Is this too much? I still have no idea what I'm doing...haha! ***First grade*** Sonlight core A (only adding catechism to bible portion) First Language Lessons 1 Writing With Ease 1 All About Spelling 1 Reader Schedule based on reading level Singapore Math (continuing with where she is at the time) Sonlight Science A Artistic Pursuits 1 Would it be too much to add in a 3 day/week state study? (ETA I meant study our state!) Am I missing anything? Suggestions? Advice?

I only have a kindergartener, but I'm a late starter...we aren't even awake until 8:30 or 9 some days. It's wonderful! I don't intend to change unless it stops working. :tongue_smilie:

Thankyouverymuch!

If I do First language lessons 1 and writing WTH ease 1 do I need a spelling program like all about spelling?

I found FLL vol 1 and 2 combined into one book at a used bookstore. Is there any difference between the Older and newer editions or the editions with vol 1 and vol 2 separated?

I agree and didnt read them to my dd, but I feel like they limit my thinking! That's obviously what Carrie had in mind as the key for all the boxes for the day (at least in the lower levels I have) and of you deviate from that specific key idea then everything is "messed" up for the day. It's a great idea and well planned and thoughtful curriculum but it's not for us pretty much bc it limits our thinking. I was originally drawn to it because of her reformed theology and strong biblical centered ness, but after using the curriculum i don't want such a "bossy" curriculum. That's just my opinion. :) I'm a certified teacher and I know Carrie was also. Her curriculum is very academic, although gentle, and very thorough and rigorous! I love the idea, but in my homeschool I don't want or need a bossy curriculum. I just wanted to clarify my previous statement.

Right now my plan is to use sonlight core A. I know some say it's disjointed in core a but I don't care bc it gets us reading and learning about cultures which is exactly what we want for first grade. I've started buying the SL books used and im about $70 in and half way done. :) SL core A FIrst language lessons 1 Writing with ease 1 Singapore math 1b/2a (just where we "should" be in the fall) Reading on level from the library Maybe handwriting but probably not And maybe all about spelling 1 (not sure yet) SL science A

I love this board! So active and respectful!

HOD didn't work for us bc my dd was too advanced for the math and below in history. As she gets older, I can see her not completely fitting into one guide...I might need to use two guides for many years and to me that kind of defeats the purpose of open and go. The solution that HOD gives for most problems, is to buy the next or lower guide. I also am not fond of the key idea statements. Instead of allowing my kids to form their own ideas and opinions, the author is telling me exactly what they should learn and exactly what I should teach. That is a lot like public school (I'm a currently certified teacher) and definitely not the direction I want to go for my homeschool. HOD is a great program and well thought out, but it just did not fit our family.

Definitely agree. When we start deciding who is "fit to homeschool" and who isn't we begin to take away parental rights.

Oh! So you have to get LA even with lower cores? What if I buy the IG individually? I'm buying all the core A books used...piecing the core together so it's less expensive.

Are these "compatible"? I'll be using SL core A for 1st grade. Thanks!

I wanted to chime in...I've never used BFIAR, but I have used WFA. I started it when my dd was 3.5 years old. She liked it but it fell by the wayside and we just played instead. I have picked it up again this year to use along with sonlight p4/5 for kindergarten. She understands and really GETS the books and why we are doing the crafts. I love it for kindergarten! And it might have been great when she was 4 years old. It was too much for her at 3 though. HTH!

Do I need both for 1st grade? Can copy work replace a handwriting workbook? What do you do? Thanks!

Thanks for the clarification! I didn't know what IP meant. :tongue_smilie: I understand now. :001_smile:

Thank you! What do you mean by what I bolded? :)

I am using and LOVING sonlight p4/5 for kindergarten. LOVE it! I've also merged in wee folk art's harvest time curriculum for seasonal read alouds and crafting.

Thank you all so much!!

So if I used US Ed for one year, is it okay to switch to standards for the next year?

So confused. Looking into 1A.

I've only used 6 weeks of lhfhg before dumping it. I've heard the guides get better and better, but lhfhg was too hard and too light for my 5.5 year old. The textbooks were too much for her and the science was too light. I think hod needs a program between LHTH and lhfhg that is more of a kinder program. I was going to wait to use lhfhg when she is 6.5 (first grade in the fall) but I think the activites would be too babyish by then for her. She and I both liked the guide but it wasn't a good fit this year.

I don't like the textbook in science in younger years. There are sooo many good science books for little kids! I also don't like the guides bc they really leave no interpretation up to the parent. I was always telling my dd the key idea which left her no room to form her own opinion or ask questions about the reason I or the book character thought a certain way...no thinking from me at all, which is good and bad. :) I like the boxes but would love to see a weekly guide format also.

I had my sonlight p4/5 guide spiral bound. I love it so much more now! Oh and also the Reading Lesson for my dd. I plan to reuse it with more children, and it's soooo much easier to use being spiral bound!

I was enjoying the experience in this post! Who cares about the OP!! I care about the answers to the question though! :bigear:

:hug: I'm sorry! I don't have any advice or help, but I'm also a certified teacher (elementary!!) and I have had a hard time learning how to manage my time. It's so different than the classroom!!