DD5.5 gets pretty insecure with adding numbers between 1-10. She also needs practice with additions. I want to help her build her confidence by playing a few games, do you have any suggestions?

My dd5 yo enjoys mathwhizz, and she really gives her best to completing each and every lesson. I sit with her as she does each lesson, and I try to help her when I can. The most challenging aspect of the program so far has been the addition and subtraction problems. I fear that she is now hitting a brick wall, she simply does not understand the logic behind them. I think though, that this has to do more with her developmental stage in life. I'm not quite sure if we should continue with MathWhizz or pull out for a while. What do you suggest?

I've been having doubts about the mini-tests as well, and I've decided to skip them. DD will only do 1-2 words before she starts to whine and complain, which really gets on my nerves. So for my own sanity and hers, we just skip it and try to ignore it (it's the best I can do at this point). But I'm :bigear: to listen to any suggestions. I don't mind doing book 2.5, but like Jay3fer I like to "make it work as phonics AND spelling". But you're right in saying that it's a lot to ask of a 5yo, since she only started to write her abc's several months ago. Am I getting too push here :glare:???

I think this may be the case wtih dd. She's a good reader, but she's very reluctant to work on her spelling. As for her spelling accuracy it's a bit of a hit and miss. Generally I have no concerns for her ability to decode, and given enough 'hint' she'll decode and spell something right. Should I be concerned? Should I get her to move ahead to book 3, or repeat but do book 2.5? What should my approach be to spelling given where she's at at the moment?

5DD has completed ETC book 2. By this stage is she expected to be able to spell phonetically? I ask because I saw the post test at the back of the book which looks like a spelling test. I don't have the teachers guidebook so I don't really know if spelling is incorporated with the lessons.

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Until about 3 months ago, 5dd covered the short vowel lessons in Phonics Pathway. But when it came to the long vowel lessons, dd had such a hard time that we decided to stop and come back to it when she was ready. It's been 3 months now, and dd is constantly asking me about doing more PP lessons. I've also noticed that her language skills has greatly improved, so I think it's time to try and tackle PP again. Also when we started, we just concentrated reading. However, in the last 3 months, dd started developing her handwriting skills using workbooks & ETC, so now we would like for her to incorporate handwriting into the lessons. What advise can you give on reviewing PP? Where could we begin to incorporate the handwriting part?

She'll be 5yo by the end of the month:001_smile:

DD learnt to read using Phonics Pathway (about 1/4 of the lessons), and Reading Eggs. However, she seems reluctant to blend words she doesn't know. It's only when I press her, and with some whinging and complaining that she eventually starts to blend them. Is this common with most children learning to read or is it a sign of bigger problems that need to be addressed. How can I address this problem?

I brought R&S Beginning Arithmetic workbook 1 - part 1-2 today at a homeschool seminar. The book suggests using it with the Teachers Manual, Blacklines, Speed drills and flash cards. Are all these extra items necessary or is the workbook sufficient?

Thanks for all your replies. As a dad, I was under the impression that the principle knew what he was talking about. This impression was verified when I went online and saw some books on Amazon.com that seems to suggest that girls learn maths differently to boys. I like some of your suggestions about math games and activities. I saw a few games like ThinkFun Zingo, Candyland etc at Amazon.com which sounds fun, and which might encourage math learning. Do you have any suggestions for games and activities? Also, do girls like playing with lego and building blocks?

I'm stumped trying to teach maths to dd (turning 5 yo this July). We've tried Miquon and a few other books, but she doesn't seem to readily take to the subject as she does to reading. Yesterday, we were touring a school that we wanted to put her in for next year and I mentioned this problem with maths to the school principle. I was surprised to hear him say that boys generally perform better in maths and science, but not reading. He said it's in our genetics, girls and boys are just "hard-wired" that way. I've ordered a few books from Amazon to help me understand this. But can you tell me what you know, and what you've done to help your dd learn to love maths:confused:

thanks eveyone for your thoughts.

We did a little activity and read "The Clown of God" before I put dd5 to bed tonight. It was our first time to read this book. The story had a sad ending with the main character having died at the end. We talked about the story and about our faith, but I could tell that the book had made quite an impression on her (as it did on me), she was quite emotional and sober. We prayed together, and I talked to her and I tried to cheer her up before putting her to bed. This is the first time that dd has read a book that has had such an emotional impact. Part of me feels concern that she may not yet be emotionally ready (nearly 5), however another part of me wants dd (and myself) to unravel, learn and delve deeper into this great children's classic literature. What do you think ...?

What version of the NIV would you recommend? Also dd is 4.5yo, isn't the KJV version too wordy for her?

I'm trying to make up my mind about the KJV, NIV and NLT Which would you use with your dc and why (my dd is 4.5yo)?

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How do you use the 1st Grade Diary? We've only just started 4.5yo dd on Miquon, and still getting used to the material. I'm going through the counting section of the orange book, and I use the Lab Sheet Annotations as a guide. However, the 1st grade diary seems disconnected from the lab sheets and lesson book, and I'm not sure how to approach it so that I can get the most from it.

thanks everyone, that helped to clear it up and it gave me a few ideas:)

4.5yo dd is doing basic handwriting practice starting with numbers 1-10. Generally we start with some doodling and artwork to strengthen her motor skills. We've been doing numbers 1-3 this week. My question is how many times per week should I be doing the handwriting practice with her?

I did RP with DD when she was around 4yo. For 15-20min. every morning (and depending on her attention span) we did Phonics Pathway. I would use RP as a supplement to whatever new lesson she was learning. The pyramids were a lot more fun than the exercises in PP. We didn't finish RP because at 4.5yo, dd can only do the short vowels. So we'll pick it up again when shes ready for the long vowels. Overall great book

Thanks Sailmom, particularly for the link. It's very helpful:) I'm not sure if drawing and doodling is counted towards 'fine motor skills development' but dd loves to draw. So basically, I allow her some free time to draw and colour with her crayons before or after we start our handwriting exercises.

Thanks boscopop I appreciate your advice :D:D:D:D:D. I looked into HWT and I think it's a great program, however in Sydney a different style is taught at school and since we're not planning on homeschooling we went with something else. What's a tripod grip?

:iagree:I would second PP as a great teaching tool for phonics. It's quite dry and boring, but it WORKS and it's cheap. It's highly recommended as a good phonics program in the older WTM book. 4.5dd can read using PP, and a combination of starfall.com and BFIAR. Just reading a book regularly before bed is a great way to help both of your dc. DD stopped before the long vowels in PP, but she is able to read the BFIAR books on her own. That's all due to pp and starfall.com.

Didn't get much response from the general board so i thought i'd post it here: