I joined the group and I downloaded the other things, but I didn't see the template. Where is that? Thanks!

My dd (7.5 years) score 5.3. My dd (5.5 years) scored 2.3. I would be interested in how they would do in a reading comprehension test.

My dd has pretty bad printing and has letter reversal problems (She's 7.5). I let her learn cursive about a year ago, and her cursive is beautiful. I was very surprised.

I agree. Look into AAS. It's very easy to use...it's written out for you. You just follow along in the book. We are enjoying it, and I'm already seeing an improvement for my dd.

I 2nd the All About Spelling recommendation! It takes no prep work (after the initial cutting of all the tiles and cards). I started my dd (4th grade in the fall) a few weeks ago after finally admitting that her previous program wasn't working. Yesterday, she spelled a word in the program that she's been struggling with all year. I pointed it out to her, and she said, "This spelling program really works!" I'm also using it for her younger sister (1st grade) at a slower pace. We're really happy with it!!

Do you have an email list or something to let interested people know when it's ready? Thanks!

How do you supplement? Time wise? The Saxon lessons already take my dd a while to complete. However, my husband (a college math professor) wanted our dd to have some more difficult word problems than the ones in Saxon. I'm just not sure how this works time-wise. Thanks! Angela

We've recently switched to AAS after reading the recommendations on this forum. My oldest (dd age 7) has struggled with spelling, so I needed a rules based program to teach her HOW to spell. Our previous program had lists and Friday tests. We're really enjoying it. It's great learning the rules of spelling (many of which I don't know!). My dd loves using the tiles. I love the phrase and sentence dictation at the end of the 'chapters' (actually called 'steps') instead of a test of a set of words. They use words that follow rules used up to that point, so it's great review. And they often use words that aren't part of the focus list because they should be able to spell any word that follows the rules they've learned. The built in review with the dictation and the daily review of the note cards will definitely help us! I've also started my 2nd dd with the program. She has had a strong phonogram based reading program (Sound Beginnings) so this is just a great continuation of that!

Have you looked at All About Spelling? It's a strong phonics and rule based program. It's not independent for the child, but it only requires about 15 minutes per day. There's no daily prep. The only set up work is at the very beginning when you have to cut apart all the tiles and cards. It has review built into the program. I've recently switched to this after using a workbook program unsucessfully.

Workbook, TM, Slateboard, Chalkboard with lines, Gray Block paper, Big Sheet Draw and Write Paper, Wide Double Line Notebook Paper, etc, etc??? Thanks!

AAS is All About Spelling. It's 'test' (though they don't call it that...it's just the end of chapter exercise) is to dictate sentences using words from all the rules they've learned so far. WWE is Writing with Ease...The new writing program by Susan Wise Bauer.

I thought that I read in their recent newsletter that AAS 4 would be out this summer ??? But, I've deleted the email.

I am interested in this program, too. We're just starting to use TWTM and have never done dictation before. I just started AAS with my 3rd/4th grader after deciding that our old program just wasn't working for her. I'm waiting to see the new WWE that I've preordered, though. I want to see how much dictation is included in there.

This is not a workbook program, but it easy to use! It has a scripted book to guide you through the lessons with your dc teaching phonograms, spelling rules, spelling words with tiles and then writing them and 'testing' at the end of the chapter with dictation sentences. Both my dd and I love it! It's non-consumable, so you can use it with any younger dc when they are old enough.

I vote for AAS (of course, I've never tried most of these other programs, so I can't compare). We've just started using this program, but I love it! My kids love it, too! I love that it teaches phonograms and rules, so it teaches them how to spell more than just 10-15 words per week. For instance, when it's teaching you the rule about using 'k' or 'c' at the beginning of a word, they practice words that use both, instead of a whole list of words that begin with only a 'k.' so they have to learn to apply the rule. The end of the "chapter" review/practice (kinda like the test), is about 8-10 sentences that you dictate to you dc. They include some of the focus words of the chapter, but also other words that use the rule for that chapter and words from previous lessons. My dc love using the magnets on the board and love not having a workbook.

