That one is my top art blog also! I love it. I also love The Crafty Crow - she compiles all sorts of ideas from other art blogs onto hers for one stop researching :) http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/ There are many many others that have inspired me - mostly from WTM members since this is really the only place I spend my little bit of research time that I have.

This is my situation and sentiment exactly. We are doing AW this year - DD6 is so excited and DS5 will enjoy it I think. We are also doing a US geography "study". Then next year I will either do American History with either WP AS1 or HOD Beyond (I already have HOD Beyond, so that should be an easy decision but I am sure I will have to order/check out AS1 anyway because I love WP and HOD!) And yes, you can make AW plenty challenging for a 2nd grader :) There are lots of book suggestions and activities that that age would enjoy. In fact, we are using many of the older resources, just watered down a bit for DS - but only mainly because he was past the dot-to-dot and Animal Alphabet stage :) (he is reading/decoding multiple syllable words)

I have a horseshoe shaped table. I found it used on craigslist for $100. It was in perfect condition, other than a few crayon marks under the table! It looks like this: http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=158618&pCatg=7003 The one I have is definitely "school grade" - made to last and take a beating. So I definitely think a good quality adjustable height table is priceless, if you can afford it. I had been shopping for awhile for a schoolroom table and was contemplating/saving for the purchase when I found that table. I was a teacher in my previous pre-child life and loved being at kids level and having a large workspace to spread out on. I do like the horseshoe shape that I got because I can lean over and reach either of them easily without even getting out of my chair ;), and I use the sides "next" to me for my books/stuff. So the table itself works really well for us. But I do agree that a rectangluar table works best in regards to room configuration. I am very limited in where I can put our table and it does require a lot of room "around" it for things to function smoothly. And even if a kidney or horseshoe table will work for you now, a rectangular shape will be the most practical should you ever move or want to repurpose it. Having said that, the kidney shaped one posted a few replies up is a good deal! And I love that is colored - mine is that woodgrain look and while it's ok (esp since I found it at such a good price used) my preference would have been to have a colored table :) I know Lakeshore also carries them, but at least at my local store, you have to order it (they don't have them there in every shape/size to look at)

Great, thanks everyone! I was not intending on getting the teacher's guides for either the regular books (book 1, 2, 3, etc) or the 1/2 books (book 1 1/2, 2 1/2, 3 1/2, etc). I just wondered if the 1/2 books were basically the same thing as the regular books - I read that the 1/2 versions were intended for more practice, but didn't know if that meant they were structured or set up differently than the regular books. CBD is having an ETC sale so I think I will go ahead and just get the 1/2 versions of a few more books, especially if they are a better value for the money (and since we will be using them as extra practice sheets anyway and not as our main phonics curriculum) Thank you again!!

I was able to pick up ETC 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 at a used book store - these are my first ETC books and after reveiwing them, I really I like them, especially for extra practice activities for workboxes. So I am thinking of getting more of the levels - does it matter whether it is a "1/2" book or not? I know the 1/2 versions are intended for "additional practice" but how different are they? Can they be used without the regular versions as standalone? I've never seen a regular book IRL, but from looking at the samples on CBD of both the regular and 1/2 books, they look pretty much the same. Anyone BTDT with the regular and 1/2 versions that can comment on this? Thanks ;)

I also bought the book, and then realized how incredibly detailed and laborious it would be! Now, don't get me wrong, Sue Patrick has done an amazing job not only creating the system, but explaining it as well. For many, I can see it being the answer to their prayers. But for others, it's over the top and not necessary. I am on the 5th-cousin-twice-removed bandwagon :) I will utilize the general concept of having multiple activities in seperate little drawers - but the number of drawers (no way we need 12), scheduling strips, cards, etc - it's just more than I can keep up with. And what I am using of the system is more for ME than anyone else - it gets me in the habit of looking for and pulling all those fun little things the DC's (esp DD) always ask for and I never seem to have time to get to. It will keep me accountable for actually DOING all the things I claim to do in my siggy :D And I like any excuse to buy an organizational drawer/box/shelf thingy....;)

great! Thanks!!!!

