Hello Caryn, I haven't read all the replies, so hope I'm not repeating anything. We also use MFW and I've had to tweak but for different reasons (we homeschool bilingual and some things we do in Spanish). The MFW1 phonics does move fast for some. I just started (again) the phonics this January, dd's second grade year (Spanish is her first reading language and English was getting confusing for her last year, although she's bilingual). Are you using the games suggested in the Appendix? My dd enjoys those, as well as HOP (yes, we use that too. We got it free from a friend.). And, I don't think it's too late start something over. We missed a lot of the 1st program last year because I was working full-time. Although she loves math, I noticed there was a gap. So, this week, I pulled out 1st, looked up book suggestions for math, checked out Family Games for Math, and that's what we're doing. I wouldn't worry about where she is in math. My daughter finished K as a 6yo (turned 6 in Sept. of K year). She couldn't remember what 6, 7, and 9 were written down, let alone recognize numbers above that. By the end of 1st grade, I saw I had nothing to worry about. Something "clicked" and she grew mathmatecally by leaps and bounds. Your daughter is still very young. If you are using the math in MFW, it's a good base (that's why I'm going back to do the things I didn't do last year). Using the manipulatives that you make, etc., continue showing adding and subtraction before putting it down on paper. There are a bunch of ideas in MFW1, Family Games for Math, and I believe in Ruth Beechick's books (I can't look at them right now because I let someone borrow them :001_huh:). Showing them concretely is very important right now. I wouldn't add anything to what you're doing. HOP is a good program (my friend's kid learned to read with it, and my dd is really enjoying it!) and will give your dd the practice she needs. Also, remember, you make a curriculum work for you, you don't have to make yourself fit into the curriculum. However, there are many things in MFW that will lay a great foundation if used, even if you do it more slowly that suggested. Renai

I'm Black, husband Mexican, daughter half white (great great grandparents on rapist's side of family from Ireland and Scotland).

What's short sheeting a bed?

But this is what the plan looks like for 3rd grade (she turns 9 in the fall) so far: We will be using MFW Exploring Countries and Cultures, which has Bible, geography, science, art, and music planned out. It will be split up this way with other subjects as follows: In English: Geography (although I do have atlases and such in Spanish as well) Art and Music Spelling by Sound and Structure (2nd grade level) Complete HOP through level 5 if not complete over the summer Prima Latina In Spanish: Bible Math- Mundo Matematico 3 Grammar- Serie Amigo 3 Spelling- Practica Ortografica 3 Classical Writing Aesop with Spanish models In Both Languages: Science topics Readalouds (there are three missionary books in MFW available in Spanish we will be purchasing separately) Book basket Other: Continue exposure to Japanese and German Dance classes (tap, modern, and ballet)

Math U See has a free worksheet generator. Choose book Epsilon, then the type of problems (ie, adding multiple fractions. http://www.mathusee.com/worksheet/worksheet.html

If you find someone, let me know. Renai

I completely agree with this. My daughter is bilingual, and essentially what is happening with the 3yo is learning by immersion (albeit, a "dead" language, but learning by immersion nevertheless). The only "problem" I can foresee is perhaps mixing up the sound of long 'i' and pronouncing it like long 'e'. My daughter did that (the vowels are the same as Latin vowels) for a little bit, but they figure it out. (I started to say before our English phonics lessons, "This is English now. Let's say the Names of the vowels...") Learning by immersion is pretty interesting. There is a video on learning.org (free registration, free to watch) of an American French-immersion school. All the children are English speakers, learning French in an all French environment. They even learn to read in French before they learn to read in English. Reading skill transfers from one language to another (although this normally applies to reading in primary language first, then the second language, it hasn't effected immersion kids negatively yet ;)). All in all, I wouldn't worry about it. Renai

Precisely my point. You don't need a license or degree for that (to be the expert on oneself or your students). You know yourself if you need to study up on something or delegate it to someone else to teach. Most elementary school licensing programs do not teach the teacher "how" to teach math, science, social studies, etc. However, when they finish the course sequence, they are considered "experts" to teach it all. What do they do? The same as us- open up the teacher guide and follow it, lol! Now, of course, there are those with math degrees, science, etc. that are getting alternative licenses for their particular area. And to be classified as a "highly qualified teacher" for middle school and beyond, you do have to have a certain amount of higher level course in math, science, or whatever you are being endorsed to teach. I admit, I have not read this entire thread, so maybe I'm missing something. Renai ps. Came back to add: This has got me thinking how far I actually want to go in teaching math in my 2nd language (we have a dual-language homeschool). I've been thinking all this time about going through 6th or 7th grade and switching to English, but now I'm wondering if I really want to.

Hey you! Long time no see. You know where I am! But, alas, we are the only ones in NM who hang out on these boards, lol! Renai

Wow! I miss visiting for a couple of months and come back to this. I've only been visiting periodically this school year, though, since we started using MFW (Charlotte Mason classical). I started visiting this board right after I first read the WTM book, in December 2004, before dd began kindergarten. Thus, not counting a couple years total in preschool, she hasn't been to school. WTM was the book that turned on the light bulb and convinced me "I can do this." DD, 8, is 2nd grade this year, still plugging away at homeschooling bilingually. Next year, we start Latin! Her English reading skill is growing and I'm sure by then she'll do just fine. This year we use: Bible: MFW, although we do the readings in Spanish History: MFW Adventures- Intro to American History Math: Mundo Matematico (going out of print :() Grammar/Spelling: Spanish stuff from Fernandez Editores and Arco Iris Science: Kinda sorta follow the MFW schedule, but take lots of rabbit trails, done in English and Spanish Art/Music: MFW, although she hasn't liked the art much. I'm going back to How to Do Art with Children by Evan Moor English: phonics from MFW 1, and Hooked on Phonics for review and fluency Foreign language: a bit of Japanese and German...periodically Next year, we do a year of geography before going into the 4-year cycle. She takes tap, modern, and ballet classes this year. Her teacher (who just performed this past Saturday and was awesome - over 40 years old) seems to think she is talented and gave her a merit scholarship for the modern class. I think she is still too young to hyper focus on one area, but I'm open to being wrong. Me? Last year, I worked fulltime in a preschool while taking classes fulltime and homeschooling. Glad that's over. During that time, I also learned scrapbooking, and how to crochet. This past summer, I met up with my grandmother for the first time in 15 years, and she taught me how to sew. Now, all I need to do is organize my time so I can do those things. This year, I work part time from home, and am still busy. One thing I have this year that I didn't last year is a social life (outside my computer friends). Renai

Wow! You summed me up in 6 words! I am so glad you put it like that. Now I know what my problem is. I'll be meditating on it as I watch the dishes in the sink and put my CDs in alphabetical order :D. Renai

This stands to be repeated. And not just for homeschool parents. When I worked in public schools, there was one teacher in particular who really, Really, REALLY was tired and needed a sabbatical (like the person below says). But she didn't see it (every other teacher in the school could). The students suffered. Being an expert is not about a license or degree, but knowing oneself and the ones you are teaching. Renai