Yes this is what worries me. As much as I love k12 LA program, I did not get the writing. I just didnt feel there was any instruction. Based on the public school essay samples I have seen they just want you to write without much care for grammer or spelling. But I have no idea how to teach that.

Thank you for the replies. I guess when I wrote it wasnt clear because no seemed to answer:) I dont know why WWE intimidates me but I do need to go back to the basics with him. I will definitely look into more.

Just wanted to see what is used for 4th grade writing if your kids are in school. This fall my 3 children will be entering public school for the first time. Well my oldest was in a VA using k12 but we really struggled with writing. I just want to make sure we work on this in the fall but I am not sure what to use. I don't want to add too much work for him while we are going through this transition. Just curious to see what others are doing.

We didn't write in the textbooks just because there was really no space. Now I am glad as I can reuse them with my next son.

Hi, I haven't posted in a while. Hope everyone is doing great and ready for the new school year! We are still homeschooling this year although I now work part-time and my oldest will be in a virtual academy. My second son is starting first grade and although he has a different learning style/ability than my oldest I am going to keep the same curr. because I just don't have the finances to buy much new. So I want him to go through Singapore math but he is going to need much more review than my oldest needed. I keep reading about Math mammoth and thought maybe this would work as a supplement. Has anyone used the two together? I'd appreciate any suggestions on how best to use the two. Thanks! Regards Asma

If you think SM 2A is easy than your daughter will be really bored mathwise in K at public school. There may be other areas that might challenge her (writing, drawing, etc) but in math kids are just learning their numbers and maybe some addition, simple geometry. My son did SM2A in K and I think it does get a little tough with introduction of fractions and making sure they have all their facts memorized. Basically your average K'er will not think SM2A is easy, it's actually quite advanced work for the vast majority of students that age. Third grade in our best schools here are covering topics found in SM2 (very simple multiplication, renaming addition/sub). So if you just want your daughter to socialize and do arts and crafts, K will probably be fun but don't expect her to learn anything new in math.

I am trying to plan out third grade and would like to find another program similar to Explode the code. I really loved the reading comprehension in ETC 8. Are there any recommended programs to use after ETC? Thanks Asma

I started teaching my oldest when he was 3 but I wouldn't recommend it. It was a lot of stress way too early, even with short lessons. Now I lean toward starting formal academics at 5 which is what I am doing with my two youngest. My three year old ended up teaching herself to read but I still don't plan to do anything formal with her until she is closer to five. I am continuing with read alouds and have her play on Starfall. Asma

I'm a little late to the thread. Just wanted to say Eid Mubarak and how I love hearing about how its celebrated all over the world. Asma

Thanks for the info! Well maturity is a big issue here, and I definitely don't think he would be ready for those concepts in the next six months. I definitely plan to slow down next year, I wonder what else I can add to supplement. Anyone use those Critical Thinking Skills books for math, do they complement Singapore well?

Ohhh, you guys are making me nervous. I am actually debating putting 4B aside until next year and just do extra practice and fraction reinforcement. What makes SM5 so difficult, what are the math concepts that are focused on? Asma

I am late to this but I absolutely agree with this!! The kids who don't want to be there are ruining it for the majority who do, I don't think people realize how bad it is in some districts. I subbed a year in an inner city district and it was unbelievable, total chaos. Teachers can't do anything if the students don't want to be there and are disruptive.

No problem! I am using the US edition but its similar to what you described. I think there is much more with multiplying fractions in SM5 which is what I was hoping for. I definitely going to look into Key to Fractions.

Thanks everyone!! Just what I needed to know, so there is more fraction instruction in SM5, which is what I wasn't sure of. I like the idea of going through SM4 and reviewing fractions over the summer. Thanks again! Asma

My son is 2-3 years ahead in math and 1 year ahead in reading level but his writing has been average, even below average for his age. He really hates writing and would even cry if given too much. I decided that at almost 8 he needed to be pushed more, so we started doing dictation 3-4 times a week and now I am insisting he write a short story once a week. I can see much improvement, although I am glad I did not push him earlier, he just wasn't ready for much writing until the last few months. Now we just have to work on drawing and artistic skills, waaaay below his age level.