These are all wonderful suggestions. Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow, EKT, you have a lot of great ideas! And the links are helpful. Thanks! I remember doing latch and hook rugs as a kid. So much fun! Yes, my kids are a bit young for some of these, but it's nice to get some ideas anyway. And I didn't know what to call "Perler beads". I call them "those beads that you iron and they melt into designs." Lol. So now I know what they're called, and I bet my kids would love it. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looking for ideas for summer projects. Craft projects, service projects, cleaning projects (wishful thinking?). Growing up I always had a new craft I was learning over the summer. Something I could pull out and work on bits at a time. My kids are still young, but I think my oldest could learn something new. Just looking for ideas. Here are some of my own ideas for various ages. Crafts: Learn to knit Learn to sew Make a model plane/ship/animal and paint it A small garden project of some sort Service: Volunteer at local food shelter Get a group to pick up trash somewhere

Hi everyone, Over the past year, I've slowly started realizing I don't have much knowledge of common manners. I mean, I know the basics like don't talk with your mouth full and don't interrupt others, etc. But I find myself in situations where I don't know what's proper etiquette. Things like how to use the utensils appropriately, the best way to introduce two people, etc. Maybe that's more than just "common manners". Is there a book, video series, curriculum, anything that can help me learn this and also something I can use to teach my children? My kids are young right now, but they're interested in learning. I thought maybe this would be something we can focus on over the summer break. In case it's interesting to anyone, I found out I needed to learn more table manners because I now live in Europe and some of the manners are different here. For example, you typically always keep your knife and fork in each hand without setting them down. Then you just sort of push food up onto your fork and eat. But I'm pretty sure in America you're supposed to cut your food, then set down your knife, then eat from the fork. At least I think so? See, I need help! Haha!

Hi loesje22000! That is her website! :) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hello, I hope this is a good place to post this. I have a Belgian friend who is starting an organization which encourages and helps support Belgians who are thinking about homeschoooling. She would like to post a variety of interviews with homeschoolers from around the world. If anyone is interested in communicating with her via email, please send me a personal message. Thanks very much! PS. She already has many from the states and local Belgians, but would love to have more from a variety of other countries.

Hello, I hope this is a good place to post this. I have a Belgian friend who is starting an organization which encourages and helps support Belgians who are thinking about homeschoooling. She would like to post a variety of interviews with homeschoolers from around the world. If anyone is interested in communicating with her via email, please send me a personal message. Thanks very much! PS. She already has many from the states and local Belgians, but would love to have more from a variety of other countries.

Bump. Any help/feedback? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My son is a bright 6 year old, going into 1st grade. I want a Spanish curriculum for him that's fun but also educational (ie. if the program is JUST fun, I would rather skip it for something he'll learn from). My DD4 will also be tagging along, but it'll be mostly for the 6 year old. So far we have tried Little Pim, Rosetta Stone, and Duo Lingo. Because my son can read quite well, he wanted to try the latter two, but there came a point where it was too advanced for him. We all agree we HATE Little Pim and think it is boring. Currently we know some colors, numbers, and basic words. I have searched the archives for reviews on the following Spanish curriculum, but haven't found anything more recent than 2011. I'm looking for some updated reviews/advice on these. What do the lessons look like? Is it suitable for 1st grade? Is it fun? Does it work? Any other advice? Elementary Spanish on Discovery Streaming La Clase Divertida Getting Started with Spanish

