Simplicity Parenting for littles. HTTSKWL for biggers.

Obviously none of us are limited in the number of subjects we can teach (although there are only so many hours in a day) but I've been pondering this as I decide what's REALLY important to me, and what isn't. It's actually started a pretty good dialog between dh and I, as he pointed out that formal logic is definitely included in his list, and why. So. What are your three? Edited to add: for the sake of the conversation very basic competency in math/reading/writing is assumed.

Obviously none of us are limited in the number of subjects we can teach (although there are only so many hours in a day) but I've been pondering this as I decide what's REALLY important to me, and what isn't. It's actually started a pretty good dialog between dh and I, as he pointed out that formal logic is definitely included in his list, and why. So. What are your three?

I'm starting gr 1 this Sptember, ramping up from a very very light (nearly non existent) K year to a very light 1st grade year and looking for inspiration. I read the first volume of Charlotte mason. Obviously I read WTM. I read Simplicity Parenting which is not homeschooling but ahhmazing. What else will inspire and instruct a newbie like myself? Caveat- unless it's available at the library, or very cheap on my kindle, I probably won't read it :(

My kids and I all have to be up by 9am (a family of late sleepers) I've learned or nothing gets done. We meet at nine for prayers, the kids are sent to get dressed, and then come back for breakfast. By ten we are finished eating and clear the table -Mondays mornings are for cleaning, and Tuesdays are our homeschool Playgroup, but Wed-Friday we do school until noon or one at the very latest. Lunch, Baby's second nap, and big boys "quiet time" aka be quiet enough (or outside enough) to not disturb momma!! At three we have a snack and read aloud and either go out and do things (play dates, errands), play together, or ignore each other while pursuing our own interests, lol. 5:00 is the big hurry clean up daddy is on the way home and I do all the days dishes and start dinner. He's home at 6 and after we eat is when I shower. It will get harder when I have to school more than two hours three days a week and we are adding in activities, but these are our kindy years and I believe in lots and lots of free time at this age.

You don't mention them complaining of boredom. Are they? If so, yes to the list of things to do. Even get them involved in writing it. that way they have a sense of ownership. I know if my 5 or 3 year olds complain of boredom I invite them to do what I'm doing (dishes, reading, sweeping, ect). Sometimes they join me, sometimes they have a better idea. Either way I make it clear its not my job to entertain them. I agree with above posters that limiting screen time really helps. If they aren't complaining, then I'd leave it alone. Find something for yourself to do so you aren't staring at them, lol.

I'm planning on stretching the four year cycle into five years. I'm not sure how it compares directly with the SOTW volumes, although I'm spot on with the first book. My reasoning is that I can get thru history once in grades 1-5, and a second time in grades 6-10, leaving the last two years for special interest, starting over, or our local college program. Of course this has to be taken with a GIANT grain of salt as I'm only planning my 1st grade year at the moment :) My divisions are (tentatively): Ancients-(earliest people up thru the fall of Rome) roughly 1,000 years Middle Ages- (up thru the fall of Constantinople) roughly 1,000 years Renaissance- (up to right before the American Revolution) roughly 300 years New World-( up to the Civil War) roughly roughly 100 years Modern- (up to present day) roughly 100 years

I feel like those are skills my son developed in his 4th year, but towards the end more than the beginning. But I agree with many of the above posts- "normal" can be such a huge range at this age!

We love Uno, Wig Out, Dominoes, Bingo, Hi Ho Cherry O, and Memory. My boys are 3 and 5 and I limit games to those they can play cooperatively and without my direct guidence (because I can't ALWAYS play with them). All of these have fit that bill for us :)

Thanks for all the thoughts. I ended up purchasing Evernote for my planning. Im uploading pdfs of blank "week schedules" and adding specifics in. I love the ability to "write" rather than type.

Sorry to jump in, but not having much in the ways of budget, what do you think is MOST important to have as far as quality art supplies go? I was thinking block crayons, water colors (in tubes), brushes, good paper, and some sort of modeling clay (is beeswax best?). Right now we have a lot of cheap stuff all on an accessible shelf; crayons, markers, crayola water colors, scissors, chalk, and construction paper and my boys (4 and 5) love it but I'd love nicer materials for more intensive art time.

