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Phonics Road - Why Did You


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Title is supposed to be WHY DID YOU QUIT? No idea how to edit the title of the post?!

 

I'm using PR1 with my 5 year old and liking it very much.

 

I'm curious about the folks who have tried this program and it didn't work? Was it the DVDs? Was it something else? We are not very far into PR1 and I am just curious as to the "negatives" of the program that would make a family stop using it.

 

Thanks!

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I haven't quit yet but am contemplating it because at this point, I own PR1 and PR2 but the thought of spending $400 more dollars on language arts is scaring me. I'm trying to decide what to do for next year. Another factor is that is involves so much of me . . . I have kids constantly waiting on me to be able to continue on to their next school subject and I'm struggling with loving the process and quality of what their learning with PR vs. the time contraints of having a large family and really needed something a bit more independent. So that's my struggle, not with the content because I love it, but with money and time.

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I haven't quit yet but am contemplating it because at this point, I own PR1 and PR2 but the thought of spending $400 more dollars on language arts is scaring me. I'm trying to decide what to do for next year. Another factor is that is involves so much of me . . . I have kids constantly waiting on me to be able to continue on to their next school subject and I'm struggling with loving the process and quality of what their learning with PR vs. the time contraints of having a large family and really needed something a bit more independent. So that's my struggle, not with the content because I love it, but with money and time.

Assign some buddies! :D

 

Right now ds18 is teaching basic phonics to ds6 and dd4. They are having a blast! Oh and dd 20mths is in there too. :lol: She loves doing "school"!

 

I am accelerating my dd9 and ds11 and TOTALLY cheating! They are watching the DVD with me! :) They are really enjoying it though.

 

I just had baby #7 3 weeks ago and so far littles have learned a, c, d, f, g, o, qu, and s. Plus done activities and games to practice.

 

Olders have done 10 weeks worth in 11 days. :)

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I haven't quit yet but am contemplating it because at this point, I own PR1 and PR2 but the thought of spending $400 more dollars on language arts is scaring me. I'm trying to decide what to do for next year. Another factor is that is involves so much of me . . . I have kids constantly waiting on me to be able to continue on to their next school subject and I'm struggling with loving the process and quality of what their learning with PR vs. the time contraints of having a large family and really needed something a bit more independent. So that's my struggle, not with the content because I love it, but with money and time.

:grouphug: Level 3 brings independence! Hang in there! You teach for about 10-15 min. and then you let them go. You will spend more like 20 min. for literature, but once they get the hang of it, they are finishing assignments independently there, too.

 

So far as the money, I think of it like this. PR1-4 is like grades K-6 in our house. That's $800 for 7 years of all language arts. That's not bad, really (although I totally understand dropping the big sums can be painful).

 

It's worth hanging in, really and the independence pick up is a welcome relief.

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:grouphug: Level 3 brings independence! Hang in there! You teach for about 10-15 min. and then you let them go. You will spend more like 20 min. for literature, but once they get the hang of it, they are finishing assignments independently there, too.

 

So far as the money, I think of it like this. PR1-4 is like grades K-6 in our house. That's $800 for 7 years of all language arts. That's not bad, really (although I totally understand dropping the big sums can be painful).

 

It's worth hanging in, really and the independence pick up is a welcome relief.

 

Are you serious? Independence in Level 3 . . . that would be great. I'm so glad I posted. Is the literature still basically one day a week or is it more frequent?

 

I'm still torn as to what to do because I have other resources that could take care of language arts already in the house that could take care of most of the needs for the next few years with no outlay of cash . .. I'm using MFW and need to purchase three years for next year because of the way my kidlets fall . .. Year 5 of the elementary cycle, Year 1 of High School and Year 4 of High School. That's making me go EEEEK! on the money front.

 

Like I said, I love PR and I know our time has been spent wisely on it this year . . . just not sure it will be the right choice for the future.

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I don't want to cause a panic or anything, but when I received my sample pack yesterday there was a note saying that the prices would be going up as of March 1, 2011 due to increased production costs. (don't know if this includes Rainbow Resource)

 

Orders processed by Feb. 28th will receive the current price. I will probably order levels 1-3 today, but I'm still thinking it over. LOL

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Well...I quit twice. But started it 3 times. :D I'm a happy user now.

 

I have three kiddos in Phonics Road right now, 1 in PR2 and 2 working through level 1. They are all in different places. My K'er just started a few weeks ago and my 1st grader is halfway through Level 1. The reasons I quit were largely because I thought I could do Language Arts better by separating it. I really adore WTM methodology so I took a few detours to check it out. I used FLL, WWE, and AAS and sampled other things. I found they were MORE work for me. The more I look at our long term sequence, I find that PR will be a great time saver. I've tried many times to find a simplier way, but I can't find one. For example, after PR1-4 I plan on doing Latin Road and will only have to add writing. I really like CW and if I can't get my head around it, I'll go with WTM writing. I think PR is set up to prepare for traditional writing also.

 

I love that PR uses the first year to focus on reading and spelling

year two to introduce writing and grammar

year three to introduce latin

and year four to solidify these, all with real literature.

I have struggled to find anything that could match the efficiency and strength that PR has given our homeschool.

 

I just want to encourage you, the first times I used it it seemed to d-r-a-g, but the third time something clicked and we have been much more efficient. Some of the things I have changed are:

 

1) We dropped using the clipboard. I have one of these for me and for my student. He writes and I write behind him. I have lines on a piece of construction paper for slipped down into the pocket for him. Then he copies the words onto his final paper (copywork :D).

 

2) I watch the videos once and make my own notebook, so its open and go after that.

 

These are simple things, but just using and getting used to PR helps a lot too. I hope I have encouraged you. I think its great that in year 3 it gets more independent. I hope I have encouraged you and been helpful.

