Each level has 3 modules - level 1 has 6 lessons per module for a total of 18 lessons(I believe the others have the same but not certain), so it's really more of an every other week program. I think it would be tough to stretch to two years unless you did it once a month. If you can swing the cost, it is totally worth it. My kids hear the music start on the DVD and they all run down to do art.

BFSU

I don't think there is any curriculum that is going to make a child get his/her work done. That's all you and her. You need to be organized and make sure she knows what she needs to accomplish and what the consequences are for not finishing. She needs to get it done or face the consequences. It sounds to me a checklist may be what she needs. My dd8 moaned and complained from the time we started until the time I gave up on her finishing her work and made her go to bed. I was letting her get away with it and she knew it. I started giving her a checklist. If that checklist wasn't complete, she wasn't allowed to play, watch tv, or go anywhere fun - no exceptions. If she fails to complete her work repeatedly over the week, I take away skating lessons - the one thing she really doesn't want to lose. It took about two weeks of this before she finally got on board and knew I was serious. The other thing I did was rearrange the schedule. I printed a weekly schedule that included all the free-time she could have if she finished her work. She now completes the previous day's homework each morning while I am working with the little ones. I do her lessons right before and after lunch. If her checklist from the morning is done, she is free the rest of the day. If not, she has to finish before she gets free-time. After lessons, I prepare her checklist for the next morning, gather her books and put them into work boxes. I was getting so upset with dd and then came to the realization that I was the one letting her get away with with it. She would complain or walk away and I would start working on something else. It had to start with me. Things aren't perfect. But most days her homework is done in an hour instead of not being finished after several hours. She is loving her free-time and I am enjoying mine.

It's hard to find an inexpensive, all-inclusive science program. Hopefully someone can chime in with a better suggestion for you. I was not a fan of NL. I tried level 1 and while it was nice to have everything at hand, I didn't like looking at plastic bugs and picture cards and it just wasn't as meaty as what I had been using. I went back to using BFSU exclusively and I love it. The nice thing about BFSU is that the ebook is only $5. It requires some gathering of materials, but most are easy to get. It's not exactly open and go, but I really don't find it that hard or time-consuming to plan for.

I bought it last August.

I'd go for 2 if I were you. I am using Level 1 with my children ages 8, 6 and 4. I wanted a level I could use for all 3 so I went low. My 8 year old is beyond the recommended age of 4-6, but so far it has not been an issue. The projects aren't hard for her, but they aren't too easy either.

We are using 3 this year and many, if not most, of the examples in the HIG are from the textbook. Textbook is important to us, but it sounds like you are getting by without.

We don't use FLL, and we got a late start with WWE. We used WWE 1& 2 in 3rd grade, but I plan to use WWE 1 for 2nd and WWE 2 for 3rd with my younger ones.

This is from Jenny at Singapore Math: "There is a core edition planned. It is hoped levels 1-3 will be out this year. There will not be any issues switching from Standards to this new edition, as far as I can anticipate, when going from one grade level to the next. A final decision on whether the standards edition will be discontinued or not has not been made. There will be plenty of warning should it be discontinued." Sorry, I did not ask about the US Edition.

http://www.homeschoolart.com/art-gallery

I can't speak to any level except 1, but the age listed for Level 1 is 4, 5 & 6 and I am using it for 4, 6 & 8 year olds. I would not say it is difficult for my 8 year old, but I also would not consider it too easy for her. Based on that, I would say you would be fine in Level 4, but take a look at the galleries for that level. Hopefully someone else can chime in who has used level 4.

Yes, BF has redone the Rainbow Book. I have it on order, but have not seen it.

A single level was $93 plus $12 in shipping and $1.95 service charge.

I haven't used HAS, but considered switching to it from Atelier because it is so much cheaper. I looked at the galleries posted on the HAS and Atelier websites, and was more impressed with the upper levels of Atelier. HAS looked more crafty, but it is a whole lot cheaper. Someone mentioned the DVDs look dated, but my kids don't seem to mind. They love when I pull out the DVD.

I am loving level 1, and planning to order level 2 for next year.

Yes. We have Classical Composition, but we are not starting until next year. I believe Classical Writing is similar although I do not know the difference between the two.

I am using both programs, but with different kids. I plan to use AAR 2 and AAS 1 together next year with Ds. AAR was not out when I started with did - only the readers were available, so I used AAS with the readers for her. After using the level 2 readers she was ready to read. I am anxious to see what they do beyond level 2 because it would not have been necessary with dd. I guess what I am trying to say is that I foresee dropping AAR, but not AAS.

We used Mad Libs near the end of 2nd. We started formal grammar in 3rd grade using GWG, JAG in 4th. I would have waited until fourth to start, but we have to take a standardized test in 3rd.

I use them a grade level below. Most are hard for dd to finish in 1 minute. I sometimes adjust the time so she can complete more problems (but no so long that she can complete all the problems on the first page). I don't think the time is as important as her beating her time on the 2nd page.

I agree. I love the spiral binding and am happy having done it. I also agree with the PDF on iPad. I never thought I would enjoy PDF manuals, but now I buy that format anytime it is available.

I don't spend that much time planning. I did pre-plan the order I would teach the lessons based on pre-requisites, but that has been tweaked along the way. I read through the lesson, see if there are any materials to gather, and request a couple of books from the library. The author says the additional reading is not required, but I like to have at least one book for dd to read after we finish the lesson to reinforce what she has learned. We spend one week on some lessons, two weeks on others - it usually depends on how many parts the lesson has.

Bump

I agree. One note - the HIG for US 1 is formatted the same way as all the Standards HIGs. So, if you are using US 1 and like the HIGs, you will want to switch to standards to continue with that format. US Levels 2 and up for US are in a less user-friendly format.

My ds used it last year and dd4 is using it this year. Both of them have loved it. I agree with a pp that the books are not necessary at this level. Starting in level 1 they are, but you could get away without them for pre 1. Mine do, however, love Ziggy.

This was discussed fairly recently - see this thread http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/451740-aar-without-the-readers/