I think that RSO (R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey) and RS4K (Real Science for Kids) both look good, but I can't decide which one would work better for us. I think I've ruled out Nancy Larson because I don't like to use lessons that require the parent to read a script. But if you could tell me what you and your kids like about RSO and RS4K, I would appreciate it.

The more I look at Nancy Larson, the more I am worried about the scripts. My dd (and I) hate scripts! Now I'm leaning towards RSO or RS4K. Plus the price of Nancy Larson seems really high. We already have some of the materials in her kit, too.

I have been pleased with the quality of the Little Labs. I like that everything comes in the kit so I'm not hunting around for materials. My only complaint is that the instruction manual is very basic and brief and relies mostly on pictures. I wish there was more extensive explanation of the concepts. But they are great for hands-on activities.

My dd is kind of burned out from lots of workbook-type activities. I'd like to do some fun science things with her this summer. She is 6. I would like something that does not require a ton of preparation on my part. I thought Nancy Larson looks good, but I can't tell how much of it is hands-on and how much is workbook. I have some "Little Labs" science kits and like those, but I am looking for something a little more comprehensive (an actual curriculum rather than individual activities). Thanks!

thanks!

These look like a comprehensive summer review of math and language arts. Has anyone used them? What are your opinions? Thanks!

Has anyone used this workbook? I can't find any sample pages of it and am wondering what kind of problems it contains. I'm looking for something for fun/enrichment/review of first grade math. Challenge Math has been mentioned on this site but I'm having a hard time finding details about it. Thanks!

I tried Singapore and found that it wasn't quite at the right pace. We would finish a lesson and I felt like dd needed a bit more practice, and I didn't have the time to prepare supplementary practice for her. The pace of MM seems better for dd, and I like that MM provides extra resources (online, as well as the ability to create more worksheets) for topics that require more review.

What did you think of it? It's quite expensive, but I thought it might be a good way to help dd review what she learned this year in math. I also felt like a fresh face (i.e., not me!) might help her a bit. If you have been there, what did you think of the program? Did you feel that your child made progress? Were you impressed with the materials and teaching? Thanks!

DD is just about done with Math Mammoth 1A and B. She breezed through 1A, but 1B has been a little tough for her. I think she needs some review before moving on, and I think she needs a break from the worksheets for a while. I am looking for some fun, heavily manipulative-based way to review basic concepts of first grade math. Specifically, she needs to drill/review addition and subtraction facts and go over place value. Any ideas?

I did not read the replies, so sorry if this has been suggested already, but you should check out makeyourownjeans.com. I have ordered about 5 pairs of jeans/chinos from them and they are very high quality. Your first pair might not turn out exactly right, but you can then tweak the measurements on your next order. The website does not look completely professional, but I have ordered from it without any problems and so have my relatives. I really love it and now that I have tweaked the measurements, I can order jeans for the rest of my life that actually fit! I usually order one pair of jeans and one pair of khakis and it comes out to about $125 with shipping costs. Not too bad for a quality pair of jeans that fit.

I like the Melissa & Doug abacus. I got it at a local toy store, but have seen it on amazon, too. In general, I love Montessori materials, but I have to say that I don't like their elementary math manipulatives. They just don't seem intuitive to me. I don't care for the binomial cube or the trinomial cube, or the teens board. I like the bead stairs and bead chains, but the chains especially get very expensive. Alisonsmontessori.com has the most reasonable prices on quality items that I've found. As for math manipulatives, I have found plenty at Lakeshore that I like to use with dd. If you have one near you and can go and browse, you will be able to find things that you can use. They also have a huge catalog.

I would definitely go with the movable alphabet if you have to choose. Your dc will be able to use it for a longer period of time. My dd was never that interested in the sandpaper letters anyways, and as other posters have said, you could make them pretty easily. They have movable alphabets at alisonsmontessori.com for a very reasonable price (that is where I got mine). This one is only $22 http://www.alisonsmontessori.com/Movable_Alphabet_Lower_Case_p/l08.htm They have sandpaper letters (uppercase) on clearance there for $15 right now, too.

I agree that the teacher is probably more important than the actual program. Many teachers will let you take a free trial class to see how you like it. We've done Musikgarten and Music Together and I absolutely love the Music Together songs. Many are simply enchanting, and I can't say that about the Musikgarten songs.

I am about to purchase the Grade 1 Language Arts "Light Unit Set" for my dd6. Does anyone know if the Teacher's Guide is useful? I am just afterschooling so I am not too concerned about tests, but are the spelling lists useful? What about the other materials? Thanks!

Thank you so much for these recommendations! I just requested a bunch of the books from my library and am also looking at the MCT website. I had never heard of MCT and it looks fantastic! I have been struggling with FLL, as the lessons come off as very stilted to me. I like the content of them, but the delivery is just so blah. I think the general setup and prose of the MCT books is more my style. Expensive but I think it's what I'm looking for. Thanks again!

My dd6 is very curious about literary and grammar terms. She loves learning the "hard" words like hyperbole, onomatopoeia, etc. Is there some kind of fun book that incorporates these terms? I am thinking (wishing?) of something along the lines of Penrose the Mathematical Cat, but with a language focus instead of math. I would really appreciate any recommendations!

Any good suggestions? My dd has a lot of questions about all the presidents so I'm looking for a book that has short biographies of each U.S. President. She is 6 but her reading ability is advanced. I would be able to read it to her, as well. Something around 3rd grade level would be perfect. I'm finding a lot of 6th grade level books but they look just a bit too difficult with a bit too much information. Thanks!

I usually get books from the library first (if they are available there), and when we come across a book that dd absolutely loves, I usually purchase it. I always loved rereading books and my dd does the same thing. So I think there is some benefit to buying books.

Thank you for the suggestions. I don't mind a Christian curriculum and will certainly check into all of these. Thanks so much!

My dd(5) is already quite a good reader. She is independently reading second grade books, such as Magic Tree House. Despite my best efforts, she was never interested in learning to read using explicit phonics techniques. I guess she is more of a sight reader, but uses her own phonics system for figuring out words. I am wondering if it would be useful to do OPGTR with her, or if she is beyond this. Would she just get frustrated, thinking it is too basic? Or is there value in her working on this?

We are at exactly the same point (about page 74 of 1A Math Mammoth). I think if your child truly hates the repetitiveness, then you could pick and choose which pages to do. But I do think that drilling the addition and subtraction facts is important until your child knows it cold. So I would probably do them unless your child really resists (or already knows the facts 100%). Otherwise you could drill in other ways, with games, etc. until the facts are memorized.

Math Mammoth has been working really well for my dd (5). I am afterschooling her right now and am hoping there is some type of Language Arts curriculum that is similar to Math Mammoth (i.e., something that is comprehensive, can be done in small chunks of time, and is self-explanatory and doesn't require constant parent help since I also have a toddler and am unable to sit for 20 minutes with her). I like how I can show her how to do the first problem on Math Mammoth and then she gets it and can finish the page on her own. I would like something that covers grammar, spelling, phonics and "the basics" of language arts. Reading and literature I am not as concerned about, since we do quite a bit of that at bedtime. I would love any recommendations!

Thank you for your thoughts. Any specific suggestions on which curricula to use? I am very happy with Math Mammoth. I have been thinking about Son Light for history, since we already do a lot of reading aloud we could just use those books for our nightly reading. But what about grammar? Any ideas?

Looks interesting. My library does not have it, but it is inexpensive on amazon, so I think I'll get it. Thanks for the recommendation!