We use AAS at home, but my old school (where I taught first grade) used Fundations. My advice would be to not start AAS with him, as much as I love it! I think a program only works well if you use it with fidelity. IF Fundations is working well, stick with it. Ask the tutor for very specific exercises you can do at home with him on the off days to mirror what she is working on with him. IF Fundations is not working, I'd save your money and just do AAS at home with him. They essentially have the same focus: incremental, phonics/rule and mastery based. You want him to be able to really focus on the skills he is learning and their application. Don't confuse him with different verbiage. That's my two cents, anyhow!

Not a huge reason. I'm just thinking I'd like them to be ready for American History in 5th grade. It's mostly about making it fit with science... Stupid?

I would love some feedback on a plan I am considering. This is our first year homeschooling and my twins are in third grade. We are doing SOTW 1 this year. For science we have done our own thing in both biology and earth science, finishing up and filling in gaps from PS. I feel like they have a good foundation in biology and earth science. My girls are very young. They won't be 9 until the end of August. So, even though they will technically be in 4th grade next year, they are on the lower end of the developmental spectrum. I also have one with mild special needs. So, I see us doing the grammar stage through 5th grade. Here are my thoughts for the next two years: 4th grade- SOTW 3, Elemental Science Chemistry 5th grade- SOTW 4, Elemental Science Physics The problem is that I need to fit in SOTW 2 somewhere to make it all fit together (I like things to fit :) ). Should I.... A. Just read and discuss SOTW 2 over the summer- crash course style. I'd return to the activity books for SOTW 3 in the fall. B. We should be done with SOTW 1 in June. I could just start SOTW 2, doing the activity book and writing in June and do it over the summer and into late fall, then start SOTW 3 when we finish. I'm just not sure how much we'd really get done this summer because of vacations and a possible move. Would I be doing my girls a huge disservice by just reading through SOTW 2 this summer? I could still get movies from the library, supplemental books, etc. It's not like we'd be doing a full day's worth of our other curriculum during the summer anyhow. Thanks for your advice! Please let me know if you see any major flaws. Oh- and how to you tackle American History in 5th grade?? Is that a major part of SOTW 4 or do you teach it separately? THANK YOU!!!

We will be new to homeschooling next year! My twins are in 2nd grade now, but I want to buy 2nd grade curriculum to use this summer, then move onto 3rd grade when they are ready. They are both very bright girls who do not struggle academically, but I know they have some gaps in the basics and I want to make sure we cover those first. Anyhow, I was thinking of ordering the Language and Writing programs from WTM. Can anyone offer advice on these programs? Do I need the workbooks as well? I notice a lot of you use the Rod and Staff program. We aren't Christian, but I am not opposed to using religious-based material as long as it isn't all based on Bible verses, stories, etc. Do most of you use it for religious reasons, or is it superior to the First Language Lessons that go with WTM? Can you recommend any other Language programs? I know of Shurley, but that's it. For history, I am interested in SOTW, but am not sure where to start. I am tempted to buy volumes 1 and 2 to gloss over this summer, but want to hit Volume 3 hard since that seems to be closely related to what they are missing in public school here in third grade. Advice? Again, do I need the coloring pages, workbook pages... I am tempted to not buy a math program for a few reasons. I know where my kids' gaps are and already have resources for basic math. I would like to incorporate as much real-life experience as possible into this area. (I am currently a teacher and will be bringing SO much curriculum home with me at the end of the year.) Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!