I am tentatively planning on FLL3 and writing with ease with the 2nd level workbook for next year, too.... Rebecca

We used a book called: Ready...Set...Read... this year. I believe the editor is Joanna Cole. (not sure though) It is included in Living Books Curriculum for grade two for reading fluency. You can find at at Amazon, etc. It is not a "big" book- but it does contain many interesting books for new readers. My sons LOVED it. It also includes some poetry. You might want to check it out. Hope this helps, Rebecca

EasyClassical has schedules based on WTM science... You can see them at http://www.easyclassical.com. Hope this helps, Rebecca http://www.easyclassical.com Not sure if the link will work...

Thank you so much for all these replies. I am looking at every program mentioned. A friend recommended John Thompson's first book and then the first grade level- but then I wondered what came next? Thank you! Rebecca

I am planning on beginning my seven year old on piano at home next year. Does anyone have a recommendation for a course I could use? I will be teaching him. I do have a musical background and can read music, etc. Thank you, Rebecca

Dear Sheryl, I hope you enjoy it as much as we have! I use the weekly plan like a checklist: checking off as I move through each subject area. A focus of nature study is taken from Handbook of Nature Study for each term (for every year of the curriculum!) and there are assigned readings every so often- you can use it more or less depending on your needs. I have really enjoyed having the lesson plans scheduled out... it is a very thoughtful curriculum. We do our own grammar/phonics- so I just don't use that part of the plans. I was very morning sick with our new baby-and now am slowing down A LOT at the end of pregnancy- plus we took December and did a lot of Christmas readings, etc.- so we are on week 17 our schedule. I can truly say- that I am not one bit tired of using this curriculum. Our little one is due in May- just about 8 weeks left. I hope this helps! Blessings, Rebecca

What grade are you considering for LBC? You can always keep on with your own grammar and just not use the Queen's part of the plans... Unfortunately- I know nothing personally about either Queen's or Rod and Staff- but I would venture to say that Rod and Staff is much more thorough? If your 8 year old is doing Rod and Staff three- Queen's might not be the right level? Just some thoughts... also- I believe you can do most of Rod and Staff orally- and that would save on time. I love LBC. This year I have used/am using grade one and grade two. I have really loved this curriculum. The pace of the readings has been wonderful. It is "short and sweet" compared to some schedules. I have had minimal problems completing our school and staying on track- while also schooling and caring for three other children and being pregnant. It has been "expansive" and "open" enough for us to tweak to fit our family as needed as well. I love the company and the curriculum... I hope this helps, There is no twaddle. Rebecca

no comparison- but I have been pondering between these two options myself and am unsure what to do for next year as well. I have been watching this thread! Rebecca

My link doesn't work but if you search Mystery of History you will see it. Rebecca

Just wondering: Why wouldn't you use Volume 2? That IS out and volume three will be "out" this spring? I worried about this too and received some great replies. I will try to post my prior thread. hhttp://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10048&highlight=Mystery+History+Rebeccattp:// Some people use Guerber's History books from Nothing New Press after MOH. They also have a christian worldview. They also include a list in the back with literature that can correspond to the various chapters. I don't have any advice on getting ready for Core 7 or anything... Best wishes, Rebecca

What are my options? I am not sure what to do. At first I thought I would use Writing with Ease- but then I realized the workbook for my son will not be available yet? If I use Rod and Staff English 3 do I still need a writing program? Anyone have any advice? Thanks for any help, Rebecca

