LOVE your blog and what you are trying to do! I am looking forward to reading more posts from you!

I messaged you! I hope that things will work out for you and your family! It is so hard to make ends meet, and from the sound of it, it seems that you are taking on a lot!

I tried the link and it leads me to the page that shows the $100-with-friends deal. Once I click on that button it leads me back to regular Groupon offers :cursing:

Way to go!!! Gut gemacht Muttichen & Daughter!

Even if she has a lot of homework, at the very least I would have her correct any mistakes she did in school. Reteach those concepts if at all possible. Your daughter will remember what you teach her, because she won't want to redo all her work.

What an overwhelming amount of responses to my post, thank you! My goal is definitely lifelong healthy habits, it's not about winning scholarships or an Olympic gold medal. What I take away from your experiences is mostly that this habit can be created by lots of family outings, no need for an excessive amount of scheduled organized sports. The kids are in swim lessons because it is an important life skill. They are already great swimmers, but need a lot more endurance. I come from a family of water enthusiasts, so we are often found on a boat during our vacation trips. Maybe I do have to take them swimming more often though. We have a town hall pool, but the hours for open swim are very inconvenient. Plus, my kids go to PS, so there is usually not much time left in the day. When we took the kids to an adventure park with ziplining and climbing, they absolutely loved it. This was in Germany though and they are just not tall enough to meet the requirements for that in the US. It is about an hour drive from us too, as is any rock climbing place. When we do go somewhere like this, I do not sit by the sidelines. I participate whenever possible. I guess I posted my question because I feel that what we do is not quite enough. The kids have been doing sports since they were little, sometimes multiple different activities at once. Last year they just stopped. They did not want to keep doing gymnastics anymore (team or rec), I struggled to drive my oldest back and forth to marching band, and we had quite a few extra bills that winter, so initially it was a blessing in disguise to take a break. Now however, every time one of my DSs said they wanted to do a sport, come sign up time and I get a response that resembles a temper tantrum and complete melt down. I just don't get it... :confused1:

My twin boys(7) are currently in swimming lessons once a week and we go inline skating about once a week or once every other week. I don't feel that this is enough, especially with the winter months coming and being cooped up inside. They like to swim, but only go to swim lessons because I make them. I want for them to be involved in sports because it is a great habit to keep as an adult. They don't need to be the best at it and I'm not in it for any sort of team/competition unless they choose to do so. They have been in dancing (didn't like it), gymnastics (enjoyed it. They were even asked to be on the team, but didn't want to keep going), and soccer. My guess is, that they just don't enjoy organized sports, but we have no real other options around where we live. The sports available in my area, besides what I have already mentioned, are football, baseball, basketball, karate, wrestling. Everything else is about an hour drive away. So far, they are show zero interest in any of the options I gave them. It is not that they don't enjoy sports in general. In fact ,sometimes they will do push-ups, chin-ups, obstacle courses and many other things at home for fun, just not on a regular basis. I guess my question is: Do you make your kids try a sport? If your kids enjoy a sport, how did they find their passion?

I tend to agree with EndOfOrdinary. Don't stop afterschooling Math! I work as a classroom aide and help out during math period almost every day. If your son's school is anything like the schools around here, he will never receive adequate instruction in the classroom, no matter the level he is at. Even though the teachers are trying to do their best, they are still forced to follow a scripted curriculum. Your best bet is probably to coach your son about tuning in when directions are being given. Set up a parent teacher conference, explain that your son spaces out because the pace is too slow. A good teacher will also accept suggestions for extra material, but only if your son learns to follow directions first.

Jackie, I just asked the same question here a few weeks ago! I am currently using MEP's Step up to A-Level Maths to refresh my skills. Please let me know how you like AoPS Intro to Algebra! I was debating if I should order one of the AoPS levels and which one to start with.

