Thanks for the feedback. Anyone else do a 1 year Am. History for early elementary? What do you use?

We all like meatloaf, but only if there's mashed potatoes on the side. We tend to do meatloaf muffins, since it's easier to cook.... :)

And please share your opinions of them if you have used them. :) I am looking for a 1-year American History for the primary grades. I know of: 1. MFW Adventures 2. Elemental History Adventures in America 3. Beautiful Feet I'm leaning toward Elemental History, but wish there was something like BF that wasn't so Providential..... plus, I think the work with it may be too advanced for my kiddos in the next year or so. Any I'm missing? I know people talk about Time Travelers or TruthQuest, but I'm not sure about the ages or if they can be done in 1 year only... Thanks!

I've always ordered from CBD. I've thought they were cheaper than Amazon, but I could be wrong.

We are going with a largely untalked-about option for science this year. We're using the ACSI Purposeful Design student textbook (which is more of a science reader than anything, lightly covering a range of topics from mammals to fish to our 5 senses). Basically, I use the book as an outline. For whatever topic we are reading about, I check out dvds and books from the library, supplement with our kid encyclopedias. We add crafts and experiments when it's appropriate. There actually are some hands-on activities in the science book (i.e. studying salt vs. fresh water, testing the insulation of a thermos and comparing it to whale blubber) ... so if we are having a slack week (and I haven't done my homework) we can just follow the book and call it done. FYI: we cover one unit over 2 weeks span, doing science twice a week. I did NOT purchase the (incredibly expensive) teacher's guide... And I'm using this with 2 kiddos, but only my 1st grader can write so technically the book is hers (the book is almost like a collection of worksheets, very colorful with lots of pictures, with places to complete drawings or answer questions). We are also only using this program for a couple of years, until my youngest DD is big enough to follow along with a more in-depth science program.

:iagree: For ME: Bible verses poetry catechism-type stuff (we don't have this within my denomination, but I still find some things like this handy to know off-the-bat) Biblical lists/history (names of the 12 tribes, the disciples, the judges, books of the Bible, etc) famous quotes historical quotes (the Preamble, MLK Jr's "I had a dream" speech) more poetry :p

*Sigh* :grouphug: If it didn't form correctly, there's not much you can do about it... I don't have any suggestions...but know you're not alone in butterfly misfortune. A homeschooling friend of mine had newly hatched butterflies a few weeks ago. She left the habitat outside and forgot about them...and the heat got to them all. No survivors (except one that miraculously revived after she hid them in a closet...) :D

I am using R&S phonics/reading with my first grade DD. I'm also adding in R&S Math as a supplement to our main program (Singapore). Obviously, I'm not very far into it.... but I really like what we're using! (And I resisted it for so long, certain that it would not be a fit for us, LOL.) Their Language Arts is really solid and my DD is enjoying it. The math is pretty good, too. I have no interest in their science/history programs (which sometimes feel narrow-focused or dated) when there are much better (for my family) programs out there. But I like the parts we're using so much that I'll definitely keep R&S Phonics/Reading next year, and add on R&S Spelling, English & Penmanship.

This is what I was going to suggest...

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford Old Yeller ~ Fred Gipson

Thanks for all the responses. We actually do have the CWP book (as many have responded) -- we just haven't used it yet (was thinking I should wait on it). We also have the Math Sprints book from Singapore (again, have just been holding off on it), as well as other math drill books/games/RS games kit, etc... I guess -- despite all the different suggestions here -- that the consensus is that it is okay (even preferable?) to supplement Singapore. It's comforting to know others do it (and your brains haven't exploded yet, from too much knowledge, right?). :D And again, for reference, we do love Singapore (DD & I find our math time together quite enjoyable). Maybe I just have "grass is greener" syndrome.... or just want more of a good thing. :)

I am thinking of adding on to Singapore 1A/1B. We really (*really*) enjoy SM, but I'm just worried that DD needs more....something. Practice? Review? IDK... (FYI: we do have the Right Start game set, an xtramath acct. for drill) I'm considering adding in MEP a couple of times a week, but all that printing seems so DAUNTING! And expensive! I'm also considering Rod & Staff (b/c it's inexpensive, but seems like a solid/traditional approach). Thoughts? I'm not familiar with Math Mammoth (I have looked @ it, just have never been terribly moved one way or the other with it...) Any suggestions? Do you add to Singapore? And if so, how do you fit it all in (schedule it)? Maybe SM is enough by itself... I certainly don't want to overload DD!

