:iagree: My dd6 and dd4 love this.

Wow. I love all the advice given here. I've been so hung up on "the grade" as well---and I'm a homeschool graduate! But you all are right. Once they finish with one thing they just move onto the next. I have a dd4 who I started K5 because she knew all the K4 things. Now we're kinda slowing down because she's getting a little overwhelmed. My MIL says "hold her back or repeat K5" and I say "No, we're going slow. We're doing half this year and half next year. The main thing is that she gets it but I AM NOT going to make her repeat what she already knows".

We live on a tight budget too. Almost all of our schoolbooks that we get are used---except the consumable workbooks, of course. Next year I have one child going into 2nd grade and another reviewing K5. I've been buying a little along before the next school year. But overall I think for the year I might be spending around $400.00. It takes alot of time and research on my part to find what I need used. I would love to be able to buy all brand new things, but my kids are going to have a quality education and that's what counts.

You do have plenty of time to consider your options. I have 2 dds ages 4 (K5) & 6 (1st grade) and what I've come to realize and regret is what I didn't do with them when they were in preschool which was PLAY!! I was running through a formal curriculum instead of playing, singing and having more fun. Learning should be fun, right? If you just can't seem to envision homeschooling without a curriculum use something that's really hands-on and has plenty of games, songs and stories. Most important: Read to them. I do have one suggestion: Starfall.com . It's awesome. There are tons of videos and games to help kids solidify their phonics skills. Plus its free. There is an option to purchase a subscription/curriculum which might be worth looking into.

Well, I know the Adventures TM got a new TM edition for the 2010-2011 school year and they say in the catalog that the difference is that the student sheets are no longer in the back of the TM. Now you have to buy a separate Student workbook. I don't know if thats the deal with MFW Expl-1850 but its a thought.

Really loving all the imput here. I have 2 dds ages 7 and 5 (a gifted 5). Next year I am thinking about using MFW Adventures with them. After hearing all the comments, I am excited and more reassured. I know my 5 y/o may not completely "get it" but it will be a great start for her once they both start the cycle.

I'm a graduated homeschool student myself (and so is my husband) and now I'm homeschooling my own children. dds ages 6 and 4. We are in our second year of homeschooling --and believe me-- its not without its mistakes. And I thought I knew what NOT TO DO from my own experience. My Biggest Mistake..... A Beka: So much busywork and repetition. I feel like its got my nose to the homeschooling grind stone. But we are finishing the year out with it because we have a baby on the way and due sometime in May (1 and a half months from now). My husband is so pro-A Beka and thinks its an academic wonder (he grew up on A Beka), so it may take some getting used to on his part. Next year: More real books, more hands-on activities, more field trips and more fun. Also, the schedule we had planned for ourselves has been so rigorous. I am thinking about doing a 6 week on and 1 week off schedule for next year. Either that or 4 days a week instead of 5.:001_smile: