The Programs are like close cousins. The rules are the same, but the wording is a wee bit different. For example: SWR: Q always needs U. U is not a vowel here PR: Q is always written Q-U. SWR: C usually says /k/ (Cat, cot, cut, clip). C says /s/ before E, I, or Y PR: C before E, I, or Y, always says /s/ SWR: O-R usually says /er/ when W comes before O-R (worship/worn) PR: O-R says /er/, when it follows W As you can see, the rules are so very close. Since PR puts them to song, there are super easy for the kids to pick up. I'd say in 3 weeks time, my students new all the songs as rules. Essentially, PR takes SWR and gives you daily bits via lesson plans for spelling, then ties in grammar and literature (writing) using the same words. Everything you need will be in one place. Levels 1&2 allow freedom to work at your own pace across subject matter. Once you get to level 3, the grammar is pulled directly from the literature. It's a great combination that has taught my students application beyond what we've ever accomplished using other materials. If you have any specific questions on how PR handles one area or another, ask away. I'll subscribe to this thread. FWIW We play the Bealls Learning Games, which are designed for SWR and my boys have no problem with the transition. They are entering 3rd and 4th grades.

thanks for the fun link :)

That's good to hear! IEW is that program I always hear about but won't look at it b/c of price. So glad we're getting some of the same kind of richness in PR!

Hi. Follow Carmen's tags on syllabication and just use PR. There's really no need to do both...it would surely be overkill!

If the bolded is true, then the entire approach is quite different. In PR, your child will not read anything until after they have learned the phonograms. After learning the phonograms, they learn to spell words. After the spelling, they'll start to read the words. It's truly a spell to READ and write philosophy. It's great stuff! It's highly effective and allows you to easily move at your own pace w/o relying on readers do the work or (worse) relying on guessing.

Certain investments come over time, with the wonders of reusing and family copy rights. In the younger years, I spent about $400 a year, not including any co-ops or outside activities. Now that we're into high school, it costs a good bit more. I average around $1500 a year ---- waaaay less than private school for 7 students! I'll also share a bit of my experience....I have gotten what I pay for. I used a lot of $20 here or there materials and that's what we got out of them. My more expensive endeavors have paid back dividends!

I haven't met many 5yo boys who aren't wiggly and all boy at 5! Best wishes on your first official year! We're adding he who turned 6yo in May, Alexander the Great, for Kindy this year. We spent last year learning a letter a week (or so) and are at the very beginning stages of reading. We'll pick up The Phonics Road Level 1 this year and take our sweet time getting through it by working on it 3 days a week. We did living math and simple addition problems last year, so now he'll use Singapore Math year 1 at whatever pace clicks for him. He'll join the rest of the Grammar Stage Gang for History (Tapestry of Grace 3x weekly) Science (2xweekly - unit studies) Music Mondays - following a ps Music book for 2nd grade Artistic Tuesdays - following a ps Art book for 3rd grade Piano Wednesdays - pianiamals Memorization Bible verses 1/2 year; Poetry other 1/2 5 min./day daily Park Day 1x monthly TOG Co-op 7 gatherings annually Rec. league soccer, basketball, baseball (1 practice, 1 game weekly) FWIW, if he were the oldest, science and history would be different, there would be no TOG co-op, and Music and Art would be out b/c we'd incorporate them in a "project" through other things. He should be finished with school in about 3-4 hours a day with no problem and tons of play time!

This is all very amusing to me :D Over the years, as I grew more confident in my skills, I found myself leaving more scripted programs and turning into a constant tweaker. I use what so many consider teacher intensive, but have found I call them something else: dynamic teaching materials. I have found that once I get past the learning curve, the best (for me) programs are not intensive, but instead encourage me to be more active in teaching and all add great tools to my box. My 2 favorite programs, that I do not find intensive, but instead such wonderful aids are: The Phonics Road Tapestry of Grace. A program I enjoy, but never have time for, so it's a time intensive program is Drawing with Children. I found MUS to be more t.i. than Singapore. Imagine that :tongue_smilie:

Hi. I'm home from vaca :) I'd start in PR2 in your situation. You'll pick up in a fine place. There will be 1 (if I remember correctly, only 1) reference to something done in PR1, but it won't be a big deal at all. It will cover ALL of your language arts needs and you won't need a single addition. I'll check back for more specific questions.

Hi. We're heading off to the Appalachian Trail for a week, so please will you send some prayers to Heaven for us. Will you join me in praying these things: That these young men would be drawn to God as the evidence of His creation abounds That my son and I take our relationship to new heights in spirit and in truth The bond of brotherhood with these fine young men would ripen into rich fellowship That the trip from start to finish is safe and prosperous That the other adults on the trip would be blessed fully for their efforts and all they do to pour into the lives of these young men That I can handle the physical toil on this ole body! Of course, all prayers are appreciated. I'll come back in 8 days and I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to share. Thank you all.

