sorry the above should say "as a fun supplement" not "and a fun supplement"!

We've used SM 3A all the way to 6B and have used the CD-ROMs and a fun supplement. IMHO, using them alone would not teach the mental math stategies that SM teaches. As the other poster stated, the CD-Roms are games that re-enforce understanding the concepts and skills taught in the text book & work book. My dc have loved using the CD's as supplements to their math program (we used other activities as well) HTHs.

Hi all, I'm trying to settle on a curriculum for 1st grade math. I need something colorful and with lots of review (math is not an easy subject for my dd!). I'm using SM for my older dc, but I think I need more problems and review. I'm concerned Horizons may be a little too many problems, but I know I can have my dc not complete all of them. I've also decided not to pursue RS though I do have the RS games & abacus and will incorporate those into our weekly lessons. Any thoughts? Thanks so much.

Thank you for your help! I feel more comfortable using Jacobs. I tried to find it at our local homeschool fair, but couldn't find a copy... Oh well... Thanks again!

I was trying to locate online samples of PLL - colorized version and see if it's what we want to use for 2nd grade. Can someone tell me where I can find it? RR only has Emma Serls original. Thanks!

If your dc ever got a problem wrong, was it hard to figure out the correct solution?? Right now dc is finishing up SM 6B along with SM Challenging Word Problems 6. CWP only contains answers and some of them have us stumped. I end up spending a great deal of time trying to figure these out... Just didn't want the same thing to happen w/Jacobs! (I don't really have the time to figure it out!) thanks so much.

I wanted to see sample lessons, but can't find any. Also, where can I purchase this book? Is it out of print (looked on Amazon, but could only get it used?) Is there a TM & student book? Are there any DVDs? Thanks so much for helping me out.

Hi all, Does Jacobs Algebra give answers to problems worked out? In other words are the solutions worked out or just the answers? If they are just the answers anyone ever get stumped on how the solution was found? If Jacobs is this way I'm really hesitant in purchasing it, just wanted some opinions on this - thanks!

I'm considering LLATL for my younger dd. I've looked at samples online and it looks good, but I've heard it's not thorough enough and some people supplement. I'd like if you like LLATL and if you supplement it with another curriculum. THanks so much!!

Where can I find the colored version of PLL? -thanks

After Lials Introduction to Algebra what do you use next? -thanks!

My dd finished SM 6B and will start Algebra 1 in the fall. What is your favorite Algebra 1 curriculum? Price is a factor, my husband is very ill, so he is not working and self-employed. So, we are very limited in our finances. (Can't afford Chalkdust!) Thanks so much! God bless.

Hi all! You think I'd have this figured out by now, but still confused as to what to try for Lang Arts for my 2nd grader who has learning delays. I need a gentle approach and she has a hard time sitting still and listening (that's why I didn't try FLL) For 1st grade we usd MFW 1st grade which went OK, she needed more review, and we still working through it, though almost done! Any suggestions for a good LA program that is gentle, thorough, interesting(?), color may be a benefit (though could be distracting... I'm not sure about this!), also good amount of review... help! Also, need some suggestions for Math. This year for 1st grade We used MUS Primer, and some topics were confusing for her especially place value, using the rods for telling time etc. I'm not sure I should continue with MUS, I might need something less abstract? I've looked at RightStart and I actually tried RS with my older daughter, though I loved the abacus idea and using games as re-inforcement, it really took too long to teacher and play the games (I'm homeschooling 3 other dc, along with a very active toddler!). So, I have the game cards and we play those occassionally. So, any suggestions for Math?? I need something with review and an incremental approach. THanks so much for your help!!

My oldest 3 will be doing ancients (7th,5th,2nd grades) This is our second cycle and the oldest dc have already read SOTW series, so they want something different. I looked at MOH, but think 7th grader needs something more meaty and it my be a little over the head of 2nd grader how has some LDs. So, I've been looking at Biblioplan Ancients or TOG Year 1. We used BP Modern last year, and some weeks it was a lot of reading & discussing, but we just took longer than 36 weeks to finish. But all in all it was a fun year (I did add in activities and field trips). Anyway, BP included Mapwork, timeline, coloring book, variety of spine resources including SOTW & MOH & Famous Men of ... (for my different age groups). I'll add in my own hands-on activities and use SOTW AG. TOG looks great too, but it might be too much planning for us right now and it is cost prohibitive for us right now... so I'm leaning towards BP Good Luck!

Siloam, Thanks for all the information in your post. I appreciate it! So, have you used WP in the past?? The one reason I'm hesitating on WP is that QAW is geared towards middlers/jr/seniors while my 7yo maybe able to understand MOH 1, QAW does not have any readers or activities geared for her (I know I can gather these myself, but it would be very helpful if it was already done for me!). Another reason for hesitation is, as you mentioned above, QMA used MOH2 which is heavier in church history, and again my concern for 7 yo (then 8yo), same for QRR. But, the way you scheduled WP is good. Do you know if WP plans to add a history after QRR (Early Modern, Modern history)?? So, how do you like TOG? Can you tell me who you schedule your week? I had two specific questions- -For History accountability & thinking questions, do you have your oldest write these out? (Perhaps your oldest is not in dialectic?) -For Literature thinking & Discussion questions, again do you have your oldest write these out or done orally? thanks for your help!

