Can I just tell your son, as a college instructor, 2 B's isn't bad? College Algebra is hard for most students and about 20% make A' and B's. (Just guessing, but I do teach math at a college.) From the way the English instructors complain about their students, I don't think a B in comp is too shabby, especially for someone with ADD. Where his classes in the morning? If he doesn't sleep well, could he take afternoon or evening classes?

Thanks!

Which book or ebook should I start with? My son is 9 and in third grade. He knows some addition facts and is working loosely in Sm 2A. I do have a master's in math ed, but I struggle with how to help him. I have tried just moving on with a chart, but it always comes back to not understanding numbers.

That's great. That's what I needed. I have a degree in English and feel fairly competent teaching writing at least through middle school (early teens), but I get sidetracked with workbooks and programs. I just need an outline like you have there!

Thanks for the help, everyone!

I'm looking to gently expand LA in our home. I have an almost 9 year old third grader who has had a hard time with handwriting, but he is beginning to take off. Also, I have a Ker boy. We have done CM narration from the beginning, but not much writing or grammar except writing letters and making up stories. I want to do copywork, copywork application, notebooking for science/history, and some writing practice/instruction/creative writing. Which of the Brave Writer products do you recommend? I've downloaded samples of The Arrow, Jot It Down!, and Partnership in Writing. The Arrow, while what I'm looking for, didn't seem worth the price. I think I can replicate that from our read-alouds. I'm looking for guidance in schedules; appropriate activities for grade levels; grammar or literary topics to discuss; ideas for projects, poems, etc. Would TWJ be a better investment than Jot It Down! or Partnership in Writing? What about No More "I'm Done!"? Something else? Thanks!

I just went through this same decision at my house. I have Primary Math 2A and needed to get the 1st grade for my next child. I decided to get MIF. Here is why: Although I have a master's in Math Ed, it's not elementary ed, and I don't always have the time or brain power to remember how to teach simple things concretely. MIF has enough in the text to jog my memory and get us going. With PM, I would want the HIG. So, for me, MIF was cheaper. I have a first son who is a VSL and has ADHD and a second son who has a talent for numbers, so we only use the text. I bought the used MIF for $12 for both first grade and $15 for both second grade. What we do when we get to a new topic is I use the text and manipulative example to work through with son. Then we do the guided practice together with manipulatives as needed. This is usually 4-5 problems. Then we do the Let's Practice; for son one, this takes two days sometimes. Math is hard for him. These have about 10-12 problems. If he needs more practice, we use games or worksheets from the free Bridges Practice Books or just some free stuff. (Trying to mix it up and save money. He actually does well with the word problems from the Bridges books.) Now, I have both the PM US edition 2A and MIF 2A. I'll compare a bit. TOC: They both cover place value, adding and subtracting up to regrouping, length, mass, and beginning multiplication and division. MIF throws in bar models. (I like that, but some think it's too early.) PM does tables for 2 and 3. MIF does tables for 2, 5, 10. The chapters are in different orders. In PM addition and subtraction are in the same chapter. They are separated at first in MIF. The place value chapter in PM US starts with one look back problem, three problems with picture models, and 3 more problems. This basic pattern is repeated for each subtopic, with practice after every topic or two. The practice have 6-12 problems. Later sections have two practice sections and even some review pages. This is the reason I didn't feel workbooks were completely necessary. The same chapter in MIF starts with a game and 12 review problems. Then there is a problem worked out by steps with manipulative pictures for each step (not in PM). Then 4 guided practice problems. Then more steps shown and more guided practice. Then the Let's Practice has about 5-8 problems. Some sections have games added, some have a journal problem, Let's Explore, or Critical Thinking Skills. There is a short chapter wrap-up, but no review like in PM. For us, I think MIF was the right decision. We weren't going to use the workbook anyway, so it was cheaper. I didn't need the TG because there is more in the books. I actually somewhat like PM better, but the day to day ease of MIF, one book, and my children's increased interest is good. Also, MIF has a few topics in different places - like negative numbers and bar models - that I thought were important for MY son. Hope that helps!

Did you ask on the SCM forum? I've gotten good responses there before.

Was this the first report or an additional one you purchased? My sons first report showed his accuracy rates high, but his response time very low. I am having him do them as much as possible, but was hoping to ask other users what they thought of the game What Comes Next? I can't even choose the correct response. I don't understand the sequences. My son has a very hard time with the ball game - staying focused, keeping track. He tells me stories the whole time; drives me crazy. Using C8Kids may not help him, but it sure points out where the issues are.

