I looked at MFW K with my oldest son (now in 2nd grade), wanted it, and decided it would be too light. Turns out, it would not have been to light for him. My second son will be 5 this June. He has decided he is ready to learn letters. He can cut and color decently and will do pages or crafts, which my older son did not enjoy. I am looking at MFW K again. It says on the website it takes 2.5-3 hours. Really? What are your experiences? Does that include read-aloud time? Is the new version way better than the old one? Is there any chance to find it used or just as well to buy it new? Is the deluxe package worth the price? I'm sure my son would love the ant hill! If I get it, should I go ahead with plans to teach him his letters and sounds with mommy-makes up activities or start MFW K? In other words, if he learns his letters and most sounds, and then we start MFW K, will it be too slow? It might help to know that I lean to the better-late-than-early camp. I totally don't expect him to read in K or 1st for that matter. I like that he is interested, but mostly would like him to have a fun year, and MFW K looks fun.

I see the Honey For a Child's Heart Kindle edition is marked as 2010. Does anyone know if it it actually different than the printed version marked 2002? Thanks!

Thanks. I think I'll skip the guide.

I ordered the novel yesterday after seeing it on a blog. My questions is about the guide. If you use it, do you think you use it to it's value ($20)? Also, if you are using it with world geography study, do you follow the order of the Sassafras book? It wouldn't make sense to change the story around, right? Then what do you do if you want to do a country not in the book? I have been using parts of EE so far. I have a 2nd grader that will love the stories, but doesn't write much, so the notebook/lapbook stuff will mostly go undone. I plan to have him do one entry a week in a nature journal with drawings and dictation. I also have a PK4 that won't need anything but good books and animal cards. Thanks!

I think it was right away.

Is everything online or can you print readings or download things? Can you access all the months or do you have to work in order? Thanks so much!

What do you think of the TFW program so far?

I too have been looking for more input on this program. Have you found more information? I think it would be good, but only have so much to spend, you know. I've been eying it bundled with early childhood as I already have the first grade book.

KONOS is Christian in a since, but it could easily be worked around. Each character trait has several topics/units. Each unit lists Bible verses as a resource. You would skip those. Now, some units have more in it, like the authority unit. It lists God and the Bible as authorities. However, there's plenty of other stuff in it to make a unit from. What I really liked about KONOS as opposed to many unit studies is that it is activities, not just paper work or notebooking or internet links.

My son is 7, ADHD, and also finishing 1st grade. However, we are "behind" a semester in math because I skipped around trying to find the "right" program for him. So, I whole-heartedly agree with One 1 Michelle: What has helped things click the most with him is a combo of the MUS blocks, RS place value cards and base 10 picture cards, plastic coins from a Learning Resource game that look real, and regular practice through games and activities. Also, I have a masters in math education and I've read many places that skip counting is so important, but I honestly have to say that I've tutored several students who memorized their skip counting chants and had no clue what it was for and couldn't connect it to math problems. To me, all students should be learning skip counting on a number line or 100 chart or with money. The meaning is so much more important than the numbers. The same can be said for the teens and other place value. Use whatever manipulative you have to show him the numbers. Build towers with Legos or bundles of popsicle sticks. Developmentally, place value may not come till second grade. I've even seen a couple curriculum that don't teach it until then.

What you describe here is actually very common for right brain learners. You might read "Right Brained Child in a Left Brained World". I think that's right. He suggests, somewhat jokingly, that if your child is struggling as you suggests with learning math facts, you skip to algebra. I don't think I'd do quite that, but there is no reason she can't move on to the things you mentioned and come keep working on facts. Subtraction is hard to learn for many right brained learners. Also, I second the Feingold recommendation.

Pen, I was thinking the same thing about being bored or too much free time. He does well in the morning when we have more structured time with school, chores, and exercise. Plus he is well rested. Early afternoon is also okay. A couple weeks ago, I started letting him play 15-20 minutes on his own, alternating with activities. That helped. I think I need to continue this into the late afternoon and evening. I also wonder if he gets tired, and his brain doesn't work as well in the evenings. Thanks for all the input. I'll get the books and find out about evals.