Cozi is free for trial but if I want to see the month view or a few other features its 24 dollars a month. I'm very visual so I think it would be important for metro see my whole week/month at a time.

I was recently blessed with an iPad and I'm considering doing my planning on it. Right now I'm all paper because our computer is not convenient to the kitchen table where we homeschool. But all the erasing (or the paper and ink if I print it, which I often do) makes me crazy. Favorite apps. Mine are all littles btw, 4 and 5.

My young (barely 5) K'er will be starting this fall with daily (M-TH): Math-- Singapore 1 Reading-- Bob Books Writing-- Writing Without Tears And just so its not all drudgery we will 2x weekly: Science-- Animal Study History-- Story of the World, Ancients I want to keep "lesson time" down to around an hour and a half. 15-20 minutes each of Math/Reading/Writing, and 30-40 minutes each for Science and History (alternating days). We plan on still spending quite a bit of our time running and jumping and being left to ourselves to play. We already do morning prayers and a short bible or saint story every morning, and I don't plan on considering that part of "school" (it doesn't go away in the summers and weekends, after all), the same for our afternoon read aloud time while the baby naps.

I just received my story of the world book and activity book (ancient times) and noticed that while in TWTM it recommends doing a chapter a week, there are 42 chapters in the book, plus an introductory chapter. We are only planning on homeschooling 36 weeks and taking a long summer break, and we are only doing history 2x a week. So I'm wondering how to fit in all those chapters...or should I even try? What did you do? Skip chapters? Do two chapters a week? Take 1.5 years to finish book 1?

My boys are 3.5 and 5. We've done the complete Whinnie the Poo Series. Three times in fact because it was so well loved. Then we did Peter Pan, which was sometimes a struggle and was probably too advanced but since they are acting it out right now I will call it a success. What other chapter books are great for boys this age?

I'm really enjoying the WORST thread (and am no longer purchasing 100EZ!) but what is the BEST educational item you've ever bought? What just plain worked/ gave the biggest bang for your buck/ do you find yourself suggesting over and over again?

Hrm, sounds like maybe 100 easy lessons might not be the best program. Any thought on Phonics Pathways? I ask because those two programs are available at my library so I'd be able to try it out for a month before purchasing. Our budget for HS is nearly non existent. . I think HWOT is a good option for us because he really struggles with his fine motor control. He is barely forming letters right now and gets quickly frustrated when they dont turn out right for him. Its a spendier program but I made or found nearly all the "extras" so we just have to purchase the book. We are following a typical school year, with summers off. But we are starting right at the beginning of September, and leaving off late June (when our local weather improves) to get a few extra days in. He will be doing a lot of arts and crafts at co-op, and he hates sports of all kinds ;( Mostly because he is very, very, shy. He runs and plays outside 3-5 hours a day though. We are big outsiders and he is always building something outside, or up a tree, or inventing some game, or on his bicycle. So I'm not too concerned with him getting physical activity. Thanks! I think I needed that! I dont have a lot of support from family yet, so I'm trying to seem as "professional" as possible right now. Problem is this is my shy, not very up on social skills child. So I just know I'm going to get a lot of "that's because you are keeping him at home." comments when he would be shy either way!! My second-born social butterfly will be my saving grace. Thanks everyome!!!!

I'm trying to put together a plan for my 6 yr old (barely) 1st grader next year. We haven't done a lot of kindergarten this year, though he does know his letters/sounds, can count to 30, basic add. and sub. just from osmosis and the occasional impromptu lesson :) I'm wondering if this plan is too "much" for a kid unused to sit-down studying, or maybe it's not enough! And also if maybe we should serious up our kindergarten year before we arrive at 1st grade! He will be attending a homeschool co-up run by the PS 2 mornings a week. Its a 2 hour "Learning Time" class designed for K/1 kids. And I have a 3 yr old and 1 yr old running about our heels. 4x a week Math- Haven't decided. Suggestions? His co-op does singapore with older kids and I'm leaning towards that so its an easy transition in case I ever want him to do his Math there. 4x a week Reading- Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons 4x a week Writing- HWOT. Then after that pulling copywork from science, math, ect. 2x a week History- SOTW, a page a day and then some narration/copywork/something along those lines, with a fun project thrown in from time to time. 2x a week Science- Read about 1 animal from library books each week and add in a documentary or project from time to time. 7x a week reading together as a family (we already do this).