We are finishing two years of world history using A Child's History of the World primarily and will be doing US history next year. I like that they will have a broad framework that the US history will fit into and think that would be one benefit of starting with world history.

You are not alone! This is our second year homeschooling and last year my 2nd grader could either burn through his math in 10 minutes or do one problem in an hour, depending on the day. My older son would become discouraged so easily. We primarily use Singapore, but this year we added Life of Fred. LOF has really sparked their interest (confidence, enthusiasm, motivation...) in math and now they both get their Singapore done much more quickly. In fact, it takes less time to do both programs than it took last year with one. Singapore has some supplements you might want to check out: Challenging word problems (all word problems) and Intensive Practice (deeper, lots of different types of problems, very little repetition).

We are in the process of a big move from Oregon to Seattle. If we continue homeschooling, my youngest will be in fourth and this is our plan: Math - Singapore and LOF Language Arts - WWE, SWR, DG Afternoon block (with brother who will be in 6th): Literature - Teaching the Classics Geography - Trail Guide to US... History - History of US, Hakim Physics - Physics Experiments for Children, The New Way Things Work, and biographies (The Great Physicists: from Galileo to Einstein)...? May be too advanced) Other stuff: Warm ups - One question a day for each subject to review last week's readings. This has been a hit! He has asked me to add subjects like Latin. I think it is satisfying for them to see what they've learned. Then on Friday, both boys read me what they've come up with all week. I found this on Amazon: "Science Question of the Day". I may add this next year. Latin - ??? doing GSWL now Logic - ??? doing Building Thinking Skills now Typing - Mavis Beacon Drum lessons, maybe adding piano or guitar... Hoping we'll find in Seattle: boys' ballet program, art classes.

When we first pulled our kids from ps, I thought we'd be done school by 1 and have so much free time for play dates and hikes. I also thought we'd have lots of time to delve deeply into subjects, do research projects, etc. One of many misconceptions! Instead, we're sometimes working until dinnertime just to cover the basics. That was until around a month ago...something had to give. I added breaks and recess times to their checklists and miraculously, they are getting their subjects done more quickly and actually spend less time playing. (I also had to cap their bathroom breaks and remove reading materials!) We are finally doing school in closer to the amount of time I originally expected and everyone is much happier and relaxed as a result. I want to have a few more weeks of these compact days to make sure the habits stick and then we will be ready to start delving and playing...

We have been homeschooling for two years after pulling both kids from public school in 2nd and 4th grade. I have often wondered how I might have after-schooled them or done enrichment over the summer. Everyone on these boards seem much more in tune to what their kids were doing in school. I was very involved, but had turned all the responsibility of content over to the school. It is a bit of wishful thinking though, with homework and activities, there simply was no extra time. Life of Fred would be a great compliment to ps and would help with both math and reading. WWE - would help with writing and if you use the teacher's guide and not the workbooks, you can pull from any reading he's doing in school. Oops, I see now that you've used WWE. You can go more quickly through the books. My son did all 4 years in one last year.

I just felt a wave of relief--this was me too! We love Khan, but it isn't the best site for drilling math facts. Try: www.playkidsgames.com/games/mathfact/mathFact.htm or www.sheppardsoftware.com

How old are your kids? 8 & 11 When do you get up? 8 When do the kids get up? 7 When does school start? 9 Any tips on starting on time? Starting on time has been an issue, but starting with a good attitude has been even more difficult. A recent, small change for us has made a huge difference. I used to say they needed to be dressed and ready for school at 9. Well they had that time in their heads and would just push it to the last minute and then beyond, every day. Gentle reminders, nagging, trying to be strict didn't help. When they did start on time, they would have chips on their shoulders that I had taken them away from playing. Now, they can play until 8, then they need to get dressed and eat. They usually take their time and read while they eat. School starts when they're finished eating instead of going back to playing. They have been ready to start between 8:30 and 9 and attitudes are much improved. The other thing I changed was adding breaks to their checklist. They have always taken breaks, but adding them to the checklist has really helped because it gives them a goal and some control on how their day is organized. I'm not a morning person, so my husband often handles the breakfast routine. It is a great time for me to check work emails and get organized. He reinforces any behavioral objectives and helps set a positive tone with devotions or just good conversation. As others have said, the day always goes better when we both are up and chipper, helping the kids to greet the day.

I found this thread after searching "ADHD anger." After reading through all the great responses, I ordered MindUP and Zones of Regulation. MindUP just arrived and I'm excited to start with it next week. Just wanted to say thanks and best wishes to everyone as they work through these challenges.

Hello and thanks! This is our second year homeschooling, 2 boys in 3rd and 5th grade. I've searched the threads many times and so appreciate all the seasoned hs moms that contribute. I finally feel like I might have enough time under my belt to add to the conversation.