Wow, I'd be grumpy too! :grouphug: I hear ya on the shipping. I have a workbook I need. It's $10, $8.98 to ship. I'd also like a new chair for ds's desk. $19.99 for the chair, $17.98 to ship. Crazy!! :glare:

Have you seen a chiro?

I haven't used SP, but everything I read says the extras aren't needed in the lower levels.

This is what I was thinking. You can buy 3 holed punched paper then just print on the wrong side. That would put the holes and binder edge on the right.

Mixing the short /e/ and /i/ can happen to kids within the normal range. However, at her age I would think she'd have single consonant sounds down, as well as the other short vowels, and just be learning to blend them. My ds is having problems too. Not to the extent your dd is, but still problems. I agree with the above poster re: having her eyes checked. Unfortunately, there aren't many eye doctors that understand all the problems kids can have. Of the link posted there's none in Iowa (where we are) and only one in all of Illinois. I've considered having ds tested through the district, but they seem so quick to label and not help vs finding the true root of the problem. So, IDK. I can't advise you when I'm having my own unresolved problems. I will say we've started using Reading Reflex and it seems to be helping some. My ds likes how the words are broken apart. However, the book isn't very teacher friendly. ABeCeDarian seems to teach in a similar way and looks a bit more teacher friendly. Honestly tho, if she isn't getting basic sounds, I'd have her checked by (someone) before worrying about what program to use. ((hugs))

I used both with my now graduate. He would tell you he liked EG better, but learned a lot more from R&S. We did a lot orally, so it wasn't as overwhelming. He did levels 6 and 7 and almost finished level 8. He scored very nicely on his ACT in LA. FWIW, he did A Beka for 7th grade, his first year home, and hated it. Later I learned that was because he'd had little to no english instruction in public school. He did EG for 8th. Scored well, applied little. I started 9th grade with R&S 8 and he was lost. Went back to 6, he did well, and applies it to his writing. Best move I could have made. I haven't, obviously, used much so can't compare them all. I just know for my ds R&S was a hands down winner over EG.

For kids your kids' age I'd use studied dictation. I'd also have them correct spelling in their work- other than freewriting in their journals. Anything assigned would have to be corrected. Builds dictionary skills too.

I buy used whenever possible, use PaperBackSwap, the library, borrow and trade with friends, etc. I figure I save 40-50% off new most years. I also buy a year's worth of supplies during the back to school sales. It can be a lot, especially as they get older, but it's worth every penny.

At least once a month, usually twice. Plus library and bookstore trips. When I worked in PS there was usually only funding for one trip per grade level per year. The cost for busses was/is insane! Occasionally they get grants for special trips- like all 4th and 5th graders go to Symphony Day. Special Ed kids also get more due to grants. If, by chance, a school is within a short walking distance sometimes kids get extra. We have one school very near the art musuem (about 3-4 blocks), so I think they take a trip each year. And another school usually visits a TV station (one block over).

I'm headed out, but I'll describe it quickly. My ds's desk is in kitchen on a short wall with the garage door in front of him (desk is back far enough to open the door). We use the garage door and short wall for hanging needed items (calendar, art work, etc). Then I have a couple small baskets that fit nicely under our coffee table that hold extra books, ed games, art supplies, etc. We also have a pretty book basket next to the computer desk and he has a full bookcase in his room. We have a schoolroom in the basement, but it never gets used. It's cold 8 months of the year and I refuse to heat it. Plus, we like being up here.

We do other science reading, watching DVDs, etc, but my plan is to do HODs science too.

Also, even when you use a book you can add your own style, esp if it's just a few letters. As kids learn the mechanics they'll add their own style too.

For a 2nd grader I'd use exactly what's in my signature. We love Heart of Dakota!!, Math U See, Bible Study Guide for All Ages, and Reading Reflex is working well. The only things I'd add if I had plenty of money would be lots of science kits, field trips, sports equipment, etc.

