Do you teach phonics just until they are reading well or do you finish the program? My ds6 is through about 116 Abeka phonics lessons grade 1. If I picked up a good spelling program like AAS or R&S spelling by sound & structure, or spelling workout would that be enough or should I finish out 1st or 1st and 2nd grade Abeka phonics? He reads at about 1st/2nd grade level.

Thanks. That sounds like a great plan.

I was wondering if anyone does this and how. I have a ds6 and ds7. They do well with Abeka math but I wondered if it would be good to introduce a different approach. I would like them to be able to do some mental math and think of problems in different ways. Thanks.

We did Apologia Astronomy this year with ds7 and ds6. I only had a notebook for ds7. My ds6 begged for one. I thought it would be too much writing for him so I didn't get him one. There are lots of places for illistrations and short narrations though. I will definately get him one for fall. He will be working into 2nd grade work. So I would say yes. You may have to help her with crosswords etc. We skipped some of the copywork or shortened it b/c there was not enough space. He really wanted to do the cut and paste projects in the back.

Thanks. I really appreciate your input.

Can someone compare and contrast FFL3 and R&S3. My ds7 has completed Abeka second grade. Thanks.

Thanks. I was reading a previous thread on this and someone had mentioned not worrying about starting at the beginning because with FLL it is such gentle an approach. Abeka doesn't really begin language ie nouns, pronouns, etc. until 3rd grade. I had debated switching my ds7 to Rod and Staff for 3rd. I am not really familiar with them just what I have read and a friend told me she likes it. I do like FLL1&2 so I just figured FLL3. I searched for a thread comparing the two but couldn't find one. We need more work on narrations. WWE1 has helped. We need to work more on that in the fall.

Thanks. I didn't really think about just cutting out some of the seatwork. We were only doing the worksheets. 2 for phonics, 2 for math, then either copy spelling words or do a page in the spelling book. In the end, with me doing math and phonics with each it was taking around 4 hours (including breaks). Then we still had writing and reading. Science, History, Music, Art etc. were rushed through to get done.

I'm pretty new to the board here but I have been following closely for a little while. We finished last week and are enjoying our summer break. We are so ready to mix things up. We have used Abeka for phonics and math from the beginning. My boys are learning but we are all so burned out. The seatwork is killing us and it takes me so long to do phonics, math, spelling, and reading with each that our energy is sapped for the fun stuff. Anyways I'm pretty excited to switch it up and I am looking foward to hearing some opinions. First I have a ds7 (soon to be 8). He has completed 2nd grade. He is pretty quick to catch on to new things. I am thinking FLL3 and WWE2 (he completed WWE1). Not sure about spelling. Next is ds6. He is a little trickier. He is only through 116 lessons (out of 170). He reads ok--probably at his level. I am just not sure where to place him or if we need to complete 1st grade. If I switched him to SW or AAS would he be too confused? They seem to go over the phonics rules. We have FLL1&2. We would probably begin at 2? He would begin WWE1. I always cringe when anyone asks what grade he is in. I don't think he knows. I would like to switch their math but I am a little chicken. My ds7 is doing well but he has trouble if I ask him a question that is not layed out like in the book. I think about switching to Singapore (it seems to get good reviews here). Should we stick with what is working or switch it up because they could be learning by formula? Maybe we should stick with Abeka math and supplement to mix things up. Thanks for listening to me ramble. I do look foward to your opinions. Oh and I don't want to forget to mention my ds3. He is kinda along for the ride. Gotta teach that boy something soon:)

I just got mine today.-----Indiana

Thanks so much!