I could use a little help here. I really would like a history program the kids can do together, and each retain a good deal from it. Plus I would like it to be simple, not complicated with lots of things to juggle. We haven't studied much history yet. My oldest did some American history with MFW Adventures, but doesn't remember much from it. So I'd like to start at the beginning of history. Would it be hard to use SOTW and Mystery of History together? Would I have to have the Activity book for SOTW? What would you recommend and why?

Ellie, What kind of activities are in R&S?

Thanks all! I haven't tried SS yet. We do have the teachers books for levels 1-4, and the student response book for level 1. I do understand the philosophy and set up of the program. I chose to not use BJUP b/c of the cost, really. $25 just for the workbook seemed high. Not to mention the TM cost. Of traditional programs, it seems to be the most expensive. Although I haven't looked at R&S much, CLP Building Spelling Skills is carried in our local store, and they both look to be equally good for less cost. I really don't want to shop any more for spelling curriculum. And I will have a new K'er and a 1 year-old this school year, so I don't want anything with a lot of parts. There are so many things going on in our lives right now. I was surprised by my friend's response to SS. And she was only here for a short visit, so I didn't have time to take her shopping with me. I still feel so new to this homeschooling thing, and I greatly value her input.

My upcoming 3rd grader is a bad speller, but excellent reader. We have been using BJU Spelling grade 2. She will do fine on the tests, but not transfer that into her writing. We own Phonics Pathways. I was wondering if anyone has used that to design their own spelling lists, with rules included? I have Sequential Spelling 1 for her 3rd grade year, but a dear teacher friend suggested I teach her the rules, not just patterns. My other thought was to take her through Christian Liberty Press' Building Spelling Skills along with Adventures in Phonics. I took her with me to look at spelling programs, and she really wanted McGuffey's Eclectic Speller. :-D If we replace Sequential Spelling, it will have to be low-cost. Thanks for your advice!

Thank you everyone!! Each reply was helpful and informative. I am really grateful. I decided on SSRW. I think it will fit my dd. She exclaimed "I want that!" when she saw the raceway. I also think it will help me for her to just have a phonics/language arts program. I would feel so overwhelmed or guilty if I didn't get to "her" things in the MFW K guide. Now I'm on to explore my new MFW Exploring Countries and Cultures manual and organize our next year!!

Thanks for your opinions and advice! Is there anyone else who has used these two that can chime in?

She will be 5 next month. We have been using LoE since December, just playing games and reviewing most days that we do anything. She often is asking to do something when I'm teaching her sister. She is the middle child - baby brother is nine months old.

Hi All!! Can you help me think about complete language arts programs? (Not manuals like Phonics Pathways - I have that.) I have an upcoming K'er. She doesn't know the letters or sounds. I'm looking at My Father's World K or Sing, Spell, Read and Write. We have Logic of English Foundations A and we've gone halfway through it, but she still only remembers 4 or 5 of the letters regularly. She is active, loves to sing, and likes to finish her workpages. I don't want to continue using LoE. I think learning all the sounds at once may be too much for her. I'm drawn to MFW K b/c I went through it with my now 3rd grader, and we had such fun, and I loved the Bible/character lessons. I like SSRW b/c of the ease of use, the color, the songs, and the fact that it's been used for 30 years. I also think the visual goal of the racetrack would appeal to this child. The continuation from K to Level 1 is great - I don't want to have to switch programs. If you recommend MFW K, can you tell me about MFW 1st? How does the phonics instruction compare to SSRW? At the homeschool convention, it seemed that MFW 1st was behind SSRW - the words being read at the end of SSRW looked more complex. I need continuity. I need ease of use (a.k.a. open and go). Thank you bunches!!