I know CLE materials are relatively inexpensive! Just wondering, though, if they ever go on sale or if they are sold cheaper elsewhere. Looking for CLE LA grade 1 and math. Thanks!

Thank you Ellie and Hunter! That is just what I needed to hear. I will stick with the 4th then. And thank you for the advice about the integrated LA in the 5th and 6th! I was wondering about that... :)

I'm slowly learning the Spalding method here, and I have the 4th edition of the WRTR. I checked out the 5th ed from the library, and I liked how it fleshed out a few sections (handwriting, presenting phonograms, and even the Ayres list seemed more complete). I was thinking of actually getting it, cutting off the spines, and combining the two manuals (am I crazy?!). But I haven't been able to look at the 6th edition. What is the benefit of the 6th?? Ellie? Hunter? Anyone? Thank you!!!! :)

Oh sorry, Chris in VA - just saw you used Phonics Pathways...

Thank you ladies! Chris in VA -- I've been trying to do some of the Montessori already (which has helped her learn the CVC words) but I'm not sure if I should buy a Language album or really how to progress. Have you found an inexpensive album to use? Or did you buy one? Or use some of the online ones and wing it as you've gone along?

My almost 5 yr old knows her letter sounds and can sound out some CVC words. She HATES writing, though. Looking for a fun, hands-on phonics program with little writing and appropriate for her age/level! TIA!

Ditto! I'm doing MFW 1st and I'm wondering the same thing! We also started WWE though, so we're getting the narration, copy work, and some comprehension questions that way....so I'm thinking it would be an overkill...but I love the book lists!

For math: add in Cuisenaire rods with www.educationunboxed.com videos to the MM1. That adds a kinesthetic, creative component to an abstract subject... (and play the games!) I find that adding in math journaling helps as well, like drawing out word problems on paper..assuming of course she likes to draw! And if she does, try using "Draw, Write, Now" books for handwriting. For phonics, add in phonics games to practice new phonograms - (Peggy Kaye's games for reading, or the games in Happy Phonics). My DD (now in 1st grade) is exactly the same as yours. Does she like music? Singing? Utilize learning through songs to the max -- learning number bonds through songs, geography to songs, etc ( http://www.amazon.com/Geography-Songs/dp/B002CB3KPM_ Make things. If you're studying animal habitats, make a diorama for your hibernating creatures with a shoe box and toys and construction paper. Check out Pinterest for tons of ideas related to a certain topic. I also agree with Five in a Row being super fun and hands-on for learning through literature! Of course, add in tons of crafts if she's into that! :) HTH!

We used the outdoor challenge hour and colored in the aster, goldenrod and chrysanthemum clip art and cut and paste them into her nature journal page. On our walk to the library, we saw a purple aster, so I had DD now 6, write "Today I saw a purple aster." And added it next to her clip art on the nature journal.

Have you thought about adding in artist and music composer studies? Even if the workbooks aren't pretty, maybe add color and beauty on the table, on the walls where you do school? And add in more fun art projects throughout the day? Play classical music in the background while you work? Schedule in creativity times? Invite dc to pick a topic they want to study and set aside time each day for that?

Thank you so much ladies! This is why I love this board!!! I'm going to hold off on Apples and Pears for now and do informal spelling work. I appreciate everyone's responses! :)

My DD can read very basic sentences but spells phonetically when she writes. We are going through MFW 1st and itts phonics program is nice, but it doesn't focus too much on spelling. Should I just not worry about her spelling until the phonics lessons have been completed, or can I add in Apples and Pears (or AAS) now? Or would that be overkill? I know PS 1st graders learn 5 spelling words a week, while doing phonics. Not necessarily comparing, but trying to figure out what I should be doing! Thanks in advance!!!!

Sorry to jump in, but should you do phonics first before spelling? (I also have a 1st grader and was just curious) Or do you do both at the same time?

Angela at Satori Smiles has put together an amazing resource for the Burgess Bird Book: http://satorismiles.com/2010/03/08/burgess-bird-book-companion/

X-post, just wondering where this awesome site went. I had it bookmarked for 1st grade math journaling -- and it's gone! Anyone happen to know its new address or happen to have printed it out already? TIA!!!

Bumping this old thread: where did www.calicocookie.com go?! Man, it was up just a few months ago! I bookmarked it for math journaling for 1st grade. It had the BEST prompts. Anyone have this printed out by chance???

I'm an easy sell but your reasoning sounds great to me!!! Gonna take the plunge! :) thanks!

I looked at MM last year and thought, it's just way too cluttered for my DD. I just checked into again and it seemed to be more visually pleasing. Did she revamp it?? Now I'm tempted to buy it before the sale ends.....

Here's an easy way to memorize them: (Sung to "Row, row, row, your boat") 9 and 1 are number bonds, 8 and 2 are friends 7 and 3 6 and 4 5 and 5 are twins!

As everyone else said, about 1-2 hours. MFW 1st does ramp up quickly, so don't be fooled in the beginning, which is all review. And the add-ins others suggested are great. Also, there's a FB group for MFW 1st users -- check it out. There's a lot of newbies on there asking great questions and sharing great ideas! :) https://www.facebook.com/groups/204625096257719/

Thank you so much. It sounds lovely - gentle, but focused and a lot of free time to explore, create and play. May I ask which math program you used?

Thank you, 8FillTheHeart! Would you mind sharing what a typical day and week looks like for a 6 yr old 1st grader?

For 8Fills: I read an awesome thread today you wrote a few years back about writing and how you plan your homeschool day, writing plans in 6-7 weeks blocks at a time. I would love to know details, a sample if you will, of how you'd do it for the younger K-2 set. I know you mentioned you are more flexible with this age group and focus mostly on the 3Rs. But for copywork -- do you schedule it like WWE? How do you schedule it? Do you expect narrations as well? And what kind of planner do you use? Thank you in advance!!!! Jane

Or this one, as Walking-Iris is using: http://www.amazon.com/Using-Caldecotts-Across-Curriculum-Grades/dp/0590110330

Can I ask how you ordered the sheets? By day's worth of subjects, or by chunks of subjects?