Me: Complete Works of Shakespeare in Chronological Order (currently reading King John), History of the American People by Paul Johnson DH: The Evolutionary Void by Peter Hamilton (3rd book in sci fi trilogy) DD5: The Trojan Horse, D'Aulaires Greek Myths Read-Aloud: Stuart Little Audio in Car: The Blue Fairy Book

Ah, I loved this book as a child. Yet, I couldn't tell you the story line. I've retained a good impression, and picked up a copy at the library book sale a few years ago for my own kids someday (the oldest is K). I read it around 4th grade, when I was entering a creepy book phase. I'll read it myself for the 50th anniversary, but would wait until my kids are around 9 or 10 to read it.

I am using both FLL1 and WWE1 with my kindergartner. We began in the Fall when she finished OPGTR. There is some overlap in narration, and I try to space that out so we aren't doing it on the same days. I've liked FLL for the poem memory work. There is a lot of review and we have been able to put it down for a week or two (or 3) and then pick up again easily. WWE was good for the copy work (handwriting was her weaker skill) and about 8 weeks/lessons into it there was noticeable improvement in the questions and narration. I like the flexibility of both. We do math & spelling every day but it is easy to fit in FLL and WWE by sometimes doubling up on lessons or letting it sit on the shelf for a few weeks.

Hi, My DD 5.5 used OPGTR last year and we liked it. We followed the lesson structure, but did not do all of the sentence reading until the end, when her stamina increased. I am starting it with my 3.5 YO twins now too. We also used Bob books along the way for more practice. They enjoy the Leap Frog DVD's but for us the most valuable with the first Letter Factory for introducing letter sounds and it looks like you are past that. Jennifer

My husband and I both studied science and engineering in college and would love our kids to do so also. Yet science is at the bottom of our teaching list for elementary. I agree with an earlier post re: the importance of math and getting to algebra. I see elementary math as the formal arm of science in these grades - preparing them for physics, chem & bio in HS and college. But we have been doing a lot informally with 'story of science' introductions to scientists, concepts and phenomena, play-based nature study, and museums. Later on everyone will get a chemistry set, microscope, etc. too. But we focus on math. I saw too many science enthusiasts growing up and in college that hit the math wall and had to drop out.

We are just starting with SOTW 1 with DD5. I plan to also continue what we've done the past year, which is read-alouds and worksheet activities about US History according to the calendar (e.g. Pilgrims & Colonial around Thanksgiving, Presidents in Feb, etc.), then really follow US History chronologically during the Modern.

We use Singapore and supplement with RS games and the abacus, but following the Singapore schedule.

My DD5 started 1/2 day K this fall and I have 3YO twins at home who go to 2 hr preschool twice a week. It is a lot busier for me because of the staggered pick up and drop off, volunteering in the classroom 2-3x/month, and we try to walk to school everyday which adds almost another hour for me (roundtrip). I find it more stressful to have this hard-and-fast time I MUST be at the school twice a day (and 4x on preschool days). It's great to have a little time on my own to run errands but then I am racing around to get back for pickup. However, we are fortunate that the school is reinforcing behaviors we strive for at home, and that makes things smoother. But so far, I haven't yet made it to the Pilates class as planned, or watched a chick flick by myself (tv! in the morning!). It has been good having more time alone with my 3YO's.

Yes, the main skill DD5 has to work on for kindergarten is "point & click". They do a cool computer math program at school twice a week and her mouse skills are slowing her down. Our kids never use the computer at home so this is new. I'd appreciate any reco's for point & click type computer games for a K-1 (free or fee). I'd prefer math or French (we are supplementing at home with Singapore 1a). She is already reading and I'd rather not go with Starfall. Thanks! Jennifer

Ah, I forgot about the tokens. We are now 1/2-way through AAS3. We never did use the tokens, and we used the tiles ~ 25% of the time at most in AAS1 & AAS2. We are using them almost every lesson now with AAS3 and I am glad I didn't sell them earlier. But I don't automatically use them as the book suggests. We use tiles if DD5 is tired of writing but willing to spell, and when it is a section where there are multiple ways to spell long vowel sounds, etc.

We also made it through AAS1 and most of AAS2 without the big board. I wish I had just bought it from the beginning and we definitely need it now for AAS3.

We use RS as a supplement to Singapore 1A (itself a supplement to Envision at school). I prefer the Singapore mastery approach vs. RS which I've seen described as spiral. But DD likes using the abacus and the games have been helpful.

We started AAS around lesson 170 in OPGTR. We don't follow either to the letter, which saves some time but we definitely spend time where needed. After finishing OPGTR, we started AAS3 this Fall, WWE1 and FLL1. If I had to choose, it would be WWE for the narration practice and practice writing and speaking in complete sentences. In 8 weeks it has come a long way. However, FLL1 can go quickly too - there is a lot of repetition. That is good for some memory work and we can cover 90% of it verbally in the car or walking to school. Good luck!

We like Simple Songs that Teach French CDs and Bonjour Les Amis DVDs.

We started AAS1 around OPGTR lesson 180. My DD 4.5 at that time started trying to write on her own, phonetically so we introduced letter formation earlier than planned and started AAS. We were done with AAS 1 at the same time as OPGTR and AAS 2 went fast. AAS3 is going much, much slower now but is reinforcing the reading.

We are using 1A with my DD5, who also did Essentials A&B. Initially I set our own pace but after 4 weeks found it worked better to try to follow the HIG schedule. During Essentials, we had also used Rightstart A and it has been good to continue using the abacus with SP.

Thanks! Parent volunteers will start in January, and so far the teacher seems very good.

Hello, Has anyone had any experience with the Fundations Reading Program (per wikipedia, a 2002 offshoot of Wilson's Reading Program). It is new to my K'er's class. At first I was excited that they would be breaking out into several groups of varying levels and that the program looked clearly phonics based. But then the descriptions of the groups seemed to essentially be Average, Remedial, and Really At Risk. The Wilson's history seems to be intervention for dyslexic adults and other reading challenges. Any perspective is appreciated! Thanks!

It took me awhile to take to RS A for my pre-K now K'er. SP Essentials was our main curriculum and now 1A. But I do love Singapore for the abacus, its games and emphasis on place value. I do not like the spiral approach and we have done nothing with geometry or money (some with clocks since my daughter was interested). I had never used an abacus before and had 2 false starts before it worked for my daughter and I. There may be some value for you if you use it to supplement. Good luck!

When I was in jr. high, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card was a favorite of boys that otherwise didn't really like to read. I finally read it as an adult and loved it too.

Math by far, spelling and writing skills (narration and future essay writing vs. handwriting). Then reading and history. Then foreign language and science.

I am looking for a gift for my 7th grade nephew who has just started studying French. Any recommendations for fun books, music, videos, games for a 13-year old boy? Thank you!

We also like the Famous Children Series.

My twins are now 3YO and I read much less to them the first year than with my older singleton. It was really the 2nd year we started reading books and they developed favorites to look too. However, I would read my own books aloud when the 3 of us had a quiet moment :) . Even though it seems I read to them 1/10th the time of my older daughter, they are now great toddler book lovers and if anything are picking up pre-reading skills faster.

Hi & welcome! My DD5 just started K and we will be after schooling too. We have been the past year while she was in preschool. We took 2 weeks off for the start of public school and having family in town, so tomorrow will be our first official day of after schooling during the PS calendar. Good luck!