My dd understands the concept addition just fine. She is learning subtraction currently. She learned addition more than a year ago. The problem is that memorizing the addition/subtraction facts is very difficult right now. We just started Xtramath to help with this. We use Math Mammoth 1, which I am very happy with, but I don't know if I should backtrack to the beginning of the addition section to help her memorize the facts or I should just continue through the book and let Xtramath help her with the fact memorization. The concept of addition is not the problem. When I put things into story problems (i.e. "You can invite 10 people to your party. You've already invited 3. How many more can you invite?"), she likes that better. The chapter we are set to do next is Chapter 7 (if you have MM1), which is Adding and Subtracting within 0-100. No carrying or borrowing. Things like 23 + 4, 65 + 3, adding and subtracting whole tens, the concept of difference, and adding and subtracting two-digit numbers in columns without carrying or borrowing. Would it be harder/confusing for her to continue on, with bigger numbers, or since she is in actuality, still practicing single-digit addition/subtraction (since 23+4 is really just 3+4 with the 20 staying the same), would it help her learn faster recall of the facts? She seems to hate math facts. When our math lessons are on telling time, counting money, measuring, place value etc, she is usually quite happy. When addition and especially subtraction show up, she melts down very quickly. Any help would be appreciated!

We've dropped back considerably on Truthquest American History with the Binder Builder. She gets history in co-op, and at 38 weeks pregnant, my days are just not as productive as they were 6-8 weeks ago.

I use FLL, WWE, and added AAS recently with my first grader. As others said, there is no spelling in FLL or WWE, so if you want to teach spelling at this point, you will need to add that in.

I am using WWE along with the older version of FLL. As I go through it, if there is a lot of repetition, I simply skip it in one of the books. No big deal for me, as I just adjust as needed. I found the combined FLL for a super price, and it is worth the savings for me.

I'm still teaching phonics to my 1st grader (so will have taught phonics for K and 1st), but my plan is to finish OPGTR this year (probably by the holidays) then switch to just reading books, aloud to me as well as just silently, for fluency. She picked up reading faster than spelling. We are using AAS1 for spelling work. It is great for us.

I do teach my dd reading and spelling separately, but what were your sister's explanations for why they are unrelated? I would be interested to know the answer.

I own the book and use it just for the stories (covering up the lines DD isn't reading). I write the words in the lesson on the white board. It works great for her.

We use Math Mammoth with my child who isn't particularly strong in math (and I definitely don't have it "all together" !) Besides all the sample pages on the website, you could also buy just one of the Blue Series workbooks (they range from $2.50 or so and up) to see if you like it. I started with supplementing her other math with Math Mammoth Blue Series workbooks in areas that were more challenging for her. Now, we are using MM solely, and I like it a lot. She likes it okay, which is about as good as I think I'm going to get with her and math right now. :-)

I agree. I think starting with level 1, even if just briefly, is great for making sure they aren't missing something from the early level. They will likely move through it very fast (and it will be easy to resell too) and can move to Level 2. They will get to a point where they need to take it one step at a time.

My 6 year old is using WWE1 and also FLL. Copywork is not her favorite, but we still do a short amount every day. However, if there is copywork in FLL on a particular day, we do narration in WWE instead, even if it is a "copywork" day. This week and next, she is copying one stanza (about 2 lines) of a poem each day and that is a fine amount for her. Other times, we just copy one medium length sentence. I think the repetition of a small amount each day is more important than longer pieces, for a first grader anyway.

haha, my 6 year old DD is the exact same. Swirls, lines, circles, boxes, underlines, just writing all over her page. Perhaps because I like things neat and organized and "nice looking," all the lines bother me. So, I simply give her a blank piece of paper first thing in the morning and let her scribble on it through out the school morning. If she were writing words or sentences, I may let it slide, since that would perhaps be cute to look back on. For her though, it is just messy scribbling. I think I will check out the links that others shared with you, as my dd may really like those.

If you are comfortable with it, I would call the church and find out if they have scholarships or something to make it free or less expensive. Most churches would rather your child be there without paying than her to miss it because you couldn't afford it. My husband is the associate pastor of a small church, and we would never knowingly have a child miss an event because she/he couldn't afford it (not that we have $20 Girls Nights, but still, for camp or anything else too).

We did simple spelling, as she learned to read, in kindergarten. Like cvc words, some long vowels with silent e. As her reading progressed faster than her spelling (late kinder and over the summer), I let her move faster through phonics (just focusing on reading and not spelling at the same time) and started her on AAS 1 for first grade. It means we are learning different spelling rules than we are phonics rules, but it works well for her so far.

:iagree: Exactly. My dd's first teacher encouraged "inventive spelling," but I now am happy to spell words for her to help her learn the correct way instead of just making up something that sounds right.

I am a homeschool mom (first year, with my oldest being in first grade) who was a homeschool graduate that went to college, got my BS and was heading towards grad school until I got married my senior year and moved across the country. My mom started homeschooling back in the 80's, way before it was cool and definitely before there were the myriad of curriculum choices that we now have. She used what was available (A Beka and Saxon being the main ones I remember), taught us consistently with lots of reading, and of the 6 of us, all have gone to college (a couple still in college), 3 have finished bachelor's degrees, and my brother finished his masters. That to say, even with limited curriculum choices, the main point was that she took what she had and made it work. Now, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the choices, but curriculum choice is NOT going to make or break your child's education. If you make sure that you cover the basics, I am sure that whatever you choose and USE will work out just fine!

As a new member (joined in September), I actually found the board when I was looking for used curriculum. Thankfully, no one seems to have minded selling to me, as I almost always use paypal which is safe for them. I have been able to get great deals on things for my dd and now, I'm feeling more confident in posting. I've asked a couple questions and gotten wonderful responses, and when I see a post from someone else that I can relate to, I am enjoying participating and hopefully having a helpful response.

I've ordered it with just basic components. Agreeing with everyone else, the one item I would probably use the most is the card storage box. Besides that, I just plan on using our own stickers, and I have PLENTY of tote bags!

We just ordered it this week, so I'll be starting Level 1 with my 6 year old when it arrives. Looking over the scope and sequence, I am thinking we'll spend a couple months on it then be ready for Level 2.

Wow. How terrible. I would be upfront and ask. I'm so sorry!

I decided to give it a try with just the teacher's guide for Level 1, since I think that she will move pretty quickly through it. I'll see how it goes but leaning towards getting the student parts for the subsequent levels. Thanks everyone!

I use them both also with my first grader (and really like them!), but if there is narration scheduled in both books on the same day, we just skip one of them.

My dd prefers a dry erase board to pretty much anything else!

If I can dream, instead of being realistic for a moment, I'd say a fabulous laser jet printer!

From the preview I saw on the All About Learning website, it seems that I could just make, out of index cards, the necessary cards for my dd. In each of the lessons I read through, it looks like it tells you which cards to use and what letters/words are on each one. I have phonics and letter tiles already. I can create her a progress chart and certificate. Is there something major I'd be missing? Trying to find a more cost effective way to use All About Spelling, since I've pretty much used up my school budget.

Not a preemie's mama, but I wanted to say I'm thinking of you and sending best wishes and prayers your way. I'm due in 6 weeks and can't imagine the baby coming in a week or so.