More times than I care to admit - and this is only my second year of homeschooling (although that may be WHY I've gone through so many - we are "discovering" what we like and can do) There have been curriculums I KNEW before even starting that they wouldn't work, then there were some that I got one or two lessons in and I KNEW - but if was still unsure after a few, I'd still probably give it another week or so to give it a fair shot.

Really? I was going to order the 1st grade workbooks and on RR they were like $9.95 and on the HWOT site they were $6.95....I didn't order yet (procrastinator) so I need to go look again.

We have DISH network and I recorded an episode the other day - I actually liked it too! Of course they are on Unit 8, lesson 3, so I hate to start them there. I haven't decided if I should just wait until they begin the 1/2 level series again with Unit 1, lesson 1 (assuming they will) or buy it. I guess we aren't in any hurry to start and hopefully since there are only 10 units, they are almost done and will restart soon. Can you tell me how many lesson are in a unit? Did you buy it from NAU?

:iagree: I thought they were sort of boring, but I did like that stuff (even simple stuff) happened in each short chapter - a problem and a resolution in a quick amount of time. DD, who is more auditory than DS liked them more, but that is true at our house with ANY book.

If so, then I will join your support group! Although for me it would likely be bipolor PHONICS curriculum disorder. While I love to research all types of curriculum, I spent the entire year last year obsessed and confused about phonics. I think I am finally seeing the light though and I am in a bit of a better place phonics-wise now. I am not sure what "clicked" - but for some reason I seem to feel more at peace with what I am looking for (for me and DC's). I guess I needed that year of craziness last year to get to this point! Thankfully DC's were only PreK and K! As far as 100 EZ - it was my first-ever-curriculum purchase. I gave it a diligent effort but could not get past lesson 10. I did not want to pick up the book. I could.not.stand.it. Is it a good program? I have no idea (10 lessons is not enough to really say, especially when I was only at the beginning of my HS journey) but I just know I could not stand the look of the pages (too cluttered) and the distar orthography. And I never picked it up again. We also tried the Reading Lesson. I really liked it as far as "looks". It's very visually appealing. It also uses markings to aid the reader with different sounds (but phases them out). DD was flying through it - but after using an AbCeDarian assessment, I realize that she was simply memorizing the words. So we had to stop and go back to something more systematic and work on blending left to right.

Great info Elizabeth! I had not seen this page on your site - and it's hard to believe I could've missed anything...I've been reading everyday! Have you seen "Go Phonics"? It claims to be an OG approach. Here is a link to a very large brochure on the program: http://www.gophonics.com/downloads/Go_Phonics_Program-08.pdf

:iagree: I have HOP K-1 and Level 2 and will use the readers (they are SO cute!) and the workbooks to supplement PP when I am finished with Elizabeth's Blend Phonics adapted lessons. I am not going to use the "helper" (aka: sight words) cards - I will also just teach them those words phonetically. I am sure they are there to help the child be a "reader" faster, but it really doesn't take all that long to SHOW them how to decode the words (with a few exceptions - I think there are a few words that are so common, and the "rule" so abstract for a 5 year old-ish mind, that it's ok to teach them by sight - but again, just a few - Elizabeth's article on sight words is and EXCELLENT Reference) In my humble opinion, if you think about it, everything is a sight word ONCE you know/read the word - so it's the SKILL of decoding that the pure phonics method offers - you don't want to skip that, and it doesn't sound like you are. On a side note, when was Trelease's book written? Is it an old version? Supposedly, the original HOP (90's version) wasn't very good, and the versions from this decade are totally revamped. Just a thought...

