Links on this page may contain affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission if you choose to purchase something from that link, support my business with no extra cost to you!
This fun and engaging homeschool unit study can be used across various ages and levels and is easy to adapt! I am sharing all the resources we used as well as a FREE Lesson plan guide to help you use in your homeschool. You can download the FREE 26-page PDF, 13 Lesson Guide below!
This FREE Homeschool Human Body Unit Study is the perfect addition for your homeschool science curriculum!
The new 2023 Edition was refreshed, removing some resources that weren’t used much or outdated. I also added some more helpful parent notes and guides for some of the lessons.
The guide is a PDF download, there are no student pages to print. You can choose to keep the guide digital or print out. If you download and keep in a PDF format, all linked items should work!
Sonlight is a homeschool curriculum provider that offers a wide range of programs for children of different ages and grades. In this review blog post, we’ll focus specifically on their Pre-K Program. We chose to add the Level K readersto our Pre-K package as well!
We were gifted the Sonlight Pre-K Kit from Sonlight in exchange for our honest review.
The Sonlight Pre-K homeschool curriculum is designed for children aged 4-5 and focuses on developing foundational reading, math, science, and social studies skills. The curriculum comes in a comprehensive package that includes everything you need to teach your child at home, including books, instructor guides, and activity sheets.
Using the fully planned out Instructor guide, you can plan to spend anywhere between 20 mins to 1.5 hours per day, 4x a week. Using the Sonlight Instructor Guide- you can rest assure everything is planned out and nothing is getting missed, just open and go!
Literature Based Pre-K Curriculum
One of the standout features of the Sonlight PreK homeschool curriculum is the emphasis on literature-based learning. The curriculum includes a large selection of classic children’s books that are used as the basis for many of the lessons. This approach to learning is not only engaging for young children but also helps to develop important skills such as listening comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking.
The curriculum also includes hands-on activities and projects that help to reinforce the concepts being taught. These activities are designed to be fun and interactive, making learning an enjoyable experience for both parent and child.
Want to see everything that’s included? Check out this unboxing:
Sonlight Pre-K Covers all Subjects
In terms of the subjects covered, the Sonlight PreK curriculum covers all the basics such as math, science, and social studies. The math lessons focus on developing basic counting and number recognition skills, while the science lessons cover topics such as the human body, animals, and the environment. The social studies lessons introduce children to different cultures and traditions from around the world.
As much as we love the traditional school subjects covered in our Sonlight Pre-K program, one of my favorite things is the weekly life skills included. Throughout the year, your child will practice practical life skills like washing dishes, pouring and measuring, watering plants, and much more!
These life sills help build basic foundations for numerous things and are both mine and my sons favorite activities during our weeks.
My Final Thoughts on Sonlight’s Pre-K Program
Overall, the Sonlight Pre-K homeschool curriculum is a well-designed and comprehensive program that provides a great foundation for early learning. The literature-based approach, hands-on activities, and flexibility make it an excellent choice for parents looking to homeschool their young children.
If you are new to homeschooling and have no idea where to start- this is a wonderful option, because it is everything you need.
We are very excited to be adding this curriculum into our homeschool days! We upgraded our program and added the Kindergarten readers and Language arts doing that, we plan to use this both both our Pre-K and Kindergarten year.
This free homeschool unit study comes from my natural curiosity to learn more about one on my favorite animals. These animals often get a bad rap, being called “pests”, I hope you learn how awesome raccoons are and the importance of them in our world.
These lessons can be used across all elementary age levels and can be adjusted for lower and higher grades. Any resources used including books and videos should always be prescreened by the parent, just because it works in my home does not mean it will work in yours. This will be such a fun and engaging addition to your science curriculum.
This unit is faith neutral leaving it up to the parents to decide which direction to take it.
Additional Resources
There are no required resources. This unit can be used stand alone as it includes informative reading passages. These resources below are not required, just additional add-ons if you want to enhance or extend the lessons. Please pre-screen any recommended resources, just because they work in my home does not meet they will work in yours.
There is a recommended video to watch for each lesson. These really tie together the entire unit.
I created an Amazon page where I included all recommended books, be sure to check out your local library.
Identify and describe the physical characteristics of raccoons.
