I put my timeline cards in to a 'book' but am now thinking that I should have put them on the wall instead. When we discuss history it would be handy to have the 'visual' - for example today we were talking about the perspective of the people in the 1400s looking back toward the Roman Empire - how it was about a thousand years back in history for them. I wanted to explain that it would be the same as our looking back in time a thousand years.... I am not sure I was able to convey this well - and thought that if I could point to a wall that was split to scale it would perhaps make sense. Of course there are virtues to being in 'book form' - we can take it in the car, easily read information that is on the back of our cards, etc.. I just think it is perhaps more daily-useful to have on the wall.

I have started Spelling Power this year and so far am really happy with it. It takes about 10 minutes, is parent directed, my kids ask for it every day, and it can handle interruptions well. I think it is a great fit for natural spellers. Spelling Power is pricey but they idea is one book for all the kids ages 8-18. I see yours is 6 years old but if he is a strong reader and natural speller and if you are eager to have a spelling program you may want to consider this one (I think there are questions on the author's website that can help you decide if your child is ready to use the program, I can't remember if she strongly suggests waiting til age 8 or not).

Thanks, that is a great idea - I hadn't thought of listening to Grammar-Land in the car... that may simplify things for us and 'separate' the two (MCT, G-L) yet use them to reinforce each other. Much appreciated.

Amy and Sara thank you so much for responding! I think I'll continue on with Faber then until we can find another piano teacher(: Much appreciated.

I have a question about the Suzuki books - My dds (then 8,6,4) used the Faber for 1.5 years and were pleased and motivated to play. Our piano teacher moved and we haven't played for more than a year, I am considering teaching them myself now too. I had 6 years of piano as a kid, but it seems like I only had 6 months - I was NEVER taught that scales/chords mattered - I thought they were just warm-ups... only as an adult did I hear that if you learn these that you can play anything and not hunt and peck like I do. Goodness! So, I don't want my girls to miss the basics. I've heard people like Suzuki. Can you tell me if it covers scales/chords/whatever :rolleyes: and if you have a particular Suzuki book you would recommend (they completed level A,B, and 1 in Faber but I'm also curious about which publisher you went with)... I hope it is okay I piggy back this and hope that this may also help the OP. Thanks!

thank you!

What site did you download the worksheets from? (I probably shouldn't end a sentence with 'from' but I haven't read the book yet so don't know any better.LOL)

I also ordered mine from Amazon too- like 8.95 three weeks ago. I see that it is only with third party sellers right now, but mine was direct through amazon (so maybe they will get more in stock?).

Great, thank you all! I was concerned that two different 'story formats' could be confusing - or somehow take from each other, I won't worry about that then. In fact, GrammarLand arrived today and my 9 yo instantly wanted to start reading it... so I guess we'll go ahead into that and then when MCT arrives we can enjoy that next. Much appreciated!

Thanks so much for the input, that helps! :001_smile:

Firstly I want to thank anyone who has ever posted on Grammar because I've been reading posts nonstop for the past 2 weeks :rolleyes: to try to decide what is hopefully best for us. After a crazy amount of time researching, I've decided to go with MCT (Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts for other newbies to the site). However, that is after I had decided to go with Grammar-Land. So, I have both coming. I only ordered the basics for MCT Level 1 (not the poetry and not the teacher's guide other than for Practice Island). My dc are 9 and 7 (4th/2nd) and have had little to no grammar instruction - English for the Thoughtful Child, a few FLL lessons, and Mad Libs :blush5: but are strong readers. So my question for those who have used/seen both: Would you start with Grammar-Land or MCT? Or just not use Grammar-Land at all? It seems possibly redundant/confusing to use both? Thanks!