We've used R&S English 3-6 and just about to start English 7. I was also contemplating switching to Abeka's DVD for English 7, or AG for 7th & 8th, because of the time R&S takes to complete. But dd wanted to stick with R&S English 7! We plan to do it over two years (7th & 8th) and R&S English 8 (9th & 10), so dd can have more time concentrating on writing and literature. After that I'll probably used AG High School Books. Dd does R&S primarily independently. She'll read the lesson, do class practice from my TM orally (she covers up the answers), if she gets any wrong from the CP she lets me know and we go over it, then if there is a worksheet she'll complete that, if not, I'll assign her about 1/2 the written practice. If she doesn't get 95% or better on the chapter test we go over the lesson that she had problems with. There is something to be said about "drill & kill". Drill is important, but in modification! You don't have to be slave to the curriculum (I learned this the hard way LOL!)

Mindy, Thanks for your post. You're right, I shouldn't add on programs... they all look so good, but then reality kicks in! So are you doing IEW TWSS w/SWI? Or the history based lessons? (sounds like the TWSS, but I'm not that familiar w/IEW (still trying to read everything on the IEW website!) Thanks again!

Melissa, Thanks for the post! What your said makes sense! You're right, there are SO many choices my head is spinning! QAW, does look interesting. I looked at MOH, and it looks a little tough for my 7 yo to understand (I think), but I plan to print out the samples and read them to her and see what she thinks. My girls love crafts and notebooking, we do lapbooks for history from time to time and they have enjoyed them. But, like you said if I did WP I wouldn't have the discussion/accountability questions or teacher notes.... ponder, ponder... I'll also print out the 3 week Go to Egypt sample and compare both. I think that's what I really need to do, is down with TOG in front of me. About writing. Yes, I too wish there was a WT III! CW looks good, but I wonder if I can pull it off with everything else on my plate (as well as dc school plates!). If I used IEW I think I'll use the Ancient History Based Lessons. I don't have the TWSS or SWI, but I read somewhere I could use the history based lessons w/out having used the TWSS prior. WOW, you do have a lot of writing options available! Also, how do you like BJU English and Math? I am trying to find a good foundational, gentle but spiral english and Math curriculum for the 7 yo with learning delays. I don't know if we can afford HomeSat though. I've heard BJU math is good, but mommy intensive if you use the TM, but I also heard the TM has lots of good teaching stuff in it... Once again, thanks for your time and ideas. Sangita

Our 7th grade plans so far- Eng - R&S English 7 Roots - Vocabulary from the Classical Roots A Spelling - Megawords Writing - IEW or TOG writing Aids Logic - Fallacy Detective, Mind Benders, Logic Spiders Math - Jacobs Algebra 1 Latin - Latin Prep 1 Science - Apoligia Gen Science History/Lit/Bible - TOG Year 1 or BP Ancients (haven't decided yet), AWANA if we don't use TOG then add on Lightning Lit 7 Music - piano lessons Other - Soccer League, co-op on Fridays, horseback riding, MathCounts team HTHs

thank you all for your posts. I think what I need to do is ... more research and look in detail to the books (TRY to read them!) covered!

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Melissa, Thank you VERY much for the detailed reply. I appreciate your time and thoughts. YES, it was amazing to hear Marsha talk and why she developed TOG and what she wanted her OWN kids to gain from it. Her husband spoke as well (he I believe is an attorney for HSLDA). Also, I just found out yesterday that Marsha & her dd will be teaching rhetoric level TOG writing, history and literature at our homeschool Co-op!!!!! I wish my oldest was rhetoric level! :-( The co-op I attend was started by memebers of a church plant from Covenant Life where Marsha Sommerville attends. Anyway, the high schoolers are all excited (as well as the moms!)- hope it goes through. Thanks for all your advice for TOG. I love the idea of my oldest being responsible for scheduling her week. Right now I spend about 2 hours Saturday night making up a weekly schedule for dds (this is because when I'm away with 3rd dd for therapies older two dc know what they need to accomplish). The idea of having 10 yo & 7 yo read the same history book is a GREAT idea! I guess I just assumed 7 yo may not be able to follow along, but it's worth a try! Also, can you tell me how you schedule your week? (like what do you do on Monday, Tuesday... etc) Also, do you plan to just use the TOG writing aids or another writing program? 10 yo is also using WT II (we're on lesson 18), so not sure whether to use Writing Aids or CW Homer or IEW. About h.s, from what your wrote, if you continue TOG in h.s and you feel like it covers World History & US history (including gov't) you can use TOG to fulfill credit requirements? I noticed from your post your ds is using WP AS II how do you like it? I'm also considering using WP QAW next year (otherwise TOG). Just wondering how ds is enjoying WP. Also, where can I take a look at the Ancient History Copybook? Sorry to come back at you with more questions! Thanks for your response. God Bless. _______________________________________ Sangita DD 12, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4

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A friend of mine's dc have all done the Great Books Tutorial through the Escondido Tutorial Service (CA). She raves about it. Just wondering if anyone else has tried it and "loves!" it just as much and what your opinions were! Thanks! Here is the website- http://www.gbt.org/gbt.html

We're (12 yo, 10 yo, 7yo, 4 yo- tagging along!) starting our history cycle again with Ancients in the fall. My oldest (12 yo) will be in 7th grade and I was wondering if anyone has opinions on VPs Omnibus I for 7th grade. Likes/Dislikes? Some of the books look pretty in-depth (Aeschylus I, Gilgamesh, Sophocles I... etc). They seem to be (IMHO) a bit beyond a 12 yos thinking. Any thoughts?! Thanks so much!