Have fun! Artistic Pursuits is so fun!

I am longing for it, but haven't used it. Eavesdropping to hear first hand accounts.

Haven't used it, but have taken a look at it. Something to be aware of is that CM teaching to read techniques rely a lot upon sight words (though they aren't called such, that is what it amounts to). I'm not keen on that approach to reading since we are huge phonics fans here!

I've heard August...

We do it by subject - that is what keeps it short for us :).

I think AAS is the best for a systematic phonics approach to spelling. Like OPG it is very open-and-go.

We do it orally as well, any interested child can join in.

I get DD to make her own vocabulary flashcards. I make flashcards for the practical Latin, prayer, pronunciation, and grammar. We do have the DVDs and like them - especially for the quick review at the start of each lesson. We play 'stump mommy' where DD quizzes me a couple times/week and I do the same to her.

There is RS Latin, but I recommend a grammar-first program instead of an inductive, modern-language type program (like RS).

We are currently using PL. We do use the DVDs and I like them, they do an ongoing review at the beginning of each lesson (keeps me from scatterbrain-edly trying to pull one together and never getting to it).

So, which French would you use orally? We haven't done any at this point, but are doing Latin :).

My children adore lapbooks. I have a bit of a hard time keeping track of the work flow if we take any break from them though - they can end up in a folder for months and months and months because of my mental 'roadblock', so I need to GOGOGO on them until they are done. Thankfully my oldest has started doing hers pretty independently now - even in her free time - if I provide her with age appropriate ones :).

Like Ellie, I also don't believe you are hopping if you move to a different curriculum after a full year with another one. For me hopping involves just getting started then jumping for the greener grass. When you do find what works for you, just settle on in. There's NOTHING perfect and I'm just about done my never-ending search in favor of "good enough and it gets done regularly" that is precious in my eyes. If I can use it regularly and tweak it for my children, I'm good. We really like R&S English and do it almost ALL verbally for second grade :). Actually we didn't start until half way through second after reading was really starting to click. Get reading down, choose everything else after that.

You do need household supplies and a few odds and ends. There is a comprehensive supply list in the front of the teacher's manual. We are really enjoying it! They are written by a Christian family, but so far we haven't found any distinctly Christian content.

I highly recommend phonics! Highly! Go phonics!

Have you done AAS 1 yet? I would recommend starting there if not :). Quite a few people have used it for phonics instruction though we haven't - we've done it more as review/intensive encoding (spelling), but I can definitely see how you could use it for phonics. Personally, I have found that my children have learned decoding (reading) much more quickly than encoding (spelling).

First Form is a GREAT course - I'm doing it myself. The vocabulary words are fairly advanced - especially the 'extra' ones in the teacher's manual. Just learning Latin helps a ton with vocabulary, but you can't beat the brain benefits of learning the grammar. And First Form is grammar-first, systematic, incremental, and intensive. I am loving it :).

We are using Christian Studies I, Prima Latina, and First Form Latin - really enjoying everything so far, and I'm THINKING of getting New American Cursive.

We are boring ;). If asked I say - Bogart Family Homeschool How creative. LOL!

I've heard it might be bumped back to August now.

I am thinking of buying Our Mother Tongue to help me out with this. I have realized that I don't even have a second grade level of grammatical knowledge (thanks to Rod and Staff English). My Latin program is diagramming sentences (they do include some simple instructions) and I wish I had more practice under my belt!

Another vote for Rod and Staff English :). It is very thorough and doesn't leave gaps. I have discovered that I don't even have a grade 2 level of grammar knowledge under my belt! I do also use WTM-style writing techniques (oral narration, copywork, dictation with our spelling program, and written narrations).

First Form Latin is a GREAT program - I am currently using it myself. If you want mastery of the Latin Grammar very systematically and without gaps, it is a great choice! The DVDs are really wonderful.

The biggest thing with AAS for me is that it is so systematic, so logical, and so incremental. Rules based Orton-Gillingham phonics technique applied to encoding AND easy to use! Unlike many OG programs, AAS is scripted, so clearly laid out, and open and go. It is so well designed, I was just thinking today on the way home from grocery shopping how much I love it (yes, I'm geeky that way) - I would have gladly paid twice the asking price. The ease of use is totally worth it to me.

My high school Latin was Cambridge. DD is working through Prima Latina and says she can't wait to get to First Form :).