I have four boys...8, 5, 3, newborn. Ds1 is half way through SOTW2 as a 2nd grader. Ds2 will be a young first grader this fall and can probably take on history by time we start ds1 up on SOTW3. I know in TWTM it says to just lump your kids together, but I feel it might be confusing for them to start in the middle. Realistically, with my children's spacing, I could group 2 and 2 together and start at the beginning with each. Is that making too much work for myself? Would it be better to keep them all at the same level so projects, etc. can be done collaboratively? What are your thoughts and experiences with this?

Math: Singapore 1a & 1b and Miquon from the beginning Phonics: ETC online and possibly Phonics Pathways LA: FLL1 (probably won't start until January) Writing: possibly WWE1 (or maybe not...ds1 started in second grade with WWE2) Science: starting Earth science with big brother now History: SOTW3 with big brother around the end of 2011 or SOTW1? Handwriting: HWOT Art & Music: how to teach art to children, HFA with big brother Nature Study (fall/winter): Handbook of Nature Study

I'm curious as to what your 3rd grade LA curriculum looks like. My son seems to be enjoying this area, but gets bored easily. I'm trying to work with a core but have other things on hand to keep it interesting. Believe it or not, he loves FLL and WWE...probably the one-on-one attention ;) I feel like it is a lot already, but please tell me if I'm missing anything. FLL3 WWE3 GWG3 (probably could do without, but ds does better with less repitition in FLL and applying it instead) AAS (don't know where we will be and if it will last...we are starting next week at the beginning) And things to weave in on rotation: Writing Strands 3 Music of the Hemispheres Building Language

Very cool!

How about Singapore Earlybird?

Also, how effective do you think Getty-Dubay will be in preparing children to read the fancy old cursive (that I can barely decipher at times)? Or is 'reading cursive' a whole separate subject?

Since you used HWT cursive, maybe you can help me! Ds1 is on the last printing book. He's a lefty through and through. I've considered switching to Getty-Dubay recently because that's what my mishmash of handwriting lessons over the years of switching schools has lead my handwriting to evolve into. And I like my handwriting. :) However I have read that HWT cursive is best for a lefty. Do you think he will benefit from the HWT or should I just go with Getty-Dubay? Sorry to hijack Bill. :bigear:

I am in intrigued by the MCT series, but think it might be overkill to start them while working on WWE and FLL 3&4. Although maybe not...I can be persuaded. :tongue_smilie: Has anyone moved to it after finishing WWE and FLL 4? If so, where did you start? Oh...what about adding just the poetry and vocabulary components? Yes? No? Also, do you need the student and teacher books? I can't get the samples open in my iPad.

Feminine hippie

We used RSO Life for my second grader this year and enjoyed it. This year I will have a young 1st grader and 3rd grader and I plan on starting Earth/space with them this week. I am still undecided on whether I am going to purchase RSO for this. I downloaded the samples from their site and most of the weather experiments are useless here in AZ in the summer. I think they skip over biomes completely. Space and rocks I'm sure my boys will want to study in more depth. I am considering just making a topic list myself combining what the boys want learn based on TOCs from RSO, ES, and BFSU and using library books and VanCleave experiments. I'll make my 3rd grader do little lab reports. I'm starting the RSO samples today...maybe I'll remember how much I love the ease of use and go with it. I think you can definitely teach them both together, and either life or earth/space would be fine.

The notebook pages, worksheets, and teaching information is all in the book. :)

Dogsong by Gary Paulsen

How to maintain/survive homeschooling during major life events...I.e.tough pregnancies, illnesses, moves, newborn stage, etc.

We are only on level 2 and I am fairly mathy. I like having the HIGs though, because the way I think to explain things that I do in my head is much harder for my children to understand than the way they explain it. :001_smile: And we enjoy all of the games that I wouldn't take the time to come up with on my own.

Ask your librarian to get it through inter-library loan. I don't think it's a "must own."

Very interesting. I always wondered why books were priced so outrageously sometimes.

I have been searching for abbreviations and keep coming up with 0 results. I was able to find things like this previously. Is this a glitch? Thanks. :001_smile:

We skipped that activity and read a book instead. :001_smile:

I bought the entire package (history, art, scientists, and more) for $3 here: http://www.historyscribe.com/hs-products.htm

Our personal experience was that ds was not ready for WWE1 when we did FLL1. We ended up skippng it completely We started WWE2 with FLL2 and he was right on track. Go with your gut on this one.

FLL is half of a complete language arts curriculum (with WWE) that includes grammar, copy work, poetry memorization, dictation, etc. It is a scripted book used for one on one work between teacher and student. There is no workbook. GWG is a workbook that reinforces the rules of grammar with 3 activities on each topic. It is ONLY grammar. We use the two together and ds loves both. GWG reinforces on paper what we repeat out loud doing FLL. I think you could just use FLL, but GWG is great reinforcement and fun. Hth!

I think it varies by state. Here in AZ it is considered a "black market" birth if a midwife will attend a HBAC (many still do). I agree to find your local iCAN to check.

I prefer the Rainbow Light vitamins...easy on the belly and you only have to swallow one a day. I'd also suggest Floradix. Have you considered birthing at home with a midwife? Most will work with you and offer payment plans that extend after the baby's birth. Midwifery care is the best healthcare I've ever received. Congratulations!

Very cool! Thank you for sharing! I just noticed that saguaro was spelled wrong on the first page for AZ. Thought you might want to know. :001_smile:

When your child creates an extinct insect called an Excalibur that lived in the times of King Arthur. Lovin' these. :D