I was looking for some recommendations for Classical music CD titles to listen to during our Friday poetry and tea mornings. I was looking to purchase 2-3 CD's for the year, and wondering if any of you have some favorites? Ages of my kids: 7 1/2, 5 1/2, 4, & 7 months Thank you!

Thank you all for your responses and suggestions. My oldest is quite independent and especially loves her books. What do you think about this: I'm going to take the suggestion and start off with reading all together. We always start with prayer and calendar anyways, so I can just transition into reading together. (They all love to read) I think the SOTW reading first. SOTW will be new to us this year. I then can start my oldest (2nd grader) on a follow up activity with that. I then will take my kindergartner to do Ordinary Guide/Phonics. (and if my 4 year old wants to come along to do it). I made a notebook for the 4 yr. old and kinder that have dot to dot, and letter practice, and coloring sheets that I can use as back up if they want to stay in the room while my oldest works later. I have a variety of things like a geoboard and mold and play sand I got as special for the littles when I'm with the older. (They tend to all like to be together, so I'm anticipating it might be the same this year?) After Ordinary Guide with littles, send them off to go play or they can do an activity. Start Math with my oldest and also Writing with Ease & Spelling Workout. In between older working on those things, then start working with my kindergartner on her math. My 4 yr. old can play the math manipulatives or something else. They all can go play or go outside while I start lunch. After lunch, do chapter of our read aloud My Father's Dragon or current read. Do rest time (we still have about 1-1 1/2 hour of that every day). Oldest can read her independent books then. The afternoons after rest could be play, any other activities (their art class they attend on Wednesday afternoon, soccer on Thursdays). It will be more of an adjustment this year as with kinder and 1st with my oldest, it was much more relaxed, had lots of playdates in between because we would often finish math early (she is a early riser), and she was already reading so much and we do that naturally daily in the house. Plus having the younger siblings. Now with 2nd grade, I feel there is more content to cover, and need to be more with a regiment of working through the mornings, and have the afternoons for the extras. I think it will be have to be a bit trial and error in the beginning to see how this routine works. I also have a 7 month old in the mix I forgot to mention, so I realize too, it may not always look the same. As long as I have a general routine of what I want to start off our mornings with, and depending on the baby, see how the rest flows. I may have to do some things during rest time with the older or kinder if the day is particularly more challenging. I am feeling very stretched, nervous, and overwhelmed. However, I keep going back to why I am homeschooling, and also remember all the reading we are doing naturally is so much already. I can't do it all and need to keep the right perspective. Thank you for your time for responding with those suggestions. ~Kirsten

I'm trying to figure out a general routine for the school year. I have a 2nd grader who fluently reads well (upper 3rd grade level reading), kindergartener (knows all her letters, sounds, and can read several BOB books on her own, but in the beginning stages of reading). Then a 4 yr. old who knows her letters, sounds, and can write her name now. She wants to learn how to read too. Here is a list of curriculum things I'm using below, and would love some feedback on it, and some suggestions how this might look during our week. 1. Singapore Math (2nd grader and kindergartener) 2. Ordinary Parents Guide Phonics (kindergartener and my 4 yr. old) 3. Handwriting without Tears maybe? (kindergartner) She can formulate most of her letters correctly and neatly, but not reading yet, so didn't know if I even need a writing thing for her quite yet in kindergarten? She will be 6 in November. 4. Writing with Ease/Book 1 (2nd grader) 5. Spelling Workout B (2nd grader) 6. Story of the World (SOTW)-V 1 Ancient/combined with Veritas Press Ancient & Old Testament cards (all the kids all listening to reading, but maybe just the 2nd grader actually doing the activities, maps, etc..?) 7. Science co-op (twice a month meeting on a Wednesday for a casual nature hike and studying specific things casually. Like for example seeds) 8. We do a daily realoud all together too (a chapter or two) in the afternoons from a large book. We will be reading My Father's Dragon. 9. My 2nd grader independently reads during rest time for 1 hr- 1 1/2 during the afternoon. I assume I would do Math daily (Monday-Friday) for the 2nd grader and kindergartner. I then would do phonic lessons daily (Monday-Friday) for the kindergartner and 4 yr. old. My 2nd wouldn't need the Ordinary Guide lessons, right? Would I just do Writing with Ease and Spelling Workout also daily for my 2nd grader? Is First Language Lessons better? Then with SOTW, I assume read a chapter once a week and do activities 2-3 times during week with that chapter? Is this all above too much? I can't seem to picture a general routine of what our week would look like with this above stuff. I'm a bit consumed with the classical method, wondering how I would even have them memorize things (science, history) at this age as they already are doing so much. I want quality, and not one to think I "need" to get it all done. I am trying to break this all down in a week glance, but still not sure. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.

