[Does anyone use Rod and Staff Pathway Readers?]

In the past, we have just used "living books" for our reading curriculum. I am thinking of adding the R&S books to challenge my 4th grader. She is testing at about a 6.5 grade level for comprehension and reading. I really don't know if this program will challenge her, but I love the analysis of the rich vocabulary and the extra comprehension exercises. If I do choose to use this program, should I purchase the 5th or 6th grade books? Any advice would be appreciated! :001_smile:

 

We are currently using R&S 3 with my 8yr old. Her comprehension is at mid 7th grade level. I'm sure she can handle the 4th grade readers but because R&S is so meaty we haven't had her jump up a few grades.

 

She is about half way done with R&S 3. The workbooks go over a lot and this is why I am just having her continue on as is.

 

Blessings,

[I want an "English" workbook for my 4th grader. What do you recommend?]

Climbing to Good English is really good. You can buy them at rod&staffbooks.

 

Christian Light Education is another.

 

I have not seen Easy Grammar but I like the way the workbook looks ;)

 

HTH:001_smile:

[Which beginning reader series is your favorite?]

My dd really enjoys the Christian Light series, my ds like Pathway, I love the R&S Bible Readers.

 

You could use the Bible readers as Bible time and the Christian Light Nature series for Science.

 

They are all good choices and we have enjoyed them all. You can't go wrong with whichever you choose;)

 

Blessings,

[Which beginning reader series is your favorite?]

Sorry I doubled postes some how :)

[What is your favorite spelling?]

I just purchased A Reason for Spelling 3 for my soon to be 5th grader who does not spell well. It looks really good. The TM is a must have with this program.

 

My dd is using R&S Spelling 3. I love this program. If my son wasn't struggling so much I would have had him use R&S too. But since he does I don't want him to think he is "behind" so I use two different spelling programs.

 

Phonics Pathway is another spelling program and I am using it with my 2nd grader.

 

HTH :001_smile:

[It's all over, I'm finally done planning my lessons for next year.]

I'm so excited for you:D I'm still planning:confused:

 

Blessings,

[Math-It]

Thanks ladies. Especially for the tape warning. The place were I was looking didn't mention a tape :nopity:.

 

Sounds like it did help your dc with math. Maybe I'll add this to our "Summer" school ;) If it can help get those math facts down, it will be worth the price:glare:

 

Blessings,

[Math-It]

I have been looking at Math-It. Has anyone used this? Can children at different levels all play at once?

 

Love to hear what you all think:001_smile:

[Happy Phonics Combined with MFW-K]

Hi Linda,

 

a few other ideas.....

 

I can't remember if you have done MFW 1st with any of other your kids, If you have done it and still have the manual, there are some simple reading games in the appendix. Maybe some of those ideas would help too?

 

And remember the Go Fish and Bingo games that are already part of MFW K too. Look on the Day 5 routines in the Yellow Pages.

 

-crystal

 

Thanks Crystal,

 

I do have MFW1st Grade TM. I'll take a look.

Blessings,

[Happy Phonics Combined with MFW-K]

Thanks ladies! I might get it for my 7yr. old. He reads at a K level.

 

 

Blessings,

[Happy Phonics Combined with MFW-K]

Have you tried the "Letter Factory" DVD by Leapfrog to teach letter sounds? They sell this video at Wal-Mart and Target. It cost between $10-$15. My kids learned ALL their letter sound from this video. It was highly suggested to me from a lot of homeschooling parents on another forum. And it worked great!!! (almost too easy) Can your child blend sounds yet? I bought Happy Phonics, but it really requires you child to grasp blending very fast before being able to do anything except the muffin match (matching capital to lower case letters), a letter find sheet and a flip book (that was intended to teach blending). I got very frustrated with the program because the teachers guide wasn't very explicit. I don't need scripted lessons, but I do like a little more guidance than 'do this until you child is proficient'.

If your dc can blend sounds and you are using this as a supplement it would probably be great for you.

 

Sounds like something more for my 7yr. old than my 5.5 year old. He is not blending yet.

 

I wish there were samples of Happy Phonics.

 

Thanks, very helpful:D

[Serl's vs Queen Homeschool]

It's late right now but I'll try to comment some on Queen's. We have recently purchased Language Lesson for the Elementary Child 1 & 2.

 

The first lesson starts with a picture study (in color). You answer some questions. Lesson 2, they are to write a story about the picture. Lesson 3 is Observation & Narration about the picture. Lessons 4-15 is copywork. 16 is observation & Narration about the poem that the child copied.

 

From there the child learns about different kinds of poem, moving on to subject & predicate, complete & incomplete sentences, more grammar & letter writing. Continues with another picture study etc.

 

I have read that Sandy Queen was inspired by Serl's when she made her Language Lessons.

 

The younger volumes include Phonics. The phonics IMHO is kind of choppy but good for review.

 

We also own PLL & ILL but it's late and I still need to finish my laundry. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask or pm me:001_smile:

[Happy Phonics Combined with MFW-K]

It really has some fun little games. My 2nd son is not one to sit in front of the phonics book so I've had to use these for him and it helps a lot to keep him interested. I think it was a good purchase for me - I only have 4 though, so not sure how workable it is with 6! :)

 

 

Thanks! I just might get it:D

 

We were answering each other's threads almost at the same time:001_smile:

[anybody else still trying to figure out next year?]

I am. I thought I had it all figured out. I even bought everything early, only to find HOD and now I'm back to square one:confused:. I should just stick with MFW this year since I have it.

 

I'm also still trying to figure out Phonics for my 5.5 yr old. I have tons of phonics programs but he needs something more hands on. I'm looking into Happy Phonics.

 

For my oldest I think I have the 3R's down. Annette, Caleb & Brent I'm up in the air still. Yikes! I'll probably use a mix of R&S and WTM:confused1:. Although Brent will use The Reading Lesson through out the Summer and than start MFW-1st Grade in the Fall. Can you tell I'm so confused:001_unsure:

 

Well, I'm glad I'm not alone :001_rolleyes:

[Happy Phonics Combined with MFW-K]

I am currently using MFW-K with my 5.5yr. old. I was wondering if anyone has used Happy Phonics. I am thinking about combining this with MFWK or to use on it's own. Ethan is slowly learning his sounds but I think he needs more games/fun while learning. I'm not very creative in this area.

 

Any information about this would be helpful. Is it Homeschooling mom of 6 friendly:D

 

Thank you,

[How do I enforce the one cup rule?]

I haven't read all the answers so sorry if this is a repeat;). What we do is, I have a tray that stays on the counter. For that day all cups stay on the tray. Each child has his own color cup. They are not allowed to drink anything outside the kitchen. So when they take a sip the cup goes back on the tray.

 

Hope this helps:D