Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is wonderful but wordy. We like it that way but it may not be practical for a 4th grader with less time. But if he really loves math and the challenge, then I'd say go for AoPS! Math Mammoth or Singapore may be easier for you to schedule/ teach time wise.

Our routine is similar to Cleopatra's. But I only include the focus subjects in my siggy. I keep my siggy simple on purpose to force myself to focus on what I want to achieve every quarter. If we don't finish it, we just continue with it the next quarter. With our very math and science-oriented child, history has suffered but thanks to Netflix and various documentaries online, we catch up a little by watching history-themed shows in the weekend and on weekday evenings if he has worked hard and I feel he deserves the screen time. My son is learning three foreign languages. German is his focus. We don't use a specific vocab/ grammar program so I rely on 20 mins of Latin a day to help him keep these areas in shape. He's a natural speller so we work on spelling only when we need to. He's juggling two and a half high school courses (Geometry, Physics and German) with grade level interests so I have to choose resources that multi-task. Otherwise, we'll lose it. For ease of scheduling, I organize our school day in three 2 hour blocks. 2 hours for math and science, 2 hours for German, Latin and read-alouds/ writing and 2 hours for things like PE, music practice, current events. Although it's 6 hours, it's only about 4 hours of actual "academic" work. Third language is for fun. So it's not scheduled. But I have an only child so it's different I know. I wish I could do it all too. I swooned and drooled over The Creative Writer as well but I have to control the urge and focus on what we need to do right now. Not saying it's easy lol. I'm often tempted to add things. I really need a Time Lord for Christmas.

Sorry, no experience about testing a grade level ahead at 2nd, but when she's in 3rd or 4th grade, if you are ready to accelerate, you could consider Explore, which Davidson accepts. We ordered the test through the Belin Blank Center (because we don't have a test center close to us). http://www.education.uiowa.edu/html/belinblank/talentsearch/explore/ The test helped me to make acceleration decisions for my son. As far as I know, 2nd grade may be too early for Explore since it's technically a test for 8th graders. All the best!

LOL, they are so precious! Thanks for sharing.

:grouphug: Thoughts and prayers for the families. So sorry this happened. Sad day.

:iagree: I ordered ours a while ago and only recently received it because it was on backorder. It's worth the wait in my opinion. http://www.ellenjmchenrydownloads.com/Mapping-the-World-with-Art-Hard-Copy-CD-MPHC.htm I ordered the hard copy version because I don't like printing it out in bits. There are 30 chapters and the reading portions are only 2 pages long per chapter. We've only just started with the first chapter but so far, by quickly looking through, all chapters seem to follow the same progression. After reading the history, there are activities (games, watching a video, baking something related to what you read etc, depending on the chapter) followed by drawing the map of the area. Our hard copy version came with DVDs for the drawing section. You can watch the DVDs while drawing or follow the textual instructions, draw the map and then use the DVDs to reinforce the image in your mind, if you prefer.

I second all the Gardner suggestions. This thread might give you more ideas. See post #19.

A similar article I read a few months ago mentioned how teachers in Los Altos are able to differentiate for brighter students using Khan. The kids watch the videos and try the online problems at home. The teacher discusses the problems with them in school. For kids who like math, it reduces time spent on mundane, repetitive homework and allows more time for discussion. A good idea I think. I don't believe it's the sole program used in class. ETA: We use Khan randomly at home (at high school level). It's not as simple as I thought it would be. It's also not as challenging as AoPS of course (I should say my son just started with Geometry and hasn't encountered problems of AoPS' level of difficulty yet). So Los Altos may be on to something.

Thanks so very much! Very helpful!

Thanks Karen! I might engage a tutor if things get out of hand :001_smile:.

Would you happen to have the ISBN numbers of the Saxon books you are referring to? I'd love to compare and contrast programs. We have been using Jurgensen and AoPS Geometry and then took a break to work on some fun math for a while. Starting January, I plan to see if he'd like to try either NEM or Saxon for a bit just to mix things up a little and give him different approaches and variety. Thanks so much!