Thanks for the replies. Pen - that's what I needed to hear. Not too harsh. We have taken things away, removed him, keep him with us before. He improves and so we let him have the freedom again. I think I need to come to the realization that he can't have the freedoms that even my three year old can handle. That's hard, but necessary here. OhElizabeth, I'll ask around to see where we can do some evaluations. Thanks. I didn't mean to imply that throwing things and wasting shampoo are on the same level. More that he doesn't seem to comprehend, remember, learn, something like my other son who is 3 years younger. So I then he will require much more of me. It's difficult and not so fun to be the person in the playgroup or family who can't leave a 7 year old to play. YKWIM. Thanks.

We have not and don't have plans right now for evaluations. I have looked at the Out of Sync Child before, and will again to get the activities. Thanks.

I posted on here last week or so about my 7 year old son who we think is ADD. Several of you gave great suggestions, and we have tried several. Some things are better. We started walking or riding bike before lessons, and his concentration and willingness are improved. I made myself a routine list to remind myself to have the kids pick up and help with chores, so if I remember, it's more likely to get done! Tomato staking is helping some, too. We are still at a lose on behavior. We are not sure if this is ADD typical or something else. Regardless of "what" it is, we are at a loss as to how to stop the behaviors and help him learn. Examples of what happens: 1. He throws sand and rocks - at people. Has since he was 1 or 2. It's not often, but it continues.. 2. Last week he dumped half a bottle of bubble bath in his bath to get extra clean. I explained why we shouldn't do that and had him play in the bubbles for an extra long time. Not a huge deal. Tonight, he put a WHOLE bottle of shampoo in the bath, again to get extra clean. 3. From time to time, he damages things - scratching his dresser with a bottle cap, scratching his cd player with something, taking things apart that aren't his. (He has many things he IS allowed to take apart in his own corner of the living room.) 4. He really enjoys running into things and people, mainly running into things with his bike or running into his brother. 4. Sometimes when we ask him to do something or tell him he can't do something, he sits on the floor and screams. I know he will protest, but on the floor, at 7. These things tend to happen in the afternoon and evening. Mostly, it's that he doesn't often seem to connect that he did something he shouldn't have. It's hard to explain. When we talk to him, we ask "what did you do that we shouldn't", "why don't we do that," "what should we do next time", etc. If you stop for 2 seconds, he will interject some comment on a completely different topic. He is off to something else already. He is not upset, remorseful, affected in any way. Any ideas? A book, someone to call, something to try? Thanks in advance!

ohElizabeth - CAPD is so similar to ADD. I'll keep it in mind. Rooms - You're right. His room was cleaner when his toys were in the living room. I think I'll put some up in his closet. I just need a path to his dresser and window, so I'll see if we can move furniture to make that easier. messes - Again with the every single time! So I've made some cards for ME to follow with our routine. If I want the house clean, I will have to see that it is done! discipline - My boys hate tomato stacking because they love to be outside, so I should use that more. I also think he needs more to do that is structured to break up his free time. I put it on my cards! As for having him evaluated, thank you for explaining what that can tell us. We haven't done it before because we thought it would be like they do at public school and end up telling us he has ADHD, put him on meds. We know that. I can see where knowing certain areas would be helpful. Can someone tell me what type of professional does this testing? Is it a long test? Some I've heard about are hours long. I don't see how he would make it through that.

I think that he is slower to process what I say and respond than I think he should be. When I remember to count to 10 before asking him again, it helps. We are just coming out of a pregnancy and new baby, so our routines are a mess right now. All the comments are reminding me that I need to have my stuff in line and help and train him, first. spaceman - Your comment about following up every time is what I need to hear and don't want to. I want him to follow through like my 3.5 year old, but have to except that he isn't there yet. So, I need to change my thinking.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll look into those things.

I've read through the recent posts on Jennifer@SSA's OP. Wonderful ideas and thoughts! Just when we were beginning to wonder if our son would ever grow beyond his current state, you have given me hope! I do have some questions, though, and didn't want to still the original post. My son is almost 7, not dx, but ADD runs in my husband's family, so we know he has at least that. We are mainly dealing with impulsive behaviors (destructive) and inattention. For school work, we do CM style short lessons. He is able to work for 10 minutes or so if I have him up or doing some things. He listens to stories while doing Legos or making things. So, as for "school" work, we are okay right now and staying on level. What I need to work on for him or me is the daily stuff. 1. He doesn't hear/process/answer me when I call or tell him something. Is there a strategy I can try? 2. He doesn't see the messes he leaves EVERYWHERE, but I do. I help him organize and clean, but it doesn't last. My husband is the same way. Is there a strategy, chart, reward, anything that you've found helpful? 3. For the exercise some of you suggested, are there programs, CDs, equipment that can help? We are active in the sense that they are outside climbing trees, riding bikes, working with Dad, but not sporty. 4. When he misbehaves and we talk to him or give him a consequence, it's like it doesn't even register. He doesn't connect his behavior with the consequence or process what he did or something. Any experience with this? We have tried GFDF diet with mixed results, so we stopped. We have found dies and preservatives affect him, and limit those. He is outside a good portion of the day. He has lots of time to explore his own interests, perhaps too much. Basically, wondering if there are things you wish you had done at this age or that I could try to make the daily things go more smoothly. Thanks!