Hi Sue, I have both programs and yes, I sort of feel they would be redundant. I actually went over the Phonics Road scope and sequence and the AAS scope and sequence today and compared and they are very similiar. But TPR goes a bit faster and introduces phonograms in a different order. For example, "ee" is introduced in TPR in week 4, but I don't think it is introduced in AAS until level 3 (or maybe that was "ea" - it was one of those) I know the draw for AAS is the tiles, but TPR also offers the opportunity for "manipulatives" or "tiles" which are just letter cards that you can affix magnets to the bag of if you want (or just lay them on the table). The Phonics Road author explains this kinesthetic element in DVD disc 1. TPR actually is a more comprehensive program - covers handwriting, uses rule tunes, has "reference sheets" for students to log their rules on, etc. She also uses "coding" of the letters with small numbers and lines to underline vowel and consonant teams (where in AAS the teams are on one tile and not underlined (but you could underline them if you wish when writing the words) It is more intensive - like SWR or WRTR would be, but only much more user friendly - as far as to what depth and format they teach in. Now because it is more comprehensive, it will require a larger investment of your time as far as watching the DVDs and studying it (but it's very straightforward once you invest that little time prepping with the DVD's). AAS is more OPEN AND GO. Of course both programs are excellent - it just depends on what you want them for - I think AAS is a great supplement to a handwriting and phonics/reading program (although some people use AAS to teach reading, the program is just set up differently in that respect when compared to TPR) Where TPR covers all your bases (IMO). That being said, I am moving to AAS (along with Blend Phonics and then PP) b/c The Phonics Road had too much writing for my DS, and he is ready for more reading and not so focused on spelling. By using AAS instead, I can just add that to our phonics curriculum for her only. I think in another year, DS would LOVE TPR - But for now, the writing is just out of the question (he is a late April baby, so he's only been 5 for 4 months) So I would not see the need for both, personally. NOT trying to sell you on TPR ;) Just noting the differences I saw and what made me choose one over the other. They are both excellent, but yes, they would be redundant IMHO.

:iagree: We use HWOT and the Kinder book is very slow. Great for DS last year and this year (PreK & K) but is a little too easy for DD now (1st grade). I love HWOT style and 2 line format, just beware that by using that 2 line format, you will have to adjust all other workbooks, etc b/c they always come in the traditional 3 line format. Or maybe your DD will just adapt easily (mine does not). I would go ahead and order HWOT lined paper and the little pencils if you can afford it. We also got the little story books - blank at the top and writing lines at the bottom.

I would be happy to give you a list of what you will need the first 2 months - although you may not want/like all of what is recommended for use in the program, so if you can, preview the books before investing. The Brooks themselves say that the list of activities should be like a "buffet" you pick and choose from to suit your DC's wants and needs. Plus, I know if I used everything the program suggested, we'd be doing school 8 hours a day. I tried to preview as much as I could at our library and bookstores and then chose what I wanted to use. PM me your email and I will send you some stuff.

Take a look at The Adventure Bible Devotions book: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=714480&item_code=WW&netp_id=524377&event=ESRCN&view=covers We like it so far :) We are using How to Teach Art to Children http://www.amazon.com/How-Teach-Art-Children-Grades/dp/1557998116/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250373166&sr=8-1 and supplementing with Teaching Art with Books Kids Love http://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Books-Kids-Love-Award-Winning/dp/1555914063/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250364954&sr=8-1 It covers the basic elements of art such as line, shape, etc I also love this blog: http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/

