I have been trying to figure out the bravewriter stuff. What do I need for k/1st? Which book to read is the best for figuring out what she recommends doing? And what programs are for what?

We haven't used it yet but bought Legends and Leagues too. My plan is to play the sings each week that relate to general geography. Saving the continent songs for when they match L&L book. So for the first level we will focus on the continents, oceans. But because that leaves one song for our first year, I plan to just listen to all the songs a few times for familiarity.

I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for asking!

I love Chrystal. That said in order to use natural stuff, detox needs to be regular for there to be no stink. One a month I use Apple Cider vinegar and redmonds clay and mask my pits. I take zinc each day. And do formal whole body detox once a year usually in Jan.

Thank you for this resource! Looks like there is a lot there.

Sounds like most don't read literature ahead? Are you able to dicuss and teach the literature this way? Or do you feel unprepared? Do you feel prepared just staying a chapter ahead in foreign language and logic etc? I have no knowledge of logic. And I have several languages I know, but we will learn French and I have no knowledge there. I guess I just have a hard time seeing how staying just a little ahead works. I spent years in school preparing for work. And I view this as my job. Or am I expecting too much from myself? It isn't like I have hours each day to study myself. Which is why I am thinking several years ahead.

What do you do for self education to be able to teach classically without being classically taught? How do I stay ahead? In a few years we will reach Logic and I have not learned logic. Do you buy a program and work through it? Read the great books? Looking for all ideas thanks.

Wow! Those all look great thanks!

I am building up a collection of music to use during morning time. Looking for early math concepts set to music. I am thinking of skip counting, days of week, months, addition facts, etc. Anyone have any favorites?

This year our summer is crazy busy with house guests, travel and life. So we have house guests until mid July, then a family vacation. My plan after guests is a whole house deep cleaning and organizing. Our room with homeschool stuff is our guest room at the moment so I will organize shelves and books at the end of July. We are planning weekly trips to the beach. I need it to relax, my ds loves it and so I am making it a bigger priority. Each week I am planning a "field trip" zoo, museum, art studio etc. Just to keep our hot days interesting. We will continue phonics lessons all summer. I am crocheting and knitting and sewing all summer. It refreshes me to do projects and calms me. I would like to teach ds a handicraft this summer. I want him to pick though and haven't done that yet. I am planning to listen to podcasts from Bravewriter, and Circe. Great to do while I work on a craft. And I have a bunch of stuff to print off and organize. Ordering read aloud books. Deciding what I will be reading aloud. At this point those are my goals!

Thanks! Yes there are so so many it is hard to choose.

Are all her cds good for young children? Any favorite cds?

We travel a lot so this is what I have learned. Kids will pick up on something they see that you don't expect. The history is hard to grasp at young ages, but gives a great experience to refer back to. We take pictures (or let ds) of whatever catches ds eye. We use it later for learning. Example we were at ancient ruins and saw mosaic tiles making a pattern. Took pictures. Then at home we remember with the pictures and tried making a picture in mosaic with paper and realize how hard and much skill is needed. Pictures help kids remember what interests them. But the biggest benefit for travel education is adults learning what they are seeing/experiencing. The more you know the easier to answer questions and make connections. And this can happen afterwards too doesn't all need to be before. We always do map work. Grab some cheap compasses and use while on the trains looking at maps. Locate the continents on a globe and compare how far you are going. Use a globe and flashlight to show why the time difference. Get a europe specific map and draw your travels. Learn a few words in a bunch of languages of where you are going. It goes a long way and is polite. Kids learn a lot that way. And research some specific food, culture or something specific to where you will be. These things are remembered for years. But don't stress too much. The travel experiences will lay the foundation of experience that will benefit learning years to come. They will remember things when reading years later.

Any music out there people like for learning Bible facts? I am thinking of the books of the Bible, history overview, christian creeds etc.

RightStart Math games has a section of games specific to numeracy. We just used MEP reception and it covers these areas well and it is free.

Hat Tricks sounds awesome! Thank you.

Thanks I will look at these.

Anyone?

I am going to use MEP level 1. Can I use CWP 1 with it for more story problems? I hear most people say they use it a year behind. Just wondering if they will match at all. Any other word problem suggestions?

I would think through what your goal is. Do you just want to know and work on reading and phonics.(know your child can read) or do you want your child to read aloud well. If you want your child to read aloud well until middle school is best at least once a week imo. If you just want to be sure the skills of reading are good until child can pick up a chapter book and read without stumbling. So maybe reading at a 3rd grade level or so. I just listened to this that has some good tips from Charlotte Mason and how she did it- http://www.adelectableeducation.com/2017/02/ADE69.html When I was teaching I made sure that once a week each child had read aloud. I even did that with my 6th graders because I believe learning to read aloud well is important. As a personal story I have a friend who is now a minister. He reads aloud awfully- stumbles and can't seem to get a flow. And it can be hard to listen to him read scripture. He speaks well just not reading. His mom has been a support in giving me advice on hs and she told me she wishes she had her kids read aloud past the learning to read stage. You just never know what the future holds for your kids and what skills they need.

Thanks that helps a lot! We don't need US currency yet as we are expats, and will get to that next time we spend time in the states.

Thanks! I will look at Happy Phonics.

At this point I can't buy level B. Shipping costs overseas are high! But sounds like B is a level people like. So I will hold out for B. Maybe the rest of this year and next I will pull the games, and lessons I like from A and combine with MEP 1. Anyone combine rs and MEP 1 easily?

Ruthie- We are just beginning phonics lessons. Looking for games to help cement what skills we are learning. Ds learns and likes games. I am fine with doing work to set things up. Pdf works best as we are overseas and shipping from the states is expensive. But any suggestion is fine.

What game books are out there for review and practice while learning phonics. Open to hear all suggestions, but best would be in pdf format.