I am using it for 5 dc (3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th) and it does get a bit time consuming at times. I am using levels 1, 2, and 3. I am going to continue with it because I know it will bear fruit in the end, it actually already has. I do not have ESL students, but children who were adopted at an older age that have some language delays that seem a bit ESL-like :D. We do it five days a week and we just keep chugging along not overly concerned with the actual levels on the books. I use it individually with each student because it works better that way for us.

We use R&S as our main program and I wanted to add in MM but couldn't figure out how to do it without going crazy. I started putting a packet of MM blue series in each child's folder and they sit with me for 15 min. a day and do as much as gets done in that 15 minutes. You wouldn't believe how much can done in 15 minutes when there is no pressure to get a certain amount done.

Thank you for posting this today. The sale of our house fell through today. We are all packed and ready to move 1200 miles away. I have six kiddos and we homeschool, so life has been crazy around here. When my realtor called to tell me this morning, I just started crying. Someone else is planning to see our house tomorrow and may possibly put in an offer. Oops, I am getting off track, because regardless of the outcome I need to praise God! I am incredibly blessed in my life with my kids and I need to remember that. I was in pity party mode and just plain mad. I praise God for whatever He is doing in my life right now. Thanks again!

My son went to a Paradigm charter school and the curriculum is a lot like Ace Paces. They are little booklets and are meant to be done independently.

My son is using this program. PM me with questions if you would like.

I am praying for you and your family.

How about the Life of Faith dolls? They are sold at Family Christian where you can use the 25% coupon to get the doll for $75. These dolls are modeled off of Elsie Dinsmore and her friends. My girls love them.

Praying!!!

We are also using WWE, so I know what you mean!!

We do both daily but it is not too much. My 3rd and 4th graders are using R&S so they do one section a day for three days, sentences the fourth day, and then a test the fifth day. They write out the passage from Simply Spelling daily and then do a test on the 5th day. It hasn't been too much for us. How old of a child are we talking about? My third grader is using level A and my fourth grader is using level B. I hope this helps.

We started using this in August, and we are still liking it. I am not using it as our only spelling though. I bought R&S and CLE spelling (depending on the child) to go along with it, not because it isn't complete, but my kids needed more word study. They write the lesson daily as handwriting and then I test them on the 5th day with dictation (obviously studied). It really doesn't seem like spelling at all. I use Spelling Wisdom, which is very similiar, for my older girls. If you have any specific questions about it just let me know.

I know that on the Apologia website it says that if you are doing a co-op or class that you should all have the same edition. I think you will have a much easier time reselling the 2nd edition, so in the long run it may be cheaper to buy that one.

It may not be the curriculum. I think grammar is just hard for some kids. I would do overkill on whatever part of speech you are learning and just stick with it until she gets it. I wouldn't spend two hours or worry about trying to do a lesson a day, but I would break it down into small bits and do some each day until it sticks. I would commit to sitting the entire half hour with her so that you avoid the frustration of her incorrectly doing it again and again. I think this also confuses the child because they really didn't know that they were doing to begin with. I also have children with learning issues, and we are using R&S. I think CLE looks great, but a noun is a noun is a noun, if you KWIM.

What a great post. Sounds like a great first day. I hope your have a wonderful year!!!

I would have to suggest R&S math. The 3rd grade book is all about multiplication and division facts. You could totally go through the book a little faster and finish in less than a year. You could supplement with MM Blue for geometry or whatever area she is behind in. I have children with LD and I couldn't imagine trying to do math without them knowing their facts. Even my dd (age 10) who was labeled as mildly retarded (by the ps) has her facts down using R&S. If she doesn't know her addition/subtraction facts you could do 2nd.

I love your schoolroom! I love the idea of all the things that are hard to keep neat being in a closet. If nothing else, it will be a great place for you to hide :lol:.

I have never used the posters here, but we have always done all of the seatwork. My kids are able to do it fairly quickly, but the second grade is actually lighter than the first as far as seatwork goes. I have to tell you that even my kids with learning difficulties know all of their facts. This helps alot when teaching other concepts because they are not getting caught up on the facts. I hope this helps. I have used the second grade curriculum with 5 kids (my youngest dd just finished it).

Here are lots of links from Ambleside for fine arts: http://www.amblesideonline.org/FAQ.shtml#arts Here is a site to make handwriting worksheets: http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/ http://donnayoung.org/penmanship/manuscript-practice.htm I hope this helps!

I have learned so much teaching my kids grammar using Rod & Staff.

It looks great! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks!!!!!!!

Your post made me smile. I am also starting poetry and tea with my daughters this year. It should be interesting!

I loved God's Smuggler and The Hiding Place. I do not think you can go wrong with either of those. I also liked the Christian Heroes Then and Now books that we have read.

We are using this when we start school in August: http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/scmguide/scripture/

Love the notebook and your blog! Thanks for sharing.