This makes sense! Thank you.

My kids do the same thing. They build characters from either movies they see or books that were read to them. Did you just tell them what the characters were?

With regards to the extras, if I don't schedule them in it doesn't get done. With regards to an atmosphere of learning, I limit tv, read myself (mostly have my novel laying around lol) and try to make it fun without adding pressure. Also, we haven't done this yet , but was thinking of visiting a college nearby so that they see everyone studies and it's not just me being mean by taking away their play time lol. How my kids are going to turn out I don't know. Immediately after I read to them (30 mins before bed), I either read poems, or play classical music or play hymns or read a biography (3 pages). Sometimes I do 2 out of 3 of those things. And this goes on for about 15 minutes while they are in bed fighting sleep lol. My situation is different since mine are 5 1/2, 4, and 2 yo. Hth

Adler planetarium.

Thank you Moon and Sweetpea. I'll check out the site later......this is the first night I'm weaning off my toddler. That's a good idea to check and see if the library has it. :)

I'll do it later if no one replies by then. I'm in the process of weaning my toddler. First night. :p.

How about shurley English or Treasure Conversation? I don't use these, just thought I'd mention them. I'm not sure if they are grammar or literature or both. You could probably skip a lot of lessons with voyages in English since it's too repetitive. Not sure about the multibook format though. Hth

Thanks OneStepAtATime. I'll keep that in mind. :)

Just looked into it and it looks very interesting! I can't wait to make a penguin. :)

Thank you!

Hello, Can anyone recommend an origami book for an almost 6 year old? I don't need to explain the why behind it. Just want to make something. Perhaps something that can be done with a 4 y.o. as well? :) (But not necessary) Thanks.

Wow! That's great info! Very creative. Thank you. I'm going to borrow your idea. :) Thanks for sharing!

FWIW, I have a friend who is chinese and he learned both simultaneously. He is now a pharmacist. So, no I don't think it'll be confusing. Of course, I'm not an expert, so I'm going to say that it may depend on the child. Just thought I'd let you know since you asked. HTH

Yes, thank you kiwik. Currclick has it and a website called St. Michaels Orthodox (describes the book). I can't remember which one I bought it from.

No, to answer your question. I don't know anything about CC or CCM or classical schoolhouse, but there is someone here who has made memory work for sotw. I haven't used it yet. I can't remember the name of the yahoo group, but I can find it the next time I'm at my computer if you want.

Thank you Chelli! That's an idea. I could use the sentences for copywork from WWE. Soror, I think I'll use Chelli's idea and along with our reading. Off the top of my head (since my kids are 5 1/2 and 4), I'm thinking of using the characters I laminated with progressive phonics. Not while he's reading it of course. :) Then when his handwriting is up to speed perhaps do Kristenhill's idea. If you have any more ideas, please let me know. I'll post if I find something as well. Thank you for all your inputs! :)

Thank you. Not enough samples......that's what I was afraid of. :( It's good to know that I wasn't missing something. :)

I think supplementing math and ELTL are fine. It's what I would be doing if mine were in ps. I would keep an eye out to make sure they are not getting tired of school. Learning is supposed to be fun. :) Also, field trips. :) Not many of us get to go to Germany. At this point in time, I'd stay away from Spain though. :)

I really like real science odyssey. It's an open and go program. So far, I've been getting my materials from walmart. My kids are about the same age as yours. I have BFSU, RSO, and CKE. My spine is building foundations of scientific understanding. That being said, I actually use RSO more because BFSU is harder to implement. CKE, like the pp wrote, is a little light on content. After writing all that I should mention that I haven't used the earth science one. I'm using RSO's life science and chemistry and CKE's chemistry. Also, RSO tends to have sales during holidays. There's an email list for notifications. Hth

I agree with OneStepAtATime. FYI, since you are new and on a fixed income, there are some free stuff on the Internet. For example, starfall.com and easy peasy school. I'm not familiar with the latter, but seen it mentioned before. Also, there may be a free online school in your state (if this will work for your child). Don't forget you tube! :) I get lots of great songs and science videos from it. Good luck.

That's great! Thank you.

Wow! This is great! Thank you! I was curious what one did for elementary students.

Thank you! :)

Thanks so much! I'll have to check them out. Slackermom - I clicked on the link and that's the site I was talking about. I'll have to look at it more thoroughly now that I know it's legit. Sometimes you never know. :) I just read dmetler's (sorry if I misspelled your name) thread about math in a box. I'll have to check out mathcounts too. This is so great......I'm so excited.

Hello, I just found out that math circles exist. There isn't one for elementary aged students in my area. Is there such thing? If there is, what exactly is covered? What's it like for that age? I was thinking of starting one. I thought I saw a sight that had info on this, but i couldn't seem to navigate it correctly. Any info would be greatly appreciated.