I have the DK first encyclopedia of human anatomy and we have no issues with it. I actually only sharpied out one section about humans being related to chimps but other than that I have read it cover to cover and it seems like a good fit for our needs this is the one we purchased: http://www.amazon.com/First-Human-Encyclopedia-Reference-Series/dp/0756609976/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331515851&sr=8-1

My boys went from MM to TT3 and I have seen a HUGE improvement with their mental math when compared to their abilities using MM... however, they just beg me to do math and enjoy it now. I highly believe if they are having fun; they retain more. That being said; they already had a great grasp of place value prior to MM or TT3.

:bigear: i have a six year old lefty... we are still working on printing nicely but will be working on cursive eventually :) She learned how to write d'nealian for print and I think Italic cursive will be what she will do best with but we shall see when we get there.

I have our "ideal" schedule of study per week day written down. No pages or chapters but Monday: History, LA, Math, Phonics, Gymnastics Tuesdays: Science, Handwriting, Phonics, Math.... and so goes our list.... then each week we do the next thing that comes in each area of study. I tried documented plans and I never stuck with them because some days are harder than others topic wise for the kiddos. Records wise; I have to keep attendance records, an annual progress report. I have these saved as word documents.. I have tried homeschool tracker and just can't keep up with it. I also have a tub of completed work that I compile into a binder every now and then when it gets full....

We use ETC, Phonics Pathways and BOB books.

I don't think anyone would suggest no LA for your 3rd grader but more so, approach it calmly and not rush into a decision. It is one of those topics that can be half way completed and not harm the student. You can pick vocabulary from your history/science studies. Ask grammar questions about particular sentences within your readings, etc. Once you do decide on what LA program you choose to go with; add it into your routine. We love love love MCT and I find it easy to start especially since you start with just the Grammar Island book, then gradually add on to it. Math wise, there are SO many options out there. I am in the process of figuring out one that works for my youngest girls. We love TT3 for my boys and I plan to follow foward with it with them.

Why not just print out some three lined pages and have him copy his lessons from the book onto that paper? Or you write out the work in the K book on three lined paper and continue on with his lessons?

so great to hear! thank you! ETA: I know I can add and teach with manipulatives with any program but it is/will be soooo nice to have it scripted teaching me how to teach with manipulatives if that makes sense ha ha

yeah, I am sure it will take it a good week to get here. I have another shipment expected from HWOT... so we will have box days coming up :) Those are the best days!

I ordered from www.rodandstaffbooks.com. I chose standard usps I believe? Shipping was aprox. 7.95

Wanted to mention as well, for anyone who needs to order anything from R&S; they are 10% off at the moment!

Last year was our first year homeschooling. My kids grades ranged from K-3rd. It was definitely a learning curve and took a while to "deschool" we even had melt downs when subjects weren't taught as expected. I tried to throw a new learning style full force on the children and it was met with aggravation. What ended up easing me into what works by researching/ordering/teaching one subject at a time. That way we gradually added upon our work intensity.

:iagree: my oldest is 9 and I have had to tweak a good bit to mesh all my younglings into the "mix" Wish I had found WTM sooner but with me only homeschooling a wee bit over a year; not sure I would have really appreciated it at the beginning of this journey.

ah, thanks for the clarification. I have grades 1-3 for MM and hope to return to it. Perhaps a mixture of the two? Gotta get the lightbulb to turn on for these gals though!

I drug my heels before reading it as well! My only regret is that I bought the kindle edition. Wish I had the physical book to flip through

Well, I went ahead and ordered the 1st grade set from R&S plus extra workbooks for the other. I plan to copy the drill pages from the set to save a dime. It was such a close decision and one that I made soley on the fact that CLE was spiral and we have been using MM that is spiral and it isn't working in this situation.... so perhaps mastery is best for my gals. Anyone know how long it typically takes R&S to ship?

so, what makes you decide "my child does better with a spiral vs mastery" curriculum? I am seriously asking out of curiosity. My older boys are working through TT3 and I do believe it is spiral and they seem to be doing good with it.. but I have never thought to decide if they need spiral or not?!

Another semi related question. The only way my girls can get a correct math problem at the moment is by using manipulatives such as beans to "build the problem" and solve. Knowing that the only way they understand math at the moment is through visual/tactile aid; would you recommend one over the other?

thank you for your input! I have looked at the TG with R&S as well. I think a slower pace may be best for my gals. Hoping that they will use TT3 when the time comes; since we have it already and works for my non mathy sons currently.

Soooo I am considering other curricula again. Especially after realizing we started MM1a in August and have yet to finish chapter one. When asking the girls questions from the chapter 1 test; they couldn't answer ONE correctly and these were to be mental answers... so, I am not throwing in the towel yet but I am considering CLE or R&S mainly due to the lessons outlined in the TM's. I like how they tell you what to say and how to demonstrate the lesson prior to completing a worksheet. Perhaps, if I can get the girls to understand math a bit better; then they will do better with MM's style of learning. Obviously, something here isn't working. What attracts me to CLE is I can try out a unit or two without putting too much money into it. However, R&S isn't that expensive. My questions are have you used both and what did you like better about one or the other? Is there any reason to NOT buy the units individually and what is the common amount of time it takes to go through one lightunit if taught as instructed in the teachers guide?

Well, I felt MCT was comparable price wise when you considered the grammar book, writing book, vocabulary and poetry included. I also felt I could use it all with two of my kids. That made it affordable for me and it is non consumable minus one book I believe so my younglings can use it as well. However, looking at your kids ages, it doesn't seem like you would be able to combine it with any unless your six year old is super advanced. My six year old girls (nearly 7) just don't get MCT but my 8 and 9 year olds LOVE it. Have you considered FLL and WWE? If there is too much busy work, you could always only assign specific assignments. I am considering FLL for my younger two gals after we are reading a bit more fluently eta: Phonics wise, I was under the assumption that AAR and AAS would cover the phonics basics?! We are currently using Phonics Pathways and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

combine your science and history together, read the same read aloud to all of them. Try to find some independent work for the older ones. My older boys use TT for math and it frees me up to work independently with my younger two girls. I also have cursive handbooks that I can assign when I am busy with the younglings.

oh really? I haven't heard that language at ALL yet?! I haven't completed the entire video series though

Yes, it works for me but it gets old around day five or so. You do the same level for ten days then move to the next level. My kids don't get bored as much as I do. It is a good work out for me but wouldn't be for someone already fit. For example, my husband that just got out of the military can do it and yes he breaks a sweat but it doesn't compare to a workout such as p90x or insanity and he probably wouldn't lose weight from it. I started back last week and have lost 2 pounds already

my kids do Jillian Michael's thirty day shred with me like its the best thing in the world. They never get tired and just laugh at me dying on the floor. All of mine love any pilates and yoga videos as well.