Could anyone tell me if there is a difference in buying all the separate levels of How to Teach Spelling or the one book that says it is for K-adult? I just can't tell if they are the same or not? Plus there are also Teachers Keys and not sure if those are also in the bigger book that is around $32? Thanks!!

I would like to use MCT for my 3 children, ages 6, 8, and 11 (ages they will be when we start). We will be moving overseas so I need to plan ahead for how long the levels may take. We will be gone 2-3 years, but can have visitors bring things along if we get too far ahead. With these ages, would you recommend buying all 3 levels at the beginning? And, do most of you recommend the basic set or the complete set and why? It looks like the basic set has some teachers guides missing, are they essential? Thanks!!

The roll up idea is great! Or maybe getting two of the 2x3's??

Hi- Just wondering the smallest size white board you think would work well for AAS (we would be starting at level 1 but working through them all). We need to pack everything in boxes or suitcases as we are moving out of the country, so I am not able to get a big one and wondered if this would preclude us from using AAS??

Is there any way to do the placement test without first buying the whole program??

ElizabethB- I like the idea of using Webster's Speller, but when looking through it at donpotter.net, I guess I have a hard time understanding how I will actually implement it with my 5 year old! Any suggestions or tips you could give would be great!! I would also like to use it with my 7 year old who reads well, but I notice she sometimes guesses with longer words. Thanks!

Thanks Tina. I know I have asked you questions about PR before, but things are starting to get muddled. In looking to choose a program for my 3 kids who will be coming out of public school, how would I compare AAS and PR? The kids will be in K, 2 and 5. The older 2 are strong readers and good spellers. The youngest does not read yet but can write his letters. Would I choose one program for the older kids and something different for the younger?

Please forgive this dumb questions... but what programs out there actually use the Spalding method? Looking for something for grades K, 2, and 5. Thanks!!

You could also check out My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures.

Thanks for the input on the HIG's. Looks like I will plan to get them for 2 and up, and look into it a bit more for 1. Also, at what level do you all recommend starting the IP and CWP? Cost was mentioned earlier... is the Singapore site the best price for ordering the Standard version?

Would you recommend the HIG for all levels? Or at what level would you say it becomes more necessary? I will be starting Singapore with a K, 2nd, and 5th grader. thanks1

applesing- could you tell me why you need to also add PLL/ILL? I don't know a ton about them, but just wondering what parts you feel they supplement? And Spelling Power, would that work for an 8 and 11 year old? How does it work and about how long does it take per day/week? I guess I would then need something different for my 5.5 year old right? thanks so much for your suggestions...this is really helping a newbie get things figured out!

Kuovonne- Thanks a TON! I have never seen MCT in real life but for some reason just think I will love it. Who knows! But this sounds like a great plan to me. My oldest is a natural speller. I think the middle is leaning that way also, but the youngest just turned 5 and does not read yet. I know I need a phonics/spelling program for him, so am thinking I can combine the older 2 with MCT and Bravewriter and then need something separate for the youngest. If you were going to use MCT and BW, any other additions you would make? I am nervous they are going to miss something if we don't do WWE and FLL! :tongue_smilie:

If the Brave Writer style appeals to me, does anyone have any thoughts/ideas on what curriculums I might pair it with? I need it all (vocab/spelling/grammar, etc) This would be for my 8 and 11 year olds, both coming out of PS. I also need to figure out where to start with my 5 year old who will have done half a year of public K. Thanks!!

This looks like fun! I have never used CurrClick before and am wondering if someone could explain how the product would work on PDF vs the actual book? I assume the book is color pages? Do you print every page and bind it, and if so, does that save any cost over just buying the book?

I sure wish I would have bought it when it was 40% off last time. Does it usually get back to that each time? And with it being a download, does that just come in a PDF? I am guessing I could then load it to my Kindle to read? Is there anything that you would print or is it just reading material? I am going to at least start here and see where it leads me. Thanks so much for all the input.

thanks Nancy Ann...we were writing at the same time but that was very helpful!! I have not heard of Spelling Wisdom so I will check that out!

I want to incite a love of language! They already love to read, and one of them loves to write. My husband is a great writer and I have always felt like my writing is boring! I want them to be able to write compelling, articulate thoughts on paper. I want it to be fun but without sacrificing content and learning. Basically a rigorous but enjoyable program. Is that out there!? I have kept a list of all the LA products/curriculums that look appealing for one reason or another, and I have at least 30 on my list and don't know what to choose. BW and MCT look great, and then on the complete opposite side I wonder about FLL/WWE and Phonics Road! I have no idea how to figure out their "placements" in writing, so I also get stuck with trying to figure out how to jump in in the middle of a curriculum and not repeating what they might already know, but not jumping too far ahead and creating gaps. Well, that was a lot of rambling, (see, told you I am not a good writer!) but if you have any thoughts or guidance I would love it!

So, if I were to use the BraveWriter techniques, any suggestions for which curriculum I would apply them to? I don't think I am ready to just wing it!

Thanks for sharing that. I have never homeschooled before and haven't been able to look at any curriculum yet, but this one is calling to me! If I were to use it with my 8 and 11 year olds coming out of public school, do you think this is all I would use for writing, or would I add something else as well? I am also intrigued by MCT and not sure if they could be combined?

Interesting... Did you just get the main Brave Writer book or do you do some of the Wand/Arrow also? I think it all looks great, but tha tis my concern also, what do I actually DO with it, and will it cover my dc writing needs or is it more of a supplement to something else!?

Hi- I noticed Brave Writer is on sale at HSBC. I am just starting to HS my K, 2nd, and 5th dc. I think Brave Writer looks very interesting but I can't quite determine the following... is it a complete writing program? is it appropriate for my older 2, age wise? Any thoughts or opinions from those of you who have used it?? Any general thoughts on choosing LA curriculum would be appreciated also as this is getting out of hand! I have a huge list of possibilities and none are getting crossed off and I just keep adding more to check into! thanks!!

ooh, thanks, that sounds fun!

Thanks for all this infomation! So, I think I will go ahead with Singapore now and plan for one of their middle school programs next. Now to decide...US or Standard Version!??:confused:

what is the difference between NEM and DM?