I made one a couple of years ago for my boys. I bought the pattern at Joanns. I think it was either Simplicity or Butterick. I thought it was pretty easy. I looked for cheap material on the clearance tables because it does require alot of fabric. I found the pattern I used http://www.butterick.com/web/shop.cgi?search=4251&TI=10001&M=&pageSize=9&s.search.all.x=13&s.search.all.y=9 hth

Hi Sue, I'm not sure what LLATL stands for but does that include phonics/reading? That is the only thing I don't see on your list but that might be because it is already included.

3rd grader: Bible Study for All Ages Math U See Rod and Staff Grammar Spell to Write and Read - spelling TOG - History, Lit, Writing, Geography, and crafts Elementary Spanish Harmony Fine Arts - Art and Music Appreciation K Bible Study for All Ages Math U See FLL Spell to Write and Read - phonics Five in a Row

Have you looked at Rod and Staff for grammar? It is thorough and straightfoward. For my K we are using: Five in a Row Math U See Primer and Alpha Handwriting practice sheets Spell to Write and Read hth

http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/HTTA/TTS/ I just bought the American Revolution and 19th century for muchthe same reason. My boys love hands on activities (so do I :D ) hth

http://www.home-school.com/Articles/#JSwann

Michelle, I looked over the articles from Joyce Swann and found where she talks about homeschooling 12 months a year and 3 hours a day but I can't find anything that talks about the loop. Was there a specific article you read that gave you the idea of picking up where you left off from the previous day instead of starting over? Could you also explain your checklist a little bit more (I'm having a hard time seeing this in my mind :D ) Are the kids doing more than one lesson a day? Is the checklist you listed complete or just a sample? Thanks so much Kerri

We are currently using TOG and will be starting R&S for grammar next school year (3rd grade). I like the TOG writng assignments so my plan is to do some of R&S orally and cut out the writing that may be assigned and just stick with TOG for that portion. Does that make sense?

Tapestry of Grace Math U See Five in a Row (for Prek and K)

We are going to be using RS4K this next school year. I bought the Chemistry and Biology to do in one year. Then we are going to fill in the rest with a habitat study that I'm just putting together. hth Kerri

I'm interested to see what everyone has planned (and what I've forgotten:001_rolleyes: ) Thanks so much :D

We enjoyed it. I had a then 3 yr old and I knew that TOG was the curriclum that I wanted to use later on too. We didn't do everything in the manual but we covered alot. We are going into our third year with TOG and loving it.

I am pregnant with number 3 and I am due right around Thanksgving but I will probably deliver a couple of weeks early. My DH had a reversal a year and a half ago and we have been trying ever since. I just can't tell you how excited we were when we saw the postive test :hurray::party::cheers2::thumbup: We have two boys who are hoping for a girl. Their words "mom we've already got boys lets have something different" I am thrilled with either (more comfortable with a boy ;) ). I'm hoping this won't be our last and dh is taking it one at at time. Edit: Sorry I was trying to post this under OP but I can't figure out how to do that.

I'm not an expert ;) but from reading your post it doesn't sound like she struggles with the actual reading but rather motivation and enjoying what she is reading. You mentioned that you gave her a list and let her pick. I think that is very fair. Is it possible that she is just trying to get her way with you? I don't mean that harshly towards you or her. :001_smile: I guess if it were me I would: 1. make sure she understood that she must read and it isn't an option but that I am willing to work with her on what she reads. I would treat it like any other school work that doesn't get finished. There would be a specific consequence. 2. If she likes to read outloud could she do that to herself maybe in her room? Perhaps reading it and hearing it helps with her comprehension? I know that my son will read outloud to himself sometimes. Would she read outloud into a tape recorder and then listen to it later (kind of like making her own book on tape). 3. Could you both read the book on your own and then meet each day or once a week and just the two of you discuss what you have read? She might find it more interesting if she knows you are interested. 4. My son is also an auditory learner and loves to have me read outloud or listen to books on cd. We do alot of this and I have seen it help with his independent reading. hth Hopefully others will post and give you some ideas as well. Kerri

Thank you ladies. These are great suggestions and will help me.:D

I'm sorry that your voice is gone and you aren't feeling well. Somethings that I have heard/used hot tea with honey (could you have a cup with you while you speak) lemon drops gargle salt water wrap your throat with a warm towel I hope you find something that works. Kerri:grouphug:

It will be for a 3rd grader with a K tagging along. I would also appreciate any book suggestions. Thanks so much, Kerri

I have seen a great improvement in my son's reading since we have concentrated more on spelling. I use Spell to Write and Read but I would think spelling in general would help. I would require them to read outloud to you and on their own each day. I have had my son reading one book to me outloud and then he can pick what he reads on his own. The book that he reads outloud to me is a little bit above his reading level and then the books that he reads on his own are at reading level or slightly lower so that he doesn't get frustrated. http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/articles/060899.htm Above is a link to a reading level test. It should give you at least a ball park idea of where they are at. Hth

Link is sig. line:D:hurray::party::D

Hi Carli, I am currently using TOG Yr 2 with a 2nd grader and preschooler. Ds in 2nd grade reads well but I still read the majority of the books outloud. Next year we are going to start transitioning to some independent reading. I think it is a great idea to include your first grader in on the read a louds, literature and hands on projects. TOG is the icing on the cake reading, math, grammer etc come first. The lower grammar level is designed for non readers / beginning readers. You could do one of two things. 1. Not buy the lower grammar books for TOG and do what you have said in having your first grader sit in on the lit., read a louds, and activites or 2. You can buy/borrow from the library the lower grammer books and use it as the icing on top for school. Because my oldest is in 2nd grade we have bought the lower grammar books and have enjoyed them. Right now my preschooler listens in on all of the reading (he can come and go as he pleases) and he always chooses to do to the activities with us. He has learned quite a bit. I hope that helps.:001_smile:

Thank you!

My Dh has kidney stones. He said that he normally passes them in about 6 hours. I'm sure that your husband knows to drink alot alot alot. Is he able to take medication for the pain? I'm sorry I know those things are very painful.

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Our is up :) Link in sig. line. I've combined two weeks worth.

Could you use R & S level 3 for grammar next year? I read a review from SWB that for the early levels there was enough writing in R&S. That would keep it simple for you and yet you would still be getting a good foundation. My ds is going into 3rd next year as well. Our plan is to use R&S and then Writing Aids (from Tapestry of Grace). However keep in mind that for the most part in the early grades they need to know how to write a complete sentence and then start on paragraphs. Complete sentences will be covered in R&S but I'm not sure about paragraphs. I guess my opinion is that if you are using a grammar program you could probably just use it till at least the middle of third grade and maybe into 4th. hth