I love it. The first edition is just right for us. We aren't real big on worksheets. I add math games or counting activities or mazes or coloring as needed. It doesn't take us too long to do the 3rs. The activities are just right for my middle son. Some of the topics - like moon- I extended for my oldest with books he likes. We added a solar mobile for him. Now, my son is young and doesn't want to do school all the time. I'm just trying to get 3 days a week. More if we can.

Just a thought - do you sell your school books back at the end of semester? Could you use some of that money (though it's not much) to shop used over summer?

Thanks, we are doing those. It's amazing what he gets and doesn't on those. Can't wait for the first evaluation. I was just hoping to add some things to it.

I'm looking for activities to work on SPD issues with my 8 year old at home. I've read Out-of-Sync Child has Fun. Before I buy, is there a better book or a really good website? Thanks!

I'd split one larger size, but that's all I'd really need.

Did you find these? I'd love to split a box of the 1 inch or other large size with a couple people.

Thanks, OhElizabeth! We'll try it. I love reading your posts, btw.

I wanted to add basically what the last poster did. We did MFW Adventures when my son was in 1st. The reading was not too long or above him. I just picked book basket books for his level. There would be so many more books for a 3rd grader to get from the library. Then the main text would be enough for your younger child. We loved Adventures for the layout, books, activities, notebook pages. I did most of the writing on the pages; my son drew. Most of the pages would be easy to replicate for a younger child as many have a picture and space to write. Then the state pages and cards were fun. I did get tired of them after a while, but we just took a break and started again. On reading level, we just did the MFW books as read-alouds and did something separate for child's reading. It's not quite like the readers set from SL, so you could use the SL readers for each child or just get some other books. I totally understand wanting to have the books on hand. I reserve books online and pick them up, but it is super nice to know that what I must have is on the shelf. After Adventures, we moved to SL Core B. One thing I always felt with MFW was that I was missing some books, like not getting the classics, or something. I don't think that's an honest evaluation of their program, just a feeling I had. I don't get that with SL, but I do feel that we are missing the activities and sometimes can't keep up. Probably the perfect plan would be MFW Adventures (or other core) and buy the book. If only we had that money! Really, either of your plans will work. I think Adventures with two (even with some library trips for extras) would be easier than two SL cores. The library books really are extra. I don't think they aren't learning enough without them, but if you are a big reading family (as most of us are), you will want a few extra here and there. Probably some for the 3rd to read alone. One last thing to consider: Where would you put them if you went back to SL? If at grade level, your 3rd turned 4th would be in SL D and E, American history again. Is that okay with you or not?

How are you liking this program? I was thinking of trying it with my almost 8 year old.

When we did Adventures, many of the pages were notebooking pages with a picture on top, say of George Washington, and place on bottom to write. There were some to draw and write. Then there were many with maps and state information. The nice part of the guide to me is having it planned out and coordinated. Also, the booklist in the back was very helpful. I'd almost rather have the guide than the student pages. When it says do page on the Civil War, for example, you could just have them draw and narrate. Now, I have only done K and Adventures, so the higher levels maybe different.

Just a note for anyone looking at the thread. I got a version 1 and have started it with my 4.5 year old son. At the beginning he doesn't know many letters or numbers, but can listen to long stories. I'll try to remember to update how it goes for any future lookers.

Thanks for your thoughts. I've looked at MEP before. That would be a cheaper option. What kind of math manipulatives do you use? Did you make the math bingo game?

Thanks for your thoughts. We did MFW Adventure and loved it. Now we are trying SL for World History. My Ker sits in on most of brothers stuff, but he also really likes to cut, past, color, etc. My oldest did not and still doesn't. Thanks again!

My almost 8 year old is a right-brained or VSL learner and has some color vision issues. He sees only the main colors, very little shades, and brown and green are often the same/grey. His reading is up to level now, but math is making very slow progress. He can understand the processes, negative numbers, place value, infinity, but he can not remember his addition facts. I've read this is typical. This is hard for me as I am a college math adjunct, and my son has dreams of building robots and thus needing math. We are using SM 1B. Slowly. Working some drill on math facts, but it doesn't help. Do I just keep going and try something different for facts? I tried RS Level A with him at age 5 because it doesn't use c-rods. Differentiating the colors on the rods is hard. Should I consider trying Level B now? Would MUS help? I have tried both with him. He was too young when I tried RS. MUS seemed boring and repetitive to me. I like the idea of SM, but I can do math. Ideally, a problem based math where he can use his strengths like AIMS investigations or Kitchen Table Math would be good, but I need something that will get done. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Thanks for the review. It's very helpful.