Explain the importance of animal tracks in identifying animal species.
Define mammals and describe their characteristics.
Describe the habitat of raccoons and explain its importance to the survival of raccoons.
Describe the characteristics of the temperate forest biome and identify its location.
Explain the adaptations of nocturnal animals.
Describe the lifecycle of raccoons and identify their different stages.
Understand the purpose of animal rehabilitation, and describe the basic steps involved in rehabilitating injured or orphaned animals.
Compare and contrast raccoons to other animal species using Venn diagrams.
Research and create presentation on an animal and their habitat, including information on their physical characteristics, lifecycle, and other interesting facts.
Unit Updates 4/25/2023 – Lesson 1 Updated – Raccoons live up to 15 Years should be 3 years in the wild. Updated unit emailed out to any customers with downloads. You can also repurchase (for FREE) and download the updated unit.
Access FREE Raccoon Unit Study
You can get the FREE homeschool Raccoon unit study clicking on the button below! You will need to add to your cart and check out.
Homeschool+ is a new online learning system that aims to make learning fun and engaging for children aged 4-8. Designed by a team of educators, the platform features a range of interactive games and activities that cover topics such as reading, math, science, and social studies.
I was given complimentary and early access to the Homeschool+ beta version to review and share my honest thoughts.
Fun Fact: The creators of Homeschool+ are the same creators from ABCmouse and Adventure Academy!
Overview of Homeschool+ Online Learning System
We were so excited to try out the beta version of Homeschool+! My son, who is 4, loves learning games and took to this right away! I was able to plan a “schedule” with daily lessons for him to complete. After he completed a lesson I was able to review his progress and see the lessons adapt to his needs.
Some of the subjects you will see on Homeschool+ are:
Math
Reading
Art
Science
Grammar
Geography
Spanish
Community
We can’t wait to see all Homeschool+ has to offer once this learning system is fully released!
Homeschool+ Unique Adaptive Learning Model
One of the strengths of Homeschool+ is its adaptability. The platform adjusts to the child’s individual skill level, providing appropriate challenges and rewards as they progress. This ensures that each child can learn at their own pace and stay motivated throughout the learning process.
Homeschool+ Daily Lessons
When your child first logs on they will see any lessons you planned out prior, or they will be shown free play options. I love the adaptive Match and Ready Academy sections! Once your child is in a lesson they will interact with the lessons by selecting responses and playing games.
My son really loves the Reading Academy and when familiar stories are read to him like “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe”.
Homeschool+ Lesson Planner
I really enjoy the lesson planner option. I am able to add or delete lessons and plan out our homeschool week easily. It’s extremely responsive and flexible- which is a must in our homeschool.
Homeschool+ Progress Tracker
Parents will also appreciate the platform’s tracking and reporting tools, which allow them to monitor their child’s progress and identify areas where additional support may be needed.
This progress tracker is perfect to track learning milestones and if you are required to meet certain standards.
Daily Printable Lesson Plans
Homeschool+ not only offers engaging video lessons and online learning games, but they also offer printable lesson plans and activities you can use with your little ones!
I absolutely loved this option to take a break from the screentime but still have educational resources!
This is an example of a Human Body lesson you would download and print to complete:
Another noteworthy feature of Homeschool+ is its emphasis on learning through play. The platform is designed to be both educational and enjoyable, with games and activities that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Children can earn virtual rewards and badges as they complete challenges, adding an extra layer of fun to the learning experience.
My son doesn’t even call this “school-work” he totally views it as fun games he gets to play!
Overall, Homeschool+ is a fantastic online learning game that provides a fun and effective way for young children to learn and grow. Its adaptability, emphasis on play, and tracking tools make it an ideal choice for homeschooling families or anyone looking to supplement their child’s education.
We are looking forward to some warmer weather and can’t wait for spring in our homeschool! Its been a cold winter and we can’t wait to move some of our school work outside in the sun! This spring we are so excited to be using the Butterfly Unit Study from Sonlight.
We were gifted the Butterfly Unit Study from Sonlight in exchange for our honest review.
The Sonlight Butterfly Unit Study is an educational and enjoyable homeschool unit study for springtime. The unit study covers a range of topics and activities that help to make learning fun. This unit study is intended for ages 7-12 or grades 2-6. This is the perfect unit to use as a family.
