I am thinking about doing Nancy Larson and BFSU. Since Nancy Larson Science is scripted, I believe it will get done, and I can do BFSU once a week. Your thoughts?

I'm interested in this topic as well for my almost 4 year old.

What do you think of Caritas Christi Academy for a name? (to love as Christ loved)

We are going through the same thing with my son. Glad we're not alone in this.

Okay, thanks. Has anyone used Abeka's Health, Safety, and Manners?

Has anyone found a wonderful health curriculum for 1st to 2nd grade? It's required for my state.

thank you!

Please help me find the website where I can purchase this. I can't find it.

Thanks, I'm leaning towards MM for 1st. I have manipulatives if I need them from RS B, and will likely supplement with LOF to add variety.

TracyP, what would you use for 1st-2nd grade then? I was leaning towards MM.

I have one week to take advantage of the Math Mammoth gr 1-6 sale, and now I'm having second thoughts because I may switch to Beast Academy for 3rd grade. I've read Beast Academy is a full curriculum, but I'm wondering if I'd want MM too. I want to keep it simple.

I was considering Growing with Grammar, but Grammar Island does sound like a better approach. What would you use prior to Grammar Island for a first grader?

Thanks, yes, after I posted, I realized I was really looking at buying Language Smarts C because B also looked a little too '"light and fluffy" to me. Language Smarts seems to challenge the student with different critical thinking skills, in addition to basic grammar skills. I agree that GWG seems more formal and like "straight grammar". Has anyone used LS C?

Should I use one, the other, or both?

I liked the end where it says the goal is "self-sufficient adulthood", not "socialization". These ideas go right along with what I'm reading right now: Hold On To Your Child, by Neufeld. Thank you for sharing.

There is a local co-op group that meets every OTHER week, so that's a possibility. As far as personalities go, I tend to be more introverted, and need time at home to recharge. My daughter, on the other hand, is a social butterfly who never stops talking & wanting to go places. :001_rolleyes: I love adventures and activities, but my personality doesn't provide me with the energy for them all. So I'm trying to balance my energy limitations with my daughter's endless social energy.

Thank you, everyone. I appreciate your thoughtful comments. I'm leaning towards making Wed. the outside activity day. That way I can focus on school the other 4 days, while allowing some flexibility for playdates and playground time in the late afternoon. I'm a little sad about not doing Friday co-op, but it seems that the quality of Wed. activities trumps co-op--as long as I can regularly get together with a couple homeschool families. We can always do field trips on Saturdays as a family, which I prefer anyhow.

Sorry this is confusing. I was in a hurry.

There's a swim and gym class at the Y from 11:15--12 on Mondays, and 11:15-1:00 on Wed., a music/dance class for the almost 4 year old, and a dance class for the almost 6 year old at the same time Wed. 3:45--4:30, piano lessons, and AWANA late Wed. night. I suppose I could make Wednesday our extra-curr. day (and just do swimming instead of the gym portion on the program), and skip school that day. Then I wouldn't have to run around the other days. Oh, and there's co-op on Fridays 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Otherwise, Monday, Wed., and Friday we'd have somewhere to run off to during the time I'd like to do school, allow for imaginative free play, and practice piano. I'm thinking even co-op would be too much. We also go to church on Sunday.

While homeschooling my daughter's Kindergarten this year, I realized that the more I stay home, the more I can focus on getting her work done. So I'm looking at next year's extra-curricular opportunities for next year, and they're all smack dab in the middle of the day. Will all this driving be too much of a distraction from school? I prefer the activities to be after about 2 p.m., so I have all day to make sure we accomplish what we set out to accomplish. Instead of activities, should I just take them to the playground on my own schedule? I dislike driving and running around too much to activities I've committed to. I want more freedom. I won't have to drive my son to preschool next year, and don't want to fill in that time with other committments.

Wow, that's impressive. I haven't looked into how to participate with the age-group swimmers. But it's nice to know it's an option. This is my first Nationals meet with Master's, and I'm in my late thirties. I used to be a state champion in college days, and missed the nationals cut off back them by 1/2 second in the 100 breastroke. Always wanted to go to Nationals, so now I am.

I'm headed to Indy Nationals this spring. Do you know anyone else who is going?

Anyone here involved in Master's swimming?

Hope you feel better soon!

My boy is almost 4, and my girl is almost 6. I see your boys are in ballet and theatre. My daughter is in ballet, and I am considering it for my son, but there aren't any other boys in the ballet classes. Did your boys always show a love or interest for dancing? How did you know to lead them in that direction?