A would be where I would start, but I would want to stick with it, and I have a strong math and science girl, so I want to make sure it's solid and can lead to strong high school sciences...

Is it solid? Why do you like it? Why don't you like it? Is it good prep for higher level science?

What reading programs teach using phonics with starting blends (like Sa - Sam) instead of ending blends (like am - Sam)?

OP - I hope you don't mind if I jump in. cmarango - Did your DD also use the phonics program in K, or did you switch from something else? Did you supplement at all? What did you use for hand writing?

Another vote for your reaction is perfectly normal. One thought (and I ask this based on my own experiences) - are you sure it's that you have little feelings about the matter, or are you repressing them because they're so difficult to deal with? I know for me it was the latter, and I had to eventually deal with it. I hope for you it is the former, because that is a much better lace to be.

I was looking at a sample, and I noticed that on the lesson plans it said book basket. Do they provide reading suggestions for the book basket? Is there a list someplace that goes along with the package (in this case Adventure in US)? Thank you.

We are using Memoria Press K - RightStart Phonics and loving it. I am not sure we're going to use MP 1st though. So if not, then what should I use for phonics instruction?

You might want to look at this thread: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/452865-science-people-lewelma-help-me-design-preatty-please/

I will be using TOG for my youngest. We will be starting in 3rd grade, but due to age will mostly use LG books at that point. I will also be starting with Year 2. I'm going to use SotW for Ancients in second grade. I can't really compare it to Sonlight, as I don't really like Sonlight. It's too disjointed for me. Also, I don't mind the money for ToG because I used it with my oldest as well, so I already know I will use it for two cycles with my youngest. If I were only using it once I might feel differently. It does have projects, I love the book lists and I also love that I can pick and choose what I want to do. Some people become overwhelmed with all the choices, but that's what works best in our house

I love it I used it for my oldest, and will use it for my youngest. I love to play around and have choices in curriculum, so the choices were a good thing for me. I also love that I bought it once and can use it over and over. I will be starting my youngest in it during second grade and will use it for two cycles. When I consider that, plus what I already used it for with my oldest, I felt it was / is a good investment. I didn't agree with all the commentary either, but that was easy enough to alter. If you want someone to sell you on it, I can keep typing.

I'm a big fan of Tapestry of Grace. History, Literature and Writing, able to work on the same topic with all grade levels, etc...

Thank you for your help, again! It has been invaluable. I will be printing this out and spend some time working on it. Once I have the most recent questions figured out I will be back.

We will be doing a lot with botany this summer - she will have her own garden - so my initial schedule would look like this. First Grade: Sept - Nov Human Body Jan - May Zoology (I'm thinking birds in Jan, reptiles, amphibians and fish in Feb, then March thru May look at some of our habitats - Prairie grass, pond, deciduous forest and include some botany as well as zoology). June - Aug Geology Second Grade: Sept - Nov Oceanography Jan - Mar Light & Sound Apr - June Meteorology July - Sept Geology Third Grade: Oct - Nov Astronomy (we are covering some of this now) Jan - Mar Chemistry Apr - June Ecology July - Sept Physics Fourth Grade: Split between chemistry and physics

Yes, your first observations are correct. I think choice three would work best for us, as it gives both of us some control over the subjects we are covering. As for how long each unit lasts - we have a flexible school schedule. We school year round, with time taken off for vacations, which fall at different times each year. January tends to be very cold, and August tends to be very hot and humid so those months need to be indoor type stuff. I also like to plan for our vacations. For example, in the fall we are going to South Dakota - the badlands and black hills so some geology would be appropriate to study before that. For planning, let's say monthly. I go over the plan weekly to revise if necessary, but do a big planning day once a month.