Oooo, so many temptations today!! I didn't see $24 though - they are listed at $31 - maybe they changed? Thanks for posting!

Hi and Welcome!! This may not make you feel any better, but after a year of HSing, I still feel like I need to "begin" LOL Seriously, it's going to be an ongoing learning process for you - just take it in little pieces at a time. You can't learn it all overnight and you most likely won't make the *perfect* decision the first time. (or the second, or third, etc like me! LOL) As far as CM vs. WTM - I guess you could say WTM is a bit more "rigorous" at least in what they introduce and when, but both styles are very solid - it really, I think, matters more what works for the parent AND the child, kwim? If CM is more intriguing and less overwhelming to you right now, go with it. Only once you "live it" for awhile will you know if it's a fit for you and your family. Then, when you have a good handle on it, check into other styles and compare. It will be easier to do that once you have gone with a particular style for awhile. I hope that helps some - I know I feel pulled back and forth between WTM and CM all the time! There are still things I am undecided about in regards to which method is better. But I finally allowed myself to just do what I like from both right now and not feel like I have to commit to one or the other in it's entirety. Your children WILL learn either way :)

I can see myself in your posts - well, me a year ago :) We sound alot alike. I, too thought Sonlight was THE answer when I first saw it at a homeschool convention. I LOVE books and I love a neat and tidy schedule. I procrastinated buying it though b/c of $, and tried to piece together things the first semester instead - big mistake - I needed more hand-holding for my first year. So in January I finally just bit the bullet and ordered Sonlight -at that time I was totally kicking myself for not going with my gut instinct and ordering it to begin with. I mean, after all, it seemed *perfect* for me! BUT, we lasted 4 weeks with it and it was a TOTAL BUST!!!! It felt weak, too much reading, we didn't like many of the books. It just didn't seem like were were doing *anything*. I know they were learning, but....I couldn't get into it.....so in March I sent it back. (just an FYI, we did not get the LA b/c I was teaching DD to read and didn't feel like their program was strong enough) I decided that even though I STILL have the warm fuzzies when I see a Sonlight catalog or see them at a convention, it just wasn't right for me. I'm too new to this, too "A" type, too ingrained with "schooliness" (I was a teacher for 10 years and of course was raised in the PS system). I wish I could be more CM, than "schooly", and hopefully in time I will, but I am what I am and I can't deny it! (at least not overnight and all at once!) Now I did not have the added dilemma of scheduling 4 children, and I know that is a large part of the issue, but just to speak to the curriculum itself, Sonlight was not quite complete enough FOR ME. If I had to do it with FOUR cores (I was only using one!) I would not have been happy. My advice is to just simplify as much as you can while you get used to homeschooling. I can't speak to MFW or TOG (yet! LOL) but I use HOD and it's easy to combine - but then again I am only working with two levels and they are very close! :) And don't beat yourself up about purchasing "mistakes" (if you decide Sonlight is a mistake). It's a learning experience and you won't get it "right" the first try! Plus, things are constantly changing :) You know, you have 18 weeks to test it out and still get a refund, and my guess is that if you started now, you'd know in a month if it was working or not. And a month is worth the investment IMHO. I would, however, take the other ladies' advice and trim down to no more than 3 cores ;) Good luck!

Great deal - I'm not sure I really need it, but I've always heard such good things about HOP that it was just too good to pass up :) Even if we just used the readers and the games it's a good deal! I got the K-1 package and the Grade 2 package (all 2007 editions) for under $40 plus shipping and tax ($54 total). Thanks for posting!

