We sing our facts as much as possible! MUS has a great CD of math fact songs. So we sing, sing, sing, and I am VERY pleased with retention. We also do speed drills. Because my dc are hyper-competitive... so anything that looks even remotely like competition is great for them. HTH, Jackie

And of course, it depends on the child. I have tried several programs..... Spelling power just didn't work for us..... and we really tried to make it work. We also tried the Phonetic Zoo..... didn't work. And when I say these things didn't work, I mean that I just didn't see any improvement or "carry-over" from the spelling program into other areas of school. Then I came across some old Spelling Workout books at a library sale... and that's what we've stuck with. I like it because it is simple, has some good vocabulary type exercises which help my dc remember the words, and some other exercises like alphabetizing and such. But I've found that constantly reviewing spelling rules as we come across them in all areas of writing..... and adding problem words to the program lists is the best route for us. My dc can memorize lists perfectly! But I think the actual implementation across subject lines is the thing that causes retention. HTH, Jackie

My father emmigrated from the Basque country in southern France. He took each of us kids to see his homeland.... One of the highlights for me was hanging out in a town square in Bayonne, and watching the handball players. They were awesome! They were just guys hanging out on the week-end.... not professional or anything... but man were they good. Everyone in town was watching, mostly from outdoor cafe's. Another highlight for me was touring the Chateau's in the Loire Valley. Amazing!! I can still remember how short the beds were..... (people were shorter then). Paris, of course. Oh, and if you get a chance, visit Dodin's. It is a pastry/chocolate/ice cream shop. They are in a few places.... Paris and St Jean de Luz for sure. It is heavenly. If you plan to go to a beach, check ahead of time which ones are topless.:blink: That would be an awful surprise. I would tell you to have a great time.... but how could you not? I can't wait to go with my own dc someday. Do you know where you'll be staying? Jackie

Plaid Dad, Your knowledge in this area is invaluable. Thank You! Jackie

I think it's the 1st time they've offered it this way. I have attended the teacher training in Lancaster..... it was excellent. Jackie

Every one of my dc have run away before. Luckily, we've always lived on ranches, so it's hard for them to actually GET anywhere.:001_smile: Most recently, my 2 little guys aged 6 and 7 at the time, ran away while I was out checking the cows. When I got back to the house, the girls told me "the boys have run away". "Where did they go?" , I asked lightly. "They headed up the draw behind the house". I asked the girls to saddle up and go find them and tell them it was time for dinner. Sure enough, they were all back within 30 minutes, the boys full of stories, some true, most not so true. They had run away because they had gotten into a fight with one of their sisters, and were sure that I would take the girls' side. I asked to see what they had packed. They both had their backpacks with them. Much to my surprise, they had taken all the normal stuff.... pj's, clothes, toys, snacks, and much to my surprise...... some schoolbooks!!!!:lol: They said they knew that if they were gone for a few days, that I would want them to get some school work done.;) It makes me chuckle even now. I told them that the next time they ran away, to be sure and tell somebody where they were going, and to leave enough time to make it back for dinner. I know that I'm making light of this now.... but they were serious. I also know that our situation with living in the country is unique.... but I guess I've always thought that if I lived in town, I'd be sure that my kids had a running away plan.... Like "let me know which friend's house you're running away to". Don't worry.... I think it's totally normal for little ones to run away, or at least threaten to.... The grass is ALWAYS greener at so-and-so's house:001_smile: Hang in there, Jackie

Yes! We've been very happy with the Omnibus I primary and secondary this year. DD is signed up for Omnibus II primary and secondary, and Latin II for next year. It IS pricey. It is also excellent, imho.

It seems that it would be really easy to use ETC this way. I use it as a supplement to my phonics program, and my dc always spell the words covered in ETC correctly. I think that's because they get to write the words so many times. Maybe you could use the words in ETC and then add additional words from the same word family... HTH, Jackie

So sorry, I was referring to VP. Didn't realize there was another org. with the same name. Nevermind........:)

Not an answer, really, but another question? How is your ds doing in Logic? I see that you've been doing the Fallacy Detective and MIndbenders..... I've heard that the ability to do Algebra is closely tied to the ability to think "logically". Fwiw, my dd is finishing up BCM, and I've decided to go with Lial's algebra since she has responded so well to her teaching style. Personally, I would be afraid to take a break in between "pre-algebra", and algebra.... but then, I'm not in your shoes. Best of luck with your decision..... Jackie