Glad to help :) and thanks for the Kudos.

Sounds good, although I would not make the AO reading list anything more than a reference. One history is enough :) You won't need School Song if you stick with PR ;) GREAT PLAN!

Singapore. I went full on MUS one year and spent about $400 buying a variety of levels. I started really excited, but ended up very unhappy. Now we use the MUS if we need extra help, but I continue to be so happy w/ Singapore!

Keep reading my blog. I think the proof is in the puddin'. Despite the thinking that there can't be a "no gaps" situation and also that grammar has to be boring, I disagree with both. My daughter, now entering 6th grade shows NO gaps in LA. She is now in level 4 of PR. I also agree with another poster that RS at the younger ages is not as exciting as PR (for teacher or student). I used RS grammar all the way through level 7, so I have full on experience with it. I also used their spelling on a variety of levels --- I found it was missing application of the skills. 100% on spelling tests and lessons, but it didn't cross over into writing. This is why a phonics based instruction is wonderful -- it promotes Understanding of spelling rules, which translates into application. :iagree:

Thank you! I haven't see this yet, but according to the website, I can get one from our local bike shop! YEAH! I'll be shopping today for the holders and keep my fingers crossed for finding one! OUCH! THe cost is killin' me for good ones! Thank you all again. I knew I could count on the hive!

Hi, Impish :) Long time no talk! Dh kept telling me he didn't need to be there for #5 and I could have a girlfriend with me....well, he dropped me off with the nurse while he parked the car and guess what....I delivered in the less than 5 min. it took him to park. I guess he was right! Best wishes on the new baby!

Ladies, I'm heading out on the Appalachian Trail next weekend and I need a better bra. I'm top heavy, 42DD, so I need something that will help keep the girls in place while I'm carrying my fully loaded pack. Any suggestions on something that stays dry, dries fast, and is comfy enough for a week long trek? Also, and this is kind of embarrassing...after 5 kids I go to the bathroom EVERY night around 3am. I'd like to find a way to stay in the tent for this morning chore and avoid walking out into the dark unknown :) Any suggestions on something light weight and effective to keep me "indoors" instead visiting the nighttime critters. Thanks for your suggestions. This is my first long term backpacking (plenty of general camping here in FL). I'm so excited!

but my first thought is never make an important decision based on emotional responses. Your nostalgia has nothing to do what the purposes of an education (the ones you mentioned). Find a co-op or state organization that offers all these things! Can he dual enroll at the high school and enjoy any extra-curric benefits? I did all those things you mentioned and while I enjoyed them and I can look back at them fondly, none of them Really Matter At All in my adult life --- not at all. Just my 2 cents.

I like the hand holding in Write Shop. I found once we started the program that getting to a great place in writing has become much easier. I also like that it gave me a lot of great ideas as a teacher that I could implement in other areas (like History writing). I like the student checklist. It makes sure they have no excuse to "miss" something and also pushes me to grade consistently. I did not like Writing Strands. We found it boring and I thought it left to much up to our very uncreative minds :) I like Writing Aids, but needed more hand holding initially. Now that I've gone through Write Shop, it will fit the bill and I plan to use it exclusively for high school writing (since we're TOG users it makes life easy). My writing line up is complete finally: Phonics Road 1-4; Write Shop (Middle School); Writing Aids high school. I'm a happy camper! :D

I just wanted to thank you for all the wonderful responses. I'm going to have my ds read them. I really want him to understand the deep value of this opportunity. Thank you all so much!

I *wish* I could use it for only 1 kiddo. I dream of the depth we could pursue! So, YES! I think it would be totally worth it! We enjoy it for 7 students right now.

Thank you so much. Debate is the topic up for grabs. The club is just starting, so currently there will be 2 members; however, I think they'll travel to a Tampa club for some training. Still ironing out details. Thank you for the great review. These are the attributes I was hoping for!

OP, I'd teach the phonics behind the words with whatever approach MCP uses. I disagree with the bolding above. The program we use offers a handful of words that are sight words...hardly noticeable overall and we are able to do dictation after 9 lessons. Just sayin' you don't need sight words to teach reading and spelling effectively, at least from a pure phonics perspective.

Thank you! He will participate in the Debate initially, then perhaps other areas is his interest is peaked. This can be something amazing for him, IF he can get his bum in gear!

We have accelerated and worked through at a "regular" pace. Look at my blog (in siggy) and find a "Day in the Life" These posts will give a real glance at the time spent and the how to behind implementation. IMHO, PR is worth every.penny!