I also received a Kindle for Christmas and keep trying to touch the screen because... I also have an iPhone! I have downloaded 3 paid for books and a myriad of free stuff. I like it so far, I need a light to go with my snazzy red cover so I can read in bed and not bug my DH. Too bad I would never read with it in the tub. That is one of my favorite places to relax with a book! I will still be using my library for most of my casual reading though so I guess those books will work for that. :)

We thought we would pull our oldest child out of public K after winter break but we've decided to leave her in PS for the remainder of the year so I can continue to sort out exactly how I am going to homeschool. The choice seemed so clear and simple and after a lot of research I am realizing it is definitely NOT simple to execute even though the desire is pretty straight forward. She was a young five entering K so I feel like we've got some flexibility. Coupled with my own anxiety over being competent at homeschooling successfully I have a mother and sister who are both hardcore public/traditional educators, my mother having devoted 30+ years in a career in public ed who now edits for a textbook publisher. To say they are dismayed is putting it mildly (and it is probably contributing to my own anxiety over whether or not I can do a good enough job). At this point I feel like all the curriculum I review looks great! The marketing and advertising is really competitive and convincing and no matter what I look at I can find both good and bad reviews for it. Right now if I had to pull the trigger I would: Continue with PR Level 1 (I am afterschooling phonics b/c she is getting whole language in PS). I have the old McGuffey's Readers that she is actually liking more than PR, we are using the Primer as part of our bedtime routine very casually. I started STOW as a 3x per week read aloud after school during our snack time, I think I would use this all over again next year as we are very casual with it at this point. I like the idea of History Pockets and would consider using a parallel HP unit for crafts + the SOTW activity book next year for 1st grade. I thought I liked Horizon Math until I read a lot about Math Mammoth. I think I am sold on MM for first grade. I'm still trying to sort out spiral vs. concept strength learning though. She currently is using Terc's Investigations in PS which I am not worried about for K but am NOT Ok with for the entirety of primary math education. Anything else has got to be better for long term mathematics success no matter what I end up choosing. We garden a lot, I grow seeds indoors and we also manage fall/winter crops thanks to Eliot Coleman (Four Seasons Harvest is an excellent book) so for science I think we would be covered. Basic biology and ecology cannot be better learned for a young child than by getting out in the dirt and growing things. Thoughts? I feel like PR really covers both reading and writing and MM would cover math. SOTW is great for an overview of ancient history and I am fine with being casual with science in a hands on way at age 6. I guess I just want some reassurance that no matter what the detractors in my life say, I would not be ruining my kid's life by choosing not to follow NCLB and our state's SOL standards. Help an unconfident mom out! Am I missing anything? Could I/should I add anything into the plan or consider any other curriculum?

2.5 years for us, but we met when I was 18 and married when I was 21, so our parents weren't in any hurry for us to marry. I knew pretty quickly after meeting DH that he was "the one" - less than a month, if I remember correctly. We've been married 11 years and still blissfully happy!

Yes, but that is exactly my point. CSMP, or how it was utilized in the five years I was taught with the curriculum, did NOT prepare me for higher math. :) As I've said before I think think there were lots of factors in my failure in higher math but I still think there has to be some integration with traditional math to make relational connections between the concepts CSMP is trying to teach and basic procedures in traditional math.

I didn't feel badgered! I think what I was trying to understand even for myself is why looking back I have such negative feelings about CSMP and I think a lot of it has to do with how unconfident I felt in math in later middle and high school. I had only exposure to CSMP and then was routed into math classes with teachers who had never taught using CSMP, were not interested in CSMP and were not willing to (or had the time) to go back and help us (me) learn some basic procedures that I needed to move through the material they were teaching as quickly as they required. Up through 6th grade math was a colorful, image heavy subject for me that was quite interactive with small groups and teacher presence and then all of a sudden it wasn't any longer. And there were a couple years in elementary school (4th and 5th) in which I can hardly remember much math instruction at all, it was more small group work with the workbooks, which is what made me make my comments about some teachers not utilizing the program well. Any experience in a mainstream school is going to be different than one at home simply because a parent can slow down, reinforce concepts and procedures that are not clear for their child while in a class - especially in high school - it is very much sink or swim. At least it was for me. And I sunk in math quickly and never regained my confidence. I have always blamed the CSMP curriculum but after really thinking about it via this thread I think it was a multi-faceted failure.