Wow. What wonderful advice and encouragement from you all. Thank you so much. After reading through the responses last night, I felt more spurred on that this is all doable! It can be a lonely journey where we live (only two other families I know that are homeschooling, and they go through a private school they homeschool). They have a unschooling approach to education, so we usually don't have a lot of commonalities with homeschooling talk or feedback with one another, especially in regards to any routine or help with curriculum. You all are right too. Reading is something they love, and I love. Especially when we would take a book and have it come alive with various activities. I'm going to take the advice and start with that for our mornings. Maybe do bible/history in the mornings to start with, and a realoud with it? I think my mind was trying to wrap how to get in the math, phonics for the youngers, literature realouds, SOTW, & the grammar/writing for my oldest. You all are right too. I need more sleep. My mornings and days are tending to nursing the baby (he still nurses 6+ a day), then the other 3 kids, and also prepping for the school year this summer all combined with laundry, meals, etc... We don't have family help. However, my husband is a wonderful support and helps with these things too. He read both the books this summer too and gives feedback too. However, he isn't home during the day to understand fully and know how to implement some routine with school. So, I came here to find some understanding from you all. Come evening time, kids go down for bed, and my husband and I end up staying late as we have love our time together too, and I can also get a lot done with everyone asleep. But, it comes back to me when I'm then tired continually. "LA: phonics for the littles, WWE for 2nd grader -- so far, so good. I don't know what Daily Grammar is, but as long as there's not a ton of writing that's surely OK, too. I'm not seeing readers, spelling, or penmanship. What is your plan for those areas?" -Actually, my error, it's not called Daily Grammar. I ended up ordering the other option. It's called Spelling Workout (using B for 2nd grader), then doing WWE, and not starting cursive until probably January with her. She is reading at about 4th grade level. We usually go to the library weekly, so she does independent reading daily (maybe 2 hours or so depending on the day's activities). Plus, with the SOTW and any other re alouds we decide to do as a family. For my kindergartner, she is not reading fluently, so my goal was to focus primarily on reading with her. Using Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading plus we are going through BOB books. (Last yr. when I did TK with her/she won't be 6 until Nov.), we did a lot of reading, but I did focus on writing and sight words. I think I made an error in that regard in TK last yr, as the more I have read and researched this summer, it says to focus almost all on reading at her age so she is fluently reading with comfort. Is that right? She can write her name, some basic sentences, and formulate all her letters, but I thought about not focusing on penmanship as much this year (or maybe not until the Spring). She really doesn't have confidence to sound things out and wants me always to read to her instead. (which I do), but she still is very hesitant to try on her own. I have seen her read things as I give her a little push, but again, she gets anxious if she can't get it (despite by efforts to not force it, be patient, & encourage her, & just keep reading together) It's her personality as she is not wanting to risk take, and I want to tread lightly (as she LOVES books!), so if you have some suggestions with that. I plan to just do the phonics and reading with my kindergartener and preschooler. So just thinking aloud after reading your responses... 1. Start my day with what everyone here loves; reading. If possible, then have my oldest do something with SOTW workbook? Then depending on the nap (baby does nap in the morning/but that isn't always a guarantee with stages of teething, etc..), maybe go into the math for the oldest and phonics for youngers? Afternoons spend doing whatever else, activities, play, etc.. I appreciate every response I read. I am one that loves to learn myself, so when I read the suggestions, especially from those of you that have been on this journey much longer, I listen carefully. I want to be intentional on this journey, but also not set unrealistic expectations. I am listening and appreciate your time! Thank you again.

I'm feeling overwhelmed today. I'm flooded with doubts of my capability. I spent a lot of this summer reading, and trying to envision how I want this next school year to be. I read both The Well Trained Mind, and The Core. In a weird way, I feel like I have too much I'm thinking about now. I have always homeschooled. Preschool with my oldest was a blast. Lots of field trips, exploring, and reading. Now, years later, I'm here with 3 more kids. My oldest is going into the 2nd grade this yr, and both her academic and emotional level are more advanced now. She is always so curious, and keeps me on my toes. In a good way though, but also I'm tired! I have now a kindergartner this year too (we did homeschool TK this last year), and also a preschooler who will be in kindergarten next year. I also have a newly teething, and almost crawling 6 month old who is very curious. I love all of this. I truly do! BUT, today is just one of those hard days where I'm flooded with much doubt. I feel overwhelmed and confused with the idea of homeschooling, and how I'm going to do this in a few weeks. I like to be organized and ready, and I'm fully aware that despite the plans we make, those days don't always go as planned. However, I like some direction for our year. Why we homeschool is for two reasons. 1. My husband and I love the options, the quality and creativity with home education, and the endless possibilities of learning. We pray that our children taste learning in deep ways. So far at this age, they really love learning. They love the library. They love simple things, yet they love all the times they are with friends too. I really enjoy teaching them too. 2. We (I) feel called to do this as we have prayed over each school year as it comes. I am using: Singapore for math for my 2nd & K., Writing with Ease & Daily Grammar with my 2nd, phonics program for my K and preschooler. History~ The Bible, Story of the World, & Veritas Press history cards interwoven. So, am I'm planning too much? Am I making this more difficult than this is? I have my calendar laid out, and attempting to write out some "general" plans for each month. However, I'm stuck. I desire to do re aloud stories too as we did a lot with great classic literature (kind of like Five in Row style) and they loved it, but now feel like I won't have time for that. I'm big on quality, rather than quantity, but stuck how to do all this this year. Sorry if my post is all over the place, but I'm really flooded with doubt. I cried earlier today a lot when the kids were outside playing. I go back to our goals and why we were homeschooling in the first place, but I'm still overwhelmed how to do all this in a few more weeks. I want it to be a quality, fun, and rich filled year. I would love to hear from some of you veterans how you got past any bumps of doubt, areas of confusion and feeling incapable. Thanks for listening. ~Kirsten

