I asked a similar question here: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/563970-favorite-easy-chapter-books-for-girls-magic-tree-house-and-beyond/?fromsearch=1 Cam Jansen is her current favorite. However, it's more of a 2nd grade reading level. I highly recommend Milly Molly Mandy and the Wilder books if they are not too hard for her. Hope she finds something she likes!

If other readers are interested in learning more, here is the MP PreK curriculum page with a sample lesson plan: http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/preschool-curriculum

What is your favorite PreK reading program? Looking for a program for my 3.5 year old. She recognizes and knows her letter sounds. We tried "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons," and I guess I forgot how painful that program can be with the say it fast "games." She just doesn't like that part and neither do I! Friends have recommended "Phonics Pathways" which I'm sure is a wonderful program, but I don't have the time right now to read through a teacher's manual and try to figure out what I'm supposed to prepare and cover for that day. With a busy two year old boy and nursing infant, I would like something that is easy to teach and has little to no prep. Thanks in advance for your recommendations! Here's what we are using so far: Memoria Press Preschool The Complete Book of Numbers and Counting workbook Everything for Early Learning workbook

I am using Memoria Press Preschool for my 3.5 year old. We gave it try last year when she was 2.5, and she was just more interested in playing than "doing school" and I was too busy with the older and younger siblings. At 3.5 years old, she is asking to do school but still gets distracted by the desire to play or to be independent. That said, she is enjoying it. She knows her letter sounds and can count to ten so I am supplementing with PreK workbook sheets ("The Complete Book of Numbers and Counting" and "Everything for Early Learning"). I am also trying to go through the 100 Easy Lessons reading book, but both of us find it painful; still looking for a more suitable reading program for us at this stage. To answer your specific questions: Did anyone use it before? 2.5 years and stopped How many weeks is it? 34 weeks It seems to have 4 days a week, which seems odd as Jr. K is only 2 days a week. What am I missing? I think Jr. K is only 2 days because it's more advanced, and the school's program is likely structured that way. You could ask here to be sure: http://forum.memoriapress.com/forumdisplay.php?3-Classical-Curriculum What age do you think is ideal for it? 3 year olds How long did it take you to complete it everyday? We don't do it in one sitting so I'm not sure. I fit it in here and there when it makes sense. For example, she is more captivated during snack and lunchtime (no toy distractions). Does a child have to have very strong language skills to "get" the program? I would say no. To sum up, I don't think it's the program itself that was too advanced for her. She just wasn't ready to have a structured time of learning. As others have mentioned, the program is very gentle. Highlights for her so far: - Making fruit salad - Counting raisins - Saying the recitation verse Hope this is helpful!

My 2nd grader has had an incorrect pencil grip from the beginning. It's the dreaded "thumb wrap," and I cringe when I see her do it. The writing aids that you put over the pencil to prevent the incorrect grip have not helped (2 years using them)! And now she does not want to use them which is understandable because they are bulky and get in the way of writing which is difficult already. I remind her over and over to "watch her thumb," but that's not helping either. I think I'm giving up on it. Has anyone seen a child drop a bad pencil grip as they have gotten older? Or am I without hope? Thanks!

TheAttachedMama, Thank you for this! Really good stuff! I like the idea of dictation. I am wondering if the learning from dictation will soak in more than it has from Copywork and Phonics worksheets. My questions are: 1) What resource do you recommend for dictation sentences? Should the sentences be easy and filled with common words? Or more difficult and filled with spelling words? Both? 2) How do I correct her dictation? Should I have her rewrite the whole thing after I correct it? Thanks again!

What strategies have you used to improve your child's spelling when they write? Spelling tests are not a problem. Her poor spelling comes out in her writing in schoolwork and in notes to family and friends. She is trying to spell phonically but sounding out the wrong letters, for example: em for am chrip for trip griv for drive She is not applying the spelling and phonics rules she has learned. Again, she does well on spelling tests. She'll get all the word right for learning "ea" or "ee" but then spell teacher as "techer." Other spelling errors include common words such as: ar for are ur for our ther for there aftr for after How can I help? Thanks!

