I just briefly skimmed through the first few American History lessons, so I have no comprehensive knowledge of the program whatsoever :) , but that does look really nice! Thanks for sharing. I love history. History is one of my favorite subjects. But to teach (or learn) history, it has to be interesting. These lesson plans look like they could be made really fun and interesting as a supplement.

Honestly, that sounds like too much math. :) Teaching Textbooks and Math Mammoth are both complete curriculums. Maybe just do one and add in LoF when you can? I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but I think your daughter might get really burnt out with math if you try to do everything. To do them together, you'd probably have to take 2 years for one grade level. So, do MM two days a week, TT two days a week, and LoF one day.

:) So true. Mine has not been tested either, but she's pretty clearly gifted. She was a terrible sleeper. She stopped napping at 2, but didn't sleep through the night until she was nearly 4. But we didn't give up on naps! We still have quiet time every afternoon for an hour. Gives everyone a chance to recharge. The bigger kids don't sleep, but the baby and I sure do! Now, she sleeps well at night. Bedtime is 7:00, but she's often up until 9:30-10:00 reading. In the morning, she wakes up between 6:30 and 7:00, but she can tell time and knows she has to stay in her room (and quiet) until 7:00. We had to put some rules in place about sleeping times for her, or else we'd have gone crazy long ago! She went through a stage as a toddler where she would wake 5-6 times during the night and still be up and wide awake by 5:00 am! It was insane. So happy we're through that now! Good luck!

I am greatly enjoying this discussion! :) I by nature am not a minimalist, but I love and agree with the idea that quality over quantity is better in a homeschool setting. I am one of those unfortunate people who is always questioning if we should add something else..."I wonder if we're missing something? Should I add this and this? Do we need to do this too?" And pretty soon we're trying to do 12 hours of school every day. *rolls eyes* Thanks for all the great ideas!

I guess for me this is a two-fold issue. I was also homeschooled. As a kid, I remember thinking (about science experiments), "I get the concept, so why do I have to jump through all these hoops for no reason?" Science was just not something I enjoyed (and that's okay). I am very much a book learner, not hands-on. Now, I have three little kids. They are walking messes and I spend pretty much all day either teaching them math and English or picking up said messes. I have no desire to add to the mountain of mess. I like the idea that when they get older, it will be easier to do experiments. They'll get more out of it too. That being said, my kids are walking projects. They paint, draw, create mountains of paper/tape/glue/glitter projects, and they love to play with play-doh and make mud. If I had a nickel for every popsicle stick and cut up cardboard box I pick up....I just don't feel like adding that to our school day as well.

Breathe slowly. Take long, deep breaths. Focus your mind on keeping your body relaxed. Practice now! don't wait until you're 5 cm and starting to feel like this was a bad idea, lol. I don't think there are special techniques for that...I think you need to find what works for you in the moment. That great nurse just helped you find that! I've had 3 med-free and the bulk of what I've learned can be summed up like this: every labor is different and you need to do what feels right. Here are some of my favorite labor activities: Walking. Very good for bringing that baby down. Standing still but rocking my hips side-to-side. Don't ask. It just felt good. Laboring in warm water. Takes the weight off your back. Especially good for hard back labor. Drink lots of water. Sitting on the toilet is actually very effective, lol. During the really bad contractions (such as transition) I stand behind hubby and massage his back. This one is great for everybody...he gets a deep tissue massage from a moaning woman and I change my focus from the pain to him. :) Don't push while lying on your back, if you can help it. It's the worst position. If your ob/midwife will let you, try squatting, or on all fours, or lying on your side (my personal fave). Okay, so that was a lot of unsolicited info...sorry :) You're going to do great! I've never had an epidural, so I can't compare, but I did have three very uncomplicated and very wonderful births, and I wouldn't have changed anything. What's a little pain, right? Childbirth is doable. And without medication, I was up and around within a few minutes. That's what I liked! I didn't even have an IV with the last one. That was really nice!

