Me2, and I'm grateful!

I just started using First Language Lessons, but I've noticed that some lessons have optional activities at the end. I've also been surprised that my DD7 who doesn't like doing ANY kind of performing in front of others gets a kick out of the memorization "songs" (for example, for memorizing linking, being, helping verbs).

www.rainbowresource.com

:) I can relate!

There are so many possible lessons within biology that you could probably get through the year without getting bored. Just think of all the animals you could talk about (insects and snakes, to name a few. yay!). And if DS takes a special interest in one area, you could certainly let him go into greater depth. Just check out one of the recommended spines from the library. If he does get bored, it won't be too late to try another approach. I have found it very helpful to have an outline to help me make sure I don't leave anything out, but lots of flexibility to teach as little or as much of something as we like. That's the great thing about WTM!

Bumping this because I want to hear more ideas! We've had a couple of days. My kids keep asking for a pajama day. Maybe I'll consider it. Keem 'em coming!

Would you be willing to share a table of contents or summary? At $5.95 it's a low risk, but it would be nice to know a little something before purchasing. Thank you!

Well I guess I need to go to Ross! Thank you!:001_smile:

Can anyone recommend a good place online to find a globe? I've been Googling and I checked Amazon, but I haven't found what I'm looking for. I'd like something durable, and preferably with a floor stand, since I don't have much table space. It would also be nice if it's not the antique style, and less than $100. But if you know of something that's over $100, please let me know anyway. TIA!

Or it might be Mudpies to Magnets. It's not a curriculum, but it has science experiments in various topics (earth, biology, etc.) for preschool and up. I don't have copy in front of me, but it's recommended by WTM. Our library carries it. I highly recommend!

Thanks ladies! I'm making my library requests. :)

Good evening! I'm looking for fiction recommendations for my DS7, preferably with little or no: Name-calling Toilet humor Magic (not putting this in the same category as the other two; it's just not for us) Does this exist? :D Thanks in advance!

Can you share a little more about your daughter's difficulty? Was she interrupting? With relevant questions or just interruptions? How does she do with listening in general, for example to non-history stories? How did she like the Explorers program?

With DD7, if I see that he's spending more time than he needs to on his work, I give him a time limit, e.g., 10 more minutes to finish the page of math problems. Whatever is left will be homework, i.e., we will move on with the school day and he can finish the math problems after school (and before he gets to play video games). I started this over a week ago and, guess what: he hasn't had homework once yet. :D

Agree! Agree! Agree!

We made this one: http://www.stormthecastle.com/paper-castle/make-a-cardboard-castle.htm, but you can find many other suggestions online.

I agree. I have a really "good" one in mind, but I will refrain from sharing ...

You can probably find lots of activity books from the library for the Ancients. Here are two that we used: Pyramids: 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience Ancient Egypt (Kaleidoscope Kids) Classical Kids: An Activity Guide to Life in Ancient Greece and Rome (A Kid's Guide series) If you're willing to take that extra time, you don't need the AG. I didn't use it, so I can't say for sure what I'm missing. But I don't feel like we missed out.

That is one of the coolest things I've ever heard! Please keep the coffee stand! Responsibility, enterprise, accounting, and who knows what else they're learning! Spreadsheets?! OMG, it's too much! :D

We're doing the middle ages now, so we could work in some extra reading about for example, Columbus and the other explorers at the end of the year. I get so many good ideas here!!

We keep our narrations, maps, and drawings in the notebooks. The children like looking back through the notebooks at their drawings. Recently, on a science day when I didn't have anything planned, we reviewed some lessons from last year.

I can see the value in that. Let history time be for history, and a little extra time if necessary for handwriting. If something looks totally crazy during our narration time I'll ask him to re-write. But it's probably better to let him focus on one thing at a time. Thanks for your input everyone!

:iagree:

Sometimes I ask him to re-write, but then we get trapped in constant erasing and re-writing, which neither of us likes. Are you seeing any improvement with HWOT? I looked at a sample lesson and cringed when I saw that it includes making up sentences using the featured letter. DS7 despises work like that. I don't mind making him do work he doesn't like, as long as there's a benefit.

I am not pleased with DS7's handwriting. He CAN write neatly. I think I've seen it. But usually a letter or two ends up below the lines, they look kind of smashed, there isn't always sufficient space after the period, etc. I do point this out while he's writing. We already do lots of writing (WWE, plus narration for science and history), so I'm reluctant to add to it with a handwriting program. Will it just get better with more practice?