I was searching for more ways to liven up high school level math when I saw this thread from about 10 months ago. Wondering how it's going for those of you who are having your kids take Geometry concurrently with Algebra II?

I might be wrong but I believe Online G3 has a high school level lit class using LLFLOTR?

Hi Larry, First, I have to tell you that my son adores Wikipedia! OK, now that I have that out of the way, I wanted to thank you for the video of your son on your blog. It was a short, nostalgic trip back to 2004 for me when my son was reading at a similar level. We too, due to his intense interest, taught him to read using some of the methods you'd outlined. At age 5 he was assessed at a high school reading level, a result I took with a pinch of salt because reading levels seem to me to be incredibly diluted these days. But he loves reading and will read anything now. Anyhow, we don't follow WTM 100% (although I am a wannabe, it doesn't seem to fit the way my son learns) so I am not able to comment much on your methods other than to say that if your son is happy and loving to learn, you must be doing something right. And it's great that you and your wife are able to spend so much time with him in this manner. For math, do visit the livingmath.net website if you have not already done so. It has many wonderful readers listed by concept. All the best!

I did it this way too only that I first said 47 x 6 out loud to myself several times first. Fun thread! :)

These links may help: http://www.thehomescientist.com/kits/CK01/ck01-main.html http://www.homechemlab.com/ I'm a fan of Robert's book and just waiting for the day my guy will be ready to tackle the labs. :)

Dark is Rising Flavia de Luce Mysterious Benedict Society Percy Jackson Bartimaeus Trilogy Hobbit and LOTR Abarat (possibly too violent for some 8-10yos)

:iagree: Alcumus is fun and addictive. Or how about watching 2-3 Khan Academy videos a day and trying the online problems? 2-3 videos usually = 30 minutes.

Some ways we accelerated (examples): 1. Have DS do just 3-5 of the harder problems instead of all 10 on the page. If all correct, we move on to the next concept. If he gets one wrong, assign one more and so on. 2. Use 2-3 programs at the same time. One at the level he wanted to learn (eg. LoF, Key To, and now AoPS, Great Courses, other texts), one for fun (eg. LoF, Penrose the Cat and now logic puzzles) and one for some practice (eg. Singapore, MEP, MM, now AoPS and other texts). At the pre-algebra level, I didn't assign work for the highest level program, just made it stress-free so he'd learn it how he wanted to. 3. Use the whiteboard with real-life, relevant examples. If he understood it and could assign me some problems and know how to correct my work, I let him move on. 4. Keep LOTS of math literature around the house. 5. Every 5-6 months had him take a free placement test from another program to see where he'd place and work forwards or backwards accordingly using current materials (the placement test was just to see where he was, not to buy the program unless it looked like a program he might want to try).

I love being able to create with my hands. So in that line, how about trying something with clay or ceramics or glass or beading? Wire sculpture? ETA: Oops, I see you still want something intellectual. Psychology perhaps?

The book's suggestions did not fit our math and science-focused child. It made him miserable in fact. I was disappointed at the time but now realize it would have been pointless to force feed a method when he was already learning very well on his own. I tweaked and tweaked and have now landed with something much more eclectic rather than classical but he's happy with it and thriving most of the time. I have read the book (not cover to cover) and love it and wish I had a another kid who'd be able to benefit from it...but oh well. I can totally relate to a DH who would never use it BTW. :)

:iagree: A friend's 6yo was easily able to read and understand the series on his own when she didn't expect him to. My DS, 7 at the time, might have been able to but had no wish to read the books. He still doesn't want to at 9. I don't see any harm in trying. And if doesn't work you know there's a good series waiting for your child when your child is ready. :001_smile:

Thank you so much!

Thanks Cosmos and Jen3boys. Just one more question (PM-ed you this Cosmos): do you buy the Teacher's Manual, Solutions Manual or both?

Thank you! :)