We went back to VT today. I know there are limitations to what we can achieve there without having reflexes integrated, but DS was getting headaches from writing and was willing to give it another try in case it helps. I wasn't going to say no to that! The appointment went well. 100% engagement and cooperation.

Welcome. :)

My marine biology enthusiast has done some dissection at home at ages 6 and 7. We did it fairly unschooly style - our housemate would find interesting creatures or fish parts at the market and invite DS to dissect and explore them before she cooked them up for food. He's never taken a formal course which included dissection, but I don't think he'd have a problem with it.

For 1st and 2nd, daily copywork always got done. DS had a favourite song which I would play for him while he was writing. Now at the beginning of 3rd, our daily subjects are: - Reading (two chapters which I assign) - Writing (we make Jot It Down style mini-books on a different topic each week) - Spelling (AAS) - Math (Miquon) Also getting done: - History (SOTW plus comprehension questions and mapwork) - Science (Mystery Science or Brainpop) - Grammar (Practice Island)

Awww, thanks! We just started last year, with my 2nd grader, and I introduced the four activities all in one go. I'd have had a revolt on my hands if DS had thought I'd just added four subjects to his homeschool day.

In 1st we just did copywork, with narration occurring across the curriculum. In 2nd we did MCT's Island level for grammar, minus the writing assignments. Towards the end of 2nd grade we started AAS, and DS zoomed through AAS1 and AAS2, working up to writing 3-5 short sentences (by hand) from dictation. Now we're at the beginning of 3rd grade, and he can type a short paragraph, and is starting AAS3 on Monday. I know this is more than you asked for, but I thought it might help you see the possibilities beyond a very low key 1st grade!

- A picture (draw or describe) - A poem (listen or recite) - A story (I read aloud) - A song (we sing together and I play guitar)

Has she had her vision checked by a behavioural optometrist? The trouble keeping numbers in place and the poor reading stamina are throwing up little red flags for me. Just a thought.

Discworld! Starting with The Wee Free Men. Does your DD have access to an ereader? My DS (also precocious but in VT) has really benefited from being able to adjust the font size and spacing of the text he's reading.

I'm so sorry that your gorgeous girl is no longer with you. Thank you for sharing her story with us.

I tweaked our roll-out a little. Daily subjects are well underway, and we've added Tue/Thu history and Wed science. Next week we start Mon/Fri grammar. Once all that has settled we'll start morning time. Things are going really smoothly so far. Short lessons and short breaks are working wonders.

Not to suggest that your daughter has an eating disorder, but there are lots of ideas here: http://www.aroundthedinnertable.org/post?id=696425

How exciting! My DS had a tough start to reading because of undiagnosed vision problems. I still do an internal happy dance every time I see him engrossed in a book.

He got in! We start at the beginning of March. :D

Like previous posters, we prefer audible over overdrive because DS likes to listen to the same things over and over. I treat our audio collection like a home library of books, only in a different medium.

All the best with bedtime!

We did "Stories and Games" for our K year. We both read to each other, and played lots of games. We also got started with handwriting lessons, as well as doing lots of fun stuff to strengthen DS' core and upper body, so that he wouldn't fatigue so quickly while writing. In addition to letter formation, we also spent time on mazes and dot-to-dots. Audiobooks are our friends. I read The Hobbit to DS when he was 5, and he loved it so much that he wanted to listen again, immediately. I don't enjoy rereading, so I got him the audiobook instead. He used to play with Lego or playdough while listening. Occasionally I'd print out a colouring sheet related to whatever he was listening to.

Thanks for the PSA!

That reminds me of the time the vision therapist tried to win DS over by telling him how clever he is. He muttered to me, "Do not let flattery throw you off your guard against an enemy!" He came across that line through his interest in Greek mythology. :D

Thanks for sharing. I really appreciate it.

Those twins of yours have come such a long way, Melissa! What a great start to the school year.

Did you do the AAR pre-reading program with the twins, or are you jumping straight into level 1? Also, I'm curious about the logistics of teaching two kids at about the same level - do you teach them together, or separately?

Exciting not-quite-news about your friend, LMD! We've done reading, spelling, history today. Maths and writing still to come. Hey Rosie, you can let dd know that we have sunflowers in bloom here. :)

Thanks, everyone!

For a family with one kid doing AAS, and another (or maybe two) doing AAR, can the homeschooling parent get away with just purchasing one basic interactive kit? If so, should she buy the kit for AAS, or AAR? Or should she purchase one for AAS and one for AAR?