In some Asian Languages 27 is literally "two tens seven" Right Start Math calls this " the Math way" I think Singapore may use this. I think this is a much stronger way to think about these higher numbers because then you can pretty easily manipulate 2 tens and 5 tens... just as you would as 2 apples and 5 apples. My oldest aggreed to say double digits like this and is really strong with math, youngest balked and has struggled with place value our American way of saying twenty-seven, doesn't make it easier to WORK with these numbers. my 2 cents. ~christine in al

I noticed that the author of KISS ended some sentences with prepositions. When I asked him about it, he said something about not being a stickler for rules.. THIS IS NOT an EXACT quote. I personally need a gramarian who IS a stickler for rules because my skills are not strong enough to spot the differences between artisitic choices and acurate usage. Your mileage will certainly vary. And I so appreciate you relpling with a suggestion, Thanks. ~chrisitne in al

curricula and then realized they were not a fit for us. I am thinking of using Hake and WWE/ WWS for my two next year. Hope they work together. Thanks. ~christine in al

I will be surprised if SWB can reply, it seems potentially uncool to produce materials and then to say negative things about other's materials... But I wonder Why Saxon Grammar doesn't make the list of suggestions. Does anyone have any ideas of how Hake differs from FLL/ALL ? thanks, ~Christine in al

So glad she is able to continue with WWS. Thansk again for finding this post for me. That was very friendly. :-) cheers. ~christine in al

i go away for a while and come back to see references to ALL not being available ( ever?) I read aboutthe tech difficulties, and that first weeks available in MS and PDF,, but then I read some posts that sounded like another decision has been made about completing them. It was " I know I can't count on future editions of ALL" Did that mane, in a tiemly manner to use with specific kids, or ever. ? I've missed something, I think. Has SWB decided to not continue with ALL, or what? What's up? Thanks ~christine in al

And basic facts. We are stopping forward motion with my dd until she can NAIL facts. She now has to spend an hour a day on MM and RS games with me. And turn lined paper side-ways to create columns to keep numbers lined up. And maybe do just a few and concentrate on doing them not only correctly, but beautifully. ( this is a total pipe dream for me regarding my ds. he keeps trying to get things done an hour ago, rather then do them well.) chrisitne ( still playing math games ) in al ~c.

History Odessy is what we used after SOTW. I like it ALOT. rather than writing the asignments, just work on outlining skills from Kingfisher. This will reinforce his understanding of topic sentences and paragraphs and the structure of expository writing. You can also start with the cds of SOTW ( If you like Weiss). while you are getting y'all's routine down. then have them for the car. and welcome ~christine in al.

You're a Queen Bee, girl! ~chrisine in al

And surprised to like the math so much. ds says it's the best math he's had. This is all about fit. like jeans brands. Levis might be the " best" but wranglers fit my .... uh needs. better. ds , who loves history , is also liking the text book used in History. We are using the ATS, and I really like that someone else will look at his work. He just finished something , and I thought,,,, oooh,, I see some mistakes. I asked him if he'd read back over his answers, He was a little snippy and said " yes" ( I'm thinkin... uh, yes Ma'am) but then thought.. " okay, let your Calvert teacher correct you) THAT was worth some money to me. Next year , He wants to continue with Calvert Math, ( and I have this lovely collection of Pre Algebra curricula) But we'll do other things for other subjects. Thai gives SWB a bit of time to get more levels done too. ~c.

and informative. enjoy, ~christine in al

Love the trampoline idea and the ballon especially. advantage of pinata... CANDY universe. ~c.

