We're not required to test either which is why I do not supplement. If you complete MUS all the way through, child will have all they need just not in the same order or spiral approach. For example, my 3rd grader just finished Gamma and was doing problems like 7124 x 436. Every other program I've looked at did not get this far with multiplication in 3rd grade. Next year he moves on to division and will master it as well. Hope this helps!

Don't you just love that feeling!!! Both my older boys struggled reading as well. My 1st grader has been slow and steady all year and just the other day read a Frog and Toad book to me like it was nothing. It boosted his confidence so much that he jumped for joy! In both cases with my boys, it was like a light bulb turned on and it became so much easier for them. I used 2 different programs and the same thing happened. When they are ready, it just happens as long as you keep going at their pace.

I will also add it's not necessary to supplement if you are not required in your state to do standardized testing. You master each concept one at a time so a 3rd grader would not have been introduced to division until 4th grade if you follow 1 book per year. If you do testing, than you probably should supplement or follow common core to at least make sure they know what they are seeing on test. However, I think MUS' newest versions are starting to line up with common core. Not sure I agree with that decision and not sure how it's going to affect the program. We've only completed through Gamma, so I'm curious how our newer versions are going to be.

My ds 9 started vision therapy for convergence insufficiency and has had 5 one hour sessions so far. Today they did a followup evaluation to see his progress and to fine tune his homework. I must say how excited I am of his progress and never expected it to happen so quickly! :hurray: He has improved 2 grade levels with visual-motor integration, completely got rid of moro reflex, and is now able to converge his eyes. Now we are working on eye teaming skills and I couldn't be more impressed. What I've noticed at home after only a month of therapy is he went from reading 5 pages in a chapter book to 16 ON HIS OWN!!!!! He says the headaches are gone after reading and it doesn't seem to be a struggle anymore. Also, we were weeks in multi digit multiplication and we both were about to pull our hair out. He understood the process but kept making careless mistakes, especially with carrying. He would carry in the wrong space. Now it's completely gone. He is able to stay on track and get the correct answers. Hallelujah! This same child was diagnosed with slow processing speed, low working memory but no disability diagnosis except "learning disorder non specific". The mom in me wonders how much of this will go away after his eyes are corrected!! I was the one who pursued the vision therapist because I had a gut feeling something else had to be going on. I know it may only be a piece of the puzzle, but if it's a huge chunk, maybe the other issues won't seem so bad and will be manageable. Just wanted to share a success story and say Praise God!!!

In love!

Definitely Letter Factory!

I plan to start Learning Language Arts through Literature (LLATL) next year for that very reason. Also, no I don't think it matters if you're going at child's pace and he is learning! Better he knows it then rush through it just to say you finished.

I didn't mean for my post to sound like it wasn't doable. My son was just overwhelmed with 25 words everyday in 2nd grade. He was not a writer...allergic to the pencil. :tongue_smilie: So I should clarify that it was the amount of writing and not the words that were overwhelming for my ds. We also did not do it everyday, hence why we are so behind. I will say now in 3rd grade he is breezing through level 1 and we will finally finish it and move on to level 2. Sometimes it's just a matter of waiting until they're ready. I prefer no tears everyday if I can help it!

It does say grade 2 which is the time I started it. However, that is why we're still in level 1 in grade 3. It was too much!

My 3rd grader only did 2 books a year in ETC. So he just finished 7-8 this year. We do SS along with it. I look at them as two different programs (spelling and phonics). Also, I agree with poster above that you don't have to do level 1 all in one year. We take it slow and steady because that is how my ds needs to be taught. He loves SS! I prefer AAS and still make him learn the phonograms with that program.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by writing ability? I'm in the process of starting this with my soon to be 2nd grader. I assumed I would put him in Red because of his reading ability. You've intrigued me!

I think God leads us to homeschool for our kids sake and our own. I feel like God is bringing out all my faults and helping me grow as a mother and a person through homeschooling. HE can accomplish both simultaneously!

I really don't time anything. I just plan our year and break it down in weeks. So we do what we planned for the day and then he is free to run and play with his bothers. His curriculum is in my signature.

My ds just turned 7 and is in 1st grade. He has completed 100 EZ lessons, Reading Eggs, and is about done with AAS 1. He still struggles with fluency and wants to sound everything out. I really thought he would be further along than he is but he is making progress. So do I chalk it up to developmental or should I add another reading program? If so, which one?

I know! My thoughts exactly! However I like how it takes a book and ties all the subjects together and I need that. So thinking its worth it and I can fill in my child's gaps wherever. It really is a gentle program that allows time to do so.

Charleston SC is full of history. http://www.patriotspoint.org/ https://www.middletonplace.org/ http://southcarolinaparks.com/ctl/introduction.aspx http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/ That is just a few off the top of my head but it goes on and on. Don't miss just walking around downtown King Street and going through the market. You can also take carriage rides that tell you a lot of history. Columbia, SC is the capital. There is an awesome zoo, Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens. State Museum is great as well.

Thank you. My main worry was grammar and writing. I also want to continue with AAS.

I would like to use this program next year with my ds because I was given this free and I like the gentle approach. However, I notice a lot of people supplement. I would like to know what specific subjects you supplement and what you use to keep it all manageable. Thanks in advance!

They are terrible. Listened one time and put it away. I love the Classical Conversations skip counting.

They are terrible. Listened one time and put it away. I love the Classical Conversations skip counting.

I just looked at EFTRU and sounds like exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you!

Any thoughts on Classical Roots? Also I was considering LLATL next year and it includes vocabulary but not sure how much. I need something straightforward with teacher helps.

What vocabulary do you recommend for a rising 4th grader who hasn't done a formal vocabulary curriculum before?

Just to be clear, you cannot enter your own words in the app.

Yes, if learning about the oa phonogram in AAS, then I can use the app list of those words. The list is organized by phonograms. Then I have ds write the words/phrases from AAS. The app is just another reinforcement without using tiles.