and the lines get smaller each year. We're doing fourth grade book/paper this year. I believe in the 2nd half of the handwriting book it transitions to no mid line--but with instruction. I'm a penmanship stickler--we're moving slowly.

I have purchased SOTW 3 on CD--yea! I'm wanting to add some world history into the mix, so I'm glad to know that our "jumping off" time period will be amply covered by SL 3 and included in SOTW 3. I will have to look into the History of the US audiobooks. My kiddos really enjoy that sort of thing. Thanks! Lisa

We're doing Core 3, and I'm wanting to add some new "car-schooling" material to the mix. Would the SOTW 3 CD fit in nicely? We did SOTW 2 two years ago, and I don't remember where it left off (and of course my book is loaned out). Thanks! Lisa

They won't necessarily tell you if something is on backorder when you order online (and I believe they have a disclaimer there as well). One year I waited and waited and finally called. They were very friendly (said call everyday if I wanted to), but--in my experience--they won't initiate contact when an item is temporarily out of stock. And it can, for a time, hold up the rest of your order. Overall, friendly service, very helpful. I order something from them every year.

DD 9 (rising 4th grader) has been writing creatively (pages and pages!) for years, can narrate a fairly lengthy story, and then write it down in her own words (with mostly correct punctuation and capitalization--spelling's a different story :001_smile:). However, when it comes to dictation, she cannot hold more than two 10-12 word sentences in her head. I read the selection to her at least three times, but, if the selection is long, I must repeat myself as we go or give her a few words at a time. The words seem to evaporate (we have the same problem with mental math exercises). It is difficult for her to retain information unless she can see or read it herself; hearing is not enough. I know practice should help, but where do I start in WWE? She doesn't need the question prompts for Level 3 narration, but would be hard pressed to hold the Level 4 Week 1 dictation sentence (approximately 30 words) in her head long enough to get it on paper. Advice? Thanks! Lisa P.S. Great book; you've put my mind at ease about so many things (no journals or book reports--yea!).

But I hardly post at all anymore (maybe this is post #5?). Frankly, it's too time consuming (my opinion) to log in and sort through every day. I loved being able to scan and pick up where I left off. Old habits die hard.:) I do love the advanced search feature, through. I use it when I've got a specific question about a book or program. But, sadly, no longer for curriculum chit-chat. Not too concerned about classical vs. not-so-classical. Mostly lurking now! Lisa

What I get for not previewing . . .

We used it for 1st and liked it. Was considering using it again for 4th, but wondered if K12 had substituted their own in-house text. Anyone . . ? Thanks! Lisa

Here's where I got the map mural for our schoolroom. This company also has a smaller one. I think they still have the free shipping. I was very pleased with their customer service. http://http://www.mcmaps.com/mapwal13feet.html Lisa

Scroll down to the end of the page to see the room makeover. http://www.notthebestmommy.blogspot.com Gee, been a while since I've logged on here or my blog! Life must have gotten the better of me! Lisa

We are currently using History 3, Science 3 and Art 3. (I also used the full first grade program, although we dropped music that year as well as this year--it's just not my thing! :) I love how the art and history are coordinated. The science, IMO, is a little advanced for the grade, but we manage. I like choosing my own LA and Math, so I don't purchase these from K12. I purchase K12 classes on my own, as I do not want to spend time jumping through testing/state standards/PS accountability hoops when I live in a where I don't have to report to anyone. It's worth the expense for me. Plus, I can teach two kiddos for the price of one, since they are using the same courses. Next year I am planning to use Sonlight because I want to do American History, not modern, but I will still use a little K12. I may choose to skip K12 Art 4 and select their 5th grade American Art instead. I will most likely use their Science 4. I may also use their Science 1 for my rising first-grader. Not sure if that helps, but we love K12. But I can see where it would be difficult (for us anyway) to get it all done for each child everyday. The full first grade load taught me that (and I wasn't even teaching anyone else at that time!) Lisa