You are right, ICC is better for more serious games, but because of my really young ones we are using WCL. It's owned and run by ICC, and is "kid friendly".

There are a number of good options. My 4 boys have been playing chess for years. Here are our favorite two: Chessmaster XL It teaches chess from beginning levels "this is a pawn" to much more advanced levels. My boys have LOVED this! This is the program that helped them advance very quickly in their abilities. I strongly recomend this software! The last time I looked, you could download the program to two computers for about $20. or purchase the software on disk for around $50. It's nice to have something to wrap and put under the tree. Secondly, if your ds has been playing tournaments and is a member of US Chess Federation, than you might consider signing up for World Chess Live. The first 6 months are free to members of USCF. It is well managed, and seems safe for children. My kids love it! You can sometimes watch GM matches live on WCL, also, you can catch those on USCF too. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info since we have an offer in on a house with hardwood floors. It is always nice to find something that really works!

I do the same thing. I have two boys using WWE 2 and one using WWE 1. We don't use the student pages in the back of the workbooks. Instead, we use handwriting paper with what ever size lines are appropriate. I absolutely love that she did all the work for me in these workbooks!

Thanks everyone!! I am looking in to all your suggestions starting right now! Your suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!

What is your favorite curriculum for elementary level music, and why? Looking for your best ideas! :) We've moved, making it impossible for our children to continue with their former music program. It's late in the season to join co-ops, (not my favorite anyway), and I want more than learning an instrument. I want a program that is rounded out; covering reading, writing, music, learning about the great composers, folk music, etc., etc. Is there anything out there on DVD or such that I can use at home to teach my children? I'd like a program I can use with young children and one that also has more advanced coverage of music for my older boys. Any such thing around? I haven't been able to find it if there is such a curriculum, but perhaps YOU have found it. :bigear: If not, what is your favorite curriculum for music, and why?

It will be a long haul, but you can do it! :grouphug: Take care of yourself and your baby! Stay in bed! I had placenta privia, and it is very serious, don't take chances yourself or for your baby. Did your doctor give any hope that the placenta might move "up"? (I was diagnosed at 20 weeks.) No cooking, cleaning, lifting or anything out of bed. Let someone else do everything. Accept help offered from friends and/or family. You need this time for your baby. If you start to bleed it is an EMERGENCY. Cut down your expectations for school for the kids. Do the essentials while you stay in bed. You have already received great advice here! After so long on bed rest it took me months to recover my strength; you will need some help. You just won't have the same physical strength and will tire easily after your baby is born since your muscles will be weakened from so much inactivity. I'm sorry, I don't want to discourage you. But you need help, now and probably later, too. My MIL (LOVE HER) and FIL moved into our home for a few months to help. They brought me my meals in bed, cared for the children, laundry, pets, everything! My dh did a lot too, but he was gone at work all day, and limited as to how much he was there to help. But he releaved his parents when he was home. It was very difficult to turn over control. I remember feeling left out of family life. If you find yourself feeling that way remember you are still a very valuable member of the family and that your job is staying alive and taking care of that baby. :) One day when everyone was out, I couldn't resist and :thumbdown: (couldn't find a smiley for "dumb"), I got out of bed and walked into the kitchen. Unfortunately that caused me to bleed and I was rushed to the hospital and spent the next two weeks in a hospital bed. When the bleeding began again, I was rushed into surgery. My ds was born 5 weeks early, and was on a ventilator for 10 days. The staff gave us great care! He is healthy with no problems. I do hope you can find someone, perhaps a relative, to stay with you and your family until this is over. May God take care of you and give you the strength and resolve you need. May he bring you good friends and family to help and encourage you!

Very sorry to hear this. I understand your need to be with adult women and enjoy the Bible Study! In my opinion, it has a lot to do with our culture's view of children, I think. We have encountered it on Sundays at church services too. For some reason, people think children need to be grouped with their peers all the time. I LIKE having our children with us and think they have opportunity to learn along with us (parents & adults). Some will certainly disagree, but I think entertaining children all the time while parents study/worship is detrimental to their growth in the faith. That said, we parents do need a break sometimes, and at times the subject matter is inappropriate for children. But very young children who are quiet should be welcome. Just my 2 cents.

Don't purchase the packages that include the math, science, and LA. Instead, choose the core, then the math or anything else you want from them. Although Sonlight is pricy, you get a lot for your money. We are using Core 4 and Core 1 this year. I started out with Core Pre-K and have purchased a new one each year. Since I have 4 children, I have already re-used the Cores. My children CONSTANTLY pull books of the shelf to read, so it has been well worth it on that level as well. My kids love the science, but I don't always love it. We use WWE and FLL for LA. I don't know if it has anything to do with having so many great books around, or if it is only because we do so much reading, or both, but the boys truly love reading and learning on their own! I wish you well!

Me too! Reddi Rolls from Vernon Library Supplies. Nothing better, in my opinion. We've been using it for years on our books!

The dc have been studying Arabic.

:bigear: I'm doing something similar with FLL3 and WWE 2 with a now 4th grader. We started WWE 2 the middle of last school year, intending to continue through the summer - didn't happen. So, I'm planning on skipping through some parts of it. Perhaps by Christmas we can begin with WWE 3. He needs help with writing. Anyhow, I'm listening in so I can learn something. :)

If you want the job, go ahead and interview for it, but be sure to have the facts in writing. First, clarify the details - is this permanent? Are you to just fill the gap until they find someone else? Will the church staff and pastor treat you respectfully even though you are a woman? I just ask this because it sounds like they took advantage of you. Ask for and expect a fair wage. If you settle for too little, then you sell yourself short and they won't respect you much. Just a few thoughts. I'm sure others can offer more.

I strongly recomend using Key to Fractions. It's cheep and very good. My son used it when he was in 4A & B. It was very easy to use and self explanitory.

I don't think it will be out until August. I really want it now, though. There are several vendors who have it "for sale", but it would be on back order until the end of the summer. I'd be happy if someone told me I was wrong about this!

I'm writing down my final list before I place my orders to various companies. I'll have one in 4th, 3rd, 1st and one in PK. Math, science, SL history/geography Cores, music, art and sports are all solidly chosen. I'm just trying to make any additions or adjustments to the LA that may be needed.

Oops. I knew I would mix up what I meant when I typed in a hurry! Yes, we are doing math and science too! I am just thinking about Language Arts!! I don't want to forget anything important in Language Arts and am wondering if there any holes I am not seeing.

I'm planning on using the following for 4th grade next year. What else would you add? What am I missing? This year we are using WWE 2, FLL 3, and SS2. We use Sonlight, so ds is using Core 3 readers this year. All are going smoothy. - WWE 3 (Assuming it comes out in time.) - FLL 4 - Sequential Spelling 3 - SL Core 4 Readers Thank you for your suggestions and thoughts!

Really? Inflexible? I'm new around here, but just had to say a word. SL has been wonderful for our family! So, I too, am jealous that you have your catalog and I don't have one yet!!! :drool5: I've used SL since pre-K, that's 4 years. I don't find it inflexible at all, and I am using 2 cores this year (K and 3). Love, love, love my Sonlight! :) Just my own experience.

I used Key to Fractions with my son, just for extra practice. We really liked it a lot. Very simple, clear and streight to the point! It was great! My son may not have needed, it, but I wanted to be sure he mastered the material.

Really!! :ack2: I have to wait until August?! Hummmm.... perhaps I can make it work without the workbook... My hope was it would be released this spring. Thanks for the information!

I'm sure the information is available somewhere, but I can't find it. Does anyone know when the workbook for WWE level 3 will be available? Thanks!