I would love to hear what is on your audiobook list. We are always looking for more audiobooks.

I am thinking a lot more about ELF Arithmetic. We have used a plethora of resources and I think our next math session I might try this: http://barefootvoyage.blogspot.com/2013/06/math-and-write-stuff-charlotte-mason.html

This is the first thread where I've read about people using AAS with just the teacher's manual. That seems so much more doable to me than breaking out all the manipulatives, etc.

Do you live anywhere near a zoo? We live near a zoo. If my dd or ds asked to study big cats, I'd call the zoo and ask to meet the zoo keeper for the cats. Even if you don't live quite close to a zoo, maybe it could be an upcoming trip.

https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/boy-of-the-pyramids/ Boy of the Pyramids https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/ancient-egypt-and-her-neighbors/ Ancient Egypt and Her Neighbors

Activities for the AL Abacus. Want to use it, just have not.

I think cursive would be easy to "out of the box.' Just off the top of my head: 1) maps with compass 2) scrolls with an invitation to a party (birthday, open house, play date) (My homeschool neighbor kids used to bring a scroll over with fancy calligraphy and leave them on our doorstep inviting us to join them for a royal picnic, etc.) 3) Thank You cards 4) Christmas/Other holiday cards 5) Journal (My six year old is currently doing a 100 Things That Make Me Happy list in his journal with an illustration for each item. Gratitude lists are great also.) 6) Penpal (I require one item of correspondence due each Wednesday. This could be a picture or anything he'd like to mail. If he doesn't write on the item/letter he must work on addressing the envelope.)

Check out the inexpensive, but very impressive lego compatible robot www.meetedison.com The website has a free 10 unit lesson plan. Edison also has free drag/drop interface program software, activity mat, bar codes and more.

I would LOVE to do this. We are looking at buying a house this year. Even if we don't have room in the house... perhaps this could be in a small workshed.

I do some stuff during the day, but a lot of school happens in the afternoon/evening and then even more on nights that dad is home. I too have a little tornado and a baby and things that need my complete assistance cannot get done during the day. School doesn't take all day and a third of education (according to Charlotte Mason) is an atmosphere. I guess you could say a lot of our daytime is unschool-y or child-led. Then we have our classical/CM school time. That probably makes absolutely no sense, but I am not willing to stick my 3 year old in front of a screen for the entire day so that I can school her big brother. She does not nap, but we have a lot of routines like morning prayer and read alouds and quiet time with Librivox and audio books. That isn't really school time, but just our normal life. Also, in college, I prefered evening classes. I always felt like my mind was more awake than 8 am lectures. Some people prefer learning in the evenings. We all know learning doesn't only take place during the hours of 8 and 3.

Pencils are a bit more difficult than ink or chalk. I think chalk is a great tool for learning because you can erase a lot. I bought some fountain pens to test out for Christmas, but think I will soon buy a lamby abc pen: http://www.lamy.com/eng/b2c/abc/009for Robby to use during copywork. We do use only pencils for math for instance. If a colored pencil like the Ferby's write smoother you can certainly use those while they are gaining strength to use a pencil. Also, this may be stupid to mention, but I have found that children really do have better beginnings using the thicker pencils. Their grip doesn't have to be as tight as a normal skinny pencil and they don't fatigue as quickly. Also just drawing with pencils can help. Perhaps only do copywork writing words/letters MWF and TT do drawing practice or zentangles, etc.

I wanted to also mention that Pam Barnhill's podcast Your Morning Basket recently had an episode all about nature study. There were some neat ideas that I'd never considered in that show.

For actual writing I like Peterson Directed Handwriting, but for composition look at Julie's BW Jot it Down.