Aurelia, Don't mean to hijack, but do you mind me asking why you switched from ABCD to OPGTR? I am considering ordering ABeCeDarian and you were one of the few I've found using it and loving it. It seems to be so thorough... Thanks! Ronda

I'm also trying to choose between McRuffy and Abecedarian! My DD also needs help blending with words out of context. She can fly through reading a 1st grade level book, but give her a list of words with no context or pictures and she loses confidence quickly and struggles. Anyway, we are about halfway through The Reading Lesson right now and I think at this point I'm going to try to finish it and then see where they both are at before I choose and order. In the meantime, I downloaded the Level A Blending/Segmenting Supplement from the ABCD site to help practice blending. It's free! Here's the link to the page it links off of: http://www.abcdrp.com/supplements.asp If I were to order NOW, I am leaning towards ABCD because it covers all the spellings of a particular sound at once and looks so very thorough. I also like that it is *just* phonics for the most part, as I PLAN to do FLL, WWE and AAS for the other language arts components. On the other hand, I like McGuffy because it is "cute" and it looks less teacher intensive. I should have another month or so to decide ;) Let us know what you pick though! And good luck! :)

Terabith - yes, I thought of just buying one mcruffy workbook to supplment. And that is what I might end up doing... ;) Tammi - I'm so glad I'm not the only one with analysis paralysis! And then new things easily catch my eye and distract me! I can't tell you how many times I've changed my siggy line here in the last few weeks LOL. I envy those that just KNOW what they want - even if they end up trying it and it doesn't work, they at least can make a decision and commit to get started! BTW, it's McRUFFY - not McGruffy. :D I laugh because if you see my first post, I keep calling it McGruffy too and I have no idea why!

Thanks Erica and Tara :) I think if McRuffy weren't $100, I would have already purchased it and maybe tried to implement it like Erica is suggesting :) But since Tara just gave me permission.....:D....no guilt!! LOL For some reason though I have this phobia of "mixing" too many programs, esp when it comes to phonics. I think if I pull from lots of different phonics I'll screw up the "sequence" and confuse her. It's like all my ducks aren't "in a row" so to speak LOL I need to be less rigid about that. I also think I have to use ALL of everything, kwim? My best homeschooling friend does what you do Erica - has OPTGR, uses some Horizons Readers w/questions, uses AAS, etc and doesn't stress about it at all!!!! :) Thanks again for the advice.

Thank you ladies! Yes, I meant McRuffy - I have typo'd it as "mcGruffy" more than once - I don't know why!! lisasaysto - You can just buy the McRuffy books and not the teacher guide - that would be a lot cheaper b/c the teacher guide is a large chunk of the program. They are not as cheap as ETC, but they are so nice and colorful and so very thorough. I think they *might* be a nice compliment to AAS. hmschooling- I glanced over the HOD grammar (I have the guide from Beyond because I had planned to do that this year with her, but the History/Sci from LHFHG is prob more appropriate at the moment, esp if I am combining them), but didn't really look too hard b/c I had it in my head that we were doing FLL, AAS and WWE. But I will look at it again. I need to spend an afternoon with my bookshelf... :) (did I mention I have The Phonics Road too? Ugh. I also have Winterpromise AW that I'd like to fit in somewhere b/c I love it TOO! And one FIAR book and 2 MBTP units I've never used - double sigh - but I'm hoping to sneak those in for "breaks" at some point! See? I'm crazy! ) Great ideas for worksheets BTW! I have a bad habit of buying something that looks great, (especially if I can get it used) and figuring I'll "figure" it out later when I can sit down and really compare things side-by-side, but I think all that does is confuse me more because I end up liking it ALL! chris in VA - we do school year round - BUT it's only b/c we don't school a 5 day week during the "regular" school year. LisaK in VA - About her liking the wbooks now and not when they are "work" - that actually crossed my mind. That could be exactly what happens. I don't have the Thinking Skills book, but I have it in my shopping cart on CBD and just need to order. Maybe that will be enough. Honestly I think she is going to be so excited to just do the art lessons from HOD. I admit lately I really want something super open-and-go and while I don't think FLL/WWE/AAS and HOD combo will be TOO much work, I also looked at McRuffy and thought it looked SOOOO easy to use! As soon as we finish The Reading Lesson, I think I will start either the HOD LA or the AAS/WWE/FLL combo and stick with it for awhile - I mean, I know either of those are SOLID choices. My friend told me to actually commit and use something until December and then see how I feel, so I guess I should take her advice. For some reason it is hard for me to stay loyal b/c there is so much out there that is GREAT! But I will try! If I don't like it by then, I can consider McRuffy again maybe... Thanks for the feedback. :)

