At 9 years old, mine were required to read 20 mins/day for independent reading. This was on their own, and in addition to reading aloud to me for 15 mins/day. At 10 years, we upped it to 30 mins/day for independent reading.

Been there, done that. Our O.T. started the kids out in HWT when they were developmentally at about 4 years (chronologically 6 years old). Worked out great! When they were in PS, they had the best handwriting in their respective classes. Once printing was looking great, we were ready for cursive. So, thinking that they should learn "fancy" cursive, we started A Beka. Oh, my. We had handwriting WITH tears....literally! Stupid me. So we started over with HWT 3rd grade cursive. No problems.

We do school anytime something else isn't taking priority, and that includes summer. DD and DS are working at getting "caught up" to grade level in a few areas where we had to start back at the beginning in 2nd grade when they came home from ps. Once they are at grade level, we may add a few more "breaks" to our calendar, but never more than 2 or 3 weeks completely off in a row. We do "school lite" (math practice and silent reading) as a part of everyday life.

1. In my opinion, home schooling parents should not waste their money on all-in-one curriculum packages. Some children need more structure and/or intensive work in a particular area than these type of curriculae provide. That's why none of them include Math! Well, spelling, reading, writing, etc. may also need to be an individual curriculum as well. 2. In my opinion, home schooling parents should not waste their time using a learning tool (curriculum, game, online drill, whatever) that the child hates just because money was spent to get it. 3. In my opinion, Home school parents need to provide plenty of hands-on activities, fun field trips, movement, freedom to stay with a topic of interest for the whole day or week and put aside the lesson plans and other subjects, and take advantage of not having to "do school" at home. It's harder to "meet them where they are and slowly take them to where they need to be" than to just systematically follow each lesson in the chosen curriculum.

:001_unsure: I've been looking into these two programs as well. I noticed that on the IEW site they recommend using AAS if the child isn't ready for Phonetic Zoo. I gave both my kids the placement test for PZ. DD scored two points shy of going on to the B test, so I figure she's probably ready for PZ - A. However, DS bombed the placement test (missed 38 out of 50). So, I've decided to start with AAS level 1 with DS. I may start DD in PZ - A or I may just keep them together through PZ. I just don't know. PZ is expensive! HTH.

I think you're doing just fine. We've probably got about the same amount of paperwork around here, but it's not at all as well-organized as it should be. Some stuff in a fire-proof box, other papers in file cabinets in the garage, banker boxes in the attic, and current records by the computer. I'd love it if someone would just tell me exactly what to keep and for how long....and how to best file it. It would be nice if that someone were a lawyer and/or CPA!

nt

Thanks for the translation!

Is there a listing of curriculum abbreviations? I've learned many of them, but it is still frustrating. :confused:

O.K., I know that TOG is Tapestry of Grace, right? But help me out on "HOD." Thanks!