Thanks Kai. I haven't really looked at pre algebra yet, but that would certainly be clearer. The only one that is off the top of my head is Lial's. Others?

I think I've hit a place that I can't explain clearly the the material. Uh Oh! So, I post tested the 5 th grade material and he was still fine there. I went to MM and when I look at the examples, scope and sequence etc., it doesn't look like it goes to the level that the SM does. Specifically, I'm looking at interest problems in the textbook where one has to create an algebra equation to solve, but the child not having developed that skill yet. Looking ahead in the teacher's guide, I'm not sure if I can clearly teach the rest. It's the final leap that seems to get me. The first lesson if good, the second is good, the third I'm stretching and the fourth I'm at a loss. Therefore so is DS. I'm also not sure if MM is going to teach it either. Should I start looking at another curriculum? What might be a good 6A equivalent? Thank you!

Woohooo!! There's hope! Congrats to you both! :D

Thanks KarenAnne. I was thinking about the Key To series as well, but didn't want to spend the money quickly. He likes problem solving games,but don't try to change the rules on him to change the game. He gets particularly rigid with math. He can self discover with math problems, but once he has a tool, he will not change it. I think that's going to be a limiting factor for math. SM taught 2 ways of figuring out a percentage, but he found a third way and now he will only use that one even if it's not the best choice for the problem. Any ideas for working on decreasing rigidity issues? :tongue_smilie: Thank you-

I've been homeschooling for 6 months, mother for 10 years and learning about a new diagnosis for the past month. I am questioning DS math knowledge. I really want him to be solid, but can't tell if he is or not. He is a mathy sort but doesn't love it. He sometimes sounds like Rainman at the dinner table and does math in his sleep. I think he tests better than he is. He tests really high, because he can figure things out, not because he has a solid understanding, I think. He hates repetition. He just completed SM 5B, textbook and workbook is 88-100%. Intensive practice books he could do about 1/2 on his own and then needed help for the remainder. I started giving him some review sheets at night, since DD is doing her public school homework, and he can't remember how to do fractions on his own. I noticed that 6A has some again, but it's not a lot. He doesn't love to do any school work except reading and languages. Does anyone else have an Aspie or other type of kid who did this and what did you do? Thank you!

Wow! That was a lot of information!! Thank you for sharing-:001_smile:

I am trying to figure out how much I should be tweaking curriculum or if I should be at all. We work with a virtual academy that uses the MAP test and the results look like maybe I may be doing more review than I thought I was. He doesn't love what we're doing. I get the detailed information in a couple of weeks, so that will help to set up the curriculum adjustment. I would say at this point, i've been enriching, but not accelerating the work, except for math. Even there, he tests as algebra ready but I'm not sure he's ready. I have other data that that would indicate it's an appropriate option. I am looking at numbers that would still be gifted 2 years ahead. Has anyone used MAP testing and found it useful enough to make a bigger jump in curriculum?

Thank you. It was Tony Atwood's book that made me say 'that's my child'. I have not checked out his website yet. I will go exploring..........

Well darn! That was going to be my big argument against a diagnosis. My DS is very empathetic with everyone, especially little ones. I was also going to tell them how I think he actually has a lot of intense emotions, but that sounds like that may bring a diagnosis as well. What would be a good website for recent research?

We decided to go ahead and do the testing. We were trying to do a lot of the work with DS ourselves but when we needed help, we got a lot of 'we don't know what to do for this kind of person'. We felt we needed the access to the resources that came with the diagnosis. We are still in the process of finding if there is a diagnosis. In fact, just had the intake appointment this week. 2-3 months before the psychologist evaluation. I'm grateful to be homeschooling but the end goal is for him to be self sufficient as an adult, or as much as possible. I think that is going to take a lot of support from outside. We went back and forth a lot as well, trying to make the decision. Many times questioning whether we needed to or not. He needs social skills groups for sure but also help with anxiety and sensory issues. My thoughts are with you-

Interesting. I wonder if what I'm seeing is the conflicting effort of 'knowing how to do it', which he does, and the tediousness of developing fluency, similarly to learning math facts. He just recently finished decimal section, which culminated in division of decimal by a decimal. The section was 19 lessons. For, SM that is a LONGGGGG section. Trying for sure, but the fluency is now there. The remaining sections are shorter and look interesting, percentages, angles and algebra. Fun stuff!! I loved math, but I can't remember how I felt about long division or multiplication. I don't think I loved it either. I think I feel better about where he's at and I'll just keep an eye on it. Thanks everyone:001_smile:

I totally agree. The easy coast has been a monster to work through. I get a little worried when the kid who has always thought in numbers, doesn't really like doing math. Will it change when he gets past arithmetic? I think he'll get a kick out of pre-algebra myself. I'm not letting him know that I'm worried, but I'm trying to check if 1) The teacher, me, isn't teaching well. 2) Curriculum change is needed. 3) He's moved to a level he's not ready for yet or 4) he's manipulating me because he's right where he should be and is having to put some effort in.:glare: I think I'll do a wait and see approach, but it always helps to listen to been there and done that stories....

