I'm glad to see this thread! We just started back this week and I almost felt guilty that we have been done so quickly. It takes us about 2 hrs to 2 1/2 hrs to do everything and I closely follow WTM suggestions. That's not counting nightly read-alouds and piano lessons once a week. We just do 4 days/week here. My friends that send their kids to public school are skeptical that this is enough time, but I love all the free time she has to indulge in imaginative play and just be a kid. Gwen

I checked out a great book from the library that taught my daughter to tell time. It's called Clockwise: A Time-Telling Tale by Sara Pinto. I think the book comes with a clock to use, but the library, of course, didn't have that. I just bought a $4.00 clock from Dollar General. The idea though is to remove the minute hand (just pulls off) and start out only focusing on the hour. You tell time by saying "almost 1:00" or "a little after 3" and so on. It really helped her understand that just because the hand is near 3 that it isn't quite 3:00 yet (like with a time of 2:50). After they master telling time with no minute hand, you add back the minute hand (just slide back on). I highly recommend the book and if I was clever enough to link you to it on Amazon, I would. Gwen

Does the Kingfisher book include experiments? For that matter, I'm not even sure if the Usborne one has experiments. Experiments would be a big plus for us. Gwen

I've yet to pick out a spine for our study of the animal kingdom. We are closely following the WTM for first grade and the suggested spine is the Usborne Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Natural World. I hate to buy a book that I have not seen in person. Is this one a good choice or are there different/better options out there? At first, I was just going to pick out library books for each topic, but I like the idea of having a spine to tie it all together. Thanks, Gwen

I just bought a set of cuisenaire (not connecting type) from the thrift store. Any suggestions on websites or books that tell me what to do with them? I really don't have a clue and we are using MEP for math next year if that helps. I know I read somewhere that if you are using MEP, that cuisenaire rods are good to have. My set comes with no instructions at all. Also, the previous owner wrote numbers on each piece. Should I leave them on or try to remove them? Thanks, Gwen

My sister just had a baby girl, and I bought the baby a nice book of Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. I'm stumped as to what to write in the front of the book! Beyond "To So-and-so, I hope you enjoy this book", I'm clueless. Surely the rest of you can come up with something a bit more inspired! Please help me. Gwenny

Anyone else?

I've finally decided to try MEP for math next year with my 1st grader (6 yrs old). Now I'm wondering if there are any cons/dislikes that others have found with the program. It seems like only good things I've heard. I already know that it is teacher intensive (which I like for this age) and that it may me advanced, and that it teaches metric and foreign currency. I'd like to use the program long term and avoid a lot of switching around. Anyone out there use this program for several years and had good success with it? Will a 1st grader be able to grasp the concepts in yr1? We have done no formal or written math, but dd can count by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's. She can also verbally answer questions like "if 7 birds were on the wire, and 2 fly away, how many birds would be left?" She seems to "get" math, but hasn't yet been introduced to any math notation. I'm hoping that will be easily picked up when we start the program in the fall. Please let me know what your opinions are regarding this curriculum. I do belong to the MEP yahoo group, but of course, the people there are those who like it and still use it. I want to know the "bad" stuff. Thanks, Gwen

I've been looking into RightStart games as there seems to be nothing but great things said about it. Do those of you that use it buy the package of premade games and cards, or do you purchase the book: Math Card Games by Dr. Joan A. Cotter? Are they the same games? I'm leaning toward the book, but would like to know how others have been using it. Thanks, Gwen

Just looked up Math on Call on Amazon and found that the author also has several others in the same series. Anyone else use these and can offer an opinion on which one is the best resource? They look like what I am looking for. Gwen

Anyone know of a book that teaches the parents how to teach math? I'm hoping for 1 book that will explain all the operations and stuff needed up to pre-algebra or so. I don't want to do workbooks and worksheets with my kids, but I would like some sort of manual to make sure I'm not missing something important and would teach me how to teach my kids. I have Math on the Level, but I still feel like I need something more to help me understand math better. Hope this makes some sense, Gwen

Are these Flower Fairies books the ones by Cecily Mary Barker? A Flower Fairies Friends Chapter Books? Our library doesn't carry them, so I've never seen them. We have had her little books of fairy poetry from the library though. I'm a little confused about them since these appear to be new books and the author should be long deceased by now. My daughter is crazy about fairies and these would be perfect if the reading level isn't too hard. I think she reads on a third grade level (Boxcar Children Level). Gwen

Has anyone let their kids read these? Are they any good or just "twaddle"? I'm having a hard time finding good books at this level that aren't too complicated in plot and theme for a just turned 6 year old. Yes, she has read all the sonlight recommended readers (I'm sure someone will recommend their list). Any other catalogs I can steal ideas from? Also, is there anything objectionable in these books? I was so upset when she read one of the Henry Huggins or Ribsy books, and got suspicious about the tooth fairy! Thanks, Gwen

