For reading literature (for read alouds, bedtime, and/or assigned literature during the year) how many of you use the following methods? What do you recommend? Method 1: Read one book at a time until it's finished. Method 2: Pick one book for each day of the week. Read a chapter (or more) from this book every Monday (or whatever) for the length of the book. (This is similar to what I see at Ambleside Online.) As I see it, Method 1 has the following advantages: a) You'll *probably* read more books in a given period of time. b) You don't have to wait a week to see what'll happen next. c) You can borrow the book from the library. Method 2: a) You'll *probably* remember more of the book, since you'll have spent a longer time period reading any given book, really LIVING the book. b) You can read a variety of literature/genres at once. c) You can read books you (perhaps already) own. I'm considering these two approaches for our plans next year in the areas of: 1) assigned literature for ds to read during the school year 2) bedtime read-alouds 3) my own reading Any opinions and experiences are welcome! Thanks!:)

Sorry-- This got posted twice somehow. Please check the other post with the same title here: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62285 Again, deeply sorry.

If anyone is interested, the reading selections for each WWE workbook (showing the book selection week by week) is available at Rainbow Resource here: For WWE workbook 1: http://www.rainbowresource.com/pictures/042779/c/2/1223944970-87254 For WWE workbook 2: http://www.rainbowresource.com/pictures/042780/c/2/1223944970-87254 I'm struggling with this issue for next year, too. :confused:

For the decadent bibliophile, Easton Press has very recently added Andrew Lang's fairy books to their catalog: http://www.eastonpressbooks.com/leather/product.asp?code=2014 Leather bound, gilt edging, ahhh..... :001_wub:

I found another link worth looking at : http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/index.htm We tried it out today, and my son loves it so much that he gave me a big hug, many kisses, and said, "This is fun!":hurray: It only covers the lowercase letters, but that's the place to start, anyway.

IMHO, DON'T BRING IN BODY TYPE! Whenever my mother did OR DOES mention this, I cringe. Her idea of my body is very different from my own. But, as a mother, she had the right to say, "You're not leaving the house looking like THAT!" and I respected her for it. Keeping it an issue of modesty lets your daughter know that you respect her and want others to respect her. (As you do! It's FANTASTIC that you compliment her so often!) I really did feel a WORLD of difference when my mother told me I couldn't wear something because it was "trashy" or "immodest" or "indecent" versus, "It doesn't suit your body type...." In the first sense, I usally agreed (even if outwardly I was angry), whereas any mention of my body type HURT (even if outwardly I appeared as calm as a cucumber). Let HER decide what her body type is when she's older and fully developed, without ANY imput from you or other family members. (Unless she asks...) Just my .02 worth

I just ordered some Bravado bras. http://www.bravadodesigns.com/home.asp?area=US They're not cheap, (they run $35+), but they're not CHEAP either (i.e. shoddy). I think they're made in Canada.... IMHO they fit well and are really comfortable. (I'm petite and small, around Pet. size 4-6, but chose the Medium. They're perfect. ) I'm wearing them now during pregnancy, and plan to nurse two years, so I figure I'll get my money's worth! Sometimes they're on sale on Amazon. I got mine at a good price from: http://www.nurturedfamily.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=66 By the way, if you're wondering about size, as I was, call Nurtured Family and they'll have someone there you can ask. Just make sure to have your measurements handy!;)

We just started cursive with ds5. I REALLY wanted to try Cursive First, but my dh convinced me to try it on my own by using the Zaner-Bloser website to make my own handwriting practice sheets. I introduce one new lowercase letter a day, based on the order in which they are introduced in the slate work of McGuffey's Eclectic Primer (because we have it...). So, after "a" and "t" we practice "at". Add "r" and "rat". Add "c" and "cat". And so forth. We're only on week two, but I'm amazed at how well he's doing! He ESPECIALLY loves joining all the letters together, i.e. "ssssssss". Here's a link to the ZB handwriting page generator. What fun! http://www.zaner-bloser.com/educator/products/handwriting/index.aspx?id=4296