Hi ya! Wooden pieces or make your own TM (at least one level so you get the patterns to copy, whys and hows) Small chalk board Student book (on level) Then buy a box of chalk, break it in half, and cut up a cheap thin sponge. I love HWT! Can't sing it's praises high enough. I, however, haven't needed all the extras. I did buy the double line chalkboard for 1st with his wb. I had paper given to me. Zane used about a third of a tablet of the wide. Now he uses regular (about Nov of 1st grade) and I can see him using that for a while. He used maybe 5 sheets of the block paper.

I don't really plan now that we use HOD. :D When I did have to plan for my now graduate :D:D, I usually did it late at night, one subject at a time. I would do a loose plan in the summer, then during the school year did a more detailed one every 6-8 weeks.

Heart of Dakota's Little Hearts program would be good for a 1st grader that hasn't done a K program. Just pick handwriting, math and reading/phonics at his current level, whatever that is.

We're moving into 2nd, but I can tell you what we used for K. HWT-K MUS-Primer OPGTTR ETC (dropped after bk 1 because ds wasn't ready for 2) Jesus Storybook Bible Lots of read alouds which included some science and history, holidays, etc Plenty of arts and crafts and playtime Field trips 1x month on Fridays with a group of hs friends

We lived about 1/2 block from train tracks for over 10 years. It never bothered me, and oldest ds loved it.

I'm the firstborn. I have one sister 9 years younger, two sisters in between waiting in heaven. However, our oldest was in ps K-6th grade. I've never been anti-hsing, I just didn't think it was for me. I was very involved in my son's schooling, as was my dh. When he (ds) asked to come home I truly didn't want him to. Through prayer and a big push from the Lord we did bring him home and I am so thankful for it. Younger ds has hs'd from the beginning (he's only 7, lol) and I pray he'll always be home. I'm not anti-ps for most families, it's just no longer for me. ETA: My dh is the youngest of 5 boys and very pro-hsing.

Nope. We went to a lovely BBQ yesterday and watched fireworks in that town. Today, my husband is working until 7, younger ds is out playing with the neighbor's grandsons, and the eldest is chillin' with a friend and the XBOX since he's off today. I'm working on some scrapbooking, then making chicken tacos for dinner. My day starts at 5 a.m. tomorrow, so I'm taking it easy today.

I agree. I'd never force one hand over the other.

I wouldn't push it. Writing for him might help. Let him dictate to you as you write. Perhaps in the beginning just have him sign his name. Then add to it. Perhaps adding "I love you" at the bottom of a letter. That sort of thing. Filling in the blanks can be fun too, and not too overwhelming. Write something like "Joey likes to fly airplanes. ______ likes to _________. Have him fill in his name and something he likes. Use a highlighter and have him write over it, if needed. Make sure to show off his work. Non-pencil writing can be fun too. Use shaving cream on a table, rice on a cookie sheet, roll play-doh, etc. Have fun with it. No pressure.

I agree. A Beka and MFW are completely different kinds/styles of curriculums. You have to decide what style best fits you and your kids before you can decide what to buy. Please note you can have different styles in different subjects, for different kids, and for different ages. For example, we are not a textbook kind of family. We like lots of rich literature. However, some subjects, like math, I feel I need a textbook. My older son needed textbooks for science in high school, but we still added good books. Starting out slowly can really help everyone adjust. (And believe me, it is an adjustment. Our oldest came home after 6th grade.) But finding that right style can help. Placement is key, in any subject, esp if the style of teaching is new (as in Singapore). Great choice, but kids gotta learn how to do that style. Same thing with anything new. Lastly, be gentle on yourself. You don't have to have "school at home" by bringing the classroom home with you. Take time to figure out what works for you and for your kids. Nearly all of us can tell you we changed our minds a time or two during our hs journey. ;) Welcome to HS'ing! Enjoy!

Igniting Your Writing Liked it so much I bought level 2. I also bought a HWT copywork book that my younger ds really loves. Knowing how nice it is I'd pay full price. ETA: This was previously, not currently. I have also used a couple of the free lapbooks.

Why not do R&S 6? My oldest ds used R&S through 8. Love it!