Unfortunately, this is the every-day-truth in many classrooms! Every year I have had to let the teachers know that, yes, in fact, the twins can read AND comprehend. After testing (in November!) finally verifies that fact, I am usually told a random reason why they still have to read leveled readers. This is the first year that one of my boys has a teacher who had him figured out the first DAY of school! She is phenomenal! But unfortunately she is anything but the norm. So yes, catwoman, I believe every word Gil wrote! Gil, I know this is really hard for you! I have read many of your posts and wish for you that you could homeschool your wonderfully talented and hard-working boys again. The only advice I can give you is to be the squeaky wheel. Be THAT parent, that's the only way you may get something out of school for them. Plus, my kids have made a handful of very good friends in PS, so hopefully yours will too.

I am going to try to compact MEP, using every 5th lesson worksheet and additionally doing the exercises and harder puzzles. I tend to have the kids work on the worksheets on their own, but then I usually try to throw them for a loop and ask them for a different way to solve it. They've gotten smart though, and will tell me more than one way to come up with the solution right away! So far we haven't needed the teacher's guide, as I naturally incorporate mathematical thinking into our day. I will glance over them occasionally, but find that I may have done a similar exercise before. I know that this may not always be enough, it is working for us right now though. Elladarcy, I have never seen the program in your link before. I looked over it quickly and definitely like what I see. Can you tell me more about what type of math curriculum it is and how to use it for afterschooling?

:party: Happy Dance here Quark! How did I not notice that every 5th lesson was review??? I vaguely remember reading that at some point, but the boys weren't outpacing the program yet and I didn't pay attention to it. Big thank you!

I afterschool my twin boys(7) using mep math year 2. Both boys really like the program. They don't like "cutesy" programs and therefore wouldn't respond well to BA (which would be my choice program from here on). We are at a point where they have developed the stamina to want to find the answer to a hard problem, they are both very persistent. MEP is a solid program and fits our budget, but it just seems too easy and/or too slow moving. My boys happily calculate any double digit multiplication question in their heads, even though they don't have most of the single digit multiplication facts memorized. At the moment I only choose about every other problem for them. How can I challenge the twins more? How can I find out what mep level is appropriate? They are clearly both ready for more, but what does that incorporate?

I would definitely approach the teacher and play dumb. Ask her if these kids also receive phonics instruction throughout the day. You already know the answer, but this question may give you the opportunity to come up with a compromise.

Thank you! I'll definitely look into the programs you all suggested. LOVE the Alcumus idea wapiti! Didn't know it was free and I am definitely looking for some challenging mathematician-minded work :-)

I would like to pursue a degree in Mathematics. The problem is that the last time I went to school was ten years ago, and I now need a really good self-study refresher course from Algebra to Calculus. I did calculus in the German Gymnasium (Abitur), so I'm not even really sure what exact level that equals to here in the US. Can anyone recommend a good, fast, cheap(!), course or book to refresh my skills please?

I have to restrict screen time at our house. My oldest (16) goes by very different standards than my younger two (7). He was always allowed unlimited screen time. This was not so much a problem around age 7 til 12 or so. There was always a screen on somewhere, but he could self regulate fairly well and still be creative or play with his toys. fast foreward to age 16 and he literally cannot live without screens. From the moment he wakes up to the moment he falls asleep there has to be a screen in his hands at all times. The only exception to that is the marching band, which he excells at! I do not want my younger kids to grow up addicted to screens, so they have very strict limits. Two hours each Fri, Sat & Sun, that's it. Come every Monday, and it's a battle, but they are both so creative it blows my mind! Lego, drawing, writing, building, creating games, woodcarving, you name it! Problem is here again though: there is a huge tendency towards screen addiction. I know it when I see it, and my kids certainly cannot self regulate. I am worried of the kind of people all three may become when left to their own devices...The last thing I want for any of them is to miss real live for the sake of screens.

