Thank you very much for all your responses! I really appreciate being able to get advice from such a great group. We have to keep working on the math facts, that's so true. DD prefers timed-test in paper rather than looking at flash cards. She likes to do 30 addition or subtraction math in 2 minutes. Is that ok or should I still use the flashcards? DD does her multiplication using skip-counting instead of memorizing the multiplication table. I learned the multiplication table in school but never skip-counting. Does she still need to memorize the multiplication table eventually? Thank you again.

I borrowed the Games for Math book from the library. We've played Math games using this book before. Today DD did her Math without complaints. I told her we will skip roman numerals and she was happy. She breezed through lessons 93 and 94. I was thinking of using Saxon 3 next year because I like how the TM is scripted. The worksheets look boring though but it may be less distracting and not so much work as Horizons? Any thoughts about Saxon Math? Are there any other scripted Math programs that are good for non-Mathy person like me, plus great for kids? I know some people use 2 Math programs because they lessons are presented differently; but would you need a supplement for Saxon? Doesn't Saxon have mental math practicies too? We do use manipulatives such as colored tiles for place value and we use real money for counting money. She can skip count from 1-10 and that's how she does her multiplication. Does she still have to memorize the multiplication table when she knows skip counting? (Sorry for asking this because I was taught memorization of the multiplication table and never skip count by memory.) I did ask DD if she wants the same Math books for 3rd grade and she said she's ok with Horizons OR maybe she doesn't know what's out there. I, on the other hand feel that if I have a better TM that will really teach and guide me then she would understand better. Thank you for your kind encouragement and suggestions. This is our first year of homeschooling and I am still learning what's best for us :)

Thank you. I'll check into CLE because that seemed to be a favorite of many people here. I don't think she has a Math LDs because she is pretty good in Math (for her age). She likes Math before. I guess the lessons are getting harder now that she's advancing in Horizons. I just don't know if we should continue using the same program next year. I need to find something that will bring her LOVE for Math back. I only tried the sample lessons at TT because another friend said it's a lifesaver for her. My dd likes to work on the computer and when she tried TT, she liked the way it was taught to her and she kept on doing the practice lessons. I had to stop her after awhile. That's why I wondered if having another person explain something to her is better. I don't mean to replace it totally with TT but will probably supplement with something else or use TT as a supplement of something better than Horizons. Thank you.

My dd7.5 is using Horizons 2. We're working on Roman Numerals. Lately though she's been crying when it's Math time. She doesn't remember some of the "regrouping" lessons we've done in the past and it's frustrating to her. I let her try the sample lessons at Teaching Textbooks because I'm tired of seeing her cry about Math. She likes TT4 and wants that to be her Math next year. My questions are: Is TT a complete Math program like Horizon is? Do I need to supplement? Has anyone use TT4 and TT5 and find them to be good? I am not a Mathy person and have a hard time sometimes using the TM of Horizons. I need a scripted program that will tell me what to say and what to write (samples) in order to teach. I need a good and complete Math program for 3rd grade. Please advise. Thank you.

I am also considering BF American History for Primary grades but can't decide between that and Sonlight Core 3. I have an 8 year old to teach. I don't want to follow a very intense schedule because my DD will prefer stories and hands-on activities. That's how she can retain information, plus she's only 8 and I don't think I have to "push" too much info at that age. Please advise. Thanks!

Yes, I guess that's one of the reasons, plus I felt that SOTW was too detailed for her. Listening to the cds were not her favorite thing to do :) I also think she should know American History first such as Pledge of Allegiance, Flag, U.S. Landmarks, Statue of Liberty, etc. They might be more interesting for her (not sure). If we do American History, any good recommendations for the right curricula (aside from Sonlight)? Thank you for your advice.

Based on our own experience, SL 1+2 didn't work for us. I wished I had gotten the Core 1 or Core 2 but not the combined. We ended up using History pockets and listening to the SOTW cds in the car. I think when they are young, history is just an exposure to what's out there. When we did the pockets, my daughter retained more from the information because they were short, easier to understand and hands-on. I also use some activities in the SOTW AG but didn't do much. I went to lessonspathways.com for more hands-on activities and also supplemented with lots of books from the library.

Do you teach ART using a curricula or book? If so, kindly share what you use and if you and your child/children like it or not? Or how often you do art at home. I have a very creative daughter who will be in 3rd grade soon.

