I read it during our first year of home schooling this past year. Fell in love with the concept, we were doing something very different, and I have been researching and making changes for the upcoming year. I'm so glad to have a copy of my own as I continue planning.

I finally have my very own copy of The Well Trained Mind! I have been borrowing it from the library. My parents gave me one for my birthday. :)

Bob is very annoying!

Do you hole punch the pages, use page protectors or use notebook paper?

Thank you, that looks great!

This is a program in our Public Schools and I was wondering if there is anything like it for homeschoolers? I checked with the company and they don't offer anything.

Who is Paula and where is this website? I have a 2yr old DD and would like to make some boxes for her. Thanks!

What do those of you with first grader use with Explode the Code? Do you have another phonics program to use with it, or just use readers/books on their level?

Thanks for the info everyone. We just finished our first year of homeschooling and used Abeka. I read The Well Trained Mind and really like it, so now I am picking stuff for next year. We won't be going with Abeka again. I love all the recommendations from everyone on here on what they use and why, it has been very helpful.

I mean using only things that would be considered as Classical Education. The thread about whether or not the forum had gotten from its classical roots got me thinking about what is considered a Classical Education.

For those who are straight Classical with their children's education, what materials do you choose?

DS did Abeka K and is reading short and long vowel words, how far does Happy Phonics go? I know we will do some reviewing, but don't want to get something that is completely what he has already done. But I also don't want to short him on phonics as he is still learning to read.

I tried to search for threads on this, but got tired of searching through everything that just had "happy" in it. I am looking at using Happy Phonics with Explode the Code next year for my first grader. Cathy Duffy recommends using them together, and I would like some input from those of you who have used Happy Phonics. Thanks!

So for those who use FLL then PLL, how does that work if FLL is for 1st and 2nd and PLL is for 2nd and 3rd?

Can FLL be finished in one school year? I have seen Language Lessons for the Very Young online and like it as well.

So for those who use PLL starting in 2nd grade, what do/did you do for those in 1st grade?

My DS's are 8 (3rd grade) and 6 (1st grade). What levels is PLL intended for? Thanks!

3rd Grade: Horizons Math 3 Spelling Power Primary Language Lessons My Father's World Adventures 1st Grade: My Father's World 1st grade, and some of the Adventures stuff too

Does anyone on here have experience using Singapore with an ADD child? I am in the process of planning for next year and it is one that is on my list to look at.

Right now his main interest is World Trade Center/ 9-11. He has been on this for about 6 months now, googling videos, etc, from the WTC being built to the tragedy of 9-11. Are there any books for kids on this topic?

How do you with reluctant readers encourage them to read? My DS 8 is perfectly able to read, but resists it everyday. It is getting very frustrating. I have heard of using reading time to earn other things such as video games, tv, computer, etc. Have any of you found that successful? I want him to read silently for 15 minutes a day. He has ADD and isn't on any medication right now. Does that sound reasonable? Thanks!

Well, I am still jumping back and forth, one day MFW and the next TOG. Another question, any experience with ADD kids and TOG? (Today is a TOG day!)

I think I need something simple and straight forward here. I don't have a lot of time to go searching for books and pulling things together, so maybe MFW will be a better fit for us.

So even the books for independent reading are included in the MFW package? We would be doing Adventures and First. We are coming from Abeka, which includes all the leveled readers, so I just want to make sure I am not leaving anything out.

Yes! We just finished our first year and used straight Abeka. I am now in the process of deciding between MFW and TOG. This is so hard!