I don't really want to get into the intervention debate except to agree that 5 is young. I've always chosen a love of language and literature as a priority over learning to read. But i do want to encourage you that it may not be difficult in the future! Every child really does learn according to their own schedule and in their own way.

My daughter was almost 8 before the magical "click" happened. She jumped over 4 grade levels in less than a month. I was freaking out! But my frustration definitely made things worse so I kept reassuring myself that my goal was a love of learning and a love of literature. I read to her and we just kept it fun. Easier said than done, I know!

It's been a good fit here too. My kids do best with a spiral approach, but CLE doesn't have as much overkill as Saxon. And the story problems may be the best part of the day. Even my high schooler keeps her ears open to hear the younger kids story problems!

I've had great luck selling on homeschoolclassified.

My daughters sound a lot like yours! We start with a morning basket at breakfast. This has nature readers, geography, picture studies, and literature. Then we pound out a little math and language arts. When it's not their turn to work with me, they get an iPad turn to do educational stuff (15 min.). After that, I release them to art heaven. They can work on whatever they want. I sneak in the Magic School Bus science schedule someone posted and SOTW activities. (We listen to the disc in the car.). They have no idea that this is school work. Magic school bus has been a huge hit here.

We pay $85/mo and have to commit to a year at a time. Unfortunately, over the last year they have dropped from offering 6 classes a week to 3. It makes it hard to get there and not really affordable for once a week.

Here it is. We've actually started this and everyone is loving it. I can be as simple or enthusiastic as the week dictates. https://wateronthefloor.wordpress.com/free-curriculum/magic-school-bus-science/

Amazon Rainbow resource Homeschoolclassified Christianbook Direct from publisher

I'm in!

Bumping this post because I'm looking for the same thing.

Hugs! The baseline is scary. I'm having a glass of wine with you ;)

For my younger crowd, Bilibos have been used constantly. A bunch of kids got them as Easter baskets one year and they get used for everything. From doll cradles to hot lava stepping stones to sleds.

Art is hands down our biggest expense. We probably spend thousands for our 3 kids. But the classes are there favorite social activity and they live and breathe art. We cut expenses elsewhere.

I want to thank you for providing fodder for a wonderful discussion with my 13 year old. Her initial response was that this was not ok because the communication with the parents should be better as a matter of respect for all the hard work we do getting our kids places this is a girl that recognizes that her theater rehearsals are killing me :). When I asked if she had heard of grooming her eyes got wide. Her answer, "Someone needs to speak to his supervisor. I'll bet he's innocent, but he's kinda making himself look guilty!" I loved how her first response wasn't looking for red flags, but she quickly was able to look at the bigger picture.

We are liking Reading Horizons. It works out to around $15/mo for my two girls. I really needed to step back a little from her instruction as neither of us were being patient enough.