Sonlight Homeschool Curriculum offers you everything that you need to succeed on your homeschool journey, from preschool through high school.
What’s Included in the Sonlight Butterfly Unit Study
Traditional Sonlight Instructor’s Guide
If you are familiar with any of Sonlight’s curriculum, one of the best things are the instructor guides than plan each day and activity out for you!
Something unique in the Butterfly Unit Study, the weeks are planned around the life cycle of your butterfly. In this unit study your kids will see the magical transformation of a butterfly from egg to a beautiful butterfly.
Live caterpillars are not included, you will need to purchase those separately and ensure you have them when you start your unit. Also note that your daily temperature needs to be above 55 degrees for your butterflies to survive.
Literature
In true Sonlight fashion, there had to be some great books included:
This Unit Study package includes Caterpillars and Butterflies, which lays the foundation for this unit study. How do caterpillars turn into butterflies? What do they eat? How do they protect themselves? All these details and more in pages full of beautiful pictures.
Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterflytells the story of first-grader Velma who is the youngest in her family. Follow along as she changes from living in the shadow of her older siblings to a confident young scientist.
Butterflies for Kiricelebrates one girl’s creativity as she experiments with colorful origami. It’s the perfect lead-in to creating your own origami butterfly.
Activity Sheets
Student Activity Sheets are included in the Instructor’s Guide for Caterpillars and Butterflies. They include vocabulary review, comprehension questions, and a variety of matching, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank activities to reinforce learning. An answer key for the parent/teacher is included in the Instructor’s Guide.
Project Supplies
This unit study comes packaged in a durable cardboard box with the supplies you need to complete each activity or project, except for a few household items. Inside the unit study box you’ll find the following supplies:
Would I recommend the Sonlight Butterfly Unit Study
The study allowed us to go outside and observe butterflies in our own backyard, which the kids really enjoyed. The activities included in the unit study were simple enough for my 4-year-old to understand, but engaging enough to keep my 8 and 10-year-olds interested. The activities helped to reinforce the lessons and made learning fun.
Overall, we had a great experience with the Sonlight Butterfly Unit Study. It was an educational, fun and memorable experience for all of us. I highly recommend this unit study for any family looking to add a fun and educational homeschool unit study to their spring plans.
Better late than never, right? I am sharing the curriculum choices we have been using for the 2022/2023 school. I figured you might be interested to see what we have been using before I share our picks for next school year.
During the 2022/2023 school year I have a preschooler, 2nd grader, and 4th grader.
We made ALOT of changes this year, pretty much all the curriculum we started the year with was changed by mid-year. The good news is we absolutely love everything we changed to, and you will see a lot of that carried into our next school year.
Just to avoid any confusion our 2022/2023 school year is July 2022- June 2023.
Most of the curriculum we use, I have also made YouTube Videos on it, I will make sure to link those below !
2022/2023 Family Subject Homeschool Picks
One of the big changes we made this year was moving some of our subjects from individual to family subjects- at least for my 2nd and 4th grader.
Language Arts
IEW Structure & Style Level A Year 1
After doing the 3-weel FREE trial from IEW, we decided that their structure and style writing program was a perfect fit for both my daughters. The recommended grade level is 3rd – 5th, since we started this mid-year, we will continue working on this next school year.
Guest Hollow Beowulf Grammar
This program is designed for grades 2nd – 6th and was that perfect addition to our homeschool. We needed a more in-depth curriculum on basic grammar principles and this has been the perfect fit.
Learning American Sign Language (ASL) in homeschool is an invaluable skill that can open the door to a world of opportunities. As a parent of a homeschool student who has an interest in learning ASL, and has tried various programs, I was thrilled to discover the Mr.D ASL course for homeschooled students.
I did receive access to this ASL course in exchange for my honest review.
Not only does this course provide my daughter with the opportunity to learn ASL, it also allows her to do so in a convenient and enjoyable way. The course is designed to be both informative and engaging. The materials are accessible and easy to follow, and the instruction is clear and thorough.
My daughter particularly enjoys the interactive activities that help to reinforce the concepts she is learning. Additionally, the instructor, is friendly and engaging, she has a vast knowledge of ASL and sign language. She has been able to answer all of my daughter’s questions and has been extremely helpful in guiding her through the course.