MANY people love HOD, so don't let a few that it wasn't a good fit for get you down before you've even tried it ;) No program works for everyone and EVERY single program will have those that don't like it or it just didn't work for. We are going on week two, and haven't implemented every aspect of our curriculum for this year (I am taking it slow, esp for DS and to break them in so to speak - we were VERY informal last year). I plan to add grammar for DD (light, like FLL most likely) and geography (world - either with GTG and/or some lapbooking, living books, card games, map skills wbooks, etc) HITS SO FAR: Winterpromise Animals and Their Worlds - we are only in week two, but I love the "buffet" of activities to choose from and the fact that so many different levels are covered in one program. I can pick and choose to meet their wants AND needs. It doesn't take much time, has hands on crafts (not too hard!) and is interesting. WE love SOCKS by Beverly Cleary!!!! It's the perfect book for DD's level right now - she can totally relate! Blend Phonics (using lesson plans adapted by Elizabeth B on this board) - this is easy to implement and best of all FREE! I plan to use this for the next few months and then move to either McRuffy, PP, Phonics Road or MCP..... I have tried SO many programs and honestly the real beauty of this one (besides the cost) is that it gets the job done fast for kids that are ready to blend/read. I use her phonics concentration game as well as a nonsense word memory card game from Abecedarian (can be downloaded for free from the www.abcdrp.com under their free support materials button - I printed two copies of the blend practice word cards and use it like memory) Right Start Math - was a hit last year and continues to be this year. I plan to integrate some Singapore CWP and 1A workbooks in eventually for some written practice. How to Teach Art To Children - LOVE this book - I use it in conjunction with Teaching Art with Books Kids Love and it's fun and interesting. We've only done one project, but I wrote LP's for the next couple of months. I know DD (very artsy) will love the activities. HWOT - we are finishing up the Kinder level and I love the style. DD has beautiful handwriting for her age because of this book (ok, we still have a few letters we struggle with, but overall, it's taught her well). I don't think it has enough practice as each letter is introduced though, so I am anxious to move to the 1st grade book. The ONLY serious drawback I find a pain sometimes is that HWOT uses a 2 line paper style - and everything we find in workbooks and other premade pages or books that they need to fill in is the 3 line style - and so I have to remake those pages or just redraw the lines. We tried to switch to the 3 line traditional style mid year last year, but it really confused DD. So we just went back to HWOT style. Workboxes - ok, I have to admit, in the time I started making/planning these and during the last week of implementation, I went from 12 to 10 to now 5 workboxes - I quickly realized it's overkill to have too many for my DC's ages right now - and there is still so much curriculum they really need ME to do with them so not a lot of independent work. Plus they are S.L.O.W. So of the 5 days last week, I spent 3 days sort of wishing I had not even started workboxes yet. It's a lot of work to get my ideas and supplies organized too (although I know it will get easier (it already has) BUT I have to classify it as a HIT but the DC's LOOOOVE them. They are so excited to see what will be in their boxes, and motivated to get even the not-so-fun stuff done. I also like that stuff I always "wished" we could do is now finding it's place in my lesson planning. Some other random books we use and love: Adventure Bible Daily Devotion Stories, Leading Little Ones to God, The Lion Storyteller Bedtime Book.. JURY STILL OUT: La Clase Divertida - It is supposed to be for levels K-6 - I should have caught that BEFORE I bought it - looking ahead in the workbook, it will be far too advanced for DS especially. Also, the format of the workpages is just not kid-friendly, especially LITTLE kid friendly. The DVD and the CD are totally cheesy in my opinion - BUT what did DD and DS sing ALL DAY LONG yesterday? "Los Vocales in Espanol, Los Vocales in Espanol - A E I O U - A E I O U" :) So we may just modify this and use only the parts they are ready for.

We are doing Animals and Their Worlds this year with a 1st grader and K'er and alot of the PreK-2nd resources were just too young for them (well, my 1st grader especially) - so I went ahead and reviewed most of the 2nd grade and up resources by either purchasing or checking them out at the library - we are using some of those - but many of them were just too much for her. My point I'm (finally) getting at is that I think there is definitely enough in the program to suit a 3rd grader just fine. Plus with animals there is SO MUCH out there to supplement with :) I only bought the guidebook and a few books (the ones you need all year) - everything else has been easy to find at our library.

It's an expensive program - BUT worth it if it works for your family. So when I was pricing it for resale, I just considered that since it was "used", I'd like to make it affordable for someone who might not otherwise be able to try it or even look at it. $200 is a lot to gamble with on "one" area of curriculum. I always price my used curriculum at LEAST 30% less, and usually closer to 50% off. Heck, I've even given some away (good stuff, not just old or outdated stuff) when I thought a HS mama really needed it and was low on funds. (not that everyone should feel they need to give away curriculum, but if we can afford it, I don't mind) I also always hope that my good deals stay "good deals" when someone passes them to the next person. Of course it belongs to whoever bought it from me so they can do as they please, but it would be nice if they would pass on the "savings". BTW, if I decide to relist it, it will be at $95 ppd again - I definitely would not raise the price due to the new interest in the program on the board. (I didn't think you were implying I might do that, but I just wanted to say that I wouldn't) :) When Phonics Pathways arrives, I'm going to really study both and then decide ;)

