I was also thinking about switching from MM, but found that introducing the lesson with manipulatives, playing a quick math game first helps get them into the math mindset, then I do a quick overview of past conepts, count, skip count, ect, go over lesson on the whiteboard do some made up example problems, then starting working some of the problems on the page with her telling me what to write on the board, a few from each section of whatever pages we are doing, I then cross those out, then finally hand the paper over and remind them of what we did with the manipulatives and on board then stay there and kinda help as needed. I also leave out manipulatives for them to work the problems if they want to, to make it more "fun" or if they really cannot do a certain problem without a manipulative yet.

Which individual books would you recommend? Anything on humans body, animals, space, bugs, etc would be great.

Oh yes, sorry forgot to add it would be for early elementary. Thanks, I will check out the books you mentioned.

I need some ideas for fun, hands-on science curriculums. There are so many I'm just not sure which have the most and best hands on activities that actually work, items are not extremly hard to find and goes deep into the tiopic. We are using elemental science now and not liking it. I don't mind if it's secular or Christian.

Judging?? Not at all. It just seems like when those who chose to homeschool choose to take on the responsibility of teaching our children and that means teaching them. I'm not perfect nor is my method, what works for us won't work for most.

I completely agree with one of the above posters (friedclams). I don't understand how you could or want to get away from the teacher/parent high involvement part. When you chose to homeschool that comes with the territory and to me that's one of the best perks of it! I love open and go programs. They make lesson planning a breeze and teaching a breeze, but I always like to actually teach the lesson to make sure my kids actually get it and it gives them a break a from sitting with book after book doing work. I love the interaction and I find it very important to teach the lesson and always check in it do the work together to make sure it is all sinking in and they're not just flying through getting answers right, but not retaining anything. Even with MM which is written to the student I still do an oral lesson on the board and we discuss it, go over problems, ect before they get their independent work. Even then I frequently check in. I think even in middle school grades it's important to teach the lesson and check in on the student rather than having them have a check list and stack of books to complete. Where is the teaching in that? I understand sometimes work needs to be completed independently, but not after at least a quick lesson.

I look over the section we are going to use then I introduce with manipulatives when possible let them explore with that, then I do a written explanation on the white board, then sit together work some problems together, let them do some on their own, but always checking in. We only do two pages, sometimes three if the first page was mostly just examples. I have rarely had to cross out problems, I really don't feel that there are too many problems on a couple pages. I think the practice is good and it really sinks in to do hem all even for the kid who seems to get it right off the bat.

Phonics pathways and math mammoth.

Okay, good! I was thinking they would eventually get to the other ones since those subjects typically do a four year cycle, but wasnt sure if it was "okay" to jump in at the middle or the end. That will make things a lot more simple, especially since the little ones love to do everything the older ones do.

Is it okay for a younger dc to tag along on certian subjets like history and science with an older dc. For instance, if older dc is studying early modern times and chemistry would it be okay for younger dc to tag along with a more simplistic set of assignments for them, instead of going in order and starting with ancients and biology? Or would a seperate curriculim that goes in order be needed for the yonger dc? I was thinking it would be okay, but just wanted to check in with the parents that have done this for years with mulitple children.

I agree open and go has nothing to do with how much time you spend with your child teaching them. I like easy open and go programs, I still teach all of it and work together. Some open and go programs that have it all laid out for the teacher include: Math Mammoth CLE Math Elemental Science R&S English Memoria lit guides

For me it makes it easier! Maybe it's because I was a teacher before, so I'm used to it. I plan out a 2-4 weeks at a time, get all work in folders/binder, I have a checklist for me, to make sure we get it done, and in my checklist I have little notes for what books and pages to read, videos to watch, what to review, etc. I like haveing a basic plan for what needs to get done over the course of a school year rather than if we have time we'll do it or doing too many pages with out it really sinking in. I'd rather move through things at a steady pace and know exactly what needs to get reviewed or not. I also have a few curriculums on PDF that I need to print out and I copy pages instead of using the work book (as allowed by company) because I have more than one kid that will need to use it. It's all personal choice and what works best for US.

I work from home, it is a strict job, tight deadlines, and cannot be done with the kids or while homeschooling, very much like any other outside of the home job. I have also found the "use the crockpot" very good advice! Haha! I also have found it best to keep a constant schedule when it comes to school. I have to work certain hours a day, so keeping school organized, having a schedule is very, very helpful.

I need some math advice! My kids use math mammoth with miquon as a supplement. I love MM it is a great program, clear instructions, asian style math program with is my preference, but it is mastery and my kids need spiral. They need the constant review! Is there a math program that is spiral, but also conceptual? After extensive searching the only thing I found that comes close is mep. I am looking at CLE as I like the amount of review combined with new/current topics, I like that the teachers manual gives you a laid out plan of what to review as well. I would keep miquon as a supplement with CLE. Any thoughts on how to make MM work or convincing me to switch to CLE because it would be a better fit???

Check out the Salsa Spanish videos and there are lesson plans from Wyoming Education ( I think it's Wyoming).

I really like the art books by MaryAnn Kohl, even the ones geared towards the younger kids would still be fun for older kids. There are a lot go great projects to do with just regular art supplies.

Yes, we definitely talk through the steps of the math problems she is working on whether it's the ones she does while using the manipulatives or the ones she has already memorized. It does help to understand what is going on and why it works out that why which is why I love the manipulatives and conceptual math programs. Before having my kids I taught in the local school system, but the math we used there was so different than the math I chose for my kids to use (Math Mammoth and Miquon), so I just wanted to make sure the manipulatives would not hurt them in the long run.

How about getting a unit study on it as your base then adding onto it from there with other things you find making a PDF form for them. Homeschool Bits has great ones that are very inexpensive that are great alone or to build off of to make more of a meaty unit study.

Okay, that's great! I was hoping it was okay since she has so much fun using them. I do notice during games she will call it the answer to some that I didn't even realize she knew, but for her worksheets I think she prefers to use them to spice it up a little since the page might look 'boring' haha!

Is it okay to let your child use manipulatives for problems that do not say to use them or have pictures for them? My dc is in 1st grade math and she knows some math facts, but not all yet, not close, but if she has a manipulative (abacus/c-rods) she enjoys the math so much better, actually has fun doing it, and understands it. So is there any reason I should not let her use them, and "drill" the facts more. I'd much prefer not to, but I guess I am just second guessing myself letting her have them for problems where, I guess, they should be able to do them with out pictures or manipulatives.

I really the bible curriculums from Notgrass.

I second the Toca Boca games and math museum.

What a wonderful list! I have animal loving kids!