Thanks for the feedback. That is kind of what I was thinking. As for the MIQUON Blue, my son was very excited when he finished the other book and did not want to stop...he even informed me yesterday that we will not stop math for the summer because he likes it too much. lol So yes, I think he's doing okay in that :) I won't worry about assessments then. His handwriting is fine, and he definitely loves learning!

I live in a state that does not require any type of assessments (Illinois). I am finishing first grade with my son and I feel very good about our year. My husband wondered if I was going to do any kind of end-of-year assessment to make sure he's finished what he "needs." Now, as I said, I feel good about the year. But I have not been doing tests at all and I'm not sure how to go about this. Does anyone do any type of tests? What could I do for this? I guess I'd have to make up my own based on what we've learned? I am just a bit overwhelmed at the thought. I am sure my husband is just suggesting so it's not required, I just wonder what others do. Thanks for your feedback. Rebecca

On my blog, I'd love to share homeschooling stories besides my own. Whether or not you have a blog, you're more than welcome to share your story. If you'd like to join in, I made a form that makes it easy to share your story: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bukbLVRnoqQksYZpEQ-GZjBZemn7E-umxHz-y6aAk8M/viewform And my blog is here: http://homeschool.rebeccareid.com Also, do you have a homeschool blog? I'd to read your posts! Leave a link and let me know. Rebecca

I'm with the others. That is truly WONDERFUL drama. So many issues to study and discuss. Plus, history. I like the person who mentioned it was about "bullying" focus on that.

We wrote words on popsicle sticks -- adjectives, nouns, and verbs -- and then mixed them up, ran around the room sorting them in the proper categories. Then each person had to choose one word from each part of speech and write a sentence. Silly China sings. Old baby dances. Maybe not what you are looking for but we enjoyed it in our co-op group last week :)

I am starting Foundations C with my son. He was a strong reader before we began Foundations A. However, because he taught himself to read I knew not how, we started with the basic phonics and took off from there so he could get a better foundation in spelling and actually SOUNDING OUT words, which was very hard for him. Because I use it a little differently, I do not use it open and go but find what we need from the lesson and take our time cementing the facts. I love the curriculum! My son loves the games and sometimes begs to play "just one more time!" or even request doing English first if he knows its a game. A wonderful way to learn and I highly recommend it . Rebecca

teacherspayteachers.com is having a cyber sale monday and tuesday. 10% off using code cyber. many stores will also be 20% extra off as well.

I started a blog a few months ago: LIne upon Line http://homeschool.rebeccareid.com. I blog about homeschooling, education in general, and about some of the products I make for homeschooling purposes. (I sell on teachers pay teachers, but that is not the focus of my blog). My kids are still young but my son is brilliant (yep I'm biased) so I'm trying to keep him learning. I am doing Miquon and Logic of English as a basis, with lots of other extras. I'm starting a new weekly linky I'd love if you consider joining in. It's Wishlist Wednesday where anyone is encouraged to talk about the curriculum or anything homeschool or education related that you WISH you could get right now. http://homeschool.rebeccareid.com/2013/07/24/wishlist-wednesday-for-my-homeschool-room/ Rebecca

HI bloggers! I'm starting a weekly feature on my blog about what we WISHLIST. It will be called Wishlist Wednesday and I'm going to do it every week, but of course you could post about it any day of the week. I'd love it if you consider joining in! If you don't want to write an entire blog post, you could also just link to whatever item you want and leave a comment saying why you want it! For example, this week I talked about two furniture items I WISH we could get and a year of writing plans I wish I had for my writing workshop I'm running for co-op. This week's post: http://homeschool.rebeccareid.com/2013/ … hool-room/ Category archive: http://homeschool.rebeccareid.com/tag/w … wednesday/ I'd love it if you decided to come and share, too! Rebecca http://homeschool.rebeccareid.com

I second Sideways Stories. My 5 year old is the same and he loves it! My son likes PeeWee Scouts. They are as short or shorter than Magic Tree House so he goes through one in less than an hour. The stories are just right for his emotional state right now.

Kirsten! That was what I was thinking of doing! A writer's workshop with a literature/literary elements discussion first. Using GREAT picture books and poems and such.

I should add that I have a BA in English so I'm not afraid of this, just wanted to know if anyone had any input about what THEY would have liked their kids to do at co-op...

My co-op would like me to teach the k-4th graders in language arts next year. I asked the other moms what they wanted.... And they say anything. What ever I feel like.....they turned it over to me completely. However, I am a planner and I have tons of ideas but not sure where to focus. What group language arts would you most want if your child was going to come to a co-op once a week? I'd love your feedback about what worked for you too if you've had a similar opportunity. Thanks, Rebecca

I think it's somewhat of a non-issue too. My son and I worked on manuscript when he was in preschool (I sent him to a small local preschool for two years). We did workbooks because he loved it. But this year (Kindergarten) we did Cursive. I plan to practice cursive with copywork for the coming years. He already knows print well enough, but once he is a little more comfortable with cursive we'll go to typing practice. I really think that typing is the most important skill of the three.

