Do you know if Math in Focus has more review than Math Mammoth?

CLE is working (sort of) for my kids. I have to switch away from it to a non-religious curriculum (charter school rule). I printed up some Math in Focus placement tests and the kids have no idea how to do any of the mental math, haven't learned several of the things in the tests, etc. I want to make a fairly smooth transition as with my oldest switching ended up causing gaps. Math U See seems hard to place kids. I'm not understanding how it works. Each book is only one or two topics (multiplication/divison, etc)? I don't really want video based instruction either. Anyways, any suggestions? I know I need to match the kids at the level they are at. But, I do struggle with having to move them way back (5th grader doing Math in Focus 4 or ?). I do have Math Mammoth but in the past that hasn't worked well for them because they need more review, do better with spiral. I'm not really interested in Saxon. Is Singapore preferred vs Math in Focus? I do desire for my kids to understand math in the way that Singapore and MM teaches it, though that has been a bit of a struggle in the past.

Anyone?

I am confusing my self a bit. And, WTM book confused me a little more (my fault). I understand that there is 1 credit for English 1 (9th grade is what I am looking at). Or you can label it Language Arts, etc. Under this credit one would do (parentheses are my options): --Grammar (Rod and Staff or Analytical grammar) --Literature (Biblioplan literature with some Progeny Press guides--how many??) --Writing (WWS2 or MP CC writing as recommended in WTM) AND/OR (WttW/Teaching Classics) Now, my confusion lies with writing versus literary analysis. If I do Progeny Press guides for literature, that counts as some literary analysis. But, my dd also needs some writing help, so I would use WWS2 or MP CC OR Windows to the World/Teaching Classics. Windows to the World/Teaching Classics is writing curriculum with literary analysis? So it covers both? If I use Memoria Press writing curriculum, do I still need something like WttW? Sorry I am so :confused1: :confused1: :confused1: . It looks like WTM puts these into 2 credits, too, but I haven't seen that anywhere else. What do you do?

Did you decide what to use? I am debating WWS2 or 3 vs WttW, too.

I am looking to see what the board recommends for Algebra I for my dd that struggles with math. She does well with constant review, like in Saxon and CLE. She is currently finishing up Saxon 8/7 after having done MM7A. I have Foersters but it doesn't seem to have the daily review that she may need. It looks like a new lesson, then practice problems for that particular lesson. Any suggestions? Obviously Saxon Algebra, but I was wondering what else there would be? Also, since I am asking, my ds will be going into 7th grade. He is currently doing CLE 6. I don't really want to do CLE 7 because I want him ready for Algebra in 8th grade. He does well with the constant review, too. I have Saxon 8/7 but I think that copying down each problem (when he is used to workbook form) may be a bit of a challenge. Any suggestions for him? Thanks!

Did you decide what to do? I am in a similar situation. Debating MFW AHL, just Notgrass, or Biblioplan (year 1 or 3??) for my 9th grader. Then if I choose BP, I'd be set with the 7th, 5th, 3rd graders. If not, I still may do BP with them or the younger kid Notgrass--doing a year of just American history. So, just seeing if you decided. I don't want to buy MFW and then really regret it. I already know that I would change some stuff.

So, Rod and Staff 9, writing program, literature, etc., are all under one credit?

Next year starts my first year homeschooling a highschooler. Gulp. I feel so confused in general. But, my reason for this post is wondering for some clarification on language arts credits. My dd will need 1 credit. So, what does that look like? If I do Rod and Staff 9 (grammar), a writing program (WWS 2 or IEW), and ?? Literature is a separate credit, correct? How do I determine what is enough or to be counted as literature? She may do BP for history which has a list for literature. Does that count? Or would she need more? It would help me to see what you use for Language Arts and what you count as a credit. What if I do a vocabulary program? Just not sure how to count everything. Thanks!

