Hi! So we've been using Singapore Math Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition and need to transition into 7th grade math. I'm looking at either moving into Saxon 7/6 or Teaching Textbooks Grade 7. We had started first grade with Math U See and it didn't work for us, but Singapore has done us well. I'd love to hear some thoughts/wisdom from any of you who have made a similar switch. Also, my dd is really strong in reading/writing and not as much in math.

A little late here-- but just in case somebody else has the same ?. I think she is amazing. By God's hand I had the opportunity to hear her when I first started homeschooling a little over 4 years ago. She has shaped my homeschool choices so much and offers such a balanced and grace-filled approach. I think I agreed with almost everything she talked about to, from the limiting of screen time, to the importance of literature-rich learning. But most of all I left believing I could homeschool and was encouraged and not overwhelmed. Also, 4 years later, using her guidelines, my children are avid readers of quality literature. So, I'm totally a fan.

Do any of you use "mommy-helpers" during your homeschool day. To explain, I am thinking of hiring a girl, jr high or hs two afternoons a week for 2 hours to just hang out and play with my kids while I work for my business, so that I don't have PBS kids or a show on the days I have to get work done. I'd love to not work, but that isn't an option. So I was thinking about a mommy helper, and wondering if any of you have done it and if it worked/didn't work, what you liked, etc. And what did you charge? I would almost always be home too...

I have both my girls and myself are all now gluten free. My youngest is 3yo. Here is what we do: Yes, lots of fruits and vegies, meats, cheese, yogurt, nuts/almonds/cashews. But they have their favorite snacks, and we do have some "processed" favorites, although they are much healthier than other "processed" foods... (treat) cereals: koala crisp, gorilla munch, panda puffs (all Enviro brand, Trader Joe's has the last two. This brand also makes great rice krispy style bars. Glutino is a good brand. Great pretzels, add with raisins and you have a to go to snack in your purse anytime. Pamela's is my hands down favorite for pancakes, breads, muffins, and desserts. You can do amazon and get it for less. They also have great cake, and other bread mixes. I love their biscuits too. My girls LOVE them more. If you do anything made from scratch it is better. Trader Joe's has three kinds of bread (ALWAYS toast GF bread) most helpful. I don't have a bread maker yet so we do have to buy, but their bread is about $2/loaf less. Trader Joe's also has gf pancakes and gf waffles and gf mac and cheese, as well as gf pastas. Popcorn and kettle corn work. Snap Peas (dried) are a favorite snack, not too expensive. There are gluten free graham crackers by mi-del (I think) but pricey. But my then 2yo, had fish crackers and graham crackers as her favorite and now she is much better. I do a lot of shopping at Sprouts and Trader Joe's and Costco. It gets easier, and they are both so much better now. As am I. So despite the higher food bill, that I'm ALWAYS trying to cut, we are healthier. It is a much easier time to be gf than ever before. Oh, and when we go out we do hamburger no bun, or tacos with a corn tortilla, etc. They are used to it, and quite happy about it now. I don't buy most things, and the things I listed are at the best price points I can find near me. Hope that helps!!

Thanks SKL for the response. I'm sorry that I wasn't more clear, but what I meant to ask was what you, the mom, did to balance homeschool/work/home life. How you schedule your day, having the kids home, etc....

That is awesome!!! We aren't even there yet, but now I'm even MORE excited. :lol:

Just wanted to let any of you know, looking for a spelling program, that AAS is going GREAT for us. My daughter now says that spelling is one of her favorite subjects. (She did NOT like it last year). So if you are looking, check it out, it is a good fit for us, and love that it is active too. It is actually fun and rewarding (and no, I don't work for the company.) Also, you can now get it from Rainbow Resource if you are already ordering something through them...

Sound of Music (agree with others!) Mary Poppins Marathon (although differing from the book): Anne of Green Gables and the Anne of Avonlea/Continuing Story Annie (Miss Hanagan is a bit worth fast forwarding depending on age) Curious George and Curious George 2 Also, "A Dolphin's Tale" coming out in theaters is supposed to be good, not sure yet why PG, but was promoted at our hs conference.

