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

We just got the K Mc Ruffy math and we love it. I am using CLE for 3rd and 4th grade right now but was curious as to Mc Ruffy Math in the older levels. How does the scope and sequence compare to CLE or other curriculums? Is the math comparable to other curriculums in level of difficulty? How much teacher time is required in the older levels? Thank you, Sherry

We have completed level one and part of level two of AAS with my 2 girls who are in 3/4th grades. For some reason, we never seem to get to AAS, which is why we haven't made it that far. We are considering SWS just because I know it would get done. If you have used, what do you think? Does it present some spelling rules? Should you start at the beginning to make sure there are no gaps? Or should I stick with AAS, even though I have 5 kids and 2 more are coming from Ethiopia in the next couple of months? I just don't know if it is realistic for us to get spelling done with having to have mom one on one with each kid, every day for just this subject, not to mention the other one on one time in other subjects? Thank you, sherry

Where can I find classroom chairs? I got a great deal on a traditional school classroom table and I want some of the traditional chairs to go with it. Everything I have found online charges about $80 for shipping. I need 4 of the 12in seat height chairs and 6 of the 16 in seat height chairs. Any ideas? I have checked craigslist. Sherry

I follow the workbook. For example, I see the next page in the workbook is H so on Monday we do the wood pieces and mat with the letter H and any other letters we have learned, whatever holds his interest. On Tuesday, we will do the chalkboard, wet dry try with the letter H and whatever other letters he wants to try. Weds would be magnadoodle thing with the letter. Thursday will be when we do the actual page in the workbook with a pencil. This is for prek but it has worked really well for us. We also add in a letter of the week craft for the letter he is working on.

I am thinking of using this in the fall alongside of A Living History of Our World from Queens. It is probably one of the few things I am sure of for the fall.

Is there any science that is similar to truthquest style? Meaning that it goes through a list of all science subjects that would be studied in a textbook and has a book list to go into further detail? Otherwise I might want to use a spine and then add in books from the library. What science spines would be good for these ages? Would prefer christian based but haven't found very many resources, especially for something that would cover a complete scope and sequence similar to public school. We would have the base spine and could add in experiments and books as time allows.

I found Meaningful Composition 4 that I was thinking about using in the fall with a 4th grader. To buy both workbooks it will be $68 but they do look really good. Then I found some info about spectrum workbooks on this board and they are so cheap! How do these compare? I am looking for something more independent compared to teacher led. Do you think the spectrum workbook would be sufficient? Sherry

Is there a complete list of all curriculum options? Divided by subjects? Sherry

I'm kind of open to either one. We are 1/2 way through MFW Adventures right now.

I think I am wanting to find a history spine that we can follow along with and add in other books to read as well. Or, is there a simple, not too costly curriculum that gives you a history spine with book lists for different ages/reading levels to add if you would like to? I don't want any other activities at this time which so many curriculums offer. So basically a spine and a book list. Thanks, Sherry Or I have thought about just getting Abeka history books and adding in more books to read alongside.