Does anyone have a good suggestions? I'd like something that we could do for fun on Fridays or on rainy afternoons when we're stuck inside. Maybe one to two times a week. Maybe something we could do during the summer to help with retention. We do flash card games and such. Just wondering if someone has some other curriculum suggestions. Thanks!!

I'm another who bought all of the colors but just use the light blue. I've peeked at the others but never needed them so far.

I think it looks good too. :) we have a similar load. We're going to try Getting Started with Spanish next year. It doesn't look time-consuming so hopefully it will fit in just fine.

We don't do the SOTW narrations either. We use WWE and also narrate our bible study.

I'm interested in a list as well. My oldest went back to public school this year (freshman). My younger children will be given that option as well. Thankfully it seems we managed well enough with my oldest as he is doing better than the majority of his grade. I would like to make sure, though, that we take advantage of any changes. I just asked for the updated MM to have next year. I'd like to know how well our other curriculum choices fit with CC. As far as how CC affects my teaching so far, I've read quite a few blogs about the group problem solving and have implemented many ideas with my boys (3rd, 1st, and pk) at home. We have journals for math and science that we use for group work. Science is easy to discuss and problem solve together since all three already work together on that. With math, I've chosen some lessons from MEP and CSPM (I think?) to work together. We discuss, and I write their observations on a white board since this is our first year. Then they can copy and add their own personal thoughts to their journals. Of course with the age difference, their journals look entirely different. I keep my own journals so as we look back on their pages, I have mine as a reference. The only thing I haven't figured out is the peer reading. Right now I play the *peer* role but my hope is once everyone is reading well, the boys can do this together as well. As far as the group problem-solving and peer reading is concerned, I really like CC. Also it's my understanding that MM just shifted a few topics around but didn't actually have to add anything. I'm not sure what isn't to like about it. (However I understand that isn't the purpose of this thread and will look for those answers elsewhere.) Looking forward to seeing what makes your list above.

I should mention that we don't do a lot of the writing since we do so much in other areas. We have science journals and add drawings, some definitions, and such to that.

I've blogged some about ES Earth Science in my weekly reports. Link in my siggy. You can click on the weekly report link in the side bar to see all of our updates.

I bought my boys each a spiral artist's sketch pad from Walmart for under $4. The pages are thick enough that markers or pens won't bleed through. A friend of mine had the best idea for nature journaling so I just copy her! She simply has her kiddos sit in a comfy spot outside and journal however they are led. Anytime they go on an outdoorsy field trip, they make time to just sit and journal afterward before leaving. When they explore the woods or other new areas and then write or draw about their experience. If something in particular catches their eye, they journal about it and then follow up for more info when they get home. They have on-going lists in their journals of things they would like to see as sort of a scavenger hunt. It's been neat to see their journals. :)

I actually like the simplicity of the program. It's a science program that actually gets DONE in my home. I like the simple experiments. Makes it easier for my boys as they learn for the first time how to record their observations. I can find books, videos, and other resources to add as we need. We've watched many Bill Nye and YouTube videos and which my boys have LOVED. We also use our science journals so my boys can draw and write their own experiences. For us, simple is best. :) FYI-we are currently using the Earth Science. We won't cover the astronomy part as we covered this with Apologia a few years ago. I've already purchased the elementary chemistry program and look forward to it next school year. My boys are pk, 1st, and 3rd graders. We are probably history buffs more than scientists here but my boys LOVE ES.

You're welcome!! I forgot to mention that you can geet free samples from the MM website when you sign up for the newsletter.

We love Math Mammoth here! My 8 yr old sounds like yours. When I was looking for a mastery type math program, someone described MM as a mastery program with spiral review. Our experience with it for the last three years has been great. I believe I saw a post on here talking about it being on sale now so you might do a search if you decide to go that route. Good luck!

Is there an active free shipping coupon right now? Thanks!

I ask that my boys write it out so we can see what went wrong if a mistake is made.

We love it too! Almost through the first book, and we have all learned a lot. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

I try to have a lot of different activities planned each day for my toddlers and preschoolers. They learn early on that they must sit in the designated spot (high chair for tods and kitchen chair for prekers) to do their schoolwork. Only one thing at a time and they must finish it before moving on. A few things we use around here: A lot of preschool activity bags. A basket of dollar store *school* workbooks, coloring pages, and crayons. A bucket or tub of special *school* toys. Videos like LeapFrog. Also sometimes I just send him to his bedroom to play. If he complains, I give him the option of a nap, bedroom cleaning, or playing. They've all decided playing is the bet choice. Ha! I like to challenge them to build something from Legos for me. It takes a lot of patience and some days we just put everything away until nap time. :)

I agree. I use the same materials with my three school age kiddos. Math, handwriting, spelling, and phonics are the only subjects right now that are done on different levels. This has made life SO much easier for me.

We had the BEST week we've had in a long time!! Loved it.

Thank you for the links!! Going to check them out! :)

Thank you for the replies! Would Song School Spanish work well for a 4th grader? I thought I had read it was more for the pk/k ages. I'll check out Flip Flop Spanish and La Clase Divertida. We love crafts at our house! :) Thanks again!

MM offers a HUGE file of free samples if you sign up for the newsletter on the website! :)

I will have boys in k, 2nd, and 4th next year. I'm lookin for a good, relativity inexpensive Spanish program. Any suggestions? Thanks!

We love MM!! We've used it for three years and I can't see not using it in the future.

We love it! It's just enough for us. Not so heavy that it doesn't get done but not so light that they aren't learning. I use YouTube for Bill Nye videos when I can find them, and we take advantage of the Usborne links. We have yet to add additional library books, haven't felt the need. Mostly, I'm excited to find a science program that we actually DO!

We love ES more but like someone already mentioned, we kept the apologia books for the info. :)

We love ES!! We've used Apologia for space and enjoyed it as well. Between the two, we prefer ES though.