Love the matrix idea. If you've got tears, back off a little and try a few workable solutions.

The Phonics Road will take care of that and all your other language arts needs. It's wonderful teacher training and planning. My blog has a ton of info. (in siggy)

Is he frustrated? Are you all struggling? If not, since you're on grade level, I'd say no; however, with those issues, perhaps once you get to around pre-algebra, you should consider it. We allow calculators at that point b/c of time constraints and we don't deal with cp. Best wishes.

I printed it. Here's the scoop.

Write Shop is not a part of PR, but a very nice "after" PR for those who use all 4 PR levels. There is now an elementary level WS that is wonderful. It has lots of grammar mixed in with the writing, but no spelling. Yes, you can start them together, however it is likely that your 2nd grader will be able to move a little faster than the Ker. That's no problem, as level 1 will take about 15-20 min. for the 2nd grader (see "A Day in the Life.." from my blog). Additionally, the more I teach PR, the more efficient I am with the followers (the ones who get my teaching in round 2). The writing portions of PR are very similar to IEW in the methods used for instruction, as they are both classical programs. So far as the FLL/AAS/WWE combo, I think PR teaches the same skills, but b/c it's AIO, you will flush out the redundancy of using 3 different programs. What I also love about PR is b/c it's AIO, there is a connectiveness that I never had from using multiple resources. My dc understand Language Arts as a whole, whereas the first lot saw spelling AND grammar AND writing AND literature and and and. PR does approach dictation in a more Charlotte Mason way (encourages smaller chunks, not whole paragraphs) than I understand WWE approaches (the large paragraphs). AAS leans more word family than PR. PR will give a few examples of one rule, but will apply more than one rule to a day's work. Both have built in review. I also find PR to be a little more exciting than FLL (of course, that is personal preference). Finally, PR will bring in the word study in level 3, so you won't need to add a Latin or vocabulary program...it's built right in! I have found PR to simplify my life!

Those days were admittedly sweeet! Now that I have about a zillion kids, it's just not happenin'! Having a dedicated room is the only way to keep the house clean :) :lol:

Loving this thread. I'm lingering and thinking about how on Earth I could block out TOG....:001_huh: That's a tough one to double up on; last year we spread it out!

Love Recipe for Reading :)

:hurray:

Def. start in PR1. The philosophy will teach the whys behind each of the rules he is currently unable to apply. The phoneme cards come not only with the sounds, but also with the spelling rules that are applicable. It will be a great fit. Level 1 will also work on creating original sentences, their structure, and the very beginning blocks of grammar. The building block/medium of spelling explanation above is right on. While you see lots and lots of spelling in the program, the purpose is to give them the phonetic skills they need to spell, read and write at the same time. If you can spell it, you can sound it out (and vice versa); if you can sound it out, you can read it. Put those words you can spell together and you can write about it. You'll use spelling words in grammar dictation (eventually) and initially they can do copywork from the sentences they create, getting that writing in. The best thing is, because of the AIO aspect, it is extremely efficient, which is wonderful for boys who don't love to write (I have on of those for sure!) I'd rec. Write Shop for the 5th grader if he's an excellent speller...or pick up in PR3 directly. It reviews the spelling words, but starts a magnificent word study, preparing for Latin :) It also really gets moving in writing. Either way, if you have PR1, watch it first and you can use the hints, clues, and encouragements you learn from level 1 in your schooling with your 5h grader. Remember, if you use PR3, you'll have all you need for language arts. I have a natural speller (rising 6th grader) and b/c of the wonderful progression of writing in PR, and the connectedness of it all, I started her in level 1. She was 9 at the time. It was worth it. Since PR is intended to start in 1st grade, I'd say a 2nd grader is def. not too late to start, especially if you can accelerate through level 1 (post on my blog how we did it and many posts here...check the social group). In your op you mentioned disjointed. I know exactly what you mean. 100% on spelling tests only to misspell the same word in writing. IMHO, it makes sense. Particularly if you are going to buy it for the younger dc. You won't need to buy the student notebook for level 1 for the acceleration. It's easy enough to use regular paper. You will have a completed model in the teacher's manual (Foreman's Guide) and an uncompleted on in the student materials (Apprentice) for reference. They are very close cousins. The main difference is teacher planning. PR does the lesson planning for you, down to the day. You take notes on particulars from the DVD, then you pull out the predesigned plans, where there is space for your notes (I prefer to put it on notebook paper sometimes), then you go. PR is def. more grab and go and I have found watching the DVDs made more sense to me than thumbing through WRTR. Additionally, as the program moves forward, the writing is laid out wonderfully. Very IEW meets WTM, imho.

Hi, Brett. Let's start from the bottom of your post. If you go w/ PR, you won't need anything additional for language arts. You may enjoy the connectedness of the program, which grows more and more evident throughout the levels. It's been a wonder in our house. My blog has a TON of info. on PR that may help you with your decision. From which method did he learn to read? Does he understand the 3 sounds of A; when to use ck versus k, etc any spelling rules? Depending on your answer to these questions, I can rec. using Level 1 or not. His dislike for writing may also encourage me to suggest level 1, but let's see what your answers are :) I currently use PR for 4 dc :) and have gone through some of it with my older dc too (b/c I discovered it when they were much older). Let me know. In my opinion...it is worth every.penny.

