I've looked at AAS multiple times over the last year. It looks great but it seems to have too many parts for me. Do you know if it's possible to use it with just the teacher's manual? I've read (in here) about others using it without the tiles but I wasn't sure if buying just the teacher's manual is enough.

These look great! Thank you!

My 1st grade daughter reads pretty well (2nd & 3rd grade readers). We haven't done spelling yet other than ETC books (if you count that). We used OPGTR for phonics & loved it. I'm really, really struggling with choosing a spelling program. Please help. I want something easy to use... open & go/minimal prep. She learns fast. I do not want a bunch of manipulatives. What do you recommend? TIA!

Thank you all for the suggestions! I'm not looking to spend any money. I think we will choose some grade level readers the next time we are at the library & go from there. She's my oldest so I'm new to this. I think she's doing great but it's nice to be able to throw out numbers that relatives that don't homeschool will recognize when asked.

We finished up K/1st & I'm happy with my DD progression. But how do I know her reading level? Is there an online evaluation somewhere? Or guidelines for how to figure it out?

I've been reading up on Elemental Science & I'm definitely interested. It may be my choice. Has anyone used the new series by them... The Sassafras Science Living Books? It sounds interesting but it also sounds like it could be more work (which I don't want). I hate to print from my computer... I much prefer to have papers in hand.

Thank you all! Since I have so many great science books, I think I will skip specific curriculum this time. I may find something appropriate at a local used curriculum sale in the late Spring. Thank you again for your input!!

I've spent so much time reading science reviews my head is spinning. I'm attempting to loosely follow TWTM recommendation of plants, animals & human body but I'm open to any suggestions. I do prefer less expensive options. I have a bunch of Usborne encyclopedias & science experiment books. We will also be in CC again. And, I will have a 4 yr old (turning 5 in Oct) tagging along for some lessons when he wants to join us. What science did you use for 1st grade? And, did you enjoy it?

Forgive me... But where is the swap board?

Thank you all! I really appreciate the info.

I finally decided on RS2 A for our math (newbie homeschooler here). I've seen it mentioned that there is usually a Black Friday deal. Does anyone know what that deal usually is? Is it consistent from year to year typically? How much of a savings is it? Is it books, manipulatives or both? (of course, I know, there's no way to actually know... Just looking for experience.) My DD will be doing K5 work this fall & I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to wait for Black Friday to order. We will have plenty to work on until then so I'm not concerned with that. I just don't want to spend money if I can save a decent amount by waiting. If its only a few bucks then I will go ahead & purchase. Please let me know what you think. TIA!

Is this still valid? I'm looking for OPGTR.

I would love to see this info... If you don't mind of course. :)

Thank you all for the great advice! It sounds like RS is worth the money! Now, I will start searching to see if I can save any money on the program.

My oldest (She will be 6 in October) will start K5 in the Fall. She learns pretty fast & knows quite a bit of what a PS child would know by the end of K. She seems to enjoy math (as do I). I'm planning to focus on Math, Phonics/Reading and maybe join CC as far as formal lessons go for our K adventure. So.... RightStart has been recommended many times thus far. And honestly, the only thing holding me back is the cost. After reading about it & seeing it live at a demo, RS2 seems like a great program. My husband does math in his head the way it teaches... & is VERY good at math. After researching, I think I prefer the AL Abacus over C rods. It seems to make more sense to me as well as a stepping block. I'm not the child so who knows. *** Is the program worth the price tag? I do have a 3 year old who would need the program possibly in 1 or 2 years after my DD. All opinions welcome! :)

I completely understand. The extra curriculars are continued from what we have already been doing this past year. It sounds like a lot on paper but it doesn't feel that way when we are doing them. It gives my very energetic DD an outlet & it gives me a chance to be around other adults. So it's win-win on that front. As far as "school" goes, I'm pretty laid back because my daughter seems to learn by osmosis. :) But I don't want to be so laid back that I cause her to lose her love of learning. I will definitely need to find our balance. Thank you all for your responses! I love reading what worked for you & your family.

