Yes! This is a great example of making it work for you! And I agree, it really is a complete package.

Pretty sure it's going to be my go-to recommendation for most folks.

Yes, same! I really rely on in-depth reviews of curricula which is why I wanted to do this one!

What level did you start with? We have a similar situation and I've been unsure. Thanks!

follow-up: do you have plans to review Pinwheel level 2?

Hi, sorry for the late response. Yes, I am planning to review Pinwheels Year 2 in the coming weeks.

Hi! So I think it really depends on the situation and child. If your child is progressing in reading skills as expected with AAR and you want to pull for grammar/word study/spelling/writing etc - then you might consider doing the RIL Laying Path classes. If your child(ren) is struggling with the pace of AAR and/or is not picking up phonemes/accuracy as expected, then that's a different situation. If you have a struggling reader/writer/speller or are conflicted about curriculum, I offer literacy and curriculum consulting. You can see more info here: www.homespunchildhood.com/consulting

Thanks for sharing!

Who is Treasures from Jennifer? Can you share a link?

@@butyoucancallmesam www.treasuresfromjennifer.com/

This is so helpful thank you!

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you! When you purchase Pinwheels, one of the documents has printing instructions, including a direct link for ordering printing through their printing partner. If you order through their printing partner, they handle all the details of which document goes on what kind of paper etc. PW 1 & 2 (Year 1) Complete is $195. You can also print just PW 1 for $100 and PW 2 for $94.

Is this the total cost or is that an additional fee on top of the purchase fee for the pdf?

@@brigittedavis899 the printing fees are separate. You don’t have to send it out for printing. Many people print at home.

Working on it!

Yes, you could use is as a supplement. However, if you like a current program, I think your money would be better spent on a class by Rooted in Language - that way you would learn the strategies they use and could apply the strategies to your preferred curricula. Their Laying a Path Class, Phonics and Spelling, is a good starting point.

I think it really depends on your kid and the other program. One of the things I like about Pinwheels is that it is comprehensive (phonics, word study, grammar, reading, basic writing). Also depends on your teaching style! I'm the type that really wants ALL the things and then I can pick and choose what to use. I don't like having to spend time/energy piecing together supplementary components if a program doesn't do it all for me.

It's a structured literacy curriculum that follows the science of reading and teaches foundational reading skills, so yes.

Based on that (and without additional info), I would say Pinwheels.

I think it would depend on what skills she has mastered from 100 Easy Lessons. RIL has a curriculum placement guide that might help, you could also ask in their FB community. static1.squarespace.com/static/5c59b159b2cf79766b58742a/t/60c381fdc4e32457424e5328/1623425533364/Curriculum+Placement+Guide.pdf

Great question! So with PW - there are a lot of components. 1) Student Workbook - there are practice pages and some copywork as part of the workbook - I spiral bind that. 2) Reading Kits: This includes decodable word lists, decodable sentences, and decodable readers 3) Appendixes: There are additional "extra" copywork printouts here. These copywork passages are related to the decodable readers and go along with the RiL method of Intentional Copywork. Some families only use the the student workbook and decodable readers. Others incorporate some or all of the other reading kit and appendix resources. IMO, the benefit to RiL, is it offers tons of "supplement" materials that you would have to hunt down if using a program like LoE or AAR. Some kids need more practice than those programs offer, and others don't.

I haven't had a chance to review The Wand yet. Depending on his needs, PW 3 or 4 (releasing soon) might be a good fit.

@@homespun.childhood no worries. I was just wondering. I was thinking of starting with Pinwheels 2 to cover any gaps he may have.

Hi, so it will depend on your child's comfort level with consonant and vowel letters/sounds and their ability to read and spell short consonant-vowel-consonant words (CVC). If they are able to blend CVC words to read and can also spell CVC words (cat, dog, run, mop, etc.), then Pinwheels 3 might be a good starting point. If they are still working on fluently blending CVC words for reading or are not reading with CVC words yet, then you might consider PW 1/2 and move through it at a quicker pace. Unfortunately, PW only does print handwriting, not cursive. However, you could teach cursive separately and then have them record their answers in the PW workbook in cursive instead of print. You can also is a free program like the Handwriting Without Tears Worksheet maker to make cursive worksheets to match the PW curriculum. www.lwtears.com/resources/worksheet-maker-lite

Hi! My son completed LoE Foundations C before we started RiL. I ended up going back to PW 3 for exactly that reason. I ended up applying a lot of their lessons and strategies to more advanced text to match his reading level and his needs. If you are half-way through LoE B and have younger kids that you will homeschool, then I would go with your gut about going back to PW 2 to fill in gaps.

When you purchase Pinwheels, one of the documents has printing instructions, including a direct link for ordering printing through their printing partner. If you order through their printing partner, they handle all the details of which document goes on what kind of paper etc. PW 1 & 2 (Year 1) Complete is $195. You can also print just PW 1 for $100 and PW 2 for $94. You don't have to send it out for printing, though. You can print at home if you want. A lot of people opt to use binders instead of coil bindings to cut back on printing costs.

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks. We just moved and things are....chaotic. I'll do all levels for the review. :)

Hello! Have you considered reviewing the wand anytime soon? Just checking back to the comment above :)

Levels 1 and 2 are "kindergarten." Long vowels aren't actually introduced until Pinwheels 4. PW 3 is a lot of word study, consonant digraphs, and r-controlled vowels. Feel free to message me on IG or email - I might be able to quickly point you in the right direction.

If you purchase the curriculum, the getting started guide has a link to have it printed from Making Family Count. There are other homeschool-friendly printing services like Hard Copy HQ and Watson Family Press.

When you purchase PW, it comes with printing directions. The DIY printing directions are VERY detailed, telling you what to print on what weight paper etc. If you send out for printing, I recommend using their printing partner because they already know how to print the different documents - you just tell them "PW 1" or "PW 2" and they do all the rest. If you are just starting out with a new reader, I think sending it out for printing with the direct link for their printing partner (in your purchase documents) is a really good option.

@@homespun.childhood ok, thank you. Is the student workbook the only consumable part of the curriculum?

@@crystaldean7740 No - parts of the reading kits are also consumable.

This looks great but very pricey to get printed in Canada. Was looking for Canadian distributors but didn't see any- only a Canadian printer that looks pricey given number of pages etc Any other Canadians purchase here? Any tips?

Yes, you do not need to add additional LA resources until you complete the levels. Some folks add in an additional writing program like IEW or EIW and/or some literature guides during PW 3/4.

Great question - they are for the parents.