We are using it with great success for DD4. We are actually almost finished the K set and will be starting the 1st grade soon. I agree that it doesn't actually teach the rules, but I plan on doing more with that through AAS, probably next year. DD loves the stories and characters. She looks forward to reading a new book. We are also using Explode the Code (book 1). We are moving rather slowly through that, but it works well with HoP. We are also using the I See Sam readers.

I just signed up for my DD4. I don't love it, but might keep it. DD is pretty good with the computer, but (I don't know how to describe why I don't like it)... she needs help or it takes forever to go through a set of problems. There are 20-25 problems for each activity. She can't read all of the problems and it is a lot of clicking to go to the problem, click the read question button, click the read answers, 3 times, then click the right answer and then click submit. It just seems like a lot and then there are 20 problems. So, after about 10 problems she is ready to be done. It doesn't really "teach" anything, but just quizzes the skills. I do like it as a way to keep track of mastering skills. ETA - I wish I would have know about the co-op price before signing up.

We have about 3-4 inches in MD. I wasn't quite ready for it.

Yes, this is what I was thinking. It would be easier than having to rethread the harness for each child. Another option is the Evenflo Triumph Advanced. The harness is adjusted easily, without having to rethread.

How about a list of all the great on-line resources? Links to websites to help her get started. Links for activities for her DD. That would be free, and very helpful. I know I spend a lot of time searching for just the right website, so a pre-made list would be helpful.

My DD is beginning to enjoy longer read-alouds. We have read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, My Father's Dragon, and are reading Little House in the Big Woods. These are great books. My questions is: Do I "save" some books for her to read independently or will she want to reread these books later? I don't want to read all the great books to her (not like we will read them ALL) and then find out she doesn't want to read them on her own. Or does it matter if I read them to her or she reads them independently, as long as I expose her to great books?

My DD, 4.5, loves Let's Go to School (I haven't watched it, just listened to it, so I don't know how "school" is portrayed, and don't know if you want to show a video about "school"). She has learned the months of the year through their song. She'll pick that over Letter Factory and Talking Word Factory. They also count and talk about animals. Lots of songs. ETA - she is waiting for Math Adventure to the Moon to come out.

Yes! If you as a parent are requesting a referral, they have to start the process.

Are you working through a local public school? If so, I would write a letter stating that you are REFERRING him for an educational screening. I would also state that I would want educational, psychological (and speech/language if you want them to do that) testing done. You could also state that you are having concerns and suspect a learning disability, but I don't think it is necessary. I don't think you need too much info in the letter, that will come out at the meetings. By making a referral, you are starting the time line. They will have so many days to hold a screening meeting. You may be asked to complete an Educational History and Parent Questionnaire. You may also be asked to complete a Teacher Report and/or Observation, as those are typically included in the screening process. This is where you would really need to address your concerns: reading ability, math skills, writing skills, etc. I would also present any additional assessments that have been done in the past. At the screening meeting the team will decide if further testing is necessary. Sometimes it is recommended, sometimes not. If the team is learning toward not testing, just demand it and keep on them until they agree. If a parent is adamant about testing, we usually test.

I saw this link posted once and have used this little booklet with my DDs. It is geared toward little ones. http://www.nurturedbylove.ca/resources/cuisenairebook.pdf

I just saw these that look pretty good. http://www.amazon.com/My-Virtual-Tutor-Kindergarten-Nintendo-DS/dp/B002BZ11DM/ref=pd_bxgy_vg_text_b http://www.amazon.com/My-Virtual-Tutor-Reading-Nintendo-DS/dp/B002BZ11F0/ref=pd_bxgy_vg_text_b I have been trying to find some DS games that have a little educational value to them.

:lurk5: I am following this thread. My DD starts kindergarten next year and we will be afterschooling.

You can also use Basic Reading Inventories to help identify reading level. Usually they consist of graded reading lists and then reading passages with comprehension questions. They usually have 3 or 4 different set of lists/readings so you can use them multiple times.

At the middle school where I work, 8th graders typically have four 45 minute academic (math, science, world studies and English) classes a day. Some students take a foreign language or reading for another 45 minutes.

Thanks for all the advice. It has given me a lot to think about. It is great to hear what others are doing.

I am another newbie and was wondering what you do. Do you supplement what DC is learning in school or do you just do your own thing? For instance, if they are learning about butterflies in school, do you do additional activities at home that go along with that theme? Or do you just stick with your focus? For math, do you try to align what you are doing at home with what they are doing at school? Do you find any issues if you are working on one concept at home and another at school?

Thanks. I just registered. It looks great.

Yes, you only count the words that she read correctly. So, you would go with the 25 words, or 2.5 grade level. There are also Basic Reading Inventories that you can use to assess reading level. They usually have a word list and then a passage to read for each grade level. Here is one (but there are many different ones) http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Reading-Inventory-Pre-Primer-Assessments/dp/0757551270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256775191&sr=8-1 I don't know if you can find one at the library, but it might be worth a look.

I don't know if it is a true memory, but I remember being told by my third grade teacher that I would never learn to read. I don't know how it came about (I can't believe a teacher would say that to a student), but I at least remember being told that she said that (Mrs. Harris, I don't remember all of my teachers, but I remember her). Soon after that I was diagnosed as GT/LD. This was almost 30 years ago. And it still impacts my life today. I am struggling with sending my DD to school (we need to send her to school, so I'll afterschool her). I don't want her to encounter a teacher like that.

It sounds like you are doing lots of great things. I do think that it is a good idea to have her read at a lower level for some of her reading. That way she can work on improving her fluency. It'll be easier and it can help her become more confident.

We have lots of number books. One of our favorites is: http://www.amazon.com/Counting-Magnetic-Play-Learn-That/dp/1845100506/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256387171&sr=8-1 It has magnets with numbers on them and you can place them on the correct page and count the items on the page. My girls love it. I think I got it at TJMaxx or one of those off price stores.

We are in a similar situation. I love the idea of using number stickers. We are using Singapore EB. I like to do the workbook pages, it helps me stay on track. I have been writing for her, but she would LOVE to do stickers. I am off to make some now.

I just found this site. It is great. :thumbup:

I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I have been wondering the same thing. Somethings I do - we have a DVD player in the car, so I use that time to have the girls watch some DVDs - this is something my DH can do, pretty much everywhere we go is an hour round trip. I'll also have my oldest DD read to DH during bedtime stories. He is not too big on reading tons, but he'll be happy to listen to DD read. He is helping me put together the girls' study, so he is contributing by building shelves, but other than that he isn't too involved. :D

Do you have both the Textbook and Activity book for Singapore? We are using EB 2 right now and I find that between the text book and the activity book it is pretty good. I do supplement a little with more manipulatives to reinforce the concepts, so DD isn't always doing book work. We'll play games with dice to make number bonds or play with number cards doing finding consecutive numbers.