Thank you all for your input! I have tried BFSU and I loved the idea, the Yahoo group was very supportive and I really, really tried for almost a year, alas, I threw in the towel. It just wasn't a great fit for my style of teaching. I always felt like I was missing something, not doing enough research, having to work extra long to make sure each lesson was accurate and that I was comfortable teaching it. I am a former 1st grade teacher, so teaching is natural for me but, somehow I was not comfortable teaching with BFSU. I felt like I needed a bit more prepared for me. It may also have something to do with the fact that I am teacher, mom, wife, veterinarian, housekeeper, chef, Lego finder, support group of all sibling drama etc...all in one day. The reality is that I really need some assistance in my curriculum! So, I think ES, RSO, or Mr. Q are my front runners from what I have seen and your great suggestions. Thank you!

In the fall I will have a 1st grader and a 4th grader. I am looking to implement a secular science curriculum that spans both ages so I am not pulling double duty. Any recommendations will be helpful! TIA

We have an almost 6 year old and almost 9 year old. Both sleep about 10-11 hours per night. We start bedtime at 7:30, because they are both early risers- 6-6:30am. So, although they complain about early bedtimes, they are usually asleep in 15 minutes! They both sleep through the night. I find that consistency is key. If they have a bad night, it is usually related to being overtired, ironically. They were the same as babies.:-)

My daughter has enjoyed using the Typer Island software for her initial lessons. She is ready to move forward with something a bit more challenging. Does anyone have any recommendations for software, or websites to practice on? She is almost 9, 3rd grade.

Thanks so much for your replies! Truly helpful!

Our daughter, 9, 3rd grade, strong writer. Will be completing WWE 3 at the end of our school year. What were your experiences of programs that expanded past WWE? She would really like to stretch out a bit more creatively and I wondered where those that followed the WWE series went in their curriculum choices?

Thank you for your replies! Great idea to do Ancients on CD...maybe even in car?? Then we can all do 2 together in the fall. This is a relief for me. My mind was on overdrive trying to figure out how to do it all!

Okay, I am currently in my 2nd year of homeschooling my 8 year old-3rd grade. By the end of this school year we will have completed SOTW 1. I have a son currently in private kindergarten, who will be homeschooled next year for first grade. I would like for him to also experience SOTW 1, but, I am also looking at my time realistically and wondering how I can manage both children in 2 different time periods. An idea was to just do SOTW all over again for both? Ugh..I do enjoy history but, wonder if the is too redundant for both my daughter and I. She adores history and I don't want to ruin the passion. Another option is to just skip SOTW 1 for my son and go straight to 2, but, I am bothered that he will miss the ancients. Have others taught both simutaneously, perhaps using the audio cd's? I would love to hear of your ideas.