Using Calvert this year. planning SOO easy, having the list printed out so great, kids knowing what's required and it not being from me, has lessened bargaining of " can I do this tomorrow" BUT... can't leave it be. Do y'all remember the old Tootsie Roll comercial where the little boy asks and owl how many licks does it take to get to the chewy center of a Tootsie Roll loolie pop? The owl gives three licks then bites it . gives back the stick and says " THRREEEE" Well, how many weeks does it take me to start tweaking a boxed curriculum.. THRRREEE. substituting SWB MCT materials for Calvert Grammar and Composition. I love WWE, and FLL. And MCT for poetry, just saying. and knowing,..... my gun, my bullet, my foot. cheers and happy Friday all, christine in al

Anyone keep their curriculum/schooling simple? no

Thanks Regentrude. This was absolutely perfect for me to hear. ... you wrote: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`` Generally, I would hesitate to recommend AoPS to a student who is not strong in math. I think there are a few questions you need to ask yourself: Is she excited about math and thinks it is fun? Is she willing to use a curriculum that covers more and harder material than the traditional high school curricula? Is she willing to put the work in and puzzle over one hard problem for an hour because she is determined to figure it out? Does she do well with a discovery based approach that poses problems and has HER try to figure it out before a solution is presented - or would she be tempted to skip to the solution? Will she do OK with a curriculum that does not emphasize the practical usefulness of math, but instead focuses on the joy and beauty? (It will provide all the useful stuff - it just does not harp on the "math is necessary for your practical life" approach) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`` ds might be able to do it, but he is " practical man". When I asked which FL he wanted to study and he asked, " which is most useful". Y'all enjoy this amazing sounding program, I personally am interested in AoPS, the beauty of math is beginning to turn me on. but not either of my kids at this time. per fect perfect help. thanks. ~christine in al

okay, so I just bought Jacobs, and am comparing TOCs. I know nothing about higher math, but what about functions? AoPS ( nor Chalkdust ) PreAlgebra have anything on functions. Are they not considered important? or to have been covered,, or coming later? thoughts? And pacing for AoPS. An average of 3 pages a day gives it done in 180 days. how are y'all going to pace it? ( OBVIOUSLY some sections go faster than others,,, so how to pace?) an hour of math a day? thanks Christine in al

to do what you really feel is right for them ( no matter what that is) even if it's hard for us. good luck with your anxiety issues. ~christine in al

To , OP, can you not switch to WWE/WWS ? Can you tell tutor to use those things instead? If a program is truly not working,,, DONT waste a year of your child's life on it, sell it and move on. I 'm sorry I can't remember if that's an option for you or not, good luck. ~christine in al.

The rubrick for each assignment sounds perfect. An external source of " judgement" that ds can see. ( not just me being mean) thanks. and good to " see " you. ~chrisitne in al

I never know how much to correct. Does WWS give guidance on what is acceptable or good or great.? I get how to correct Grammar and Math, but writing seems subjective to me. word choice etc. It's my ds who wants to know a " grade" or some feedback. How can I handle corrections. ? Does WWS give any help here? Thanks, ~Christine in al

So sorry if you felt slammed in anyway. I think it's a great idea. I didn't knwo about the idiom dictionary. I'll look at that too. ~Christine in al

;) I am liking the externalization of responsibility. I love that check list that my ds knows _ I _ didn't make. I was hearing some " I hate CALVERT " today,, then he said, " this is really rigourous , I'm covering alot" So , I do like that I'm the ally , not the evil asignment maker. Thanks y'all. I am STILL looking at ALL, and WWS. and Jacobs, next year, ~christine in al

a local church here ( oh shoot, what's it called... you know , offically give a test) Anyway. lost of reasons. 1. I get a snap shot of where they are 2. They learn that no one bleeds at a test. I sell it as a chance to show what ya know. So the culture of testing is just a normal deal. 3. ( okay, true confessions..) Y'all!! they are there for three days.. THREE DAYS on my own. okay, you can slam me for that,, but I dont' care. I LOVE them being doing something productive with out me. ~christine in al

add lots of context and structure. I was going to do this with mine this year ( 6th and 4th) but we are overwhelmed with Calvert so I'm saving them. I was hping to use them because 6th grader is never ever getting out of Ancients. I think they are great if supplimented with the John Hopkins Quest materials. They are science not religion, She honors religious truths, and myths , but is not Christian Biased, pointing out that BCE and CE are appropriate terms to use in non Christian contexts. ~christine in al

" on every hand" doesn't mean both hands were jostled. It means " all around " or " on every side" , " both sides" It's about being surrounded and overwhelmed, not about his hands. Trying for clarity , not snarkiness. I think this looks great, just noticing that care has to be taken with translating idioms. ~c