I have only ever used OPGTR and I love it. Open and go and no bells and whistles. Just easy. My son learned to read with just that and easy readers. My daughter is learning now as well. You can pick up at whatever lesson you are ready for. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have only done right start math and dabbled in MUS. So I can't really compare relative to other programs. But my son and I really like RS. I have all the manipulatives in a box on a nearby shelf and just grab whatever I need. Each lesson tells you in advance so it's easy to get out at the start of the lesson. Everything is scripted so it's easy on the parent. Yes, you have to sit there with them during the lesson, but I have found times I can get and and do something or check an email. This is usually when he's doing a worksheet or an activity that takes a tad longer. In the end, I think this is a great fit for my son. It's fun and interactive. He's learning solid skills and enjoying himself along the way. If you're concerned about the investment, buying the game book might be a good idea, but then you'll also need some of their manipulatives to go with it. I'm not sure if they specify which manipulative you will need. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would say several of the experiments can be redone. In fact today I have one of our boxes to a friend and she'll be able to do everything without needing any extra supplies. However there will be some that may not be able to be done again without new supplies. As for parent help, most of the experiments say to have a parent help. But if your child is capable of handling things well she might be able to do a lot of it. One month involves some matches so you would definitely need to be involved for that. But the rest are mixing liquids and such. Each month is completely different though. So I can't say what our next month's experiments will be like. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I second Home Art Studio! We have really enjoyed it this year and will be getting it again next year. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We currently use and really like Steve Spangler Science. It's a box subscription and everything you need is in the box. Real experiments that make you think, but so far nothing dangerous. Some of them need an adult though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It sounds like it's time to leave. But I'm a firm believer in approaching the leader(s) of the church to explain why you are leaving. I think they deserve to know and understand the full reason why, and also to know that you're officially leaving. Some people just leave without saying anything, and that's harmful to both sides. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is really interesting! Thanks for sharing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For those who recommend Piano Adventures Primer, you think it's fine to skip the first series then? The website says "My First Piano Adventure" series is for 5-6 year olds, then after that move into Primer. Can I start him at Primer though? Also, there are a lot of different books to get. Are all of them necessary? Which ones would be the best to get? I see a Lesson Book, Theory Book, Technique and Artistry Book, Performance Book, Sightreading Book, Good Star Performance (not sure what this even is), Teacher Guide, Popular Repertoire, Christmas Book, and CD. GOODNESS! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Our stay oversees has been extended another year, but my DS hasn't forgotten our promise to start piano lessons at age 6 (we thought we would be back in the States and get a private instructor). So now I'm thinking of teaching him on my own for a year, then getting an instructor when we move back. I do have some piano experience, but I'm very rusty. Can anyone recommend some curriculum to use?

Hello all you Tapestry of Grace users! We have been doing Primer this year and next year we will start Year 1 of the cycle. I have been planning out our year, and I'm unsure of what to add for language arts and geography, if anything. For Language Arts: I see TOG says it includes writing and literature, but it sounds like I need something for phonics and grammar. I have been looking at ELTL and it's very attractive. I like the narration, dictation, grammar, literature, poetry memorization and picture studies all in one smooth process! My question is, will this overlap with what we will be doing with TOG? Does anyone use both ELTL and TOG together? I'm just having a hard time understanding exactly what is/isn't covered for language arts in TOG, and I haven't purchased it yet. As a side note, this year we have been doing FLL and WWE. It's easy and simple, and we like it, but ELTL looks so much better :) However if I get convinced not to do ELTL, maybe I should stick with FLL and WWE? For Geography: I just noticed TOG also claims to cover Geography. I definitely don't want any additional work here. How thorough is the geography study in TOG? I'm asking these questions for next year, 1st grade with an advanced child, but also for future years with TOG as we plan to use it long term.

Thanks! These are all great ideas. I forgot about kiwi and tinker crates!

Engineering is a great fit! And there are so many different avenues in engineering. The standard degrees from my college were civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical and environmental. My husband and I (Electrical engineers) worked in the oil and gas industry, but I also interviewed with companies involved in space exploration, pharmaceuticals and then architecture. Environmental engineers work at most companies. Mechanical engineers can do anything from working on naval ship design to all of the above mentioned jobs. My chemical engineer friends currently work in chemical companies, oil and gas, or have gone on to become doctors. There are a lot of Mathy people who go on to work in finance in some fashion. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My 6yo does Scratch and loves it. We have a book, but since it's all he's ever used I can't say if it's necessary or not. We have Coding Games in Scratch by Jon Woodcock. Since Scratch is done in a web browser, I would think you can use a Chromebook and get on the Chrome browser. I don't know if you would have a mouse slog with your Chromebook but I recommend a mouse with Scratch. There's lots of left clocking and right clicking that just really needs a mouse IMO. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We use 2nd edition. So not sure I'm too much help. But I seem to remember having heard on the forums that people didn't like the first edition as much once it got to level C. I bet you're fine using 1st ed for B, but personally I would switch to 2nd ed once I got to level C. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is great advice about getting the PDF as well. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk