I am planning on doing REAL Science Earth/Space with my first grader and K'er. Can anyone with experience with this curric tell me what supplements I need? One of the Usborne encyclopedias? I know there's a book list in the text, but I don't want to wait to order until I have the text. Thanks

We reread here too. Last year, with Abeka, I noticed that there wasn't reading every single day and I thought there should be. So she would reread. If I thought she had something memorized, it got shelved. Not only is she learning to read words, but when she rereads, we can work on tone of voice and developing a good reading voice.

It really depends on your style and your daughter's style. We loved Abeka K because it gives a really solid foundation in math and phonics. We're continuing with Abeka in those subjects this year, but branching out in others. Abeka is practically "school at home" though. Everything is planned out for the teacher. Some people prefer unit studies. So first you need to decide HOW you want to school. I just reread this and I don't like the way it sounds, but I can't think of how else to write it. So let me say that I'm not disparaging unit studies. I think they can be effective too!

Jumping in...it also seems that there was a rotation. So everyone would be given an assignment. The teacher would call classes forward (by books as pp suggested) for recitation/testing. I imagine, at some point in a day, she would speak one on one with those needing the extra help. An important note though, is that there were no small children. Every child in the building knew how to sit and be still/quiet. There was no pausing to pull the one year old off the couch before he fell. There was also no rebooting the laundry, starting dinner etc. It was pure school.

Another NY'er. I am getting a US Atlas that has a couple pages for each state, a few simple facts etc. We'll read a state a week. More than covers it.

I will plan for a full day's work, but if it doesn't happen, I won't be terribly disappointed.

Absolutely know what you mean! I'm that way with Bible curric. I could do it myself, but the time...

We just finished K. I did it without the teacher's version, but had the curric. planner. And it was highly successful here with both my K daughter and preK son. We will be using 1st grade this year.

My kids are all really young, but I went to CC for 2 years and got my AA before transferring to a larger college. I admit, I was sad when all my friends went off to school and I didn't. My friends got to buy new stuff for their dorms and I felt left out. When school actually started, things got better though. I made friends quickly. I also realized that I was getting a pretty good education because the teachers were more concerned about their students than getting published. They seemed down to earth. When my friends did get a chance to come home, we did get together and have fun, but I no longer felt "left behind." I think it's a great move to make.

Do you really think you need a formal curric? That is a question I keep asking myself. I've been thinking about reviewing the table of contents of several books to complete a list of topics, then go about teaching them myself. But I also know the relief that can come with a preplanned curric.

I've been spending part of the summer online looking up things like "activity bags" and "file folder games" and "preschool packs." I have found many good ideas. Soon I am going to hit wal mart and the dollar store and build some of them. This will helpfully supplement worksheets, coloring pages, and dry erase markers. Duct tape...JUST KIDDING...had to throw that in though. Although, I've heard people say that kids can be amused with a ball of masking tape, sticky side out. I might have to give that a try.

* Season both sides of a roast (beef or pork) cook on high for the day. Many times I will chunk some carrots and onions in there too. There's plenty of juice if you want to make gravy too. I cook my potatoes on the side b/c there's not room to make enough in the CP * I just made meatloaf in there and it came out good. I used my usual recipe and cooked it on low all day. * Cook a roast and shred it. Not just for BBQ, but add sloppy joe mix or gravy or spaghetti sauce or salsa...can be eaten on tortillas, tacos, over rice or pasta. Just think of it as a build your own...you need meat+sauce+starch One thing I do a lot for veggies is slice up something raw, like peppers and cukes. Or fresh fruit. Easy!

I think I'm a lot like the pp. My kids are too young for a lot of independent work. The thing that concerns me the most is getting books in time. I know most of what we need will have to come from inter-library loan. I do not want to have to rearrange lessons b/c the books aren't in yet. Nor do I want them to just sit on the shelf here unused with the clock on them ticking b/c we aren't there yet.

oh huh really? sigh That was my response to this thread. See...I'm still a newbie I guess. We just wrapped up our first year. We haven't started our second year yet. Is this what I have to look forward to? I better start a list of these great responses.

I have four children and honestly, I try to schedule all my errands for one or two days per month. No school is done those days. We either double up another day or just go one where we left off. Trying to fit it all in leads to stress for everyone.

I haven't quite decided on major subject binders yet, but I have decided that each child will have a binder for their calendar activities and general information; like a personal encyclopedia. For my K, a list of the days of the week and months. For my 1st, a note on telling b and d apart. Those are just a few examples. I want to defend against having a zillion pieces of paper around, thinking spiral notebooks might be best, but what about the loose stuff...will watch this thread for more ideas.

My 6 year old tends toward the same thing. I've noticed an improvement by doing the following: -eliminate as many distractions as possible -let her read the page (or half a page if it's long) -ask her a few questions to see if she's understanding it -have her reread the same section -ask her more questions or repeat if she didn't know earlier -then I read it. If she is really getting frustrated, I would step back and look for some easy readers. We have the Abeka K readers (just the basic required set) and I find they have been excellent. Let her build up some confidence. All this is of course, in addition to addressing her vision issues. Good luck!

We went through this for a year. We ended up withholding rent (setting it its own bank account to collect interest) until they sent an inspector and resolved the issue. The landlord came out, cleaned it. Inspector came and made a report. There needed to be more ventilation in the attic and more insulation. It was not repaired before we moved out. They informed us that they would not renew our lease, they wanted to sell the house. So we found a place and moved on. I doubt they made the recommended repairs before they sold the place. In addition to the health dept, call the building inspector. While the mold might not be an offense, there is something structurally wrong with the place that it keeps occurring and for that, your landlord should be "called on." If you have other questions, feel free to msg me. Good luck.

An excellent thread. This year was our first year. I ran my two oldest through Abeka K. The 2 year old tagged along with blank notebooks and a dry erase set up. The baby hung out in the backpack. Mid-way through the year, it became too much for my 4year old. So I would start my older with her work, teach my 4yr old, then switch. If they finished, they were free to play until I was ready again. I don't think it will be as simple next year. Lots of good ideas here though, thanks.

Licking Oswego might cause your tongue to glow green...lol. (nuke plants)

I'm in CNY and while it can be absolutely beautiful here, the economy is so poor. Jobs are hard to find and 6 months to find one is quite optimistic. The taxes can be high and gas too. There are nice places to go for nature, but the gas to get there can kill you. Do not let the school laws worry you. They sound worse than they are. Sure, it's one of the strictest states, but so far, I haven't found it to be horrible. Does he know anyone? Could he take a scouting trip for a week or two? Look around, network, see how things are? Or could you (since you seem to be more realistic). Start reading the papers, look at the employment ads. Monitor politics to see if you can live with them here etc.

Just...thank you. Thank you for your children and husbands who are far away and leaving you to ask such questions.

Don't forget to include the terminology of "including but not limited to" which will give you lots of leeway. For those subjects, I basically list them on the IHIP and use "library resources and practical application." In other words, we'll use books, but most of those lessons are taught in life.

I'm clicking on this...against my better judgement. I hope I still get to bed on time...

The best!