For the fall, I was planning to use FLL and AAS for our Language Arts (along with HOD LHFHG reading/lit) for DD (6.5). But lately she has been asking to do workbooks/worksheets (and she wants them to be colorful)! She loves filling in the blanks, drawing lines to match things up, cutting, pasting etc. Now she would be happy to do this type of stuff (cutting/filling in blanks, etc) with any subject (or all subjects for that matter!) but I started looking for some phonics/language type stuff b/c I thought that would be the easiest to supplement (and what she likes and needs the most reinforcement in). So I did some research and I found McGuffy. We tried a few of the sample lessons and she just loved them. But I know it is a pretty comprehensive program (includes grammar, spelling, etc pretty thoroughly), and I almost wish I hadn't seen it because it DOES look good! (I also looked at ETC, but I don't think that will be "pretty" enough for her!) So now I don't know whether to just go with THAT alone - it certainly seems easy for the Teacher to implement and again, DD would love all the activities. OR should I stick to the original plan (FLL and AAS w/HOD) and just try to find some generic activity type books in LA and try to pull things from it to match what we are doing with FLL/AAS and HOD? I keep wondering how a simple request from DD led me to question my whole LA plan for next year! LOL So is McGuffey, FLL, AAS overkill? If so, which would you choose, knowing how much my DD loves to "do" stuff. (I would still use AAS with DS next year b/c he is NOT the "workbook" kind of kid) Thanks :)

Sagira, I looked at the Tanglewood site and I can't seem to "find" these? Are they in the corebook or something? Thank you!

I love the Orton Gillingham method. Lots of programs utilize it or present a version of it, but the idea of learning to spell, read and write at the same time is the core of it. All letter sounds of a particular letter are learned/taught at once, then words are learned (spelling/reading) by recognizing letter and letter team sounds (learned previously) and coding the words while you write them. For me, it really breaks it down and makes it visual for the kids in a very systematic way. It appeals to me personally, and thankfully, my kids are absorbing it very well. If you have ample time and energy, the King of the method is The Writing Road to Reading by Romalda Spalding. But the book is not "open and go". Spell to Write and Read by Wanda Sanseri is probably the most popular and is a more elaborate, detailed version - this means it can work easier for *some* who need more detailed help in the implementation of the method, but for others, it can draw it out and make it a little overwhelming or confusing. The Phonics Road to Reading and Writing is another version that has a lot of hand-holding (watching videos, weekly lessons planned out), but great for someone who does not have the time or patience to read, plan and implement one of the other methods. So for us, it's OG all the way. I don't know where each of your children are, but it can work for all ages. I do admit I had to wait a bit before requiring writing from my DS (almost 5) - he was just not ready 3 or 4 months ago, so we just did the sounds verbally or with letter tiles. But now he is beginning to tackle writing the letters too :) He actually does better with applying the letter sounds and decoding to words than my older DD does - she likes to rush and guess :) :) I think OG is perfect for both of them in that respect - it teaches my DD to slow down and HOW to truly sound it out, but is right in line with the way my DS obviously already thinks (systematically) so it's *easy* for him. I own WRTR and love it (have read it twice) but Phonics Road actually got my butt in gear and off the "where do I start?" fence. I also have reviewed SWR and now that I have read WRTR and used PR, SWR makes much more sense to me - I just didn't have the time to sift through all of it when I needed to get started. Our plan *today* is to finish level 1 of Phonics Road and then either go on to AAS or level 2 of PR. If AAS seems like it will fit when we finish PR lvl 1 I will use that since I already own it. HTH a little :)

