First of all, do you have a separate school room? We don't. We have a great room with kitchen, dining room and living room all in one. This also means I have very little wall space. I'd like a place to hang maps, a timeline etc. the few areas I have have other decor I could take down but this is also the place any company we have would come. I don't mind that they would see school type decor but don't want it to look like a lot of visual clutter. I could move school to the downstairs family room where we have our library and a nice big empty wall but we just have a couch there and no room for a table and it just feels "less convenient". Ideas? Thoughts?

We got this one last year: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A15N4LQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage It's a stereoscope rather than a microscope and it has been really fun.

Ha, found another thread to answer my own question... http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/554562-mp3-players-for-audiobooks-anything-better-than-a-sandisk-clip/?fromsearch=1

OhElizabeth, what are TC books?

I agree with AP's idea to let them choose from pictures in a cookbook. I think the more you learn to cook and make recipes you learn things and get more comfortable making different foods and then you don't need the book so much. With that said, I have made a Thai Salad that has salad greens and some veggies (could easily add some broccoli) and thai noodles mixed in. My family loves it. Recipe is here: http://ourbestbites.com/2009/07/thai-peanut-noodle-salad/

I have an ipod which I use to listen to podcasts and audio books etc. I like that it is easy to download things to right off the internet because I don't have to connect it through the computer and copy/paste things onto it. I want to get another mp3 player my kids can use that is likewise easy to put books on but don't really want them having access to the web or playing music or games on it. Any recommendations? One with a speaker so multiple kids could listen would be nice rather than headphones only. Would you just get another ipod and restrict those other things with a password somehow? or is there someother gadget out there I don't know about that would work?

I have thought that before. I guess I'm weird like that too. :laugh:

oops, don't know how to delete this empty post...

I liked "Don't overwork the teacher" by Cherie Logan. It's a quick read kindle book.

Is it going to be too intensive to try to do two levels with two different kids? Or are there ways to combine them somewhat? I realize the kids are on different reading/writing levels.

I'm thinking BW sounds like a good fit. I struggle with programs that are too defined and lack flexibility yet I like having options and choices and not having to totally piece things together myself. Thanks for the tips. I do have TWSS for myself and could add tidbits in from that when needed but I'm thinking BW will be a good place to start.

So when you say "less of a hold your hand curriculum", how much of a writer do I need to be? (Or what exactly did you mean?)

Bravewriter language arts (using literature), the LLATL program, and IEW Fix It for learning grammar. What do you like or not like? What do you use? Is it too intensive to use multiple levels with multiple age children?

She has wanted to write a story a couple of times but hasn't done a lot of formal writing other than that. We really would be starting from the beginning. If the projects were fun and interesting I can see her enjoying writing but even I have a hard time with assignments that seem to be "just a busywork piece" ie not something I would want to spend a lot of time to write about "for no reason" (though I realize it's all in the name of learning and practicing). I guess I just like to have a real purpose to my writing - I don't mind writing when I really have something I want to say. But I also like iew in that it feels like a set of easy to implement tricks that can really prove writing quickly. Would it work to use Bravewriter to learn to enjoy writing (I guess it will do that??) and then go into iew at jr high or high school to add another level of refinement or would the two programs not work that way and build on each other? I have to say I'm not as familiar with Bravewriter though the little I've seen looks interesting.

Language arts for 4th grade girl with little formal writing/grammar experience. Would you choose Bravewriter, or iew or wtm products or something else and why? Thinking of LLATL blue for my first grader... Would you do that or something else? For this one it needs to be fun and not just monotony. She hated explode the code last year.

Got some education dollars to spend and need some new ideas... I'm looking for ideas for age 12 and under. What has inspired/helped your kids the most in your homeschool? Not necessarily looking for specific curriculums as those depend a lot on personal preferences, but what have been the best things you've ever purchased for your homeschool kids? Kits, Items (microscope, telescope, etc), memberships, books, manipulatives, instruments etc?

Agree. I think it's a careful balance between keeping them challenged and engaged and watching when it just becomes "more of the same" and they really already know it.

ask before they help themselves to food/snacks between meals? I have one ds 14 (the oldest) who helps himself to things out of my store room (where we keep a lot of food storage) and pantry when I don't know about it. It bothers me and I've talked to him about it but he doesn't see it as stealing because it's family food. We have 6 kids and it seems we have to ration things anyway just so everyone gets some so it isn't fair to everyone else either. In some ways I feel like a control freak that everyone has to ask permission for every little thing but I don't like things being gone either when I go to get/use them later. What do you do at your house?

You might check out the "private eye" curriculum. It uses a jeweler's loupe to look closer at things and then compare them using analogies to other things they see/know. If that interests you, I have the book for sale on my post here: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/showthread.php?t=422153 Jennifer

That's what I wondered, thanks.

Just so I understand right, you weren't super impressed with the content or with the way it looked like a simple copy and bind job? I've actually heard the content is excellent though the aesthetics might be lacking. Just wondered what your specific complaints were. Thanks

Anyone heard of these? I've heard it is really good but haven't Looked at it myself. It's written by a homeschooling dad - history with an lds perspective... http://livinghistory-books.com/shoppingcart/results.php?category=5 Jennifer

So do you schedule each child's assignments as a "class"? Is there a way to check off assignments when completed?

Anyone tried the iplanLessons app for iPad? What did you think?

Tell me about the numbers app. I've looked at it but it's hard to tell exactly what I could make it do. Could I easily make an assignment list for each child (3-4 kids) that could be checked off as completed, put it in a calendar format and have the option to have everything shift forward if it wasn't completed for a day or two. Could I have the option of looking at the list by child or by subject?