I would like to see a program for young children that covers more than basic vocab and a couple of phrases. My daughter knows colors, numbers, basic objects, and a few dialogues. I haven't seen anything out there that teaches more than this without requiring advanced reading and writing skills. The things I could adapt would be very teacher intensive and very expensive. Right now I am using free resources from the internet and a picture dictionary to keep track of what basic vocab we know. Things I would actually pay for: - picture flashcards (I can make my own that are just words. I wouldn't buy them) - songs integrated into the program that directly teach something - cd with stories and songs intertwined - phrases and commands to use at home on a daily basis - lesson plans to keep us going and a separate teacher's guide to explain the Spanish to parents who do not speak the language or older kids who do not learn well by immersion. It is frustrating to not get something when you know it is supposed to be aimed for children. - a basal reader that builds vocabulary gradually. I would prefer all Spanish. Perhaps with picture clues in the beginning?

All of the elementary spanish books I have seen teach topic by topic with no review. I am looking for something that builds slowly and reviews everything. I can teach my own vocab lists i dependently. I need something that ties it all together. Ideas?

I hated number lines in school. I didn't understand why we still had to use them in 3rd grade for basic addition. But, all the other kids got out their little frogs so they could jump from one number to the answer. All I could think of was "What a waste of time!" Any 3rd grader should have had the facts down by then.

What are these made of and how big are they? Has anyone tried laminating regular index cards?

I see you are talking about your own education. I am reading Year 7 for my own benefit. I'm on week 11 and it is great! Even the books that don't particularly appeal to me fit so well with the others that they are worth it. My library list is only 9 books long. The others are online. I am reading them much faster and I don't see that it matters. I wouldn't do it with the others though. Everything fits together as you read it. Taking notes would help and reading your notes on the week that chapter should have been read. What year are you considering?