We tried Sonlight's Core1+2 but DD7 wasn't not interested in Child's History of the World. We're listening to SOTW in cd and did the Evan Moore Ancient Civilization pockets. I am not sure if we should do SOTW2 since we didn't go into detail with SOTW1. DD will be in 3rd grade soon and was wondering if we should continue with the book (and some of their activities in their AG) or follow Sonlight's Core 3 which is Intro to American History? If you do not use SOTW for History, what did you use with your 2nd/3rd grader? Please help. Thank you very much.

I have a 27 month dd. She is enjoying the Kumon books "let's color," "Let's sticker and paste," "More Let's color," etc. I bought them from Amazon but you can get them at any bookstores. I also get some ideas from Slow and Steady, Get me Ready book.

I am ok with SL but want to see what's out there. I have TWTM book and I saw the recommendations. I was hoping to find something with all the stuff combined and not having to buy several books to cover the subject. If needed, I'll get some reading material from the library.

Actually I do not know what I need to cover in Science for 3rd grade. I want to follow TWTM schedule. Thank you.

What would you recommend for Science for 3rd grade? We are currently using SL 1+2 at 2nd grade. I would prefer something NOT to labor intensive for me :) but interesting enough for my dd. Thank you.

Hi, I was wondering if anyone is using a separate notebook for WWE? I prefer not to tear the writing pages out but I can't find a notebook with lines like that. Any suggestions? Thank you. Also, if you are using FLL 1+2, do you also do the copywork on that book and then do the copywork at WWE?

Jim Weiss' "Tell Me A Story, " is a good one for 3-5 year olds. You can check out www.greathall.com for more of his audio stories. They're great and my kids like them.

Hi Misty, what did you do when it was tourette's? You mentioned that you modified her diet and that seemed to help. How will I know what to do? Is there a website that will tell me what kind of diet my dd needs to have? Thank you.

I ordered FLL3 for 3rd grade and I will do WWE 2 in the Summer until we are finished and then go to WWE3. I also have R & S 3 (someone gave to me). I might end up using FLL3 though just because we both like it more :)

We are doing R & S Englishe for 2nd grade. We also have FLL 1+2. I like both. R & S is not scripted. It has many Bible quotes and the most sentences are from Bible stories. My dd7 prefers FLL though :)

We've only done Ancient Civilizations pocketbooks so far but by 3rd grade I want to teach history in more depth for my 8 year old. Do I begin with SOTW book 1 and just keep reading and do the AG too? How do you teach history to a 3rd grader? Thank you.

Ottakee, come to think of it that you mention allergies. The Spring season is worst time for my daughter. She has bad Spring allergies and had to use a nose spray in the past. I suspect that could have triggered her tics due to constant throat clearing and then blinking...due to itchy eyes. She likes to read before going to bed and we have found her with a flashlight in bed reading. I'll see if this tics will become worse or better and will be more persistent with our pediatrician if it doesn't get better. Thank you all for your wonderful insight! Such a great group. Appreciate each and everyone one of your postings!

I need something easy to teach and will teach spelling rules. My dd will be 8 when we start a spelling program. (I bought SWR but it was too cumbersome to use and I didn't like it). Which one is better? Thank you.

Sorry I meant Psychiatrist and not psychologist :) I really hope she won't have to have medicine and we can just treat this naturally. She is watching tv right now and I can hear her clearing her throat a lot. I've talked to the pediatrician about it but she didn't offer any suggestions...

My dd7 is having nervous tics again. We first noticed it when she was 4.5 years old when we were going overseas (vacation) to see her cousins. I later read that they are tics and it could be due to anticipation and nervousness/stress. It went away eventually and came back when she was in first grade especially towards the end of the school year. It was then that we decided to homeschool her. The tics disappeared but now it's back (she's 7.5 years old now) and she's blinking heavily, almost half side of her face is twitched when she does that. I don't want her to see a psychologist bec. I know they will only give her meds which will be too strong. I just need some insight from others who have kids having tics. It's not tourette (I think, as she doesn't have outbursts). We don't have any exciting things planned except maybe a possible trip overseas in the future (within this year). She has heard us talked about it but we don't dwell on the topic. Any advice from those who have same experience? Thank you.

We are also part of CC community. Love it!

Hi SilverMoon, Rod and Staff is phonics based spelling program? I just want something simple and efficient, plus have the spelling rules. Thank you.