I keep lists of our favorites - here's the one for K. (You'll also find lists for all ages from toddlers to 3rd grade in the sidebar). We didn't use anything specific, just lots of good book recommendations from here, The Read-Aloud Handbook, and Honey for a Child's Heart. Some of our favorites picture book authors - Beatrix Potter, Robert McCloskey, Virginia Lee Burton, Ezra Jack Keats, Charlotte Zolotow, Patricia Polacco, William Steig

Thank you for sharing this, Alice. I agree with you - I find this stage so much easier than the messy preschool crafty stage. I like how you divided up the goals for each stage - that's very helpful for me. I'm starting to see a little more independence in my daughter and I think that's what we'll be working on in 5th and 6th. It seems strange to be thinking about how I won't have to sit there for every. single. subject.... :)

5th grader here next year too... preplanning and starting to purchase things - Horizons math 5 Rod & Staff Grammar 5 All About Spelling 7 Writing - methods in IEW and WTM applied to content subjects First Form Latin Science in the Beginning Ancients for history - making our own plans Art - I'm leaning towards the See the Light drawing program Still thinking about things and finalizing my shopping list.

I think that's what we're leaning towards too. I'll have dd keep a list of 'trouble words' to practice occasionally and vocab. will be covered through Latin, Greek, and lit.

Week 16 for us. Thought I'd mention it again - I'm hosting a giveaway for a copy of The Liberal Arts Tradition from Classical Academic Press.

Yes, I think it's overkill. I think you should step back and decide on your goals for language arts instead of trying to cover every possible angle with a bunch of different programs. Vocabulary can wait until you're done with spelling. Reading comprehension can be done simply by asking questions after reading aloud or independent reading. What is it you need/want to cover? A bit of grammar, some spelling practice, have her read aloud a bit every day for phonics/reading practice, some copywork, dictation, and narration for writing, and lots of reading (aloud and silently). That's all you need.

Just wanted to mention that I'm hosting a giveaway for Classical Academic Press - one copy of their newest book - The Liberal Arts Tradition. Come by and enter!

Thanks for the replies. That's cool about the last lesson in AAS 7. We do Latin and will be adding Greek and, as long as they include derivatives I think we'll call it good. I like the idea of just keeping a 'trouble words' list. Think we'll do that. Thanks for the help!

Cross-posting from the Logic board.... Just thinking ahead to next year when we'll do All About Spelling 7. For those who've used the series where did you go after that? I'm thinking it's time to head into vocabulary. My daughter isn't a natural speller but she does fine for her age (I think!). So I don't know if we should do something to reinforce spelling rules (maybe Megawords?) or move on to vocabulary study. I welcome your suggestions!

We're wrapping up for the week. How's everybody doing? 4th grade week #15

Just thinking ahead to next year when we'll do All About Spelling 7. For those who've used the series where did you go after that? I'm thinking it's time to head into vocabulary. My daughter isn't a natural speller but she does fine for her age (I think!). So I don't know if we should do something to reinforce spelling rules (maybe Megawords?) or move on to vocabulary study. I welcome your suggestions!

I think R&S is much more rigorous. Depending on the grade level (I've only seen grade 3) of EIW the topics are basically divided. One half of the year is grammar and the other half is writing.

We're working through RightStart E as well and I'm still trying to decide what we're doing as well. I have used Horizons math as a supplement all along (my daughter needed more review than RightStart provides in their workbooks). So I think we're just going to continue on with Horizons for 5th & 6th before starting prealgebra. We've also used bits of Math Mammoth. I liked the content but found the layout not right for us either.

I believe what Ellie is saying is that she wouldn't have a child sit and do math for 2 hours, even if it takes him that long to do a lesson. It's way to much to expect for a kid that age (even if it's because of his dawdling and time-wasting). For what it's worth, if a math book caused tears in my house I'd toss it and find a new program.

I agree. :) It looks correct to me.

We've really enjoyed it. No issues with video quality here.

Week 14 is finished. I also have an ebook giveaway going on for bloggers - Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home.

We're back at it now that Christmas is over - week #13.

I'm starting to plan for 5th grade now too (hard to believe!). Looks good to me... will you have writing assignments included in science and history or covered separately?

There are tons of awesome prizes - Homeschool Adventure Co., Mystery of History, IEW, etc. Come by and enter!

Mine is linked in my siggy.

We spent the K year doing a geography/culture study before starting history.

Week #11 for us. There's also 3 giveaways going on: Devotions for the Torah - This is a 7 book set (a really nice variety of books for homeschooling) to celebrate the launch of this series. Coming Home for Christmas (DVD) - Very cute Christmas movie. Putting on the Spirit - An "Encouragement for Mom" giveaway that includes 13 books! 3 others will also win a copy of Putting on the Spirit.

Giveaway Number 1 (US only) - "Encouragement for Mom" includes: 1 winner will get all of the things listed below. 3 more winners will receive Katie Hornor's ebook - "Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Mom" Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms eBook by Katie Hornor Loving You Long Distance eBook by Katie Hornor Divine Design eBook by Katie Hornor Purposeful Planning eBook by Phyllis Sather The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance by Heidi St. John Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae Raising Real Men by Hal & Melanie Young My Beloved and My Friend (release date of Feb 2014) by Hal & Melanie Young The Christian Parenting Handbook by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN Philippians in 28 Weeks by Stacy Farrell The Wise Woman Literary Analysis Journal Questions by Stacy Farrell Streams in the Desert eBook by L.B.E. Cowman The Homemaker's Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule eBook by Amy Roberts Giveaway Number 2 (US/CAN) - a Christmas DVD - Coming Home for Christmas Giveaway Number 3 - (US) Devotions from the Torah giveaway includes: Devotions from Genesis by Nicole Halbrooks Vaughn Devotions from Exodus, Part One by Nicole Halbrooks Vaughn Philosophy Adventure: Pre-Socratics by Stacy Farrell Philippians in 28 Weeks by Stacy Farrell A Child's Geography: Explore the Holy Land by Ann Voskamp A Cry from Egypt by Hope Auer Purposeful Planning by Phyllis Sather

Oh, other stuff I forgot to add... As far as cleaning, get some routine things in place. Here's a general idea of what I do (I am a Flylady dropout). Three days a week I give the bathroom a quick swipe right after my morning shower. While I'm in the shower I use a magic erase and quickly wipe down walls and tub. When I get out I grab a paper towel, spray it with cleaner and wipe down the sink, counter, and then the toilet. Last is giving the toilet a quick swish (I keep the toilet brush in a little bucket with water, leftover bits of soap and a splash of vinegar). Bathroom done! On to the kitchen, dishwasher is emptied of clean dishes in the morning (your oldest could do that). During the day all dishes are put right in and kitchen sink and counters are kept clean. At night, after supper, clean up the remaining dishes, swipe counter and sink, and run dishwasher. Every night everyone pitches in and cleans up "hot spots" and general pick up (even the littles can learn to put toys away). This keeps the clutter under control. One day a week we have a 1 hour cleaning time - daughter dusts all the open living spaces, changes her sheets, spends time cleaning her room (your littles can learn to dust - hand everyone a rag and show them how). I dust my bedroom, change sheets, sweep and mop floors. Sure, I'd love to do the floors more often but it just isn't going to happen. Once a week is fine. If there's a mess midweek, get a swiffer and some wet swiffer clothes for quick clean up. Husband takes out recycling, trash, and cleans up dog poo in the yard. All the other things that need to be done get done on our week off. Sure I'd like things "cleaner" but it's a trade off. I have other things on my plate so for now we have to settle for good enough. On our weeks off I focus on 1 area a day and spend 1 hour doing deep cleaning, clearing out clutter, etc. For meal planning, (this is a work in progress) I've made seasonal two-week meal plans. So right now, I have 12 days (I leave 2 for leftovers) that have a basic guideline of meals. I don't get super specific. Like one of the options is tacos or fajitas - this could be chicken or beef fajitas, ground beef or fish tacos, etc. Then on one side of this meal plan I have a grocery list by meal. So I have a list for breakfast, a list for lunch, etc. So even if I don't get specific I still have food in the house. Breakfasts and lunches are always the same basic things so keeping a general list for those is very easy. I hope this helps!