Start out by shortening the dictations to a couple of words - maybe just the title of the story or something. You can also do dictation with spelling words (if your dc is working on a spelling program.) One of the unsung benefits of WWE is endurance. The repetition of copywork and dictation teaches kids to keep plodding on through - and as they do their skills improve slowly but measurably. Just ramp it down a bit for a while - you can even dictate funny sentences about his favorite characters like "Spiderman is afraid of spiders." Maybe that will take the pressure off and you can slowly move back into WWE dictations. Moving to CAP is fine too of course if you think it will be better for him.

Thanks! I found the IP used so I'll definitely add that now I just have to decide if I'm getting the workbook or not. Has anyone skipped the workbook in place of something more spiral (for practice?)

Have you tried WWE? I thought it was boring too but my ds loved it. He's an avid reader - he liked the stories, didn't mind the dictation and loved that the narrations were summaries of the stories and not something he had to "think of himself" :glare: But it was great for his writing AND his stamina. We also use CLE for grammar/ spelling. It's very thorough (we skip the writing sections.) I <3 CLE Since you have WWE lying around you may want to give it a try. It might bore you less than it looks like it will - It's not flashy but it's easy to get done, the passages are generally fun and the repetition (which looks boring) is the secret to the formula.

CLE 100 is fairly teacher intensive (as compared to other levels of CLE - not intensive at all when compared to some other programs.) You will need the TM for the 100s and you will use it almost everyday (for dictating numbers and reading out problems etc..) The other levels of CLE are much more student led - especially 300+. - You'll also need the +/- Flahscards - It starts out slow (like "write the number 1 slow") but picks up very quickly. - It's very gentle and efficient I used 100 with one of my dc's - the other did MIF for gr. 1. *I* found CLE to be much more appropriate for the age level than MIF (I was also working with a 5.5 yr old 1st grader.) It teaches addition/ subtraction facts to ten incredibly well and was a painless and quick lesson for my little firsty (even with all the problems and the speed drills.) The only thing I wish CLE taught in first is number bonds or - in MUS- the breaking and making of 10 with the blocks. To remedy that, I used MUS blocks and integrated Alpha into CLE 100 - we did no workbook pages, just the video and the block work. I also made the blocks available during lessons. The combination of CLE 100 and Alpha was a great one for us. I thought I would continue that way (and bought beta) but after Alpha CLE seemed to be enough. We still pull the blocks out sometimes but we haven't watched the videos.

I'm using TC now. I think it's a great approach to jump start some more independent writing. The instruction teaches outlining to organize paragraphs. I think it could be used with a wide range of levels and -so far- the emphasis is on structure which is something I think is missing from WWE (probably because it is taught later in the program.) We loved WWE 3 but while my ds is efficient, even skilled, in writing narrations he was never able to translate that skill to topical writing. He tends to either block or ramble (or both which is frustrating for everyone.) TC is giving him a strategy for organizing his writing which will be applicable in many other areas including note taking, multimedia presentation etc... He's the kind that needs a formula so TC is providing that. When we finish with TC we're planning on moving into CAP Narrative II. IMO CAP is more similar to WWE than to TC. This is how I see it (feel free to correct me though.) TC- Focused on analyzing the structure of writing (by dissecting passages) and learning to construct sentences and paragraphs using an outline form (structure --> content) CAP- Mimetic focus - analyzing particular (classical) forms and genres of writing and learning to mimic them. (structure + content) WWE- Teaches structure, genre and argument through interacting with literary excerpts, and analyzing them through their content - though there is some explicit instruction on structure (as with poetry) the focus is on narration. (content ----> structure) I think - as with all curricula none is objectively superior - it depends on the student and the moment.