Thank you so much everyone. I appreciate all the helpful responses. I am thinking I better avoid charter school for high school. As much as I'd love the financial help, it is not what I want for the direction we want to go in high school and the whole purpose of me homeschooling. It may be best for our family to avoid it for the younger kids, too. The money help is so tempting though.

I'm looking into possibly joining a charter school group (like Sage Oak) as one of the California options for homeschooling. Can anyone share pros and cons? I use a lot of Christian materials but have been told I can get around that. Not sure about things like Rod and Staff English (as every line seems to be religious). My biggest concern is if I should put my highschooler in or just the younger kids. The highschooler could take classes locally though (like biology w/lab) that I could otherwise not afford. But, I do not understand a-g, I've tried. I can't figure out what it is, what the requirements look like, or what the curriculum is that I would have to use. Could I still use Biblioplan like planned or do I have to do whatever they tell me? I understand following some rules, but I still want the freedom to teach what I want. Biblical worldview is important to me. Any input or help? I know that I could not longer be a part of HSLDA if I join.

I am debating Sage Oak for my kids, too--especially if I should use them for my highschooler or just my younger kids. I may start a new thread because I have a few other questions--but thought if some others using Sage Oak on this post could chime in. I want some freedom for high school, but there are some local classes that I want my 9th grader to take that Sage Oak would help pay for and this is a huge plus for me as we can't afford the $450-600 classes. I use a lot of Christian curriculum-- Rod and Staff English, CLE math, biblioplan, Apologia science...oK--everything?! I add in SOTW so I could use stuff from that. But, what would I turn in for my highschooler? Biblical worldview/education is very important.

Why didn't it go well in the past? I did try year 3 in the past and it just didn't work well but because I was not sure what I even wanted for history. I probably just needed SOTW w/AG but was always looking for more. Remember the Days coming out really helped changed my mind. I am using BP year 2 right now. My 13yo (8th) is reading the Companion on her own and answering the Cool History Advanced questions. She listens in a little while I read Remember the Days with my 6th, 4th, and 2nd graders. I don't really have them do Cool History questions but generally just have them sum up what they heard or use the questions in SOTW AG for the audio they listened to. As mentioned, I have SOTW audio so I add in chapters from that, since it is nicely lined up in the Family Guide. I tried to remember to do the map work. We were not consistent with that. I love all the choices for books for each of the ages I have. I do plan to use BP next year though maybe adding something more for literature study/writing for my highschooler. History gets done and I can add or take away as I please. I have tried to use TOG and MFW in the past but never really did well with it. BP gets done (usually) and if we get behind, I love having SOTW as a easy backup. I would love to use MOH and may have my highschooler read some chapters from that next year. For question 1...Do you want to keep them all together? BP keeps things lined up and really it comes down to whether or not you like the Companion and Remember the Days. My 13yo is happy with the Companion. I don't always read all of the section for Remember the Days, just try to draw out main points. Next year though when I have a 7th grader, I will have him answer the Cool History questions on his own or with his 5th grade brother and they can use the book to look up answers and read more in depth. Make sense? I will also probably buy the discussion guide for next year. Though, I really wish there was something like TOG teacher pages since I would like some more hand-holding in the tying everything in with a biblical worldview. I am not good at doing that naturally, unfortunately. I also love the TOG literature pages but understand that that would take away the flexibility of what book choices you make with BP. There is not much discussion about the books they are reading, so unless you read everything you hand them to read--I just make them sum up what they learned and have to take there word. :P So, I have the Companion, Remember the Days, and Family Guide in hardcopy. I also own the ebooks of maps, Cool History Middles and Advanced, and the craft book. I actually skipped YR 1 ancients this year so that I could follow Remember the Days as it comes out!

