Can anyone recommend educational CDs or DVDs that use catchy tunes to help kids memorize math facts? Or maybe a website or iTunes? Thanks!

I agree with Paradox5 and her comments fort GWG. My 4th grade DS Hated FLL. Too much repetition and structure. We love GWG - you're in; you're out. Short lessons that can be done independently. Throw in a few chants for linking verbs, etc. then a viewing of schoolhouse Rick parts of speech, and you're good to go!

I'm trying to get ideas for intro French for my 3rd grade DD. I just heard of Learnables. In all my research, I've never come across this curric. Have you used it? Love it? Hate it? Recommendations?

Getting parts of speech is a concept that takes a little time for young concrete learners. Try playing games about parts of speech. Simple (very simple) diagramming might help a visual learner. Also, a HUGE hit for my kids was School House Rock and the catching jingles about parts of speech.

We tried FLL and my kids revolted. Too much memorization in long lessons. We use Growing with Grammar. Love it. Simple explanations of nuts and bolts grammar that is perfect for third grade. We use the spiral text book, consumable worksheets, and test worksheets. I pick and choose or do evens/odds on the worksheets since my 4th grade DS has a good grip on grammar. That way my daughter can use same worksheets and still have plenty to practice on. GWG has nice diagramming, too. Another perk: a nice price for the curric.

Tres bien! Merci beaucoup, Madame Deanna1949!

Bonjour! My daughter is turning into a Francophile, and asked to learn the language. Suggestions please for intro French curric. Merci! PS - I don't speak French.

Looking for a lapbook for France and all the traditional things to study about a country. But I also want to include fun mini books on the French culture...cooking, fashion/design, ballet, music, conversational language and common French expressions, vocabulary, etc. Does such a thing exist? Or am I on my own to come up with a mini book for French pastries? :-)

Forgot to mention it's 100% independent. And about your concern if vocab is important....yes, I think it is. My kids are waaaaay verbal. And I credit that to all our reading and vocab study. They have a mighty word bank to draw from when they write and speak. Vocab provides for specific word choice and rich diction in a child's writing. Good luck!

We've used Evan-Moor Word-A-Day which does what the title says plus a very brief, interesting application exercise to do with the day's word. There's also a multi-choice "review quiz" each week. The kids had no complaints about it. I bumped up a grade or two for a more difficult level.

I just got the results for my ds 4th grader (we took the test in May). It says my son scored a grade equivalent of a 10th grader finishing the 4th month of school. Really? I knew my son was a bright kid, but 10th grade? Really? It seriously makes me wonder the expectations of basic skills and knowledge of 10th graders in our schools? And if the Iowa tests are "easy." Or, mercy me, is my kid just that high-achieving ;-) Maybe I should use the ITBS for 10th grade and see how'd he score. Anyone have insights or personal experience to share about results?

We've used SWO 2-3 days a week. My kids are readers so I think that makes them decent spellers. Rather than buy the next SWO books, I'm wondering if I can go on the cheap. Any suggestions for free/cheap spelling curric? Thanks!

Suggestions please for summer reading lists: DS10 going into 5th grade but 8thgrade+ reading level DD8 going into 3rd but advanced reader Thanks for suggestions!

...how do you set up our school time? We had a "regular" school year. But I'd like to continue this summer because some upcoming family plans will interrupt our school days this fall. So, I want to school but not do full days this summer? A recipe of summer vacation with a dash of school. Do you do a few hours each morning? Every other morning? Math and writing Mon/Tues, etc. Just looking for a few ideas to get me started.

Just in case you aren't aware, there's a presidential election this year ;-) Ideas to share lapbooks or curric or studies for this? Seems like a great opportunity to study with my upcoming 3rd and 5th grader this fall. Maybe a mock election?

Ok, Hive, starting "buzzing"...give me some ideas on easy-to-execute, low-prep, science for a boy who's not really a mathy/science kid but who is wildly curious and creative.

Looking for suggestions for "easy" geography to do this summer -- US and world. Workbooks? Websites? Curric?

My DS10 wants a "hobby" microscope for a summer activity. We'll get into a little bio for upcoming school year. Any suggestions for an inexpensive one?

Yes, please...keep 'em coming ladies. I can feel my blood-pressure going down and, at the same time, anticipate joy for my DD. You guys are awesome! Anyone? Anyone else? Resources? Ideas?

Love the read-along-in-your-book idea! Love the idea of illustrating everything. Could you please share ideas for other hands-on activities you do? Thanks!

Okay, you're on to something here :-) Can you share more about... - art you do? - what's MCTLA? - Brave Writer lifestyle -- I'll look at the website. Thank you!

According to the book "Dreamer or Strong-Willed Child," we recently discovered my dd8/2nd grade is a dreamer. Like, off-the-chart dreamer. Tips and tricks to engage a dreamer in her studies when she'd rather doodle and daydream? I just discovered lap books -- they are starting to hook her. Other ideas for creative "dreamer-worthy" curric?

Actually, that's on old sig I should update. We only do family devotion, Saxon, WWE, daily Lang review, SWO, SOTW, read together, and a science lap book. And we only school 4 days a week. I think that's reasonable. Several items on her list take just 10-15 mins. Suggestions on deleting overlap?

Anyone with a dreamer child? My DD age 8 is a certifiable dreamer. She has tender feelings...she's sure I hate her or am angry at her when I tell her to do things...she longs to "create" all day long...she resists academics with an angry attitude. Otherwise, she's a completely positive, precious, sweet, compliant, obedient girl. Yet try to do school (or any home responsibilities) with her and she lashes out -- typical dreamer. Tips, tricks, books to share? Any favorite curriculum that engages your child?

25% off pretty much everything when you show the B&N Educators card. You get that by showing proof the you hs or write a letter to show the store manager that you hs. Educators usually get 20% "school/education" materials only. But this week (through Sunday 4/22 I think), it's 25% off and good for darn near anything in the store. Shop. Save. Now THAT's smart :-)