Try looking at these books to give you some suggestions: Honey for a Child's Heart http://www.amazon.com/Honey-Childs-Heart-Gladys-Hunt/dp/0310242460/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221540782&sr=8-1 and Books that Build Character. This one esp. gives a synopsis and tells how the book is character-building (shows kindness, for ex.). It's not as stuffy as the title sounds ;) http://www.amazon.com/Books-That-Build-Character-Teaching/dp/0671884239/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221540893&sr=1-1 There are quite a few excellent choices there, for various ages. Good luck :)

I like to schedule the times given in TWTM, even when I know they may take less, to give us "breathing space". If we JUST did the lesson in math for the day, for example, it would not take us as long as 45 min. However, we often make up our own games, or get started talking about the subject, or (often enough!) my son dawdles a bit. OK, he's only in K, but right in the middle of math or any other subject, he might look up and ask about what we're doing for Christmas, or whether horses really look like the picture in his book that he read six months ago... Whatever! So, having the whole time scheduled allows us plenty of wiggle room so that we're not rushing through the day. I AM amazed, though, that handwriting and art take almost the full hour every day, just because ds is really getting into it! This from a boy who couldn't have cared less about arts and crafts before we started hsing. Go figure!:001_smile: I'm certainly thankful for the schedules and times given, even if I don't follow them to a T. ;)

Good to know! Thanks!:001_smile:

Yes, I was considering using FLL on MWF, then "something else" on TTH. My son and I both like to do the same subject every day (we're creatures of comfort, I guess). So, I'm boggled as to what to do TTH. Since I was toying with PLL instead of FLL, but have now decided definitely on FLL, I was wondering whether I could just use... BOTH!:blushing: Then we'd have a "grammar" or "LA" class every day. We'd just use FLL MWF and alternate with PLL. Alternatively, we could narrate from WWE on TTH.... (We'd follow this lesson everyday with related copywork. We're doing copywork/handwriting every day now, so I see no reason to stop! ) Ahh, choices!

I'd say, keep it all! My first grade schedule looks about the same, with a bit more added! I'm only using one math curriculum (Horizons), but I'm definitely doing: spelling, poetry memorization, grammar, copywork/writing, math, McGuffey readers, read aloud literature, art, SOTW, Science, and perhaps Latin, piano, and Norwegian (his dad is from Norway, so these will be mostly bedtime stories by Dad). I've considered Mind Benders, too, but, like you, I'm concerned it'll be too much. Hmmm.. They do look like fun, though! :)

Frankly, I think your schedule looks great! Good job! Nor do I think that 4-5 hours per day for a first grader is too much!! Then again, I adhere to the classical method, not unschooling or CM. I say, GO FOR IT!:hurray:

I bought four packs (100 sheets each) of handwriting paper that is ADORABLE, but far too widely ruled for my K son. Heck, I can barely write on the stuff. But it's sooooooo cute ;) Altogether, it was about $20, not a fortune, but I certainly could have spent the money elsewhere.... Ah well. Perhaps we can write on the mid-line and bottom line? Or save it for our next little one? Or:001_unsure:

I'm interested in this also. The Lord of the Rings and other curricula they offer sound exciting as well! :)

Has anyone combined First Language Lessons and Primary Language Lessons? For example, one could use FLL 3/wk and PLL 2/wk. Would this be the best of both worlds, or overkill? I've read of many people combining math programs; how about Language Arts? Opinions ? :001_unsure: Edit: After looking at my McGuffey readers again, it occurs to me that I may have enough with FLL, WWE, SOTW and McGuffey: plenty of copywork, dictation, narration, picture study (we study the pictures in McGuffey), grammar, etc. Perhaps I'm just trying to cram in EVERY good book I find into our curriculum! Oops!

