Ambleside online uses Our Island Story by H.E. Marshall. http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=marshall&book=island&story=_contents Now, where can I check out American History for Little Folks?

Funny, I ordered our McRuffy tonight! My daughter loves the flag! She is obsessed. She learned the Pledge on Sunday night and is loving it. She asked about the stars and I told her they were for the 50 states. She knows we live in Florida and our family lives in Alabama but now she wants to know all of the other states. It almost seems like it is time to run with light American History - the fun way. Like you mentioned, though, it is hard to find a nice, even approach. It seems like a good plan and then start SOTW in 1st grade.

I don't want Sonlight or something similar because I already have a LA program chosen but Gracie is very interested in maps, flags, learning where places are, etc. and I think she'd appreciate History in sort of a story format. I've finally decided on McRuffy for phonics/reading and math. Any ideas? Also, would you cover American or World history first?

I voted for 10-12 but 12 plus isn't uncommon. He also works 6 days a week and there is no overtime. He runs a finance department at a car dealership so he works on salary/plus commission.

Thank you all for the replies. I think I will definitely wait.

Thanks! I think I'll go with just reading & math.

bump

FIAR is one of my other options. I recently bought the volumes 1-3 so I may go with that.

Thanks! My sons did enjoy SOTW but they were older when we used it. I will check out what you mentioned. I also wonder if history is truly needed in K, YKWIM? With CHOW, my youngest son loved it when he used it in 4th. I noticed the wording at the time but it wasn't a huge deal. It opened discussion. I mentioned my concerns to someone and they basically blew it off so I wasn't sure if I was being too sensitive, which I'm usually not. My gut tells me no, don't do it.

Have any of you done this as a read aloud for K, adding some of the younger activities from the guide? I'd love to have a fun, history read aloud for K told in story form but keep it light. I guess I could use CHOW instead? Just reading the book - totally as a story- without expecting anything else other than fun read aloud? And then move to Story of the World for 1st? Or is that overkill? Also, my daughter is Chinese, if I remember from long ago... Hillyer calls them yellow as well as using other words for races that were common back then. Would that stop you from using the book with your Asian child? I'm usually not overly sensitive and she may not get it - I just don't know how I feel about that.

I've been searching the board and reading some posts about this as well as looking at their site. If you use this and love it, I'd like to know why you you use it instead of other programs. What makes you love it? Would doing Math & Phonics/Reading be enough for K or do we need to do Science too? What do you all think about their Science program? Thanks, in advance, for the information.:)

20, 17, 16 and 4

How long would it take a typical 4/5 year old to read one set? You keep reding them until they don't make mistakes?

So we can really use just these books to teach reading completely? We don't need one of the expensive phonics programs that teach reading, writing, sing songs, etc.??! :) Are there good instructions for using these or do you *just* read them? I have three almost grown boys but I've never taught a child to read and it scares me! They were reading before I took them out of school.

About Dancing Bears, what all do you need for the program? If you were going to start teaching a 4.5 year old who wants to learn and understands sounds for all letters but isn't ready to do something that requires a lot of writing tied to it, is that what you'd use? Where do you buy it? Thanks!

I just started it with my daughter who turned 4 in January. She is just beginning to write letters and we're going very slow but I still really like it. I think two of my sons could have handled it at 4/5 but not my youngest son. I really like it!

We are joining a group in the fall. I'm going to observe the class tomorrow.

I ordered last Thursday night and received it yesterday. I got the new Memoria Press K program for my daughter.

Thanks, I ordered mine last night and it shipped today. I'm looking forward to getting it.

I ordered this last night. How long did it take for you all to receive your box from MP?

Thanks again for the information. That is just what I was hoping to hear, not too involved but crafty things if you choose to do them. :D

Thanks for the reply. I do have another question. In a previous post you mentioned the readalouds and sort of a Five in a Row style. I did see on the sample week where it was suggested reading it once a day. You also mentioned crafts. Did see the one listed on the sample but would mind giving me some examples of at least 2-3 other crafts? I like just a bit of hands on stuff and this seems like what they suggest. I don't love curriculum that is overly hands on. Also, if you don't start this at a traditional school year start time, do you think it will be difficult to rearrange the literature books so you're not reading about Christmas in the spring, etc.? Will the literature choice affect any other part of the program? Do you plan to buy the book package? That is a great price for all of those but I'm not sure I will spring for that.

My daughter just turned 4. She can write some letters and her first name, though they look like a 4 year old wrote. them. ;) She also knows her letter sounds and is beginning to try to sound out simple words on her own, thanks to Starfall. Do you think this would work for her as long as I go in with the knowledge that I may need to slow it down at times?

I would love details!

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'll be checking them out tonight.