The Let's Read Series from Educators Publishing Service (Bloomfield) is very progressive in their sound introductions. Goes from Level 1 (all short /a/ words) to Level 9 (stories, multiple-syllabic words). They are considered a "literacy approach to reading" (whatever that means) but they are very progressive and each lesson starts with a word list (word family, etc) and is followed by practice sentences in the lower levels and short stories in the higher. CBD carries up to Level 7, I think, so you could see samples there if you were interested. I bought my set off ebay, very inexpensively (compared to CBD)... Not exactly entertaining, though. They are not storybooks; I'd consider them more for fluency practice and phonics reading...

Thanks again for all the comments on this. I've decided to schedule in "break stations" (logic games, blocks, file folder games -- ya know, all those things I've bought but we never seem to find time to do.... :D) I think we'll do math, first thing as usual. Then schedule in 10-15 minutes of "break stations" (I think I'll set out a math activity, LA game, and something fun, like blocks or playdough....DD can choose what she wants to do). Then we can continue on to reading/phonics together. (This may also solve my current problem with the 4 yr. old who is having a hard time waiting for big sis' to be finished before it's her turn to "do school." While the oldest is at a break station, I can do something quick with the little one, then maybe she'll be fine to go and play alone for another chunk of time...)

I'm currently using R&S 1st with a 6 yo. I think it would be too much for a K'er, especially after the first unit or so... If you like the workbook style, have you looked at CLE's Kindergarten II program? It's a good bridge between the R&S workbooks and R&S 1st (IMO)...

We also are big fans of math manipulatives. We have used Unifix cubes, 2-colored counting chips, dice, and C-rods. And sometimes to mix things up, we use teddy bear counters. :p

I recommend the HIG, too. I use it for each lesson & we're only in 1A!

Some days I'm not capable of independent work, aside from reading fantasy novels. :p

I'm a huge Robin McKinley fan! Love the two listed above.

:iagree: (But don't "toss it"... these resale fairly well! :p)

:iagree::iagree: I do almost any workbook... I have spiral-bound my Singapore HIG, workbook and textbook (love being able to flip something to just 1 visible page and propping it up on a book display). Spiral bound OPGTR because it was so cumbersome and floppy; worked great! Tempted to spiral-bind my R&S phonics/reading guide b/c it short and fat like a paperback novel and I would dearly love for it to lay flat and not want to flop back shut on me... But I'm afraid to ruin it.

We also found ETC to be dread-inducing (with too much writing) and that's from a family that ended up choosing (and currently using) R&S Phonics, LOL. I have not tried BJU but McRuffy was my #2 pick behind R&S, but I had concerns that once you hit Grade 1, the program basically shifted to an all-spelling type program that moved fairly quickly (from what I read). Since I was starting off with a 1st grader that needed phonics instruction, I knew I didn't want that. What about something simple like CLE's Kindergarten II program? Very inexpensive, workbook-based.... and you can supplement it with whatever fun stuff you want (colorful phonics games, hands-on, etc). The phonics portion covers all letter sounds/names and up through CVC words. It also includes math and other basic K-level thinking skills. The guides are also very parent-friendly and scripted.

That's true, but since I just wanted something to read for fluency practice/oral reading/supplement (not a systematic program :p), McGuffey was easy to mark off my list.

I wasn't a fan of these. For a classic reader, I much preferred the Harriette Treadwell books...

My first grader does writing in very small chunks: 1. copywork -- first thing in the morning, usually just a couple of words or a 3-4 word sentence (this week's sentence is "I am a girl." :D) She writes it 1x. 2. Math -- she does Singapore and fills in the workbook, no problem 3. Phonics/Reading -- we do R&S and it does have a bit of writing, but mainly just write a few letters or circling things, etc. (I have to make it more "acceptable" by letting her use markers/crayons/etc.) 4. Science -- 2x/week we work through a science reader that has a couple of fill-in-the-blanks. That's it. Occasionally, when she requests, she writes a 2-3 sentence letter to a church friend (she dictates, I write, she copies).