Trying one more time for the Friday crowd:D

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Thanks, is there any reason why not to use the 2010 since I'm only using it here at home? I don't know exactly what is in it, but was looking for a fun thing to add in while getting them ready for Science Olympiad in the future.

http://store.soinc.org/c-3-elementary-science-olympiad-materials.aspx

I was curious to know if anyone has purchased the Elementary Science Olympiad books and/or dvds. Our co-op has a team, but it doesn't start until middle school. I looked at the table of contents for the Elementary level and it looks interesting and well laid out. However, there are no sample pages. Does anyone have experience at the Elementary level? I was wanting to do it here at home. Also, would the Fun Nights book be applicable at home? E

I'm a little behind in responding to my pm, but here are my thoughts as requested. The decription from Artistic Pursuits is very accurate. It is NOT you typical art activity book, but rather a book for you to understand art through your child, as well as activities to help you get the process going (emphasis on the process). My husband esepcailly enjoyed it since it really talks about what your child is thinking as opposed to what your child should be drawing. The activites suggested are really a jumping off point for you and your child. The biggest value to this book it the communcation that I have had with AP. I have had several questions and they are great to work with. So, this is how I have done the lessons. For each lesson, I would introduce the concept and then back-off. Most of the time, the kids would run with it. Their interest on a certain topic might only be a few minutes, and other times I will have to end art time in order to do other things like eat and sleep. The constant factor with this book is that I always see the concepts come back. All of their art supplies (except paint), is at their level including a paper scrap box and a box with left-over "stuff". Watching them create is very entertaining for all of us. HTH Erica

Thanks! This will be a good list for me to take to the convention this weekend. MFW and Sonlight will be there as well as the publisher for the Benges series. I will look forward to looking up your other suggestions too. THANKS AGAIN!

:D

What are your favorite and least favorite missionary books and why? Age group - 7yrs

We have that one too. All good suggestions. Any others?

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We have those too. Right now, he likes creating with paper.

I use a box system of hands of stuff, similar to the bag idea. Each box is for a day of the week and are rotated throughout the week. Items include, threading beads, counting/sorting bears, abacus (for fun), lacing cards, oatmeal for dumping and filling, coffee grounds for dumping and filling, dominoes, peg stacking etc... I would skip printing and preparing file folder games. It is much easier to buy them from Mailbox or Teacher Created type books. We didn't have any money when I started with DS, so I did everything myself. I now LOVE to just buy them, tear them out, and be done with it. That reminds me that I also prepared some felt board games too such as stacking an ice cream cone, putting spots on a ladybug, making a train, making a street scene, butterfly etc... This spring, we have started our own green house temporarily located in my dinning room. It took the kids a week to finish, but it kept little hands busy AND was educational. They now enjoy spraying their seedlings and themselves in the process. Just an idea, but we sometimes forget the practical activities like yard work and cleaning. Hand a 3 year old a water bottle and a rag and set them loose (if closed off in an area without expensive furniture - not a problem in our home). HTH Erica

My DS love doing hands on activities for quiet times or when I am trying to clean up. I have used Kumon Jigsaw Puzzle and Easy Crafts books for him and he can almost do everything by himself. The other Kumon books are too easy for him and I am considering their 3D model books. Does anyone know of any other books that are this easy with the instructions printed on the same paper as the project that he is working on instead of just instructions out of a regular book? He might be ready for a traditional oragami set by Christmas, but I think he still needs the detailed instruction. Any ideas?

Williamson Kids Can Science Play - Lots of hands on stuff. They also have a 365 Days of Science book too that I have and play on using soon.

My son really enjoys the audio Magic Tree House books and has been getting them since he was 4 1/2. I also started the Secrets of Droon series that he loves. I read one book a week and he can't wait for the next one. They are similar to Magic Tree House, but perhaps more interesting and not as complicated. Erica

Yes, A LOT of time, but WELL worth it. I would have to ditto what has been said about the "how." I mostly look at WP and Sonlight. I love both programs, but there was so much that I didn't need. By doing it myself, I save money and can add the things my kids are most interested in. WP and SL have to cater their programs to the books that are in print. By doing a program on your own, you are not limited and are free to include anything without having to tweak someone else's program. I would do too much of that, so I decided to do next year's program on my own. It took me about six months to prepare it since it was my first time, but it will go down as smooth as glass and I KNOW my kids will LOVE it! They better anyway! BTW, now that I have a formula and a order for my day, I will probably do the next schedule over my husband's Christmas break this year. The first time is always a bear! Erica

My son has only a few weeks left in Primer and will go onto Alpha, so I understand you wanting to start without any gaps. However, they are really young and I don't think we can mess them up too much if they have a few weeks off. Instead, my DS will be going to Disney World with his Godparents and count, add, subtract all of the characters while he is there. For as much as he is excited about getting his new MUS book, he will be more excited when I tell him that it will be waiting for him after he goes to Mickey's house (he doesn't know yet). Relax and enjoy them. Math can wait a little longer (at least a few more weeks). ;) Erica

ETC would not have survived with my hands on and very visual kids. We use McRuffy Phonics and love it. The lessons are short and very well thought out. I am draw to programs that are systematic in the approach and everything has a purpose. NO BUSY WORK! It includes writing, spelling and reading plus many extra "rules" that I get all excited about. I never learned this stuff and it's a sin that I didn't! There are also games that go along with it that my son loves. I would say that I spend about 5 minutes of prep time before each lesson. Not a big deal, but it doesn't teach itself like handing your kiddo a workbook and video. Anyway, there are two versions: Black and White and Color. You wouldn't think that there was a huge difference, but you MUST get the color. The color isn't the only difference in the program, but it sure does help. The color package also includes upgrades in the quality of materials. Make sure you get the color one!

I missed which kiddo you were looking to use this with, but we used Alfred's Music for Little Mozarts. I found it to be very well written and I was able to put it together quickly only to find that my son hated for me to play the duet parts. Oh well, it got my fingers back into shape. Oh, the theory lessons are done very well too.

My son is finishing Primer and will start Alpha in a few weeks. We took a break at one point when he was struggling and switched to Singapore for awhile. It was more busy work for him. It didn't hurt, but I would never pick that program for anything besides a filler since it is not mastery. After four months, I slowly went back to MUS and he said "THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER!" I haven't had any problems since that time. He especially loves when he gets to watch a new video. We watch the video once together and then he does most of the proceeding lessons on his own at a very new 5 years old. I don't think he is especially gifted in this area, but he does enjoy the program which makes him successful. Most importantly, NO PREP TIME!! My dream and prayer is that DD will like it too when she is old enough to start.

I can understand you question since I have had the same feelings. However, WP has a lot of "real" meat to offer under the umbrella of a Christian influence. I like the approach since it tends to be more hands on which is what makes sense to my kiddos. I can't say that I will buy a complete program from WP since I have decided to take what works for our family. I think you could say that for any program beyond WP. Like SnowWhite said, you might need to edit or do your homework from amazon.com reviews. The users at the WP forum are always the sweetest to contact if you ever have a specific question. I have also found the WP company very responsive to answering questions honestly with putting your needs first. I have been looking for the "perfect" program and haven't found it yet. Let me know if you do! In the meantime, WP would be a great choice and I know they take time and effort in picking out their materials.