Have you tried the secular homeschoolers group? I have no idea about high school. I am a part of a group in Alabama because we live on the south side near Perdido. I'll see if I can get some contacts for you.

I would go with WRTR, because that is what I have done, lol. I am currently teaching it at three different levels. It is our first year using it, and will be sticking with it.

We have been through AAS and Phonetic Zoo. I liked AAS, but started it before all the levels were finished and was sort of stuck until others came out. Jump to student #2, I could not imagine doing different levels with students. I wanted something more "independent" for my older so I then tried Phonetic Zoo...never got done. So this year I decided that we needed only 1 program for all the kids. I liked what I saw of LOE when some posted about it, but didn't want to put a bunch of money into another program that I wasn't sure would be a good fit for us. So, I looked at Spalding. I found a book for $2 (5th edition) at half priced books, so I figured I couldn't go wrong for two dollars. I liked what I read in theory, but I was one that just couldn't picture it all together. I am a trained teacher, and it just wasn't coming together for me. I bought the little booklet "starting a spelling journal" and that helped me visualize the process. Also, I don't know if I missed it somewhere or what, but I guess it says to do a sample notebook before you teach it. That has been so helpful for me too. I now know where to go after step one. And, Ellie has been very helpful with answering questions

I would say totally normal. My guy turns 5 in February and he does the same thing. Actually, I am just thrilled that he will even pick up a pencil, my oldest would just run away from the table if asked to pick up ANY writing utensil.

We love it. I do not have the TG. I don't feel like I need it. The sheets are perfect for our needs. We do use and love the CD.

It was a bust over here. I was all excited about it last year, I ordered all the supplies for the experiments. I think we lasted two chapters. My son felt the text was boring and a chore to read, and he is totally my science loving kid (wants to be a biologist when he grows up). I could see all the fun being sucked out of it for him. I think it just dampened the excitement. We just sort of skipped around and discussed the topics while doing more of BFSU. This year I decided to take a totally different approach. I have gotten subscription to The Young Scientist Club and Magic School Bus (for my littles) and we are going through those. My son is doing a report on the topic at hand and then we do the experiments based on the concept. Then we change up the directions and make our own hypotheses (is that how you spell that)? This works much better for all of us. I really wanted it to work, but I wanted to save the boring textbooks for when he was older, ha.

Cuisenaire rods, a gigantic set.

Can you spend some and put some in an IRA? One that isn't taxed until you pull out the money?

I would really go with the electronics. I am not sure if anyone has suggested a Kindle or Nook. My son's Nook is invaluable since out library stinks. We are able to check out things from bigger libraries from his Nook. Also what about a Netflix subscription? You could then stream it to the Nook or Kindle or IPad. All of the Horrible Histories and Horrible science books (my aspie/ADHD son LOVES these) - order from Ray at Del Sol books, you can google it All volumes of Five in a Row - subscribe to their blog and you will get all of their five in a row lap books Also, we have a great homeschooling store here that ships. You could order things from them to make your dollars go further. Their address is: Www.homeschoolbooksmart.com

I think Adventures sounds more like what you are describing. We did Adventures last year and LOVED IT! We used some of the TG material, just for supplementing my older son, but most of what we did was Adventures. So much fun, hands on when you want/need it to be. We also used some of the Evan Moor pockets.

I just noticed this weekend as well! We will be doing ancients next year!

I really love Lively Latin. I think you can get the BBL1 for under a hundred. She has all the lessons online for your student to view. Also if you get the disk, you can you it for future students. I don't know about the program you are using now, so I don't know what level you would get, but that is my suggestion.

I just made my son a planner using the site www.newbeehomeschooler.com. Actually, I made one for myself first then liked it so much, I decided to make him one. I printed out all the pages , covers and dividers; laminated the covers/dividers, then took it to Staples to be bound! Love it!

Five in a Row, hands down best curriculum I have ever used!

Yes, I have all four and went through them all, and my son LOVED it! He was just ready for more. He still listens in with my littles when we row a book! Those were my BEST years of homeschooling!

I will buy them again when it is time!

I had all three volumes, but sold them because they just didn't work for my oldest. When he begins a book, he wants to finish it. I am regretting getting rid of them because I think they would be perfect for my girlie, when we finish the first three volumes.

Thank you, Ellie! I knew those first few rules went with the phonograms, but wasn't sure how to let her know that. I think it makes sense to go over it with the phonograms. When I said she knows most of them, what I meant was she gets all of them most of the time, with a few mistakes. Okay, that really helps! Now I know I am on the right track!

So, I finally have found my groove with, WRTR, thanks to the little booklet, Starting a Spelling Notebook. But I still have a few questions. My dd has gotten almost all of the first 45 phonograms. I have already started introducing the a-g list of words. We have talked about rule 4. She is in 2nd grade, is she supposed to memorize the rules? Am I supposed to go back and teach her rules 1-3? Do I just keep going through the words? While continuing the phonograms?

I too was going to suggest K12 through the school district. I think that would really help her.

For me...heck yes!!!!! I know that some think the WRTR book is simple to understand, but I just found myself saying, " Now, what do I need to do again?" I read through the "Starting a Spelling Notebook", got it all right away! I was trying to use WRTR with three different levels, and it was just a mess. So, thank you so much for sharing that title. I now know I can use WRTR and NEVER buy another phonics program!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I think my biggest problem with The Writing Road to Reading was that the instructions were all over the place. Phonogram practice here, spelling instructions there, and the examples in a totally different place. I just couldn't get everything straight in my head. I really gave WRTR a try last semester, but I felt like I didn't have a good game plan for how to go forward. So, with renewed spirit this semester, I set out to make my game plan. First, I came here and searched all the Spalding threads...that is where I saw the suggestion for the little gem, "Starting a Spelling Notebook" by Mari McAlister. It is NOT essential to the program, but if you are like I was and just couldn't seem to put it all together, it is very helpful! So, thank you so much to the lady who suggested it!!!!!

5th time being at the shelter? That sounds very strange to me. I would be very hesitant. Just my 2 cents! We recently adopted two puppies from a rescue and have adopted from a shelter in the past.

I just order it for this year. I am excited about it. As far as I can tell it is supposed to teach the students how to examine things in a new way. By seeing something magnified the student can focus more attention to details that they would possibly miss without the little loop. That is my impression. I think it could have a far reaching affect, in writing, observation, science, everything. That is what I am hoping anyway!

Mine is coming too. I hope they are worth it!