My dd has been using Saxon 54 this year with the DIVE CD. I could've taught her the concepts at this level easily, but the DIVE cd made her independent. She can start it on the computer, listen to the lesson and take notes, and then do her lesson problems all on her own. She occasionally has a question on a problem here and there, but she pretty much has done math on her own this year! It's been great and has freed up time for me to work with her younger siblings.

I'm also very excited about it! I went to the website today just to view the samples--again! And, I was hoping read about some update about the release date, even though I know I'll get an email as soon as it's available :)

I am looking into this vocab program. I noticed that they have a student workbook, a teacher's manual, and a test book for each level. Do you need all 3? Thanks!

I was actually looking at HWT. I've heard of it, but that's all. They have lots of manipulative-type things...wooden blocks, chalk boards, sponges, etc. Do you really need all of that for the program? I don't want to spend a bunch of money.

My ds (3rd child) is 3.5-years-old. Watching his sisters, he started teaching himself how to write. He taught himself how to write his name. I would NEVER think of starting writing instruction so early, but he's really interested, and I'm a little worried that he's developing bad letter formation habits. Any recommendations?

Do your dc do their copywork on looseleaf paper or a special book or notebook? Thanks!

We started DWC a couple of months ago, and I got my kids (ages 7.5 and 5.5) a bunch of Crayola markers for their projects. In only 2 months, the markers are already drying out because they've used them so much! Are there some markers that last longer? Are the Prismacolor art products worth the price? Thanks!

Do you have a place where you buy graph paper in bulk? At Walmart, they only sell a small pack (about 25-50 sheets, I guess). I saw in the Saxon Test book that they had a graph paper page set up for the textbook problems that could be copied. But, I don't really want to use that much printer ink.

We started using Drawing with Children a few months ago. At first, I was a little disappointed looking through the book. I was expecting more explicit instructions to give my kids. But, I decided to give it a try anyway. Things are going very well now, and my kids (ages 7.5 years and 5.5 years) love to draw. I think it helped my oldest especially when I did a drawing. We were doing the chapter on contour drawings. We did the Level 1 drawing of Leo the Lion, which wasn't too exciting. Then, we did the Level 2 drawing of the birds. I decided to make a drawing using 3 different birds. I wanted to show her how to use the whole paper. I had to show her how I planned my drawing...how my drawing had a purpose. I made a drawing using one bird to represent my husband at the top of the page, a different bird for me at the bottom, and 4 in the middle on different limbs for each of the kids. Then, I used different colors (different pinks and purples for the girls, browns and blue for the boys) to color all the birds. I showed her how to take her time, so that she would be really proud of her drawing. I showed her how to not leave any white space. And, I think the most important thing is that I hang up the drawings in the house. I scan them and put the on my blog. I really like the introduction in the book that emphasizes our attitudes about our drawing abilities. I try to stay positive. I help them think of ways they can use their 'mistakes' in the drawings. I show them pictures in the book of the other kids drawings of what we're trying, so that they can see that they all turn out differently. Anyway, we've had a good experience so far. You can look here on my blog to see some of their work: http://angelaarcara.blogspot.com/search/label/artwork (Note: the 2nd post is about sidewalk chalk, which doesn't apply here. Just continue to scroll down past that to see some bird drawings.)

I was inspired to ask about this from the other spelling post today, but I didn't want to steal her thread. I hope no one minds the somewhat repeat post. My dd, finishing 3rd grade, is not a natural speller, but I'm not sure whether or not to be concerned about it. She usually makes an 'A' on her weekly spelling tests, but she may ask me a week later how to spell a word that was on that test. And, the review week after every 8 lessons can be VERY painful!! We are currently using a Catholic spelling program which does not seem to be that great on teaching spelling rules. I don't know whether or not I should stay the course, hoping that she'll retain more with time and just accept that she's not an exceptional speller, or if I should look for another program. Any ideas?