I am looking for a math program for our 4th grade twin girls. Things do not come easy for them. Can someone tell me if they will be thoroughly confused by using Professor B midstream? Our girls know their math addition/subtraction facts well and are working on multiplication. There are things they don't know or have not done in level one. I am unsure if he teaches addition/subtraction in a traditional way or if they will get hit with a new method and be totally confused. I like the idea of someone else teaching (DVD and online program of Professor B). I think they need that but I am unsure if this is a good fit for them. It does not seem like many people use this program. Anyone with experience using Professor B? Will his method of teaching be confusing? Did your children like it? Thanks, Amy

Thank you, for that takes care of that decision. Amy

I am torn whether to do the DVD version with the 2nd edition or teach it myself with the new 3rd edition. For various reasons it would probably be better to have someone else teach, but I have heard that the 4th grade DVD teacher is not the greatest and I think the new version has more review built in? This is really important to us too. Can someone tell me how well they liked the math 4 DVD's and/or what the difference is between the 2nd and 3rd version? Any thoughts by those who have used these would be appreciated. Thank you, Amy

For those of you who have used the DVD's in 4th grade, can you tell me how well you and your child liked them? How long did the video take each day? Was it beneficial? Enjoyable to watch? Do you think we would be better off getting the new version without the DVD's? Thanks, Amy

Thanks for your replies. I am leaning toward either BJ 4 with DVD's or the new Writing Essentials on DVD. I really want a DVD program. Writing Essentials is way cheaper but my girls may like the color workbooks and some of the animation of BJ. For those of you doing BJ, do you like all of the writing portion? Do you think it is enough? Is there enough review on the grammar? Thanks, Amy

My twin girls are 9 and will be 10 in October. We just finished 3rd grade. We actually have 2 more LU left in the 3rd grade math. We will finish in the fall and start level 4 and should be caught up be the end of the year. All I can say is that Math is way more fun when it is at a manageable level. We switched from RS math and there were many concepts that needed to be taught so we started last fall in 204. We did not do any tests or quizes, sometimes combined 2 lessons into one (at least at level 2), rarely missed a day of math and were able to get through 14 LU. So depending on how easy it is for her and how much is review, you could maybe do some of the above and go a little faster. I was thinking about doing BJ distance learning for math and english. Only because it would have someone else teaching. But my husband and I really like how CLE constantly reviews math concepts. Our girls really need that. What was once hard for them they can do rather easily, but it sure takes them a long time with some concepts. What about english. What didn't you like about it? Was there good retention of material? I look forward to hearing back from you. You can email mer personally too if you like. Amy

We will be doing Preparing next fall. Our girls are not that great at narrations although there is some improvement. We will not be doing R&S level 3 but either GWG, EG, BJ or the like. I am torn as to whether to add a writing program (BJ English, new Essentials in Writing, GWG's new writing program) to it OR should I really try to just do HOD writing? Is it enough? I like the idea of using DVD's in BJ or the new Essentials in Writing because I think the girls can learn more but it will add to our day which gets long as it is. I heard someone say that they wish they would have just stuck to the writing in HOD. We don't see the big picture until you've gone through it. Any suggestions for a mom that does not like to teach writing and girls that have not done much and are not great at narrations. Thanks so much. Thank you, Amy

I just wanted to post about a new writing/grammar program that is going to be available this July. It is on DVD, which for me is a plus. I have contacted the company a few times with questions and the author himself has reponded within an hour or two. I am sure he won't be able to keep that up, but he sure seems to care. If his curriculum is good, it might be a good fit for those of us who would like someone else to do some teaching. In Christ, Amy

Could someone tell me if I get the DVD version of Times Tales, do I need to buy other things (flip chart etc.) to go along with it? I am thinking about Atelier Art level 3. If you have used this, how well did you like it? I might just order module A and give it a try first before I invest more. Your opinion would be great. Thanks, Amy

How do you like the writing and latin in PR? I am using SWR and have used it for 4 years. I am interested in the writing/latin in PR 3. Would it be worth purchasing for that? Could I hope in on level 3 having done so much SWR? I REALLY liked the latin work in the sample videos that I saw. Thanks, Amy

SWR does have a learning curve but once you got it.....it is open and go. I believe so much in the spalding method. I would be happy to speak with you about the program to help get you started if you would like. You could email me personally. I was wondering where you live because my niece is teaching in a classical school in St. Louis. She uses the SWR. She graduated with a reading specialist degree. I showed her SWR and she got training in it. She said that everything that she learned in her reading specialist degree meant nothing to her after learning SWR. The reason I am interested in PR is for the writing and Latin roots. I am not good at that and would like some hand holding in that area. If I could get PR even to just add that part to our day it would be great! Amy

You say you are switching to CLE. Why are you doing so? I really do like CLE. I have used Making Math Meaningful, MUS, some Singapore with our older boys and I did RS with these girls before switching to CLE. I never thought I would go to a more traditional program but I am finding they really need that review. I just feel the need to add more (please realilze that this is me and how I like to teach math). With CLE it has been neat to see things that were hard for them at one time, be easy now. But they needed time for it to get that way so a program without lots of review may not be so good for them. With BJ I was thinking that if I got the DVD's and they had another person teaching it that they may retain more and be able to do well with it. Appreciate everyones comments. Amy