Thank you for all the great suggestions! I wrote down a lot of these. It sounds like a common workable theme is planning in chunks at a time versus daily, semester, whole yr., etc...

I have 4: a Kinder (she will be 6), 2nd grader, preschooler (she will be 5 later this school yr), & then a 6 month old baby (teething! =)) in all this mix. Curriculum: Singapore/daily, SOTW+Veritas Press mixed with it/twice a week, Writing with Ease, FLL/daily, & Brave Writer/once a week (Friday poetry & story journaling). Nature study once a week. The K and preschooler I will be focusing on phonics/reading, math, and they like to participate in the Fridays too. We do a lot of reading in this house, and will continue with some great realouds incorporated too; that I'm still deciding on. I have never had a good system for planning and organizing our year week by week as before we just spent our days doing a ton of reading, playing, nature, and math. I want a better system for this year. I just bought these roller drawers that will hold things for each child. I am looking for some ideas to map out my weeks for the year. I love to be organized and want a good guide to show my weeks for this school year. What works for you? Tell me how you map out your school year. I haven't liked the planners I have seen out there, so not sure if I should set up my own notebook, make my own excel sheet of weeks? I would love to hear from you all, especially of multiples at home, what worked for organizing your weeks? I always like to add in our events/appt for the week and meals too. Go! I'm ready to hear your systems of organization! =)

I love all these suggestions! Thank you everyone! I added a bunch more to our list. So exciting!

I have a 2nd grader, kindergartner, and preschooler. We love to do a realoud throughout our other things with school. We do lots of reading of other books, but enjoy reading a large book for evening realouds. We did Charlotte's Web, and Little House in the Big Woods last year. They loved it in the evening times! I want to do another 2-4 books this year and would love some suggestions for books titles? Also, suggestions for a good Poetry book any of you love in your house?

Thank you!

So, what about using SOTW and the activity book, but then purchasing cards and Ancients from Veritas Press so I can use/incorporate more of the biblical from Veritas combined with SOTW. Is that a bit much? I really like the SOTW after hearing more and reading the reviews, but I also would love to add in more biblical reads. I know I can obviously do that myself, but feeling a bit intimidated. I thought if I combined the two, I might feel a bit more confident once I get into it. Did any of you do a notebook (3 ring binder), or is the activity book something they just work out of?

Hi everyone, I'm new, and have more questions. You all have been so very helpful. I appreciate your time and encouragement as I am planning for this next school year. Is there a difference between Writing with Ease Workbook: Level 1, and First Language Lesson 1 books? I have a kindergartner and second grader this year. This past May, I started my then 1st grader with Writing with Ease/1 (she really enjoyed it). However, we didn't finish it as we only started in May as I just discovered all this. (WTM). Should I have my kindergartner start with Writing with Ease/1 this year? (I have bought an extra copy for her last year)? She can write and enjoys to, but is not reading fluently. Do you suggest I do this with her for kindergarten? For my 2nd grader, should I finish the Writing With Ease/1 from May, or move on to level 2? She is very comfortable with writing fluently, and can journal well. What are your suggestions for them? I also don't know the difference between Writing with Ease and First Language Lesssons. Thank you!

Welcome! I'm new here too. My husband and I both finished the book and felt the same way. We couldn't put it down, and I'm so excited to learn. I posted over in the K-8 board, and they were so very helpful in guiding me with my questions. I am been feeling overwhelmed and confused. Those responses really helped clear things up. I am so grateful already for a place to come to and learn from others on this journey. I'm already so very excited about this next school year!

Thank you to each of you that took the time to read my post and respond. Especially to the last two posters! Wow. I appreciate so much your wonderful insight. I didn't even realize there were different forms (that breakdown was very helpful). Your responses were so thoughtfully laid out and clear of the differences in the curriculums. It makes so much better sense to me now with your help. It's so encouraging to have it explained so well now. I printed out both of your respones of detail and have been reading them over with my husband tonight. Thank you, thank you again! I love learning, and especially from those of you that have paved that way for people like me who are new to this journey.

*Sorry for the spelling and grammer errors! I'm trying to bounce and manage my teething 6 month old while typing out my thoughts!