I see what you say about LoE foundations, soror. I think her philosophy in it is to teach handwriting with a purpose...I personally HATE those repeat the letters over and over again pages. But to each her own, I guess, and I like her style, so if I were to do any, I'd do Rhythm of Handwriting! Maybe doing pages of letters would have helped my son.....who hates handwriting practice of any kind.... As for the Health, ecclicticmum, I am "supposed" to do something in Illinois related to health but no one checks or requests info. So I know I could count daily life for it! But this last year, I found a student planner that had health tips on every page. My son loved reading it each week (and he liked reading ahead and going back) and asking me the "true or false?" questions. He remembers a lot from it. I am hoping to find something similar for next year but I won't stress about it, if we don't find it.

Thanks Soror for your feedback. I have a question for you. You say you are finishing Foundations, why do you see Rhythm of Handwriting as a necessary addition? I found that Foundations A had lots of handwriting instruction. I have loved LoE so I'm curious to know what Rhythm of Handwriting adds to your program -- I am not familiar with it. Are you still working on Science and/or Social Studies or do you not do formal things at this age? I'm just curious what other people do. Thanks again for your comment.

I posted on my new-ish blog about our curriculum choices for next year. http://homeschool.rebeccareid.com/2013/06/05/next-year/ I was hoping for some feedback as to if you think it will work. The only thing I didn't post about was Spanish, which I'm not sure what we'll do yet. Anyway, here it is here. English: finish LoE Foundations, then do some ZB spellnig list words, just a little. Reading good books, Read Grammar-land and do worksheets, WWE1, write letters for practice writing and do Dance Mat Typing. Math: Miquon finish Red and begin Blue, maybe supplement with Singapore and math apps. History and Geography: Stuck on the USA and stack the States, SotW1 with activity guide. Science: Plants and the human body class in co-op. Fine Arts: keep learning piano, Art History for Little Ones, painting and drawing if he's ever interested. Health and fitness: Swim and Gym at local park district. Health ?? Other: Spanish (somehow), devotional each morning, life studies ie. help cook, clean, maybe some easy sewing I'd love feedback here or on the blog as to what you think. Too much, not enough? Looking at it, I wonder how we'll get it all done, but one day at a time. Thanks! Rebecca

I am hoping for more feedback about this. I was under the impression that REAL Homeschool Spanish was not worksheet intensive but family interaction intensive. That the worksheets were the optional side of things. I speak Spanish and have been looking for a light curriculum that is flexible enough to work for us. Has anyone else used REAL HOMESCHOOL SPANISH that can give some feedback? http://www.realhomeschoolspanish.com/

Thanks!

I started a collaborative Pinterest board for ideas with some fellow homeschoolers and educators here: http://pinterest.com/rebereid/homeschooling-ideas/ Does anyone else have a homeschooling resource/ideas board on pinterest that I can follow? Thanks! Rebecca

Do people (school districts) have the right to request our number of hours of homeschooling, or prove that we have covered certain subjects? I ask because in Illinois, we don't have to submit anything but the school districts could legal ask us for proof that we've covered the subjects I mention above. Illinois is VERY easy too. Not even an form to sign. However, law enforcement or school districts can legally ask us for proof. I think it's been an issue for a homeschooling family 1 time in the last 10 years but it could happen.

There is a chance I may be relocating to Utah. My current state (Illinois) has fantastic laws. We must educate our children in English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Health, and Fitness, with no paperwork, hours reporting, or testing required. What subjects are required in the state of Utah? I know there is an affidavit I must submit and hours requirement (990 I believe?). Please let me know if there are subject requirements. My son will be Kindergarten age next year. I am interested in first grade requirements too. Thanks for any info! Rebecca

Interesting! I recently posted on my blog how we've been, essentially, "unschooling" science and just taking what we're interested in. My son is only 5.5 though, I guess we'll have to do more reading and reflecting when he gets a little older.

I love Lori D's ideas!

Here's what we will be doing next year: English: Finish LoE Foundations and Start LoE Essentials (at a slow pace) + WWE1 Math: Miquon Blue/Green + Singapore 2a + 2b USA edition (maybe) Social Studies: SOTW 1 + AG and lots of books Science: Unschool, interest led; informal class at co-op Fine Arts: art class at co-op, informal piano/music lessons Health and Fitness: homeschool swim and gym at park district, health and hygiene lessons from me as needed Other: Spanish using Mango, religious devotional as a family each morning + scripture study at night I love reading what everyone is doing!