happy-hs
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Posts posted by happy-hs
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My "non-mathy" DD (age 9) has enjoyed TT. It's gentle with lots of review. Math Rider has helped her learn her facts. (Flash Cards, Xtra Math, and every other timed program I've found just frusterated her, but she likes Math Rider for some reason.) I've added in Ed Zaccaro's Primary Grade Challenge Math as a way to stretch her brain and get her thinking about math problems in new ways.
Melissa :)
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My 8yo is math oriented. He understands it innately and enjoys it as well. When he was little, I just let him set the pace. He progressed quickly. Over the last few years, I've realized that I need to give him more, while also balancing that with his actual age level.
I agree with the book suggestions from other moms. LoF and Ed Zaccaro's books are huge hits with my son. I haven't used AoPS with him yet, but he'll be starting it in a few months.
In addition to actual math books, I've found that my son's love for math translates into a love for other subjects as well. He is an excelling in piano lessons and I believe it's because the notes and timing make sense to him like a math problem. He also is taking a jr high computer programming course and loving it. So in addition to fun, engaging, challenging math books, I'd also look for other subjects that math translates easily into.
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My K'er will be doing FIAR with his younger brothers (preschoolers). I'll add in reading with 100EZ Lessons (he's about halfway through now), math with RightStart A, and handwriting with HWOT. When he finishes 100EZ, he will move into SWR if he's ready.
Melissa :)
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Well, I bought it. I went with the Silver package for now because I wasn't sure if I needed the Arrow or not. I might buy one of the older editions of the Arrow to try it out and see how we like it.
Melissa :)
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I think I am ready to take the leap and buy the Writer's Jungle. :) I know that I want the print version, but I'm not sure which package to buy. Are the more expensive packages worth the added cost or is the "Silver" package enough?
We are using WWE 4 and will be moving into WWS this semester so the kids are getting narration and dictation (which is what it sounds like the Arrow provides...)
Melissa :)
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We love RS! Yes, it is time-consuming as a teacher because I'm there with my child during the entire lesson. (As opposed to introducing a concept, giving the assignment, and leaving the child to work independently.) However, this is actually something that I love about RS! I really enjoy being able to sit down with my kids (two currently using RS) and "play" together through our math lesson. We really have fun. :) I feel like most subjects are "teacher-intensive" with young (or immature) students anyway...
I have seen great results with RS. I feel that it builds a very strong foundation in math, and my kids really enjoy it. The "extra" time spent on lessons is well worth it.
I can't see myself ever using anything else for the early grades. We're RS fans. :)
Melissa :)
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Okay, sell me on this program! :)
I have been very interested in it, but have never taken the plunge to buy it. So, please tell me why you love the Writer's Jungle!
Also, is the basic package enough or the more expensive packages worth the added price?
Thanks!
Melissa :)
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I spent years searching for the "right" spelling program. I wasn't sure I'd ever find it!
Then I discovered the gold mine that is SWR and we will never use anything else. We all love it. It is a "meaty" program, but it's easy to implement once you understand it all. The kids can move at their own pace through the program, and it is reusable with each child. We have great retention with it and all my kids enjoy spelling lessons.
Melissa :)
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I'm nearly done as well. I will still need to get a math text for my rising 2nd grader (I'm debating going into RS D or moving on next year), grammar (FLL3 and GWG5), and some stuff for my preschoolers. Everything else is either here already and being handed down to younger ones or is ordered and on the way!
Melissa :)
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We love SWR. All of my kids use it. My quick learner can simply move at a pace that suits him.
Melissa :)
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I finally ordered my copy of WWS and will be using it with my 3rd and 4th graders when it arrives. They are both pretty advanced (3rd grader especially) so I think they will do well. Of course, I'd rather spread the work out over several days than have overwhelmed or frustrated kids. I haven't looked through the book at all. I bought it simply because both kids have loved WWE and have finished the set. I'll be watching this thread. :)
Melissa :)
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I am still on the hunt for the perfect elementary science curriculum. For now, I am going to give the Delta Science kits a try.
The website doesn't give much info. Can you recommend your favorite life science kits? Thanks!
Melissa :)
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I bought PR1, tried to get into it, and didn't use it because of the videos. I prefer to read through the material, and I want more flexibility in the pace of the program. (Not that it's a bad program, it just didn't work for us.)
We now use Spell to Write and Read instead. It is similar to PR in its approach, but it's much cheaper and it was easier for me to use.
Melissa :)
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We went through many spelling programs in our first few years of homeschooling. We tried Spelling Power, Spelling Workout, All About Spelling, and Phonics Road (which isn't just spelling, but does include it).
We finally found our forever spelling program in Spell to Write and Read. I LOVE it and so do the kids. It's a great, solid, rule-based program with many "extras" added in. It's a one-time purchase that can be used for all ages. My kids were already several grades above their age in spelling, but SWR raised their spelling level by two more grades each in just our first few months using it. It's a meaty program and it takes some time to digest it all before teaching it, but it is truly wonderful. We're hooked. :)
Melissa :)
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My 8 and 9 year olds are using Visual Latin. This is our first semester with it, but it's going very well. The kids really enjoy it. It's funny, straight-forward, and open-and-go (lessons are on DVD with a cooresponding worksheet). We're adding Lingua Latina next semester for extra translations.
Melissa :)
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My 7yo is about 2 months into VT. It has made a WORLD of difference to her, as if a door that was locked has just opened up to her!
Prior to therapy, she was sounding out words in isolation, but was very inconsistent. A line of print was impossible and even beginner readers were just too much for her. She struggled with reversals with both reading and writing. She was so eager, but everything was a struggle.
She was diagnosed with several very specific problems related to tracking, eye teaming, and convergence... though I don't know all the medical terms. ;) She was way, way below her age in everything.
