Thank you all so much. I will be going through all of your suggestions. I have been using Math Mammoth table of contents as a guide for choosing the topics. It helps me to make sure that I cover everything. I just love KTM so much. I may try MOTL also. Thanks, Penny

Hi, I am so happy to have found Kitchen Table Math books. They have turned my math hating 9 year old into a math lover. It is just amazing to me as I have tried just about every math curriculum around.(MUS, CLE, MM, Singapore, Miquon, RS) I read about KTM while searching old threads. I just wanted to see if there are other similar books that may be of help. Any suggestions? Penny

When the lesson calls for us to build a word, we either use paper or the white board.(I usually just grab paper) Anytime the manual asks for the word to be split into syllables my dd writes the word and uses a line to divide it up. She also writes above each divided syllable what the tag would say. My dd hates the tiles tho. She would rather just write it out. It used to take her more time fishing through the tiles than to just write it out. The rules are mostly already shown in the lesson with the manual so I just read it aloud instead of getting out cards. My dd is a get er done kind of kid. Yes, it is still teacher led. But, it goes very fast when you don't have to take out tiles and cards. Thanks, Penny

Some people have recomended Rod and Staff spelling as a good alternative in the past. I use AAS without the tiles like a spelling list with rules. It only takes us about 10 minutes. Penny

I have been using the Time Travelers Explorers cd and my dd finally enjoys history. I plan on using this from now on for history studies. I like the layout and the instructions are very clear. My 2 cents. Penny

Math on the Level

My problem is that the curriculum I really drool over ends up being the most expensive. :closedeyes: My bubble is usually popped when I drool over the new stuff and discover the price tag. I try hard to search and dig for similar items that were not so pricey. For example, I have wanted MOTL for a long time. I do understand that it can be used for k-8 but I can't afford to shell out $300 when I am also buying other things. I read many posts here indicating that Kitchen Table Math series was excellent and quite similar so I ordered that instead. I have never held the MOTL books in a side by side comparison to know just how similar they really are tho. I also put together my own version of "5 a days." You do whatcha gotta do. :laugh: I do respect the fact that people need to be compensated for their hard work. Not everyone can pay those prices. I can't pay $300 for any single subject. I usually spend $300 or less per year on curriculum. I am a tight wad! :001_tt2: Times are hard. It is now getting hard to sell used curriculum because people just don't have money. I have a box full of stuff that I can't sell. I now spend more time researching before making a purchase to prevent more stuff going into my box. Sincerely, Penny

No, I am concerned about all of her math facts. Mental Math is ok during lessons but once she needs to apply it on her own she reverts to "the old fashioned way with a mix of mental tricks that she feels are do able. The more difficult mental math methods are avoided at all costs and cause major tears. Games are not good at our house. She wants pen and paper. She would NEVER do 3 digit subtraction in her head. She just can't do it. It would end up in a meltdown of biblical proportions. We have taken advice to stop...slow down and work on the mental math activities for so long that I feel like she is way behind where she should be. I do like Math in Focus but I do think that the only reason my dd likes it is because it mixes traditional and Asian math.(not straight Asian style like Singapore) She gets to decompress when the material is not so stressful for her. I use the MUS blocks, c rods and all sorts of manipulatives to help. It seems that she takes a little of the math strategies and the rest floats away. Thanks, Penny

Hi, My oldest and I have had a rough time with math. I have tried a ton of programs.(MUS, CLE, Singapore, Math in Focus, MM Blue topical books as a suppliment) I liked CLE but grew concerned after reading all of the Asian Math threads and caved) We have seen lots of tears over the last couple of years. My dd has had the least tears with Math in Focus(Student text and Workbook) but she forgets everything a week after we move on to another topic. Her retention is pretty low and she always returns to computing the "old fashioned way." When this happens, I show her the Asian way again for a time and that goes decent until we move on. I use manipulatives and all sorts of things to help her. We stopped doing book work for the last month to work on Multiplication facts. We made skip counting songs which have helped her, but as for the facts...she still has to skip count for most of the multiplication problems. I have tried Math Attacks but as soon as it gets hard, she blows up and has a fit. Once this happens she gets em all wrong. She does not do well with timed drills. I have tried some other sites that have been recommended by Maria Miller but.... :crying: Most traditional math programs really concentrate on the child knowing the math facts by 4th grade. I am a bit worried that we are behind where I want her to be. I am starting to think it would be a good idea to add Saxon or Rod and Staff to our day. These programs get bad reviews by a lot of Asian math users. I learned math with a traditional math program and actually liked math a lot. I still know all of my multiplication facts. My dd tells everyone that she is bad at math. I really hate hearing this. I know I will never find the "ultimate" math program so I don't mind using 2. My concern is not just about the facts memorization. We have stopped so much in the past because she needed more time understanding the Asian method(and really not retained much) that I feel like I am doing her an injustice by forcing it down her throat. I am confused, Penny

Thank you all for the replies. I will put AAR Level 1 away for now and just play some games. I may get the pre level 1 because she just loves workbooks. She has shown most of the reading readiness signs but I don't want to push her. You guys are great! Thanks, Penny

Hi, My youngest just turned 5 in September and I purchased AAR level 1 to use with her. I am having trouble getting her to put the sounds together to say the words. For example: The word map...she can put her finger under each letter and say the sounds of mmmmm then "a" then "p" but can't put it together. I show her by sounding it out slowly and then saying the word but two minutes later she is looking at me like a deer in headlights. Should I just wait? I have not been able to go beyond lesson 1 because every time I try to have her blend the sounds she just can't do it. I am afraid that she will just learn the words by sight if I continue with the word cards. She LOVES worksheets. She goes through tons of printables a day. Reading is not as easy. I have a 2008 version of Sonlight LA K that I could try but I am a bit afraid to try it because of the negative reviews. I also have OPGTTR on the shelf here. I just don't know what to do. Penny

Do any of you use the kogs? Reviews??

