One of my favorite recent scenes is from when Mindy (The Mindy Project) went on a date with a film critic. This is what happened when he asked her what she thought of the movie they had seen- Mindy: I thought it was very real. I thought they looked like people that would be in line behind me at the bank. I was not sure why we paid money to see it. Her date: For me, it was refreshing to see normal people falling in love in a movie. Mindy: I have not yet tired of seeing hot people fall in love.

Definitely not allergies. Whoever gets sick first is always passing it to everyone else, one person at a time. It just gets frustrating after a while. I've missed out on so many things this year because I've either been sick or home with sick kids.

We hated Happy Phonics. I know that it's different for everyone, but I had to put that out there. I wish I hadn't spent the money on it.

It feels like one of us is always sick. By the time a cold has made its way around this apartment, a new one starts up. Half of the time we go to church or our homeschool group, we leave with a virus (I can only hope it's a cold). We eat healthy foods, we're not big on sugar, we get enough sleep, take vitamins, load up on Elderberry syrup. I'm not sure what else we can do. It's been like this ever since we moved (it's been a year). Does this happen to anyone else? Does anyone have any tips on how to avoid this?

I think you should try Reading Lessons Through Literature. And I'm not at all saying this because I want to use it but I can't find any reviews for it :rolleyes:

Thanks. That's a relief. It's bad enough that it may get here after Christmas.

Crap. I just bought this one the other day. Is it a knockoff? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMC6KAC/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just purchased the 1+2 combo on Amazon. Was it the revised version?

I got LLTL in the mail yesterday and I'm kind of in love with it. Level 1 doesn't seem too rigorous, but I think that's the intention. I really like how everything is introduced in increments (narration, copywork).

After thinking about it some more and looking into the price of Rightstart, I've decided to stick with Math Mammoth, adding in the Rightstart games. I'm sure people who love Rightstart feel that it's worth it, but if the lack of instruction is my only issue with MM, I'm going to make it work. (I know, I know. This thread was dead. It needed the proper closure though)

We feel the same way about it. Phonics ended in tears today. My daughter's made so much progress with it, but she doesn't like reading at all. I'm seriously considering jumping ship even thought I keep hearing how important it is to stick with something. OP, we usually read one lesson a day. If the next day, she could go back and read the words without help, we would move on. If she couldn't, we would redo the lesson.

Math Mammoth is open and go and it's a really thorough program.

Thanks! I just ordered it now with that code. :001_smile:

Read up on how to avoid dry socket.

I can't even take it. I spent the better part of my teen years in love with him and the picture (from Bop, of course) I had hanging on my wall. :sad:

My daughter's starting 1st grade soon and I've spent months trying to put a plan together. Language Arts has been the hardest part for me, I think. We're continuing The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading and starting Pentime, Language Lessons Through Literature (probably), and Jot It Down (whenever we can). We'll start spelling when we're finished with phonics. I just want to add that it was helpful for me to come up with LA goals for the year and then figure out what would help us reach those goals. That knocked out a bunch of options for me.

Is Bible Study for All Ages reformed?

We are planning on using Tapestry for the long haul. I'm actually much more sold on using it for 5th grade and up than I am for 1-4. I would love to do Story of the World from 1-4, but I keep thinking that once my daughter starts using Tapestry in 5th, my son will be using it from 2-4 anyways, so I might as well do it now so I'll have the binders and some of the books. It's been a difficult decision for me. That's why I was hoping that one of them would be superior in terms of activities =)

I've been going back and forth between Story of the World and Tapestry of Grace. My daughter (who's starting 1st soon) is super creative/crafty and I was wondering if either program would be better suited for her because of that. Or are they both as crafty as you want them to be?

"Partnership Writing and Jot It Down on SALE for Thanksgiving weekend only! $25.00 for one $45.00 for both! The sale starts Black Friday morning (6:00 a.m. EST) and runs through Cyber Monday (Midnight EST)." http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Thanksgiving-Weekend-Sale---Psst--New-Product-too--.html?soid=1111292723335&aid=F3DAKVGC2tI

Ahhhh I had just made up my mind to use Rightstart. I give up. Every time I think I'm decided on a program/curriculum, I hear something that changes my mind.

:bigear: I've been going back and forth (almost daily) about using The Wand and Jot It Down.

Thanks for all of the input. After reading these responses and thinking it through, I think we'll be switching to either Rightstart or Singapore, at least for the early years.

I skimmed the first chapter of 1B, but I didn't see that. I may have to look closer. My concern is more long term. I don't want to be curriculum-hopping, so I feel like now is the time to pick something that really works for us. I guess my question is, is that just how Math Mammoth is or is that how Grade 1 is, because there isn't a need for a lot of instruction?

We've gone through 1A and I'm concerned about the lack of instruction. We had a couple of issues with the Place Values section and it left me wondering if I can teach it for the long haul or if I need something more scripted. I love everything else about MM though, it's a great program. Should we look for something else or does it get more descriptive?