:bigear:

FLL3 will be perfect to start at....you don't need FLL1&2, as FLL3 the necessary concepts, just in case a child hasn't been exposed to some of the items taught prior in FLL1&2. For writing, I think she would need either WWE Level 2 or WWE Level 3. From my WWE Level 2 workbook... "Before moving to Level Three, the student should be able to take one long sentence (12-15 words) or two short sentences from dictation, after two repetitions. She should also be able to answer questions about a passage of five to six paragraphs, and then to summarize the passage in a two to three sentence narration. Finally, she should be able to take a sentence of her own narration down as a dictation exercise."

We bought a used version by Milo Winter, as well! One of the children's favorites!

We just recently went to a homeschool conference and were introduced to Moti-venture! (Motivation and Adventure) http://www.moti-venture.com Very reasonably priced..$9 - $13! Example of one adventure: Kids play the part of vacationing explorers who uncover a century-old secret. They must race against time deciphering maps, making jungle paths, scuba diving and more to locate a hidden gold mine. (As they do their schoolwork, chores, etc...that you assign...they receive hints, tools, etc...to complete the adventure.) Most adventures take a few months...some can continue for years (if you want it too) Wonderful ideas....I left wondering why I didn't think of it myself! They have different adventures...suitable from age 2-18...someone even made a joke asking if it would work on spouses!:D (which of coarse, it would!) We just started it a couple of weeks ago...we started with Winter Olympics...it has made a HUGE difference! Each morning the children ask to see their progress, after receiving the points from the previous days tasks. It is fun and family inclusive...great for dads/moms who work outside the home and want to be included in the fun that they may miss...a wonderful way to handle disciplinarian issues (through positive reinforcement)....my husband started filling out the children's acceptance letters to our family adventure and printed off the "plane" tickets right away from the program....he was so into it! We purchased all, but one adventure! Winter Olympics-any age African Safari-is more suitable for younger children 9 and under Legend of the Island-good for 7/8 and up Security Guard--this adventure can literally last for years good for 6/7 and up

I thought about Sonlight, but realized the cost, the amount of readings, and my lack of time with a baby just wouldn't cut it. We are currently using a lot of the Well Trained Mind suggestions. Though, next year we will be using Heart of Dakota (HOD) www.heartofdakota.com This program is literature based (Charlotte Mason), christ centered, affordable, and all planned out for you (day by day). Not that you need more curriculum suggestions ;).

If you are doing both FLL and WWE, then you do not do have to do the dictation in FLL. This is per the info. from Susan Wise Bauer. You can find it in the catalog of Peace Hill Press' Products for a Well Trained Mind on page 21. It states: "First Language Lessons: When using Writing With Ease, you may treat the dictation lessons in FLL as optional."

FREE St. Patrick's Day Holiday Helper from Living Books Curriculum (Charlotte Mason based education for the 21st Century) http://www.livingbookscurriculum.com/pdf/HH-St-Patricks-Day.pdf Includes: Stories Picture Study Copywork Enjoy, we will!

FREE St. Patrick's Day Holiday Helper from Living Books Curriculum (Charlotte Mason based education for the 21st Century) http://www.livingbookscurriculum.com/pdf/HH-St-Patricks-Day.pdf Includes: Stories Picture Study Copywork Enjoy, we will!

:DPizza Hut just opened their enrollment for their reading incentive program for the 2010-2011 year. It fills up quickly! http://www.bookitprogram.com/Enrollment/homeschool.asp

The science is still accurate in these. Of coarse, in the electricty sections it won't mention wind-powered, solar powered, etc..., but the very fundamentals are discussed. Though, Fabre was a renowned Catholic scientist and did not believe in evolution, I haven't read any creation science lit. in them yet. As I haven't read all the books myself, maybe someone else has some insight?

How about: (Most of these are for 10+) Jean Henri Fabre, The Life of the Spider Jean Henri Fabre, The Secret of Everyday Things (heat, water, food, etc...) Jean Henri Fabre, The Story Book of Science (plant and animal life) (The above three can be found in complete form at www.mainlesson.com for free or you can buy a copy on Amazon, etc...) Another great one by Jean Henri Fabre: Jean Henri Fabre, The Wonder Book of Chemistry (this can be found at http://books.google.com/ for free or you can buy a copy on Amazon, etc...)

I second Phonics Pathways.

Another option is Heart of Dakota www.heartofdakota.com. It may be weak in the science area, but you could always toss in a few more books like James Herriot's Treasury for Children, etc... This method follows the Charlotte Mason method, which is classical in approach, using tried and trued methods. It is Christian-based.

I guess, if you want to steamline history, I would go with SOTW 1 to match-up with the ancient studies in CTC.

You have to file when they are 7 by Oct. 1st. So for example if he turns 7 after Oct. 1st...you don't have to file until the following year. Hope this makes sense. Here is a link for further info.: http://mache.org/CompulsoryReportingForm.pdf

Here are some ideas that my DD went to after MTH: -I second the American Girl doll books -The Moody Family Children Books (available through http://www.titus2.com/moody-series/index.php, about daily life in a Christian homeschool family, written by a homeschool graduate) -The Boxcar Children (to get her excited about a series, try the first book on audio...that is what got my DS finally reading them) -Dragonology Chapter Books (There are only two, but she loved them.)

I understand the beauty of #2, but I have done that a few times and a few months into it, I get behind (you know how sometimes life takes over), then I don't do some of the fun things like art, etc... So I vote with #1.:D

I believe it is Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen L. Taylor. We read it last year and loved it!:D

I believe it is Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen L. Taylor. We read it last year and loved it!:D

My DD 8 read "Amelia Earhart: The Legend of the Lost Aviator" at our library. Great illustrations with a story told in a wonderful style...a great living book! In her conversations with family members over the follow days, she made sure to correct us on the facts of Amelia Earhart. Here is the link from amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Earhart-Legend-Lost-Aviator/dp/0810970953/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260267670&sr=1-13

Here is a good list of ideas from Ambleside Online... http://www.amblesideonline.org/PilgrimProgress.shtml In the end, we chose "Little Pilgrim's Progress" (contains both Pilgrim's Progress and Christiana's Journey) by Helen L. Taylor for the quality and price!

Use the above ideas, then also use the notebooking pages (that are free) created for children who are not fluent readers/writers. Here is the link to the Astronomy notebook pages: (it apprears, much of the space is for drawing pictures) http://www.jeanniefulbright.citymax.com/f/astro_sanswriting.pdf

Thank you! What a great idea for Christmas!

I'm interested in this, as well. All that I have found are standard crafts, etc... I found one interesting christian, homeschool website with some fun ideas http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/thanksgiving.html.

When I was pregnant with my last child, I listened to this wonderful podcast from Cindy Rushton. The woman she was interviewing had severe morning sickness seven times and homeschooled...her ideas were so insightful...she also happens to have a website dedicated to morning sickness (www.mymorningsickness.com). I tried looking for it on Cindy's websites, but had no luck finding it or a link to it. However, I have it saved to my hard drive. I will gladly e-mail it to you, just pm me your e-mail address. Christine