I need to go back and look at WTM recs!

No, are there different topics or books?

I was hoping that Science Fusion would be exactly what we needed, but it seems way too disjointed to put together. I like the aspect of it being online, but It just isn't as open and go as I wanted. I have trouble figuring out what all the parts are, how to set up assignments, how to create a test, etc. long story short, my son and I hate it, and we have only done one unit of one module! I don't have time to play with it and figure it out. I am frustrated. Any thoughts or advice?

Don't know OFE, but with the ages of your kids, can I suggest Five in a Row? It is tried and true and an EXCELLENT curriculum for elementary students! I would suggest that, and if you feel you need a "read-aloud", then use the AO list!

Some good ideas. I am totally with everyone on the standardized test subject, but my DH would FREAK OUT if any of the kids did poorly on them. He and I both were public schooled and he would want to put them in ps if they were "behind".

Thanks for this thread! It reminded me of some of the books that I had been wanting to read! Hope some of the suggestions help you! You are not alone, I could have written your post!

Really my only concern for her being "behind" is that we are moving this summer and if we move to a test-taking state, I don't want her to be behind.

I haven't read all the replies, but... FIVE IN A ROW FIVE IN A ROW FIVE IN A ROW! Seriously, it works, is simple to implement and will be something that will benefit all of your kids, all you have to do is require more of the older students. I feel very strongly about much this curriculum prepares the students in creative thinking and problem solving. You just can't beat it! If you have any questions you can head over to the Five in a Row message board. I used FIAR for my son from 1-4. We mostly did the lessons orally in the beginning because he was behind in fine motor skills.

We did Miquon and Singapore for First grade, and did not finish Sing first grade. I was hoping to get her through the other half of first during summer, but it did not happen. Also, she was "stuck" for a while on some concepts. So, here we are finishing 2a, the first part of 3rd grade. Are there chapters of 2b or 3a that can be skipped? I don't want her to miss skills, but I also don't want a bunch of unnecessary review of concepts that we covered in a previous year. Does that make sense? I haven't been through the lower levels of Singapore before, so I am not sure how much review there is at the beginning of each level. Any ideas?

Off topic, but I love you avatar...

Mousetrap? Not sure if it was a movie or not.

Love it! Your daughter is adorable! And, I have that same rug!

Five in a Row, Math, Phonics...done!

My dd loves crafts, so I would say VERY necessary. My son is not very crafty! So he could take it or leave it for the most part. But, ALL my kids loved the crafts in Adventures! We will do adventures again in a few years!

You could certainly take your model from TLTWTW!

We are just starting with CW this year. We are doing the combined course for older beginners, so take this which a grain of salt, but if she is struggling with the physical act of writing, I would just let her narrate it to you, while you type. This works VERY well for my VERY reluctant writer. I make some mistakes in the mechanics when I type so that he can have something to proofread and correct. (Mistakes I know he would make anyway). This makes getting to the final copy MUCH easier. To me, there seems to be quite a bit of "handwriting" in this program, so if that is the part she is really struggling with, then I would just modify it to your needs. You can choose your own models. I don't know what curriculum you are using besides, but any well-written literature would work, I think. You might even encourage her to change the piece more than the focus assignment, for instance, how would the story flow if it were told from the crow's point of view? (From the Fox and the Crow).

I tell my son that I can always make up some worksheets for him on the subject, if he would rather do those instead. (My son is writing phobic)

My son REALLY disliked Saxon. So much so, he now tells his sister, "At least Mommy does make you do that torturous math!" We are now very happy with Singapore!

Hee hee, BS makes me giggle every time! I have a BA in Theatre and English, 8 years teaching experience in public school. My DH has Ph. D in IO Psychology.

When I was in college, I didn't finish reading Great Expectations, and then wrote a completely horrid paper on it. I never did THAT again! I always tell that story to my kids too, to let them know how embarrassing it was to get a paper back with a note from the professor that said, "That last part was particularly depressing!"

Am I being harassed because of the use of excessive question marks????? :0)

Can we just go back to bashing Algebra and Hemingway??????? Or dancing in red pants????

My first grade son only wants to cut with scissors. So far he has had a meltdown over everything but math. And my third grade daughter has whined and said, "But, I don't want to do that!" I seriously feel the same way! I want to be swimming or sitting on the beach...I think it will just take time for all of us...

And, my head just exploded...

Thank you all for sharing your stories. I pray that all of us overcome the violence to the "survivor" point. Now I am stepping away from this discussion. I thank you all for your valid points (pro/con).