I work in an elementary school and understand exactly what you are talking about. There are almost no children who will actually understand math intuitively, the way it is taught in public school. The kids get crutches to use that plaster the walls. Maybe you will be lucky, but it could turn out to be VERY difficult to undo what PS has done. My suggestion would be to stay far away from workbooks for at least the remainder of this school year, if not for longer. Do not write any numbers, as that triggers connections in the brain to use the previously taught crutches. Your DD should practice mental math whenever possible. Have your daughter use rods and play with them every day. I personally prefer Crewton Ramone's website for math beyond elementary level, but Education Unboxed has videos that are very well organized by topic. Both should give you an idea as to what you can do. Your daughter will get caught up in no time at all, but do her the favor and make sure that bad habits are unlearned first.

Love this regentrude!!! German colleges do not admit homeschooled students. I have researched it before, but can't remember where I've found the links. They will not even accept an associates degree :-( We would never be able to afford college here in the US, so the option of studying in Europe is at least available for us.

Welcome to the twin club! Twin boys are soooo much fun!

It seems like I won't have to talk to the boys' teacher or principal after all (I always dread those things). Boy #1 said that he won't be using Touchmath, unless he is a remedial math student. I will wait this one out and take a very close look at what he brings home. He has an absolutely phenomenal teacher this year, but math does not seem to be her strong point. Boy #2 has had a permanent sub, since the actual teacher is on maternity leave. Now the substitute had family matters to take care of and they have a new permanent sub. She told my son that she is doesn't believe that Touchmath is ideal for mathematical reasoning, and will avoid it for the kids who don't necessarily need it! For now, I have decided not to step in. Thank you all so much for helping me out! Many of your posts helped me with some good arguments I can use, just in case I will have to in the future. Can you tell how relieved I am?

Arcadia, my kids also use EnVision Math (which I have been ok with), so hopefully this will be used as an add on and not carry over to the upper grades. Yes, it is a remedial program. Many kids in our district do not "get" math, but does it have to be taught to the whole class as a valid strategy to use? Vida Winter: I would love to pull my kids, but cannot afford it financially. Do you have any suggestion how I can show that Touchmath is an incorrect way for "mathy" kids to learn math?

My twin boys (7) came home from school today with homework where they had to use Touchmath. Both of them have a great aptitude for math and are extremely logic thinkers. We use MEP math at home and they absolutely get it. I have experience with Touchmath because I work with special needs students. It is great for keeping remedial students on par with their age group, sort of like a calculater for younger kids. I am however very upset that my kids are forced to use this program. It does not teach math, it makes you rely on counting dots on the numbers. You cannot regroup (say, if you add 8+4, one cannot turn this into 8+2+2 in his head), and it is literally rote counting. My kids are so far past this, that it will only hold them back. I have a very strong feeling about this, as I have also always been very mathematically inclined. Do any of you have experience with this program? Do your children use it in school? I am planning on approaching the principal about possibly substituting some of the Touchmath worksheets with MEP. Please help me build a solid case against the use of this program for the twins. I am not the best at explaining even why this program is completely counterproductive, so please help me find some good arguments.

My kids do MEP Math alternating with German every day. It has become a lifestyle, but sure I'll get plenty of push back! What helps is that I explain why we do the things we do. I really stress how important it is to work hard, and discourage the kids from labeling themselves as smart. Why are you a great reader? Because you worked hard for years! Why are you great at understanding math concepts? Because you work hard at it every day! Lately I even hear my kids say how much better they like MEP than the program at school. Or one of them may say how he needs to practice more German. Explaining long term goals is also important. Why can mom and dad afford so many toys for you? Because they studied hard for school and were therefore able to get great jobs. As long as they understand why they have to do extra work, it will make you feel like you are less of a mean person. Sometimes you may even get to hear appreciative comments, just probably not while they are studying!

My kids are all "evening people", while hubby and I get up and go early in the morning. I listen longingly when other people complain about their kids getting up at the crack of dawn! Exercise is very important for brain development, and the brain of your son may be most receptive to new concepts then. You won't be able to turn your son into a morning person, but with exercise you may get him to do some of his work earlier in the day.