I thought it might be of interest to some folks on here... I recently emailed Alt School to ask them if they were planning on releasing their platform to a wider audience and specifically to homeschoolers in the near future. Below is the response they sent me. Here's an article about Alt School http://www.wired.com/2015/05/altschool/ *NB I have no affiliation with them - I have also never actually been to one- but they are an interesting new player on the education field and I can see how the philosophy and the technology could be compatible with some homeschoolers. Even classical ones ;) " Thanks for reaching out. We're piloting a limited release of our platform late 2015. The software will definitely be something we can license to other schools or homeschoolers in the near future. We are just starting the process and do not have a schedule to share at this time. Our Visiting Scholars program has been working well for homeschoolers, since it allows for part-time attendance. I realize you are not in the area, but if we do come to your neighborhood, it is a great program to consider if you are homeschooling. In the meantime, we encourage you to stay connected. You can do that by signing up at http://info.altschool.com/signup/ to stay informed of our progress, and by following the latest updates about AltSchool on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/AltSchool and on our blog at http://blog.altschool.com/. "

Following - I've been toying with the idea of getting Tinker Crate - http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/ butnot sure it's worth it. It's around $20/month less if you order a longer subscription. It says on the website that it can be used with multiple kids and there are a few good reviews online but I have never actually seen one.

Hi, I'm planning on switching my 9yr old "5th" grader to Singapore after the summer. I'm wondering what combination of books everyone uses. I'm planning on getting Text + Workbook + Hig. Could I get away with Workbook + Hig with maybe another practice book alongside? Which practice book? We are moving away from very spiral CLE (which has been great but it's time to move on.) My ds needs lots of reinforcement and review which is why I was thinking of adding a practice book but I don't actually want to kill him. My memory of Singapore is that the Text was very similar to the workbook. Are there any other resources you use to support SM?

I think it's a similar level though, ds is finishing up CLE 407 and about 40 lessons into TT 6. I don't know... do the TT lessons get that much longer later on? It's possible b/c the first chunk of lessons are always full of review. Anyway, OP said her ds is doing CLE 400's and finishing TT 6. The CLE can sometimes be time consuming (though he's used to it so it's usually pretty fast) but he blows through TT. Before we had "the deal" (as he calls it) he would huff and puff about TT and complain. This evening he asked me if he could do 2 lessons. I think another big part of it is that he does CLE first thing in the morning and TT usually after dinner so there's a long math break in the day. Also he skips some of the TT lectures when it's a topic he's already covered or review. Oh, and ds is 9 now - have to change the siggy :) ETA I would have classified my ds as "non-mathy" too but CLE made the difference. Don't be afraid to cross off some problems in the workbook. You still get the spiral but their little faces just light up when you cross of 4 problems ;)

After 3A did you go to Beast 3A? Do you think a student could go from 3B into Beast 4 A?

You know asking that on here is like, basically trolling :tongue_smilie:It's like throwing a steak in a lion's cage. I'm surprised this thing isn't locked yet :lol: Mine are (Tentatively) Singapore for 5-6 (Though BA looks great and I would probably use it if it went higher) CLE for 1-4 Mus Alpha for K MEP does look like an excellent program. I keep telling myself that when the next one get's to K we'll use it but all those links make me dizzy. I really like CLE for laying the groundwork and believe kids should move into the more conceptual programs once they have their facts and procedures down. Like OneStepAtaTime said, I also supplement CLE with Singapore CWP for extra practice with the word problems and basic problem solving skills. We used BJU this year. It was OK but not nearly as advanced as either CLE or Singapore. We will be rounding off the summer with CLE and moving the oldest into Singapore for 5th. From the looks of it he should be able to go straight into 5A.

I didn't even know there was a social media aspect (besides sharing projects.) DS is brand new to scratch so I'm not sure he's using all the resources available on the site. I'm sure my DS would love to connect with another kid - I'm going now to poke around on scratch and see if I can figure it out.

Where can my ds find tutorials/ project ideas? Any ideas?

My DS does CLE for his regular lesson and then does TT to earn video game time (1 lesson = 20- 30 min play.) I have never, ever, ever had to ask him to do TT. He asks me :D He's gotten through 1.5 levels this year and will probably finish the second one before the end of the summer. Once there was a motivation TT +CLE wasn't too much anymore.

Check critical thinking Co - and then check homeschool buyers co-op because they often offer discounts on CTC. You would be able to find a variety of mind bendery, mathy, puzzly things there for all ages. Also the Magic School Bus science kits were on sale on Educents.

