We use graph paper and I've taught my son to work from left to right with the order of the problems. Before this, his numbers never lined up which caused math errors and the problems were all over the page. He would start out going left to right in order 1,2,3... and then fill in problems wherever they would fit on the page. So, #21 might be next to number five because he was using all the available space on the page. :tongue_smilie:

http://www.eequalsmcq.com/ We love this program. It's written to the child and includes 2-3 experiments per chapter all using household items. SIMPLE household items. I haven't had to rush out and buy anything! I'm not a science gal but I think it is very thorough. It's about $50 but the first year, Life Science, is FREE. Can't beat that.:w00t: It's marked as elementary, but I use it for both my boys and just have my older son do additional experiments from kits I purchase (although not necessary - my boys just love them) and read/write about scientists/science stuff.

Math: Saxon 7/6 History: beefed up SOTW2 Science: Mr Qs Earth Science with added kits, nature studies Lit: still working on book list Vocab: Vocab from Classical Roots Spelling: finish AAS5 then AAS6 Grammar: ALL sample, the rest when available Writing: WWS sample, the rest when available Logic: Critical Thinking Typing: Mavis Beacon Art, Music, Film and Theater are taken at local co-op PE through another co-op and I have the boys skate, scooter, ripstik, or bike around the neighborhood with me daily weather permitting - keeps me honest. :tongue_smilie: Drum lessons with Dad

We use Growing with Grammar.

My older son (5th grade) finished Gamma and then I purchased the fractions and decimals modules from MM (about $4 a piece vs $90 each for MUS). We're almost done and then we are skipping 6th grade math and moving into Teaching Textbooks 7 and will continue from there with their program. He'll see negative numbers and square roots and such in a text for the first time. I've lightly covered those subjects with him on my own and feel confident he'll pick it up. He is not "mathy" btw. My younger son (1st grade) is doing a combination of MUS Alpha and MM 1st grade. I'm debating how to handle next year so that he'll be ready for TT3 the following year. I'll most likely order MM 2nd grade and use the MUS resources again.

If you have construction paper, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, tempura paint, brushes, pens and pencils, then you have what you need. One activity called for a foam plate, but you can use anything for holding your paints. I also saw butcher paper, sandpaper, scrap cloth, and items from around the house for texture. There wasn't one big list. Each page lists what you'll need that day but if you have the ones I listed first, you can do almost all of the activities. For the few others, you'll probably have what you need around the house. Hope that helps.

blessedmom3 posted this link: http://www.custom-homeschool-curriculum.com/visual-spatial-learners.html

He shows factoring using the blocks on the MUS site here.