We use A Reason for Handwriting (book C) It has a lot of practice space. We usually learn the new letter first on the whiteboard and then move to the workbook. I have used this curric for several years so I didn't really look into any other ones.

Yes, it is just additional practice. I only do the 1/2 books if my children have struggled through a particular concept. My kids had a hard time with syllable division but by the end of the 1/2 book they had caught on.

I spent right around $330 on curriculum and umbrella school fees for 2 children.

Thanks so much! This really helps! I'll give him the placement test and go from there.

My 3rd grade son has done 3 years of Horizon math. I am switching him to Saxon this fall. Should I put him in the Saxon 3 book or the Intermediate 3 book? What is the difference? Thanks!

Thanks so much for the input! I struggle each year with the decision on whether to switch curriculums.

Thanks for the input! He has completed Spelling Workout A and B. So perhaps I will just stick with that for spelling.

I have a 2nd and 3rd grader. We have used Horizons Math since K. They have done fine with it. They both had very high A averages for the semester. The teacher manuals, though, are very weak and math is not my strong point. Therefore, I'm a little worried about 3rd grade and above as we begin to cover harder concepts. I also feel that Horizons is weak in teaching concepts, mental math, and word problems. I have been researching all the different maths out there. I lean towards Saxon or Math Mammoth. Part of me hesitates to switch because of their success with Horizons thus far and fear that switching to a different curriculum will cause gaps in their math education. I don't want to mess them up!! So should I switch and what should I switch to?!?!?!

My rising 3rd grade son has completed all 8 books of ETC. I am looking at Wordly Wise for the fall. Should I start him in the 3rd grade book or do we need to start in an earlier book since we have not used the curriculum before? Also would it be appropriate to use WW for our spelling curric. as well or do we need something separate?

I started my 2nd grader in the cursive book this semester. You do not need the TM. I bought it and it was a waste of money.

Thanks so much everyone! The audio version is a great idea!

I have a 2nd grader and a 1st grader. We are following WTM as closely as possible. We just can't fit the History (Story of the World) in to our schedule. I've tried every semester and we still haven't made it through Ancients. So am I ruining their education by not doing history? How essential is it in these early years of elementary school? We have been doing some geography to learn map skills, United States facts, etc. Thanks!

Thanks so much everyone! That really helps me. I added up all my curric. costs for the new school year and that also motivated me to just make my own:001_smile:

I have purchased the teacher book and student book. Is the Latin Monkey Match game/flashcards critical to this program. I'm just not sure if its worth $24. Thanks!

If I skip cursive this year, do I still need a formal handwriting curric or would the copy work from WWE and FFL be enough? His handwriting is good, he just gets lazy sometimes!

Thanks so much for everyone's input. I've homeschooled now 2 years and still have no idea what I'm doing! :001_smile: We did a little bit of Writer's Workshop in 1st grade but not a formal curric. The reason I thought I would start with WWE 1 is because I was trying to combine some subjects like Writing, Latin, and Language with his 1st grade sister. I certainly don't won't to hold him back in writing potential if its going to be too easy for him just because I don't want to teach the same subjects again next year with his sister. Should I just start them on different levels? With some subjects like Math they are definitely a grade year apart but I wasn't sure on the Language Arts. I'm now really questioning if we need to start Latin yet and is he too young for cursive? B/C I have friends who do A Beka and started cursive in 1st grade, I felt the need to start this year. We did OPG in his K and 1st grade years. I wondered if we needed a Reading program? What would you suggest? Any Art suggestions?

Will someone please look at my curric. for the fall and let me know if its okay? Am I missing anything? Is this too much? Explode the Code Book 5 First Language Lessons Part 2 Writing With Ease Level 1 A Reason for Handwriting (Cursive) Spelling Workout B Song School Latin Horizons Math Grade 2 Apologia Botany (through co-op) Story of the World Vol. 1 I have a 1st grader as well who is doing the basic framework above, just different levels.

We had not done any of the 1/2 books but we did do 4 1/2 based on my child's score on the ending test in book 4. He struggled as well with dividing syllables.

Thanks so much for the great ideas! I've been pulling my hair out!

My son is in Kindergarten is beginning to read (using OPG). However he is consistently confusing lowercase b and d. Which in turn frustrates him as he reads. How can I help him with this? Thanks!

The umbrella school I am a member of requires that I post grades twice a year. How do you grade Kindergarten? Thanks! Emily

Thanks so much for replying Meagan! With using OPG how quickly were your children reading? I've got this public school timeline in the back of my head and I feel a little pressure to make sure he's reading on a comparable level.

I will begin homeschooling my son (K)this Fall for the first time. I'm really struggling with a phonics program. There are so many out there and I've read a gazillion reviews and still can't decide. I'm very stressed/fearful about teaching a child to read. He loves to be read to and I've read to him a lot since he was a baby. So he's interested and I think really ready to learn. Please help me make this decision! I kind of have my list narrowed down to OPG, 100 Easy Lessons, or Abeka. What is your favorite phonics/reading programs? Thanks in advance for helping this newbie! Emily

I am purchasing HWOT for my son for the fall (kindergarten). Is the teacher's guide necessary? Which of the manipulatives are most needed?