thing". This really got me motivated and excited to start up a more comprehensive Latin curriculum down the road. Also, have you looked into Visual Latin as a fun supplement? They have 6 FREE lessons you can view online. I can't wait to start using it with my kids. I've emailed the owner a couple times since he published his curriculum with random questions and he has always responded courteously and informatively. I'll definitely be using the program with my girls when they are a bit older. The free lessons might be a perfect place for your older kids to start.

We had a fabulous year of pre-history too. I've got a couple pages of blog posts on different activities, books, resources, etc.

I also really enjoyed Alfred's for a beginning step. I have no music experience and I was learning right along with my kids for awhile. I am reaching the point though where I need to reach out and get a professional instructor for them. I at the point where I am not learning as fast as my kids and I spend more time flipping back to make sure the positioning is correct --- I really wish I could find a way to funnel money into some lessons for my girls. OH! If only I could win the lotto! One more thing- I have a fun , free piano printable for young beginner piano students. The OP's kids might be a bit too old to enjoy it though...

LOL!! I was going to mention SQUILT too. I love Mary at Homegrown Learners!

A twister! A twister! Well a baby one anyway.... Wordfilled- I got my 2nd Grade Curriculum Line-Up listed. (also- I have a Giveaway going that has 2 days left for a fun children's music CD by Recess Monkey!)

You could honestly probably find everything you need if you spend some time searching on the internet. Pinterest alone has tons of SOTW boards. That being said, I enjoy the AG and find it extremely handy to have around. My girls DO like the coloring pages and it saves me from spending hours in front of the computer screen.

I spent sooooo much time researching and looking over different programs. Eventually, I realized I was not utilizing my time as much as I could be--- don't get me wrong- I want my kids to have legible and pretty cursive but I don't want to over think it either. So then I ended up just sticking with a small cheap program and I am happy with the results. I posted about it here.

Whatever you do, I would also add in geography blobbing. Especially since your daughter loves to draw this might be right up her alley. Here's a short guide (video and text) that I posted after doing it for a little while on the beginning blobbing process.

Oh Chelli! I can't wait to hear if how you guys like it!! Keep me informed!!

My goodess! You have your hands full!! By all means, NAP away if you can. Here's hoping that the excitement of the upcoming year hits you sooner rather than later.

Someone informed me that one of my videos was done-- just in case anyone was trying to watch I wanted to let you know the problem's been fixed.

Is it just me, or does the diaper similarity of the "bathing suits" add a certain level of child-like creepiness to this scene?

Sorry! That stinks for those who were recent members. I never had a subscription before so I was able to take advantage of it though.

I was able to log in pretty much instantaneously. My daughters are happily surfing it as I type this. :)

AWESOME!!!! Did you guys see this email from the Homeschool Buyer's Co-Op?? I know what my girls will be playing around on all summer!! I've always wanted to test it out but could never afford to splurge for it. I'm excited to see what all the fuss is about! >>>>> FREE Through August 31, 2013 Co-op members tell us time and again that their Discovery Education Streaming Plus subscription was the best homeschool purchase they ever made. That's why we are pleased to announce that members can now enjoy a subscription to this resource for their entire family ABSOLUTELY FREE through August 31, 2013. Sign up TODAY to take full advantage of this unique opportunity! Discover Streaming Deal

AWESOME!!!! Did you guys see this email from the Homeschool Buyer's Co-Op?? I know what my girls will be playing around on all summer!! FREE Through August 31, 2013 Co-op members tell us time and again that their Discovery Education Streaming Plus subscription was the best homeschool purchase they ever made. That's why we are pleased to announce that members can now enjoy a subscription to this resource for their entire family ABSOLUTELY FREE through August 31, 2013. Sign up TODAY to take full advantage of this unique opportunity! Discover Streaming Deal

I'm so glad it was a help to you. You'll have to let me know how it goes!

I posted this already on the K-8 forum realized it could easily be adapted for older kids, so I'm cross-posting it here. You could probably go through the basics fairly quickly and get right to work on the details. When I was originally researching Blobbing I kept thinking that someone should film their kids doing it so you could actually see it in action. Since we've been doing it for a little while I went ahead and created a comprehensive tutorial with short video clips of my 6 year old working up to blobbing. I hope it proves helpful to some of you out there :) Beware of the BLOB ! ! ! – A Video Guide to Getting Started With Geography Blobs