The benefits of learning ASL are numerous. For starters, it allows people to communicate with those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. It also introduces students to a whole new language and culture, one which is rich in history and full of interesting people. Learning ASL can also help to improve communication skills and enhance problem solving skills, and can even help to improve literacy.
Increased Cognition
Studies have shown that learning American Sign Language (ASL) increases cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, memory, and spatial recognition.
Increased Empathy
Those who learn ASL gain a greater understanding of the deaf community and develop more empathy for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
Improved Communication Skills
Learning ASL helps improve communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal, which can be beneficial in any profession.
Improved Academic Performance
Learning ASL has been linked to improved academic performance in areas such as reading and writing.
Enhanced Job Opportunities
Those who know ASL may have access to jobs in fields such as teaching, healthcare, social work, and interpreting.
Mr. D’s American Sign Language Courses
We have tried various ASL programs, and by far Mr.D’s ASL courses have been our favorite. The self-paced courses, amazing teacher, and quick feedback will keep us continuing to use these courses.
We are currently using the ASL 1 course designed for grades 6th-12th. This is a middle school/ high school level course. They offer ASL 1, 2, &3 at this level. If you have a highschool student and your state requires and accepts ASL as a foreign language, these can be used to complete high school credits.
My daughter has been learning ASL for over 2 years, so we decided to choose this higher level course. If you have an elementary student who is just starting out learning ASL, I would recommend starting with Mr.D’s ASL Elementary course. This course is designed for grades K-5 and is great for beginners.
These courses are self-paced. The student logs onto the portal and works through the course and lessons at their own pace. Each lesson has videos, activities, printables, quizzes, and homework.
In my daughters course at then end of each lesson she has to submit a video as her homework. ASL is something that needs to be visually seen, submitting videos is a perfect way to ensure she understands. I am able to help her take a video on my phone and I just log in to her course to upload the video.
My favorite thing about this course is the feedback she receives after submitting her video assignment. Her teacher is fluent in ASL and gives her quick feedback about hand placement and any tips to work on.
Check out my Youtube Video Review on Mr.D’s ASL Course:
Would I Recommend Mr.D’s American Sign Language Courses?
Overall, I highly recommend the Mr.D ASL course for homeschooled students. Not only does it provide a convenient and enjoyable way for students to learn ASL, but also offers numerous benefits. My daughter has been taking the course for a few months now and has already seen an improvement in her ability to understand and communicate using ASL. I’m confident that with continued practice, she will be able to become proficient in this amazing language.
We plan on continuing to use Mr.D’s American Sign Language courses throughout our homeschool journey and as our foreign language credits in highschool.
The courses cost around $6 per lesson, and $197 for the entire course. These are very well priced, I haven’t seen any lessons on ASL for less than $6. If you need to budget monthly for cost, factor in about $16.50/month for this course. The online program we previously used was $39 per month!
Many of us are only half-way through out current homeschool year but already thinking about planning for the upcoming homeschool year! Regardless if you are brand new to homeschooling, planning your first year, or a vet homeschool mom planning their 10th year- we all need a little help getting organized planning for the upcoming homeschool year.
In this post I am going to share my step by step guide to how I plan for the upcoming homeschool year.
Step 1: Determine any Homeschool State Requirements
This is an extremely important step if you live in a state that has homeschool requirements. If you aren’t sure if your state has requirements- I recommend using HSLDA to find your state and any legal requirements: https://hslda.org/legal
Some states have specific requirements, such as a certain number of hours of instruction per year, specific subjects to be taught, tracking requirements, or testing. Make sure you are aware of these requirements and plan accordingly.
Thankfully the state we currently live in has very low requirements, however because we plan on moving in the future, I try to keep records for attendance, curriculum, and testing.
Step 2: Plan for Co-Ops, Extra Curricular Activities, Camp, and Vacations
Planning for all the “extra” things is also an early and important part of my planning process. Its not always easy knowing 6 months or a year from now exactly what is going to be going on but the more you can plan and anticipate for will help you in the long run.
