I would not mark them in readers. I would just point to them and remind him that they work together to make a sound and help him sound it. We are in foundations C and that is what I do with my son if he forgets.

This was a concern of mine with my 4 year old but it does not have to be done together so it's not holding anyone back. The program offers many ideas for those who are not ready for writing. My 4 year old is not ready to write. I plan on using magnet letters, "air writing" or whatever works for him.

I have never used AAR so I can't speak for it. I have 3 boys and my oldest is in 1st grade. We have been beta testing it and are halfway through C. He was already writing manuscript so we just stuck with that and I plan to start cursive in 2nd when we start Essentials. I have a 4 year old begging to do school and I've held off for now but I just printed out A to gently start him in the next couple of months. I plan on starting him with cursive because it just seems easier. We haven't had much trouble with reversals but we do occasionally so I think the cursive will help with that. My oldest loves LOE. We can pick and choose how much we do in the lesson each day and he loves the games. The games are great for energetic boys :) I hate coming up with ideas on my own and this completely does it for me. There was a time that I looked at AAR but it did look to have more cut and paste, color type stuff and that just doesn't work well with my oldest. I hope that helped some.

Thank you so much!

Last year I found a "quick start" guide to getting started. I think it was from someone here on the boards. I've looked on the yahoo group but there are a lot of broken links. Does anyone have a copy? Thanks

We are starting next year. Is there anything we can read to catch us up to where Cycle 2 will start in regards to history? I'm sure it will be fine but I hate not starting at the beginning :) I'm looking for more "living book suggestions."

We have been beta testing LOE for a while. I really love it but I wish it was already finished. I'm really considering returning to OPGTTR but they are so opposite. I think the biggest thing for me with LOE is that it's not finished and I can't picture where we are going and what comes next. Any advice from those who have dropped it? Has anyone gone from this way of teaching (all phonogram sounds, marking words) to something completely different? For those that love it, could you tell me your plans for after foundations?

Thanks for the replies, I am thinking I should go back to blogger. I actually like the looks of Wordpress more but blogger does seem easier.

Blogspot or Wordpress? Why? I've recently changed over to Wordpress but I'm not convinced I like it.

I could be wrong but I think there are more spelling lists on the website. I also read on her blog that she was going to start posting more spelling lists.

Sometimes they are just rough housing but most of the time they are mad and really fighting. I've tried separating them and role playing with them but it never seems to work. I usually step in when someone starts crying. I was hoping to find a solution before the little one was old enough to join in.

I have 3 boys ages 5, almost 3 and 1. The 5 year old and 3 year old fight constantly. I'm seriously not exaggerating, CONSTANTLY. They play together and love on each but 5 minutes later they hit, bite, spit, throw things, etc. is this normal brother behavior? I've had people tell me to ignore them unless one is bleeding but that doesn't seem right. They give me a headache daily. I know that I'm inconsistent with disciplining them but I have no idea what to do. Any advice?

I am going through foundations now with my son (5.5). I'm not sure what we are going to do afterwards. I think we may go slowly through essentials next.

We were also using OPGTTR and have decided to switch.

My son is also writing in manuscript and is reading CVC words and 2 consonant blends. I bought it last night and have looked at it some today and I think he will get a lot from it. We were using OPGTTR and we just finished lesson 63 if that helps.

Thanks, I did buy a Beta testing spot. I was all set to go with SWR and just bought it and then my finger just hit the purchase button for Beta testing :lol:

I've already searched and read a few threads on comparing the two several months ago. Can anyone offer anything new about these two programs?

Thanks

Does anyone else have trouble with the gray blocks? My son does really good writing his letters and numbers in the book. If he is writing on paper he wants to know where the boxes are at and he messes up. The boxes seem to be a crutch for him and I'm not sure if that is normal and will get better with time.

I need suggestions for games that a 3 year old can plan. My 5 year old is just starting to get into games and I would like to get a couple that maybe my 3 year old could join in on. Thanks

I ordered it for my 5 year old and we are really having to beef it up. If I decide to keep it I would use it when my DS#2 is 4. I have had to add in math, phonics so really we are using it for bible and activities.

We were just doing the 3 R's on our own but I felt like something was missing and decided to go with MFW K. I LOVE it and I've tried to make it work but my son doesn't like it at. He is just not a crafty little boy. He is ahead of the phonics and math so I was taking that out anyway which just left us with the bible portion, reading and activities. I know I need to just sell it and move along. Is it always this hard to get rid of something you love :)

I bought it and only printed out a few things at a time. My son hated the repetition.

We went out for breakfast

Any advice for someone just starting out? I'm not very good with a computer but would really like to start blogging about our homeschool journey. I've had a family blog on blogspot for a few years but rarely post. I can never figure out layouts and if I tried to add a picture it would mess things up.