Has anyone tried Saxon phonics? I am interested in opinions since we liked Saxon math last year for first grade.

I am also interested in other grammar and phonics recommendations for a second grader who reads very well but still needs to work on spelling.

Also, I am looking for good science, art and music programs. I like a program that is structured and provides all of the basics. I can supplement with library books and activities from there.

Natalia

You could try Spellwell for spelling...

And Meet the Masters for Art!!

a wee bit of spam - usborne has a first recorder kit

Usbornes First Recorder Kit (http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=Y1818&gid=11068005&title=First+Book+of+the+Recorder+Kid+Kit&sqlwhere=+category+like+%27%25Music+%26+Fine+Arts% 25%27+order+by+Title&page=1&first=First+Book+of+Christmas+Carols&totalresults=41)

I have the Usborne first recorder kit and did not find it quite as easy as I thought it would be. Maybe recorder isn't as easy as I thought it would be...

"Recorder for Young Beginners 1 w/ CD/DVD"

http://rainbowresource.com/viewpict.php?sid=1121452352-235586&pid=023918

I bought the plastic recorders from Oak Meadow but found their method of instruction confusing. I recall learning the recorder when I was 9. I used to practice at home and learn the lessons ahead of time! I hope I can teach my oldest three (I'm not sure if my 5 1/2 yo is old enough) because I remember it was fun.

If you want ot use a literature approach to the science... then you might want to check out www.livinglearningbooks.com

Also... take a look at Sonlight's science.

And we are really liking Andrew Pudewa's spelling program. It's a bit pricey, but it will go through all of my kids - so it ends up being less than workbooks for each one. You might want to check it out.

If you want ot use a literature approach to the science... then you might want to check out www.livinglearningbooks.com

This looks really good. Thank you.

I was able to look at saxon phonics from our charter recently. I really liked it and debated hard about switching to it from sing spell read & write. I finally decided not to only b/c I've heard from so many people to not switch around, if you have issues try and alter the plan to fix them. That said if i had seen saxon phonics first I probably would have went that route. On the science, we are using the living learning science book one this year. I'm really excited about it, it's got pretty much everything in my opinion. Also, watch ebay b/c i've seen the science there for good prices. Good luck

For Grammer I'd suggest First Language Lessons. The lessons are short but good.

2nd grade is early to be worrying about spelling. But like Heather said, Phonetic Zoo is an awesome program. It's expensive, but will last for all of your kids with no workbooks or anything else to buy, ever. Bryce couldn't handle it in 2nd grade so we saved it for 3rd grade. He did fine with it in 3rd.

Phonics = Abeka

Art = We use a co-op for this, although Meet the Masters would be my backup choice.

Science = My World Science (www.myworldscience.com) This is a neutral science program; I'm not sure if thats what you're looking for.

Recorder = I believe Scholastic has a book for this.

We use Oak Meadow for recorder and Living Learning Books for science. Abeka is good for phonics but so is Phonics Pathways. My dd has this habit of rushing through her reading and guessing at words (drives me CRAZY!)...our evaluator said she acts like she is trying to sight read despite being taught phonics...so we are doing Phonics Pathways even though she already knows this stuff to hopefully get her to look more carefully at the words.
For art we are using Draw Write Now (also provides manuscript practice which she needs since she learned cursive first) although we may switch to I Can Do All Things later.