I liked Phonics Pathways and I just posted it for sale on the classifieds.

I am curious about the EMS Reader as well but couldn't find very much info about it. Sherry Thanks for all the thoughts so far......I am still trying to decide spelling---doing 1 or 2 programs---to get them caught up. I also could focus on spelling for first semester and see how they catch up and then add lit analysis stuff for 2nd semester. I think it would be more important to get spelling up to grade level right?

Thanks Merry, that was really helpful and gives me some new ideas. Such as grammar one semester and writing the next to cut down on the number of subjects. I also don't know how long the BJU Reading will take and that might be too much just for literary analysis....especially for the 5th grader. I could just focus on her reading list instead of a formal curriculum. They both need extra for spelling so that is why I was thinking of combining 2 programs to hopefully get caught up in that. Lots to think about! Sherry

I am trying to finalize curriculum for this fall and this is what I have lined up. I think it is too much but what to give up? This is for my 5th and 6th grader. Math- Teaching Textbooks 5 and 6 Social Studies- myWorld social studies by pearson 6 & 5a with book lists from Sonlight Science- Apologia Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy Writing- Winning with Writing 5 and 6 Grammar- Growing with Grammar 5 and 6 ***this is where I am not sure what to pick since it seems like too much*** Reading- BJU Reading 5 and 6 (for literary analysis) Spelling- was going to try Spelling Workout with MCP Phonics(the later levels) OR Spelling Power OR Sequential Spelling with DVD We have not found a spelling program that works for us, we need something pretty independent and they are also behind with spelling. I don't think they necessarily need remedial since I haven't been very diligent with spelling but they need to really get to grade level this year. Ideally I would like to try all the spelling to see which ones would be a good fit. HELP! Sherry

I am looking for a reading curriculum for 5th and 6th grade girls. If I have grammar, writing and spelling covered, which curriculum is just a basic reading curriculum? Would love something with readers or wonderful books to read. I guess we would need it to cover comprehension and literary terms? Sherry

I'm trying to decide on which spelling program for the fall for my 5th and 6th grade girls. Neither of them are great spellers. We need something as independent as possible as they have 6 younger siblings that keep me pretty busy... =) Sequential Spelling with the DVD-----looks pretty independent but there are no rules and I'm not sure how well they would retain the words because I don't think it has built in review Phonetic Zoo-----does this have review? how are the word lists and the spelling rules? Spelling Power----it seems their newest version has a cd that can read the lists so the mom doesn't have to give the test herself? not sure exactly what the cd does.....word lists seem well liked and I think I read it has built in review. Which ones will work best independently and for kids who are not natural spellers? Thanks, sherry

I found it! wizardsspell.com I had heard about it from this thread.... http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/437968-large-families-with-many-little-onesi-need-encouragementhelp/page__hl__+spelling%20+large%20+family?do=findComment&comment=4461184 Thanks

I thought I had seen this here but now I can't find it. There was an online program for spelling that you pay a user fee annually but it gave your child access to all spelling content. I think the fee was slightly higher for each child but not very much. Somewhere around $100 per year for 3-5 kids or something like that. It didn't require time from parent. You could try a sample. Anyone have any ideas? Sherry

considering this as well

Is there any online spelling program that teaches a complete spelling curriculum? Spelling is not getting done here very often. Sherry

Right now we are doing HOP K and we have PPathways but don't use this very often. We don't use the HOP CD because it goes too fastand he needs more help with blending. It really helps him to use letter tiles for help but still very difficult. My son is almost 6, in K but is struggling with blending. He knows all the letter sounds but gets the word wrong when blending together. I am considering AAR Level 1 because it looks like it will give him the extra practice he needs, like doing worksheets to reinforce lessons and using tiles which he seems to do well with. Does this sound like what I want in AAR, with it all put together in one program so I don't have to try and pull worksheets from other workbooks to help with the lesson and modify HOP to work for us. I really like open and go curriculum. I am struggling with the price. Is it worth what I am looking for? Its just a lot to pay for something I kind of already have but isn't working that well. Thanks, Sherry

bump--I am interested

I am considering this for my kids next year. One of the public charter schools here uses this. I need some advice about the pros/cons of a charter school or picking my own curriculum. I am burned out right now, we added a baby last Feb, a 7 month old in Oct and a 4 yo in Nov! 2011 was very busy for us as we adopted 2 from Ethiopia, bring our total number of kids to 7. So, am I thinking rationally in considering charter virtual school for my olders (K, 3,4) I was hoping it would keep them more motivated, getting their own computer and having online video lessons that this lincoln curriculum has. But, I don't like evolutionary content, being tied down to public school, etc, but we are not getting school done consistently around here! I might be thinking what we have is not working but it might be that until we adjust to the new ones, nothing will work well right now. I just like the idea of them all sitting so peacefully doing their own work!!!!haha

Can you copy pages in the activity book in Pre level 1 for another student or do you have to buy another book? Also, I am teaching a K boy, we tried to start HOP and he knows his letters and sounds but once we got to blending he cannot do it. So should I start with Prelevel 1 or with Level 1? Maybe he needs more practice in the basics first? Thank you, Sherry

I really like the looks of AAR level 1. My 5yo is using HOP and is having a hard time blending words and I like the hands on letter tiles. We use AAS with my older girls. I know there are going to be 8 levels of AAR but when is the phonics part of the instruction completed? Will all phonics be taught by the end of level 2 or 3? I at first had thought that phonics/learning to read would not be completed until level 7 but that would not make sense if that was towards 7th grade. Also, I plan on using AAS with him but probably not until 1st grade or maybe 2nd depending on how fast he learns to read. Thank you, Sherry