:bigear: these posts have been a blessing to me!

My 7 year old son, though not formally diagnosed, has ADHD. We have been working around it and adapting his schooling, so he is able to progress at a pretty normal rate. However, just daily going-ons are hard. You know, following directions, keeping up with belongings, not freaking out, realizing he is being spoken to, inappropriate behavior. Mostly impulse and inattention issues. I am wondering if a program like Brain Gym or Bal-A-Vis-X might help and want something that I can try at home for not too much. Anyone have suggestions or knowledge about these types of programs?

We are in week 9 of Adventures, but I"m getting very familiar with it due to planning ahead before baby comes. After the American Revolution, the states pages start. History topics are added in as they come. One week is given to Lincoln and one to the Civil War. After that, it's mostly pioneers and inventors. I really like the level of coverage as we are using this for first grade (minus LA). However, I have added at times using the book basket suggestions in the back. For example, I didn't think the Am. Rev. was covered in enough depth for my sons, who are interested in all things army. So, I've added many of the suggested books and others from our library. We will add a few extra days in to read them, pretend, watch Liberty Kids, etc. For a boxed curriculum, I have found Adventures to be great fun, ease my workload, yet be adaptable.

With all that, you probably don't need to invest in MTW. You could simply follow the order of SM and what is in the LHFHG math section. I don't think I would actually give them the workbooks. Just look at them to determine the topic and teaching ideas. Then go to LHFHG and all your other sources and do activities and games. The 8 year old may be okay with some workbook work, but I'm just not a big fan at 6. Best of luck!

Neesy, I have been reading in Ruth Beechick's 3R's and in some math research papers about how elementary curriculums move through concrete stages to abstract stages too quickly. You may see pages in a workbook that have a picture of counters at the top then problems underneath. Even pictures of counters is past the concrete stage. On the teacher intensive, if you could buy some of the manipulatives instead of make them, that would help. Some need to be made. Like Deb said, once you get the kits or bags or activities set up, it won't be as much. I am doing that each week as I need them instead of all at once. Some activities I put in gallon bags a'la activity bags style that his 3 year old brother does. Some I put in lettuce tubs (I get the large tubs of lettuce at Sam's Club or the grocery store and use the tubs when done!). Then for "center time", my son can pick from a variety of activities and bags. Also, don't expect them to work long, 10-15mins. If you did lesson time for about 5-8 minutes with something that requires more of you, then they can do exploring activities for as long as they want. Finally, I think all the best elementary math programs are more teacher intensive or involved. They should be because kids this age should be doing mostly oral work. That requires some of your time.

I just got Mathematics Their Way a few weeks ago. You didn't mention how old your boys are. MTW is for K-2. I got it because I wanted to move to activities based math that is concrete as long as needed. Here are some things about the book: 1. It is written for teachers, so there is lots of classroom management stuff. Skip that. 2. There is no real distinction of what to do at different levels. All kids work through the chapters, just at different depths. Your boys would just start at the beginning. You choose what you think they need to learn. 3. It is teacher intensive because you have to read and prepare then implement the lessons. The whole point is to not give them problems like 5+8 until they really already get it and know it. 4. My son has loved what we have done so far. He also has ADHD, has a hard time with memorizing facts, focusing for more than 8-10 minutes, etc., but he loves a puzzle and much of this feels like that to him. 5. There are "lesson plans" in the back that might help. Honestly, I'm just reading through the chapters and picking activities as we go. You need to prep ahead thought until you have manipulatives made. I skipped the activities that required too much stuff. Let me know if you have other questions. Oh, we didn't have our son diagnosed either. We didn't find it necessary since ADHD is common in my husband's family, and he is his father's son. We are just thankful that homeschooling lets us move at his pass and meet his needs. He is doing great.