We loved "Tucket's Travels" by Gary Paulsen. Other favorites: "The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg" by Rodman Philbrick "Soldier Bear" by Bibi Dumon Tak "Chickadee" by Louise Erdich "Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" by Kate DiCamillo

This is from Beautiful Feet Books and listed for primary grades - http://bfbooks.com/Literature-Packs/Around-the-World I am going to use their geography curriculum with my 8 year old this summer - http://bfbooks.com/Literature-Packs/Geography-Through-Literature-Packs

We are in the same boat, except that we are living in very rural WV. I feel the isolation daily. We are doing ok now (my son is 8) but I worry about how it's all going to work out as he moves into his teens. He has two buddies now (one who is down the road and one lives 45 minutes away) and I hope with all my heart that these friendships remain stable.

Hello! We will use: BYL (level 3) which will cover Early Modern American history, science & literature. McRuffy Math - level 3 Spelling Workout - level C Language Arts -still deciding: Grammar Galaxy Fix-It Grammar CAP WOL CAP W&R Writing Tales Wordly Wise Tossing around Latin but I'm not sure if I want to go there yet. This summer we will also be doing the BFB Geography Through Literature.

2ndgenhomeschooler ~ Thank you for your input!! You may have just helped me simplify my thought process. Yesterday morning, I told myself to calm down and take it one step at a time - get the reading down pat, etc, etc. By last night, I felt like he was missing everything and had a freakout. Sometimes, I get caught up in the "what if he has to go to public school and he can't write a sentence" mode and that causes anxiety and curriculum shopping. I need to learn to trust myself.

HomeAgain ~ Bravewriter, MCT & Writing Tales feel like they are teaching without teaching. Quick and painless, but still have some zest. I'll be blunt - I do not like to write because I'm not confident in my writing and am worried that I won't be able to guide my son. (I consider it a form of torture....along with meal planning. LOL.) That being said, the mentioned curriculums feel like they won't overwhelm me. CLE - I have no idea what is drawing me to it. Looks like it would get the job done without much pain?? Beautiful Feet & Trail Guide to Learning are simply because I want more books...haha! My son loves history.

Hi All, I need help-trying to work on our curriculum for next year - 3rd grade!! I have a 7 year old son (December birthday) who is currently what I call 2nd grade level. I don't think he is above or below "grade" level. Our current day is BYL 2, LOE Book C (which he doesn't like) - so I switched to ETC Book 2, HWOT and McRuffy Math Grade 2. (As a side note, I am trying to do one lesson a week of LOE because I have both C & D.) He is reading but not picking up a book on his own type of reading. He loves read alouds!! I am fearful of venturing too far from BYL because I love her book lists....but am intrigued by Beautiful Feet and Trail Guide to Learning. I am trying to figure out what to do for next year - grammar, spelling, and writing. Spelling is not clicking with him yet (considering Apples & Pears or Spellwell). We have not done much writing except copywork. I am leaning towards CLE Grammar and Bravewriter Arrows (that match up with BYL books) or Writing Tales. BUT I like the thought of MCT Island. I am wearing myself out thinking about this. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you, Stacy

Hello, In my search for a science curriculum, I came across Science Excursion. Has anyone used this? Any thoughts? I will have a first grader next year and am trying to find something that works for us. I keep tossing up ES and RSO but neither really feel like what I want at this point. http://scienceexcursion.com I appreciate any info, thoughts, etc!! Thanks!

HomeAgain, Do you have a website or more info on Catastrophic Science? I am searching for a science curriculum for next year and nothing seems to be fitting the bill. Thanks!!