I think it really depends on the kid as to which works best. You need to be open to switching or realizing that just because one works for one child, it might not be the best choice for another. In general, I don't think there is a perfect math program out there that will solve all of your problems. At least I haven't found one. When we did Right Start, we supplemented with Math Mammoth. Now DS2 and DD1 are doing Saxon, so we're supplementing with Singapore. DS1 is starting Beast Academy this year. If DS1 was less math-inclined, I'd probably use a different program.

For Geography, my kids love Stack the States and Stack the Countries. (They also love Aliens vs. Presidents.) For math, they really like Rocket Math and Math Bingo.

DS1 had a basic English printing ability (1st grade) when he started to learn to write Arabic (cursive script, right to left). Honestly, his Arabic writing is better than his English! i think doing Waldorf form drawing really helped. When he learned cursive in second grade for English, his writing improved. I think he just does better with a flowing script.

RightStart has a good placement test on their site. I'm assuming level C, so you'd start with the transition lessons, but take the test anyways. I used the games for afterschooling, but not the complete program. Still, I think it would work--partially because it's so different than typical math.

Wow great question. Math... RightStart as a young kid, Saxon in high school. I loved math...loved Calculus...and used to need very little explanation. Just give me one example and let me go. Reading/LA/History... Something like Sonlight, History Odyssey, or SOTW. Language...I took Latin, but really enjoyed the Minimus books. Much better than our dry curriculum. For normal languages, haven't found anything I loved. I actually do much better with an in-person teacher, so if something like Skype language instruction had existed back then (it didn't...olden days), would have loved it. Science...I hated science in elementary, middle, and high school, but discovered a love of it (and talent for it) when I did a post-bac program for med school. Not sure what would have intrigued me...maybe something like Magic School bus? Art...Meet the Masters or Artistic Pursuits. Both are good IMHO.

We use this great program from Brite Music that all of my kids love. It's an LDS company, but I haven't heard anything religious in the materials. One per month... 12 total... http://www.britemusic.com/standin-tall-set-downloadable You can buy one at a time, or the whole set. This is also a great free character education program called "Ready Set Happy" which works for a wide variety of ages. Focuses on 16 character traits. http://www.16guidelines.org

I'm assuming you spoke to somebody in admissions or something, but not the actual teacher. If that's the case, then wait until the first week or so and speak with the teacher. A lot of Kindy teachers like to do home visits. Perhaps if yours does not offer that, invite her/him over. It might be more easy to chat about in person. Honestly, I faced this when DS1 went to Kindy. We had homeschooled Kindy the prior year, but because of a change in state residence, faced an earlier cut off date which mandated he complete Kindergarten. Basically, the teacher would have him help her by reading stories to the class sometimes...and he also had his own basket of books at his level. An aide or the teacher would work with him and other advanced kids (there were a few who could also read well)...so it really wasn't an issue. Kindergarten was so much more than basic math and reading, though. The music, art, and just being and playing with the other kids were key. I think he could have skipped it, but as he's grown older, I think on an emotional developmental scale, he's right where he should be. As for shyness, I was extremely extremely shy. Always was. :) Was tough as I came from a very very outgoing family (think politician=types). In retrospect, I probably would have benefitted from some sort of social skills class or something...but I probably still would have been shy. I always made a few close friends regardless, which to be honest, was all I needed.

Here you go Kate. I bought both as e-books, and use them on my iPad. So far, it's worked great and I haven't missed having a hard copy. :) Grade 1 http://shop.beaconmama.com/E-Book-A-Journey-Grade-1-2nd-edition-206.htm Grade 3 http://shop.beaconmama.com/E-BOOK-A-Journey-Grade-3-2nd-edition-210.htm She has a bunch of samples you can download for free. They're on the pages I gave you up near the top. For my daughter, I bought a used copy of the Oak Meadow Syllabus and Fairy Tales. I don't have the first book of crafts, but there is so much in the Waldorf Essentials stuff, that I'm not worried. http://oakmeadow.com/curriculum/kindergarten.php

So cool, thanks for posting. We named our youngest Omar...so totally have to watch it. :D Ramadan Kareem!