What books have been your daughters' favorite when starting chapter books? I've started a list below. I'm in search of easy/beginner chapter books that have more meaningful stories and/or better writing. She's not ready for the Little House series but is eager to read chapter books. If Magic Tree House was/is a favorite in your home, which book titles in the series were more of a hit? There are so many! My daughter prefers book series so any of those would be helpful. Thanks! Flat Stanley series Jigsaw Jones series Cam Jansen series Betsy-Tacy series Magic Tree House series Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series Pippi Longstocking series The Boxcar Children series Wilder - Little House series American Girl series

What have you seen to be the most helpful in solidifying sight words? I am noticing a few gaps in my 1st grader's sight word vocabulary. I just don't have the time to do drill flashcards; I need something she can do independently. I was thinking of getting a sight word workbook or reader, but there are so many. And one she has is too easy. She is reading books like Amelia Bedelia and Make Way for Ducklings now. We are continuing in our phonics lessons, but she needs this extra sight word practice to help her reading as I am supplying too many sight words for her. Here's some workbooks I was looking at: 100 Write-and-Learn Sight Word Practice Pages: Cut & Paste Sight Words Sentences Mini-books Thanks!

What have you seen to be the most helpful in solidifying sight words? I am noticing a few gaps in my 1st grader's sight word vocabulary. I just don't have the time to do drill flashcards; I need something she can do independently. I was thinking of getting a sight word workbook or reader, but there are so many. And one she has is too easy. She is reading Amelia Bedelia and books like Make Way for Ducklings now. I think teaching phonics is best, but I am supplying too many sight words when she reads so she needs some extra practice. Here's some workbooks I was looking at: 100 Write-and-Learn Sight Word Practice Pages Cut & Paste Sight Words Sentences Mini-books Thanks!

Is there such a thing as books and movies that are girly but not ditsy and full of stories about parties, clothes, being a princess, etc.? My elementary school daughter loves books and movies that are girly, but I'm not a fan of the twaddle, mature themes and unkindness in most current popular series, such as Angelina Ballerina, My Little Pony, Barbie, etc. Anything girly yet wholesome out there that you've found? THANKS!

Carefully selected books for beginning readers and beyond from a classical Christian school: http://www.thelatinschool.org/studentlife/summerreadinglist/ Scroll down to see list for "Rising 1st Graders" and up.

What are your toddler/pre-k favorites from the following educational toy sellers? Learning Resources Lauri Toys Eureka How about books for learning colors, numbers and letters? Before we started formal pre-k programs, we used the following resources the most to teach math and letters + letter sounds. We still use them. 50 Counting Bears with 5 Cups Educational Insights Number Bean Bags Smethport Pocket Chart Cards Alphabet Letters (I love these because they are lowercase and uppercase and don't have any pictures. They are also very sturdy.) Edushape Edu-Tiles 36 Piece 6x6ft Play Mat, Letters & Numbers Set by EdushapeLeapfrog Letter Factory DVD (a must)

This is a great question; thank you, jens2sons! And a big thank you to pitterpatter for sharing your family's beginning reader favorites. My daughter LOVED "I Will Try" which is part of the Holiday House "I Like to Read" series. It's a great alternative to the silly beginning readers marketed to girls. She loves to talk about the girls in the book with me..."Mommy which is your favorite?" or "Mommy which one do you want to be?" The text is very easy, but it got her excited about reading and liking it! This thread also encouraged me to get the Elephant and Piggie books. I had avoided them before, but like "I Will Try" I am happy with them for now as she likes to read them! And they are not the only thing she is reading. I think an important thing to remember about beginning readers is the good ones can force the child to decode more often than "real" books. They can also build confidence and help a child to enjoy the learning how to read process. My daughter is still overwhelmed by and scared of "real" books. Here's our current beginning reader favorites: - Primary Phonics Storybook sets (link) - SING, SPELL, READ AND WRITE KINDERGARTEN STORYBOOKS (1-6) '04C (link) (Good writing, colorful illustrations and nice stories) - The Berenstain Bears Phonics Fun (My First I Can Read) My First I Can Read - Elephant and Piggie (Careful that the child isn't reciting the text from memory and not actually reading; easy to do with this series) Morris Goes to School Morris Has a Cold Sammy the Seal More Advanced Beginning Readers (1st grade): See the following lit study guides for titles: First Favorites Guide vol 1 by Veritas Press First Favorites Guide vol 2 Storytime Treasures by Memoria Press More Storytime Treasures For girls: - "I Will Try" (Holiday House "I Like to Read" series) (link) (About girls in a gymnastics class) - "A Day with Miss Lina's Ballerinas" (My Readers) (link) - Nina, Nina Star Ballerina (Penguin Young Readers, L2) (link) Anyone else like to share more gems they have found? jens2sons, you are so right that the good ones are hard to find! Have a happy fall!

Since this thread is now 2 years old, anyone else want to share their household's favorite educational DVDs? If you like any of the following, can you recommend others for the under six crowd? Reading Rainbow - Definitely a classic but can be boring for kids at times Wild Kratts - Villains can be a bit scary Leapfrog Letter Factory and Word Factory Is there such a thing as a cartoon that is pleasant to the eye? Closest I have come across is Kipper which is not so busy.