We are using Math Mammoth in pdf and I'm currently exploring LA options for the iPad. My oldest (8) has some paper-sensory issues so this is working really well for us using PDF Expert for her to write directly on the pages. We also have, erm, quite a few apps. There is - of course - no doubt about it that it makes toddler taming so much easier. I basically have shapes, colors, and other preschool concepts on auto-pilot with various apps for my 3-yo. I also use a number of different apps for spelling, articulation practice (5 yo), numbers, counting, math, and we have lots of stories, puzzles, geography puzzles etc. that the children enjoy. I run an app review website from a homeschooling perspective (link in my signature) that you might be interested in checking out - lots of detailed recommendations there :).

We recently switched 8yo DD to Math Mammoth because of her sensory issues with paper (were doing MUS but isn't available as a pdf). We're doing as much as we can on the iPad now to avoid those sorts of sensory issues for her, resulting in higher motivation/happier girl. Anyway, does anyone have a good recommendation for a PDF all-in-one kind of grammar/LA program that we could do on the iPad with PDF Expert as well? Grammar/usage/writing mainly - I'm looking to replace R&S - thoughts?

This looks REALLY good. We use AAS and I'd love to just be able to grab my iPad and do it. I'm really surprised it doesn't include the sounds for the price though - programatically that isn't hard to do. Glad they are working on an update to add that. Might have to buy it, thanks for pointing it out :).

Simplex Spelling has some great phonics apps but they aren't game-ish.

Not a specific company, but there are going to be huge numbers of apps on sale - some are already discounted, and it's going to keep going until Monday :). My top picks for homeschoolers will be here: http://appsforhomeschooling.com/free-on-sale-homeschooling-apps/

Oooh, thanks for the heads-up Jessica. I see they have a free version to try too, I'm going to check that out.

I'm pretty sure we'd been discussing the lack of a 'build your own timeline' app for the iPad here a while ago, but I can't find the thread. I'm pretty excited to say I just found one! And it's on sale! QuickMem Perspective, it was $2.99, but it just price dropped to $0.99. http://bit.ly/vFiEjI You can also import some ready to go timelines here: http://blackstripespub.com/perspective.html to play around with! I just bought it, but I'm off to supper now. I thought I'd better share in case anyone else wanted to try it.

PDF Expert is awesome! It is pricey - $9.99, but it is SO good, you can even zoom in and write on the file, different stroke widths, different colors, it's amazing. Here is a direct link to the iPad version: http://bit.ly/tHa3cu

SL B+C DOES cover a lot of geography, it's not only an overview of history, it's also an overview of world geography, so I'd keep that in mind :). We have SL B+C on the shelf for..whenever I'm ready to dig in!

I think Jungle Coins is the best app hands-down for coins/money counting etc. I reviewed it here: http://appsforhomeschooling.com/2011/homeschool-app-review-jungle-coins/ Is there a specific subject you want to tackle? I have reviewed a lot of apps and am always happy to help with recommendations. :)

Eavesdropping.

It's a very high quality program - I'm surprised more people don't use it! I love how it has all the resources you need for a chronological fine arts story included, no need to run around and find stuff!

I do post the reviews from my blog to Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1V7RL4ODXXWDM/ref=cm_cr_yc_cdp?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview

AAS is easier to start with no previous knowledge :). It is just plan old open and go, scripted to boot, so if you aren't sure how to teach spelling with intensive phonics, AAS makes it easy. I've looked at SWR...but it scared me a bit :O! I don't know if I'd combine them though, you could certainly start them both in the same level, but I'd let them each progress at their own speed.

It definitely has some dense vocabulary in it :). We had lots of fun discussing words as we read aloud. I had to look some up on our e-readers dictionary actually! Vintage writing :).

I don't know of one, BUT we just read this book over the last couple of months at bedtimes and it's awesome. It can be intense emotionally but I read it to my 8-year-old and we both really enjoyed it :).

Well, I wrote a review here - http://appsforhomeschooling.com/2011/homeschool-app-review-number-bonds/ This app is so flexible it's hard to imagine that it wouldn't fit someone's needs.

And yes, wireless keyboards should work, though I haven't tried it yet.

Yes, we love the iPad :). My daughter actually does her Latin on the iPad using Visual Latin's worksheets and videos, it can all be done without paper if you get PDF Expert. With that app you can use ANY downloadable pdf worksheets/copywork/math etc. on the iPad with a capacitive touch stylus - very cool. We love the apps too :). I think that might be our FB group mentioned in a previous post actually :)!

Hmmm, when I was in public school the grade scale was like this: 90-100 A+ 80-89 A 70-79 B 60-69 C 50-59 D Less than 50 was an F

Hi Tammy, It IS out now, and it turns out the price is only $0.99, it's pretty flexible and full featured, you can do number bonds up to a certain number (say all the bonds that add up to 10) OR you can select a range of number bonds (all the bonds for all the numbers up to 10 for example). There is a practice mode (flashcards) and a test mode. It's a universal app, so you can use it on iPhone/iPod/iPad, and here's a direct link. The colors/design might not be everyone's cup of tea - it's sort of dark/high contrast with brushed metal/robot arms themed, but it is very well done in any case :).

Hmm, do you have an iDevice by any chance?

There are MANY MANY apps that include narration that go along with the story, and fairytales are one of the most common. You can even get them for free very often. Have you seen my free/on sale page here? http://appsforhomeschooling.com/freesale/ I do list fairy tale books when I find them available for free :). There are a few on there right now in fact!

We use it and REALLY like it. My 8-year-old isn't a natural speller either, but she's 2/3 of the way through level 2 now (we started with level 1), and it has made a huge difference for her. It is definitely based on phonics, but phonics as used for encoding (spelling) instead of decoding (reading), which means it is VERY detailed! What I like the BEST is that my daughter is using her newly learned spelling skills in her writing AND she applies the rules and concepts forward to words we haven't even studied yet. That's the mark of a really good spelling program in my opinion; conceptual understanding, not just memorizing individual words.

That COULD be... it just isn't what I'm hearing from developers though. Even if there are a lot of Android devices coming out, from what I've heard even the top 10-15% of paid apps on Android are only making $1000-$2000/year in sales, and 80% of them only make $100-$200. Some developers are doing well on free apps that are ad supported, but most educational apps aren't set up that way (and I don't want ads in my kids apps in any case!) So I still vote iPad - more educational apps being developed :).