For sure, long division (and perhaps double digit multiplication) is taught differently in CSMP and I didn't figure out the traditional algorithms until middle school when I sat down with a textbook and figured it out myself. I think the big difference here is that CSMP is concept focused rather than giving a child a strong base of quick use algorithms and mathematical procedures which can require some catch up later on. Honestly, this thread has really made me reconsider my own gut reaction to my memory of CSMP. If I am really honest programs like Miquon and Right Start are intriguing to me as a parent who is planning to homeschool and I do think that being able to apply procedures when conceptually thinking about math is the way to go. The problem with New Math vs. Traditional is that both (in my limited research) are so focused on one or the other that they both suffer for it. I do think an integrated program is best. I have to admit that there are interesting parts of CSMP - the mini computer actually probably did help me quite a bit. Obviously some of the kids I was in the program with did not struggle so much to transition to traditional math, I did say my experience was anecdotal. I do think the program is so different and the lack of exposure to anything other than CSMP was detrimental for *me*. But I do remember it being fun, fun, fun while I was doing it! We had full color work books with string pictures, mini computers, Venn diagrams, arrow pictures and so on. And a lot of my reaction is based on memory - I was a little kid of 7-11 using CSMP and frankly, that was a pretty long time ago in the mid 80s. :) When I mentioned teachers and their struggle or disinterest in teaching using CSMP, well, that was a real problem. You as a homeschooling parent are choosing to use CSMP because you like it and think it is an interesting math program for your child. You are motivated to teach it well and you are probably using the lessons to provide integrated math instruction. No one is demanding that you use the curriculum even if you would prefer to teach math a different way. Do you see my point now? I think implementation was a huge issue and the uneven instruction was detrimental.

I think that most people who teach higher maths have no clue about CSMP or how the method introduces math to young children. Probably a lot of the failing of the program for me (and many students I was in the program with for years) was that of the teachers and not us. Not that I like to pin every single child failing in a subject area on the teacher but in this case I think the teacher training had to be fairly intense to get the teachers up to speed to teach CSMP at its fullest capacity and I'm sure as the program in my county was a pilot program that I had some decent elementary math teachers who utilized the program well and also some who didn't. The biggest problem was that there was ZERO integration for the CSMP group into traditional math when we reached that point in 7th grade. And those teachers had no time or tolerance to go back and teach us the typically used algorithms for multiplication, long division and so on. I was labeled as gifted in math as a child and yet as an adult I am still paralyzed with fear at the thought of doing almost anything that requires more complex math skills. My oldest child is currently in public K and our school district uses Terc's Investigations as its math curriculum for the elementary years. My own experience with CSMP (even though I believe it is a far superior program to the Terc curriculum) and her being stuck with Terc for the next several years which will not adequately prepare her for higher math was one of the motivating factors that led me to look into homeschooling initially. Not being able to handle traditional math in a higher form is crippling for longterm education. I do not know if my child(ren) will choose to go to college but if they want to, I certainly want to make sure they are able to handle the course work in mathematics once they get there. If I were to choose to use CSMP (and I wouldn't based on my own poor experience) with my children I would most certainly use a traditional math program as the base and use CSMP as a fun supplement. ETA: I should have made it more clear that I think the CSMP instruction that I was given was largely missing context in the grand scheme of mathematics so while it was fun and I do remember enjoying CSMP the fact that I couldn't naturally translate what I learned via CSMP techniques into traditional math once I landed there made it a poor choice for *me*. I do think there must have been some flack from the teachers who were forced to teach the CSMP curriculum and who probably didn't want to (this was public school, a pilot program) probably also didn't help. I think the failing of the program and its eventual disuse was multi-faceted but because I feel like it was such a massive failure for me personally I am very anti-New Math of any kind. I can accept that it does have value and its place when utilized to its fullest potential. I just think it takes the right teacher and right student to really make the program soar and be a success and frankly, I don't really want to take the risk with my own kids. I think the string pictures and Eli the Elephant and so on could be an interesting supplement but I'd never use CSMP as my core mathematics program. JMO!

