I get nutritional yeast in the bulk foods section at the local grocery stores (well, the grocery stores that have bulk foods sections!) or at the co-op. I never though to look on the shelf to see if it is available pre-packaged.

I would like to supplement our history studies with some of Sonlight's core 6 readers and read-alouds. Our library does not have the following books, so I am considering buying them: Master Cornhill Beyond the Desert Gate God King Flame Over Tara The Great & Terrible Quest Leonardo da Vinci (Landmark) Hittite Warrior Theras and His Town I'd like to hear opinions, good or bad, about any of them!

Here is some information I found about this book, which appears to be out of print. http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/phonics_reading/let-authors-speak.htm I searched further and saw on Lamp Post Publishing's site that the new edition will not be published in 2008. http://www.lamppostpublishing.com/choosing-books.htm A similar title (currently in-print) that you might find helpful is "All Through the Ages" by Christine Miller. http://www.nothingnewpress.com/atta.shtml

Sounds like you are doing a great job encouraging your ds's interest in science! My dc have watched loads of Magic School Bus and other science DVDs as well as history/geography videos. I often try to get videos to fit in with what we are studying, if the library has something suitable. TV has its place, and one of those places is educational use. :)

I considered a Build-a-Bear party for one of my dc, and asked at the store about the logistics. This is what they told me: You choose a dollar amount per guest. They can select an animal and/or clothes of their choice up to that amount. Then the kids make and dress their animals. You are right, the animal is the party favor. BAB has no party room and is not set up for food, so if you wanted to do ice cream or other treats you'd have to go to the mall food court. I didn't end up doing a BAB party, but if I were to do it I would take the kids for ice cream at the food court afterwards, and open the presents at that time.

One of my dc learned to play recorder in 2nd/3rd grade, using the Nine Note Recorder book by Penny Gardner. Rainbow Resource used to sell it, but if not I think the author has a website where she sells her books. We found the book comprehensive and easy to understand. It's designed for step-by-step success. If you are looking for a recorder, Yamaha makes a good one that is around $10 (try a local music store). IMO it has a better sound than the cheaper instruments available at toy stores.

I like the idea of including a Christmas card sender in your daily prayers each day. I am going to try this with my family.

I agree with this. The elementary schools in our district focus on reading and writing (but not much on spelling) and on prepping the students for the state reading/math/writing tests. They spend a lot of time writing in a certain format so the kids will get maximum scores on the state test. There is less focus on science, and minimal exposure to history -- the kids learn about community helpers, our region, bits and pieces of American history. If you are planning to put your ds into public school for 6th grade, I would suggest finding out what local 5th and 6th graders are studying so you can fill any gaps this year and know in advance what will be required of him next year. Test prep is an excellent idea, using samples of the tests your ds will be taking. Then he can get used to how the questions are presented, and the format in which the answers are to be given.

See if your rink would offer homeschool lessons during the day (assuming you have enough homeschoolers in your area to make this workable). The rink here has morning homeschool lessons and the cost is less than the regular evening/weekend lessons.

If you like Uncrustables for lunch, now you can enjoy Kraft Bagel-fuls for breakfast: http://www.kraftfoods.com/bagelfuls/

Thanks Christine. Your rubric is what I was looking for. It contains the elements I've been orally evaluating, so it will work well for a written evaluation. I'm going to check out the book you mentioned.

Thanks Beth, I think this will be helpful.

My oldest is using R&S 5 this year (used 3 and 4 in the past). I have never figured out how to grade/correct the composition assignments. Usually I check for spelling/grammar, make sure the paper is on the topic assigned... but I have the feeling I should be doing a little more with this. What do you all use for "rules" on how to grade the compositions?