Coming in late here, but I just wanted to add my .02. My dd, 13 is currently taking Omnibus I, Primary and Secondary through Scholars Online, and it has been the highlight of the school year for her. She LOVES the discussions and interacting with the other students. The class is challenging, which is part of the attraction for her. We have never had any trouble with missed classes. The student is responsible for finishing the work assigned in the class period missed, and the student can also get notes from other students if desired. My dd told me just the other day that one of the students in the course would be missing up to 3 weeks of class because he and his family were taking a missionary trip to Russia, and they weren't sure how available internet would be.... I'm sure that this student had to make some special arrangements with the teacher, but of course the teacher would want to make it as easy as possible for a student to take such a worthwhile trip, kwim? The teachers have been wonderful to work with. On occasion, I have emailed the teachers with questions, and they have been very quick to respond, and very open to communication. I have already enrolled dd in Omnibus II primary and secondary, and Latin II for next year. HTH, Jackie

Karen, I've used MUS for quite a while, and am happy with it. My oldest dd is just finishing up Zeta and is simultaneously doing Lial's BCM in order for her to be on track to take Algebra 1 next year as an 8th grader. She began MUS as a 1st grader and has never used anything else. I had some concerns, as we got closer to Algebra, as to whether or not MUS would adequately prepare her. My concerns stemmed mainly from others raising questions on these boards as to the effectiveness of MUS. You may get some cons stating that MUS does not adequately prepare students for Algebra. But my experience has been just the opposite. My dd is NOT math-minded, but she is able to grasp the lessons pretty easily from the DVD lessons. If she's not sure how to do a particular new problem, I usually just do the examples in the teacher's guide on the board with her. This rarely is necessary, though. I am really happy to say that dd is sailing through her pre-algebra. I feel that MUS has given her a lot of depth on the concepts needed to progress to the next level. (MUS also has advanced level math texts, but I thought it would be important for her to be taught using a different instructor/style). In the early grades, the scope and sequence might be a little different than that which is taught in public school. I think this is because MUS goes more in-depth on each concept before moving on to the next. But everything IS eventually covered. If you plan to always HS your dc, of course this is not an issue. Also, I did supplement the lessons on telling time, and on money, just because my students weren't "getting it" with just MUS. I just bought a couple of inexpensive workbooks. But after having said all this, I think the most important reason to use MUS or a program like it, is because of the way it teaches students to look at numbers. It is based on the place value of numbers as opposed to counting. Right Start uses the same approach, and I'm sure there are others. I have had limited exposure to Saxon and Abeka math, which use counting (for lack of a better word) and which have not made sense to any of my 4dc. So I would encourage you to read math reviews written by math teachers. I don't have a link for you, but hopefully someone else will, or maybe you could google "primary math reviews", or something like that. Most of the info. I've shared with you pertained to my oldest dd, but all 4 of my dc are doing well with MUS. I used her as an example because she has completed the entire sequence of primary math. Also, the push right now with doing BCM simultaneously, is due to family issues over the last couple of years, and NOT with the math program. HTH,

Thank you ladies. I truly appreciate all your input. Jann, thanks for your top picks. I'm going to consider each of them. Jackie

I see that I'm in the minority here, but I like the Phonics Museum. My 2 dd's used it with great success, and now my 2 ds's are using it. I think it has all the components needed for a student to get a solid base in reading, writing, and spelling. I don't use the readers. Can't stand them. I do supplement with ETC just because my ds's love those books. The program itself doesn't really need supplementing, imho. I like the little art projects, and I especially like the logical progression of the program. The only other program I've tried is Abeka. But after only a couple of months, I was back to PM. HTH, Jackie

We are really enjoying Lial's BCM. What do you think of her Algebra text? TIA, Jackie

OK, after reading several reviews and considering many options, I decided to go with Foerster's Algebra 1 for my dd 13. Now I'm a bit confused. Is there any difference between "Algebra1: Expressions, Equations and Applications" (published 1994) and "Algebra 1" (published 1998)? Also, Do I need just the student edition, or do I also want the teacher's edition and the test booklet? I have decided that I do want the solutions manual, although they act like it has nuclear secrets in it. What is the deal with Pearson publishing? Do they just dislike homeschoolers? Thanks for your help..... Maybe I just need more coffee.... I'm not normally this easily confused......:001_huh: Jackie

I am using BCM as a pre-algebra text for my dd age 13. Do I need to cover chapters 8 and 10 (geometry and statistics) or can I leave them alone for now? We will be using Foerster's in the fall. TIA, Jackie

anyone? Bump

My dd, age 13 is using BCM as a pre-algebra text. I plan to use Foerster's for Algebra. Does she need to cover chapters 8 and 10 (Geometry and Statistics)? Or can we leave those alone for now? TIA, Jackie

Well, I can answer part of your question.... My oldest dd 13, is very good with language. WE started with LC-1 in 3rd grade, and continued through LC II and began Henle. Everything was going great until life happened. The short story is that I suddenly had a lot less time to school. I stopped doing as much latin instruction, instead allowing my dd to self-teach. Well, Henle fizzled. She just couldn't keep the momentum going all by herself. I supplemented with Cambridge, which she likes. Next fall, she will be taking Latin on-line with the Veritas Press "Scholars On-line" program. She will be taking Latin II, which focuses on translation of classical works. I am so relieved to have made this decision, because I feel that now she will be getting the instruction that she deserves. I chose VP because dd took Omnibus I primary and secondary classes through the Scholars On-line program this year, and they have been EXCELLENT!! I cannot say enough about this program. So I have no review for you, but I am confident in the quality that VP provides. HTH, Jackie

I use MUS. When we first began home-schooling, I chose MUS because other homeschoolers that I knew really liked it. But as I continued on the journey, I KEPT MUS because of the reviews I've read about several math programs. I wanted my students to be able to think mathematically, and to be well-prepared for advanced level math in High School. From what I've read, one can teach a student how to compute, or one can teach a student how to think mathematically. I am not a math person, but MUS has given me new insight into how numbers work, and why. It also covers each concept thoroughly, and has enough review, and good application (word) problems. Sometimes I covet Right Start math because it has great reviews, and teaches with the same philosophy as MUS. It just appears to have really cool manipulatives. But Right Start is too expensive, and MUS is working too well for me to switch. I would encourage you to read reviews written by mathematicians. There is a lot more to math than simply computing. My oldest dd is finishing MUS Zeta, and is simultaneously doing Lial's BCM in order to prepare her for Algebra I next year (8th grade). I have been thrilled with how naturally the algebraic equations are coming to her. She is like me..... not a math person, more of a language arts person. My 2nd dd is in MUS Gamma, and is just cruising along. It is going very well. There were times last year when I thought I might have to supplement with something else, because she was just struggling with the math facts. But we stuck with it, and now she's doing VERY well. My 2 youngers are both in MUS alpha. It's interesting, because I had them in public school for 1 semester, where they used Saxon, and the math there made NO sense to them. They could do it, but they really missed what we were doing with MUS. Good luck in your journey, Jackie

They are different. The picture confused me too. I wish they would fix it. That said, in the 1st year, there is some duplication between the two because of the period of history being studied. There is very little duplication (maybe just a few cards) in year 2, and none after that. I've used the VP Bible and History programs for the entire cycle. My oldest dd is completing Omnibus I this year. It has been great. HTH, Jackie

Thanks, Sue. And you're right. It would be pretty tough to cover everything in a year. Maybe I am asking too much....

I'm speaking specifically about the MFW one year program called "Exploring Countries and Cultures". I'm looking for a complete geography program for next year that will cover all continents, countries, etc., and will also have some interesting books to go along with the geography study that will speak to culture, history, or physical geography. Am I asking too much? When I say "China", for example, I want my students to be able to "picture" something that we studied about that country..... not just know where the country is located. I'm also looking at "Trail Guide to World Geography", which looks promising..... Any opinions? (Dumb question.....) Could you please share your opinions of these 2 programs?:bigear: TIA, Jackie

I can't exactly answer your questions since dd is only on chapter 2, but I just wanted to say that we are also using BCM as pre-algebra. I have my daughter do the odd problems of the chapter review in order to identify any problem areas. If clarification is needed on a certain topic, we go to that section and I teach it, then we do the exercises for that section. Once we've covered the problem areas, we do the odd problems on the chapter review, and then if all is well, we do the odd problems of the chapter test. So far, so good. I plan for dd to finish BCM over the summer, and then move into Algebra I next year. An aside: I was listening to a guy on NPR the other day.... a math scholar speaking on the topic of the US being behind the rest of the world in math and science. He stated that in order to be on a par with the rest of the world, a U.S. student needs to be doing advanced math in high school (trig and calculus), which means that algebra must be covered in middle school, which means that fractions must be mastered by the 6th grade. I was pleased to see that with my average math students, we are on track to at least tackle these things in a timely manner. Cheers, Jackie