Almost anything in the Little Acorn Learning monthly curriculums would be good, meaningful handicrafts and suitable for little hands. It is Waldorf based, though. http://www.littleacornlearning.com/

I have ZERO experience with SWR. I am new to even thinking about homeschooling much less actually doing it, and to be frank I am terrified about the entire idea - that I could be "good enough" to give my children what they need in the way of instruction. With that said, I've seen *a lot* of comments that are negative about the DVDs and having to watch them. Well, from where I sit I want as much instruction as possible and I am not always able to reliably learn from reading text. I need visual instruction and the DVDs give me that aid. I like that I can teach a lesson and pull up the DVD that is pertinent to that lesson right in the middle of it if I need the help and my child needs the review. Learning to read and write well are too important a skill for her to learn for me to feel confident in my own ability to rely on my interpretation from a written source to understand exactly what to do. I think PR is head and shoulders above any other curriculum that I considered in this area. Watching the DVDs are time consuming but well worth the time invested and effort on my part. A solid base of instruction for my children in reading/phonics/grammar is worth it to me, even if it isn't always particularly interesting or "fun" for me as the parent. There is no question about how Mrs. Beers thinks the method should be taught because she is right there on the DVDs to remind and encourage everytime you get stuck. Good luck!

I'm very new to actual instruction in our home because my oldest is 5 and a Kindy student at a public school. We are afterschooling right now and are transitioning to homeschooling for next fall. We are using PR Level 1 fairly casually right now as as solid phonics supplement to the whole language that she is receiving from her teacher. I think the expectations of PR for the youngest students are pretty high. Obviously different children are ready at different times but I think focusing on the mechanics of writing and focusing on the mental gymnastics required of mastering the structure of the English language are two distinctly separate tasks for the youngest learners and there is no separation in PR. Not that this is a bad thing, but I am definitely leaving out a lot of the practice of forming letters and numbers correctly and just forging ahead with the Handwriting Without Tears that she is getting in school. My daughter needs help with phonics, not learning that a number 2 has a small loop rather than a large one. It is too overwhelming to do both at the same time for her. I do think PR is *exceptional* in its structure of presenting English in a systematic and yet fluid way that builds well as it progresses. I have no complaints there. I am new enough that PR is the only program I've tried for reading acquisition but based on what I've seen so far I am not only pleased, I am really excited to get to Level 2 and keep going! I've even considered ordering The Latin Road for myself to do now and saving the program for later years to do with my children when they are ready for it.

I was going to suggest the same thing. I was a nanny for a family for a couple years and their oldest son (who was 8 at the time) had sensory processing issues and the weirdest things could set him off. It could be the tag in his shirt, how bright the lights were, that someone got up from the table or we moved from room to room in the wrong order and so on. It was like physical things bugged him but also his mind had a specific way he wanted things to be ordered and when it didn't happen that way he just couldn't adapt. The things like not taking the pull up off quickly enough or the hot cereal made me think of sensory issues. I really hope you find something that works. :grouphug:

http://www.patternreview.com has unbelievably good online classes that would be absolutely fine for a younger girl (8-10+). Most are really affordable and run for several weeks with an online instructor, message board/forum for questions and video courses that take the student through the entire process of creating a garment. http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/sewingclasses/index.pl

Mostly things you probably already have around like yarn, watercolors, that sort of thing. There are some projects that require common Waldorf craft materials like wool, embroidery floss and tapestry needles for making dolls or modeling beeswax and things like that. But I usually choose the less involved projects and use crayola supplies rather than expensive Stockmar things. There are plenty of things to do that require almost nothing, like the finger rhymes and songs. There are some yummy seasonal recipes within the curriculum too that generally require common ingredients. HTH!

I have all four seasons and the Advent supplement. I personally love it, though I chose to use a Waldorf approach for my littles and have used Seasons of Joy in tandem with Little Acorn Learning. SoJ isn't a slick, professionally produced curriculum, it is produced by a mom and some of the music and finger rhymes are hand written. It is NOT open and go, she gives you loads of ideas and activities and then you have to set up your own calendar and choose what you would like to do when. I think it is only $10 per season so it is really well worth the price. We have been using Autumn and I think it is about 75 printed pages of material, though there are images, bars of music and that sort of thing that stretch out the material (though it is all great stuff!) so it isn't like it is 75 densely written pages. Hope that helps!

This crafty blogger has a Little House obsessed daughter. The following link has pattern details and photos: http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2010/09/the-little-house-dress.html

This describes me exactly. I've studied all sorts of random things very intensely in bursts, things like growing roses and their history in gardens, yurts, and wool felting. I went on a religious history kick five years ago and ended up converting to Catholicism because of what I learned and I studied all the major world religions pretty intensely, even attending both religious and secular classes (I was a lapsed Protestant when I began). I am now obsessively learning about educational styles, philosophies and homeschooling. :tongue_smilie:

This blogger lists, "12 Dozen Places To Self Educate Yourself Online For Free". Great list of resources! http://www.marcandangel.com/2010/11/15/12-dozen-places-to-self-educate-yourself-online/

I just love Jimmy Akin, apologist for Catholic Answers. He has really explained the comments in detail for all Catholics who are confused by the media coverage: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/the-pope-said-what-about-condoms/ Every single thing the Pope says is not necessarily binding for Catholics. He is allowed opinions! The Pope was being interviewed for a book, not using his official teaching capacity. With that said, I think the point he was trying to make was a very good one, that while a person may be committing an extremely immoral act there can be a level of morality involved if the person has a disease, like AIDS, and protects the other person from transmission. The acceptance by that person of choosing morally to protect the life of another person might be the start of the path to future moral choices.

I did a search on CSMP here because I have very mixed feelings about the program personally. I was labeled "gifted" in math in public school in the 80s and was routed into the CSMP program with a group of kids to trial it in our county. I was in CSMP from 2nd-6th grade and frankly, it was a disaster for me to transition into higher math. I suffered my way through Algebra I and II and Geometry to meet minimum graduation requirements but I completely avoided math (and math heavy sciences like physics and chemistry) after that. I just looked at the PDFs that are available on the linked site and memories of the program are all flooding back to me. I did like CSMP as a child, I thought it was fun. But I also remember my terror sitting in a preAlgebra class in 7th grade and realizing I had very little idea of what my teacher was talking about and realizing that she had very little patience in trying to get those of us CSMP students up to speed in traditional math algorithms and language. Arrow pictures, string pictures and Eli the Elephant and so on had no place in her classroom. This is probably not an issue for homeschooling families, though, being that a parent can ease the transition or supplement along the way. Anyway, I thought I'd post my own past experience. I am sure some of the kids that I was in CSMP with for those 5 years transitioned well to higher maths, obviously my experience is anecdotal, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway as food for thought for those choosing to use this program.

We are using Our World series by Joy Masoff and will use the text/activity books as we progress through K-3.

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Always glad to see success posts with Phonics Road since I just ordered it! :)

Awesome! Super helpful, I appreciate it.

I did find the free sequencing, thanks!

Has anyone used this: http://books.coreknowledge.org/product.php?productid=16357&cat=365&page=1 and this: http://books.coreknowledge.org/product.php?productid=16336&cat=313&page=1 Any thoughts or reviews? I did a search here and found a lot of Core threads but nothing really specific to using it in its entirety and starting at PreK/K level.