Welcome....what everyone else said....Congratulations on having the courage to do what needed to be done! Hugs!

Saxon Phonic is especially good for someone who has never taught phonics before. Scripted lessons, worksheets, games, readers...We like it here. It's actually written like there are multiple children.

Iron Ethel Flint...I have to make dinner, but if I don't remember to explain Gaelic soon, pm me! I'd love to share!!

So far, it looks like the following. We've got a mix of 1st/2nd right now and are heading into a mix of 2nd/3rd. Language Arts: Almost done with Saxon Phonics 1. After that: FLL1 at an accelerated rate, then FLL2 WWE1 alternating weeks with CWP Spring (because I love both programs and couldn't decide which would fit my daughter best... :) ) R & S Spelling, grade 2 Dancing Bears A, which will be too easy, then on to B and C...hoping if we start easy it will help build her confidence Read out loud to mom or dad every day with what I've got here and at the library...hoping to avoid buying readers Cursive with Peterson Handwriting, grade 2 Math: First a review period with MM and lots of facts practice (xtramath, mabe RS card games?) When facts are more solid, we're on to Singapore 2A and 2B, using CWP1 and MM for review Science:We'll finish RSO earth and space move on to RSO chemistry History: Finish HO level one Middle Ages and move into Early Modern Geography: Finish Maps, Charts, and Graphs C (this is boring...I need a replacement) and start Legend and Leagues set 2 Art: Finish ARTistic Pursuits K-3 book 1 and move into book 2 Music: Continue recorder/learn to read music lessons with mom, looking to add an appreciation component (any suggestions?) Gaelic: Home made with a variety of online resources. Morning Time: This is the priority. We pray, learn a song (think old Irish ballads and early American folk tunes), practice Gaelic phrases, memorize poetry from The Harp and Laurel Wreath with IEW's system (every poem, every day, etc), read about a saint, read aloud from My Book House...and anything else I might add. Horseback riding, sewing, LOTS of reading aloud.... And more I can't think of.

If they do stop printing standards, what would I switch to? Suddenly my math plan feels very uncertain. An ideas, ladies? There's Best Academy, I suppose. Hmmmm....I really didn't want to curriculum hop, especially in math.

Ugh. I just grabbed CWP grade 1 (I had planned on using it like a review throughout 2nd grade), but I'm too strapped for cash to buy more. I think I'll grab next year's Standards as soon as I can, just in case. I am so sad...we love Singapore Standards here. :(

Are the sets, after the first one, of a similar level of difficulty? I was thinking of going out of order myself.

Legends and Leagues number one was a lot of fun, though very easy. We're looking forward to the meatier number 2. My daughter loved the story book presentation and the activities were pretty good. I'd recommend it. :)

My Book House Series. And, as two PP's said, Saxon Phonics. Fantastic program. We used K and have 10 lessons of grade 1 left. My daughter and I both enjoy the Legends and Leagues series for geography, which I don't see mentioned often.

Not sure if I should thank you all or not, as my book wish list has just grown substantially..... :)

Thanks for that link, Beth! :) No, not laptops...they were discussing literature at the time...

Could ou tell me what APTOP stands for? Thanks!

Hi all, I was reading through the recent home made curriculum thread - and feeling mighty inspired ;) - and ran across this abbreviation. APTOPS.....can't seem to find the thread I am talking about so I'm asking here. Anyone know what this stands for? Thanks!

I was under the impression PLL and ILL were more for grammar than composition...I had considered PLL for my eldest, who is about to start second grade, and it would have been only one component of her Language Arts program. Each child is different, however, so what she needs isn't necessarily what your kids need. Does ILL include paragraphs and such? I guess if it were me, I'd list out the different areas of language arts and your student specific goals for each and see if ILL covered it all sufficiently. You know, spelling/grammar/composition/etc. I always thought that ILL was generally supplemented. Maybe keep ILL and supplement each child where they need it individually? Also, I'd switch the phonics program. Your son isn't going to get any more comfortable with reading if he, and you, are burned out with the program. Have you looked at Dancing Bears? That is a fairly cost effective program that is meant to be about ten minutes a day. There are others out there, too. Hope you find what you need (and maybe someone with some more advice ;) ).

I have only used the K-3 book 1 so far. It introduces a lot of basics....artists use lines, use light, use color, tell a story; a portrait is a picture of a person, etc. If your nine year old hasn't had any prior art experience and isn't naturally inclined, it might not be a bad place to start. K-3 book 2 is called "Stories of Artists and their Art.: It looks to cover things more advanced than book 1, such as layering oil paints, blending tempera paints, and carving. If that's any indication, I would guess that the books build on each other. Hope that helps! By the way, we LOVE ARTistic pursuits so far!!

Awesome! Thank you!

Another yes vote! Keep us posted!

Could I bother somone for them as well? Thanks!

Vent away, love. And God bless you for doing what you are doing single!! I know having my husband's support has made a world of difference, and for you to do what you do solo is pretty impressive. Instead of feeling guilty about this, how about looking at yourself as a strong woman, because that is what you are. Also, school may not be as fun for the older kids right now as it could be, but if they are getting a good education and being brought up the way you want them to be, then it's okay. It really is. Let this season of life pass. It will. And your kids will come away with good independent working abilities, which is a great skill to have. One of these days, everyone will be on board with school work, instead wreaking havoc in your house, and you will be freer to give one on one time. And everyone will turn out just fine. In the mean time, would it be more fun for the older two if you let them pick their own history/science topics, within reason of course. Or Art/Music to study? Let them investigate it to their heart's content with the only catch being that they have to show you what they've learned in some way...just a thought. :)

Your six and fourth could probably do a lot of content subjects independently, and there is nothing wrong with only reading to your first grader for things like history and science. I don't have nearly the child load you do, but I have dealt with heavy health issues (my own) on three separate occasions now. It IS okay to give your kids the best grounding in the essentials, loop the secondary subjects, and let all the other stuff be delight directed, or minimally guided, with lots of independent work. Also, there are some folks on here with great ideas for occupying little people. Do you have a co-op or support group that could fill some gaps? Can your husband take over one subject and do it with the kids in the evening? Don't confine yourself to that schedule that looks great on paper but is not what you need, not right now...try the blog Amongst Lovely Things, if you haven't already, for a little comfort and inspiration. She schools three older kids, a preschooler (age 3) and one year old twin boys. Above all, work on that guilt thing...you are only expected to give it your best (including the whole clean clothes and meals thing ;)), not become a super human... Hugs!!

Thank you very much for the replies, everyone. I like your idea, SilverMoon. I think I will change journaling to discussion, maybe a picture narration, and then do copywork as you suggested. I keep thinking I need to add something like writeshop, but mayne that is overkill.

Hello, everyone...I have a daughter soon to begin 2nd grade language arts. I am hoping in the future to use CAP W&R, starting in 3rd grade if she is ready. What would be good to use as a precursor to that? I had planned on PLL by Emma Serle, Easy Grammar, R&S spelling, read aloud, and some journaling based off the read aloud for her second grade LA lineup. Is that enough prep? I keep feeling like something is missing from what I have planned... Thanks in advance!

Mitzvahmommy...good for you, you can do this, stay strong and have faith. That's all. :)

Mitzvahmommy...good for you, you can do this, stay strong and have faith. That's all. :)

Thanks! I had no idea that's where the comprehension emphasis came from. There is always something new to learn about education in this country...I will check out what you mentioned.