Please include the quanity, frequency, sequence, and when you start/stop each. Are you a firm believer in copywork? No Would you do copywork with a dc who is able to write neatly for their age? No (no real reason why, just never did it) How about dictation? Part of spelling program Do you combine spelling and dictation? Dictation included in their spelling program Do you use a spelling program, track words your dc wants to use and is unsure of, or both? Spelling program. If dc finds a word not sure of we look it up together. When do you begin a formal grammar program? 3rd grade Do you use a separate editing program? No When do you start a formal writing program? 4th grade What would be your main LA's goal for each year? K : complete Primer work, beginning manuscript 1st : fine tune phonics if needed (ai/ay, etc.), begin A Reason for Spelling A, fine tune manuscript; no writing except for in spelling book 2nd: move to cursive if ready, otherwise continue manuscript practice, Reason for spelling B, light writing (5-word prompts, etc.), alphabetizing/dictionary skills 3rd: cursive, spelling C, slightly more focused writing, introduce grammar (Easy Grammar) 4th: final year of cursive (found old book out of print that is fabulous!), spelling D, Paragraph Series (love, love this program!); Daily Grams for review, Wordly Wise A,B,C 5th: spelling E; writing is focused on rewrites (taking simple work and making it better), editing, outlining, essays, poetry, types of writing; Rod and Staff grammar 6th: spelling F, more in-depth outlining and reports; grammar review I use the Wordly Wise books for my writing samples: copy a page/paragraph and dc outline/rewrite it. I do grammar focus one year then review the next year; the years we do review are the years I introduce something "new" such as Worldly Wise or Paragraph Series. Don't know if this is what you were looking for! I'm hoping others will post as I'm interested in what I'm missing. :)

Our saying is: Our family works because we work together. Hardly a day goes by that someone doesn't have that said to them. We use "Front and center!!!" too, and 14 feet come running. Works great. ;)

We use A Reason for Spelling and I love, love, love it! The variety of activities is phenomenal and provides great opportunities for proofreading, dictation, etc. I don't read the stories to the dc but they still get a lot out of it. I like that my involvement is minimal; once I give them the word list on Monday then I don't have to do anything until Wednesday. I also love that each book is set up exactly the same so I can have 4 different levels going at the same time.

OK, so the 3rd edition home study packet I have does not correspond AT ALL to the problem sets in the 2nd edition textbooks. So now my ? is do I just look for the 2nd edition tests/answers or invest in the 3rd edition level? I hate it when editions change....grrrrrrr

I have a brand new 87 book but it is the 2nd edition. For those who have used both 2nd and 3rd editions, would I be able to order/use the 3rd edition tests and use it with the book I have? I can make my own tests (that was my favorite class in college: Tests and Evaluation Forms) but would rather not reinvent the wheel if possible, and would rather not buy a new 87 book. Also, I have the 2nd edition of Algebra 1 complete w/2 student texts, a solutions manual and a home study packet. Is the newer edition really different? I hate to buy something if only the cover is changed.

Don't know about your library but ours has Rosetta Stone for free online. Woohoo!!!

I use the A,B,C Code books, then do the McGuffey's Primer. For me I've found no other program that is as effective as McGuffey's. I use Phonics Pathways for word lists that correspond with the sound being learned in McG's. I've had 5dc go through it now and all have learned to both read and spell very well by age 4-5yo. Maybe I like it so much because it is what my mom used for us?

According to the eval instructions if a student scores well on a level then they are ready for that level. Meaning if my dd aced the level 6 eval that means she has mastered level 5 material and is ready for level 6. This is different from the SM evals that are more an exit test. I'll test her on a PreAlg/Alg level and see what happens. Thanks, ladies!

My 9.5yod is finishing SM6B. I'd say she did about A-/B+ work in SM, however I know she is not ready for something like Saxon (or maybe it's me who is not ready for Saxon...dry, dry, dry!). I tested her using Horizons evals as I was thinking about having her go through level 6 (from the scope/sequence I looked at it covers things SM6 did not). She aced the level 6 eval so according to the eval instructions I would put her in level 6, right? For those using level 6 did your dc find it challenging? Was it a good transition from level 6 to preAlgebra/Algebra? My thinking is to also do SM Extra Practice so she doesn't lose the wonderful word problem solving skills she's gained - I love SM!!

I don't come to this site often because I am easily overwhelmed by all the suggestions/curriculum choices (I don't go to conventions for the same reason) but I need some advice. I have been hsing for over 7 years, I am a very involved "teacher" meaning I love to actually teach the lessons for every subject so changing to DVD's is hard to think about. But now I'm getting to the point that I have to start teaching the little ones more in depth and am considerning using some DVD's to help me with my older dc - Saxon DIVE is the first DVD I am considering. I'd love to hear from others especially those w/a # of dc how this worked for you - did your dc stay motivated/focused? Did using the DVD's prove to be a good or bad thing? If there is already a thread for this I'm sorry I didn't find it - if a link is posted I'll go read it. I really appreciate any advice. Karen - mama of going-on-8 dd: 12 ds: 11 dd: 9.5 ds: 8 dd: 5 dd: 3 dd: 1 ??: due in Jan.

I have a 7yos and I can assure you that keeping a journal with complete thoughts would be impossible for him. He's bright but writing is just not his strongest point right now and I am not at all worried because he's only 7, and he's a boy - he'd prefer to be out climbing our tree than writing his thoughts down. :) We'll begin writing next year and use just the most simple things: cue words to make a sentence, etc. Nothing big. I'm sorry you were made to feel like a failure.

We've tried WS (we all hated it), The Paragraph Book series (absolutely loved it!), IEW (after Paragraph Book it was redundant, didn't get past first 6 lessons or so), poetry, and are now using Comprehensive Composition for outlining/paragraph writing. If anyone has a suggestion for a good writing course for middle school years I'd love hear it.

Arizona/Phoenix is a fabulous place to homeschool. I don't know about surrounding areas but Mesa has one of the best homeschool networks I've ever heard of. We are north of Phoenix now but miss the Mesa hs group very much! I think you will be pleased with the laws (none aside from submitting an affidavit of homeschooling) and the support groups.