The cards are nice to have. We use our own books. The tests are on the material presented and not on the reading.

I am loving MP's First Start Reading. Ds learned to write his letters prior, so it works well for us. The writing portions could be skipped though for a child not ready for writing. I love that he is learning to read without stress. It is very gentle yet thorough. We also use phonogram cards from Riggs Institute plus all the other phonics in MP K.

Honestly, I skip the use of digit sums to check answers. I have dd check her work by reverse operation. I do believe when this is first introduced as a checking method CLE States it is optional and won't be tested. Perhaps it is in later editions (we are just finishing 502). It is just a helpful tool. To me, it is confusing and unnecessary.

I think the sale (10% off) starts today. I got a newsletter today, and it announces the sale. It gives April 13 as the end date, but doesn't give a start date.

The lower levels of CLE have been revised and are Sunrise editions. They are currently working on revising the upper levels. CLE is releasing the beta Sunrise edition of Algebra 1 this spring. They will have a copy available for viewing at conventions this year. It will likely be years before the revision of Algebra 2 is available. (This info was recently announced at the CLE Yahoo group.)

I had several issues with MCT while working through the Island level: lack of mechanics and some usage instruction I felt was needed at that level, lack of structure re: schedule and assignments, etc. Although it had been a breath of fresh air to our LA studies, I had decided against continuing into further levels. Then I saw MCT at convention, and Dh and I both decided it was worth the investment to add it in even in a supplementary way. The man is brilliant, and, despite its issues, the program is like nothing else...in a good way. We use R&S also, and that gives me the logical progression I personally want (perhaps need). It also provides the mechanics and usage instruction I want to cover. MCT adds depth and fun. It is expensive, but, if your budget allows, it is worth it. Of course, if your child doesn't like it or if you're looking for materials that are not teacher intensive, it just won't meet your needs.

:iagree:

I have sometimes had success by posting things I need on the wanted board. One year I posted a very eclectic list and a person responded with almost everything! I was skeptical and requested a photo, and she did, in fact, have it all. Be wise and careful, but buying used can get you great deals. Make a list of all you need and compare the prices at amazon, cbd and rainbow resource. Make wishlists at those places. Take into consideration that many readers are part of the 4-for-3 deal at amazon. You can get free shipping for $150+ at RR, and people have said you can often get free shipping codes from cbd by calling. Frequent Goodwill or other thrift stores. You can find many readers recommended by various companies at a huge discount. Homeschoolclassifieds.com is another source for used items. Also find out if your local homeschool group will be holding a curriculum sale at the end of the school year. Join Homeschool Buyers Co-op for possible group-buy deals on some of the more expensive items.

I switched from a mastery program to CLE when dd was in 3rd but working a year ahead in math. She never had any problems grasping math conceptually, but we reached a point when it was important to cement her math facts and increase her speed in them so that she could go where her math mind would take her without being slowed down. We have stuck with it because she likes it. Many people say it has too much review and would be torturous for "mathy" or gifted kids, but that hasn't been the case here. She understands that some things, like math and music, take lots of practice regardless of your talent.

When a child has been praised for being smart or gifted, he tends to panic when he meets a challenge because it threatens his very identity. When dd was younger, we made the mistake of doing this. Even if you as a parent avoid bringing attention to their "smartness," family and friends will. Once we realized what was going on, we spent a great deal of time praising her hard work and explaining to her that mistakes are how we learn and practice and failure help us to improve. The meltdowns are less frequent now, but ironically she is currently having one at the piano. I do think the anger stems from fear.

I, too, think it looks great. I look forward to you completing it! I have great trouble finding materials I like for spelling, but I think this would work well for us.

Great advice! I try to have my year planned out, for the most part, prior to going. I then decide what items will be cheapest at convention--generally items that you can only buy from the company that makes them. Sometimes you get a discount, but sometimes the free shipping is enough of an incentive. These are the main items I buy at convention, but I also budget for the fun items or sale items I'll stumble upon. I try to also have a small list of new things I hear of here, so I can hold them in my hands and get a good look. We were already using MCT, but it was great to be able to look at the next levels and the new literature sample. Nancy Larson Science was another such product for me last year. I walked that vendor hall so many times I eventually saw everything. Be aware that many vendors carry the same products, and, since the prices vary, you will want to walk around once before purchasing. Have a great time!

