About the blackline maps, there is a product on Amazon that is similar, I think, called Uncle Josh's Outline Map book CD-Rom. It sells new/used for $20. Perhaps that will help you know what to sell it for. Does KQ allow resale of PDF files?

There is a Billy and Blaze bundle at Exodus books, 8 paperbacks for $45.

Someone mentioned the openlibrary.org site recently, so I signed up for a free account. Now that I have that, I discover that they have many science-related books available-- not always a specific title, but something on many basic subjects. Of course, they also have other books, including picture books, early readers and history books. This site allows for check out of five ebooks at a time; accounts are free. Another resource for ebooks is wegivebooks.org. Their title list includes many science-related titles from dk publishing. Free account. I've found these especially helpful since I live overseas and can't pop into my local library...

Thanks for the input. Right now, I'm thinking something along the lines of... K4- The Story Bible from Concordia (gorgeous pictures; used at Amazon is a good price) K5- Ancients Year 1-- Greenleaf Guides (OT, Egypt); SCM's Ancient Egypt spine 1st- Ancients Year 2-- SCM Guide 4 (includes Rome and a harmony of the gospels) beyond that, maybe a combination of SCM Guides, SOTW 2-4, perhaps a gap year for Beautiful Feet Geography Guide, and then try the Hakim materials... I started this thread hoping it could help give ideas for others who might have tight finances...

There's lots of history materials out there, but some of them require a big outlay of money up front (perhaps with promises that you can reuse it for multiple ages and multiple kids.) Perhaps you are still not in a position to afford those programs or you'd like the flexibility to try several options without committing to one company for the next twenty years of history instruction. What options have you found? Two I've found are Simply Charlotte Mason and Greenleaf Guides. (I like the samples. We're not at grade 1 yet, so I can't say I've used them.)

I think one of the SCM History Guides walks through North American geography in that way, telling you what to do week by week using a map book like Uncle Josh's blank outline maps (SCM= simplycharlottemason.com)

Glad the links helped. I hope to leave a few more at the end of the post, some of which should work in the States. Several other mandarin resources...Pablo is a free dictionary download, Anki has free flashcards. I've heard there are lots of free Mandarin apps if you have the technology for it (I don't, so I don't know the details.) Happy Birthday (bi-lingual) http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzQ3Njk2NzI4.html 白雪公主 Snow White http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTEwNzUyNzMy.html http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjcxNDMwMDcy.html 三åªçŒª The Three Pigs http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzE0OTUzNDIw.html ç°å§‘娘-Cinderella http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzE0OTUzNTQ4.html å°é©¬è¿‡æ²³ Little Horse Crosses the River http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjY0MTA3NTgw.html å°çŒ«é’“é±¼ Little Cat Goes Fishing http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjM4NjQ3MTg0.html Tooth care http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjk2NjE0MzIw.html å°ç†Šèµ·åºŠ Little Bear Wakes Up http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjk2NjI0MDcy.html

Resources for learning about curriculums Cathyduffyreviews—info about most products available on the market. Much free information, though we found her 101 Top Picks also helpful (paid download) Exodusbooks.com—this site sells new and used books, as well as reviews of many products. You can see sample pages for some of the resources sold, which is very helpful. Handwriting and coloring Several sites offer ebook downloads for handwriting. These include Italics: Beautiful Handwriting for Kids, Classical Copywork and Pentime. Many sites offer coloring pages. DLTK has a wide variety of free coloring pages, calendars, etc. I plan to use downsized copies of some of the pics for our first timeline. Ebooks Simply Charlotte Mason, Greenleaf Press, Biblioplan, and Tapestry of Grace are all living-books based history curriculums. Free samples of these history guides are downloadable as well as the guides themselves if you should choose to purchase. Obviously, the living books would have to be accessed in some way. Naturexplorer and 106 Days of Creation are both ebook science materials for elementary. SCM has resources for other subjects as well as a free curriculum guide. Almost all their products are available for download. CharlotteMasonhelp and Ambleside Online also have many free resources. Some companies provide ebooks of the materials even if they aren’t listed on Amazon (i.e. a Child’s Geography books.)

Thanks for the input. I hope to add more later. For now... There was a related post a month ago which has some suggestions: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/473967-advice-on-homeschooling-without-library-access-please/#entry4983074 Perhaps there are ways to share curriculum within a given region (i.e. southern Africa, northern China, SE Asia, eastern Europe) if you meet a mom who is interested in the same materials. Here in China, I've found that many English books are available for order from Taobao, including many that could work for school. Prices aren't as good as used, but if you need a certain type of book you might be able to get it. Just search for the title and see if it comes up.

We currently live in China, but when we were in the States, our library had several series of DVDs for Mandarin; our favorite was Play and Learn with Chinese with MeiMei. There were 8 volumes or so. Here in China, there are videos (children's cartoons) on youku (like youtube.) I believe they can be accessed from the States. Here is a partial list I compiled (if they work for you, I can add more)-- Little White Rabbit—å°ç™½å…” 白åˆç™½ http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDE2Nzg4NDY0.html http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTk5NDk5NDM2.html Two Tigers—两åªè€è™Ž http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzI5MjQxMTE2.html Pull the Carrot—拔èåœ http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzI5MzMyNTA4.html http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzI5MzMyNTA4.html Little Donkey—å°æ¯›é©´ http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzI5MjM4MzY0.html 打电è¯- Two kids call on the phone http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzI5MjQwNDQw.html

Overseas WTM posting… For those of us living overseas, it’s always great to find resources that are online, downloadable, and printable—anything that doesn’t take up precious suitcase space. Here are some that I’ve come across or had recommended: Early reading… (I’ve used all three with my four-year-old) Starfall.com—letters, reading, songs and math, all with animations. Lots more options (including a curriculum plan and early readers) for $35/year. Not really classical education, but if you are stuck with no materials to work with, this could be a good option. hubbard’scupboard.org—free, Christian preschool materials, including short-vowel activities. Jsite.com/lcr—these are printable readers, Christian. Donations welcome. Stories (like having a small library available overseas) Wegivebooks.org—free account allows you access to read children’s books online. Many DK books available, as well as others currently in print. Storylineonline.net—children’s books read by actors. Some books on social issues as well as some modern classics. This requires fast internet and may not always be accessible overseas. Some other sites have older books available, like Project Gutenberg and the Baldwin Project. I’d love to hear what other overseas moms have found along their homeschooling journey…

Related to this, if I decide to get the Biblioplan Companion, but use it with another curriculum, will I have a hard way finding my way around in it? Is there a table of contents and/or index? If I get the digital version, is it searchable? I also want to know if they identify their source material (it didn't look like it from the sample).

Thanks for the suggestions and feedback. I'm glad SOTW 1 works for so many people...it is my least favorite in the series, so I doubt I'll start with that. Part of why I liked First Timeline was their timeline with line drawings, but I think I will make my own using resized pictures from dltk coloring pages. I've been interested in the Simply Charlotte Mason History Guides-- the first year is mostly Bible with some intro to Ancient Egypt. So I may use that...

I see you are in China, as we are currently. Do you know if there is a swap/sale board among moms on this side of the pond?

Thanks for the input. I think I'll probably give it a try...