I haven't used BF. We did use paddle to the sea last year - we followed his journey in an atlas, and I just printed maps from the internet for us to colour/mark. I'm not sure how CM that is! My son was more interested in just hearing the story, to him the map work got in the way. I'm not a huge fan of Holling, so that's the only book we've tried... I bought the Sassafras books to use as a science read a loud, but to be honest they've actually became far more useful as a geography resource than anything else I've used. Again, we follow the journey using atlas/globes/wall map and then we have either drawn free hand (or I've print off maps) for them to colour/write on/mark/etc. Topics such as compass directions and landforms etc just seem to naturally occur. Sorry, not really answering your question! These links might help. http://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/teaching-geography-subject-by-subject-part-4/ http://www.pennygardner.com/geography.html

I'm so very sorry :(

I'm not religious, but have been very inspired by the Circe threads. Reading those threads has given me the push to believe that I am good enough to teach my children without having to have the latest curriculum, or to jump around from education theory like a madwomen trying to find one that 'fit's us. I'm an (ex) curriculum junkie. I have tons of the stuff, lots never used. Today I got rid of 5 bags and a box full of it! I've sold some stuff, and am currently sorting out my bookcases which have lots and lots of fiction/non/fiction/living books we have never read. I spent a week reading Dickens to my kids last year which they loved. We had lots of discussions, watched videos, did some notebooking style stuff which they enjoyed so much and still talk about now. I want to do more of this. I'm planning on starting a morning time session with lots of reading/discussion. Picture study, revisiting Dickens, poetry, Shakespeare, living science...Science is something I've really struggled with. I think we've tried almost every curriculum, but nothing sticks. Reading those threads made me realise that I don't have to follow a curriculum, or do experiments that I never have the right supplies for...we can read and watch videos and talk and go to museums, etc. This is a bit of a ramble, but I've taken what I really needed to at this time from those threads, and am making it work for us. I feel inspired and positive about homeschooling again. I'm very grateful to those threads for giving me the push I needed. :)

Another thank you. I have been reading all the old and new threads, and finding them very inspiring. I'm sure this has been mentioned, but Cindy Rollins talk is useful to listen to. It's free here http://www.circeinstitute.org/audio

I love Wuthering Heights! So much so that rather a long time ago I dragged (my then) boyfriend off to Haworth for the day, and wandered about (got lost) on the moors. There were lots of sheep from what I remember. We did eventually find the Bronte waterfalls though. I'd love to go back now. Part of my thesis at university was on Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre :) . Edited to add my youngest dds middle name is Emily. My dh did not like the name (hence my oldest dd does not have the it), but my perseverance worked in the end!

Ours are very messy too. I put the hay on the floor in one corner and they eat it ok. I've read that guinea pigs eat their own poop, so they probably don't care too much!

Me! Probably because I can never understand written intructions, and therefore can't work how the <insert any appliance> works properly! I'm still not sure what half the functions on my phone are, and I've had it over a year...

I don't enjoy reading Jane Austen, but I do like watching the adaptations of her books. Sense and Sensibility with Alan Rickman being one of my favourites ;) ...I do however love the Brontes. I've often found that people much prefer one over the other.

My 5 year old loves writing. She is not reading yet, but knows all her letter sounds. She enjoys asking me how to spell things and writing them down. I have done very little handwriting with her, and want to encourage her in a gentle way as I notice she is writing her letters from bottom to top. I have a very limited budget so if anyone could suggest a cheap/free resource that would be great. I was also wondering (even though she isn't reading yet), if there is a language arts curriculum or something I could start using with her? Her vocab is excellent and she will sit and listen to chapter books for up to 40 mins. Again free or cheap would be great. Thank you.

Thank you for the suggestions everyone. Thank you for your kind worlds Alyssa.

Any recommendations for myself and teenage daughter please (she's 15). My mother in law passed away last week, and we're both struggling right now. Thank you.

Thanks ElizabethB. You are right. These are subjects he's good at, and he's especially drawn to engineering. It's just a case of thinking outside the box and finding videos or audios he can use. I also still read lots to him, and we do much of the written work verbally rather than him having to write it down. :)

We had a house with a tiny courtyard area for about a year. I'm in the UK so small gardens are normal, but this was tiny by normal standards! Honestly, it encouraged us to go out more and walk more which was good! We grew a few things in buckets (herbs/veggies/flowers...even a tree!), and I bought some chalk and we drew or played hopskotch. Skipping ropes are also an option. Equipment you could take to the park with you? Balls, scooters, bikes, etc. A small indoor trampoline might be useful. Or a swing ball? We managed to have a small sandpit as well. Hope some of this is helpful. I still miss that tiny garden!

My oldest really enjoyed Minimus. There's also a website with a few ideas and support http://www.minimus-etc.co.uk/

Any Uk home educators still here? Would be nice to chat if there are! :)