Has your ds taken the Singapore placement tests? If he scores higher, why not move him up? It seems that the most major thing that you would want to cover in the level 3 books if he tests out of them would be the bar diagrams. I think it's 3a that introduces them. I'm not sure if Singapore is a year ahead of other curriculums or not, but even if it is and your ds needs to move ahead, is there anything wrong with that? Just my 2¢, Amanda

How do you break it down on the index cards? Do you put one day's lessons on it, or a week's worth, or some other way? Thanks, Amanda

Hi, I have previously posted about errors that I had found in Lively Latin. However, I was referring to the beta version, before the editing that Plaid Dad was talking about. I haven't seen the new edition, so I can't help you with that, but many people use it and like it very much. Amanda

There are some recipes on this site: http://www.foodtimeline.org/ But, I think it's value is more in all the information about the foods eaten in different periods. Amanda

http://www.latincentered.com is the site for LCC and there are good articles there. There is also a chapter in the 2nd edition of LCC specifically for older beginners. HTH, Amanda

Are you thinking about knowledge Quest maps? They are blackline historical maps. Link: http://www.knowledgequestmaps.com/maps.htm HTH, Amanda

Just a thought, but what about using some History Scribe pages with your younger one? They have an info blurb at the top, a blank space box beneath it for illustrating, then some lines below for writing (there are options for both primary mid-dashed lines and regular lines.) They sell the pages via download or on CD. The CD is $20ppd, the download $16. Those are for all of history, ancient through modern. I believe they might sell individual time periods through currclick, but I'm not sure. http://www.historyscribe.com/hs-historyscribe.htm Free samples to download here: http://www.historyscribe.com/hs-freesamples.htm HTH, Amanda

Let me begin by saying I do not use either TOG or SL... But, the big glaring difference between those two is that TOG follows a chronological path of history that gets repeated 3 times. SL is not chronological. I'm sure those who have hands-on experience with these programs will shine more light though... HTH, Amanda

Though mommylawyer posted a really cheap source of it, they do actually still make this. I was in BJ's just the other day looking at other stuff in the office supply aisle and I saw boxes of "computer paper" and it was that connected type of paper. I didn't look to see how much it was though. HTH, Amanda

I've started using a library software. The one I use is called Delicious Library and it's for Macs. They just came out with a version 2, and I haven't yet upgraded (even though they gave me a link to upgrade for free.) But, you can catalog anything in there, not just books (though that's why I bought it.) You can enter information by entering the ISBN, Title, (or any other bit of information you might have) or you can scan the bar code with a scanner or with an isight camera. It searches online for matches and downloads the information right in there for you. You can search by keywords for things in your collection, and can also set up themed shelves. I use this for different periods in history and different science topics. You can also just browse your books in neat photo-realistic bookshelves. http://www.delicious-monster.com/ HTH, Amanda

Could this be the thread you were thinking of? http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28591 HTH, Amanda

I plan on using BFSU with my children this year, the oldest being 8. I have a few other resources I'll be adding in as well. But, I think that BFSU will give them a good foundation in understanding science and thinking in a scientific way. The author, Nebel, wrote the following on the BFSU yahoo group about older children using this book: Most importantly, there are many lessons in BFSU, which, while the introduction is simple enough to be mastered by 5-6-year-olds, are really open ended and can be extended to be interesting, fun, and informative for the entire family including parents. Such lesson include: A-5 Distinguishing Materials A-5A Magnets and magnetic fields A-10 Rocks, Minerals, Crystals, Dirt and Soil B-4 Life cycles B-4A Identification of Living Things B-5 Food Chains and Adaptations D-3 Read and Draw Maps D-4 Land Forms and Biomes D-6 Seasonal Changes and the Earth’s Orbit While I cite these lessons in particular, I have tried to make all the lessons such that they provide basic concepts that can be expanded and built upon to any extent desired. Older kids, as well as younger ones, will be challenged and have fun finding examples of how the lesson relates to and provides an interpretation of what they see / experience in real life.

BJ's has 2 packs of the 3" binders for $9.99, and Walmart had them for $6.97 each. As someone noted before, BJ's has packs of 200 page protectors for $8.99. Amanda

You're welcome Lynn and Patricia! I had gotten frustrated trying to find that one too! Amanda

When I was at Michael's today (8/11) there were rebate coupons over by the prismacolor pencils. They offer a $10 rebate on the purchase of $50 of prismacolor products. Just wanted to let everyone know... Amanda

They have it over at Classical Home Education. Here's a link to the product page: http://www.classicalhomeeducation.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=553 CHE sells all the books necessary for HO ancients level II, and I believe all the other HO as well. HTH, Amanda

Have you looked at Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding by Nebel? It is a unique approach to science that stresses the interconnectedness of the branches of science. It's not just a mis-mash of disconnected science facts, but rather, a way to go about thinking in a scientific way. It's intended for grades k-2, but the author wrote it to be extendable upwards as well. For the table of contents, a sample and more information: http://www.pressforlearning.com He also has a Yahoo group for those using the book: groups.yahoo.com/group/k5science There was a thread about this book not too long ago to that you could probably find if you did a search for the title of the book. HTH, Amanda

If you are looking for a checklist sort of form, donnayoung.org has 2 different ones that she uses with her subject planners (sounds like what you did.) Here are links: http://www.donnayoung.org/forms/planners/checklist.htm http://www.donnayoung.org/forms/planners/checklist2.htm HTH, Amanda

As a disclaimer, I am far from an expert and am planning on using CW Aesop this year, and I haven't seen the other levels. With that said, I don't believe I saw anything religious in the Aesop core itself. In the student workbooks and instructor's guides, there are 6 out of 36 models taken from the Bible. (The 36 models would encompass both years the student would be working with the Aesop core.) They include: Moses on the Mountain David and Goliath Daniel in teh Lion's Den Jesus Raises Lazarus Parable of the Sower The Good Samaritan However, the core gives information on how to select your own models, and was originally written without the student workbooks and instructor's guides, so you could just omit those models and select something else. HTH, Amanda

Rainbow Resource has something called Auto Upkeep. Here's the link: http://www.rainbowresource.com/search.php?sid=1218104944-675746 Someone recently posted about it. HTH, Amanda

Could you share a link for this? Thanks, Amanda

I know this is to teach the mom how to approach literary analysis with the kids, but at what approximate grade level would one begin using this method? Thanks! Amanda

I'd say, make a notebook timeline and just start where you're studying. Then after this year, you can decide if you want to fill in the earlier years, or just start anew. Amanda

Does anyone use Art Adventures at Home? If so, is it working out for you? I just heard about it and there's not a lot of information on the website for it. Thanks! Amanda

On the site for Classical Academic Press, it says "LFC Primers A,B & C have been professionally edited for the 2007 release. Version 3.2 is now available." I haven't seen any besides A and the version of A I have is 3.2. HTH, Amanda