Thanks :) What is ILL?

Thanks so much for sharing :) I am actually starting to think that I might try that. Sounds like it might work for my 4yr old and its another way to ensure that I include all those fun extra subjects :) Just curious, what do you do during morning meeting?

That sounds good! I tend to find one and like most of it, but not everything, so then I keep searching til I find more.... then I am so confused and exhausted because I am trying to find the best one to fit our family!!!! Aggghhhh I have been doing this same thing with booklists the past week too, feeling a tad tired :/

Mmm... that's what I thought too! how do you plan to ensure you are covering what you need to?

For one year I have been writing my own curriculum as such, but I'd probably call it more winging it!!! I now feel like I am not getting everything covered, surprise!!! Just wondering how others plan it all and actually do it. I was thinking that for each child I need to do a yearly scope and sequence listing each subject to cover and which books or curriculum I will be using; then break it down into terms; then weekly; then break it down daily. In the past I have just worked out a daily plan, that doesn't always work. Anyway, I am on the right track if I do this new idea? Or will it just cost me a lot of wasted time?

We usually start with Bible together, then maths for each of them, with me sitting there teaching and assisting while they all work together on their maths. Then my 4yr has usually had enough of table work, so heads of to play but wants someone to play with her. Its so hard some days to try to explain to her that the others have work to do and cant play yet. After another 30mins or so they all take a half hour break together. Perhaps then I should get my 4yr old back to have say 15mins with her before moving onto the older 2.

Actually, I did read a blog recently about a mother who did all the fun group stuff first, then moved onto the other subjects, I will definitely look at that :) I have always done maths first, as it is the most disliked for my 8 year old.

My 4yr old actually tries to organise games for all of us to participate in, or asks me to do such and such with her, or interrupts a one on one lesson. So I feel like I am pushing her away but I don't want to do that. My 6yr old would have been and still is, happy to cut, colour, play on her own. But my 4 yr old doesn't seem to be that way. I know there has to be an answer. Thanks for your encouragement that it will get easier :) I think this year has been my busiest yet, with their grade levels!

All year I have tried different ways to do school, but its quite difficult fitting in even the basics. My children are aged 4, 6 and 8 - grades 3, 1 and pre K. How is it possible to fit in a day, what they need to learn? Or even fit it in a week? I tend to focus more on my 8 and 6 year old because they are older, but 4 yr old needs me too!!! Please let me know how you fit these in each day

My DD8 is grade 3 is working through PLL and is finding quite boring. She seems to know all the grammar rules being taught in this book, so I am wondering if I should move her onto the next book or take a different road for LA. Are all of these books boring? Should I look at something like Daily Grams or another similar for grammar?

Oh thanks, just had a look a that. Do you know if this is a book for them to work on independently or with a parent?

I think my daughter has a ready level of grade 4, she is just finishing McGuffeys Third reader.

My DD8 and I have been working through PLL this year, and she is finding it to be boring. A lot of the grammar lessons in there she already knows, so we tend to just work through it orally. We do enjoy reciting and memorising the poetry. I feel like we are just working through the book for the sake of getting it done! But neither of us are enjoying it (me because she doesn't). I was wondering if I should perhaps look at a grammar program for her, continue with AAS, and her copywork that she does daily. Would this suffice for grade 3 LA? Would there be something else I should perhaps add in? I was planning on purchasing Emma Serls next book to work on after this one, but now I am not so sure. Does anyone know if it is similar to the first one? Is my daughter perhaps ready for the next book, or should I just leave it altogether?

No I haven't heard of Ramona books. Thanks for all the booklists ladies, and the links to other sites, most of them are sites I have not seen before :)

Help!!! I have been looking for an appropriate booklist for my 8 year old daughter. She would love to read chapter books, but I am having trouble finding some that are appropriate for her. I dont' want anything with witches or magic, or anything that could cause fear or have a negative affect on her. Surely there is a list somewhere of nice, well written stories that she can read and love????

I use Apologia science as a read aloud to my 8, 6, and 4 year olds - we all really enjoy this curriculum. What else should I include in science for them? I have the science DVDs from Sonlight but considering their science programs to add, or do I really need to add anything at all?

This is only from my own experience with my children. If he is 7.5yrs old and finding 1B easy, here is what I would do. Move onto 2A and then 2B and work through them as quickly as he would like, but forget about the IP and HIG and CWP. If the workbook is below him then these books will be a waste of time. Just get through the workbooks to get to the level he is at, and then add in IP, CWP and HIG at that level. The books you have already purchased though will not be wasted as you have younger children to use them with, and I would start 1A at an earlier age with the younger children than you did with him, and just see how they go.

bump

Please tell me your ideal school day with 3 children; grade 3, grade 1, and pre K - learning to read. Thanks :)

My daughter was at a 4th grade reading last year. When we switched over to McGuffey, I put her on the Third Reader. This level has been perfect for her as a reader that she reads aloud to me. She will be finishing up with this reader and require the Forth Reader next month. If you try easy peasy curriculum, a free website, http://allinonehomeschool.com/ they use McGuffey readers. I just had a quick browse now but can't seem to see the third reader, the other levels below this one are there. Anyway, if you have a look around you might find what you are looking for :)

Thanks :) Yes that's right they are different!!! My first grader seems a natural and I don't think she will need much drilling. I personally dislike flashcards. But I think my third grader will enjoy 5min drills, she loves to race the clock :) She needs more than the workbook provides, for the sake of getting down the facts. So I might try that :)

What is the best painless way to memorize, learn multiplication facts? The 5min drill each morning sounds good :)

hmmm.... this isn't sounding too good :/

If you use miquon and Singapore, and in Singapore include textbook/workbook, HIG, intensive practice, challenging word problems. How do you schedule it all? I see all of this a complete well rounded maths program. Do you assign a set number of pages each day? Miquon on Monday, intensive practice on Friday, challenging word problems on Thursday....

Oh :( Thanks! It appears to be such a good program and has several good reviews. But yes I struggling to find time to get it organised :/ What do you use now for writing?