I still havent decided on a science program. Was leaning towards Elemental Science (or possibly McRuffy) but not sure. If I were to choose Winter Promise, would you suggest getting (for a 1st grader): --the World Around Me or --Shoot & Sprout, Buzz & Bite ? Also, would it be ok that Im not using any other WP programs (it says something about tying in with their other programs) ETA: What about using Animals and Their World? Its a themed program (vs a science one) Thanks~

awesome! Id love a homeschool room (but dont have the space for it)

we've been through several with all the kids. Although not necessarily a made up word, but a made up phrase---the funniest one was when my DS2 was 3 yrs old (picture angelic face and white blond ringlets) and we were saying some rhymes. I said: "1,2 buckle my shoe" he replied, " 3, 4, smack the whore" and I almost choked. I know he didn't know what he was saying and he'd never heard those words in our house....so I have no clue where they came from

our oldest DD was hospitalized due to MRSA. It took 3 different antibiotics to finally get one to work, and she had to have the area debrided (I think thats the right term) and packed. A home health nurse had to visit the house and clean and rebandage the wound. Luckily the rest of us didn't get it, but I did take precautions. You did the right thing

not sure what happened to my links lol....this is the one I was considering: http://www.globaledresources.com/pro.../dojinsha.html <-- look under topics covered, it's a PDF file, for the workbooks How do these compare to Singapore as far as placement? DS finished Singapore Earlybird this past year and is already doing numbers up to 30, addition, subtraction, etc. Not sure if I should get the first grade or if it would be too much of what he did last year? Anyone tried both? thanks! ETA I was thinking of just trying the workbook first, then ordering the textbook if I liked the workbook

May order one of the workbooks for 1st grade.... would this be the right one? Kyoiku Dojinsha's Mathematics Workbook Grade 1 (2 volumes) ISBN #: 1-934046-25-6 This one: Tokyo Shoseki's Mathematics for Elementary School Grade 1 (1 volume) ISBN #: 1-934046-01-9 looks too easy (looks like what we covered in Singapore kindy)

Im going to order Essential Science and need to get books to go along with it. They originally called for the Kingfisher Human Body book but I can't find it, so I can get either the : --Usborne First Human Body encyclopedia Or --DK First Human Body Ency. I can't see them in person, so does anyone have an opinion on these that will help me choose? Also, I'm not sure which version of the Usborne Science Encyclopedia I'm supposed to get...the list says: The Usborne Internet-Linked Science Encyclopedia (age 9-12) but I'm wondering if I should have the The Usborne Internet-Linked First Encyclopedia of Science (age 4-8) instead since its for a 6 yr old

looks great! Did you buy the table top and add legs, or is it a complete table? Im on Ikeas site and totally lost lol

I'm in Exton :seeya:

I LOVE my laptop. I tend to use it all over the house more than taking it out with me, but love the portability of it. I even sit out in my yard with it sometimes lol.

We did kindy at the kitchen table and on the family room floor lol. Id like to get a kid sized table that will be sturdy enough and large enough for my 2 boys. I've seen some at Pottery Barn kids, Land of Nod and one by Kidcraft (avalon). Also saw a table at ikea but its orange and DH isn't so wild about it lol Any opinions on the quality of the above tables, or any other stores/brands you can recommend? I want something rectangular so they aren't bugging each other and have plenty of room thanks! ETA--the chairs have to be comfy too...otherwise I'll have to deal with squirmy boys lol

I got the spanish and the pre-k learning combo kit (was originally something like $174.50, then marked down to 59.99 I think....then another 50% off of that)

DS started with Get Ready at age 5. He knew all the letters and most of the sounds. It was a super easy, fun intro that gave him some confidence before he started with the harder level. I ordered both the Get Ready set and Book 1 at the same time and just worked our way through them at his pace (we whizzed through the ABC books so I was glad I had Book 1 ready and waiting)

I ordered the Spanish and the Pre-K programs...was around $55 shipped and now my 3 yr old can have his school work instead of trying to swipe his brothers :)

Is this it ? http://www.hookedonphonics.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=35719

great! Now I have to get DD to narrow her list, she wants about 12 of them lol

Tonight at B&N we saw these books on sale for 3 for $9.99. There were several that my 9 yr old DD liked and we almost got them, but noticed they were abridged versions and weren't sure if we should get them. Anyone familar with these books? It seems that some of the unabridged versions of these stories appeared overwhelming to DD....so I wouldnt necessarily be opposed to a shortened version as long as the integrity of the story was still present

thank you!

we were faced with a different situation (school wouldn't handle DS medical issues) so we could either send him there and be worried or keep him home (couldnt afford private school) DH was concerned about me HSing, especially with a difficult 2 yr old at home. But by the end of the year DH was totally impressed with what DS had accomplished (and we did a light year....just reading, writing and math). Hopefully your DH will come around to the idea. If you start the HSing and it just isnt working for you, you can still put them in school, its not like they wont be able to go back. I don't think you really have anything to lose, especially when you are teaching elementary grades.

Im planning on using some art & music books for read alouds for both my 1st grader and my 3 yr old. Will be read for fun and just to expose them to some artwork/artists and music/composers.....nothing too structured or heavy (right now my 3 yr old really likes looking at the paintings in "What Your Kindergartener Should Know" so I'd like to add to that) I had a list somewhere from past searches but can't find it. For music, how would "Stories of the Great Composers" be? thanks!

we did kindy this past year....the individual lessons are quite short in terms of time. At the end, we did 5 lessons per day/session (we had not started in Sept and wanted to finish in July) and it took anywhere for 40-60 minutes--but the books were longer and harder for DS I was really satisfied with the program and the time it took. Wasn't too long, but DS learned a lot and didn't feel overwhelmed (and learned to read!)

McRuffy is full LA...but I did supplement with Explode the Code books. Wasn't necessary but DS liked them

question about experiment supplies.....are they easy to find? Is there a comprehensive list so I could order/buy everything at once and have it ready? That would be a huge help thanks!

we used Singapore last year for kindy (our first yr of homeschooling) It was very easy to teach. The workbook was colorful and kept DSs interest. I was worried about it being too different a program from how I was taught, but we didnt encounter any problems.....and even better, DS loved math

thanks....I think Elemental Science looks like a good fit for us. DS really wants a science program and he likes experiments, but Mom isn't as much of a fan :blush: lol (like I said, some are good and I do want to include them, but if they are scheduled for everyday I know we'd just end up skipping them) I tried joining the Yahoo group yesterday and it wouldnt work, will try again now