:lol: No freaking kidding! I completely sympathize.

:iagree:

I seemed to remember it taking 3-4 days maybe? The box was heavy (LA K) - it was like Christmas when I opened it! FWIW, I live in the southeast US. Have fun. :D

Thanks for checking that out, Joanna!

Tons of great responses, and I have no experience since my kids are still young, but I do have a question WRT the novel. My DH is currently writing his thesis for his Master's, so we have had numerous discussions on how to write w/ kids in the house. His biggest problem is that it takes him an hour to get into the groove, so little chunks of time here and there are pretty useless. It's inefficient. He's also too tired after their bedtime to get as much done as he would like. Can you relate? Obviously there are differences in writing a novel vs. a research paper. But are you able to write a good bit just by sitting down and going at it? Or does it take awhile for you to hit your rhythm?

Thanks so much for the great review! I doubt there is much drill in the K, but from what you can see in the 1st grade, do you think there is enough practice problems built in? I seem to remember that there were drill sheets in the supplementary packet. Can't wait to start math!

Great to hear you love it. Give us an update after you've done Math for awhile! :bigear:

I have no personal experience, but McRuffy seems spiral in LA, am I correct? So, if he's weak in grammar, maybe he'll get the built in review throughout the curriculum? I would email Brian and ask. Otherwise, you can always supplement maybe?

I can totally see both sides. AIO is a dream come true in terms of gaps. As well as seeing how all the facets of LA are interwoven. But yeah, if you have a weak speller, for example, I'm sure it can be a challenge to make it work. I guess tweaking the curriculum is the way to go in that case. And in your situation, he can practice reading "at level" in other subjects or during free-reading, so I think it's great that you are matching the grade level with his weaker areas.

You all have been so helpful and encouraging! I have always loved the look of the samples, and now that I have the Phonics K in my hands, I like it even more. But I wasn't sure about the higher levels. I guess the cartoon-ish look makes me nervous that it's not sophisticated enough. (I know - it's so ridiculous! For one thing, since when do 2nd graders need sophistication? :tongue_smilie:) The reason I ask about math is b/c there are so many good options out there. McRuffy seems to do a great job at meshing the spiral approach with logic and critical thinking. Is that an accurate assumption? Thanks again! :001_smile:

So glad to hear y'all like it. Candace, your kids are still young, but what is your opinion of the spelling and grammar portions of LA?

It seems that everyone who uses McRuffy loves it, but it just doesn't seem super popular. Is there a reason for that? I'm particularly curious about math and LA. (I own Phonics K, but nothing else.) Thanks! :)

Paige, you're awesome. I am a scientist like you and am dying to start Intro with my son. I just need to hold on for another year! :)

I'm so glad McRuffy is working for you! I have McRuffy Phonics and am taking it very slowly with my 4yo, but I also plan to use the math when he officially starts K. Your daughter is adorable, BTW. :001_smile:

Aaahhhh! Y'all are making me crazy, LOL. I borrowed a friend's PR 1 to check it out, and unfortunately, I love it! Unfortunately, b/c I'm frugal, and I already have a phonics curriculum in my hands. I'm currently going through McRuffy K very slowly with my 4yo (no formal handwriting, very relaxed), and he is so much more confident when I dictate words and he has to spell them vs. reading words on a board. I know this is undoubtedly a developmental thing, but regardless, PR 1's method, including teaching him all the phonograms up front, really appeals to me. And I hope to use it in 1st anyway. I don't regret getting McRuffy, b/c it is a fun and solid program...but it seems a bit silly and redundant to use a different method to teach him to read when it's all right there in PR 1. I am relieved to see, however, that so many of you have gone that route and your kid still got a lot out of PR! So, this is what it feels like to be a new homeschooler! I can see how it can get expensive. :tongue_smilie:

I'm totally hijacking this thread (sorry!), but I do like your - and another poster's - suggestion to blend WITH him, instead of expecting him to do it himself. I do that with my son, but only after a few tries of him doing it himself. Maybe if I do it right away with him, he will get less discouraged.

Dumb question, but when you say "recognizing sounds in words", do you mean saying the words to him, and having him pick the correct word out of a short list? The reason I'm asking is b/c McRuffy Phonics has assessments every 5 lessons, in which I am supposed to say a word, and he is to circle the correct match. For instance, I say "pan" and he circles "pan" instead of "pen" or "pat". But write the word "pan" for him to read, and he has trouble. Just wanted to see if this was what you were referring to. If so, I think I will do the same as the OP'er and shelve the blending for now, but continue doing these sorts of activities. If anything, it'll boost his confidence. He really enjoys it!

Too funny, b/c my 4 yr old son is the exact.same.way. He will sound out p-e-t perfectly, but when I have him do the whole word at once, he'll say "bab" or something ridiculous. I either want to throttle him or laugh my head off. :tongue_smilie: He also gets frustrated when he doesn't get it right and says it's too hard. No tears or anything, just sort of shutting down. I'm so glad others have given advice, b/c I need someone to say "he's just not ready". Otherwise, I feel like I'm giving up - or letting him give up - when I decide to back off. FWIW, he does hear the sounds blending with "-at" words, something he has had lots of practice with. So if you want to keep working on it, I would say just keep reviewing with fun games (I use McRuffy K, which includes games) and other fun activities. And Leap Frog Talking Word Factory is good at going over cvc words.

I'm so glad to hear it! I have followed all of your previous PR threads and have loved your enthusiasm and advice. :) My 4 yo wanted to learn how to read, so I am using McRuffy K (very slowly) to teach him cvc words and such. If I finish the second half of it next year when he's 5, do you think I could just go into PR 1 in 1st grade? Would that be redundant? God Bless your school year!

That's awesome! Just curious...I see some storage on the left hand side of your kitchen pic (in the pic with the maps/science posters). What do you store there? It seems that I may have a similar layout in that it's an open floor plan (or maybe that was just my perception based on the pics), so I am taking notes on organization. :tongue_smilie: I love all the playmobils. I've been wanting to start collecting for my kids.

I'm bumping this for you, b/c I'm interested too! :bigear:

Elemental Science follows WTM, and it gets rave reviews. Inexpensive too. :001_smile:

I think the Intro to Science is a 1 yr program. Were you thinking it was for K AND 1st? I'm sure your ds can join in, even with Biology.

Oh no! Prayers heading her way. I always appreciate her wisdom, as well.

This is a totally different scenario, but last year, I witnessed a woman put her 1 yr baby in the front passenger seat w/o a car seat. I was parked beside her at a gas station, and when I saw her drive off, I took her license number. I remember reading on a forum about it being our civic duty to call 911 when you see someone in danger. I *really* didn't want to tattle on this woman - I'm just not like that (I like to mind my own business, which is not necessarily a good thing!) - but I called anyway. If they found her, at least they can educate her on car seat safety. My point is I think what you did was wise. You had no idea it was a manageable fire. Even if it was, it could get out of control so quickly. The guy was probably just embarrassed when 2 fire trucks came. :tongue_smilie: