How do I do it? I have a very poor vocabulary IMO. Not at an adult level, and I have always loved reading, etc., but as a little kid, nose in book always, I was reading junk (think Sweet Valley High and Babysitters Club). My friends that have an excellent vocabulary said it was just reading, reading, reading--the good stuff. They picked it up that way. Is that it? I personally think it was also because their parents have a good vocabulary, too, using words I have never heard of! Do I have my daughter look up every word she doesn't know? Does it just come naturally after years of good reading? :confused:

I used MFW 1st for Math and the past few months have added on Singapore 1A to help my daughter get her math facts down and learn them the way Singapore teaches. First question-- Does anyone else do subtraction different than the way Singapore teaches. Meaning: 8-2....I put up 8 fingers and then put down 2. Therefore, 8-2=6. 6 fingers left. Singapore wants me to leave up the 8th finger and count down 2 by saying 7, 6. OK. My daughter actually seems to do this counting down. But when I verbalize how I subtract this problem, I say 8 take away 2, 8, 7 and therefore my answer is 6. Does that make any sense? Does it matter? Second question-- My daughter is not memorizing these facts. I have been trying. Using the textbook, she wonders why the answer is basically right there on the page. I usually try to cover it so that she figures out the answer on her own. It is easy with a picture there, too. How stressed should I be if she is not figuring this out before 2nd grade. Can she easily move on to 2A? If she doesn't have these down can she move on to multiplication facts? Right now she is using little dots on the Mental Math pages. She will see 7-3 and put 3 little dots before the 7 and count down. Should I let her do this? :confused: Sorry so long. I can't believe I am struggling teaching 1st grade math! Maybe I am overthinking. Maybe she can use her fingers, use dots, etc. I just want her to speed up her answers when doing the Mental Math. It takes her soooo long. And when I say I am going to time her, she freezes up and can't do it... Thanks for listening. :001_smile: I guess while I have Singapore people here....should I buy the new Challenging Practice Workbooks?

:grouphug: Praying for peace and patience--comfort in knowing the Lord will provide for His people. I am sorry and know how stressful financial things can be.

Not all Reformed hold to the same eschatological view either. Lots of amils amongst postmils. Missions? What? :lol:

I guess I should say Head of the church..we are the body. You know, bridegroom and bride.

This confuses me. :confused: Why is the Lord separated from the church? He is the Church. I have so many questions from this discussion. Good thing my husband is a theology nerd/pastor. :) My head is starting to spin. I do agree that we need to be careful with wording. I believe that Adam (humans) were called to have dominion...though have a feeling that the Dominion Mandate has a different meaning from what I believe. And for people to say that God has not had all the control (all part of His plan) over everything that has happened in history blows my mind. But, again, the original poster did not want to start a debate....but did open my eyes to see that I have a lot more learning to do!! OK. I will go back to discussing homeschooling and save this stuff for a theological forum. Puritanboard is a good one if you like discussions....;)

Oh, but I see that someone mentioned they are paedobaptists....nevermind if so! :)

I have no idea about CLP, but there is such a thing as Reformed Baptists. Simply the same as reformed but a different view on baptism. Maybe that is the confusion?

What gave you that impression? I know they are both reformed/calvinists, etc., as am I. I am not into the theonomy, etc., and full christian reconstructionists do have extreme views that I don't agree with. I am not here to debate either--just wondering what you read that gave you that impression, and how it would be shown in lessons/books. I don't personally know much about either CLP or VP but many of my reformed friends use it.

:iagree: That's what I do. 10-12 and then do reading, finish up other stuff after lunch if I need to. I always feel like we should be spending more time doing school, but it doesn't seem like she could handle much more. I have a 1st grader, though. Next year I want to start a bit earlier and do a little more.

Forgive me if this comes across as rude, I am just curious. I have read this comment before re: like public schools use and actually has turned me off. I don't want my kids to be taught to read like in public schools necessarily. I understand that being at home, 1:1, etc., makes the difference. I guess I just hesitate. I know, kind of public school phobic...sorry. Also, doesn't WTM/SWB talk about the benefit of learning to read and not having to write? It is even the OPTGR method? Some kids are ready to learn to read but not write? At any rate I am interested in LTR with my soon 5yo. He may not do well with lots of writing. Just thinking aloud a bit. :)

There is an answer on the forum: http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?t=365 I had wondered that, too, and was directed to that post. HTH!

I could have written this! My 6 yo has really good days and then other days I have to constantly get her to focus and do her work. 5 minute work can take her 30+ minutes. She is not ADD at all-- just lacks the motivation or interest (some days). Rather see what her 4yo, 2yo brothers are up to. It has brought us to tears, too. The slightest mention of a timer and she goes crazy, freaks out! She is very competitive and maybe feels like she will not "win." I will try some of the suggestions here. If you find something that has helped, I would love a followup. I dread school some days. I have given her more breaks, too.

I second MFW. Nice place to start as a newbie and then you can add to it as needed.

I know each child is different, but you said you used it for your 6/7 yo? Do you think it would be too much for a 5yo? Does he need to know anything before starting? I mean, he has letter recognition and knows most of the sounds, but that is it. Thanks! Everyone has been helpful.

Before my daughter (6yo) learned to read I purchased PP. I remember not liking it at all and quickly selling it and buying 100 EZ. I have noticed on this forum how many people love it. Maybe I should look at it again. Hmmm. I was hoping for results from people that liked CLE LTR or tried CLE? Or other? And now I am considering yet another program! Haha! :) Seems like the most popular are OPGTR, PP, or 100 EZ?

I have 100 Easy Lessons, but just don't love it. Kind of tedious in ways. Can't really explain that. Has anyone used CLE Learn to Read? Is it a good program? Pros? Cons? Is there a different reading program that you just love? What about Memoria Press? He will need to learn handwriting, too. Not quite up to speed on that yet. Maybe I should just give 100 EZ a try and go from there?

Thank you!

Anybody? Here is the link that seems to not be working above: http://www.rainbowresource.com/search.php?sid=1270660462-995196

In checking out Rainbow Resource here I see that Lingua Mater is in color, etc. But, otherwise, what is the difference? Also, if I got the teacher's manual Rainbow Resource has, would it work for the Lingua Mater? Are there other versions of Serl's PLL? Which do you prefer? Also, as a side note, it is put out by a Catholic group? Is there anything obviously Catholic? Thanks!

:bigear:

I would be interested. It would be for 2nd and a K.

Off topic....but I was reading your blog the other day and enjoyed it. I read something you wrote about TOG. I might just PM you some time with some questions if you don't mind. :) Now off to explore FLL vs PLL AND Phonics Road!

I am assuming there have been threads on PLL vs FLL? I will search for that. So these are gentle? I have read this a lot. What is meant by gentle? What would you call R&S then? Hard? Rough? Intense? Thanks.

Phonics Road?! Oh no!!! Yet another to pick from! I do really appreciate the suggestions/advice.