Again, thank you Ruth. The list you provided is a great jumping off point. Also, it sounds like we use the library similarly. Every few months I go to the library alone and spend hours perusing the book shelves choosing resources. As for the questions: 1) What we are doing currently seems to be working. For example right now she is very into space, so we are learning about the solar system. I spent some time at the library and chose appropriate books. Now we spend time every week reading books, looking at pictures and creating a model solar system. This weekend we will be going to a planetarium for a show about the solar system. She really retains a lot doing it this way, and I am comfortable doing it this way as long as I can be confident in choosing topics. 2) I would prefer to make an annual plan myself, as long as I can feel confident that we are headed in the right direction. Right now I lack that confidence, as I just feel overwhelmed by the choices. 3) Materials - we use a mix of whatever we find. I do not like demonstrations that require a lot of materials. I don't mind the occasional demonstration, but would rather spend that time on real experiments. That said, I do not feel confident enough to work on a science fair project in the way that you do (I dream of one day doing that). Any encyclopedias are reference and not really read right now. Lets-read-and-find-out books are great. I use a broad range of books from the library, if the text is over her head I just paraphrase while she looks at the neat pictures. 4) Hm, that's a difficult question to answer. For first grade, I think a year of Biology, simply because of the resources we currently have available. After that, possibly a mix. I could easily see doing physics earlier, as I think she would have fun with that. Weather is also an interest of hers, so very possibly mixing it up after first grade. 5) Right now I would rather keep science more fun with fewer set requirements. As she gets older, that will change. As far as breadth vs. depth I feel that the grammar years are a time for breadth. Exposure to many ideas and topics. Then, as she gets older and aptitudes and interests become more obvious and set, we can go for more depth in specific topics. Your input has already helped so much, so again, I say thank you.

This is a deal breaker for me. If he doesn't respect my time enough to call and reschedule then he doesn't need my business.

I read the science section of WTM again last night. I feel comfortable with Biology and first grade. It's after that when I get lost. Say year two - Earth and space science. What are the main topics? 13 weeks on Earth science and 13 weeks on Astronomy - ok, but what to cover during those 13 weeks? There is SO MUCH. I guess I'm afraid of gaps. I'm kind of a big picture planning person - I like to know that x topics will be covered at x time so that there are no major gaps, then I can drill down from that. I have BFSU. I love the theory. I can't for the life of me seem to pull it together.

I need some help designing science for my daughter. She is 5, and I am looking at a plan to start in 1st grade. I would like all possibilities open to her - from doctor to research scientist to particle physicist. She currently enjoys any science type things that we do - reading books, simple demonstrations and experiments, etc. She also loves watching documentaries (Planet Earth, Nat Geo). We get outside almost everyday (weather permitting). I need some sort of schedule to follow. I would love to say that I can just check books out from the library and do it that way, but I need some sort of schedule. I am also a curriculum changer, so no problems tweaking something. I would like to stick to a topic for a decent length of time, I cannot cope with texts or curricula that have a few weeks of Biology, then a few weeks of Geology, etc. I want enough time that we can really get into a topic and explore. I do have an awesome library system available to me, as well as some funding (although not unlimited). We live on five acres with woods and gardens, we also have an observatory. We have close access to ponds, a lake, marsh and prairie lands as well. It seems to me that I'm leaning towards something like an encyclopedia as a core with lit selections, narrations, etc to support that; but that doesn't really give me a schedule - which is something I really need. Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Thank you for any help!

sorry

The most important word - why. Follow up with why questions. Why do you think that? Why is that important? Why did the author say that? Why did people believe that? That keeps them from having memorized answers. If they can explain the why behind it they can think, reason and understand.

I have two onlies - one graduating an one starting K. So finishing one and starting the other. I think that counts? My oldest was commenting this afternoon that the youngest has a different mom, and she kind-of does...

Sorry, multiple post

I wish this book was available in my library system. Can you give me a general idea of what might cause type 2? 2. Ambivalently attached- the anxious, fearful, clingy kid who tends to have rage issues towards its parents while also being very needy with them Thanks!

What do you recommend as the best versions of the following books for young listeners / readers (say 5 to 7)? Illiad Odyssey Beowulf Gilgamesh Song of Roland Also, what other readings do you recommend (beyond Greek Myths by D'Aulaire and Romans Gods by Aliki)? Thank you!

I'm going and would love to meet. I'm not friends with anyone on facebook, so I will need some help to get on the group, please.