Ds #1 was 3 or 4 months (only breastfed, no supplimenting) when I got pregnant with Ds #2. I didn't even realize I was pregnant until my coffee started tasting off. ;) I nursed throughout the pregnancy without supplimenting, although he started on solids around 5 1/2 months. Ds #1 was also the latest to wean at 18 months. Ds #2 quit nursing though at 12 months, 3 months into DD's pregnancy.

This looks really good. I have only one suggestion which is to use OPGTR as an intro to spelling program. Let your son study a few of the words each week for spelling. Wait until he's finished OPGTR to start a formal spelling program. I prefer not to double up on phonics and spelling. :001_smile: HTH!

:grouphug: My favorite strategy is to cut school to the bare minimum (I prefer a short school day for the 7 and under crowd anyway) and 'do school' right before snack time. No school, no snack. ;) And be sure to make / put out a super yummy snack. As time goes by, you'll be able to build on the foundation for schoolwork, and switch back to a normal snack.

My children are in Saxon Alg. 1/2, 76, and 54. In general, it takes around 30-45 minutes to do an entire lesson. (Read the lesson, complete practice problems, and complete the entire lesson. We don't skip problems.) When my older sons began Saxon, it sometimes took 3-4 hours because they wouldn't buckle down and get the lesson done. I generally started a child in 54 doing 1/2 the lesson on day one, and finish the lesson on day two. After a month or two, we transitioned to a full lesson a day. HTH! :001_smile:

Have you looked at the samples for HO level 2? There is a huge difference between level 2 Ancients and level 2 Early Modern. HO builds in difficulty throughout level 2. Ancients introduces the children to outlining, summaries, bibliographies, etc. Early Modern expects the children to be competent with the above and able to write formal essays. My 7th grader is thriving with level 2 Early Modern, but my 5th grader would be overwhelmed. She's thriving with level 2 Ancients. I think running different cycles is fine. My children are spread amoung 3 different cycles.

I work youngest to oldest, literally. First I work with my newborn and settle her for a nap. Then, my 1st grader needs me for all of his schoolwork before he settles down for quiet time. My middle child can start by herself, but needs some one on one before she can complete her work. My 11 yo ds is more independent, while my 12 yo is completely independent but needs oversight for grading and quality control. ;) Best of luck!

I placed my rising 6th grade son in the 4th grade. When I looked at samples here...http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Building_Christian_English_Series/ 6th grade looked too difficult, while 5th grade looked doable. I placed him in 4th to be certain. The teacher's manual includes all answers to the tests, worksheets, and textbook, as well as an oral review with each lesson. I wouldn't care to attempt Rod and Staff without the TM. :001_smile:

We're not combining any subjects this year; we're using textbooks for science and History Odyssey for history. Since HO level 2 becomes increasingly difficult between Ancients and Modern, I put each child into their 'grade level'. Dd 5th grade in Ancients, Ds 6th grade in Medieval, and Ds 7th grade into Early Modern. Virtually all the curicula I use is able to be used independently by the student. I sit down with each child for 30 minutes or so each day in a tutoring session to correct/ review/ and ensure understanding of the material. We've attempted group lessons in the past, but the lessons fall apart quickly when life gets hectic. On the otherhand, independent work tends to be completed regardless.

:iagree: I found when my oldest 3 were little that they were always well-behaved in some stores and always misbehaved in others. It was worth while to change where I shopped.

My oldest sons are 12 months 3 weeks apart, and my 10 yo dd is 18 months younger than ds 11. I keep all 3 in their own textbooks at grade/skill level. Separate textbooks keep the competition to a dull roar, allows me to accomodate individual skills, and reduces the complaining and fighting. Also, group subjects are difficult for me to do. The children are well-behaved but once I've rounded everyone together, settled them down, worked through the material, told my oldest not to answer every question and my dd not to look to her older brother to answer the questions for her... I have a headache. :D I prefer to tutor my children individually rather than teach them as a group.

Latin first, then Greek. :001_smile:

We don't allow children on the computer until they are reading well and are ready to start Spelling Power or Calvert Spelling CD's (around 8). Even then, they are allowed 30 minutes of computer time for every math lesson completed. lol, My oldest was allowed to play a toddler's computer game on my computer at 2. Within 15 minutes, he'd figured out how to get out of the game and open a word document. :001_huh: That was the end of computer time until he was 8.

