yes...what she said :-) I will try to be better at mind-reading next time :-)

We took a year with each of them. It is not teacher intensive at all. Just open and go.

Will they do soups? I like to make a big pot of soup early in the week (Minestrone, corn chowder, vegetable beef) and dish it up for lunch. Super-easy and healthy...plus they get better with age. We also do "Snacks for lunch" periodically: cheese and crackers, hummus, sliced fruits and veggies, raisins, etc.

Blokus and Bananagrams.

Hi Tanya! I have 4 school-aged children (7th, 6th, 4th, 1st) and a 3 year old. We usually school from 8-10:30, have outside P.E. (bike riding, scootering, games, hike) for 30-45 minutes, school from 11-1PM, break from 1-2:30PM for lunch and quiet time, and finish up school from 2:30-4:30. My 1st grader is finished with everything but history/science by lunchtime. So the actual time I am teaching is roughly 6.5 hours a day. Not everyone is actively working that whole time (except maybe the 7th grader). We do memory work (IEW Poetry/Scripture), Math (Dociani Pre-Alg/ SM 6B/4B/2A), Latin (Latin for the New Millenium, LfC A), Classical Writing (Maxim/Homer B/Aesop A), SOTW 3 w/ Activities & reading, Teaching Co's High School Am. History, & My World Science, with a smattering of other things in there. On average, I would say the actual time working breaks down like this: 1st grader: 2 hours 4th grader: 4 hours 6th grader: 5 hours (she's a super-fast worker) 7th grader: 6.5 hours Hope that helps,

Homeschooling with a newborn, in my opinion, is oodles and oodles easier than homeschooling with a 1-2 year old. They sleep so much, they don't move from where you put them, and they require no discipline. :-) With those ages she could easily get school done while the baby is sleeping. Lots of read-alouds, a simple phonics program for her K-er (I have only ever used Phonics Pathways - simple, quick, no frills, effective), SOTW, etc. When my oldest was in 2nd I had a 1st grader, a Pre-K'er, and a 1 year old. Yes, it was chaotic. But we certainly managed - the kids even managed to learn and have fun. So, it was a success :-)

Love the name. Had no idea that Susannah meant Lily.

I agree with Castle Diary and Adam of the Road. I would add Beorn the Proud and The Door in the Wall.

Remember that her narration can be oral, written down by you. I usually write my 1st graders narrations and simply have them read it back to me. During 2nd grade I will write it all and have them copy part of it. By third grade, I will usually write it all and have them copy all of it. Why don't you just have her copy part of her oral narration which you have written down - building up to copying all of it. I do not expect my kids to write their own narrations without my involvement until 4th (give or take, depending on the child.)

All of my children have adored the My Father's Dragon series.

I shop the sales at jjill.com and aprilcornell.com

Yep. My just turned 3 year old tried to wash the dog in my shower yesterday with 3 bottles of my nicest shampoo and conditioner. This was after he filled his cup up with toilet water and drank it. Oh, and there was the little Sharpie incident. Four can't come soon enough.

Absolutely combine them for History and Science! Your older can simply do more - narrations, reading, etc.

Our favorites which have stood the test of time and multiple students: Phonics Pathways FLL SOTW w/ AG IEW's Poetry Memorization CW - used Aesop through Maxim w/ multiple kids

Given the thoroughness of PP, we have always just moved into reading.

Oh, bummer! It was the only thing that brought my levels anywhere near normal. I hope you can find something that works for you!

We have always done the first 6 only.

Floradix is the only iron that helps my #'s go up. I have no side-effects with it.

$5/lb. in SoCal

Same here - I've had 3 kids go through ETC and 4 1/2 is the only 1/2 book I've bought every time. They all got it eventually.

Bible: daily reading & discussion w/ Dad Math: LOF Fractions & Decimals and Percents; Dolciani Pre-Algebra; Brain Maths 2 Latin: Latin for the New Millennium Greek: Mounce's Biblical Greek History: Teaching Co's High School Early American History Course Science: Apologia General Science Writing: Classical Writing Diogenes: Maxim & Intermediate Poetry Grammar: Harvey's Memory Work: Scripture & IEW's Poetry Music: Piano P.E.: Fencing

I would second the Rylant books. They are wonderful.

Hi Mary~ My son is taking the Maxim class this year. He is really enjoying it and learning a lot. Considering the class is a full year, I would say it is definitely worth the $. Mrs. Weitz is a very thorough teacher and has developed a nice rapport with the class. To answer your question re: critiquing other student's work, I do not think they have done that yet this year. I have signed my oldest up for Chreia and his younger sister up for Maxim for next year. With my upcoming 5th grader heading into Homer, it will greatly lessen my workload. Like Kathie said, the best part for me is that my son is moving steadily through the material at a faster rate than he would if it were just me teaching. HTH,

We adore the Classic Illustrated Edition from Chronicle Books. The illustrations are lovely - compiled from many different artists.

I would assign one area per child and have them clean up/put away whatever has accumulated there every afternoon.