I have used SWR with our 3rd grade girls for 4 years now. I just found PR. I love how it incorporates grammar, writing and Latin. Can I use PR just for those things and continue with SWR? Or would you switch entirely? How easy is it to do the writing (that is a huge weakness for me). How long are the weekly videos? If I were to switch (or add) I think level 2 if there is Latin and a decent amount of writing in it. Or could a person who has done SWR for 4 years hop in at level 3? Is it worth getting PR even if I am doing SWR? Thank you, Amy

Wondering what you thought of this program? Did your children enjoy it? Did they learn? Did you follow the teacher's manual and were the lessons long? We are using CLE and I really like it but do wish it taught more conceptually. Our girls really liked it at the beginning of the year but as the year goes on, math is becoming problematic. I may still use it and add in MUS somehow but was thinking about BJ. I like how they teach but it does not have as much review as I would like. On the other hand my girls would love the color pages. Any thoughts would be great. Thank you! Amy

I am dealing with twins too. Both girls that look very much alike. They are in 3rd grade. We are finally reading chapter books. We had some visual issues and finished Vision Therapy last year. The twin that does not like SWR struggles a bit, but I see things coming around. Her sister is doing well with SWR and I am pleased. We are taking a break from it right now though. I have done the training for Orton Gillingham, Reading Works and SWR. They all are good but I like how SWR teaches and is laid out. I certainly believe in the methodology. I know that I may be dealing with some twin issues. I think it is common for one to excell and one to drift off. It is hard to compete all the time, so why try. And that is where she is, she doesn't want to try or work very hard. We are even thinking about sending her or both of them to school next year. I am not sure I could actually do it, but I did sign them up at a nearby charter school just in case. I do think there is a possibity that if I tried a workbook type spelling program (which they want something like that), eventually they would say that SWR is much better. It might be worth a try. Thanks for listening. Amy

I am really hesitant to write this, but I need some input. I am a strong SWR supporter. Always have been and always will be. BUT, I have a child that does not like this program. I believe it is because she does not like to think or pay attention like the programs requires. She wants something easier, in my opinion. I am wondering if any of you are past SWR users that are using AAS and what your take on it is. Thanks, Amy

It is funny because I came from doing RS A, B and some of C before I switched. I loved RS, but we hit a wall. They just were not ready for all the mental math. So far CLE has been a good fit for us. I never dreamed that I would use a curriculum such as CLE but I now see the how much they need the continual practice. I just want to do a little more conceptual work when things are introduced. I don't have RS D or E. Would these levels be helpful? I just need something to add in here and there. The lessons actually take up enough time. Adding a lot would be difficult. Any further suggestions would be great. Thank you, Amy

For those of you using CLE math, do you supplement with another curriculum to teach the concepts? I want to buy something to help teach the concept conceptually and I don't know whether to buy MUS, or something else. Any suggestions? By the way, we will be in level 4 next year. So I am mainly looking at fractions, decimals, multi digit multiplication and division. Thanks, Amy

Do any of you use WWE along with HOD? If you do this, do you reduce or omit narrations from HOD? We are doing Bigger now and will do Preparing next year. Our day is long because we do SWR and CLE for math. I add some geography also. I still do the dictation from HOD and will continue to do so. But would I be killing HOD by not doing narrations from all their readings? Which do think is most effective? I feel like WWE really guides me through the process. This is a very weak area for my girls. Thanks, Amy

Have you thought about SWR (Spell to Write and Read)? It is a little daunting to learn, but once you do, it is open and go. Many programs are geared toward the visual learner. Sometimes kids need spelling to make sense and be more logical. SWR does this and it is for all learning types. It uses all the senses. Check out www.morningstarlearning.com Britta has a great website and explains her experience using it with her 7 kids. There are training sessions for this program. As for cost, once you buy the program, all you need every year after that is a $2 composition book. I did use Megawords as a suppement, but not a stand alone. It is good with the rules of our language. If you have any more questions, I would be happy to help or talk with you personally. I am not a rep or trainer. SWR is something to look at and see if it might be for you. Thanks, Amy

Thank you so much for all your replies. It is very helpful. The spelling part was getting me. She said in her book to say this is not a spelling test, but I don't recall her saying that we should tell them how to spell it. Now that I know I can help with that, it will take out the frustration. Thanks again. Amy

I want to begin using this with our 9 year old girls. We just finished level 1. My question is about dictation. I think the first passages are way too hard. Some are more than the 10 - 12 words that she recommends in the beginning weeks. My girls will never remember all that and will be frustrated because they cannot spell some of the words. What do I do? Thank you, Amy

Have you checked out Christian Light Publications. They use a workbook and it is spiral. I am trying it this year with our 3rd grade girls. We used RS prior to this. Amy

Teacher Created Resources has 2 maps that are 36x24. They have repositional labels which I like but I am unsure how they will last and work. Anyone have these and like them? Amy

I started RS and did A/B and some of C. I loved the program and how it taught but my girls just could not get the mental math and there just was not enough review. I spent too much time going back, redoing lessons and I just got too far behind. They are starting 3rd grade this fall and I think I am going to try CLE's math this fall. If you like the spiral/lots of review type format, take a look at it. You could always buy the games book and abacas from RS. It really depends on what kind of learner you have. My girls really need the review. Amy