Have you used this before? Part of the problem I have is that he can figure out quite a bit. I don't know that that necessarily mean he should be doing it on a regular basis though. Do you know what I mean?

I can't tell if he's pushing against perfectionism or hitting a developmental wall. I don't want to push him past developmental readiness but he dislikes his math. When we first started in May he was at 3B in SM and now is at 5B. He understands the concepts, work is in 85%-100% range. I don't hear about it being boring anymore, but I think he likes it being fast and easy. He says he has to "think to hard". "I want it to be like a video game". Yuck. But, when he looks ahead at the concepts coming up, he gets all excited! Any ideas? Do I just keep plugging ahead? Should I switch it up a bit? Honestly, I think some of this is from sitting to long below his level in public school. Although he complains a bit (really, not a lot), when I took him out of school, he had tantrums at the least bit of challenge. So, maybe this is actually an improvement :tongue_smilie:I'm sorry about the running on, I know he's an accelerated child but I hate not having a road map. Holy cow, I think there are 2 perfectionists in this family:lol:

In the Standard edition it is in 5B, p. 38.:)

I also see the difference in the amount of reading and the recall of facts. DS is a voracious reader with a huge ability to recall information. He has been for years. Certainly some read that way, but I doubt it could be caught up with by many.

Uuugh! I have the same towels! I just figured it was the price of living in the NW. I'm going to try the vinegar and then see if I have to start saving my change:D

I was actually just following the instructions in WWE3. It says to write it down for them on certain days. Since the thoughts seem to be in his head. I probably could have him start writing a bit and see if he can transition. Thank you-

I actually have started him typing. He's been doing a keyboard program for a bit and I just recently started having him do a letter and a narration a week to transition more to it. I just read something on another forum about low working memory and writing. His low working memory is a weakness relative to his other areas but not really low, but this made me laugh. In WWE3, when I have to write down his narration. HE sounds like SWB on the YouTube writing video with her son. "No, Mom, this is what I said". I can't hold it in my head either! Oh! You mean you get that from me also?:lol:

DS9 is a reluctant writer and this is our first year of homeschooling. I put him in WWE3 to get him use to such a different style from what he was use to and wanted to do frequent small amounts of writing per SWB. The physical act of writing causes the reluctance. His narrations are awesome! He has an amazing vocabulary and uses beautiful sentences. Dictation is tolerated but he does it well. I find that he is very good at it and seems to enjoy the verbal aspect, but the physical act is such a deterant. Do I consider compacting WWE3? Do I need to wait until the muscles are developed to go to WWE4? Help please :D

I'm considering having DS work on an independent project in the evenings while DD is doing PS homeswork. It would be on his subject of choice. I'd like to give him some direction, but I'm not sure what a reasonable expectation is for him. I'm looking for a resource for project evaluation and guidelines for multiple grade levels. Does anyone do these and if so what are your requirements?

Thank you everyone. We have had the conversation about being different than most age peers, but it seems to be saddening him a bit again. It is interesting that being smarter doesn't compensate for being different, it can really affect self-esteem. I was just in my daughters class, who is in PS and one year behind him, and when I looked and talked with the other kids, it was such a reality check on how square his peg is. I just dropped him off at a YMCA homeschool PE class and noticed he was helping out the smaller children. I think focusing on that for a bit will help him feel better. Mentoring is wonderful. Wow, I can't wait to teach the skill of 'complementing others on their strengths'. We all have strengths and weaknesses. I think I'll see if my cousin would like a penpal. We have a few of these 'quirky PhD.' males in our family. They are a bit goofy but crazy smart. They tolerate us, only mildly gifted follks well!:lol: Many thanks for the ideas-

I've been homeschooling DS9 for 6 months now and it has been going really well. He is accelerated at varying years in curriculum. We quickly found a group of boys in the area that were in the 10-11 age range and he really has enjoyed playing with them often. The situation I'm seeing come up has started since the boys have started working together as a First Lego League team. These are boys that all love legos, but DS as the youngest is pretty advanced compared to the others. Some friendships are becoming tense. Comments such as 'stop using such big words!' or 'you make my head hurt'. On one hand, I see that it is a good skill to be able to fit in with different people, but I think I need to find some kids who think like he does. DS is concerned about always being the youngest but usually connects better with the older kids. Any ideas about finding peers?

We recently announced our intentions as well and received a similar response. At our next visit, I was respectfully grilled. :lol: My mother has VERY high standards. I was so exhausted by the end of the weekend! They went home feeling that I knew what I was doing and that "he will never get that level of an education anywhere else". :D Good luck to you!