We are currently using R&S 2, and I'm really liking that it is short, simple, and a lot can be done orally. We also do narrations, and copywork across our content readings each day. SO, can I just keep doing this? :) I see a lot of people tossing in additional writing programs (sometimes even 2-3...EEEEKKK!) as time goes on, and I'm not sure why? :001_huh: Maybe R&S is enough in the early grades, but not enough later on? Can someone further down the R&S road let me know if this will continue to be hunky dory for us, or if it will eventually be lacking?

We are scoping out TOG for 4th for many of the reasons of the OPer. I'm totally self-educating history too, and am going to likely end up with a BUNCH of kiddos, so TOG seems like it will be hitting the mark for us when we get to that point. Here's what I'd do...get the 3 week digital sample, print it all out, listen to it, live with it, maybe even buy some books and try it! I think TOG looks like a lot of fun for the early grades, lots of picture books, we might have to beef it up with more read alouds, but still - looks like fun times. Read everything in the Loom to really get a feel for the program. Try setting up 'test run' working binders and student binders. If you can't invest the time to do this, don't invest the money up front. (Maybe you've already done this, I don't know!) Then if it still makes you feel groovy, buy one unit at a time :). If you only had 1 dc I'd say you might as well wait, but because you have a bunch more coming up, at least start to scope it out in the samples. I'm not going to talk you out of USING it, but here's my take on not BUYING it. Actually DO the free stuff first, and buy a few of the LG books to actually USE the free plan. Then take it from there. There really isn't ANY rush to jump in and buy the whole farm, KWIM?

Something else to note is that although the writing portion does use AAS 1, AAS 1 doesn't get very far phonetically. It doesn't do long vowels...at all...and all the many combinations of vowels that make the long sounds. It basically does short consonants, short vowels, some digraphs (ch, sh etc), simple pluralizing, floss, words that end in 'ck' or 'k' (off the top of my head from memory). AAS 1 in and of itself will only get you a short way in phonics, and it is in the writing portion in any case? Not sure how they are integrating it. I don't think it's a main component in their learning to read program, so I wouldn't judge the soundness of their phonetic approach based on the fact that they do incorporate it in some way. I'm going to be looking for reviews as folks actually start to use this program though! Interesting to read all this conjecture, and to offer my own (absolutely conjecture!!)! :)

Something else to note is that although the writing portion does use AAS 1, AAS 1 doesn't get very far phonetically. It doesn't do long vowels...at all...and all the many combinations of vowels that make the long sounds. It basically does short consonants, short vowels, some digraphs (ch, sh etc), simple pluralizing, floss, words that end in 'ck' or 'k' (off the top of my head from memory). AAS 1 in and of itself will only get you a short way in phonics, and it is in the writing portion in any case? Not sure how they are integrating it. I don't think it's a main component in their learning to read program, so I wouldn't judge the soundness of their phonetic approach based on the fact that they do incorporate it in some way. I'm going to be looking for reviews as folks actually start to use this program though! Interesting to read all this conjecture, and to offer my own (absolutely conjecture!!)! :)

Well, I love how they introduce printing. Love it. But they really seem to smoke through the writing, it moves very quickly, especially for a K'er. Maybe if you just did the very first bits with a K'er, then waited to pick up the program again for grade 1, then waited again for grade 2...but I don't know. I'm certainly not an expert and just started looking at the samples tonight. Does anyone else feel like it moves along very quickly? We are just now working on nouns (grade 2), let alone adverbs!

Dial-up duplicate, sorry folks.

Hmm, I understand you better now! I don't have the entire program myself, I'm just checking out the first unit of Y1 U1 in depth as I start planning for 4th grade. I can't really say about those specific map skills. I think it does do some landforms, and definitely places. We have a picture book called "Follow That Map" that is a great, easy, fun intro to very simple map skills (compass rose, map symbols, scale etc.) We do latitude/longitude informally when we are looking at our atlas :). I know you weren't asking for recommendations, but since I can't speak specifically to the entire scope of TOG, there are mine :).

:lol: But it DOES have games...fun, colorful games...;) :lol: Seriously though, my soon to be five-year-old LOVES the zebra, and the awesome coloring pages. I'm still going to look at those PAL samples though...you can't stop me! :auto: After all, one could potentially use PAL AFTER Pre level AAR. :tongue_smilie:

Hmm....The Rainbow? Haven't used it, but it's supposed to be for 6th/7th. Looks groovy ;).

Awww, all right. I'm off to download the samples. Even though I already bought AAR. LOL!

My big question though is....is PAL scripted? LOL! I find programs that don't have SOME scripting/grid scheduling etc. to be...mind boggling for me.

I have no idea! I HAVE used AAS though, and I love that it is scripted, open and go. AAR will be the same, so I bought it!

Map skills are definitely included. Especially if you buy the Map Aids for the year. That makes it all super-easy/ If you download the 3 week sample the MAs are included for those 3 weeks so you can see how that would work.

This is the awesome-ness. Thank you! ;)

We have the NiRV with a painting of David on the cover. I think it's really lovely and doesn't look childish :).

My oldest DD is doing Math Mammoth blue series...for fun... Clock and Early Geometry at the moment

If you check out their website there is a downloadable 3 week free sample of the ENTIRE program (digital - DE). You can listen to the audios, print the maps, student activity pages etc. and get a good feel for everything. It is a Christian classical history program (good for multiple ages/stages) that integrates Christian worldview, geography, literature etc. We are seriously scoping it out for 4th grade.

I just bought mine...but I'm in Canada. WAH! So that means I need to wait..and wait...and wait..... Everything Marie produces is so wonderful and easy to use though, so it will be worth it!

Okay, I just bought mine! Couldn't resist! My 4-yr old loves her Ziggy coloring pages from the free activity books. And it helps me teach pre-reading skills without the muddle/stress I had getting 1st DD to read.

See Moms! You are NOT the only ones struggling to get certain subjects done! We are all in there with you ;). Take heart! Big hugs all around!

Tapestry of Grace is VERY classical, VERY Christian, and very diverse for different age groups.

Way to go moms! Woohoo! Yay you! Go!!! WOOHOOO!!! Good jobs!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!! You are a GREAT HSING Mom!! YES, I mean YOU!!!! Consider yourselves patted :)!

MUS teaches like this too. "8 takes two to make ten (slurp, slurp - vacuum cleaner sound), five left, 10+5 = 15."

I hear you on chunk scheduling. We double up - 2-3 days of SL on one day, 2 days Apologia the next day and so on. My brain can't do two different content subjects on the same day!

We are only really doing 'school' with our oldest. But we are consistently getting done: She reads aloud her NiRV Bible to me every day Phonics and practice in her readers Math - either flashcards, game - like addition war, Math Mammoth sheets, or our MUS Alpha - slowly but surely working on nailing addition facts - sometimes a combo of things Copywork Learning cursive Narration Rod and Staff English 2 Apologia Astronomy with some supplemental reading Sonlight Core K She reads independently during the day as well We also do story Bibles as a family every day Yay! So, pat yourself on the back, come on in and tell us what you ARE getting done! :D