I bought some beeswax crayons on Amazon that my kids just loved (me too!) http://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-129024-Faber-Castell-Beeswax/dp/B004JA7M4E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344699522&sr=8-1&keywords=beeswax+crayons I haven't used the Stockmar, so can't compare, but these were lovely. Nice and thick too. I also love oil pastels--but they can be messy. :)

I think you could easily do some of the early lessons, but honestly, I would try and hold off. ("Seven is the sun song, counting tally sticks and other manipulatives, etc.) There is no rush or need for a formal curriculum at three. Your child learns far more from just playing than s/he will learn from Right Start Level A at that age. Really. You're not missing out on anything nor is s/he going to be behind in any way. Trust me (says the Mom who was all over eager to start DS1 on stuff, but after four kids is far more relaxed. :))

I've had teachers that have customized homework for my kids based on level...so different spelling lists, math homework, etc. Last year, however, the teacher thought my son knew more multiplication than he did, which caused him to feel frustrated at the homework ( he was in 2nd grade). So, I asked her if I could work with him on the Math Mammoth multiplication and then come back to it--which she was fine with. He was kind of in between. The regular math homework was too easy, but he didn't have all of his multiplication math facts down like some of the kids doing the advanced math homework. I guess what I'm saying is for me it worked best to wait until I saw an unmeet need/opportunity, rather than going in from day one. Give the teacher a chance to realize the need first.

Thanks Ann. :) I love Melissa's materials as well. :)

So, school started this week, and so did our "official" after schooling. We're using Waldorf Essential's/A Little Garden Flower's curriculum for DS1 and DS2 (they are in 3rd and 2nd grade, but for Waldorf we're using the 1st grade stories for DS2 as he's just turning 7)...and Oak Meadow's Kindy stories for DD. So far, it is going very well. The kids are so engaged. We basically tell the stories at bedtime, and then the next day if there's an activity associated, we do it. I so love her "Wise Sophia" story for 1st grade. Glad we went with that vs. 2nd grade, as everybody is loving it! DS1 and DS2 attended a Montessori camp which actually had a very Waldorfy feel this summer. They did a bunch of finger knitting, sewing, and weaving which they loved---so are very excited to do more. Yippee! Anybody else after schooling with a Waldorf feel?

Her hair, her choice. She might cut it short anyway. At least she's doing it for a wonderful cause. Support her. If she ends up not liking her short hair, then remind her of the great thing she did. It will grow back. You can have short hair and stool look feminine. Think Audrey Hepburn. Think Halle Berry. There are cultures were women almost never have short hair. It's considered shameful. Celebrate the fact that women can have short hair, medium hair, or long hair here and still be viewed as feminine. I have very thick hair. I've had it short and I've had it long. It's much easier to deal with short--and looks better. But that's me. Bite your tongue on this one, Mom. :)

I faced that with DS1 in Kindy. Unfortunately, I just lived with it...and so did he. In retrospect, I should have fought for him to be changed. Other Moms did. I didn't really realize I had a choice. Did it affect him long term? No...but it was a tough year on us both. Be the squeaky wheel. Your kids are worth it.

