well, I don't know if this will help you in any way... but, I just printed out a bunch of file folder games for my kinder and 2nd grader to use next year. I got them free from filefolderfun.com. I can spend up to 2 hours assembling just one. Some of them are much simpler, but many of them have so many little pieces to cut out, laminate, cut out again, etc. It's rather tedious, honestly. But it does save money and I can make it exactly how I want.

we do the whole list each day, but sometimes if he gets all of them right in a pattern, we don't do each list, so we skip a few. But my son is in 2nd but we wanted to start with the first book. it does seem like alot at first, but it goes quickly. If your child is hampered by the writing, do it on a white board or have him spell it out loud while you write it then correct it immediately if needed. We love sequential spelling. My only complaint is that my son can't do it on his own and there are days with a toddler that it's hard to get through...

In addition to homeschool share, I get a lot of free file folder games from this site: http://www.filefolderfun.com/ However, I find it tedious to use as it's often hard to figure out which links are for their games and which are advertisements, I just find the whole site tiring! But there are great file folder games on there for free.

we have a hanging pocket calendar from lakeshore. I love it. We have it hanging on the side of the fridge, with the 3M removable hooks. It's easy to make your own cards to put in special days for your family. I make cards for saints feast days or play dates. Here's a link.... http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca|productSubCat~~p|LC1198~~f|/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/pocketchartsactivitywalls/viewall.jsp Also you can sign up for their "teacher" card and you'll probably get a coupon or sale notice to get it cheaper.

yes, our homeschool group does it each year and kids always have fun... but if you don't mind can I give you one organizational pointer? And maybe this is a no-brainer but it wasn't the way our group did it and it made for a frustrating time for some of the kids I think. If your group is large enough, try to break the kids up by age group. It's nice to get the little ones involved, and obviously there will be whole families with many ages. But it's rather silly to allow the 4 yo's to do relay races with 10 and 11 yr olds. I'd say divide by age groups...each parent be responsible for 2-3 games for each group and call it a day! We had ours at a local park. We reserved the pavilion and open field space. Have fun!

if you get Levine's "Story of the Orchestra" (you could probably get it from the library), the composers are listed chronologically. Not everyone is in there, but a good sampling.

The thing is that men don't just wake up one day, enter the seminary and get ordained. It simply doesn't work that way. Our close friend is in the seminary. The hoops he has had to jump through is incredible. Numerous psychological tests, many visits to psychologists to make sure he's fit for the job/life, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. These guys are poked, prodded, and every aspect of their life is picked over with a fine tooth comb...not just by the church, but by outside professionals. A pedophile would simply not stand up to the rigors of the application process now. True, in the past when the single life was not given proper respect as a viable long term vocation, many men thought that priesthood was their only option instead of marriage, and we didn't have the psychological knowledge to find out properly if a man was suited to the vocation or not. When we know better, we do better.

Guess it was a slow news day, what with wars, famine, government take over of healthcare, earthquake victims and all that, there's nothing like a good anti-Catholic story just before Easter to get everyone riled up. :tongue_smilie:

This is what I am hoping...we are going to start the k-2 book now, go all the way through the summer and finish May 2011, hopefully. Then I was hoping we could get the next book and that the threads would be similar so I can keep my then 1st grader in the first book, then 3rd grader in the 2nd book and be doing roughly the same topic????

So we are about to take the BFSU plunge. I love the theory of the book and think that it's a great way to teach science. But, on the other hand, I'm wondering how this works with more than one child? I wasn't completely sold on the pure WTM way of doing one subject in Science per year and doing the cycle 3 times. But I loved that long term, I won't have to be doing 3 different curricula for science and history, we can all do the same thing at our own level. Can I keep 2 or 3 kids doing the same thing with BFSU if they are 2 yrs apart?

not to muddy the waters, but my son is really loving Sequential Spelling here, and got a book used on Amazon for just $5. And you can re-use it with more than one children...

I used a combination of Seton Math 1 and and MCP A for my son this year. We finished the Seton and are using MCP to just keep plugging through with more review. There isn't much review of previous skills, although with level A, the skills are building on themselves so much, since it's mostly addition and subtraction skills. In other words, even though one entire chapter is about adding 2 two digit numbers, like 35+42, in itself you're reviewing adding single digit and place value. I liked the book, although I do not have the TM. I also have the older version, 1994, so I cannot speak to the newer editions. You can buy the older edition from Seton Home study, and they sell an answer guide for $3 if you want that. If you have specific questions about something, I have level A and B if that helps.

