You will get a lot of responses about it being behind and not as rigorous. Definitely read reviews elsewhere, and do the placement test and check out the samples. It isn't a fit for everyone, but it's worked very well for us. If you decide to go with it, I'd make sure your child is working on paper as well as on the computer. The computer program isn't perfect - one example that sticks out is long division - the computer automatically moves the cursor to the next position, and it is easy for a child to not understand why. The program also offers hints and second chances, so it may act as a crutch for a child who isn't fully getting the concept. If you read the "how to use this program" in the front of the books, they recommend watching the lecture, working the problems on paper, and then inputting into the computer. The word problems in TT are very simplistic. We supplement in this area. We also add in math fact review. Things I like - it isn't wordy! We tried MM and we burnt out on it and often times the lessons were so complicated that I couldn't sort the "why". I find TT very straight forward. Some people say it isn't suitable for mathy kids. Others say the opposite. There are a lot of reviews on the web about kids going on to tutor in university after using TT. There are also reviews of kids not doing well. I think it's like anything, it depends on how it was used and on each child. The majority of the negative reviews I've read came from people who looked at a sample but never used the program, or they handed the book to their kid and never looked to see if they were understanding the material. It definitely doesn't have the same scope and sequence as other programs, so it's something to be mindful of. Typically people use it a grade level ahead. When we started TT my oldest felt like she "sucked at math" and she was reluctant to even attempt a tougher problem because she felt like she'd never get it. TT gave her a confidence boost and she now really likes math. When she's faced with a tougher concept she just keeps working at it. I like that TT does the teaching, as math is not my strong suit!

Glad you posted! We are using Zoology 3 this year and the notebooks have been so-so. We have a lot of pages we didn't get to and I didn't find it very easy to know when to use what. I was going to skip the journal for this reason when my oldest starts general science next year, but now I think I'll go ahead and get one.

If she does well with MM otherwise, maybe just take those tougher units and use a worksheet generator? http://www.homeschoolmath.net/worksheets/

I feel like this is contradictory. If a child starts school in 2016, those are his peers. If he starts in 2017, those are his peers. Because there is a range of ages in every grade, he isn't going to know any different. He might be the youngest if he's redshirted. He might be the oldest if he isn't. I don't think this in any way is equal to "holding back." The child is going to be learning, he just might not be in a classroom. The fact that redshirting even exists is just proof that the gov't-created cutoffs are not going to work for every child. I was a summer birthday in a December cutoff district. I was the 2nd youngest in my class and always felt younger and immature compared to my classmates. I graduated at 17 and was not at all ready to leave home and go to university. I had SO, SO, SO many people comment when I took a year off and worked. I was made to feel less-than because I didn't go to uni right away. My other classmate, who was two months younger than me felt the same way. She was pushed into university and flunked out her first year and struggled to go back. So starting at the cut-offs isn't a guarantee of a positive experience.

Because MM is working so well otherwise, I'd be more tempted to tweak it. How does she do with the pages when it's an easier concept? Have you tried covering the bottom of the page with a piece of paper and just having her focus on one row of problems? We haven't used MM4 in entirety, but I have heard from others that it's a tough book to get through. As far as switching...maybe BJU? It's very teacher intensive though and isn't a great fit for independent kiddos.

My oldest hit a snag in TT7 too. We are working through the Key To books. They aren't free, but they are pretty cheap and they definitely give LOTS of practice. We have also used BJU, but never with the video, so I can't compare that aspect. If you don't use the video, BJU is very teacher intensive and definitely not independent.

Have you tried using a narration jar? If you google there are tons of ideas to put in them. This way narrating isn't a "chore". Each day would be something a little different.

I got this on sale awhile ago: https://www.amazon.com/Brick-Shakespeare-Four-Tragedies-Comedies/dp/1629145270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489615078&sr=8-1&keywords=brick+Shakespeare I haven't used the books with the kids yet...but *I* love them. :)

It could very well be that MM isn't a good fit. MM breaks things down so much that some kids (and some adults...me) can get lost as to what is going on. I wouldn't rule out testing, but because she's only 7, I would set aside the curriculum and play some games. Count things, read math books, play with manipulatives. Dominoes, dice, board games. All great math tools. :) Peggy Kaye has a book of math games that is great. Some kids just need more time. I, personally, wouldn't begin a "drill" routine until you are certain she understands the concept of numbers and how they work.