For example – I know we have 2 co-op sessions, each one running about 9 weeks. long- 2x a week. I can factor in these days as school attendance days, as well as I might not need an extra school subject because it will be completed in our co-ops.
I also tentatively know around what months we will take breaks- like for example in December we usually take around 2 weeks off. My kids also enjoy summer camp, so as much as I would love to be year-round homeschoolers, I know with summer camp we take a longer break in the summer months.
Step 3: Plan Out Your Homeschool Year
This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on your family’s needs and preferences. You may want to follow a traditional school calendar, or you may prefer a more relaxed approach.
If you have notes and some ideas from Steps 1 and 2, then you can start formulating your school year.
I tend to use a 40 week school year, and break that into 4 quarters, each being 10 weeks. Doing it this way gives me about 12 “no-school” weeks.
We don’t school every day, and typically we only school 3x a week because of those extra things like co-op. So if I take 40 weeks times 3 school days – that equals 120 actual school days PLUS- I can also count in our co-op days which is 36 additional days. Attendance wise, we school around 156 days per year.
Our state has no attendance requirements, so this works just great for us and gives us the flexibility we need.
If you are like me and like physical papers to plan I have FREE planning resources available here
Step 4: Choose Your Homeschool Curriculum
Now, this section is not “How To” choose curriculum, that will be its own blog post. This is just saying in the planning process, this is where I start picking curriculum.
This is the longest process for me, but because I have completed the above steps, I at least have a general game plan.
I know we have 120 at home school days, so when looking at curriculum, if I choose one that has 180 lessons I must be realistic and understand we won’t complete it in 1 year, or we would have to double up lessons on some days.
This is also where you don’t want to over buy, its hard to think about those fun holiday units- but we know we will all end up wanting them. Leave yourself some wiggle room and don’t over commit.
Last bit of advice in choosing curriculum as far as the planning process- decide between teacher-taught, self-taught, or outside-teacher lessons. This obviously will depend on your kid’s ages, your time restraints, and more- but if you have older kids and are ready to hand over the reins on some of the teaching part- there are tons of great curriculums out there!
Step 5: Be Realistic and Don’t Over Plan
Even though this whole post is on planning – don’t over plan !
Don’t try to do too much in the upcoming year. Plan the basics and give yourself wiggle room! It is always easier to add more in, than take some away.
Be realistic with your time, there are only so many hours in a day and only so much our kids and us as teachers can handle.
This post shares information about homeschool laws, this is coming from personal experience and recommendations but does not replace legal advise. You should always check with your local state to see the most up to state homeschool laws.
As a parent in Nevada, you may be considering homeschooling your children as an alternative to traditional schooling. Homeschooling in Nevada offers a number of advantages, including being able to customize your children’s education to their individual needs and interests, as well as having more control over the educational environment.
Before you can begin homeschooling, there are certain requirements and regulations that must be met. In Nevada, homeschooling is regulated by the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC).
Nevada Notice of Intent to Homeschool
Under the NRS, homeschoolers must register with the state and submit a notice of intent to homeschool. The notice must include your name, address, and the name, address, and age of each child that is being homeschooled. It must also include a statement regarding the curriculum you plan to use. Please check the most recent up to date requirements here: https://doe.nv.gov/Homeschooling/
You only have to submit the notice of intent form once per school age child. Nevada currently does not require any updates after the initial form has been submitted.
Curriculum Plan for Nevada Homeschool
Attach a statement of the educational plan for the child, appropriate for the age and level of skill of the child as determined by the parent, in the subject areas of:
English:
including reading, composition and writing
Mathematics
Science
Social studies
including history, geography, economics, and government
An educational plan that contains these requirements must not be used in any manner as a basis for denial of a notice of intent to homeschool that is otherwise complete. The parent is not required to ensure that each subject is taught each year that the child is homeschooled.
In terms of curriculum, Nevada homeschoolers may choose to use a variety of educational materials and resources, including traditional textbooks, online courses, and other educational materials.
Are you Ready to Homeschool in Nevada?
Homeschoolers tend to come from a wide range of backgrounds, including those whose parents have chosen to homeschool for religious or other reasons, and those who have chosen to homeschool for academic or financial reasons. Homeschooling can be a great alternative to traditional schooling for parents in Nevada.
