I like the idea of allowing extra time for math. It is not rushed that way, and it allows time for questions from previous exercises and the introduction of new topics.

My thoughts are that it depends on the individual child's ability level as to what and how much to skip. However, in general and in most cases, it is better to err on the side of too much review rather than too little. Even gifted kids benefit from occasional review.

I'm reading Death in Yellowstone - Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park. It's very interesting and reminds me of how the wilderness is very wild and danger is all around you. It's not like a trip to Disneyland. I first read parts of the book several weeks ago while at Yellowstone, but it was too scary for me to finish while being there.

Proofs (using logic and language) are intended to demonstrate that a statement is true in all cases, without a single exception. Once a statement has been proven, it can be used as a basis to prove further statements.

Each child is different, and I don't attempt to coordinate them other than that I do not skip any levels in Singapore. Nor do I skip the text and workbook. Those are done before we start the IP. Things progress more smoothly this way. ;) Above 2nd grade I use Saxon as a review and Singapore is the central curriculum. Up to and including 2nd grade the general schedule has become Saxon 3 days, Singapore 2 days...and generally Singapore in the summers. Its a nice change of pace and we don't get tired of either curriculum that way.

I've never used the writing lines in WWE workbooks. I taught my son Cursive First, and I hand write the copywork sections from WWE in cursive onto a separate sheet of paper for him to copy.

I like variety and would not be happy using only one curriculum, so I combine. Here is what my 6yo did last year. He did Saxon 2 for 3 days, and Singapore 1B, IP1B and then 2A for 2 days. Over the summer break he did the CWP 1 (this goes quickly) and then Singapore 2B. It worked great for him.

I am using Intermediate Language Lessons (the Davidson revised version) with my daughter. She loves it! I treat it more as a writing program and skip the grammar in it since I already use R&S for that. I am not an expert on how long one should wait to begin diagramming, but I wanted to share how much my eldest enjoys this book. We use ILL in combination with Writing Tales 2. I alternate weeks for variety. ILL adds to our LA studies in a positive way. :)

I suggest starting with CWP Level 3 to build confidence and to experience easier versions before going up to the higher levels.

How about doing Saxon for 4 days a week and then adding one day of Singapore. See how you like it. I've been using both Saxon and Singapore with my kids from the start. I use Saxon so that the math facts are automatic. I use Singapore for the way it more visually presents concepts and the logical order it presents them. The IP workbooks are my favorite part of the Singapore program. I rarely do Saxon as directed though, and I recommend taking the placement test before purchasing a level. The first 20-40 lessons of a Saxon level are usually review. I've been happy with both of them. Good luck. :)

I recommend doing at least the text before doing the IP. It would be smoother sailing. The IP's are a step up in terms of challenge from the workbooks, but the text introduces the topics and gives examples that would be helpful with the IP and CWP.

For us it is a juggling act. Our main program is Singapore Math. We do the text and workbook, IP and CWP for several days per week. Several days a week I also use Saxon. I usually combine several Saxon lessons into one day - carefully reading through each problem and deciding which problems are the most helpful/useful. In our experience, we have not needed to do every problem. I also use EPGY on Fridays, but that is a lower priority in that I view it more as an interesting supplement - not her main math curriculum. I have looked at MEP Math, which I also like. I will probably use parts of that with or in addition to Singapore at times when it offers something I do not think the others do. So I use ALL of Singapore, Much of Saxon, and small parts of others (like MEP, Hands on Equations,...). The most important thing to me at this point is to make sure that she has a strong base in math. I have kept her going in a consistent manner with both Singapore and Saxon from the start.

My plan with my daughter is to use EPGY as a Friday enrichment program only. I have other math curriculums that I plan to use, and I prefer her central math programs to have more interaction with me.

We use the IP US Editions, and we love them. ;) You could use US Edition IP with the Standards Edition Text and Workbook, but be careful before assigning problems from the IP to make sure you have already covered them in the Text. Some topics are out of order. For the most part, though, they fit together nicely.

I am making my own solutions manual to a math logic book I want to use with my daughter. Other than than, I am researching and coordinating history books for the fall.

Any basic sewing machine would work for sewing quilting strips. I have a Kenmore Elite, but I started out with a basic Kenmore. It worked great. You might also try Consumer Reports from the library for reviews of sewing machines. Good Luck. :)

Eat anything you want but in moderation.

We're reading D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths and A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets, and Constellations. Both are good.

Take care with success - remember to have her continue to work hard. ;) And by all means, Congratulations! :)

Yes, the stronger the base of mathematics, the taller the tower. :)

:iagree: This healthcare plan is not sustainable for the long term. It is too expensive! The numbers do not add up. In addition, those in favor of this do not realize that the government will have access to personal health records and ration health care to individuals. I will be calling my senators in STRONG OPPOSITION poorly thought out bill.

My parents put me in "gifted" programs from early elementary school, and sent me to "gifted" camps in the summers. Otherwise, they did not push me extremely hard. I had a normal high school experience I guess. I was a cheerleader and academics were not my highest priority, but I still did well in them. For my own children, I do accelerate them - but I prefer to keep them closer to grade level (in some cases perhaps a grade or two ahead). In math, for example, my daughter is way above grade level, but I keep her only slightly ahead and give her more but at a deeper level. For example more challenging word problems from Singapore rather than hurry and get her through the whole series. My parents were more laid back with me, so that is probably why I do this with her. I think it is a bit of a balancing act. I do think the giftedness needs to be acknowledged and dealt with, but never to the point where it becomes the highest priority with her. Higher expectations are a good thing, but if she seems to be getting frustrated I'd back off and adjust. Good luck :)

Yes, we use them. I have Clever Levers and Pulley Power. They are great for experiments. I use them along with the Harcourt Science Textbooks (from Kolbe Academy). First we read in the text about Levers and Pulleys, then I choose several related projects from the "Nutshell" kits. They come with an activity guide which is helpful. There is also an Activity Journal. The kits make it possible to go more deeply into the topics in the text. Then I use the text for questions and answers -the idea being that the experiments will help enough to solidify the material in the text. They are meant to be a supplement I believe.

Singapore is a great program, but you will need to supplement it with practice on the times tables. There are free websites (http://themathworksheetsite.com) where you can print off timing worksheets. I would encourage you to have him do at least 10 minutes of tables per day. Practice addition/subtraction/multiplication/division individually and then mix them all together once he has mastered each. Work up to 100 on a page or so. I think either the Standards or the US edition would be a great supplement to his math education. Since your son is in a public school, it may be more of an advantage to go with the Standards Edition. Good Luck :)