:iagree: We are Christian, yet I would never buy a math program simply because it was "Christian." CLE may not work for everyone, but it is a strong math program. I have a very math-minded child who "sees" math conceptually in her head. However, when we hit fourth grade level, I wanted to find a math program that built upon itself, continually reviewing concepts after it introduced them. As mathy as she was, she needed a program that would aid in her memorization of and increase her speed level of math facts. CLE did that. She enjoys it, even with all the review, and so we have continued it.

I have no experience with Lively Latin, but I can tell you about our VL experience. Unlike most elementary programs, which are grammar-based, VL is more of an immersion style along the lines of Lingua Latina. In fact, there is now a chart available through VL that shows you how to pair it up with Lingua Latina. This format is focused more on the reading of Latin than on the memorization of forms. Consequently it is a whole-to-parts approach instead of the typical parts-to-whole one. When we began VL my dd was getting bogged down in our LC studies. I planned to simply add it in as a supplement as I didn't feel comfortable doing it solo. Soon we were doing it alone though, and I decided to use it as an interlude between grammar-based programs. My dd has loved it. It has opened her eyes to the language in new ways and given her more confidence. I still think there is a value in the traditional approach with chants and drill, so we will likely go into First Form when we finish. However, we have greatly enjoyed and dd has greatly benefited from VL. The teacher is hilarious and keeps us laughing as we learn. Please feel free to ask any specific questions I haven't addressed. We'll be finishing the final lesson (30) of VL Latin 1 next week. ETA: We do plan to continue into Latin 2 with VL, and I have just added in Lingua Latina. I truly don't know if the grammar-based way is necessarily better, but I do know I want her also to spend some more time focusing on the parts. VL does introduce grammar, and often in a better, more understandable way than other programs, but there is no drill and memorization focus.

Thanks, Jill. I think I'll try just using the student book first. Kristen, it is from Memoria Press.

Bueller? Bueller? :001_smile:

I can't find samples online. For those of you using this program, how valuable is the TG? Is it mainly an answer key or does it have extra instruction info? Thank you.

In addition to the Latin, I have used several other MP products: Famous Men of... series Introduction to Classical Studies Copybook Cursive Artner's I started using the K program with my youngest last month. He was writing his letters and knew his letter sounds prior to us beginning. We do not do the copywork section as we do d'nealian instead, but even so there is a lot of writing with the program. It works well for us, though. I LOVE the recitation list in the appendix, and I feel it helps me stay on track and not leave any important things out. I also love that he is learning to read without even realizing it. :) The phonics is gentle but productive. I have been pleased with everything I have used from MP, and their customer service is excellent. I am currently considering many options from their catalog. If MP K continues to go well, I may just continue through their curriculum sets with ds. I never thought I would go with a boxed curriculum, but theirs looks so much like what I would put together on my own. I know that I will still tweak it, but the "bones" are great.

It sounds like rather than more review you want a mastery program that spends more time focusing on individual concepts after they are introduced. CLE is perhaps too much review...since it is constantly building on itself and reviewing all previous concepts. Since you don't have a full year, I would do as others have suggested. Go through CLE with her, slowly, seeing what issues she has. Then maybe you could utilize the units at Math Mammoth to spend some focused time in particular concepts that she is having difficulty in. That way you don't have to spend a lot for a whole new program you will not have time to complete.

http://clp.org/christian_light_education

We love MCT here, also, and use it along with R&S (which we also love...go figure :) ) My dd also really enjoyed reading through Grammar-land which can be found free online, I believe.

606-522-4348

What we've used and enjoyed in the past: The Bible components of MFW 1st grade Stepping Stones to Bigger Faith for Little People Rod & Staff's Bible Nurture and Reader Series Reading through the Golden Bible with Memoria Press' Intro. to Classical Studies guide This year it took me a while to figure out what to go with. I've just purchased R&S's Bible 5 for dd, and I really like the looks of it. It's like an Old Testament survey class.

If you know she'll be moving into d'nealian, I think you should definitely start with it. The printables online will be fine for the year; there's no need to purchase anything. Once patterns and habits are formed it is difficult to change, so it would be best to start her in what she'll eventually be required to write.

I need to start making lists. I have a voracious reader here, too. Some I remember, though I'm not sure they're all from this year: Hugo Cabret The Penderwicks (all three) Series of Unfortunate Events (finished the final book at the beginning of the school year) Mysterious Benedict Society Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place These are just some of the free reads I remember her enjoying. For school reading we use Sonlight reader suggestions as well as those suggested in other programs. She's currently reading The Phantom Tollbooth during school reading time and The Wolves of Willoughby Chase for free reading. She's enjoying both.