For those of you who lapbook, what is a good, easy to follow lapbook book that show the different things you can incorporate into your lapbooks? I'm not looking for lapbooks specific to certain subjects, but a book of ideas that can be used with any topic. I think Dinah Zike has one, but I haven't seen any in person. Which ones would you suggest for a beginner? We are pretty crafty here, so I think lapbooks would be a fun thing to add. Thanks, Gwen

I'm looking into purchasing the Artistic Pursuits books for K-3. So far, I just see good things written about them. Anyone out there not like them? We are fairly crafty here, and we do art projects every week already, but I am running out of ideas on studying art more deeply. Would you say that this program is thorough and does a good job of also teaching some art appreciation as well? For those of you who own this, what are the main supplies needed for the first few lessons? I'd like to pick some up while I have a 50% off coupon. Thanks, Gwen

Does anyone know of a book or website that has math games that can be printed out? Something like file-folder games maybe? I'm trying to find some fun ways to practice math facts. We have done no formal math yet (dd just turned 6), but I like to use math games. We already own Games for Math by Peggy Kaye (which I love) and I'm not going to buy Rightstart games (or whatever they are called). I feel certain someone will suggest these two. Thanks, Gwen

Thanks, that recipe looks promising! I haven't tried one with cornstarch before. Anyone have any other recipes? Gwen

I've noticed that there are a few projects for SOTW next year that use clay. Anyone have a great recipe for making clay. Air-dry or oven baked would be great. I've tried a few in the past but have yet found the perfect recipe. Most seem to crack, get puffy when baked, or are too gritty (from the salt). I'd rather make my own than purchase. Thanks, Gwen

Does anyone have a list of the ordering of the Betsy-Tacy-Tib books. We just read Betsy-Tacy and I'm not sure which is next. Betsy-Tacy-Tib? My dd loved the book and I wish I had known of it earlier! Gwen

Thanks! Now I understand why that page is missing! We might not do those anyway - my daughter already has too many questions about "how does the baby get in there?". I assume it is just the internal reproductive organs though, right? It might be helpful to show her that the baby is actually in the uterus and not the "belly". It's shocking that so many people (including adults) don't understand this. Does the text for that page explain reproduction at all or just the basic function of these parts? I don't want to go into eggs or sperm with a 6 year old! I'm excited to start this in the fall! Gwen

I just got the book My Body in the mail today and found it is missing page 17 and 18. Anyone who has the book that can tell me what body part is on that page? I don't see what's missing. I've contacted to company I purchased it from but I'd still like to know what I'm missing. The book was listed as "acceptable" condition, but to me, missing pages is not acceptable! Thanks, Gwen

I'm looking for a list of the syllable division rules. I would like something that will explain where to divide longer words in a simple, easy to understand way. I'm not looking for a curriculum or workbook, but maybe just a website with it all clearly listed and explained. The ABC's and All Their Tricks explains it, but I have to admit I am still somewhat stumped about how to explain it to a 5 year old. She reads quite well, but longer words really trip her up. The fact that I can't tell which part of the words are accented, stressed or unstressed doesn't help me either. We have been doing the online Phonics Lessons from the Phonics Page (by Elizabeth) and they have explained it well (especially open and closed syllables), but I would like a list or page that I could look at to make sure I really understand it well enough to teach it. The whole latin vs. english words confuses me. Thanks, Gwen

Thanks for all the links! I feel more confident now that it will work. What do others do when the child mispells a word that uses a spelling rule that has not yet been taught? Do you simply supply the spelling with a quick explanation of the spelling rule, or do you take the opportunity to use it to teach that rule in more depth. At this point, most words are mispelled, so I would have to cover a lot of rules for every sentence. For example, this is from a sign my dd (age 5) posted over the fireplace: ples gost go uwa and live in a difrit hols. Translation: Please ghost, go away and live in a different house. Should I start spelling now so the inventive spelling doesn't become ingrained in her mind? Or wait until next year as originally planned? She is reading well at maybe a 2nd-early 3rd grade level. Gwen

With so many recent posts about spelling, I've been thinking a lot about it. I'm cheap, so what I have planned on doing for next year (1st grade), is to use Phonics Pathways (already own) and The ABC's and All Their Tricks to make my own customized program. While researching AAS, I found that their website has the scope and sequence of their program available. My plans are to use this as a guide and then pull words and rules from PP and The ABC's books to align with this. PP's website also has instructions on how to use their book for teaching spelling. PP has the students use a notebook divided into a copy, dictation, and trouble words section. For the copy section, they copy the rule and then 5-10 words. The Dictation is next with about 5-10 words dictated. Trouble words is for mistakes. Later, you build up to dictating phrases and sentences. It sounds simple and quick to do (10-15 min they say). Do you think this will work and what problems do you see with my plan? Will this be a thorough spelling course? I don't know anything about spelling myself and am actually excited to be finally learning these things along with my dd. Also, are there any other good spelling type reference books or websites? I think my biggest concern is hiding the PP book. My dd HATES that thing so I always have to copy the section we are working on the night before so she doesn't catch on that we are still using it! Thanks, Gwen

www.bookfinder.com compares the prices of several of these sites for you. It adds in the shipping for you so it's easier to decide the best deal. Gwen