Thank you. That was very helpful!

Thanks!

My ds is finishing up AAS Level 1 (2012 edition). I have the chance to purchase Level 2 for a very good price used, but it is the 2008 edition (the teacher's manual looks "different" from my manual). Are there any significant changes between the two editions?

Thanks - I'll look into Real World Algebra. I also just took a look at Khan Academy. Anyone use that? How does that compare to "Keys to Algebra"?

I took a look at Keys of Algebra. They might do the trick. Any suggestions on which one to start with - for a child who has had no problem with Pre-Algebra? I'm thinking Books 1-4 might not be necessary. But perhaps the review would be valuable? Also, has anyone used anything else to supplement LOF Algebra? Thank you all for your help!

I do have the supplemental books and she does do the Home Companion. Her frustration is due to the way the text covers topics so quickly and casually. She needs slower, more methodical explanations for some of the concepts. If I could do this year over again I would have her use a more structured program to learn each new topic and then have her do the appropriate LOF chapter.

Thank you. I will look into the Key to Algebra series.

I need some advice on math programs. My 8th grade daughter is in the middle of LOF (Life of Fred) Beginning Algebra. She did Math Mammoth for 1st through 6th grades. Last year she went through LOF Decimals, Fractions, and the two Pre-Algebra books. She really enjoyed LOF and she was in the 99th percentile for math on the PASS test at the end of the year. This year is different. She is getting frustrated with LOF Beginning Algebra. She has to involve me much more than she did last year (she was quite independent last year). She feels that it moves too quickly and doesn't give her enough of a framework to hang the concepts on. I don't want to eliminate LOF. I like the way he goes beyond the rote memorization of formulas and really brings math to life. However, my daughter needs some additional help at this point. Can anyone suggest another program that would be good to do along with LOF, that would lay out the concepts in a slower, more structured way?

I don't want to push him too quickly. I've been thinking about having him continue to work on sentences for the rest of this year, and then start WordSmith Apprentice next year. We'll also read read Paragraph town at the beginning of next year, but he won't be ready to do the exercises in that book right away. He'll need a more incremental approach. I like your idea of having him edit his own work. I haven't done that yet because I don't want to discourage his writing impetus in anyway. However, we could take single sentences out and have him learn to apply proper punctuation and grammar to those. If that goes well, we can work from there.

Very good point. I went through several writing programs before finding something that worked for my daughters, and they are not dyslexic. We'll see how he does with Wordsmith Apprentice and move on if it's not a good fit.

Sorry I haven't replied sooner. We have just returned from vacation. Again, I appreciate the suggestions. After looking at the various programs, I've decided to try WriteShop Apprentice with him. Its style and topics appeal to him. I'll let you know how it goes.

So many good suggestions. Thank you all!

Is there any place to "preview" TWSS? If I do get that program, I'll have to buy it used, so I can't take advantage of the company's return policy. If it would really help me/my son, I would be willing to pay the $100 or so that a used copy will probably cost. However, I've gotten other curriculum in the past that sounded great and ended up not being a good fit for us. I just hate to spend that much money sight unseen:)

Thank you for the input. I'm seriously considering WordSmith Apprentice followed by Jump In. What did your son use after Jump In? Does Jump In get into formal essay writing?

I'll take a look at Jump In. I take it WordSmith Apprentice would "come before" Jump In? How does the regular WordSmith compare to Jump In? I keep hearing IEW as a good fit for dyslexics, but the price is scary. What does IEW have that something like WordSmith or Jump In does not?