Now, after just 2 months (2 sessions each week), she is READING, really reading. And not just CVC words and beginning books either. She can sit down with long paragraphs and words like swimming, eating, eagles, etc. Her writing is beautiful, with proper spacing between letters and words. She very rarely reverses anything now and she immediately self-corrects her occasional reversals. I never would have imagined this kind of change would be possible.
Best of all, my sweet girl recently told me, "Mom! I didn't know reading could be this fun!" :)
We paid $3200 up front for 32 sessions and it's been worth every penny! She still gets tired after a while and some days are just worse than others for that. She can't tiny print yet. She has about 10 sessions left. I think we will continue to see progress.
I am a huge believer in VT! I am sure that everyone has a different experience, but ours has been nothing but positive so far.
Melissa :)
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We use Visual Latin. It's all on DVD with corresponding worksheets. The kids love it and are learning (and retaining) a lot.
Melissa :)
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1) A strong, nicely written text with color pictures and references for online resources and additional reading.
2) A a full-of-ideas activity guide, as long as the activity guide included real experiments in addition to projects, activities, and coloring pages. I'd really like a scientifically sound experiment that reinforces each chapter. Suggestions for additional experimentation would be great, ideas that would take another experiment "to the next level" for eager students.
3) A materials kit is always nice. ;)
Melissa :)
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Thank you all for your great advice. I think we'll try Singapore 6. I'm also going to buy AoPS Pre-A. We'll look over it together and use it whenever he's ready.
For SM users... What do you use after 6? It looks like the books 1-4 are actually 7-11 grade. Do you move into those or switch programs?
Thanks!
Melissa :)
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My 7yo has developemental vision problems (things like tracking and eye teaming). She showed similar symptoms. She could read isolated words from a very early age, but struggled with even short lines of print. She would recognize a word on one page and then not have a clue about the same word on the very next page. She had lots of reversals in both reading and writing. After two months in vision therapy she is doing amazingly well!
A regular eye doctor can't diagnose these issues. You'd need to see a developmental optometrist.
This is a great website:
Melissa :)
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Thanks for your swift response and great ideas. I've read your blog and I have really enjoyed it. :)
I have read that TT is not for a "mathy" kid, but he was enjoying it and we were using other programs to supplement so I didn't mind. Now that it's not working for him, it's time for a change.
I have been leaning towards Singapore so maybe I will go that route with him. I also appreciate your feedback on AoPS. Even though he is young, I think he would enjoy the Pre-A book and be ready for it in the near future.
Thanks again!
Melissa :)
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I could use some math advice. :)
My 8yo (3rd grade) has always enjoyed math and I'd say he's on the "advanced" side. He is finishing up TT7 and will be done within weeks. He is also using LoF Pre-A Set and Becoming a Problem Solving Genius by Ed Zaccaro. He is flying through both and loving them.
My plan was to let him start TT Pre-A after he finished TT7 in a few weeks, but he is getting bored with TT and has asked for a change. He wants to keep using LoF and Problem Solving Genius, but he would like a new book in place of TT.
I'd like to let him switch if that's what he wants, but I am not sure what to move into. I've looked into Singapore because it gets such rave reviews. We looked over the placements tests together and I'm guessing that he'd be in the 6A-B books right now (simply because he knows everything on the 5A-B tests). Of course, I'd have him actually take the tests to be sure that the placement was correct.
I've also considered AoPS. I've heard the Pre-A book is too advanced for young kids though so I have held off. (Anyone want to address this issue in particular?) I've heard there is a AoPS book or course for younger kids, but I haven't researched it much yet.
Can anyone recommend these or other programs for a young, "mathy" kid?
Thanks!
Melissa :)
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I could use some math advice. :)
My 8yo (3rd grade) has always enjoyed math and I'd say he's on the "advanced" side. He is finishing up TT7 and will be done within weeks. He is also using LoF Pre-A Set and Becoming a Problem Solving Genius by Ed Zaccaro. He is flying through both and loving them.
My plan was to let him start TT Pre-A after he finished TT7 in a few weeks, but he is getting bored with TT and has asked for a change. He wants to keep using LoF and Problem Solving Genius, but he would like a new book in place of TT.
I'd like to let him switch if that's what he wants, but I am not sure what to move into. I've looked into Singapore because it gets such rave reviews. We looked over the placements tests together and I'm guessing that he'd be in the 6A-B books right now (simply because he knows everything on the 5A-B tests). Of course, I'd have him actually take the tests to be sure that the placement was correct.
I've also considered AoPS. I've heard the Pre-A book is too advanced for young kids though so I have held off. (Anyone want to address this issue in particular?) I've heard there is a AoPS book or course for younger kids, but I haven't researched it much yet.
Can anyone recommend these or other programs for a young, "mathy" kid?
Thanks!
Melissa :)
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We are huge fans of 100EZ lessons... and I actually didn't really care for ETC when we tried it. It sounds like I might be the exception with that though. :)
I use 100EZ lessons whenever the child is ready. I've found that 100EZ lessons and some fun games are all I need to develop a solid understanding of phonics and reading with an early reader. After or sometime during 100EZ, we add in SWR (again, whenever the child is ready). I LOVE SWR and can't say enough good things about it! :)
Anyway, if 100EZ is working then I would stick with it, especially with a child who isn't quite ready for the writing involved with many other programs.
And look into SWR for later on. It's the best. :)
Melissa :)
TT and standardized tests
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
We've used TT for several years and our experience has been similar. This year DD, who struggles more in math, scored in the 86% for math. DS, who is advanced in math, didn't miss a single problem and scored in the 99%. Not to brag :) but I do agree that TT works. :)
Melissa :)