Thanks for the replies. I was looking for something other than SOTW because I don't want biblical stories presented as fact in my history book, that approach just doesn't work for us. It appears to be quite difficult to find a history book for the youngers that doesn't do this though...

That looks like it could be fun!

wagnfun, If you have a PC, I agree, get OpenOffice it is an open source program like MS Office. If you have a Mac and already have Appleworks on it, that may open the files, or if not, there's iWork which has a program called Pages and that will open Word files. If you have a Mac with OSx on it, I highly suggest purchasing iWork, it definitely boosts one's productivity! (If you do decide to purchase it, know that there is a family license available which lets you install on up to 5 Macs and it's ~$20 more than the single license version. Also, Apple's online store allows homeschoolers to get educational pricing.) HTH Amanda

LFC = Latin for Children http://www.classicalacademicpress.com/lfc_primers.html TracyR - I'm not a latin expert by any means at all, but could you just supplement LFC with some latin prayers? Or perhaps, you could just LFC and Lingua Angelica (http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/lingua1.html) which is a "Christian Latin reading and translation course" that has both prayers and hymns. Just a thought. Amanda

Doesn't level 1 use SOTW as the spine?

Are there any good secular options for doing grade 1 level history besides SOTW? Thanks! Amanda

I had bought the online version as that was all that was available at the time, and I would suggest getting the CD. That way you don't have to worry about downloading it, which can be problematic sometimes. I had times where I couldn't download it and had to wait. That can be ok, if you plan and do these things sufficiently ahead of time, but if you tend to procrastinate, that could cause problems. If you've never burned a CD, sometimes that doesn't work as easy as it's supposed to either. I say it's worth the extra money to get an already made CD. But, that's just my opinion.

:iagree: ...has anyone found anything that's even remotely like this?

Maybe I'm missing something here... but Why would you want a rotating skyscraper?

I did not post on that thread, but I think I can help. In the Activity Guides (AG) that goes with the SOTW books there are additional reading recommendation lists. In the WTM, there are lists of Great Men and Women for each time period in the grammar section of history, in the logic section, there are lists of topics to explore by time period, and in the rhetoric section, there are lists of great books by time period. HTH, Amanda

Thanks Janie! Amanda

Previously there was a post on using ABCs and All Their Tricks for spelling. This book is a complete reference for letter sounds and already has some spelling lists in it. In this thread Lori D. shares how she creates a spelling program using the book and Karenciavo shares a link to samples of the beautiful spelling worksheets she created for using the book for spelling. http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29334 Rainbow Resource has the paperback version for $11.95 keepersofthefaith.com has the paperback for $11.94, the hardcover for $18.39 and even has the Phonics Made Plain flashcards that go along with it for $19.99. HTH, Amanda

Janie, Could I ask where you found the literature guides to go with Roger Lancelyn Green's King Arthur? Thanks! Amanda

Where can I find info on this book? Thanks!

Wow Chris, that's a super way to explain it simply. We've done some lapbooks here, but I think thinking about them like that makes planning what to put into them much simpler. Thanks! Amanda

My dd liked some of the activities, and we liked the way the information in the little books was presented. However, I found there is much too much busywork and copying the little books correctly and making them was a pain.

Another vote for Green for both.

My dd favorite was Roger Lancelyn Green's Robin Hood. She's read a few, but not Pyle's yet.

Thanks!

I agree with Angela in the above about having the different categories, though I would group them like this in order of difficulty: Sewing: hand sewing, simple needlepoint/cross stitch/embroidery, machine sewing, quilting Fiber Arts: Weaving, spool knitting (also called loom knitting), crocheting, knitting For the sewing skills, I would recommend a series of books called The Winky Cherry Sewing System. They are written for children in rhyme and have simple, easy to understand directions and illustrations. The books come with supplies to do a couple projects and have patterns for additional projects. You can read about the series here: http://www.palmerpletsch.com/childrenbooks.htm For the fiber art skills, I would suggest a simple lap loom for the weaving, and circle looms for the loom knitting. My dd found looms like the smaller round knifty knitters easier to use than the really small spool knitters. HTH Amanda

If you don't mind my asking, what does HOD and MBP stand for? Thanks!

How about having her "sew" with plastic canvas? The plastic canvas would be easier for her to hold (not droopy) and she could use a plastic yarn needle to prevent injury. If you'd like to begin to teach her to sew, my dd has liked the Winky Cherry System that begins with "My First Sewing Book". You can read about it here: http://www.palmerpletsch.com/childrenbooks.htm It's written in rhyme and has simple, but helpful pictures. The first book comes with felt, some thicker thread and a bunch of patterns to make felt animals. She does, however, suggest starting at age 5.

Here is what is on the Lively Latin site: "Because of the PDF digital format, please be aware there are no refunds for the BigBook once it is purchased. Be sure that you check out all the sample pages and files before you purchase the BigBook. Look at the FAQ section for more information. Also feel free to email the Magistra at livelylatin@livelylatin.com with any additional questions." Although this has to do with refunds from them, I think it would apply to printouts as well. There are however, a number of sample pages available. If you go to the site, (http://www.livelylatin.com), there is a link that says "Sample BigBook Lessons" in the menu on the left.

Not to hijack the thread, but you can also download free italic fonts here: http://desktoppub.about.com/od/fonts/p/schoolfree.htm They are called Jarman and Jardotty. The last one being a dotted version meant for tracing.

I haven't used either, but Memoria Press has online courses as well, including Traditional Logic. http://www.memoriapress.com/course/