DD 13 just finished WWS1. I want to continue some kind of writing and prepare her for 9th grade. She didn't love WWS1, though very good program for her (more of a creative writer) and I felt it was important stuff to learn. I am looking at SWBs suggestion of Memoria Press writing program (though don't know where to start-- Fable?? Or possibly CAP (again, where would she start). She is a fairly natural writer but of course needs some help. I would like to be fairly hands off. I heard Elegant Essay IEW is a lot of teacher 1:1. I may use Window to the World/Teaching the Classics with Jill Pike's syllabus for freshman year or do I do that now? Or possibly just use Memoria Press throughout high school. It wasn't clear to me in the WTM book what is suggested, so I have to reread that. I didn't see WWS2 or 3 mentioned for high school. All that to say, what do you suggest? Of course, we only have about 4 months left before summer break and then high school. I don't know how it works if I start a program and don't finish. I'm still trying to get a grasp on credits. Hope this makes sense!

OK. So sounds like Crossfit may not be a fit. He will not do it on his own at home, I don't think. P90X is something you do alone at home, correct? Where do I find a trainer? YMCA or some place else? Any thoughts on cycling?

Wondering if anyone has info/experience with Crossfit or cycling? My dh has a bday next month. His doctor wants him to get into cycling classes. The one nearby seems like mostly women. I've heard some good things about Crossfit. Is it just strength training? Any ideas or recommendations? He does not exercise and needs to lose at least 50 more pounds. Exercise is key now as he isn't really losing anymore with diet change. I thought maybe a personal trainer or some specific class to sign him up for?? I don't know.

I am suppose to do this as a credit? Even for 8th grade? I have no idea.... According to Math Without Borders they aren't even suppose to take the tests? :P Maybe I will splurge and by the solutions manual. But, to be clear, I am buying it for JUST the tests. That is $60 for just the answers to tests. Seems crazy. I have the answers to the regular work. Thanks everyone for your help!

I thought about that (and new about 800). I decided to go ahead with Foersters because the beginning seemed liked review. I also have her doing some MM 7 (pre algebra) to make sure she has it down. I will monitor her a bit more closely. I am just having a hard time seeing if she actually gets it. Maybe I will slooow way down and have her go back and do the odds. Forgot that the book has the answers to that!

After spending a lot of money on the book and the Math Without Borders program, I don't want to drop another 60+ just to get the answers to the tests (which the tests are in the book). Maybe I need to though. I see that the beginning of each chapter also has an oral drill. Wonder if those answers are also in the solutions manual? The textbook has the answers to the odds. The Math Without Borders has the solution to the evens. I am just so frustrated that this program is not complete! There is a review at the end of the chapters, again, no answers to those. I don't have the time or ability to sit and figure out all the answers!

I debated for a long time what Algebra to use for my non-mathy DD. She struggled with MM (no spiral), struggled with Saxon (way too much but great review), and did CLE 7th last year. Anyways, I picked Foerster's Algebra and decided to help her out by buying $$ Math Without Borders so that she had some extra teacher help. I am very disappointed that there doesn't seem to be any review and that she can't even take the tests because there are no answers....in Foerster's book or with Math W/ Borders. I don't want to spend $$$$ 60 plus to just get the answers to the test. :( Anyone else come up with a good solution? How to add more review or how to test if you child is actually getting it? She does have mistakes on the work and goes through the lesson on the DVD that explains the answer. I don't know how to line this up with something like Khan Academy, etc.

My boys are having a hard time with Rod and Staff. My dd has done fine, now doing the 8th grade. My boys seem to be stuck on just trying to remember subject and predicate! I am not sure if I should just stick with it and slow down a bit or try something different and a bit more interesting (to help their motivation, focus). Not sure what else people like for those grades.

I have the 2006 textbook. I see that Rainbow Resource sells a solutions manual. Do I need that? I will probably buy the Math without Borders usb to help with teaching (not sure if I need that either?). If you use Foerster's, what else do you buy for it? This is for Algebra 1.

Anybody? :tongue_smilie:

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it!

Do you think learning is the same doing it online vs writing it out, etc?