We use Math U See here. Uses manipulatives and lessons build on each other. Word problems throughout each lesson.

We have not yet done CAW, but currently we are doing American Story 2 with a 4th and 1st grader. CAW is planned for next year... My boys really like WP, but we are newcomers to the program. The notebooking is mostly drawing and coloring in what they draw. We do paper cutting and coloring with the map activities. Most of the activities come from the books read or the websites, and are varied and fun We will do CAW next, and I'm looking forward mostly to the cultural studies and cooking, which the boys will enjoy helping with. HTH

I think that in this instance, the discipline is both appropriate and creative. Taking note for future reference here...

I have 2 boys and I was very surprised at how much they like notebooking/ lapbooking. We do notebooking with Winter Promise... but lapbooking is more fun for us. Lapbooking is writing information on mini-books, folding paper in a variety of ways and shapes, and producing your own booklets. We often paste our booklets onto colored cardstock, hole-punch them and place them in folders that have the 3 bendable metal clips so they make their own books. Other lapbookers paste the booklets onto file folders. All this with the premise that the more they manipulate information, the more they remember it... Here are some websites that are helpful to us: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/Lapbooks_at_HSS.php http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/lapbooks.htm HTH

We were a Konos family for 3 years... lots of planning and lots of fun. The boys liked it and Mom liked it because the boys liked it. Then the stress of planning everything and the inability to not DO everything became too overwhelming. I had to sit myself down and with hubby's help give myself permission to not be supermom and superteacher and supernurse (I work part-time as well). It's OK to choose a curriculum that I, as the teacher, enjoy teaching... the kids will catch the attitude. We then moved to Sonlight for a needed break in planning. well, that was too much of a change and lasted about 2months. Now we are doing Winter Promise, and since it's only been 3 months, I am no expert. So far, it has a good mix. The scheduled is planned and activities are included. The activities are not as extensive as Konos, but the kids are happy. As they say, "If Mamma's happy, everyone's happy" (something like that, anyway...) :001_smile:

My first grade boy LOVES the Nora Gaydos Now I'm Reading readers, Level 2 "Take a Bite" and Level 3 "On the Go". He also loves the Dr Seuss readers because the rhymes help him decipher the words.

I have been homeschooling for 4 years and changed curriculum 2 times in the past year. I find the need to change curriculum this year as just a need for change. I've also discovered that the success of the curriculum rests a lot on my attitude toward it. It is difficult for me to teach from a text I no longer enjoy, and despite my best efforts, my children are aware of my lack of enthusiasm. From there, it's a slippery slope toward either tweaking a program so much that it is unrecognizable or starting something different. Therefore, I just don't think I have it in me to teach from something only my children love... as much as I love my children.

If you are looking for end-of-year test resources, this company will send and grade the California Achievement Test for a reasonable fee. http://www.setontesting.com/ I've used them here in Virginia.

We started WP AS2 in December... so, we will try to finish this summer in order to move into the next theme by fall. Of course, I have had grand plans for schooling all year round for the past 3 years... but, they are nothing but good intentions... Other plans include possible increased work hours, a very large garden, trips, etc. so where do you fit school in anyway?

Ghosts of the Civil War by Cheryl Harness

For kids and Mom who have no history in running, what would you recommend as a weekly running schedule? Should they run everyday or every other day? We have a college track nearby, but this could become boring... I have safety concerns about road-running. How do you other moms help your kids run for exercise and keep safe? Our road is busy with no shoulder...