Can anyone give some reviews on Writing Strands? I have both a 2nd and 5th grader, and am considering using WS 2 and 3 respectively. We primarily use the Charlotte Mason method, and I'd like the option of broadening our writing to more than narrations. Thanks!

Today was our first official school day. 2 year-old did fairly well! I introduced her to the baby pool last night, and she immediately loved the idea of playing in it. I set up everyone's workboxes last night, and her's included 12 boxes with various activities. She started to get the hang of her schedule strip. She definately got frustrated a few times, and didn't want to follow MY order of boxes. I don't know whether to let her choose for now, or to try to be consistent with the order so that she gets used to the routine. I will say that I don't know how to come up with 5 days worth of boxes! It was a challenge to come up with 12 for today, and she definately had a few she was not interested in at all.

Good ideas! I will have to try the beans. I have some of the Lauri products, and she does like them. A friend suggested that I buy a small inflatable pool, and put it in the schoolroom as her "area". It's to help her see where her toys can be, and she would take a workbox to the pool, play with it in that area, then put the box back, and bring the next one into the pool. I found a small pool on clearance today for $2.50, so I'm going to give it a try. She tends to "spread out" and create a trail. This might also help to contain any small things like dried beans! I also may try makikng my own list of her school toys and dividing them up by day so that I can rotate them and she doesn't see the same stuff every day. Keep the ideas coming!

:iagree:I second the use use of the nature portfolios from homeschooljourney.com. They are wonderful, and I love that she suggests reading to go along with each lesson! I love all of her products! Ashley

What my kids love about the workboxes is that they know that there will be fun activities between more straight-forward assignments. It's almost like opening presents! It's very motivating, and they are more focused on all their tasks because they can see the "light at the end of the tunnel". It also helps me to be more accountable, and add in the fun center-type activities instead of just getting through the basics, and being able to cop-out on a fun experiment behind their backs! Ashley

Hi All, I started homeschooling my 3 last January, and now that we are gearing up to start up next week, I'm looking for advice for my 2 year-old. I have a 4th and 1st grader as well. My hang-up is how to keep the 2 year-old occupied. She's not quite old enough for the file folder centers, or anything truly academic. On the other hand, I don't have enough hands to play with her the whole time we're schooling. I've started implementing the workbox system into our day, and have set up a set of boxes for her. The problem is what to put in them. Right now she'll get out a box, play with it for a couple of minutes, and then she wants to move on. In 20 minutes or so, she's already bored! Any ideas? She turned 2 in May, so she's a fairly young 2. Thanks! Ashley

I may have to try the M & M's! Our problem is my lack of knowledge in this area. I am still learning about how to implement memory work and recitation!

Mine is St. Artemius Academy, and we follow a Latin Centered Classical Curriculum.

I just emailed the author yesterday. I purchased this back in May, and a couple of months ago the author emailed and said everything was scheduled to be finished and sent to the printer at the beginning of August. I've been checking the site weekly, and haven't seen an update in months. My son loves LL, so I'm hoping that we won't be stuck without the second half of the book! The chapters do seem to be longer than book 1.

The text was great for getting to know the philosophy, but I realize now that I only needed the workbook to do the work. It might be worthwhile to borrow the text and purchase the workbooks.

Our biggest hit has been implementing the workbox system! Even my 2 year-old is benefitting from it!

I have been looking at WWE. Would I start a first grader who has not done the program at book 1 or 2? Thanks! Ashley

I had the same question, and emailed the author. I have a 9 yo ds and a 6 yo dd. Here is her reply: "Your question is a good one and the answer depends on what you want for your 4th grader. Some children at that age really want to learn to draw more realistically. This can be shown by a sudden dissatisfaction with their work as it is or they may request more in depth knowledge or they may not express such things. Anyway the 4-6 Book 1 answers the question, "How can I draw better?" It is primarily a drawing book with just enough technical information for that age. However, many people decide to use one book for their younger child and the older one (especially 4th and 5th graders) in order to instill a joy of art in their children. The K-3 Book One, which is what I definitely recommend for the 1st grader, is a great introduction to art in general, does not talk down to the student so that it feels "babyish", and lets the student work with a variety of media: drawing, painting, paper art, and clay. People have commented that even their 7th graders enjoyed the projects and learned things from it (although the student art samples in it are drawn by 1st - 3rd graders, the projects are fun for any age.) Basically, I suggest the K-3 Book One for the younger. The older can work in that the first year together or move directly to the drawing book (Grades 4-6 Book One). If you feel she would have fun doing a variety of projects, and do the K-3 together the first year, your oldest would still have two years to go on and finish the 4-6 Grade books one and two. Note: There is nothing in the K-3 program that is a prerequisite for doing the 4-6 grade levels or any of the other levels so the option to jump in the middle is an option that we designed into the program. " We decided to go with book 1 for both of mine. Hope that helps! Ashley www.startemiusacademy.blogspot.com

I need help choosing the right phonics and writing curriculum for my rising 1st grader. We used MFW A to Z for Kindergarten. Since we started however, I have decided to follow Latin Centered Curriculum. Since I'm not going to use a "packaged" curriculum, I'm lost as to what to use for these areas. She is a strong reader, but needs the phonics. I just did the placement test for Explode the Code, and it places her in book 3. My main concern is preparing her for CW Aesop once she is in 3rd grade. I have a current 3rd grader using Aesop, but he has only been home educated since this past January. I see that CW has just come out with the primers, but I'm not sure if she could use these for 1st grade, and if so, what would we use for 2nd? I am confident in every other subject area, but need some advice for phonics and writing. Thanks! Ashley www.startemiusacademy.blogspot.com