Dividing words by syllable, root/prefix/suffix, marking vowels... Gaps in FLL?

[Jennay]

There is definitely not any learning curve at all with AAS! It's REALLY easy to implement. And your ds may easily complete more than one Level in a year...my ds is 6 and started AAS in September and only has a few more steps in Level 2 to go.
We also use FLL 1/2 for grammar.

[siloam]

Originally Posted by arcticmom

Oh, maybe I will order AAS then! We haven't actually started the Abeka Language 2 or Letters & Sounds 2. I didn't realize the gap in our curriculum until Dec. when I ordered the rest of the Abeka LA 2. I planned to start it this past week but the lessons at the beginning were far to remedial/review for my ds and I just skipped them. That's what I planned to do until it catches up to him. We haven't dirtied the pages yet and I could still return the Abeka stuff... so in the meantime I may order AAS to compare since they allow returns of all kinds, just in case, and then pick one to keep and one to return. I really need to become more decisive... Like dh says, "Just pick one!".

I will third ease of use. I bought it in December. It came priority and I let it sit on my printer during Christmas. Then I picked it up and spent Saturday night cutting everything out, Sunday night I glanced at the first step to see what was happening, and Monday I started.

Love this program. Every card is labeled. Even the card dividers are numbed, so you can't possibility put them in the wrong order. Even what type of card (there are 4 different types in the first level) is written on the bottom of every card, and they are also numbered and include which step (or lesson) they are used on. When you introduce a card in a lesson they show you a picture of it so you know you have the right one-really easy to use.

Heather

[Lori in MS]

FLL 3 and 4 covers tenses of verbs and 1st person, 2nd person, and 3rd person quite thoroughly.

[Terabith]

My issue with doing AAS is that it's so expensive for each level of the program. My dd is five, and it sounds wonderful, but I can't justify spending that amount of money on something that may last such a short time.

I'm trained in the Spalding method, but I really don't want to use that with her bc she just doesn't have the stamina for much writing. And a pretty low frustration tolerance. So we're kind of not really doing much..... I figure eventually I'll do Spalding. But as drawn as I am to AAS, it just is pretty expensive.

[ElizabethB]

Originally Posted by Terabith

My issue with doing AAS is that it's so expensive for each level of the program. My dd is five, and it sounds wonderful, but I can't justify spending that amount of money on something that may last such a short time.

I'm trained in the Spalding method, but I really don't want to use that with her bc she just doesn't have the stamina for much writing. And a pretty low frustration tolerance. So we're kind of not really doing much..... I figure eventually I'll do Spalding. But as drawn as I am to AAS, it just is pretty expensive.

You can do the writing with magnetic letters or have her do oral spelling, or a combination of both.

Or, have her dictate to you and you write for her.

I write my daughter's numbers for math sometimes. She writes numbers poorly and slowly, if she's having trouble with a math lesson, I will write the numbers, she just tells me what to write. She writes letters well now, but earlier we did work with magnet letters. I use oral spelling with a lot of my students with poor handwriting, and also when teaching a group of students.

[siloam]

Originally Posted by Terabith

My issue with doing AAS is that it's so expensive for each level of the program. My dd is five, and it sounds wonderful, but I can't justify spending that amount of money on something that may last such a short time.

I'm trained in the Spalding method, but I really don't want to use that with her bc she just doesn't have the stamina for much writing. And a pretty low frustration tolerance. So we're kind of not really doing much..... I figure eventually I'll do Spalding. But as drawn as I am to AAS, it just is pretty expensive.

Ok forgive me but normally I am talking to people with dyslexia who are looking at programs where AAS is the cheapest option, so your comment struck me as funny. For example Barton reading is $250-350 a level and has 10 levels. Wilson has a $500 start up, though no costs after that. I do understand what you are saying though when you compare the cost to a copy of WRTR, yes it is more expensive.

Given you have training in Spaulding you probably know enough to do your own thing working with a single letter at a time. You can make your own tiles with some construction paper cut into 1" squares and if you want them to last cover them with clear contact paper. If you have a scrabble game you could use instead, but the vowels just wouldn't be in a different color. You could make sand cards (write with glue and cover with sand and let dry) to use or write in corn meal or wiping cream. All those multi-sensory things that little kiddos just love.

What you are paying for in AAS is the hand holding. It is completely scripted telling you what to say, and what to do. No training and understanding the program required to use it. Something you probalby don't need with your training.

Heather