We use Xtra Math every day. It's free! It's like flashcards on the computer so it's not super duper fun like Rocket Math, but since it is on the computer it adds a little variety. It's also quick and targets only a few facts at a time. My DS despised the flashcards, but does the Xtra Math because he knows it will be over quickly. It also tracks his progress, which he really likes, and it gives him a score.

What a great idea! It seems easy enough to create. Have you suggested that to AAS?

I'm in Florida as well. I have to send mine to the school board office. They might have a list of evaluators available for you in the district office. Do you have a homeschool liaison in your district? Student Services office? If you are comfortable telling me what area of Florida you live in I might be able to help out a little more. I know teachers in 4 different parts of the state. If they can't help you they could probably tell you who could! There is a form on my district's website to download. It's not much of an evaluation really. Just a signature from the teacher (and certification #) stating the child is progressing. Good luck!

Ooooh. I'm just starting the first book. Where have I been? I don't want to read this thread because I don't want to read any spoilers!

We've not only BTDT, we're doing it now. My 6DS had them first. He's always had skin issues with eczema and various rashes so I didn't take him to the dr. right away. When I finally did, my 2 boys had been bathing together and rubbing their shirtless bellies together as boys will do. The little one didn't get it. Wouldn't you know, as soon as the DS6 cleared up DS4 got it! UGH! I've lost track of how long these critters have been living in our house. DS4 is spreading ummmm....lower and into dark, damp areas if you KWIM! I'm sure that's not a good thing, but if anyone knows of a way to get a 4YO to stop checking things out, let me know! PLEASE!! :tongue_smilie:

Thanks for sharing the comparisons. That really puts in perspective for me. It's great to see the progress the kids make in such a short amount of time. I'm sure that really helps mom on the days you feel like you are just spinning your wheels.

Absolutely! It helps tremendously actually. It isn't nearly as complex as I thought it was going to be. Keep it simple...keep it fun!

Thank you! This has been very helpful. My Activity Guide is coming this week also so maybe that will help also. I didn't realize there were prompts for the narration in there. I thought it was more of an open-ended thing where every time you read a chapter you ask the child, "What did you learn?" Of course, it would be more specific for the little guys so you don't get an answer of, "Nothing!" every time.:001_smile: Are you interested in only WTM-style narrations? My plan is to start doing it the way the WTM suggests, but tweak if needed. My son hates writing so much, he will probably really enjoy having me do the writing for him!

OK. That doesn't sound too hard! I don't have WWE yet. That should be here this week though. SOTW does seem more challenging. Are your summaries about a paragraph or just one sentence? Would it be appropriate to use different types of graphic organizers (webs, charts, etc.) to help with summaries or are they always written out in sentences? Am I making this much harder than it needs to be? That's what I usually do!

Hi everyone. I'm in the planning stages for first grade right now. Kindergarten was just sort of a go with the flow year for us. I'm looking for a little more structure in first and I just found the WTM book. I've read it, reread it, and then gone back to reread sections again! I love what I have read and I'm so excited to start implementing it all. Now, I think I have all of my ducks in a row, but I'd love to see some examples of narration from first graders. I'm especially interested in narrations that go along with SOTW, but will take anything right now. :001_huh: Anyone have a blog to share or samples of work? Thanks! I'm learning so much from lurking on these boards. I can only imagine how much I'd learn if I came out of hiding more often. :001_smile:

Thanks for the response! I think you answered my question perfectly. Drat! I wish I read TWTM before I went to the convention 2 weeks ago! My shopping list would have been very different. Oh well. Live and learn!

I'm very new here and just learned about AAS through a spelling search. As a former teacher, I am trained in Spalding Phonics and have taught my kiddos the 72 phonograms, but have not gone any further with the program. I suppose I could use it, but I'd definitely need to refresh my own memory before I started teaching the kids. Plus, I like the idea of opening the book and being ready to go for homeschooling. I looked at the scope and sequence for level 1 and saw that the first 26 phonograms (which are taught in a different order than Spalding) are taught in one step. Is one step the same as one lesson? Does AAS teach all the sounds of each of those letters or is /a/ just /a/ like apple? Would I need to order the phonogram cards if I already have the phonograms on cards from SPalding? Thanks for helping out a mom with a spinning head! Kelly