Ditto - I searched long and hard before buying and didn't find much of anything to help! Although I obviously bought it anyway, your review is very comprehensive and would have helped alot :)

I posted my level one (less the pencils and clipboard) a few days ago for $95 ppd media mail. Last I checked TPR webpage, that same kit retailed for $200. Unless the retail price has gone down and I just didn't know it, I'd say mine was much less than "at or within a few dollars of full price". :D Of course after all this discussion I think I'm hanging on to it for a few more weeks to take a more thorough review of it.

Tina, For some reason I did not realize Ms. Beers recommended waiting until 1st grade to start it? So there's no wonder DS (who was PreK) and DD (who was Kinder) had some trouble. I was in the same boat as Lisa though - I needed something NOW. DS had known his basic letter sounds since two, and with the help of the phonogram cards from WRTR and AAS (see, complete LA junkie :blushing: )he knew all the multiple sounds for letters (3 sounds of A, 2 sounds of E, etc) and many of the other phonograms as well (CH, SH, OR, ER, UR, IR, AR, to name a few). It felt funny to slow down TPR by dragging out his "sound" learning, just to wait for his writing to catch up. He would have been bored to tears doing a sound a week when he could learn and recall easily 2 or 3 new phonograms a DAY. He was ready to READ (and is now beginning to read multisyllable words thanks to Blend Phonics/Elizabeth). But of course I still like how TPR ties in spelling and writing and everything else you listed in your review. It seems like it is such a complete, cohesive program. Also, it's got all the bones, so not necessary to supplement, but easy to add stuff to if you want to (worksheets or other games, if that is what your DC likes). BUT, while DS's writing (and his patience for it) has gotten MUCH better than where he was 6 months ago when we tried The Phonics Road, he is still a boy just starting kinder ;) So still not sure he is ready. DD is though - it will take some prodding b/c she is a tad "lazy", but she can do the writing easily. As far as selling, I have it listed on here for several months with no bites! LOL So I reduced the price significantly b/c I was convinced I needed to let go and move on (the piles of phonics books/programs on my bookshelf staring me in the face didn't help at ALL). BUT I think I am going to hold on to it for a bit longer - at least for another week or two to re-review it. If I decide to sell, I'll PM you Lisa :) I had it listed for less than half price, and would still honor that price of course, should I decide to still sell.

Tina, I loved your story :) (BTW, I also LOOOOVVVVEEED your article on your blog about people's participation in churches - so well written!) I too am a fan of the Phonics Road (and the whole spalding type methodology in general), but after attempting to use it with an almost 5 year old and barely 6 year old, the writing portion became frustrating for us. I'm wondering if what I experienced with two so young (and DS was the almost 5 year old and the writing portion brought him to tears!) was normal and I should give it another try when they are older? Or did I do something wrong? Have you ever used it "in the beginning" like that? If you "kissed so many frogs before finding your true prince" (like my analogy? LOL) then I am assuming you didn't. But do you have any advice or opinions on using it with TRUE beginners (especially DS?) We are currently using Blend Phonics, but should be done with that in probably 2 months. I am debating what to start AFTER that. I still own The Phonics Road level 1 and ordered Phonics Pathways to give me another highly recommended, easily to implement option. I am also eyeing McRuffy ;) Oh, and I also like the concept behind Webster's Speller, but am still reading up on that. Any advice??? Thank you!!!

