Do you remember the subject matter? Draw by Kim Solga shows the draw upside down method with a horse and train. Here's a link to it on half.com: http://product.half.ebay.com/Draw-by-Kim-Solga-1991-Hardcover/745320&cpid=1101389

:iagree: and can relate!

Is this it? :001_smile:

I first heard about TWTM through the 4Real Learning boards years ago when mine were small. I read the it and found it especially helpful for what to expect to teach when and how to keep their notebooks. I am reading the latest version now since it has made it to our library.

:lol: This is my oldest! And he gets so frustrated when his younger, more diligent, sister finishes the math lesson before he does!

Good for you! I'm :bigear: big time since I'm trying to decide. I can relate to what you're saying. We spent last year with MFW Adventures doing American History and loved it. (Liked MFW up to this point, also.) I'm also satisfied with all other programs we're using (especially math!). I started off MOH one year, but flaked out. (The writing got on my nerves!) I should give another look to SOTW. Thanks!

:bigear: We're in the same boat. Mine are going to wind down SWO (levels C & D) and start AAS in the new year.

I also say give level B a try. I started with B -teacher manual, worksheets and manipulative kit I found used- for my first 2 learning together when they were 7 and 5 (we're currently in D). I'm using A with my youngest now and see that it's so much like B; you could start B at a slower pace if necessary with your younger. I hear it's more teacher intensive than other programs (it's the only one we've used besides montessori -ish works) but I believe it's worth it, even if you keep a set time for the lessons. HTH!

My husband likes to say here in Texas we have two seasons- summer and WINTER! (Winter seems to take forever because we can't take the cold!) I'm a native Texan from/living in DFW. Born in Dallas, private schooled in Irving, went to college at Tyler Jr College, then UT Arlington. Met another dreamer/architect there and we've been married 13 years! :) We have 3 great kids we've homeschooled since the beginning, so that makes about 5 years. Gateway is our church.

My son would say Corners, while my daughter would say Sum Rummy. Both also like Rows & Columns. My favorite is Corners because there are so many ways to play: addition, subtraction, multiples of any number (3, 4 and so on).

We have similar structure here. CORE SUBJECTS: M/W/F is when I teach new topics, while Tuesday is for review and totally independent work. (This works great for me since I need time to prepare for Thursdays where I teach art at our co-op.) FREE TIME: We also have free time (what we call "points time") where they can ask for games/movies/treats. They must be completed with their work, chores and my daughter (who doesn't chose to read) must even have read for the amount of time she wishes to play games. :) MEAL + CHORES: We also take a long lunch break that includes housework, because I've found that it's easier to tie chores in with mealtimes. They chose a "chore stick" (popsicle stick- each weekday is a different color) for what job they have (for example- who cleans which bathroom) unless it's Tuesday, which is laundry day. (They complete the whole process on their own; start this early!) We also have certain jobs tied to the meal itself, like clearing the table, wiping it clean, making bubbles in the sink... These are posted on the refrigerator. BATHS: Having the kids take baths/showers before dinner has been a BIG help for our family, since I try to protect the few hours/day they see Dad. Also, having particular bath days are helpful. MY TIME: I work PT (from home) also, mainly on weekends. I try to get hours in before the kids are asleep (so I can sleep!) but it's tough. I tried giving up coffee but no. I cook a big batch of beans every Th; we eat them by the bowl that night and then have burritos, tacos, tostadas, etc. with them 2 other nights/week. I pre-cook ground meats once/month and bag them in the freezer for spaghetti, etc. I also do this with chicken, either in the crock pot or on the stove. When making a meal, doubling is helpful (2 meatloaves; eat one, freeze the other - doubling ingredients is easier than getting it all out again in 2 weeks!) I'll make a BIG batch of bbq chicken (legs or thighs) in the crock, then use leftovers for another different weeknight meal. (The crock pot is my best friend!) Most non-child laundry is done on the weekend when my husband helps. (That's really all he has time for. He's also our car mechanic. :) ) HTH!

My kids loved lapbooks! They're older now, and still take so much pride in them. They learned so much through the process. I never used a kit, but found homeschoolshare to be a valuable resource. Here are some old blog posts I made about them lapbooking and more lapbooking ...

Thanks so much for the explanation! This is so motivating... gotta get back in K mode, too!

This is great! I'm so glad you're off to a great start. Thanks for sharing. I plan to start FIAR up again really soon with my youngest. I second Calming Tea. My first two dc loved it so much, I expect they'll be right in the middle of it with their younger brother, so I'm planning for it. :)

We went through the book (as a group) in 6 days, learning one region per day, as the book presents the states. Then we drew large maps on poster board by tracing the states (Montessori style) and coloring/painting them in. While we worked on our maps, I played this song - from YouTube; it's helpful to learn. Cool to hear my 4 yr old singing it! :)