By meeting the necessary requirements and regulations, and taking the time to research and select the right curriculum, Nevadan parents can provide their children with a unique, customized educational experience.
February is a busy month for homeschoolers! February holidays this month: Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Presidents Day, and Valentines day. There are so many opportunities for field trips and learning activities. I will be sharing all the resources here on this page including activities, decorations, and books. This page will be updated frequently with new things, make sure to save it for all your Homeschool February planning!
February Homeschool Planning Ideas:
Black History Month Homeschool Ideas:
This is a time to learn about the important contributions of black Americans to our country and world. There are lots of great books and resources to help teach about this topic.
Create a groundhog puppet and use it to act out the story of Groundhog Day.
Research the history of Groundhog Day and create a timeline or presentation to share with your family.
Make a groundhog day craft, such as a groundhog paper bag puppet or a groundhog themed decoration for your home.
Groundhog Day Decorations
Groundhog Day Book Recommendations
Valentines Day Homeschool Ideas (February 14th)
Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity for students to learn about love and relationships. Here are three activities that students can do on Valentine’s Day:
Create homemade valentines cards using various art materials like construction paper, markers, and glitter.
Have a valentine’s day themed cooking class and make delicious treats like heart-shaped cookies or chocolate covered strawberries.
Research the history of Valentine’s Day and create a presentation to share with your family. You can also include different customs and traditions from different cultures.
Valentines Day Decorations
Valentines Day Book Recommendations
Presidents Day Homeschool Ideas (February 20th)
This holiday celebrates the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Have your students learn more about these two presidents and do activities related to them. Ideas include: -making a flag of the United States -writing a speech as George Washington -creating a presidential seal -designing a campaign poster for Abraham Lincoln
Research a specific president and create a presentation or report on their life, accomplishments, and impact on the country.
Create a timeline of the history of the American presidency and include important events and key figures.
Have a mock presidential election in your home. Family members can learn about the voting process and make speeches as their favorite presidents or candidates.
Presidents Day Decorations
Do you have any homeschool resources to share for February? Leave them in the comments:
Are you looking for an effective way to teach history to your homeschooler and have a reference guide for years to come?
History Timeline Notebooks are a great way to easily track and reference historical events in your homeschool. They provide a comprehensive timeline of world events, as well as specific events related to the history curriculum you are teaching. Plus, they are incredibly easy to use and can be updated as needed!
My Favorite History Timeline Notebooks
Schoolnest History Notebooks
The History Timeline Notebook is a chronicle of your history studies over time. Also known as a Book of Centuries, the History Timeline is to be used over many years as you read about people, places, and events of the past. Jot down the name of an inventor on the year they were born or the year they created their invention. Sketch famous artworks on the year they were painted. Over time you will see correlations, notice the events happening in historical figures’ lifetimes, and make connections in one moment in time across cultures.
The pages are graph paper, with a horizontal timeline through the center. Depending on the era, the years have different spacing (becoming more frequent as it gets more modern). The beginning of the book has 10 pages for a “My Timeline” section to create a personal or family history. The beginning of each era has an open-ended “best of the era” two-page spread to list or doodle your favorite or most notable moments of the era.
I also love that I can create my own event stickers in Canva. This allows me to customize the timeline and to add events that are specific to the history curriculum we are using. I can also choose a specific color or design for each event, making the timeline even more visually appealing.
I want to share the stickers I create for free with my blog subscribers! So, if you’re interested in getting your own set of history timeline stickers, be sure to subscribe to my blog. I’ll be sharing all of the stickers I create for free with my subscribers.
Subscribe to get access
Read more of this content when you subscribe today.
What are you waiting for, start your History Timeline Notebook!
Using History Timeline Notebooks in our homeschool has been a great way to keep track of the events we’ve studied and to easily reference them in the future. With these notebooks, we can easily review the events we’ve learned and gain a better understanding of the history we’re teaching. Plus, I love that I can create my own event stickers to customize the timeline and make it more visually appealing.
If you’re looking for an effective way to teach history and have a reference guide for years to come, be sure to check out our History Timeline Notebooks. And if you’re looking for free event stickers, be sure to subscribe to my blog! I’ll be sharing all of the stickers I create for free with my subscribers.
Leave a Reply