I can't help you directly with WRTR, but you might want to look at All About Spelling instead if you can't make WRTR work for you (it isn't exactly the same but is based on Orton-Gillingham also, and it solves the 'y' problem which also is an issue for me). I also own WRTR and SSN, but can't quite get going with using it. I think SSN simplifies it, but still I haven't used it. AAS is an open an go program, that uses the phonograms and the rules (but teaches the rules and the words that are spelled that way, versus marking up words and teaching them in random order). Just an idea to consider; you can see it at all-about-spelling.com. WRTR is supposedly excellent once you get yourself going on it. I also ordered a Spalding teachers manual but sent it back because it really wasn't very helpful; it didn't contain much that isn't already in WRTR 5th edition, in my opinion (I ordered the 1st grade book). And it only has lesson plans for a few weeks, and then you have to figure it out on your own. If you search this forum for WRTR you can find a few old threads that have some details on how people do WRTR daily. Good luck!

My dd, 7.5, has this one, the NIV Adventure Bible, & she likes it: http://www.christianbook.com/niv-adventure-bible-updated-hardcover/9780310715436/pd/715436?item_code=WW&netp_id=511090&event=EBRN&view=details It is the actual NIV. It isn't SUPER colorful (I think it is mostly 2 color, but does have some full color pages). But it does have a fair # of illustrations and side bars. I would recommend it.

We read quite a few because they were interesting, but not on the schedule with the workbook.

My personal preference (and dd's who is 7) is Handwriting without Tears. It is very inexpensive too. It isn't the most beautiful cursive, but having done HWT printing, it is an easy transition.

:iagree: I got a lot used in great condition last year from them, including SOTW 1.

Thanks! I was searching with the actual words instead of FLL! Duh...

I'm wondering how it compares to the old version. We just finished level 1 in the old version, and I'm contemplating selling the combined 1&2 and getting the new level 2. I wondered if the poems carry over etc. like they do in the original volume. Any opinions yet?

Thanks Andrea! That's exactly what I was wanting to find out. After combing through the SOTW 2 AG book list, I thought I probably had plenty of choices that I could get from my library. Just wanted to be sure!

For a second grader? I really like the idea of Biblioplan, and am interested in adding in the church history/Christian aspect more. I've spent a couple hours putting together a notebook with the AG reading list and checking my library for the books in the SOTW 2 activity guide, and between the 2 close to me they have most of them (at least through chapter 21). Would I be gaining much to also order Biblioplan Middle Ages vs. just getting the AG reading list books? I really want to know from people who've actually used Biblioplan, and at least looked at the AG for SOTW 2. I don't mind spending the extra $25 for Biblioplan if the book list is in addition to what is in the SOTW2 AG (I would appreciate using the weekly schedule too). I'm just wondering if it is overkill for a 2nd grader only child? TIA!

That makes me feel better. I do have her read aloud with a book mark above the line to make sure her eyes are tracking.

Target & Walmart also have decent whiteboards (magnetic) for about $15. The ones at the office supply stores tend to be more expensive (and a little sturdier it seems). I leave the tiles on ours all the time, but use the board for other things sometimes too. It is always hanging on the wall in our school room.

The pp described it very well, so I won't add to it. We have also LOOOOVED this at our house. It is really my dream classical music curriculum, because you can listen to the songs and immediately learn what they are and the composer. The only downside is that it is just the main themes. My dd7 knows so much classical music now that she is constantly humming something classical, and know many of the words (so therefore she knows the composer and title); I often have to ask her "what is this?" when we're listening to our local classical radio station. Our favorite is the Moldau by Smetana, btw, because it was on one of the Baby Einstein DVDs that dd watched frequently as a preschooler. I have photocopied the pages and made them coloring pages for dd when we are learning a new one. I don't own the teacher guides either. I highly recommend these (there are 3 volumes) and am constantly telling my friends about them. You can listen to samples on Singnlearn.com, if you haven't already.

If you don't mind Christian curriculum, you might look at I Can Do All Things by Barry Stebbing. http://www.howgreatthouart.com/ We are going to use this for 2nd grade, and with the DVDs. It is a lot of drawing instruction, and they draw right in the book. I didn't care for Drawing With Children and sold it. It was entirely too much text for me to wade through to figure out how to use it.

My dd7, who can read probably at a 3rd grade level or so (based on the books she can read), maybe higher, does these things frequently when she reads aloud (and she is always reading pretty fast): skips words adds words substitutes different words (that usually start with the same letter) Most of the words she skips or adds are pretty short words like "there" or "in" for example. She can read long, multi-syllable words (like today she read "exoskeleton" with no problem), and has a pretty good phonics base (we went through OPGTR last year). We also did AAS 1 and half of 2. Besides just having her read aloud frequently (which I do every day for about 10 or 15 minutes, though less frequently during the summer), should I do anything else? I tell her to slow down and remind her to NOT do those things I listed above. She is my only child, so I have nothing to compare to. Just wondering if this is just normal reading development. She started reading spontaneously before she was 5.

We're going to use I Can Do All Things by Barry Stebbing this year, with the DVD's (How Great Thou Art publishing). I think it will be great. It is instructional for beginning drawing, working with markers, colored pencils, and paint, and a little art appreciation. Your child works right in the book (printed on light weight cardstock). I came across this when looking at MFW earlier this year (they use it in Adventures). Obviously from the title, this is a Christian company if that is a concern. I didn't like Artistic Pursuits very much at all; not much instruction at least in book one. Seemed like it was just alot of "do this", not how to do it. The art appreciation was pretty good though.

:iagree: I wanted to make PP work, but found OPGTR was much easier for us. My daughter actually really like OPG -- she would laugh at the little stories (they are very often quite silly). She was already reading when we started it, but we jumped in at the point where blends started, and finished it in 1st grade (we did several lessons a day sometimes; I just wanted to be sure she had no gaps).

This exactly describes why I chose not to do it this year. But if I did do it again, it would be only supplmental. I'm planning to just use the cycle 2 audio CD at home this year, and the VP timeline.

I haven't seen CLE, but yes AAS does teach rules, lots of them! I can't remember the exactly working of the AAS "k" rule right now because I have summer brain but it is that same rule. My dd just came across that this morning in her summer review workbook when she added a c to the word baked. The rules are on what are called "key cards" that the dc learn through the program, and then they are reviewed frequently until mastered. here's a link to see what the materials the student is using (for level one) http://www.all-about-spelling.com/material-packet-1.html

Also, Veritas Press & Sonlight sell the newest version.

Sing'nlearn sells these Audio Memory CD's plus many other companies for many subjects. I get their catalog & you can hear their samples online. http://www.singnlearn.com

That's great! I'm stealing some of your design ideas for the one I've been working on all day :)

I just popped in my AAS CD and listened to A and O, and the 3rd sound of A and the first sound of O sound EXACTLY the same. So I think you're correct to pronounce water with the same sound as odd. I live smack in the midwest, and that's how I pronounce it and hear it pronounced.

That looks great, and is almost just like what I started working on today(except my subjects are in different order)! I was using the Easy Classical Schedules as a model. I was debating between Excel and Word, and yours convinced me to go with Excel. Nice work!!

Check out Singnlearn.com for several choices. They have an audio for almost anything you can think of!

I second looking at Elemental Science, or Easy Classical Earth Science is another option that might meet your needs. Also, you didn't specify whether you want Christian or secular, but if you're OK w/ Christian, look at Christian Kids Explore Earth & Space. I own it, but think it is too much for 2nd grade so I'm not using it this year. It is a classical/cm approach, and has good book lists for each chapter. You can see samples at brightideaspress.com. It is about $30, but then you need to buy/check out additional resources.