I would say it generally takes about a year, but it could be faster or slower than that ... really depends on your child. We just work on it for a while each day (5-15 minutes depending on the age/attention span of the child) and call it good. (I've used AAR Pre, AAR 1, and AAR 2.) I love this program ... and I've used at least 5 phonics programs in the past (with my older children) before AAR was available. :)

That's a definite difference!!! I've decided to do RightStart then eventually (probably) switch to Saxon 54. We'll see. Thanks, everyone, for your help!

I did look at the sample, and it's definitely better than 1st edition. Maybe not quite as scripted as I'd like, but I'm willing to deal with that so that I get to use this great conceptual program.

I have 1st edition, but I'm thinking of switching to 2nd edition. I think it does a better job of scripting. So glad to know that Saxon 1st has lots of writing. That would not work at ALL for my son! Thanks so much for your help! I'll be sticking with RightStart ... maybe eventually switch to Saxon 5/4 later. :)

Fix It! from IEW would be excellent, I think! Short and sweet but will cover parts of speech, usage, etc. Only 5-10 minutes per day. http://iew.com/shop/products/fix-it-grammar-nose-tree-teacher%E2%80%99s-manual-book-1

Thank you so much! This is very helpful and gives me a great idea about how much time it would take. :)

Thank you! Good to know Saxon 1 only takes 15 minutes! I do already own RightStart ... and really like it. The more scripted style of the Saxon appeals to me, though.

Currently finishing RightStart B with one daughter. I'll probably go on to Level C with her. But my structure-loving personality would LOVE doing the scripted Saxon lessons. Wondering how these programs compare. Also I have a rising K'er that I need to start and have to choose RightStart or Saxon for him. **Edited to add: I've never used Saxon, but I think that it is less conceptual than RightStart? Also, RightStart uses games to practice math facts; I'm wondering how Saxon teaches & practices the facts ... just rote memory?

I'm considering trying Saxon, and I know that it's scripted at these levels (which I love). Can you please give me an idea of about how long it takes to do a lesson each day for each of these levels? (Not including any time they take on their own to do independent work). Thank you!!!

Thank you so much! It's fine that it's not the exact level; it gave me a good idea of what it's like. :)

I am using Fix It! Book 1 (Nose Tree) with my daughter who is finishing 5th grade. We both LOVE IT! She actually begs to do more than one lesson. It is effective and only takes us 10 minutes, tops. And we've kept this very simple to implement. I bought her a composition book for this subject. She does the story re-write in the front, and the vocabulary definitions in the back. I printed out all the student sheets and put them in a file folder near my desk. When she needs a new one, I just pull it out and she tucks it into her comp. book until we're done with that week, then I toss it. I also simplify things by letting her look up the vocabulary words on the dictionary that's on my iPod. I wouldn't necessarily use Fix It! with a 3rd grader. I've chosen to wait until they are a little older to begin formal grammar.

I've found the Art Reed and DIVE samples, but the Saxon teacher versions are eluding me. Anyone know where I can see a video sample? Thank you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to look, Kiara!!! I truly appreciate it! Your response makes me confident that we can move onto C2, which is what I really prefer to do. Thanks again! :)

Bumping in case anyone else has experience with this. :)

Thank you so much! This is very helpful. :) Glad to know that I could probably go right from B1 to C2. One question for you: Would you say that all (or almost all) of the topics that B1 doesn't cover compared to B2 were covered in the C2 review section?

I would let him read, then read them together later in the year. :)

I'm finishing up RightStart Level B 1st edition with my daughter and trying to decide whether to stick with 1st edition or switch to 2nd edition. I already own Level C 1st edition, but I'm attracted to the nicer layout and the 20 more years of research that has gone into the 2nd edition. When I spoke with a rep from RightStart, she said that there shouldn't be any problem transitioning from 1st edition to 2nd edition if it's done between B & C, because 2nd edition C has lots of review in the beginning of the book. If that's the case, I am strongly considering switching to 2nd edition for Level C If you have actually done the transition this way, would you please let me know how it went? Was it a fairly seamless transition? And even if you've used 1st edition at all, and now are using 2nd edition, I'd love to hear your opinion of 2nd edition. Thank you so much!

Thank you all SO MUCH! :) I will check out all your suggestions and I'm sure I'll find great choices for each of my children.

Hi! I want to give my kiddos something to do during the summer that doesn't *feel* like school, but will still have them picking up a pencil. I've looked at the Summer Bridge workbooks, but they are a little more school-ish than I'm looking for. Puzzles and activities are good. Really anything that has them writing and thinking a little so their brains don't turn to mush over the summer. :) Looking for anything that would be good for children leaving these grades: 2nd, 5th, 7th. I have a rising K'er who is still learning to write letters, too. Any suggestions for me? Thank you!

Thank you so much, everyone! I'm pretty sure Math Rider is what I'm thinking of, but I will check out each one mentioned. Thanks again! :)

I can't remember anything about it except that it's story-like and the children progress in the story by answering math problems correctly. I seem to remember horses. Sorry this is so sketchy. I'm trying to find something good for my math-fact-allergic children to try. :) Thank you!

For the level I'm looking at, I think I would be just fine with the answers-only book. I didn't realize there are two different versions ... thanks!

Wow! Thank you so much, Karen. :) I will definitely check this out!

I'm planning to buy an inexpensive, used Saxon math books like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0939798182/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used My questions are: what's the best way to get an inexpensive answer key and do I need to match the answer key edition to the textbook edition? (I'm assuming I do, but I'm hoping for a very inexpensive way to get the answer key!) Thank you!

I think I am generally more concerned about sickness than the average person. We have a baby and an elderly relative living here who can struggle with illness, so that plays into it some. We've decided to go today. None of the rest of her family has gotten sick so far, so hopefully we're in the clear. Thanks for all your input, everyone. Lots for me to think about. :)