Hope I'm not hijacking a thread, but how would you categorize a child as a 'natural speller'? My son is reading at maybe 3-4th grade level, he's 1st grade age. We usually breeze through Seton's spelling lists and when he does his own fun writing (he enjoys making up his own stories) he spells a lot of words wrong, but if I ask him if he knows the right way he usually does. He basically taught himself to read, and we're going back to do a lot of phonics to make sure there are no gaps. Anyway, I'm wondering what spelling program would be best. How would you define a "natural speller?"

Interesting recipe...but it looks way more complicated than what I make. I'm not sure if I can find one online like mine, as it's a family one, but it's quite simple in comparison. Basically a white cake top with chocolate bottom, that swirls around a little bit when it's baked so it's kind of marbled. And yes, it's also a breakfast cake. we PA dutchies are all about getting a healthy start to our days. :tongue_smilie:

We enjoy them here, although only have the 3rd grade ones, so I don't know about the earlier grades. If you don't mind the dick and jane style pics and old fashioned stuff, it's fun. My son enjoys reading the stories out loud to me while I'm making dinner and we have some good conversations about them. Sometimes Seton sells them cheaper at conferences, and also bundled together.

I make it every once in a while, grew up on it as well. It does have a unique flavor that some may not like. The store bought kind is just nasty, they rarely use real molasses for it. Have to use "Grandma's Molasses" that's the brand, for it to taste right. I wouldn't call it super sweet. Not at all like pecan pie. It is rich in a way, or strong, but not super sweet. It's a pie crust with a gooey molasses filling on the bottom and a simple crumb-y cake on the top. It is super easy to make though! It's a breakfast cake. I make it when we do fancy brunches after church or something. Think of it more like a coffee cake. Now...do you know what funny cake is?

Well, I had this issue while doing OPGTR with my son. I think there are many regional differences that come into play. Technically, wh is supposed to be more whispery...not the same as a w sound. Almost like /hw/. I'm guessing that's what you're referring too here. We're in SE PA and I can't think of anyone who pronounces wh like /hw/. But my SIL in Nebraska does.

He's 6.5. Reading at a higher level. He has devoured all the Magic Tree house books and Merlin mysteries. We have plenty of read-alouds. I'm just having a hard time finding chapter books that he is really into. Just got one about Balto that he loves. He really enjoys history, historical fiction. Tried the Boxcar children and wasn't into them. Tried E.B. White, not a fan either. Although enjoyed the books in read-aloud. Already did My Father's Dragon Series. Also finished the Narnia series too. I wasn't keen on the kitchen table knights series, seemed like a lot of bad attitude and sibling stuff with the main characters. We're having some issues with acting out aggressive scenes and stories on his younger brother, so wanting to take a step back from things like that. He does like knights and adventure. I would just like to find more things for him to read in his free time. He can devour a MTH book in one afternoon sitting, to get an idea of his level. Any ideas? I find it so difficult to find things that are at his reading level but also appropriate for his maturity.

oh and I forgot to write about Rattlesnake. Another for different ages, the play pieces are very strong magnets. You have to get rid of your magnets on the board without them attracting others. http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/27940/rattlesnake

We love the game "hey that's my fish" very easy to play, as far as rules, etc. so littles can easily play and not frustrate the others. But it the strategy can be very challenging for olders and adults as well so it's great for varied ages. it's also inexpensive so you could buy more than one game! here's a link to more info: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/8203/hey-thats-my-fish

With a lot of stress with Dh's overtime and other outside influences, this year I caved and bought the kit. They were 70% off at Joanne Fabrics already! It came out to about $5. I figured with all the ingredients and candy I'd have to buy to make one from scratch it was a whole lot cheaper and easier...and it's no fail for my young ones! Just a thought! :) But if you're looking to do the whole thing from scratch, your best bet is probably finding step by step directions online. I've also seen people doing it with graham crackers if you want miniature versions.

Yikes! I saw it in college and couldn't watch much of the graphic scenes. I remember very gory scenes from that movie. I think I'd take issue if that was shown without parent's permission. I think you have a good point about not being able to go in the theater to see it but shown in class...:confused:

Now the most important question is how can I implement something like this with a toddler running amuk? I really need to do something different for sciency stuff starting in January and this sounds like a great idea...

agreed with OP. I also don't like the whole boycott thing for stores that say "happy holidays" because it just solidifies that Christmas is all about consumerism.... :glare: But I do not shy away from saying Merry Christmas to people at all. It's a federal holiday, last I checked! Same as saying "Happy Thanksgiving" or "Happy 4th of July!" I think some people just need something to be offended by at all times and all places. :chillpill:

The suggested map work in the AG is quite simple, but I would think it would be easy to make it more challenging for an older child. The map given is just blank with a few things labeled. You could just have them label more places, or draw lines to show movement of peoples, etc.