Just FYI - the teachers guides aren't necessary for Developmental. The student books are great and provide a lot of practice on each of their given topics. I assumed that b/c you are doing RS and BA that you were looking for more conceptual programs. CLE is a fantastic program but it is very procedural. Still, we use it and it is very get 'er done. I wouldn't however call it visual. Developmental illustrates every concept (multiplication, division etc...) visually. It was a great help here for boosting mental math and building confidence. It is also fairly unique in the way that it focuses on one topic per book. It makes it very easy and efficient for targeting a specific weakness. I plan to use developmental fractions over the summer with my ds as a supplement - not because he is so weak in fractions, but because I know that going through the DM book will really solidify them.

Have you looked at developmental math? It's very visual. It's also cheap. It would make a great bridge or supplement to grow her confidence. http://www.christianbook.com/developmental-math-level-8-student-workbook/l-saad/9781587460081/pd/460027?event=ESRCG

Cool thanks! I'd forgotten about Zaccaro. I've never used them either -- going to check them out now.

If you've used it, did you find it to be "on grade level" meaning that the topics covered were "the same" as other programs? I'm looking at it as a supplement for a strong (but not accelerated/ super mathy) student beginning grade 4 - trying to decide between levels E and F (4th and 5th.) He's a student who attends BM school and I need something that won't burn him out but will provide conceptual practice/ thinking and arithmetical review. I'm also considering just doing SM 4A with him but I'm worried it will be overload. This particular student wants to improve his math skills in order to compete for talent search and improve competition scores in some local/ school math contests but like I said, he's not particularly mathy to begin with - he is very driven though. Also if anybody who's used CTC MR has any comments/ reviews they would be appreciated or any suggestions for other materials.

Math Kangaroo of course and other than that :bigear:

What were you using for intensive writing instruction? I'm trying to prepare my 9 yr old for the ISEE/SSAT in a couple of years.... As it is now, I think he would have a hard time writing a cohesive and long essay at 11. We're working on endurance though.

I find it interesting that the consensus seems to be that there should be absolutely no relationship between school boards and homeschoolers. I have been homeschooling for 5 years and live in a very rural area. Here, I am required to file an "intent to homeschool" including a curriculum plan and schedule. After that, I'm left alone. I've often wished that my kids had access to school resources, sports, contests, events etc.. like homeschoolers in other areas do. When I think of policy, I don't think exclusively in terms of educational oversight but in terms of community building, making homeschooling accessible to more families through hybrid programs and government funding (which is already available through charters in some places,) making district professional development programs available to parents and having school resources (libraries, labs, theatres etc..) available for homeschoolers to use. The idea that there should be "no policy" is itself a policy of course. I understand the desire for educational autonomy, it's the reason I pulled my kids out of school in the first place, but I wondered what kinds of local/ state/ national policies people thought would allow them to retain their educational autonomy and be beneficial to the homeschooling community. - Government funded programs could mean things like subsidized breakfast/lunch, eye/ ear testing - and of course all of the physical resources in the schools are funded through taxes so I would include those as well. ETA - I appreciate everyone's opinion and thank you for taking the time to respond.

What do you think is the ideal relationship between homeschoolers and school boards/ schools and government funded programs? How would you like to see local or national policy change? Can you foresee a time when homeschooling will be considered a "mainstream" educational choice? I'm trying to formulate a research question to address policy/ relationships between homeschoolers and school boards. I realize it's a huge topic that will have a million contradictory answers and that there is now blanket solution but I'm curious to understand how other HSers grapple with these questions.

Maybe check out MP storytime treasures. The reading may be a bit challenging but could be done with your help (read aloud or co-read) and the exercises will be very appropriate. Also, what about WWE copy work, dictation and narration? Copywork can be a great reading tool for a kid who has the stamina and coordination for it.

Another vote for WWE. Also, you could just pull copywork from his reading and start doing oral narrations with him then gradually have him write (or copy) the narrations a la WWE. The Complete Writer will outline it all for you. Dictation does wonders for wiggly boys.