Thank you all! I actually do think Saxon is a good fit for us. My only concern/issue is his recall speed with the math facts. I'd like to see him improve in that area a bit to be better prepared for Saxon 5/4. I appreciate the advice not to change curriculum unless it is not working -- I am confident that is not the situation we are in. We will look into the non-worksheet suggestions, games, etc. Many, many thanks.

Good question. I thought he might benefit from additional practice with the various math facts. We don't time the Saxon practice/drill sheets, but he certainly takes his time with them. I feel like we could speed up the recall a bit. Saxon, at least in Saxon 1-3, tends to include many lessons of review, so maybe that would suffice if we move directly into 5/4. Or we could spend the summer drilling the facts a bit more.

Our 2nd grader is just about finished with Saxon Math 3 and we are looking for a different option for his 3rd grade year before we return to Saxon 5/4 in 4th grade. We are considering Classical Math 3 by Logos Press for one year. If anyone has experience with Classical Math 3, or if you have another recommendation, I'd appreciate your input. Many thanks!

We have so far used All About Spelling levels 1 and 2 and have been very pleased with the curriculum. It is structure well, easy to implement, does not take much time to cover, and our son enjoys it. We are fans of the Orton-Gillingham approach, having used All About Reading in addition to the spelling curriculum. I think you definitely could craft your own curriculum. As we were just getting started with homeschooling, it was nice to have an already established program. We plan on continuing with level 3 of AAS next year.

We also tried the newer K-3 versions and my 5-year-old found them quite boring. The instructions are sufficient in terms of the techniques, but are dry and not engaging. Of all the subjects we cover, art became the one where we struggled. We actually stopped art altogether for awhile and are just now starting Home Art Studio today. I've previewed a few of the lessons on the DVD and am hopeful that this will go better.

Hi all, I'm looking for recommendations for an art curriculum suitable to grades 1-2 (to build art skills, and not an art appreciation program). We've tried ARTistic Pursuits, but it has not at all been a hit. We've unfortunately really dropped the ball with art this year, so I'm hoping to find something to inspire us a bit. As always, many thanks for your recommendations...

Hi all, Looking for recommendations... We are hoping to have our 6-year-old son start piano lessons this spring. We currently do not have a piano in our home, so we are looking for a bit of guidance as to what to purchase as we prepare to start lessons. I am a bit hesitant to invest in an acoustic piano right from the start in case his interest wanes. But I also don't want to buy a cheap keyboard that won't serve him well as he learns. We are considering a digital piano. Any recommendations? Or should we just commit to an acoustic piano right from the start? Any guidance would be appreciated. Many, many thanks!

Hello, In planning our curriculum for next year, I originally had thought we wouldn't use a set science curriculum, but would instead put something together as outlined in The Well-Trained Mind. I'm now having second thoughts. I came across Paige Hudson's Biology for the Grammar Stage (Elemental Science), which appears to closely follow what is outlined in TWTM, and might offer a bit more structure to guide us. If you have used Biology for the Grammar Stage, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback and suggestions. I truly appreciate it!

Hello! I will be using Saxon Math 2 with our 1st grader next year, and am looking for some math picture books to use a supplement (perhaps similar to the Sir Cumference series?). Any recommendations that would be appropriate for that level? Also, I'm wondering what your experience has been with Kate Snow's Addition Facts that Stick and Subtraction Facts that Stick. My son is a visual learner and I wonder if it would be a good supplement to reinforce what we have been doing this year in Saxon Math 1. Some of the reviews criticize the the Facts that Stick books as being "heavily common core." Would love to hear your thoughts. Best, Tom