Not Tina, but I used Phonics Road for about a month last spring. I really liked it - easy to implement, based on the pure phonics methodology that I believe in, love the idea of teaching spelling and writing WITH reading. BUT my DS was just not ready for the writing portion - both handwriting and the "coding" of the spelling words (it brought him to tears to write ONE word!! He had just turned 5 though) - and DD struggled with it some too. So instead of just attempting to adapt the curriculum without the writing, I panicked and quit the whole program. I guess at the time, the writing portion seemed like such a huge part of it (and it is, since it is based on Spalding, which is learning to write AND read at the same time) that I felt like it would be very hard to leave it out and do the program justice. Then I went through a phase of looking for something "fast" (I felt behind with DD) and tried the Reading Lesson (I noticed it's in your siggy). I liked the font size, the pictures and the whole format of the book, but all the markings for the different sounds just seemed to overcomplicate things. And it had quite a few sight words. So I dumped it too LOL The Phonics Road is still sitting in a box in my schoolroom, and I've listed it for sale here a few times. I figured if it sold, great, but if it doesn't, *maybe* I'll get it back out and look at it after we finish Blend Phonics (using adapted lessons by Elizabeth here on the board). Who knows what frame of "phonics mind" I'll be in then? :) Of course I just ordered Phonics Pathways today, (and I won't even tell you how many other phonics programs are sitting on my bookshelf or that I've sold/tried) and am eyeballing McRuffy and MCP workbooks so I am clearly a PHONICS curriculum junkie. All in all, I think The Phonics Road is the answer for an "easy to implement" SWR or WRTR style. Yes, it is more costly, but you are paying for convenience, IMHO. Hope that helps some :)

Ditto, I live in South Texas, but ya'll are making me want to take a trip to the Midwest! (I've never been there, so maybe not a bad idea!!)

That's great! I guess you were lucky..... or maybe I was just unlucky:glare:. My experiences with DDD have left me scared to try again!

We tried one last year and left after 3 months. The only reason we stayed that long was because I was teaching one of the classes. I knew after 2 weeks that it was a mistake. I am a former elementary school teacher - and it was *just* like being in the classroom. 16 kids, LOTS of misbehavior (some was just because kids had never learned how to behave in a group setting - "yes, you must raise your hand because I can't hear you all at once!") And of course the "regular classroom" experience was what I DIDN'T want my kids to have! Now I have to say that the teachers were FANTASTIC (all were former elem ed teachers - not that you have to have been a PS teacher to be fantastic, but clearly they had done this before!) but the director was very odd. It also was an ALL day co-op and it was just too much, especially for my little K'er and me being a first year HS mom! We considered one again this year (but it was only going to be half a day) and even though I went in with a very open mind, I knew after the first preliminary meeting that it was not going to work. Then the light bulb went off that we don't really need a co-op, for all the reasons others have stated (can't control what they learn, takes up too much time/energy, etc) Now, I've stopped looking and honestly, don't plan to do one in the future unless the perfect opportunity presents itself and falls right in my lap :) (and what are the odds of that?) We have a nice small group of homeschooling friends and that's plenty for us, at least for now. Most people really only have a small group of really close, meaningful friends, even as adults (or maybe that's just me?) ;)

Don't feel too bad - I saw the deal with Deep Discount DVD and still ordered from Amazon. Maybe it's just me, but in the past the shipping from DD DVD has been soooooooooo sloooooooooooooooooowwwwww with no updates, etc. I'm not patient enough I guess to order from them :) Plus, I have never had a problem with Amazon, they are fairly quick and they have an excellent return policy (should something be damaged). I also can check my order status easily. Thanks to the OP for posting the deal - I've seen some of these before and they are going to be really nice when we do HOD Beyond ;)

I had thoughts along the same lines as yours, so we just went with "Foundations Academy". Our colors are red, blue and yellow (because those are the primary colors or we could say the "foundation" for all other colors) Our mascot is a penguin - no real thought on that one, I let the kids choose :) We don't really have a formal slogan yet - I thought I'd wait until both kids could understand and help me with that - right now all they care about are the colors, mascot and name. I also agree Academy is totally overdone...BUT, we couldn't use "classical" or "christian" because we aren't overtly either of those styles and my brain would not allow me to commit to those.

The muggins games look fun - for those that have them, did you order the wooden boards with marbles or the wet marker wipe off boards? The price difference is pretty steep. I was considering the wipe off - I'm thinkng DD and DS would probably like those better anyway (the idea of using the marker, etc) But of course the wooden board games LOOK so nice....