Hi, I have finally settled on RS4K for our science. Now I can't decide which level to use.:tongue_smilie: My oldest is 9. She likes science so much but we have not really done much. Science has consisted mostly of living books. I tried BFSU but it never got done. I looked at the chart on the website which suggested Astronomy or Geology for my oldest. I just want to make sure we are not missing out on something. What do you suggest? Penny

Thank you all for posting. I have decided not to use BJU. I am looking into CHC and a few others. Thanks, Penny

Hi, Any catholics out there using BJU? I am looking at this for my dd(9) and would like feedback. I went to home science tools website and looked at the science curriculum chart. Bob Jones seems to be very good and covers just about everything. I just have a few questions. I am Catholic but normally like to keep my science secular. Is BJU science heavy on religious content? Thanks, Penny

Hi, Yesterday I posted asking about a good science workbook for my oldest. I have also been thinking about just making science kits instead. My dd is now longer interested in getting tons of books from the library. She seems to be a "Give me the facts and lets move on" kind of girl now. I have used and really liked BFSU 1, but found that it was sometimes difficult to use. Honestly...it was skipped over more often than not. I never tried BFSU 2. It may be organized better.?? The core knowledge lesson plans have also caught my attention. They seem to be well written and organized very nicely. I think I could put together some nice lesson kits with this from what I have seen but I will need to look further ahead to see if they have enough hands on activities. Anyone have experience with both? How do they compare? Suggestions? I am just lost. Penny

Hi, I never would have thought I would be asking this.. My oldest dd no longer likes the literature approach to science. She actually prefers a workbook type approach now.:001_huh: I would like suggestions for a good 4th grade science workbook/text type of program. Ideal would be something that has a workbook and a kit for experiments...but a good solid workbook would be great. Thanks, Penny

:iagree: We are using MIF and I have no plans of going back to Singapore. My dd has more "aha" moments now and no longer produces a river of tears everyday. Penny

Hi, My dd has completed the third grade book. I am debating..she has retention problems. Does the 4th grade book add much more new material? I wonder if I should just backtrack in the 3rd book instead of adding more to her plate??? I don't want to confuse her more. I am just trying to find a solution that would help this all stick. Opinions please, Penny

Easy Grammar TM has the student pages included in that book. You could get just the student pages separately. It is rare that I need the teachers part of the book but...I do pull it out from time to time. I find it nice to have. HTH, Penny

http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/HTTA/TTS/ This is by far the easiest unit study series that I have ever used. The crafts are all printed off of the cd. You will need basics.(glue, tape and so on) I babysit during the day and do not want to go to the store for tidbits of supplies. This is perfect. I plan to complete a cd then use Konos units in between. This solved my wanting to do history in chronological order and use Konos at the same time. Penny

Thank you all for posting. I think that I will stick to my guns here and just teach cursive first. Since she likes HWT, I figured I would look at cursive samples. I must admit that the font is unusual. It doesn't seem to flow as nicely as the cursive I learned. I went back through old threads and read how parents claim their kids have horrible handwriting after completing HWT cursive. I am afraid to use it. :)Any of you use it and not have bad handwriting? I am also looking at New American Cursive. My dd actually came near me while I was looking at samples and got quite excited. We are limited in cursive programs for beginning handwriting but it is still hard to pick. Penny

Hi I need help deciding what to do. I am a cursive first believer. My oldest has beautiful handwriting and has only done cursive. I was all set to start cursive with her younger sister but... she was given a HWT "Get Set For School" workbook that she loves. She brings it to the table and starts working on it. She likes the handwriting pages and actually forms her letters perfectly. Should I just teach manuscript first? What should I do? She seems to have a bit more difficulty with cursive where as printing just comes natural. I want my girls to know cursive. I was shocked to discover that our local public schools no longer teach cursive. When my oldest writes a letter to her friend(who is 10yo)she has to have her mother read it to her. Is cursive a dying handwriting style? Penny

I have posted so many math threads in the past because of my math hating oldest dd. I have used tons of math curriculum trying to find the best thing for her. I recommend the education unboxed videos with c-rods. Penny

I only have two girls so... The girls have to keep their room clean and save all toys after they are done playing. We have a chore/reward system in place. School for us does not begin until 9:30 so that gives us time to get the basics done before school. I put a load of wash on before we begin and throw that batch in the dryer in between subjects so that it is ready to fold after lunch. Our school is done by 3. I do a deep bathroom clean up once a week but we are all responsible for keeping it tidy until then. No one is allowed to leave a room in a mess. As for cooking...I prepare things like meat loaf ahead of time so that I can just throw it in the oven. We eat lots of baked foods here. :-) My house is not sparkling but it is presentable most of the time. Penny