I love this! Thank you! I love this too! Thank you! *Phew*. I hate projects. I'm glad to know that my kids won't grow up bored and ignorant if we never do them. :)

I've no idea, but... Bump! ;)

I believe there are quizzes and tests in the Light Blue series. You're so right. ;) We are both really enjoying the regular Blue series, and the lack of tests is really not a selling point with me. If she knows it, she knows it. Is that the only difference between the two?

Thank you both! I am glad to know I can use them interchangeably. What is the main difference between the two?

I have been focused on finding a math that would work for my young but academically advanced DD. I really love CLE math, but...she's young and the workload is just too much for her. I have finally (after trying many programs including Singapore, aBeka, Horizons, CLE, CLP) discovered Math Mammoth, which really seems to suit her and is challenging enough without being an impossible work load. Anyway, this is the question: can you (or have you) used the Blue Series as a complete curriculum? Is there an advantage to using the Light Blue grade series? Thanks in advance!

Thanks everyone! Great ideas! :)

Thanks :) My daughter writes on a third grade level. We're not worrying about labeling.

Those are all good ideas...but my oldest has done all of those things and more. She likes science. She's also very advanced. She helps DH work on the cars. she goes off adventuring into the woods (we have 8 acres in Maine) with her notebook and a box of crayons...to 'draw what she finds'. She goes to sleep at night reading books about gasses and solids and scientific theory. She wants to know why. She wants to know how. And inwardly I groan and wonder how I'm going to get through this. I want her to get what she needs but I'm not sure how to give it to her. Library books might be enough, but I can't help wonder if she needs more.

I like that idea, lol. Of course I do; it's easier for me. If this is indeed the case...what have some of your favorite resources and/or nonfiction science books been? Please share!

Hello, homeschoolers. I have yet another question :) Can you please give me some suggestions for elementary science? I have tried so many science books and I simply don't like any of them. I think the problem is that *I* am not a science lover to begin with. I have a positive allergy to doing hands-on/ experiments, and so forth. My kids are going to need to know science eventually. Are there any teacher-friendly science courses that might also be good for the student? Thanks!

How exciting! Good luck to your daughter!

Oh, how funny! I'll have to check that one out for sure!

I forgot to add... Two of our newer favorites are How Rocket Learned to Read, and Rocket Writes A Story Both by Tad Hills. Those are both very cute.

Another poster recommended BJU as well. I've liked BJU for other subjects...I'll give it a look. Thanks!

I haven't had much experience with either Easy Peasy or Moving Beyond, but I know a lot of people like them, so I'll let them answer about those...:) We're a workbook loving family, lol. In pre-k, we start workbooks. We also start learning to read somewhere between 4-5. And I do a lot of reading to them from a lot of different styles and genres. And that's about it. The fine motor skills are important. When he starts actual K and 1st grade, he's going to need to know how to write his numbers and letters and do it at least somewhat legibly. That's what I would be working on! :) (Thus my love of workbooks, I guess...we do a variety of things and by the time they're 5 or so they can write pretty decently.)

I was wondering that too! Thanks for all the suggestions! (We liked Memoirs of a 4-year-old too)

That sounds good...unfortunately my daughter is far, far beyond that. She reads at a 4th+ reading level already. Thanks, I'll check those out too!

Is there a program out there like this? Because you're making perfect sense....

Oh, another question! Sorry...you're going to get annoyed with me, lol. DD (the maybe-gifted one) is the most advanced in reading and verbal skills. What are some of your best ideas for meeting her where she's at in those areas? Are there certain subjects or programs that reinforce those strengths? On a side note, a PP mentioned focusing a lot on her social and emotional development...and I completely agree. This is an intense child! Not only is she emotionally hotwired, she's extremely friendly and seems to have no sense of personal space or reading social/emotional cues in other people. My sensitive 4-year-old can do it...but not her. Help!