Have you used KTM? The author sent me a great sample, but I am confused about how exactly it would be implemented. Do I basically start at the beginning and work my way through? It looks like it's kind of a case of me reading a chapter and then using the ideas to teach my child, is that correct?

None of my children have ever completed an entire handwriting book. We usually only use a book until they are forming the letters well and then we move into copywork.

Good to know! Thanks! :)

Do you think it's possible to just use the DVD's?

So my youngest is using BJU math and I don't really want to switch. I like the program and I already have grades K-4...but I feel like he could really benefit from a different way of seeing things. Has anyone used MUS as a supplement? Could I just use the video's with the blocks? ETA: I've also considered the Kitchen Table Math books, but wasn't sure how easy they are to use? I kind of need something that tells me do this first, this next and so on.

We use it in combination with AAS. I think you could easily pull up an AAS list (they are all on there by level and step), teach the concept and then let them loose to practice. This would work for my middle kiddo, but she is not a Spelling City fan. My oldest needs more systematic teaching to cement things. So it would depend on your kiddo....

I got a response from RR that they were told that Mosdos was making changes with their printing company and as far as they (RR) knew Mosdos was expected to stay in business. It sounds like the company is giving out a LOT of mixed messages. I love their books, but am glad I have the levels I need and can wash my hands of it.

This made me smile. It is so something I would do! :) Honestly, if Draw Write Now was working and you were all happy with it, that's what I'd use. HWT is only one tool that works for some kids. It was great for my oldest and transferred over flawlessly. For my middle kiddo she is a perfectionist, so she took the examples very literally and would leave HUGE gaps in her every day writing because that is was the HWT books show. For my youngest, he prefers A Reason For Handwriting (though I do love the HWT prompts and we did teach those.) Go with what works. :)

:iagree:

Oh reviews! I have a love/hate with them. Questions I wish people would be required to answer when writing reviews: how long did you use the program and did you use the program as directed. TT is famous for this. People look at a sample and then say it's "weak" or they pop the cd in and walk away and realize a year later that their child didn't get it. This isn't a TT error, it's a user error. I'm not saying you shouldn't tweak a program, but if it doesn't work and you didn't use it as it was intended, be honest about that.

Fair enough. :) We are considering adding CLE for a "different angle" approach. I like the TT lectures, but we use the text. So they watch the lecture, work the practice problems and then work everything out with paper, as recommended. We don't bother putting the answers into the computer as suggested though. It means I do correcting, but I don't have to worry about them "gaming" the system.

How do you think TT works for him in general? If it's a good fit overall, I'd stick with it and just add in the Key To Books. We actually set aside TT for a bit and just focused on the Key To books. They are very good!

Another vote for Progressive Phonics. http://www.progressivephonics.com/ We use (and love AAR), but my youngest (7 years old) has been struggling with it. He still decodes pretty much every single word, so reading long stories and fluency pages was burning him out and he was becoming resistant to learning. So we have mostly set it aside for a spell and are trying Progressive Phonics. He loves it. It's a buddy-read system and the stories are silly, which he enjoys. It does use a lot of paper, so I won't say it's "free"...but it's definitely less than AAR. We also use Bob Books, which he suddenly likes? I am not sure what's up with that, but I guess I am glad I didn't get rid of them a few months ago when he claimed to "hate those books!" LOL We also continue to review the AAR word cards that he's previously learned and he uses ETC. So it sounds like a lot, but we split it up. He does 15 mins or so in the morning and then he reads for 15 mins or so in the afternoon.

Peggy Kaye has a great book that is very easy to use: https://www.amazon.ca/Games-Math-Playful-Child-Kindergarten/dp/0394755103/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487629323&sr=8-1&keywords=peggy+kaye+math+games

My thoughts are sort of all over the map right now. There is a chance she will go online for school for 10-12, so she'd be covering Biology, Chemistry, Physics. I was thinking Physical science in Gr. 9. We are really loving the Apologia Zoology 3 book this year, but I am totally uninspired by the General & Physical science books. I don't know what else is out there though...

This sounds great! I need you to do one for me. LOL