I got mine free off the local homeschool Yahoo group. I've heard good things about the Ikea ones.

We used a mix of dates and never had an issue- at least not one my ds ever noticed. His were high school level. Not sure if that matters.

:iagree:

We just started level 2. So far it includes notes in a box to explain how some words don't follow a rule and that it will be covered in a higher level. For example, English words don't end in i. It notes that words like ski and spaghetti don't follow the rule, why, and that it will be covered later. So, my guess, would be yes. You can always email AAS. They're good about replying.

Yes, ds 8, would start with AAS level 1. He'll likely move very quickly, but it'll set a good foundation. Then you'll have level 1 when your younger is ready. AAS helps with reading, but since AAR 1 is available, I'd go with AAR for your younger. The books are soooo good. My ds says we can never sell them. =) I'm sure the instruction is excellent too. I think you'll only need one set of tiles. Double check to be sure.

Finishing Bigger or going to Preparing won't matter in the long run. However, I would finish R&S 3, just do a lesson at a time. Pick up 4 when you get there. I'd finish whatever math you're using too.

Praying for you and your family!

I agree. The Barton site has some great videos. It would be a good idea to get his eyes checked if they haven't been. Have him use an index card with the corner notched out to guide his reading. Start him where he can succeed. Have him read the same books over and over. Don't make him struggle when reading (challenged, but not failing). If he tries to get a word and can't, give it to him and move on. Read the book again at a later time. Teach him to segment the sounds in a word and teach one rule at a time. There's free lists of spelling rules available online. Use the library. They can be a little inconvenient but they're free. Best wishes!

Yes to all the above. My older ds also loved the Poppy and Rye series by Avi (I think there's 4 books) and anything by Dick King Smith.

When my ds got that way we slowed down and practiced, practiced, practiced. Still do. Sometimes it's a lesson in the book, other times it's spelling with tiles or on the whiteboard, other times we read (working specifically on any difficult sound/spelling from various readers). We also play a variety of games (Bingos, file folder games, etc). When I feel he has it pretty well cemented we move on, but I keep going back and practicing the other (even if it's just a few words or the sound).

We love HOD! We did Little Hearts last year, Beyond this year, and my Bigger box just came today. :D It has blessed me in some many ways- no more planning!!, Bible teaching throughout, can use my own math and phonics. My ds loves it too. He loves the history, storytime, projects and that his day is joyful.

We dropped it for the same reason. Tears are never worth it. We took a break, reading lots of at his level books. That helped build fluency and put the joy back into reading.

We had a smaller one (18" x 24", I think). We quickly ran out of room. I love the 3' x 2'. It has room for the tiles all in one row, extras down the side, plenty of center room for writing. We use it everyday, for math too. We have a 3' wide wall in between the l/r and kitchen. I have the whiteboard on the kitchen side. It isn't even noticeable unless you're in the kitchen walking back toward the l/r. Hanging it with the Command strips keeps it from damaging the wall. I know others that don't mount theirs, they just pull it out each day.

Do you want to use the classic, boy and/or girl set of storytime books? Or the actual history books? The storytime books could be read at any time. They're great books. The history books are good too. We really enjoyed Stories of the Pilgrims. I would probably just read a section a day. I wouldn't try to line up people, places, etc. That would be too much planning/work.

:iagree: Bill Nye is like that too. Parts seem annoying. You don't think they're learning. But, they're actually soaking it up like a sponge. Btw, I found our state PBS station is airing Bill Nye very early in the morning, like 4:30 a.m. I'm DVR'ing them.

I like the purchased divider cards because they're sturdy and color coded. I'm using an index box. Works fine so far, we're on level 2. If you're certain you can teach the sounds correctly you can skip the CD. We use our own stickers (I have 4-5 pads from the $ store). Ds likes picking a sticker when a lesson is completed. It is a bit of $ when first starting AAS (books, kit, whiteboard), but I have found it to be an excellent program. I wish we had started it last year. Btw, my oldest wall mounted the large whiteboard with jumbo Command strips. It did add $5 to the cost, but when we no longer need the big whiteboard, it can easily be moved without drill holes. Worth the $5.

I agree. I keep a binder clip on mine and just move it as needed. 15-25 minutes is plenty per day. It depends on the child and what you're working on. Just go at their pace.

I have a just turned 4 y/o here while I school my almost 8 y/o 2nd grader. Training and activites are key. I tend to the younger one when he gets here- fed, drink, potty, do an activity or two together, read to him. This fills him up for a while and my ds has time to get breakfast, his chores done, dressed, etc. When I sit down to do one on one time with my ds I sit the 4 y/o at the table. He has puzzles, books, crayons, paper, Kumon books, small plastic animals, HWT wooden pieces, etc. I stack them across the back of the table and he picks one at a time. He has been trained to know that if he asks me something and it's an interruption that I will put my hand up. That means he needs to be quiet and wait. Then, as soon as I have a break (btw problems, sentences, whatever) I'll ask what he needs. Gentle praise when he does well. Time outs when he doesn't. You can't train your new little one in a day, so patience is key. Just explain as you go. Include him when you can. Give plenty of high fives and good jobs. Do the same for your dc because it's also an adjustment for him/her.

That isn't HOD philosophy. The younger needs to be placed and more added for the olders. And, she wouldn't need to add much. I said or for adding, not to add it all. One needs to also consider future years. IF the struggling 3rd grader makes it through Preparing, what happens in CtC or RtR. She's always going to struggle or mom will have to keep bringing it down. I have a struggling 2nd grader and there is NO way I would place him in Preparing next year. I may even stretch Bigger over a year and a half. My .02, place them both in Bigger or do two guides.

:iagree:

You could add the extension pack, another science or writing, a book basket of books, etc. You could even just start with it as written and add if/when needed. Are you doing DITHoR or another reading program for your 5th grader? That will fill it out too. Plus, doing english and math at their individual levels will fill the 5th grader's schedule. My humble .02, I wouldn't put a struggling 3rd grader in Preparing. Doing that will cause her to always be behind, you trying to make it work. That's bound to fail at some point. Best wishes! We love HOD. I hope your family will too.

Yes, use the tokens. Teach her to say /c/ /a/ /t/ when you say /cat/. If she says /c/ /a/ and can't get the /t/ repeat it with an emphasis on the t- /caT/. Practice it over and over. And remember she's young.

You need: ECONOMY PACKAGE INCLUDES TEACHER'S GUIDE Science Adder to Economy Package BASIC PACKAGE (history read alouds) SELF-STUDY DELUXE HISTORY PACKAGE: FOR THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT READER (these could be read aloud if above her reading level) English- can be Rod & Staff or one you choose Math- can be Singapore or one you choose Lead Me to the Rock CD (optional for memorizing the Psalm) I would wait to see how she does with all of this before adding DITHR. hth.

Nope, neither. I use HOD. I open the book and go. When finished with the day, I move my clip to the next day. Easy peasy. Same with AAS. For MUS, I tear the pages out of the student book so I know he does the next page. With my now graduate, I kept a record of grades for transcripts for 9-12.

Rosie gave good info on the math. I have a hands on kid. He loves MUS and AAS. They're multi-sensory and work well for him. His history and storytime is read to him. Sometimes he likes to snuggle while I read, other times he colors, sometimes he builds with Legos. Our science is mostly hands on activities with only short readings. That works well for him. I think as long as you're not trying to do everything everyday what you have planned should work. Whatever math you go with make sure to do the placement test. Best wishes and welcome to homeschooling! ETA: Not to add more to your plate, but I've heard a lot love CLE math.