Your post is very helpful. Thank you for sharing :)

As far as readers go, my kids just read. I've never really used a program like DITHOR or any literature guides. (I have used SL readers/guide in the past but didn't really stick with the guide and questions). I do ask my kids how they liked the book, what their favorite part was, which part they didn't like. They usually will tell me about the book after they are finished with it. When is it a good time to "officially" learn and discuss story elements? Specifically for my 5th grader?

Thanks for helping me sort this out. I think I'm going to go for it! By the way, Sue, my back up plan if HOD wasn't going to work out was combining with MOH!

Thanks for sharing! That is exactly what I'd like to do, buy the economy package. I can buy some books on kindle so that will make it more affordable. Does your friend use separate programs or combine her kiddos?

My kids love the older version since it was so close to the book! They have watched both versions, though.

I have a 5th grader, 3rd grader, and Ker. Last year, we did American History all together using Truthquest. However, I'm looking into HOD Creation to Christ for my 5th grader and Bigger for my 3rd grader. I'd like my 5th grader to get a full cycle of history before 9th grade, and I'd like to continue with American History for my 3rd grader. I do have everything else all planned out except history and bible. Would it be pointless to use HOD just for history/bible? Perhaps I should just keep them combined for history? In the past we have used SOTW, Sonlight P 4/5 and Core K (just core books). Thanks in advance for your feedback!

When did you start having your child keep a student planner of some sort to keep track of stuff? I was looking at the Well Planned Day planners and saw the student planners...

:bigear:

We do, but mostly because my kiddos like to hold the cards themselves. For example, when we review I read or dictate the word on the card, ds spells it out loud, I hand it to my ds. He holds on to them and puts them in the mastered section. When he sees how much he's mastered, he's thrilled. :)

We will be starting American history this fall for my 4th and 2nd grader and I am trying to decide between HOD Beyond or WP American Story 1...

I agree with Merry :) AAS has helped my dd on hearing and segmenting each sound and breaking words into syllables. My dd reads well (fluently) but when it comes to spelling, she needs to segment and break it down.

Here's mine :)

I have a dd in 3rd grade and we are enjoying WWE2 (we took a while going through WWE1 in 1st and 2nd grade), FLL3, and Writing Strands 2. We skip some of the copywork/dictation in FLL because of the copywork/dictation in WWE. For spelling, we are using All About Spelling. So far, it has been working well. Some days I feel like all we do is Language Arts, lol, but I feel like it is thorough. Dd loves it.

After reading TWTM a few years ago, I was inspired. I joined for encouragement and support. I haven't posted much lately, but it is amazing how much encouragement and support I can get by just doing a search :001_smile:.

Welcome! I also have a third grader, first grader, and a preschooler. I haven't posted much in a while, but this board is awesome and I am grateful to be a part of it. Congrats on your degree:)

Thanks for sharing, Tina. Looking forward to reading your blog. Sally Clarkson is indeed an inspiration.

subbing because I'm looking too.

Any suggestions on what to use to supplement MUS Gamma? My dd is really doing well with MUS, but I also want her to learn "standards based" math for 3rd graders--she will be taking a standards based test next year. Thanks!

Wow. Ds5 has food allergies and we've been letting him eat stuff "made in/made on" from Trader Joe's. Only because he's getting older and I read that you can slowly introduce things as they get older and possibly outgrow the allergies. Except for peanut - this kids don't outgrow. I'm gonna be careful now! Jennifer, I hope your son feels better soon.

We love workbook 1! And we will be moving on to workbook 2 for second grade!

I have decided to do a monthly report instead, but still wanted to share here if that's okay! Thanks!

Two fruit trees we just planted - apple and cherry!

Our's is up. Thanks for stopping by!

Our week is up! Link is in siggy. Thanks for stopping by!

Our kids have been learning at home since birth :)