I started HOE with my 9yo dd. She seemed to enjoy it (and she rarely likes anything related to math). She does like games, though, and I think that's how she viewed HOE. We got through Levels 1 and partway through 2. I did not have the VP book at the time. I had read (probably on this board) that the HOE program is most effective if done in conjunction with the VP book. So...we stopped for a while (she's now 10) and I ordered the VP book. Once I got the book, we went back to Level 1 in the VP book and did the problems. Now we're going back and redoing the lessons, quickly and starting Level 2 problems. We like the program. I really like that it gives her practice with challenging word problems and let's her visualize algebra by using the pawns. And she thinks of it as a game! (I'm careful NOT to call it MATH):001_smile: We plan to start a "pre-algebra" program in the fall (VideoText) and I think she'll be ready. I give it a thumbs-up. Brett

We, too, are having a struggle with the dictations in WWE 2. My ds is 8 and we are doing AAS3 and WWE2. He seems to have a really hard time holding the words in his head. He even has trouble holding a few letters in his head when he asks me to spell something. If he asks me to spell a word, I have to give him one.letter.at.a.time. or he gets lost. After spelling one word, the rest of the dictation is completely out of his head. Frustrating. We're working in it but if anyone has any strategies, I'd like to know, too.

I love RightStart. My dd10 used Levels A-E and is now in RS Geometry. My ds8 in in the middle of RS C. I believe RS is giving both kids a very strong foundation. I agreed with a previous poster that at many points in the program you have to have faith in Dr. Cotter and just "go with it", even though you don't always understand the sequencing of the program. That being said, I do believe, having almost completed the program, that it has some drawbacks. These include insufficient practice in word problems as well as fractions/decimals/percents. After we finished level E, we did a six week review of fractions and decimals on our own. We still have percents to work on. So I'm finding a need to supplement in some areas. Other than these issues, I really believe that RS has been the right choice for our family.

Thank you for your replies. I'll just keep reviewing the word cards with him as it seems that there is no set rule. Earlier I had told him that you have to use a "ce" in fence because using an "s" to make the sound would be spelled "F-E-N-S" (the plural of Fen?). BUT... then he started to write "house" as "H-O-U-C-E" (b/c it's not the plural of "hou", Mom). :blushing: Of course, my bad.

My ds8 is just starting AAS Level 3. He is struggling with using the letter C correctly in several words. 1) he writes S-L-I-S-E (should be slice) 2) same problem with F-E-N-S-E (should be fence) 3) How do you explain the "c" in PENCIL (he wrote P-E-N-S-I-L) Did we miss something in Level 2? Which lesson is this explained in? Brett

I had braces as as adult. Regular old, metal braces. I was 33ish. I wore them for 2 years. Now, 10 years later, I totally do not regret it. My teeth look beautiful and straight. I do wear a retainer at night (an invisilign-type) every once in a while, typically once or twice a week, but my teeth have not shifted much at all. The braces do hurt a bit at first. They also feel very sore after each adjustment, but tylenol helps. It's not too bad. I say, go for it! Brett

Just returned from Rome...loved watching this and comparing to what I saw! Thanks!!!

Have you considering Writing Tales? It's not too pricey, and has cute, entertaining stories. When my daughter did WT, she really liked it (and she balks at almost everything!) :001_smile:

We use K12 History and think it's great! :)

Evan moor/TFB is a bit difficult to navigate. But with a little work, you can really get a lot out of it. As mentioned in an above post, you have to sign on to TFB first and then open the EM site. Through the EM site you can print many files from the "view" option (if you're signed into TFB). Not all products are printable, but many are. The TFB is a bit tricky, too. You have to get good with choosing the keywords. For example, you can access the American Revolution History Pocket by putting in the keyword "American Revolution". I tried using the codes, but found that this often didn't work out... I think, once you get used to it, the TFB can be great! I've gotten a ton of use out of it. Good luck. Brett

I'm currently using RightStart Math for both of my kids. My dd10 is finishing level E and my ds8 in in Level C. I love, love RS.... the issue is that I really feel that the one area that we're missing is word problems. I feel that RS doesn't offer enough practice in this area. My dd is great solving equations, but add words to the mix and she seems to have no idea where to begin! Yikes! I don't want my science/math-oriented ds to feel the same way two years from now. So...I want to supplement for both of them. Does anyone have any suggestions for a supplement for word problems? Singapore? Something else? Thanks, Brett

:bigear:

I think this is a great idea! I'm in Broomfield (in between Boulder and Denver) Maybe a "Mom's Only Planning Meeting" (dinner somewhere local) to plan a larger get-together is in order!?! Could do Panera....in Westminster or Arvada? How many interested local Mom's are there? Brett

bump...any HOE users out there?

I use HOE with my dd. I do not, however, have the Verbal Problems book. Before I drop $35 + shipping on it, I'm wondering if there's anything "special" about the VP book. Would it be just as good to use algebra word problems worksheets which are free online? Does anyone have a BTDT opinion? Brett

I recently joined Teacher's File Box. I seem to have difficulty finding almost EVERYTHING in it! I'd like to find the 2nd Grade Daily Language Review but I searched the whole site and can't find it!!?! I tried to search by EMC code (580) and...nothing. I did a keyword search....nothing. HOW DO YOU FIND IT? Frustrating. :glare: Brett

Thanks, 3peas. Thanks for you insight & notebooking ideas! I think I'm starting to calm down a bit...deep breath... I loved your blog. You're so creative. Too cute!:)