Here's a helpful website for using McGuffey's for spelling: http://mrshappyhousewife.com/homeschooling/spelling/using-mcguffeys-spelling-book.html Hope this helps!:)

Has anyone used English for the Thoughtful Child for 1st, then started with PLL? Is there are great deal of overlap? I'm trying to decide between ETC and FLL for 1st.... :confused: Thanks!

http://virtual.mjc.edu/wohlstadterj/pronunciation_guide.htm Here's a guide from Michigan State University. It's pronunciation is different from what I've always said, which is more like the suggestion given above, except with a short o sound (and with a Scandinavian/Scottish sounding r, back in the throat).:blush: Here's another nifty guide for Old English pronunciation, with audio: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/eduweb/engl401/lessons/pronunc1.htm Of course, as my Old English prof. used to say, we may never know EXACTLY how it was pronounced, and probably varied quite a bit from village to village, as well as century to century. ;) Just give it your best!

Hmm... I'm thinking about this, too. So far, I'm leaning towards Educational Fontware because it offers so many more styles from which to choose. I could start out ds with a simpler cursive, such as Cursive First, and switch to something more elaborate later on if he desires. (I know I went through a handwriting phase where I tried out everything from Palmer to Spencerian to Copperplate in high school!) I also like the idea of just adding the fonts to an existing application. That being said, I have no personal experience with either. Good luck!:)

...it is a worthwhile subject to learn. It's not ESSENTIAL to know history-- most people don't use it on a daily basis, nor is it likely to come up in job promotions. For that matter, it's not ESSENTIAL to learn physics, chemistry, higher mathematics, foreign languages, etc. The ESSENTIALS are really the good old 3 R's. But do you really just want to teach the basics? That's up to you! :) I am biased in that I use cursive every day. It's the way I've written almost all my life! Almost all the adults I know write in cursive exclusively, except for my husband and his parents. My husband never really learned cursive (long story), and feels this lack to be a real disadvantage. (He plans on learning now as an adult.) In my humble opinion, I would teach him cursive so that he at least has the OPTION of using it or not when he is an adult. :) Please read this post with good-humor and friendly opinion-- I don't mean to sound too soap-boxy!;)

We're using Horizons Math K. After about three weeks of "winging it" on our own using just the workbook pages, I'm ordering the TM. I've been doing extra instruction on my own (counting to 100, using coins whenever they showed up on the worksheets, etc.), but sometimes I feel like I'm missing out on something... The reviews and advice on this thread have helped me come to this conclusion. Thank you all! :001_smile:

As I posted earlier, we use McGuffey every day! I finally figured out our [tentative] plan last night: K: Primer-- 1 lesson/day & First Eclectic Reader 2/week 1: Second Reader, 2/wk 2: Third Reader, 2/wk 3: Fourth Reader, 2/wk 4: Fifth Reader, 2/wk, first 85 lessons 5: Fifth Reader, 2/wk, Lesson 86 to end & Sixth Reader, Lessons 1-53 6: Sixth Reader, 2/wk, Lessons 54-end I'll omit some lessons (or we'll just read through the extra) to come out even with our school schedule of 36-40 school weeks. Currently, we're using the Primer as an extra "learn to read" tool, as well as Alpha-Phonics. Once we get into first grade and the Second Eclectic Reader, I'll follow this schedule. Monday: Read aloud lesson 1 Tuesday: Read aloud lesson 1 (focusing on oratory skills) Wednesday: Read aloud lesson 2 Thursday: Read aloud lesson 2 (focusing on oratory skills) Friday: Read aloud both selections as review I'm also planning on using the "slate work" exercises and other interesting poetry, quotes, etc. for use in copywork and dictation exercises. My son loves reading the Primer so far! He reads his daily lesson proudly to his daddy every night (and can spend quite some time staring at the pictures). It might seems stodgy to some, but we like them!:001_smile: (Of course, we also use "easy readers" from the library, too. It's a nice balance between the seriousness of the McGuffey to have some silly, humorous readers to read, too!) Oh... I took a look at the Elson Readers. They ARE beautiful!!!!! Wow!:iagree: Oh dear!

I have both these books and refer to them frequently. Unfortunately, many of the books listed in Kilpatrick's reference are out of print, but they are often still found lurking on library shelves and can usually be obtained through interlibrary loan. The introductory material of his books is very convincing, and perhaps worth the price of the book itself! I found myself nodding so much, that my son and husband were chuckling at me ;) As far as character curricula go though, I'm in the dark! However, I'd love to see what people discover :)