Thank you! :)

I started this post as a "multi quote", but I realized I want to say essentially the same thing to all of you who replied - in reading each post carefully (and the FAQ page at Geomatters), I now feel I have a much, much better understanding of the two programs and how they can, it seems, compliment each other in different ways. Thank you so much! I have a feeling Galloping the Globe is going to be a little broad (i.e. I have a history, science, etc curriculum set up), but I'm looking at that as something to maybe start with. My only remaining questions would be, should I find that we can swing both the Trail Guides and the Ultimate Geography: - do I need Uncle Josh's map outline CD as well? I thought I read somewhere that it's somehow incorporated into the Ultimate Geo, but then I was unable to find that sentence later... :tongue_smilie: - do I need something extra like Maps Charts Graphs to teach basics of mapping, or is this somehow covered? - do you have any recommendations for a good atlas? I really liked the National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers, but I don't know if it would work here. Thank you so much for the information! :)

Thank you for the replies - I'll take a look at both Galloping the Globe and Expedition Earth. :) Any input on the other two from anyone (Ultimate Geo and Trail Guides)? Thank you!

I've searched the forum many times and many ways, and I'm still pretty much coming up empty-handed.... :( I feel geography is an all too often neglected subject, and I think it's important enough to get its own place in the schedule, so.... I'm looking for a good curriculum/guide for the grammar years :). These are two that seem good, but, as usual, it's hard to gauge just from the sample pages. The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide Trail Guide to World Geography Has anyone had any experience with either of these? Please share!!! :) ETA: If there's some other terrific resource you've used - please post! I've looked at Evan Moore and Teacher Created workbooks, but I'm hesitant (not a big fan of workbooks, but we do use them if they're really good resources). I'm looking for physical and cultural geography mostly. Thank you!

:iagree: with all of the above! :) I am currently reading and really liking The Core (our library system did not have a copy; I ended up buying it based on the threads here). However, I don't think CC would be a good fit for our family (and like one PP, I also have a soon-to-be three year old ;) ).

Thank you for all the input - I'm going to give GWG 1/2 a shot and see where it takes us. Angela - your blog post was especially helpful! Your blog is a wealth of information in general; thank you for sharing! Heather - your posts are what pushed me in the direction of CW and JAG/AG in the first place! I appreciate your input, and thank you as well for sharing your testing experiences; that has helped me feel more at ease about the whole process. kalanamak - thank you for your description of the differences in the levels - you answered the question I had looking at their samples! I also appreciate the reassurance... :)

It seems I've rethought my entire curriculum before even starting...this is especially true regarding LA. I believe I'm set as far as literature/reading and spelling go. I'm still thinking through writing, but the approach in WWE makes a lot of sense to me. I'm stuck as far as grammar goes. I had planned to use English for the Thoughtful Child, but it appears a bit superficial? I am thinking of starting MCT in a year or two, maybe exploring JAG/AG somewhere down the line. My goal would be to give my DD a gentle introduction to grammar in first grade and then transition to, likely, MCT. What has me concerned is mandated state testing - how do I make sure I'm giving her enough of an introduction? I want to make sure I've prepared her for testing as well. Any suggestions for something that would fit what I'm looking for? I'm leaning toward GWG. Shurley grammar seems promising, but I don't think I can justify spending that much on grammar alone. I've also looked at CQLA. Thank you! :)

I thank you, Bill and Sonja ...my bank account does not ;)

May I jump in with a related question? If planning on using Miquon as a supplement when starting Singapore 1A/1B in first grade this fall, are all the teacher's guides necessary? I had planned (um, rather, have in my cart at RR...) on getting the Orange book, the Red book, the First Grade Diary, and Cuisenaire rods. Thank you...

These are great ideas! Thank you for sharing - I'm making a list for her to choose from ;)

Those are great starting points - thank you! :)

Our DD is in Montessori K this year (we'll be starting HS in the fall), and she just brought home a letter today about a science fair. She needs a simple project that she can demonstrate for the class with minimal teacher help (and no parent). They'd like a hypothesis, prediction, conclusion, etc. We have three weeks... Help!?!

Happy to hear she's feeling better! Stomach bugs are generally caused by viruses, so a fever is quite common, even quite high (FWIW, I work in pediatrics). Do you have any Pedialyte? It's good she's keeping fluids down; small sips frequently tend to stay down better than bigger amounts. Pedialyte is good because it has all the things in it you lose with vomiting/diarrhea. Sprite is definitely better than plain water, though. Is she peeing OK? I'd make sure everyone in the house washes their hands well! If she's turned the corner and starts to ask for food, I'd stick to something like saltines for now... Hope she's feeling better soon!

The Homeschool Buyer's Coop - it will be available starting 03/01/11; total discount is based on number of people ordering. https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_hsbc_epp_order&Itemid=1447 :)

This is exactly the decision I have come to after reading all the replies and other threads discussing MM and SM.... of course, the large discount on MM this month is a great incentive as well. This seems intuitive, but I thought I'd ask anyway- if I end up deciding to use MM as the supplement and not the spine, I assume the light blue series would work just as well as the blue for that purpose? (*end mini-hijack*)

Thank you so much for starting this thread, Snowfall! I could have written your post; I was sold on MM until I started reading all the "other" threads...:tongue_smilie: :bigear:

Oh, awesome! Thank you for sharing! I'm also wondering about compatibility in regards to iPhone/iPad. I did see that there was a choice between the two, which makes me think they may not work interchangeably...

:lurk5: I just ordered BFSU, and greatly appreciate seeing plans, reading thoughts, (hearing reassurance)... :bigear: :)

Thank you for sharing this! I only use Swagbucks instead of Google, and I've accumulated $20 (for Amazon, of course... ;) ) in the last few months. I'll have to look for the codes as well!

I'd love to hear more about this as well, as I'm also consdering for my DD's first grade. It also seems that different people are supplementing with different (types of) materials/methods?

Katrina - thank you so much for raising this question! The terrific replies in your thread have answered so many questions I had as well! :grouphug: P

Thank you so much for sharing - I've been waiting for this! :D

I haven't tried MM, so I can't answer your question, but I wanted to share a very similar recent thread (asking about the cons of MM) in case you'd missed it: http://welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246691 :)

Bumping up; hopefully someone can chime in. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I'm no help - I'm still undecided on LA, and I have been wondering this as well... :)

:lurk5: great question - and I, too, love the smiley guy! :)