Mine are 15 months apart, so it's *really* challenging. They truly do not understand that one is going to be able to do a little more than the other. I deal with lots of frustration (from them) and jealousy! DS *thinks* he can do what DD is doing, so I let him try, but when he gets frustrated (esp in Math) and I finally dismiss him to another activity because he is struggling, DD then thinks what he is doing is "more fun" than what she is doing. I am hoping in a year or two the differences will be smaller - I think DS needs a little more time to mature before he can keep up with her. But we'll see. Sometimes I think it would be easier if they were at least 3 years apart even though that means I would definitely have to plan 2 curriculums...

We use RS math and LOVE it, but I was considering a program to supplement on days they need extra review or if DH has to "teach" :) So do you think BJU is similiar to RS enough to supplement it? We're only on level B so we are in the early years - is BJU as good then too? I was considering Singapore because of the word problems and also Horizons because others had said they used it with RS successfully, but now I'm wondering about BJU too due to your review. I need to sit down with the Scope and Sequences as soon as I have a free moment and see exactly how they might correlate but would love to hear your opinion on using BJU as a supplement to RS B :) :) (if you don't mind) :) Thanks :)

No, he is in PreK - but he knows his letters/phonograms really well and can blend well too (he can read level two BOB books). I am using the Kinder TM for WRTR since DD is in Kinder and really DS has the verbal/reading ability to be in that level - he just lacks the writing ability in a major way. And in the WRTR TM they are writing words, learning rules and *marking* them (they don't ever write or even memorize the entire rule) by week 5 (maybe sooner for us since the TM was written for a classroom and due to their knowledge and the fact that there is only two of them, we may go a bit faster) But I know he won't be ready for so much writing at week 5 (or sooner) So I'm just trying to give him the phonics instruction he so desperately wants and CAN use, but not require so much of the fine motor component. (and I just *really* don't like 100 EZ lessons - maybe I'll look at OPGTR) How does Spalding adapt it for those that aren't ready to write? I know there are readiness activities, but how do we keep moving forward if he is not writing the words and building a notebook? I'm lost there. That is where I thought using the tiles would work for him (he may WANT to write more if he can do that first) I also understand that the tiles may not be *as* effective as writing them, but he would only do it in the beginning. And as Heather said, they do begin writing the phonograms in AAS also - they just don't use the same type of marking system. Ok, maybe I should just give this a try and see, and stop making projections LOL It won't be the end all if I try it and it doesn't work. I can easily adjust it if it's not working! I also feel like I've hijacked a bit and to the OP, I'm sorry!

Here is some of the marking ideas that children use as they build their spelling notebooks. (paraphased from the WRTR book) Underlines Examples: children underline multiletter phonograms (like /sh/) to show they make one sound. Vowels are underlined at the end of a syllable to show they say their 2nd sound - like the word me, the e would be underlined, and in the word a, the a underlined. Numbering Examples: The word "is" would have a small 2 above the "s" to show that it says it's 2nd sound (/z/) in that word. Brackets Examples: Brackets are used to show relationships between words: i.e. the words you and your would be listed in the book with a bracket on the left side. Big, bag, beg, bog and bug would be bracketed because they only change vowels. Rules Examples: Rules are taught when needed to spell a word. They are not meant to be memorized verbatim, just recognized. For example "me" would have a little "r4" written out to the right of the word because it illustrates rule 4 "vowels a,e,o and u usually say their name at the end of a syllable". WRTR also has you space between syllables when writing in the spelling notebook. Tonight would be written to night with a "3" above the "o" in the first syllable to show it makes the third "O" sound. Clear as mud?? LOL :)