I used SL for cores K, 1, 2, 3 (combined 3 with some of WP's AS 1). My older was always on the young side of the ages for the cores, and my younger didn't get much out of the readings, but I didn't want to add a separate core for the younger child. After core 3 which felt like it was over both dc's heads, I switched to MFW. Last year we used ECC. Both kiddos enjoyed the books, book basket was a tremendous hit, there were some great hands on activities, and I felt like they learned quite a bit. My younger child loved the missionary stories. This year we are using CTG and are in week 3. So far, so good... some of the book basket books haven't grabbed the kids quite like last year's books did, but they are enjoying the daily readings and seem to be interested and learning. I like not having to do *so* many read alouds, and that the books seem more age appropriate than some of SL's books. That said, I do miss some of the read alouds (confusing, eh?) and the SL reader packages. I'm debating what to do next year. Return to SL and use Core 4, and then Core 6 the following year? Or continue with MFW RTR? I think it's really the reader packages that are drawing me to SL, and I feel that both dc but especially the older should really be reading more challenging books, so I may just add them to MFW. Overall, I am happy with MFW.

We have a keyboard -- like you, have no room for a piano. My suggestion, if you have not already bought a keyboard, is to get one with 88 full-size keys. Your children will quickly get frustrated with keys that are not full size. If you buy a keyboard with fewer than 88 keys you'll eventually have to upgrade (which is what we are looking at doing soon). There are quite a few portable keyboards available that you can put on a stand and easily move around your house as needed. 30 minute lessons are fine for beginners.

I keep some butter in a covered dish on the counter. I usually only put out 1/4 or 1/2 stick at a time so we can easily use it up before it gets a chance to spoil.

At our house, we usually just eat canned salmon plain.

I am going to try to start at 8 AM. Here's what I've mapped out so far: 8-9: Bible and vocabulary (together with older sib); spelling 9-10: Math and grammar with Mom while 5th grader has instrument practice time (2nd grader doesn't get distracted by older sib's practice, but the opposite doesn't hold true in our house) 10-11: Reading, free time, maybe instrument practice if Mom is free to help. 11-noon: History & science (together with older sib) 1-1:30: Music appreciation or art, nature walk, outdoor play I haven't figured out where to put Latin in the day. I might put it in at 1 PM and shift music/art/etc to follow. Dh said if our days get too busy, Latin should be the first thing to get dropped. For the record, 2nd grader is using: Singapore math First Language Lessons R&S spelling MFW CTG for Bible, history, science, music appreciation, art (together with older sib) English from the Roots Up (Greek roots as scheduled in MFW CTG, together with older sib) Latina Christiana (together with older sib)-- probably just listening and oral participation; this child is pencil phobic Music lessons 1x week PE: swimming, ice skating, FitDeck If you're only schooling a 2nd grader, it would be quite do-able to finish in 4 hours or less. Our days are a bit longer due to schooling an older child too. Plus we have 2 mornings each week out of the house for scheduled activities so on those days the dc will work until at least 2 PM and won't do all subjects.

Thanks for sharing! Their coupon codes seem to be a lot harder to find this year.

We eat salmon (canned or fresh/previously-frozen Alaska wild-caught) at least once a week; white fish less often; shrimp occasionally. With white fish, salmon, or shrimp I serve all of the following: brown rice (with tamari and/or lemon) or whole grain noodles (with tamari/and or lemon and shredded 3 cheese Italian blend); rarely I will serve baked potatoes instead of rice or noodles -- dh doesn't care for baked potatoes green salad sometimes another veg, such as cauliflower cheese, sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli or corn fruit

It must have been the store where the mom from "Repo Man" shopped! :eek:

Singapore and Miquon, 6 years each (this includes using with multiple children; both programs have been in use by at least one child since fall 2002).

We bought the CD from Timberdoodle for around $30. It comes bundled with draw/paint software (I don't think this software is the same as what is used with the online subscription), which my dc have shown no interest in. They love the lessons though, and it surprises me how much they retain. My rising 2nd grader finds art prints and museums more interesting now, and enjoys telling me about paintings.

I haven't bought frozen concentrate recently. Nearly all of the bottled apple juice is labeled for country of origin, but it can be hard to read due to tiny black lettering and my old eyes. I have noticed on one brand (can't recall which) that their apple juice is from China, but their apple cider is not.

I don't remember Hold That Thought selling a combo CD. History Scribe has offered their products in various combinations on CDs and as downloads, and I think sometimes as freebies from Homeschool e-Store/CurrClick. My guess is that you're thinking of History Scribe.