Yes, I'm afraid I can't help either. But I wanted you to feel a bit better that I have the same problem in Year 2, we are unit 1, LG, and the teacher prep time isnt' helping me make it fun (which it should be at this level). We did the salt map, read all the story books, and my 7yo is doing things like: "Oh!" just to try to sound interested. I will say that I learned A LOT. And IF I was doing an older level UG/Dialectic with it I think it would work well and pull all of us together. A friend of mine did tell me (who is a 30yr homeschool veteran) that I should ignore anything the "manual" asks that I know isn't going to be a good fit for my child, and since my child likes to read, look for supplemental book lists that talk about the same period. I thought that was good advice, but I don't have the time to do more prep work. From other message boards on here I'd say there are some who are very BIG fans of TOG, and I was so ready to LOVE it, but it isn't fitting. And the biggest bummer is it took three weeks to receive post-order, and then it took me three weeks to get it situated so I felt ready to teach (and even put the pages in page protectors and binders, and now three weeks in, I have to pay a 15% restock fee to return. Argh. So my only advice is that you pull back from it a bit, and just do what you can make interesting and enjoyable. We all learn better that way. I love classical education, but I want my child to love her education more. Hard balance sometimes...

I'm curious how many of homeschool moms (all working, yes!) also have a business that they run from home. If you do I'd love to hear your most helpful tips for making your day run well and balancing the needs of your business. I've been at the homeschooling and running my business for a year now and have found some useful things but would love to glean from others. :)

Wow! Thank you so much. :D Also, it may be on a thread somewhere or you may know already but Costco's online photo center has loads of fine art images that you can print for just the cost of the print (however be careful of the cropping, a bit off at times). Might complement well...

I think phonics is VERY important. It is the equivalent to a home's foundation. You build well when it is solid-- you create a great education when the fundamentals and rules are learned well. Spelling, reading anything, linguistics, all of those important aspects of education start there. I really liked Phonics Museum from Veritas Press. I'm seeing the fruits in my dd which is exciting as her mom and satisfying as her teacher. And in my public school education my phonics was so weak and I actually learned a ton doing first grade work. :blush:

Yes it is beautiful, and my daughter appreciates art more now. <But is it a good teaching tool?> I wasn't sure, torn the entire year during. BUT now that it is completed, I'm a converted fan. I'm so impressed with how incredibly my daughter is reading and comprehending, now above grade level. For homeschool, it can be tweaked some. We actually didn't take full advantage of all the games, but I did stick to the lessons. <Does it teach reading / phonics from the beginning? Our kindergarteners come into first grade knowing their sounds and are reading very simply.> That is how my daughter started, we did grade 1. And you do both. The readers are a bit challenging at times, but half way through the year everything clicks. (Others told me this. Now I believe wholeheartedly that is true.) And the content is interesting, historical, and faith building. My daughter's phonics was her favorite subject and after 3 months it was less tedious for me. I will use this starting in K for my next daughter (she is 3 now).

Yes, you should be good. We just finished Phonics Museum for first grade, and it sounds like you will be at a good starting point. My biggest advice is don't be afraid to tweak it for your child (it is written for classroom use, so we skipped some assignments). They do a really great job building on the phonics rules, and my daughter liked the classic art and phonics was her favorite part of the day. Some of the readers are long, others great. BUT I will say my daughter is doing great now! So a bit challenging at times, but like good challenges, stronger for it. :001_smile:

So my 7yo just finished Alpha MUS and we are set to go to Beta but I'm apprehensive and wondering if I switch. She detests math and although she is doing it all right it is painful. I have some Math Mammoth to incorporate this summer for "fun" as well as Math Slam (game) and Living Math ideas...trying to change it up a bit. I'm wondering for those of you who have done a few years of MUS if you had troubles and what you did to help OR if you had troubles and you switched and found that helpful. I was looking at Singapore, but I don't want her to miss the foundational concepts. Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you!