I totally know you are right. My problem is that I bought AAS first and I keep looking at it b/c it's so darn *easy* - If I had never seen it, I'd be much better off! LOL BUT, I can't put down WRTR either because I really do believe in the program. I even sort of like the Writing/Grammar/Reading Comp lessons, even though I've heard them called "twaddle" LOL They seem quick, easy and very developmentally appropriate. I just have to continue to study and build my confidence with it because I have days where I want to "cave" and finding something easier - but it's getting better each time I pick it up and work on it more. I did buy the Teacher's Manual for WRTR and at first I was totally overwhelmed by it, but after a few weeks of reading /studying I think it's going to work out fine - it's not as bad as it initially looked - there is a lot of repetition in it and you have to sift through that (they like to overview, put in general teaching reminders randomly, etc so the SAME info is kind of all over the place - I am sure they intend for it to prepare and reinforce, but it's ALOT of info to sort through over and over again when I G.E.T. I.T. - the theory). I still am unsure about the clock face writing - it makes sense totally to me, but DD and DS are struggling with it. We had begun actual letter writing with HWOT before I started WRTR, so the 2 oclock positoin is throwing them. But I am going to back off to more large motor skill sensorial type writing (sand, oatmeal) and basically start over. I do like HWOT but ultimately WRTR teaches kids to form their letters in the correct way (I like the two categories of clock letters and line letters), with less fluff and in a way that *should* make transitioning to normal notebook paper easier. Also, even though I said that *I* don't like fluff, I need some fun/gamey/fluffy stuff for DS 4.5 tp spice it up - he will go crazy with review/writing/dictation and rules if thats ALL we do. I was thinking of making phonogram bingo? Any other ideas? Oh, and as far as 100EZ - I have that too (LOL) but I cannot get over the DISTAR invented orthography! I mean I understand their motive, but it seems so unnecessary. Will it not be something I need to unteach and reteach properly with Spalding? CAn I not just use Spalding and go slower with the writing with DS - and maybe use the tiles from AAS? - or will the color coding of the tiles mess him up? The phonograms are basically the same (AAS adds a fourth Y sound and a fourth O sound.) Ellie, I'm totally PRAYING you can get a WRTR workshop together in S. Texas soon!!!!!!! I am happy to help in ANY way I can - just call me if you need me! Thanks

I purchased both AAS and WRTR and have been trying to compare the two as well (it's easier for me if I have them "in hand"). I also noticed that AAS has no marking system - although they do use color coding on their tiles which, from what I can tell, is supposed to have a similiar purpose as underlining the multi-letter phonograms in WRTR. Also the AAS phonos are on tiles and that in itself sort of "seperates" the phonograms like underlining would. Of course AAS does not have "writing and reading" instruction but I know not many people (HS'ers at least) use WRTR for that anyway. And I noticed the introduction of words was different, but hadn't had a chance to pinpoint what it was yet - so your comment clarifies that I think - they both use the Ayres list right? Is it just the order in which they teach the Ayres that is different? Anyway, I L.O.V.E. WRTR - I am SO glad I read the book. I love the entire theory, the marking system, the spelling notebook. But I am thinking of trying to combine the two: I'd like to use AAS as my main program because.... 1. simplicity's sake - the manual is very user friendly- I KNOW I will pick it up and use it. 2. I actually like that they teach the words in groups of spelling patterns versus frequency of appearance. 3. my DS (4.5) is totally ready to read but NOT NOT NOT ready to write - and the TILES are PERFECT for him - I would hate to hold him back from decoding and reading just because he cannot write the letters yet (wiggly willy) He will still practice writing (we use HWOT - lowercase first - but he could not handle formality of dictation/marking just yet) Then I would just add the spelling notebook and marking system of WRTR once we start writing/dictating in AAS. I wonder if the rules are the same? I need to go check that. I think I saw some differences. If so, I would use what applied and adapt as necessary I guess. I'm just thinking all this through and trying to combine the best of both and use what works with our family - does this makes sense and if so, do you think it would work?