Is your DD the seven year old? I am assuming this is the more advanced child? Narration only really begins in earnest at the age of six. Children vary very much with this skill- especially in these young years! I would always ask the younger child to narrate first if you are having them narrate on the same reading. I would say something like, "tell me one thing you remember from what we read." This should be a sufficient prompt. I would be happy with one accurate statement from a six year old. The child will grow in this as you continue to practice. Another option would be to tell the child, I am going to have you narrate(tell me what you remember about what I am going to read). I am going to read one paragraph to you. Listen carefully. Then I will ask you to tell me everything you remember about what I just read." With this option, I would stop the reading after one paragraph and have the child narrate. Then I would continue on and have the other child finish the narration after the reading was completed. Another idea is to change tactics completely and only require narration from your readings from the seven year old. Instead use literature like Aesop's fables (once or twice a week) to help the six year old develop in the skill of narration. You could also use children's storybooks. Simple stories that don't have a complicated plot. Also, with a six year old, I believe it is okay to ask them a question or two to help them as they are just developing this skill. Does this make sense? I also have a seven and six year old and five year old (boys) and they vary greatly with this skill. I look for a statement that shows me that they have understood and internalized what they have read. It is a skill to be practiced. Are you using a particular history curriculum that prompts you to have the children narrate? I hope this helps. It is likely that a less advanced child might feel intimidated by an older child's more proficient narration. I would guard against that. Looking over your post: if the reading is too long- it will be hard for the six year old to put the thoughts together and organize them. A shorter reading will help. Again, I hope this helps, Rebecca

Preschool Art: Its the Process by Maryann Kohl might be an option to consider. Although it says Preschool- it is definitely suitable for K. Rebecca

This thread seems to have the answer http://http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4853&highlight=writing+ease But it seems like the level is based more on skill than actual grade. Rebecca

bumping this up as I am trying to figure this out too... Rebecca

Donna T. I am with you on the simplicity of use!:) I hope your year goes well! Sue G. : thanks for your feedback: My oldest is turning 8 in April, then I have a son who will be seven in July and we flow down the line! :) I have a "small" history with MFW which is why I know it won't work for us... but it is a great program. I will not bother you with the details... as I know how hard it can be to choose curriculum! Suffice to say that I actually use MFW phonics with my children (am currently using K phonics with three of them actually at different levels) but have learned the VERY HARD WAY that I am not a unit study person. It is hard enough to let go of the unit study with the K even though we are doing plenty of other K stuff in different ways. I think I tend to have the "must do what the book says" syndrome. I hope your year goes well and it is what it should be: ease of use with multiple children! Thanks for the info! Thanks ladies! Rebecca

Thank you Kate in CA! that really helps... I will take it to heart! Rebecca

Thank you Dawn, I agree that it is not "literary" in quality. That is not "stick your nose in the air"! I am choosing it more for the godly focus and "overview" that it offers...filling in with literature. (the what is most important to you part! :) ) I understand where you are coming from... Thank you for sharing, What did you choose, btw? Rebecca

My children are young... I appreciate your point of view! Thanks! I want the cons too! I am not planning on using it as written with the tests, ect.- more of a text combined with literary sources. Using it as a read aloud, mainly- and maybe incorporating narration. My son will be third grade next year. Also, I prefer to use a timeline "book" with figures posted in it so I will continue with that too! (instead of their plan)... I am using the Greenleaf OT with my first grader- and wanted to continue that with future first graders- starting a world history is second grade... Thanks again, Rebecca

Thank you very much for the feedback. It does appear to be what we are looking for! I found a schedule on the yahoo group that incorporated some of the things I want to: Victor, Student Bible atlas, etc. I also like that it gives the "entire world" overview. For those of you who use this series- what do you do after volume two? I did see that volume three is due to be released... but what then? Thank YOU! Rebecca

I just want general feedback- the good or not so good. Thank you for your reply. Have you used this through more than one history cycle? Thanks, Rebecca

Can anyone who has used this share their thoughts? Thanks! Rebecca

EasyClassical.com makes detailed schedules based on the Well Trained Mind but not on Core Knowledge. http://www.easyclassical.com/ Is this what you are looking for? Rebecca

I didn't know that this was a theological "hot topic" but I really appreciate what everyone is sharing. Like I said, limited knowledge here and it came up in some of our reading this week- so my son and I are seeking answers. Thank you all so much, Rebecca

Yes, but Jesus did say that he saw satan fall from heaven like Lightning. I understand that the Isaiah passage is an interpretation... that is why I also asked for resources... I haven't done the Bible gateway search yet. Before I posted originally- I did search Vine's and my Strong's but thought others might be able to help me... Rebecca