Edited by Honey Bee
fixed errors
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I don't want to cause a panic or anything, but when I received my sample pack yesterday there was a note saying that the prices would be going up as of March 1, 2011 due to increased production costs. (don't know if this includes Rainbow Resource)

 

Orders processed by Feb. 28th will receive the current price. I will probably order levels 1-3 today, but I'm still thinking it over. LOL

 

 

Did it say what the new prices will be? I have PR1 and PR2. I've been accelerating my 10 yo through PR1 and hoping to do PR3 by fall. I wonder if I should order it now.

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2) I watch the videos once and make my own notebook, so its open and go after that.

 

We don't use the clipboard either. My dd9 came up with a GREAT idea that has worked wonderful for us. :)

 

Each child has a 1/2in 3-ring binder that holds worksheets and such for about 3 weeks. (Thank you TOG!) Ours have a pocket in front and one in back that is clear. They design a cover for the front and we use the back for practicing on worksheets! :D Works awesome! Also let to keep track of. :lol:

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Well...I quit twice. But started it 3 times. :D I'm a happy user now.

 

I have three kiddos in Phonics Road right now, 1 in PR2 and 2 working through level 1. They are all in different places. My K'er just started a few weeks ago and my 1st grader is halfway through Level 1. The reasons I quit were largely because I thought I could do Language Arts better by separating it. I really adore WTM methodology so I took a few detours to check it out. I used FLL, WWE, and AAS and sampled other things. I found they were MORE work for me. The more I look at our long term sequence, I find that PR will be a great time saver. I've tried many times to find a simplier way, but I can't find one. For example, after PR1-4 I plan on doing Latin Road and will only have to add writing. I really like CW and if I can't get my head around it, I'll go with WTM writing. I think PR is set up to prepare for traditional writing also.

 

I love that PR uses the first year to focus on reading and spelling

year two to introduce writing and grammar

year three to introduce latin

and year four to solidify these, all with real literature.

I have struggled to find anything that could match the efficiency and strength that PR has given our homeschool.

 

I just want to encourage you, the first times I used it it seemed to d-r-a-g, but the third time something clicked and we have been much more efficient. Some of the things I have changed are:

 

1) We dropped using the clipboard. I have one of these for me and for my student. He writes and I write behind him. I have lines on a piece of construction paper for slipped down into the pocket for him. Then he copies the words onto his final paper (copywork :D).

 

2) I watch the videos once and make my own notebook, so its open and go after that.

 

These are simple things, but just using and getting used to PR helps a lot too. I hope I have encouraged you. I think its great that in year 3 it gets more independent. I hope I have encouraged you and been helpful.

 

I struggle because I LOVE PHP's products and these have worked so well for us. I don't find that they take much time at all. My question is whether or not to continue PR after level one because I don't want to miss out on doing PHP's stuff with my daughter. I like PR so far (we've been doing it a month) but I LOVE using SWB's stuff. I guess what I'm saying is that the jury is still out. It's not a criticism of PR, because I totally see the value of it. I'm just going to have to work with it for a while and see if I grow to love it as much as the other stuff we've used.

Edited by Hedgehogs4
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I struggle because I LOVE PHP's products and these have worked so well for us. I don't find that they take much time at all. My question is whether or not to continue PR after level one because I don't want to miss out on doing PHP's stuff with my daughter. I like PR so far (we've been doing it a month) but I LOVE using SWB's stuff.

Honestly....right now I am using PR, WWE, and FLL. We are accelerating so I am only in lower levels but for now it is TOTALLY do able.

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Each child has a 1/2in 3-ring binder that holds worksheets and such for about 3 weeks. (Thank you TOG!) Ours have a pocket in front and one in back that is clear. They design a cover for the front and we use the back for practicing on worksheets! :D Works awesome! Also let to keep track of. :lol:

 

Love the binder idea. Being organized helps a lot. I probably spend too much time trying to be organized. :tongue_smilie:

 

I struggle because I LOVE PHP's products and these have worked so well for us. I don't find that they take much time at all. My question is whether or not to continue PR after level one because I don't want to miss out on doing PHP's stuff with my daughter. I like PR so far (we've been doing it a month) but I LOVE using SWB's stuff. I guess what I'm saying is that the jury is still out. It's not a criticism of PR, because I totally see the value of it. I'm just going to have to work with it for a while and see if I grow to love it as much as the other stuff we've used.

 

I too love PHP's products! I found when I added AAS it was just a lot for me. I was flipping through 3 different curriculums for 2 difference children and it was hard for me. I am really starting to see WTM methodology in PR and that has helped me a lot, because I can have a very efficent program and still keep my same methodology. Especially the copywork and dictation. I do see a lack of narration, but we do that with literature, science, and history, so were covered. I think if you are using PHP, you are getting a great education. And if it's working well for your family, I would definitely continue to use it. I felt much the same last year when I was trying different things out, and I still love them! I just realized with 3 now doing Language arts, that I had to tighten up my time. Phonics Road accomplishes all that I want now and in the future for my kids. For example, I really like WWE and CW and I think that PR lays a great foundation for both, so whichever way we choose, we'll be fine. Also, I want my kids learning Latin, but instead of having to add yet another subject, it will be integrated into PR, saving me time. We'll be able to move into Latin Road, getting a 2 year HS Latin equivalent before HS. They can continue with Latin by doing some translating courses, etc. or we can move on to Greek/Hebrew with Dad.

 

I don't want to come across like PR is the only option for people, there are so many great things out there. I hope I am helpful by explaining the WHYS of how its working for us, that way someone can be discerning in deciding if PR is a good it now or for the future.

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