Looking at this program to fill a gap of time for my 6 yo. Thanks!

When I am using only Sonlight, I feel like I am dragging my younger DD along. She doesn't care for the SL books and therefore just mentally checks out. With WP, both of the kids are engaged and learning. I add the extra books as readers for my older DD as she is a voracious reader. We don't do all the hands on activities, but I like having them already there and scheduled so I can do it if I want too.

I have added at least 1/2 of SL Core 3 books in for my older daughter. She loves to read and adding those books is good for her. We'll do AS2 next year, adding Core 4 books as needed/wanted. Once we finish AS2, I am not sure what'll we will do. Nothing WP has interests me, so we may do SL Core 5.

What are you going to do next year instead of AS2?

I am using AS1 this year with my first grader and it is going fine. I have her combined with my third grader. We don't do all the hands on projects, and I let my 1st grader skip a few of the readings, but we really like it. I have SOTW as well, and she doesn't care for it (yet). Have you looked at Sonlight's Core K or Core 1?

Thanks! I'll take a look at these.

We are doing AS1 this year and will do AS2 next year. I am glad their catalog is up.

I need to get one for my 1st and 3rd grader. There are many choices on Amazon but I can't get a good feel for them without actually getting my hands on them, so I am asking for recs. Thanks so much!

I don't compare. I think the way PS teach is inappropriate and ineffective. Why bother looking at something you know is wrong, is producing poor students, and you would never use?

We use MUS Primer for K.

We LOVE MUS. LOVE it. We tried a couple of other programs before find it. My Ph.D engineer husband wanted the kids to really be able to "think" mathmatically. The other programs we tried did not do this. I've used Primer and Alpha twice now, and Beta and Gamma once. We just love it and plan to continue with it.

We use Winter Promise for the same reason you use Sonlight. Open and go! I do add many of the Sonlight books for my oldest to read. She loves them.

Can you provide a couple of examples of specific words?

We are wrapping up our 4th year.

The "bare bones" type of skills you are referring too are NOT taught in first grade. In our homeschool, first grade math starts with addition and subtraction. My kids are reading by first grade, though we do continue with phonics lessons. The same is true for local public schools as well. Children are adding and subtracting at the end of kinder and reading CVC words by March of their kinder year, or they are held back. The idea that colors and shapes are taught, even in review, in 1st grade is laughable. My kids are done with colors/shapes by their 3rd birthday.

I hired a homeschool teenager to watch my toddler two mornings a week for 2 hours each time. We get a ton of school done then. Otherwise, nap time. Schooling with a toddler is a nightmare.

Spelling Workout.:)

I bought tests from ebay, they worked great. I charted, so I always knew when I ovulated, so I was able to get positive tests between days 8 and 10 DPO (days post ovulation). In other words, 4-6 days before my period was due.

Praising the LORD with you!

Thank you for posting this!

This has been and interesting read for me. I am surprised at how little many folks are able to spend. Interesting!

Our curriculum/school supplies budget for two kids is about $1000 per year. I don't count music or other lessons, because we would do those regardless of where the kids were schooled.

A pediatric chiropractor can help. If she has a middle ear infection, the Eustachian tube is swollen shut and bacteria and mucus are caught behind the ear drum. To relieve the pain, you have to get the Eustachian tube to open and drain. A chiropractor can often get the middle ear to drain through the Eustachian tube with some mild adjustments. The treatments that call for putting oils or candles in the ear may work for an outer ear infection, but they won't penetrate the ear drum and do nothing for a middle ear infection.

I would consider getting her tested for central auditory processing disorder. While it is great that she can read information and understand it, it will be necessary for her to listen to a lecture and take notes at some point in life (assuming she will be college bound). If she has CAPD, addressing it with therapy now will be of great benefit.

You should asked around if any of your friends have an otoscope. I have one and I'd gladly take a look!