You could check out Lifepac Bible Grade 1.

I'm not sure if it's pretty in the same sense that WPD is. But the layout is nice and not cluttered feeling. I like it better than HST+, which I've used for several years. And I LOVE the student login feature. There are a few things I like better in HST+, but what I gain from the online version is worth it to me.

We've enjoyed Teaching the Classics. It's a method rather than a curriculum, to help you teach literary analysis using any book you choose.

I usually start mine around 9. One thought I've had about younger kids is not so much their ability to get around on a keyboard, but the size of their hands. I'm not sure they can stretch their fingers enough to type properly. I will say I haven't tried very hard to get my kids to type earlier than 9ish, so my thoughts are not from experience, just speculation. :)

Thanks for the tips! Several of us (myself and a few of the kids) have eczema, though it's not that severe for any of us. Still, it's not pleasant in any form, so I appreciate the recommendations. I'm glad to hear you've both found relief for your kids.

:banghead: I have had one for YEARS, and I finally decided to get rid of it about a month ago....sorry! Here's one on Amazon that looks pretty good. I ended up using Typing Instructor for our kids, but one thing I liked about learning the book way (I did), is that I learned to type accurately without looking at the screen while I was typing. Hope you find what you're looking for!

Thanks so much for the head's up! Gotta add one more stop to my shopping list today. :)

:iagree:Yes! Yes! Yes! I learned this the hard way. When I was first homeschooling, it was suggested to me that I didn't need to focus much on spelling because they'd learn it while reading. Well, one of my older children has had a particular difficulty with spelling. In 4th grade, she tested at a 9th grade reading comprehension level, with a 1st or 2nd grade spelling level! I think it's great to let kids accelerate at reading, just don't leave spelling behind. :) Now we use All About Spelling as a follow up to 100 EZ Lessons.

Some of my kids have enjoyed The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids. It's a great introduction to a sewing machine.

:party:So glad you found it! I know how stressful/disheartening that can be!

Is it Graded Lessons in English or Higher Lessons in English by Alonzo Reed?

:confused: Just discovered there's no bump emoticon here. Bummer. Anyway, just bumping in hopes that someone can help me out!

:lol: I know the feeling...There are so many awesome resources out there that a girl can get carried away...ya know? My homeschool cabinets are proof...lol.

1 handwriting page, Saxon math lesson, Easy Grammar Daily Grams page, plus whatever cards/coloring they create on their own throughout the day. I will be doing Writing Tales 1 with my 2nd grader this year, but she's more advanced with her writing abilities (I'm talking the physical act, not composition - she's very artistic). I don't usually expect a lot of writing at this age, however, my kids do love to make a lot of cards/letters to give to family and friends in their own time. They do this almost every day.

I've had this same issue. I tried printing the year's schedule hoping it would help, but there were too many changes that it wasn't effective. Now I've switched to HST Online and IMO it's awesome! This way, I can reschedule or make changes if I need to, and everyone still knows what they're supposed to be doing. I don't even print anything anymore. I also like that my kids can check the student box to let me know they're done. Before, they would interrupt me (helping other kids) all the time just to tell me they finished something. Now I can just sort items by what's complete, and I know what I need to correct. Maybe it's because I've got several kids to keep track of, but it really helps me out.

I'm looking for a good Spanish curriculum and I'm curious about Tell Me More. Can anyone tell me what they think of it? What about online vs. the disc? Thanks!

I am currently in the process of entering...drum roll please...4 SL cores into HST! I've already done one (core G) and I'm currently working on Core B. It's actually not as bad as I anticipated. I'm using HST online, so my kids can log in and see all their assignments. I know from experience that I won't be as successful during the year if I'm trying to look in all the books for the assignments each day. Plus I loathe being asked all day by many different voices, "What do I have to do now?" It's like nails scratching on a chalkboard...lol. This way, everyone KNOWS what they have to do and that lends itself to fewer interruptions when I'm in the middle of other things (like explaining a math concept). :) Plus, it allows my kids to take more ownership of their education, which they seem to really enjoy. Here's what's working for me: I enter one book at a time in its entirety. For example, in core G A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver begins on day 121 and goes for 10 days. I would start a new assignment that begins on day 121, and has 10 copies with "pp. " for the PLC. After creating the assignments, I open the first one and add the actual page numbers. By clicking next, it'll take me to the next one. It goes pretty quick. I keep a post-it type note to mark which week I'm on (I add all the books for each week, then move on to the next week). If I have a book that's really spread out, I'll make the number of copies needed and give them large day numbers. Then I just go back and change the day. Giving them bigger numbers initially will keep them in order as you change day numbers. I sort my grid by resource to help me find the book I'm working on. In the custom box, I add "read aloud" or "reader," etc. If you think of something specific you need help with, just post and I'll try to help. Good luck!

I was so excited to try the McGuffey Primer when I first began homeschooling 10 years ago. I ended up not really liking it. I felt it was too vague to give me the confidence I needed to teach reading (maybe it was just me). I ended up using Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons along with LeapFrog's Letter Factory successfully with all 6 of my children. I've also used it to teach two children outside my family (I sometimes volunteer at our local ps) who were struggling to learn how to read, and were in special ed. If you're interested in it, you can PM me and I'll send you a simple sticker chart I made in MS Word to go along with the book. Good luck in whatever you choose! I have found teaching children to read to be one of the most satisfying things I've ever done. I really love it! :D

I couldn't live without my Moby Wrap. Even with back problems, I was able to use this without trouble. It was a lifesaver with my colicky baby.

Here's the link I use to find the current silver price at Kitco.

:iagree:I've used both Saxon Teacher and Dive. IMO, Saxon Teacher is much better.

You could try YWAM publishers, Heroes for Young Readers series. My kids have read the Christian Heroes: Then & Now books, and they are their all time favorite books.

I voted yes. We've used Saxon 1 (4x), Saxon 2 (4x), Saxon 3 (4x), Saxon 54 (3x), Saxon 65 (2x), Saxon 76 (2x) and Saxon 87 (1x). Since beginning Saxon several years ago, my kids have shown an above average working knowledge and mastery of math concepts. In our experience, Saxon delivers. To compare, we've previously used Rod and Staff, BJU, Horizons and Singapore (very briefly).

We actually do the opposite: skip spelling the individual words, but do the dictation. I figure all the spelling words are in the dictation and it gives review on other concepts. It does help speed along our lessons without too much repetitiveness.

I used to be intimidated by grammar and writing, but I've learned enough over the years with my oldest kids that I feel comfortable now. I'm both excited and leery about science this year. We're moving to a more involved curriculum with a lot more experiments (BJU). While I'm looking forward to it, I'm a bit worried about fitting it all in. :)