So, growing up I went to a school were one started French in Kindy. In the elementary grades it was songs, basic verb conjugation, games...etc. Fun. Then in Middle school, you added Latin or another modern language, plus a more formal French study. End result is that my French at one time was good, but is a bit rusty. Still, it did allow me to have a good (for an American) accent--at least that's what I was told when I lived there. We recently moved to South Florida where Spanish is basically a second language. It would be so easy for them to learn here...so many resources...yet my Spanish is limited to the Dora variety. Would you encourage your kids to learn Spanish anyway? Or start them on French as it's the foreign language you know best? I love French...and French culture...so feel that I would be better at getting them enthused about learning French... yet I feel silly for wasting the opportunity of an almost immersion Spanish situation. WWYD? Kids are already learning Arabic as well. (DH speaks Arabic fluently...but doesn't speak to the kids in Arabic (pet peeve!)) :)

Have you tried a standing desk? May seem strange, but we're trying it with my almost 9 year old this year. There are a few studies out there that say it really helps kids focus. I would probably try rigging one at first...to see how it goes...before investing. :)

CLE....good, cheap, space saving. Can buy only what you need. Focus on math, LA for the year...or any trouble areas. But if there is a subject she loves...that speaks to her soul...include that! Check w/ local hsing groups. Might have curricula to donate, help with coops, etc. Calvert is very complete, although boring IMHO. Still, it's available through some virtual PS.

My aunt, who is a B&M school teacher, raves about it. Anybody use it either in a homeschool setting or have experience with their kids using it in a bricks & mortar school? What's your opinion?

Inspirational. Just shows what engaging kids...even kids that most would give up on...can achieve. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/fast-times-at-west-philly-high/

You know what I'd like to see? I'd like to see somebody (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation maybe? State of Michigan?) post some sort of challenge regarding Highland Park. Call on experts all around the world to get behind this one failing district. Let's bring in a team from Finland to teach at one school. (Would they? Who knows, but why not ask.) Let's ask the Catholic Schools to take over one, or various charters like KIPP. Maybe the Detroit Waldorf school could be involved. Look at sex segregated schools perhaps at the Middle/High School level. Look at eliminating "grades"--and having people work at their level. Let's ask Whole Foods or Trader Joe's (both have stores in suburban Detroit) to provide healthful food for the kids--3 meals/day...even in the summer. Perhaps each school could have culinary students who do the actual cooking--and even for high school kids, that could be a vocational program. I'm sure there are a few abandoned buildings which could be razed to make way for gardens to help support the school. A good friend is Mormon, and I have to say, her church really seems to have teaching morals, homemaking skills, finances, etc. down pat. Maybe they'd come in and help the city. Perhaps the Michigan National Guard could be called in to provide security if the police aren't doing the job. Have the kids doing community projects--even if part of their daily PE is picking up trash. Show pride in your community. Try and make it better. Move to a year-long school year, with planned breaks/activities (so not stuck at home). Get the local YMCA involved for daily activities. Get a good vocational training program, perhaps modeled after Germany. Perhaps even give the older kids the options of living in sex segregated dorms or some such thing--for those who want to escape their home life. Do all of this for 3-5 years and see what happens. Can you change things? Yes, it would cost a bunch--but the lessons learned could be monumental to education throughout the school. Of course, they might be right back where they started, but I have to believe some difference would be made. So much for my pipe dream. :)

Thanks...saw this late...but thanks anyway. I didn't notice the difference at first. :) So with Mamapedia, it's like you're getting 4 sets (12 kits) for $120.00 but with the link you provided (which is still valid :)), you get 3 sets (9 kits) for $70.00.

I had a similar thread while back. :) http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/showthread.php?t=390667&highlight=saxon+intermediate

I don't know if one exists. We tried LIttle Passports and were very disappointed. My kids really loved the book "Hungry Planet" on what people around the world eat. You can see excerpts here: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519,00.html They also love going on youtube and watching different cartoons from different counties. For some reason, they find McDonald Happy Meal ads from other countries intriguing. LOL I know there are a few Usborne book which might work well too. They love the "Stack the States" and "Stack the Countries" iPad apps. Oh, and the game "Take Off." I'd let it be interest driven. You could have a standard format which you fill out for each country they study. My kids were fascinated with Japan because of Ninjas. They then became interested in Egypt because of their father's background. Then it was France and Switzerland because I had lived in both countries....