Nice job mom and dc :) Maybe he won't make you test next year w/ these great results! Sometimes, it takes a little sweet fruit to bring everyone to the table :)

YEAH! It's always wonderful to hear about a breakthrough.

:lol: I'm scared every year when school starts. WHEW! That IS a lot of work. GO MOMMA GO! I used to nanny for 2yo twins...oh, yeah! They keep you busy! I may have to become rather coffee dependent myself. I'm also enrolled in school :001_huh:

It's wonderful that you've diagnosed your daughter. Now you can move forward. Your post brings me to a simple conclusion: there are many organizational methods, many programs, many everything, but for your child, there is only one teacher. Simply spoken, you just have to do it. That's it. Put the time in. Acquire self-discipline and do the job. If you can't, then don't home school. Spoken plainly, without snark. Just do it.

I own this. I read it. In some areas, it makes sense to me, in others, I'd rather enjoy the process of slowly grasping and using that time for training and to instill love of learning. In the end, I've found a balance in waiting in some areas and getting to it in others. In *this* situation, I'd say the curiosity is the clue to get moving, but the road block is the clue to say, she's there in heart, we just need her brain to catch up. OP, I just want to encourage you. I know when you have a young one eager to learn (I have 5 of my own + 5ish that are not...long story on the "ish") and you're excited you want to go, go, go! Then you read, "She's so young. Slow down." and it can be very frustrating. You know she's ready and so you don't want to wait and you don't want people telling you how young your child is. I get it. I remember being right there, 12+years ago. Don't fret. When we say wait, we mean let a few weeks go by, maybe a couple of months, then you'll be right where you want to be b/c her brain will catch up to her heart (and yours, which is wonderful to serve your dd so well). It comes. I think it's often harder for us to be patient than it is for them to learn to read :glare::001_smile: Best wishes!

The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading (link in my siggy)

Sounds like another great year ;) My toddler loves to dance too...especially naked! Gotta love a nudey booty on the coffee table~!

Hi, Lexi. I'd back up and review the words. Sounds like a developmental block to me. I love B's ideas. I'd also encourage you (if you aren't already) to stand over her as she spells each word. As she starts to misspell, correct with the I.D. cues for each sound. For example, she writes frog: f-r-a "Stop. What vowel sound do you hear in frooooog?" "/o/" "That's right. Which sounds do you know that say, /o/?" "/a/, /A/, /o/." You write it on the board/paper "That's right. The letter A does make the sound, /o/, but that's not the one for this word. Can you think of another way to say /o/?" If you need to, take the PR cards and pull out the vowels. Show her the vowels and go through each sound. When she declares, "/o/, /O/" tell her that's the one you're looking for in the word, frog. Secondly, don't worry about the notes to her dolls. She'll get there. The important part of that is she's writing her letters and is interested in communicating through pencil and paper. This is WONDERFUL! You could even take those notes and create her copywork from them. Then let her keep the "corrected" notes in a folder so she can refer to them at her pleasure. Respectfully, don't add or switch. IMHO, the best thing you can do for her right now, is to have patience in the process of learning. She's young (even if she has the desire to write and read), so she probably just needs a little time. Go back, review, play games, and start sounding out the readers one word at a time and stop after 10 minutes. It's most important to avoid exasperation. Honestly, at this tender age, avoiding exasperation is more important than reading. In time, it will come and she'll be flying through her lessons. Just hang in there and trust the process. Reading quickly is not as important as reading well. You have time! Just for your reference, I had a dc reading by 3.5, but by 4th grade, she had trouble with spelling and reading larger words. Early meant nothing for her in the long run.

PR is Christian, however there are quite a few secular users. PR is comprehensive and a most excellent program. Here is a social group that has a thread about secular use.

oh, yeah....so far as SOTW, read aloud, read aloud! I wouldn't give extra reading until you get through PR1 (or whatever you decide) so you encourage LOVE of learning ;)

The toddler has a play area next to our school area. I rotate him in 20 min. time slots from one basket of toys to another (cars, blocks, coloring, play doh, etc) so he continuously has something to do. He also watches a daily bible video, and Kipper. I have an older sibling take him outside 2x daily for 20min (2 different sibs) and he naps for 2 hours after lunch. When he's sleeping, I work through projects with the others. We'll also add a newborn in August, so we'll have 10 kids. Here's my general schedule. It doesn't have any toddler built into it, b/c I already have his baskets prepared. I set a timer for him, then I move him forward. I'm teaching him number recognition, so his baskets are labeled w/ numbers. FWIW, he's 3 and into EVERYTHING! We call him the A-bomb b/c destruction follows him ;)

:iagree: I have found over time that if I "focus" on one thing at a time, we can really dig in and grasp things pretty quickly. Then I can put a little more effort into something else. We always stagger our beginning and I've learned that once middle school starts, having one summer school class really helps our school days. You'll find your groove! You've been doing this for so long already :D

Well, first...I know just how you feel. I never feel like there's enough time for school and then the rest of life (cooking/cleaning). I will say, I'd ditch the RS. If you're using all the easy independent materials (spelling, diagramming, DG) and doing intensive writing (SWI), I'd incorporate grammar right in there. I'd also prefer to do a 1-hour block of science/history in one day. 30min would no t be enough to accomplish a task over here. I'd be crazy. Finally, I'd cut out one more thing from the Piano day so you can enjoy lunch at home. Eating in the car never seems to go well in our family. We're either rushed or end up eating poorly. Food matters :) Best wishes on a successful year.