I've been charged to teach a 5th grade co-op class this year covering Early American history. I LOVE history, so this should not feel like a chore to me…BUT, I've spent weeks trying to figure out how to cover a LOT of material (the curriculum is based on the Story of US, by Joy Hakim Books 1-5) in a short amount of time – First Americans through the Civil War Reconstruction period. I only have one hour per week. Anyway, I though it would be a good idea:banghead: to have the kids do NOTEBOOKING! They read the material at home and during co-op time we assemble US History notebooks! Great! Yikes….where do I start???? It sounds like a great idea but I feel like my head is under the water. Am I making this too complicated? I know almost nothing about notebooking and have a slim budget. I think there’ll be 8-10 kids on the groups. Should I have each bring a 3-ring binder? Is this the best (most affordable) way to compile notebooks? Does each page need to be cardstock (thick) paper? If we use copy paper or lined-paper, won’t the pages tear out too easily? What type of paper is best to use? How do I incorporate a timeline? Where do I get images/clip-art? Do I need to purchase notebooking “pages†or templates? Or can I get free ones online? I’ve looked online. I know I can purchase many of these things but I only have a small budget…. What is the best/most economical way to do this? MY HEAD IS SPINNING NOW :willy_nilly:…. Any notebookers out there…Please help!!!! Brett

Thanks, everyone! I knew I could count on the Hive to know (what I don't). Brett

I keep seeing phrases like "we're reading tons of living books"? What exactly does that mean?:001_huh: Brett

I must be doing something wrong... please help! I've been trying to decide if I want to spring for the TFB offer this month in the Buyer's Co-op... I'm searching the TFB box to see what's there. But I'm having troubles... When I go the the TFB website and do a search on an Evan Moor book by EMC# (for example, Colonial Life History 4-6 pocket, according to Amazon is EMC #3709). If I enter Emc:3709 (as was suggested in a previous response) something should come up then, right? When I try it, it just says nothing is found. I've tried dozens of other titles from EM and none seem to work this way. :confused: I know that as a non member, all I can see are the previews (and I'm ok with that!) I just can't figure out how to search this site. At this point, I'm just trying to figure out what's available so I can decided whether to buy or not. Help! what am I doing wrong? Are none of the "Pockets" books or "Daily practice" books available? Can someone give me an example of one book number that works this way? Thanks... Brett

I used Spelling Workout A with my 7 yo last Spring. He isn't particularly a natural speller, but he's a reluctant writer, so his progress is slow. He didn't seem to mind SWO too much. He liked (and I liked) that he could do it mostly independently. He thought it was fairly easy. Even though we both liked SWO, my concern is that I'm unconvinced that it's not just "busywork". I'm not sure if SWO is really teaching him spellling (or if MCP is teaching him phonics, really :001_huh:). He barely pays any attention to the Rule boxes. He just does his pages and moves on. Does anyway else wonder this? Can anyone convince me that SWO/MPC Plaid is a good/worthwhile combination? I'm considering switching to AAS b/c I'm just not sure... Brett

Lamolina, I also have a 4th/5th grader (9) and would be interested if i could use PR1 with her, too. She's strong in LA, although writing is not her strength. She just starting IEW SWI-A. But she could probably use the spelling review. Anyway, I've been reading a bunch of threads about PR and the WTM philosophy and am still unsure if, for my 2nd grader, it makes sense to jump on the PR (at a cost of $200 per level) or continue with WWE/FLL/SWO combo that we started in grade 1.:confused1: Any thoughts??? Brett

Thank you so much for your replies! He learned to read mainly through HOP and Zoo Phonics when we was 4 and 5. He can read the word "back" with no problem, for example, but if asked to write it, he would write "bak". He can read "cat" (short A), hate (long A) and call (is that call schwa??) But if I ask him to write the word "cake" (which he can read), he might write "kak" or "kake" or "cak". He would be confused and ask for help. He would also write "bal" i/o "ball". He doesn't know much about sentence structure. He knows sentences start with a capital letter, end with a puncuation mark (although he still omits them, sometimes.) He knows what about nouns, pronouns and verbs b/c of WWE 1. Does it sound like he would be a good fit for Level 1, if we go the PR way? I didn't know that they have a return policy! That's good to know. I'd hate to spend over $200 and have it not be a good fit! Brett

Hi all. I'm a long time lurker - first time poster!! I'm looking for a strong LA program for my upcoming 2nd grader, age 7. I didn't use an LA program for him for 1st grade...I just sort of patched together Write Source 1, MCP B, WWE 1 and FLL1. He does fine with these, but to me it all seemed somewhat disjointed. He's a fairly good (if somewhat reluctant) reader. He can read small chapter books like the Jigsaw Jones series, for example. His doesn't have a strong tolerance for writing, but is okay with a sentence or two. I want the program to incorporate Writing, spelling, grammar, composition, reading, and phonics. I have a 9 yo dd who used McRuffy for grades 2 and 3 LA. I was planning to use it for ds, too. But now I'm not so sure. McRuffy is more her style than his. She likes writing and the cute/funny stories appealed to her. (We skipped the creative writing component of McRuffy and supplemented with Writing Tales.) I think all the worksheets would be too much writing for him. But I like that it's comprehensive (except for the writing). I could supplement for him with WWE 2, I suppose. I also like that I already own McRuffy :). BUT...yesterday I came across some reviews for Phonics Road and now it's got me thinking. It's really pricey, but everyone says it's "sooo worth the money". It's all in one. The website says to start in Level 1 (at a mere $215 :glare:) But Level 1 seems to be relearning letters and sounds and blends! Yikes! I'd feel like we're moving backwards unless it progresses quickly. The emphasis of the program seems to be on spelling. Does anyone have experience with PR that could give me some advice??? (It says that all ages should start at level 1.) If I do PR, would I drop WWE/FLL? Any advice is appreciated. Brett