Thank you so much for all this wonderful information!

Is there a difference? I've noticed I can get the 2001 version on ebay for much cheaper than the new version. Should I just go ahead a buy that or purchase new? Thanks!

O.k. this my situation. I have boys who will be cub scout age in the fall. We found what seems like a great pack of just homeschooled boys about 20-25 minutes away from our home. But, there are 2 packs/troops(I'm not sure what they are called:tongue_smilie:) within a mile of my home. One did say they have had homeschooled families in the past. Which would you choose? We are new to the area and want the boys too make friends. Gas prices are a factor as we drive a Ford Expedition and need to be mindful of that as well. My husband has left the decision up to me...what would you do?

Thank you everyone for all your help so far as a newbie homeschooler next fall I really appreciate it! I've got some great lists compiled of read alouds with the family next year, but have yet seen any lists for independant reading for 1st grade. Do you have any suggestions for independant reading books for my boys. FYI: they do read already I'm assuming at grade level(they are in school this year) Thanks so much!

I'm a new homeschooler so excuse my ignorance if this sounds that way. These are family read alouds..right? Meaning I read them to my children, right? Are their book lists out their for books my boys should be reading during independant reading time? I haven't seen any of those yet. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks everyone! I love all of your ideas... If anyone finds any pictures, please share. I've been googling constantly trying to get more ideas but not coming up with much. I'm a visual person.

We are going to be new homeschoolers this fall:001_smile: and when we bought this house earlier this year(we downsized by choice) we didn't plan on homeschooling. So...at this point our larger home we sold would have been perfect for homeschooling, but hindsight is 20/20. So...in this house our homeschool room has to be shared with the dining room. We have already moved the computer down into the dining room with a small desk. I need some creative organization ideas because we still want to use this room as a dining room as well. Pictures would really help too if you don't mind sharing!

Wow!! Thanks so much for all the great responses...I'm googling everything now!

I notice alot of you do some Bible in the mornings(I'm going to be a new homeschooler next year so I'm devouring these forums) Do you just read from the Bible or do you have some sort of devotion or curriculum you use? Also, I we were thinking of buying SOTW 1 for the fall but if I can be completely honest, I'm reading thru the Bible for the first time and I'm not sure I'll be able to answer some of the questions that will come up with my boys over the history because to be quite frank...I'm learning it myself. Is there another curriculum similar to SOTW that has a Biblical worldview? Thanks!

I would love the list if you wouldn't mind sharing!

A Child's Book of Character Building, Book I: Growing Up in God's World - At Home, at School, at Play by Ron and Rebekah Coriell. I Where did you find this book?

Although we won't be starting *school* until the fall(we need the break after ps this year) I really would like to do some character training and Bible with the boys this summer. We had such a big transistion this year with entering ps K and moving that church has fallen behind. We just found a church we like and now I would love to have something to do this summer with the boys. My one son has developed some *bad* habits and has alot of questions. I would love some guidance with a book or a study. Do you recommend anything?

Thanks everyone so far! I really appreciate your posts on the subject. My twins are very, very, very different in personality and learning styles. I have one twin who excels in all his schoolwork but he's a teacher pleaser. He wants so much for the teacher to acknowlege him and he *wants* to do well. The other twin...while extremely bright doesn't care what the teacher thinks. If the assigment is too easy(which in most cases it is in ps this year) he just won't do it. He's definitely an independant thinker and does what he wants to do. Which makes me very nervous if I can be honest with you. The thing I do notice in his classroom(I volunteer a few times a week) is that he is so concerned with what everyone else is doing he doesn't do his own work. He has a hard time focusing on what he is supposed to be doing. Which is why I think homeschooling would benefit him because it's just the three of us.

Hi! I'm new(someone I know directed me to these forums) I'm the mom to twin boys who are in public school this year for K. We are planning to homeschool next year and I'm going bonkers on all the choices! I'm reading The Well Trained Mind right now and it makes alot of sense but I see that alot of you are using different things than what the book says to use. I'm thinking of ordering the curriculum from the books suggestions as a starting point because to be honest I don't know where to start. I don't know what would be the best fit for my boys because they are in public school right now. The classical approach and CM interest me the most but there are different curriculums for each. I don't even know what I'm saying at this point..could you give me a little direction...please...