I would love to hear about this too. Just when I was reading to start cursive my husband intervenes and says little boys should start to print (like italic) and then make a transition to cursive italic because it is easier for them. :confused: bump

WOW I can't believe I got so many responses! I am very grateful as I was feeling a bit of a wimp! I'll just have to develop think skin and learn to smile through it all. Eli (feeling like I just got a huge :grouphug: )

What do you say when people ask you "What school do you children go to"? Do you say something like: "They go to Chesterfield Academy" (the name you came up for you home school) and hope they go away? Or do you actually start explaining about home schooling? Why do I ask? Well, someone asked me that question and I cheerfully said "Oh, he'll be going to XYZ school!", and the lady proceeded to ask "Oh, where is that?" I then stammered "Err, my house". I know I sound like a wimp but I would like to hear others how the handle questions from near-strangers. Thank you! :D :bigear:

Ther is a BFSU yahho support group where you can ask Dr. Nebel any questions you might have and interact with other users. I think there are also some files with proposed lesson plans. Dr. Nebel is coming out with another book to follow the first for higher grades. I hope this helps.

Yes, please! Also, I can't see why is wrong with publishing schedules. Most of us need all the help we can get! :grouphug:

Thank you for the link. I will follow it up!

The website doesn't supply enough samples of the font. You have to google the Nelson handwriting books to see more. Also a tad on the expensive side. After you buy the teacher's guide and workbooks you won't have a lot of money left for ice cream. The font looks very much like italics -pretty but not so fluid and no slant. My hand would get very tired in about 15 min. because of the vertical approach. If you go for italic there are plenty of books out there though. So many options! (I think I need some caffeine at this point and a :chillpill: ) p.s. I was taught the Palmer method but some letter like the old fashioned Q and F can be confusing for both children and adults IMHO

I haven't heard of Nelson handwriting but I will look it up (or google it if you prefer). I have to say I learn cursive first and I don't remember having problems with reading, but each child is different. I wouldn't teach something complicated like copperplate, just something legible that makes dictation and note taking in class easier. I've actually looked at Peterson Directed Handwriting and looks easy. I also liked Cursive First but the company is in the US and the shipping is far more than the cost of the materials :confused: I also notice most people start when the child is 5, but mine is 4 and he wants to do it NOW (he wants to read and write, and drive daddy's car, too :auto: ).

Well, thank you both for the encouragement. Much needed I assure you! I don't think DS will write, just start making legible letters and numbers to satisfy school regulations, you know? I agree children develop differently, :iagree:

Hello, I am a newbie to homeschooling as this will be out first year! According to the UK national curriculum by the end of reception year (pre-k) my son should be able to write letter and numbers, etc. My problem with this is that I've noticed that most youngsters who are taught to write in "book print" lettering because it is "easier" end up with no knowledge of cursive writing and unable to make the transition. When I was a kid our teacher used to make us do circles and zig-zag strokes to get us used to the movements required for cursive writing, but apparently this has gone out of style. Any thoughts of this, please? :bigear:

You and me both! http://www.betterworldbooks.com (sorry about my typo earlier) is not the ideal but many smaller companies don't ship overseas.

Being in the Gulf I am sorry to miss of the really good book sellers in the US. However, I find the prices on www.bookdepository.co.uk are very competitive to those in amazon.co.uk and bookdepository delivers worldwide. I would like to try www.betterbooks.com but I've been to chicken to do it.:tongue_smilie: However, a friend traveling to the UK offered to bring back some books so I placed a huge order with amazon.co.uk!

This will be my first year home schooling so I've had to purchase many start-up material : cuisenaire rods, colour tiles (which I will use for counting, sorting, patterns and what-not). Also many books (including TWTM!), and materials, so.... I'd say about $250. This does not include the playgroup (for socialization) fees. Of course I am saving a fortune in school fees, transport and school uniforms so I am hardly complaining. ;)

Hi Lara, That was a quick reply! Now I know. Ta. :lol:

Hello everyone, This may seem a weird question to ask but... I've noticed that under the avatar name most of us have cute hive status names like: nurse bee, or hive larvae, etc. Mine says "just visiting" Why is this? :confused: Can someone please tell me or explain to me how we get these cute descriptions, please? I am :bigear: and Thank you!

I've bought a few things that I won't be needing until next year. Some out of print books you'd better buy when you find them, like second hand cuisenaire source books. ;)

I am here! I am here! Got my own copy of TWTM on the way too (I guess I'm comitted now right?). God bless and all.

I am a member! We went to a trip to Kidzania not too long ago. I haven't received any notifications of more field trips. I think the site has been quiet because everyone's on holiday. The Abu Dhabi group is very active but a bit far away from me. I think I need to get my own :auto: eli =)

I didn't know there was anyone else in this forum living in the UAE! I wish I had posted this earlier now... You are so nice to offer to help.:001_smile: However I found a seller in the UK selling wooden cuisenaire rods are at really good price (£15 for a set of 300 rods) and I went for it. A friend from church heard my moaning and she said she will be traveling to the UK in August and offered to bring back the set for me. As for counters I will be heading for the souks to buy cheap little plastic animals or rubbers or something that will work. I tried marbles but the neighbours downstairs were not amused (tile flooring and all that). If I don't find anything in the souks I will definitely pm you. Like I told nansk my kid doesn't "get" printed material but likes rods (a friend showed us some and he was delighted with them). I know Mep doesn't require manipulatives but he likes to explore with his hands and is not auditory at all (same as his dad I guess). Please get in touch when you get back from Saudi. Maybe we can talk or something. I am a newbie in the Emirates and I'm still finding my feet. Eli

Thanks for the lovely ideas. Actually I avoid using paper printouts are manipulatives because my kid doesn't takes them seriously (he likes to turn things into his hands and study them). Hence the idea of buying something substantial he can touch and feel. As he matures (he'll be 4 next week) I will able to print things more and more (hopefully!). Eli

Yes, thanks, this helps. Like I said I don't buy things that don't use later on because: 1- Waster of money 2- Live in a little place -no room for MoRe clutter (we'got enough stuff :D)

Here I am testing my new avatar and signature!

Hell All, I will be using MEP math this year and I was suggested a couple of manipulatives (cuisenaire rods and mus blocks) to go with it. Unfortunately I am in Dubai -hence my user name- and shipping costs are crippling! Both c rods and mus blocks are quite expensive and the shipping is actually more than the product itself. However I found some unifix cubes which are more reasonably priced. Has anyone here used unifix cubes with mep math? I don't mean to sound like I'm a miser but I have to order so many things at the same time that every bit counts. At the same time I don't want to buy something and then end up with a manipulative which doesn't work with mep :confused: Any info greatly appreciated and if you have comments about c rods or mus blocks (in pro or against) please please tell me. I am running out of time for ordering stuff. Thanks! :bigear: (listening really hard)

Hi, sorry for "butting in" but can you tell me if MEP would be would for a wiggly willie type of kid. My son can only sit down for about 10-15 minutes at a time and then he is off! I have read bot Singapore and Saxon are very homework orientated. Is MEP any different? Thanks for the info. :bigear: