I found some great file folder games for my dd on this website: http://www.welcometothepond.com/index.htm This site has good ones, too, but I haven't purchased any yet. http://www.myffgames.com/index.php Today in our workbox: FLL3, WWE, Math, supplies for a noun hunt - paper, magazines, scissors, glue, choir homework, math file folder game, SOTW activity page, AAS, Cursive, Drawing w/colored pencils.

THANK YOU so much for sharing your hard work! I've been looking for a phonics game, and more help in teaching spelling. Thanks again!

I like the idea of this thread! The workboxes are working great for us. My daughter likes both finding out what is in the boxes, knowing exactly how much there is left to do, and I am using more of our resources, and finding new fun ones! It IS taking quite a bit of time, but I'm hoping to spend some time researching and planning, so it won't be so much on a daily basis. Here's some highlights from the past few days and tomorrow: Making an Ocean in a bottle as we are starting Apologia Zoology 2 Logic File Folder game / math file games / grammar file games Ocean animals that dd taped to our big wall poster under its heading (eg crustacean/marine mammal, etc) a book of stickers and paper to make notes for friends for first day of CC

I bought kindergarten cursive (Abeka) to start with my daughter. However, her fine motor skills just weren't there yet, so I switched to manuscript after a month. Her manuscript is now beautiful, and she desired to write cursive last year so we started mid-2nd grade. A lot of my friends have successfully used cursive only from the beginning, and their children didn't seem to have any problems reading. I think you'll just have to evaluate where your child's level. I also know there are a lot of 'pre-cursive' worksheets with loops, etc.

I just looked (lovingly : ) at my tower of drawers again, and I see that there are only 5 drawers in each, so I have a total of 10. That was one of my dilemmas - price vs # of drawers - but I am just going to go with it. I can always purchase an addition if need be.

Okay, well, we are just home from research trip to WalMart, Costco, Sams, Big Lots and three different Targets! I, too, was debating the clear boxes on a rack (which I already have) or tower with drawers. While thinking it through with my husband, he thought I wouldn't have enough room for another shelf system in our school area. Big Lots had the best price on 15 qt clear boxes, which we thought we could stack. Almost went with those @2.50/each. But I thought since I would have to use the lids, that might get a little frustrating for me, filling them up each night having to pop lids on and off. I ended up with 7-drawer towers at Target for $13/each. I bought two. They are not as big as the 'craft' towers, but I think they will work fine. If not, they are practical enough to use someplace else. I was hoping to not spend over $30 on this project, so I'm happy with what I have. Thanks to everyone who is posting about workboxes. I am really looking forward to using them!

I LOVE Boston, but Seattle in September can be absolutely perfect! If you hike anywhere up near Mt Rainier or any mountains, the wild huckleberries should be out. You could take a ferry to Victoria B.C. - a very romantic spot to enjoy with your honey. Have fun!!

Once I start planning, or thinking about planning, I am here. Then I find new 'friends' and their blogs, then I don't want to miss a new discussion, etc, so the hours tick by... While we're doing schoolwork, I usually stick close to my dd while she is doing independent work, and I am usually online. I can only update my facebook status so many times! I miss the 'community' aspect of working outside the home with other adults, and since homeschooling is now my 'job', you all are my co-workers!

THANKS!!! Enjoying your blog, too!

THANK YOU for posting!! This exactly what I needed!

Maria - Are you using the Sterlite shoe boxes or something bigger? Thanks!

We meet one morning a week, from 9 - 12. We all meet in a common area (of a church) and do the pledge, announcements, etc. Then the children and parents are dismissed to their individual classrooms - broken up roughly by age - only 8 children per class. New memory work is introduced by a tutor (one of the parents) in latin, math, science, history sentence, 8 cards of the veritas timeline, english grammar. 30 minutes is spent doing a science experiment, 30 minutes doing fine art - either art or tin whistle/orchestra. This is all for the Foundations program - for elementary aged children. CC is great accountability for me to get the memory work done, plus I love the families that are at our CC campus. I am a newbie to Classical education, and it's helping me to understand how it all fleshes out. Hope this helps!

Awwww...this picture just makes me feel peaceful. I can still hear the frogs croaking and the cool, fresh air of the pacific NW!

Very, very sweet!!! Precious days, aren't they?

Our guest room has a desk for me, and one for my dd. On the wall are posters, big white board, our book case, etc. HOWEVER, so far this year we have sat on the couch with our big Ikea coffee table in front of us, and we work there. My daughter has a little chair that she pulls up for writing and math. It's where I had all my books to do planning, so it was kind of a natural progression. I am just not looking forward to going into our little school room, so we might end up staying out there in the family room!

Tara & Ann, Thanks so much!! I will check these out. Julie

I picked up The Fallacy Detective for my husband and I to peruse, and to use in later grades. My dd is in 3rd grade now, and just wondering if there's anything we can start at this age? Puzzles, games...any ideas? Thanks for your input!!! :001_smile:

I am too excited to start All About Spelling and finish up last years Horizons, so we are starting those tomorrow! I may start SOTW also, because I'm super excited about that, too. I am not calling it the first day of school, however, as that will be in two weeks when I and the school room are more organized. : )

Oh my!! I can relate to that sooooo much!! Only I am blessed to have both a mother AND a mother-in-law who love us too much!!

We are using A Reason for Handwriting. My daughter is in 3rd grade. I like that it has a teachers manual which gives good explanations for how to form letters. That works really well for my daughter. Each lesson is focused on scripture, too, 'making the most of every opportunity'!

Lots of good advice & encouragement already given, and (hopefully) here's some more! You have 4 kids under age 9, a 7-month-old, AND you just moved! You have a LOT on your plate! Order your curriculum, but give yourself some grace, too. And the siggy's...I put mine there for a visual reminder to myself as I'm figuring everything out for the next year. As I'm planning, I like to see everyone elses for ideas, but since the UPS delivered the last book today, I will STOP looking!

We are starting Tuesday, September 1st! I really needed a BREAK this summer, and enjoyed the downtime with my daughter so much. I have finally decided on all curriculum (thanks to all the help on this board) and what I need should arrive this week. Next week I will focus on planning and then the school room. We always start out in the school room, and by February/March we are in the kitchen : )

I love, love, love First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind! I have so much fun teaching my daughter, and she LOVES to do any activities in it. It is such a gentle but thorough introduction to grammar. We are finished with 1/2 and are looking forward to level 3 this year.

Thanks for the heads-up!!

Thanks to all who have responded!! I'm downloading (and zoom-zoom-zooming) the science songs right now, Abbey, and am enjoying those so much! They are fun. :D