I've looked into it, as I follow them on IG. I have been put off on the long term cost/value ratio. Some of the early badges assignments include packing your explorer pack and choosing a walking stick. The white shirt with the logo is a extra expense that is not required ($25). Same with the badges for each level or the general WEC logo patch. If you complete a badge each month you'd need to tack that expense ($10) onto the $12/month. I'd rather have that ~$25/month to do something else--even if it was just buying a used nature field guide off amazon each month and gas to go to a new place to explore. Perhaps renewing my membership to the local botanical garden (~$50 or just two months expense). I'd encourage you to look to see if there is a Wild and Free group near you. I signed up on the site to organize a group just to connect with other like-minded families. Those groups do not require a fee to join.

I would love to hear more about this. That sounds like an amazing project for a young child.

If we can get 30 books per card and we all have cards, except baby, I don't find it a problem to select a few science/history/fairy tale books or a poetry book while Robby is talking to the librarian about robot books, yet again. Robby usually does not pick out close to 30 on his own. If he would, I would simply add some to my card or his dad's. I can and do veto some books. I don't find all books equal, but he is welcome to look at them while we are at the library.

I am using so many many different resources for nature study, but most of it is just being outside. Missouri has a nice resource called Discover Nature School http://mdc.mo.gov/education/discover-nature-schoolsThere is a student and teacher book for many different grade levels. Those are nice. http://handbookofnaturestudy.com/and http://www.mudpuddlestometeors.com/ are awesome blogs with different downloads Wild and Free has a new program they started this fall called Wild Explorers. I believe it is $12/month. It is packed with activities to do each month both online videos and a print magazine in the mail. We got a magiscope for Christmas and have had fun using that just to look at stuff like a snake skin, Himalayan pink sea salt, and ladybugs. There is a curriculum called Private Eye, I think that uses jewelers loupes.

I bought LLBean Boat and Tote bags for my 6 and 3 year old. I got these in their colors: red and pink and monogrammed. I have their library cards hole punched and on a key ring attached to the strap with a hair band. I have planned on making a laminated list like Rach with TWTM suggestions. I have become more passionate about this since listening to Carole Joy Seid on Children and Reading. We were always a one car family until recently when I finally got my "mom van." Now I plan on going to the library a lot more frequently, especially since it is only about 1 mile away. :)

We initially planned on using this and skipped the initial pages. My ds has known the basic sounds for ages. We waited a few months and tried again and again. It just hasn't worked. I still would like to use OPGTR after we finish 100EZ lessons. Anyone have a recommendation for where to begin in OPGTR after 100EZ?

I got our Bob Books at Costco. I also got this Maps book: http://www.amazon.com/Maps-Aleksandra-Mizielinska/dp/0763668966/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454442925&sr=8-1&keywords=Maps

Peterson Directed. The first "workbook" isn't even something you write in.

Congratulations Kate! and Peace Hill Press!

What a great topic! I know I want to find DS6 a penpal. I want to keep following all of your amazing ideas. I would love for Robby to get a chance to work on a long term project with a mentor. He was working on his business plan to sell t-shirts, but my husband had another idea that Robby was very excited about. Both might get accomplished, but they will definitely take time.

I love Daddy School! My husband is currently doing the phonics lessons and some of our AO readings along with his own read alouds and catechism. He did take our son fishing with the parks and rec last year right after our new baby was born. Williams and Sonoma offers a free Little Chefs class on Saturdays. They are neat classes. Recent ones at our stores included waffle making, apple snacks, crepes, cooking using the Vitamix. We also do the National Parks Junior Ranger programs. Some of those can be completed without going to a park. Junior Paleontologist, Junior Cave Scientist, etc. Wild and Free has a Wild Explorers program, but I've been reluctant to join because it is $12 a month or so plus badges. DIY.com has LOTS of neat project ideas. Good luck!

I am using FLL for first grade (currently) with Ruth Heller's noun books thrown in (Merry-Go-Round and A Cache of Jewels), but plan on using Serl's Primary Language Lessons for second grade. I own Serl's. I am also very tempted to buy ELTL. I had not seen LLFT.