Finalizing my 6th grade schedule for next year. :001_smile: Saxon Math 76 Rod & Staff English 4 Spelling Power Getting Started With Latin History Odyssey: Middle Ages Level 2 McGraw-Hill Science 6

We started with Singapore, back during the days of the Singapore/Saxon math wars. Singapore was not working for us because the concepts jumped too fast for my children. After struggling with Singapore for months and even attempting to restart a couple of times, I decided to jump ship to Saxon. It was one of the best homeschooling decisions I've made. The incremental lessons are perfect for my children. They're often able to intuit the next step being taught. The constant review drills the concepts into their heads, and they love the variety in each problem set. Nothing drives them more crazy than an entire page of 1 type of problem. :lol: I've never used Abeka, and only glanced at Horizon. Horizon looked like it would move too fast for my children without enough review.

I'm about to start homeschooling my 4th first grader and have found I prefer a short and sweet school day for this age. My schedule does not include phonics because he's completed PP and is reading fluently. I spend 30 minutes working one-on-one with him. He might have another 30 minutes of work to complete next to me. We sit down together right after breakfast. Everyday we complete a math lesson, and a language arts lesson. We will also do history or science together at this time. HTH!

I have older Saxon sets and love them. My 1st edition books do not state what edition they are, but my 2nd editions have 2nd edition on the cover. I use both older editions and they work well for us. They do sell, but not at the higher prices of a current edition. HTH!

:001_smile:

:iagree: I had BH early on with #4 and delivered a full term baby. This pregnancy (#5) I had the BH starting at week 12 and didn't think too much about it despite having dreams about baby coming early. Until I was 21 weeks and it turned out I was headed for premature labor. :001_huh: I've been on partial bedrest since. My midwife told me that overdoing things can lead to premature labor and she wishes women would go back to considering themselves delicate while pregnant. Have you spoken to your midwife about suppliments, particularly calcium and magnesium? They helped me quite a bit this pregnancy. I'm sorry to hear about your father. :grouphug:

When my crew was little (5, 6, 7), we did group schoolwork at the kitchen table. They would sit at chairs working, while I wandered around behind them supervising and explaining. It worked fairly well. Now, at 10, 11 & 12, we no longer do schoolwork as a group at the kitchen table. :001_unsure: Sometimes I miss those days... MOTH has also helped a great deal, although it quickly turns into a morning routine versus a schedule. Best of luck!

We're completing both books. In my editions, Saxon 87 is formatted like the previous books 54, 65, and 76. Saxon Algebra 1/2 is formatted like the high school books. Both books cover similar material, but Alg 1/2 has more difficult and challenging problems. If you are using the current editions, I believe the recommendation is to use 87 and skip Alg 1/2 if your child is doing well with 87. If not, complete Alg 1/2 as well. If you are using older editions, the recommendation is to skip 87 and move directly to Alg. 1/2. We've chosen to do both books, because I ended up with 2 years of pre-algebra (due to moving) and thrived with math in highschool. I want my children to have the same foundation when they start high school math. Bet of luck! :001_smile:

Best of luck! :001_smile:

My oldest had trouble nursing at first, although he was definitely NOT a preemie. He kept refusing to nurse, and I had to bottle feed him 1 night. My husband watched me attempting to pump milk, and took the part of the pump that fits over your br**st and stuck a bottle nipple on the end. My son provided the suction instead of the pump. It worked like a charm. After 4 or 5 days he didn't need the pump attachment any longer. Quite frankly, I googled the nipple shields and they look rather awkward. Best of luck!

My youngest ds and I love the program. We're starting volume 3, having completed volumes 1 and 2. I placed my son by his handwriting, not reading skills. He learned his letters in volume 1, learned to write words and short sentences in volume 2, and in volume 3 will be writing short paragraphs by the end. We used Phonics Pathways to learn to read, so the reading in LLFLO has always been easy for him. LLFLO does not, in my opinion, have enough drill to cement reading skills in the child's head. It's wonderful for spelling, picture study, narration, oral creative story telling, a gentle introduction to grammar, reviewing phonics, and learning to write. It's a lovely introduction to language arts for Preschool - 1st grade. HTH!

:smilielol5: I've discovered there's nothing like being put on bedrest with nothing to do but think, for convincing you to change your plans for the year. My English, Latin, history, and science plans have all been completely reworked. :svengo:

We just started R&S recently. The TM doesn't just have the answers to all questions in the student book, workbooks, and tests, but also includes daily oral review and some written quizzes. I've noticed the children's retention has increased in the short time we've used it. That being said, I'm not worried about having the TM for 2nd grade. :001_smile: I can swing 2nd grade. I didn't even consider picking up the 6th grade book without the TM, though, I'd flounder.