Oh my goodness... She LOVES to play outside! We have a large yard & a playground. She would be outside all day long if she could.

I hate it when that happens. I will check out the video. Thank you!

Yes... We do.

I'm having trouble wrapping my head around how much or how little "school" to do. My DD (6 in October) will start K in the Fall and this will be our first formal homeschool adventure. I've currently been teaching as we go about life and when she asks to learn more. I'm sort of an academic unschooler so far. Ha! She loves to learn and picks things up pretty well. HER "SPECS"... She currently knows her letters (recognition, can write them & knows their sounds). She has begun to sound out simple words. She can count to 100+ and can do some simple math. She also knows some basics of money & time. Our extra curriculars will be... Dance (ballet/tap), gymnastics, Awana Sparks, soccer in the Fall (short season), cheer leading in the Winter (short season)... I have a very social butterfly. We live in a rural area so unless we do activities she only plays with her 3 yr old brother on a daily basis. I'm also considering a CC group. She visited 2 different ones & really loved it. She continued singing the songs long after her visit. I'm not excited about the expense though but I do feel the need to be connected to a community. I'm struggling with connecting to a group. So... If you're still reading... K curriculum... PHONICS... I'm thinking ETC 1 & OPGTR. MATH... I haven't decided yet. (We also do various crafts, cooking, sciency crafts as we go about life). **** What else is needed for a good foundation of learning? **** I'm open to any & all opinions. Thank you in advance!

Here's what's I do to encourage my 5 & 3 year old to entertain themselves when they struggle... We do... busy bags (ideas on pinterest) simple sensory bin activities (ideas on pinterest) pretend play (you could also do a version of pretend to be an elephant, lion, etc cue cards). Daniel Tiger, the tv show, is great for showing how to pretend as well as great songs about learning proper behavior. The Magic Moves electronic wand is awesome to encourage movement when you can't get outside. sticker books (some that have specific placement like an activity book & sometimes they just stick stickers in their sticker notebooks). I have a busy box with things like... Lacing cards, counting bears/beads to string on laces (great for patterns), wiki sticks, etc My personal opinion (take it or leave it... You know your child best)... I would incorporate time (or more focus... Or lack there of depending on how you look at it) for him to figure out how to entertain himself. That is where true confidence comes from. All children need to be able to play on their own or life will be a struggle. Good luck!

I'm just starting my "formal" homeschool journey with my 5 yr old. I can't really offer advice about homeschool yet since I've only done an informal PK at home. You mentioned "figuring out the mom thing"... What does your free play/unstructured play with your son look like? What do you do to just spend time together?

Thank you all for the responses & especially the descriptions of what each program looks like for you. I still haven't decided but I've found the opinions of others informative. Thank you again!

This will be my first year homeschooling formally. I've been teaching the basics & I teach as we go about life (which will continue). My daughter is currently 5 (October birthday) & will be in K in the Fall. I'm having the worst time choosing math... & I know it's different for everyone. I enjoy math. I do not care for Common Core. My daughter picks most things up pretty easy & also seems to like math. I'm not sure how I feel about certain manipulatives like an abacus. Here's my wants... 1. I would like a math that is fun but academic at an age appropriate degree. 2. I would prefer something reasonably priced (unless there's good reasons to spend more). 3. My daughter enjoys worksheets as well as hands on. She also learns well by song & just talking in the car. Here's my daughter's "specs" in case you need to know... she can count, recognize & write to 100+, she can count by 10s & is learning by 5s, she knows her shapes, can do patterns & grouping, is learning time & money (because she asked), is learning basic addition & some subtraction, & probably more that I'm forgetting. I'm not looking to move too fast but if she asks to learn I don't want to hold her back. I want her to enjoy math & have lots of fun for K. I'm open to all advice.

She knows her beginning & ending sounds well. She can blend but certainly isn't proficient. I'm not looking to move too fast. I'm pretty laid back with specific formal work since she does learn well. I teach constantly as we go through life. But I don't want to purchase the wrong level (either something she already knows OR something that skips ahead too far). Thank you all! As I said, I appreciate all advice!