Can someone tell me about these programs...have you used them, do you like or not like? Thanks!

Thank you everyone who has posted, it has helped in my decision a lot.... !!! Katie, I have printed off some of the MEP also, I think I will do it w/ my 5 1/2 year old! Kim

Okay... I had been doing TT3, I realized that my daughter really had trouble with certain things, word problems etc.. I did the placement test for math mammoth and after she scored really well on TT3 she scored very LOW on the MM. We are now doing MM 2. What I want, in the lower grades, is for them to get a good understanding of math and their math facts etc...learn how to do word problems. I do not want to purchase TT4, which she wants very much, and have to supplement with several things. I would love to use it at some point because she loves it and I like how it grades their work etc.. Is Math Mammoth good on its own, Light Blue is what we are using? Should I go through level 2, maybe 3, or get through the multiplication and division then jump back into TT? Should I do Math U See in the lower grades... What program, other than Rightstart (which I LOVE BUT just can't make it work w/ having 7 children), is great at really getting them to understand math in the lower grades. Thanks a bunch!! Kim

Hi, Can someone help me w/ the differences between Megawords vs Explode the Code. I really like the looks of megawords for one of my children who reads smaller words great but struggles w/ larger words but...do they have to know all their phonograms before starting megawords? Should we finish ETC first? We are on Book 5 of ETC. Thanks, Kim

Thank you for the link to the samples!

Hi, I am just wondering if anyone uses the AAS readers? I had them, sold them, am now regretting it a bit but I just don't know if I want to add another $60 to the cost for readers, we have the Bob books. The readers are beautiful but.. I am also not sure if I will use AAS as a "reading program" or just spelling. I have Alpha Phonics. Do you use them or not? Thanks! Kim

Thank you!

Does anyone have a link to this? I tried looking on his website but couldn't find it? Thanks, Kim

AWESOME ARTICLE...THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!! I don't use MUS but this article is great!!!

Hi, I have a 5 1/2 year old son who is ready to begin reading instruction, knows the sounds of the first 26 letters and more probably. We have read Dr. Suess books etc..but have not done a "formal" phonemic awareness program as far as rhyming etc.. I am getting AAS level 1 for my other kids. I am being drawn to AAR because the books look wonderful and the card game for rhyming but I need to be wise in my spending and am not sure..should I just start him in AAS or Alpha Phonics, which is what I own. Thanks! Kim

I do not actually have 4th grade but my daughter scored very low on the end of year 2nd grade test, we want to start MM after being in TT3. I emailed Maria Miller all of her scores and she was very generous and emailed me back which blue books to get! I would give her a few days or email her again w/ your scores and see what she suggests. Kim

Not to confuse things even more but would MM be able to be used alongside MUS? Just curious... Kim

Yes...I agree, it is better to get one that will actually get done! I am going to take a bit of time and look through my books I have and see what I actually think will get done. I may have to let go of my "hopes" of using RS and use something we will actually get done.:glare: Kim

See...I have the RS "original" program, the Acitivities for the AL Abacus and worksheets, I am wondering if that would be better used w/ MM? I am starting to wonder about MUS...anyone care to comment on that..just to add one more to the mixl..ha! Okay..really...my dilema...RS, MM or MUS? I have MM 1 that I got years ago..just found it in my adobe files. With the 50% off going on right now on HBC, I just don't know..so many love math u see but then don't in upper levels. OH...too many good choices. So...I have to consider what we can actually get done! Kim

I had thought of doing A and B and then switching, just not sure how hard it is to start a program like RS and then switch. I do want them to understand and have fun w/ math! I have the RS games, we are just not a game playing family, isn't that horrible? We really aren't..although my husband plays chess w/ my son but adding in games w/ our school work never seems to get done. Kim

Hi Heather!! Well..this is what I was wondering...does MM have the focus on visualizing numbers etc...that RS does. I know I need to teach Math, especially in lower grades, not a problem..but..my kids do like doing worksheets. AND..I do want math to get done everyday, as someone else said, and I am finding it is not w/ RS. But..I am also using Spell to Write and Read (which I am keeping as most important) so...the RS may just be too much w/ that also.. I hate letting go of something I have really wanted to do, I love how they explain math and how they teach mental math and working it in your mind. Does MM do that? Kim

any other opinions?

Yes..I knew it was the exit test but as it looks now, my daughter will be starting TT 4 soon, she is almost done w/ 3 but she would test into MM 2...not even MM 3. She did not pass enought of the exit test to even be able to go into MM3, not by far. But...she does score great on TT3 so...just thought that was strange, I guess. Glad to know MM is ahead of other programs..ha! I will just reinforce some things maybe w/ the topical series of MM. Kim

That is a good idea...I was just surprised because she does do very well w/ TT but is really struggling w/ word problems and the addition she was doing w/ TT on the computer, she struggled w/ on paper w/ MM? It is just confusing....I want to make sure she is solid, especially in lower level math. Kim

Just curious....my daughter loves TT 3, loves it, we are getting ready to go into TT4, she gets great scores but I was curious about place value and multiplication because she seems to have a struggle w/ those issues. I went to math mammoth website and wow...their level 2 placement test was too hard for her, is TT that far behind or am I missing something. Now..she did well on some parts of the level 2 test but others were like..she has no idea and she gets 90-100% on her TT 3 lessons. Just curious... Kim

Okay...what are the big differences between Rightstart and Math Mammoth? Pro's and Cons? I love RS and want to teach it but have 7 children, using if for A and B level. I am wondering about Math Mammoth as I know RS is time intensive for Teacher! Kim

A question....does it cause some sort of confusion later w/ spelling rules if you add the 4th sound to Y, I also want to add a 3rd sound /E/ to the I as in Radio. I have never heard of the 4th sound of O, would that be /u/ for the schwa sound? Thanks! Oh...in AAS, what are the major differences as far as sounds, just the Y and I saying /E/? Thanks! Kim

You know...this is what I was thinking also....I love the "think to spell" in other words, why not Baby also... It still just bugs me though....not sure why! Kim

Hi, I am really curious how many people add the /E/ sound to Y. We are doing SWR and I know she makes a strong case against using the /E/ sound and to think to spell a word like Baby as /b/ /A/ /b/ /i/. I just can't see how it would hurt to add the /E/ sound but am curious as to what others do and if those who add the /E/ have found it causes confusion in spelling. Thanks! Kim

Hi, Is there a website where you can type in something on the front and back and make/print your own flashcards? Not for math but like vocabulary or phonogram flashcards etc.. Kim