:iagree: I just love Enchanted Learning and Learning Page. I have also been able to use some of the free worksheets at about.com: http://homeschooling.about.com/ . Here is another free one: http://worksheetplace.com/ . It doesn't have as much as About, Enchanted, and Learning, but what it has I liked. I hope this was of help. Gretchen

How about Rock Crest Academy? Gretchen

I am also a former PS Math teacher. One of the main reasons we choose to homeschool is because of the math program. Our PS was using Everyday Math. The word problems were similarly too advanced for our dd grade level. They want them to think before they have the tools to solve such a problem. Its crazy to frustrate a child like that. Gretchen

I use SuperKids Math Worksheet Creator online ( http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/math/index.shtml ) for free to create a Timed Test. The test consists of 25 problems in the form: a x 2 For multiplication, 'a' is equal to any number between 1 and 12. Addition 'a' is equal to any number between from 1 to 10. I let them have as much time as the need to complete the 25 problems. They can only move to the next set until they can complete the test in under 2 minutes with every problem being correct. My girls love it. Now, we are going back through our multiplication facts as review, but this time they have to be under a minute to move on to the next set. I am sure this wouldn't work for every child. My girls see as a game. I tried to make it as fun as possible and I kept the competition between themselves and the clock: not each other. They win as long as the beat their last time. Gretchen

Oops. Sorry, Cristy I missed the online part of your post. Have you tried http://www.mathslice.com/ ? They have an online picture fraction game as well as addition, subraction, multiplication, and division of fractions. Gretchen

Since I haven't use a math curricula as of yet, I have pulled from many different places. I found fractions for 2nd & 3rd grades and 5th & 6th grades, but not in between. Both of my girls have completed the deluxe edition of Time, Money & Fractions from School Zone. My 4th grader just started School Zone Fractions for 5th & 6th Grades. It covers reciprocals, mixed numbers, reducing fraction, simplifying fractions, improper fractions, and equivalent fractions. The workbooks are very colorful. I have also used baking with her to help in her understanding fractions. Example: doubling a recipe. I haven't had any luck finding anything on Geometry or Decimals except for School Zones Math Basics Grade 5. So, what do you usually use for mathematics curricula? Gretchen

I have also used food. It worked better for us than the blocks. Our story was that my daughter was having a pizza party. We would divide the pizza depending on how many friends we were inviting to our party. She learned that the more friends she invited the smaller each slice of pizza became. She really responded to the party planning part. Gretchen

Well, I don't think that I would take advice from a PS teacher. After all, if everyone homeschooled, they would go out of business.:lol: I was very nervous and scared too when I began to homeschool. We love our children and want to do what is best for them. My mom listed all of the things that I had taught my children up until the time they entered school: speaking English, going on the potty, etc.... She said, "If you could teach them that than you could teach them everything else they will need to be successful and happy in life." You have to do what is best for you, but I started to homeschool two children one subject the first week. Then, I just kept adding one subject each week until we were up to our full load. I find having more than one child is very good thing for break time between lessons.

:iagree: I have been happy with everything WTM recommends. That is why I am having such a hard time with this decision. Why not R&S Mathematics? They recommend Calvert Math which only goes up to 8th grade.

Oops, I forgot. I also used School Zones Multiplication Facts Made Easy Deluxe Edition and Multiplication & Division Grades 3 & 4 Deluxe Edition. Gretchen

As a base, I used School Zone Math Basic by grade and their Time, Money and Fraction workbooks. I also used EnchantedLearning.com, Learningpage.com, mathslice.com, superkids.com, kidzone.ws and homeschooling.about.com websites to create a better program. All of the websites listed above are free except for Enchanted Learning. You may use it for free with adds or add free for $20 a year. I felt it was well worth every penny when my children were in first and second grade. I had the workbooks and the girls and I mantained a notebook. We divided the notebook into sections using card stock: General Math, Time, Fractions, Money, and Shapes. This year we added two more sections: Graphs, and Measurement. I hope this was helpful. Gretchen

Thank you. R&S just seems to be more rigorous than Saxon. I thought I remembered reading an aritcle by Susan Wise Bauer several years ago about using R&S. Or, it might have been in the first addition of TWTM, but I gave that copy away when I bought the revised.

I have been making my own mathematics curriculum up until now. I feel now is the right time for us to start using a curriculum since our dd is starting 5th grade math. I am torn between R&S and Saxon. Right now, I am leaning towards R&S, but I want to know why TWTM does not recommend it.:confused: Does anyone out there know why? Thank you, Gretchen

Generally, we do our morning work in the same order, but our afternoons rotate daily. This is our winter schedule while ice skating is in season. We complete our morning work in the following order: Mathematics Grammar Copywork/Writing Reading Spelling Latin In the Afternoon we do: Art on Mondays History on Tuesdays & Thursdays Science on Wednesdays I sometimes make adjustments to the schedule if I feel my girls are getting into a rut or a class outside the home pops up. I am not a slave to the schedule. It is just our guide we try to stick too. Gretchen

When I was teaching Math Facts, I would require mastery before I would move on to the next set of facts. With other areas, I try to get an understanding if my child understands the area and has just made a math fact mistake or is clueless about the area. In other words, I ask myself, "Does the child understand the process of solving the problem?" Sometimes you can understand the process of solving an equation, but make a math fact mistake. This is why you need to show your work. My children will tell you that I am a stickler for showing all of their work. If no work is shown, I mark it as wrong and they have to correct it. Once, I know that they understand the process, I might not be so hard nose about it. I hope this was helpful. Gretchen in NJ