I'm signing up my 11 and 13 year olds for Derek Owens Algebra I. Has anyone opted for the parent-graded option? You get a 50% discount, but then I have 3 other kids including a 2 year old so I'm wondering how much work it is and why people opt to have Derek Owens do the grading. My 11 year old is young but has completed up to Pre-algebra and that's just the level he's at. I'm not sure if this would make a difference in my decision. TIA.

Thank you so much for all your input! I'd say my students are pretty strong in math as well; it's never been a struggle for them. One more question - about how much time do you spend sitting with your student and teaching them the concepts or working with them when you use Foersters?

Do you think a student who took a pre-algebra course that I'd describe as "adequate" is prepared for Foerster, or would you recommend they do MUS algebra or geometry as further preparation? I'm deciding between Derek Owens and Foerster for both students but wondering if MUS would be helpful first.

MUS is one I was strongly considering. Thanks!

Is Foerster's pretty straight forward to teach? I'm wondering if my oldest would benefit from videos or any other supplement.

I'm thinking of discontinuing using SM with my 3rd boy and switching to something else. He HATES SM but is a good math student overall. Do you have any thoughts about switching to Horizons in 4th grade/after SM 3B?

My 3rd boy HATES math - well Singapore Math. I used Singapore Math Primary Mathematics for my older 2 boys up through 6B. My 3rd boy actually does well in math, but SM is a stretch for him. (He is very artistic, is sensitive to noises, doesn't like to read much, he's kind of a horse of a different color in our family.) Part of this complaining is a character issue and I WILL continue to be addressing that, although I switched the family to CTC Math for 6 months last year and he was so much happier and never complained. I don't want to continue with CTC because I don't think there is enough explanation into why you do it this way, and it doesn't encourage mathematical thinking like SM. I am comfortable teaching, but I do have 3 younger children also including a 2 year old so I just don't want to deal with drama! Honestly, I also like the idea of switching because it feels like a fresh start. I have ALWAYS had a stick-with-the-math-curriculum mindset with my kids but it just feels freeing to look at other options. First of all, it's okay to switch for these reasons, right? And what should we switch to? Also, I'd probably have his little sister switch also so I'm not juggling different math curriculum. She's starting 1st grade next year but is half way through SM 1A.

I'm trying to figure out Algebra 1 for my 2 boys next year: Both have completed Singapore Math up through 6B, and I feel like we've been floundering since finishing that a year ago. We tried AOPS Pre-algebra. It felt like we were slogging through. Neither one liked it and really don't want to return to it. I felt like it was too difficult for them to do simple equations like (-4) x 3 = -12. It didn't seem to be sinking in. Based on friends' recommendations we stopped AOPS about 1/3 of the way through the book I think? and we did CTC Math Pre-algebra. This they liked better, but I didn't like how there was no mathematical thinking/reasoning, no explaining WHY this is what you do. But it did help them get faster and more proficient with basic equations! Neither boy "loves math." They just do it 🙂 Now I'm looking for a good option for them for Algebra 1. Boy #1: Age 13 - more emotional and prone to get frustrated with math, and take shortcuts if he can, but his ability is actually there. He has liked more help in the past but has gotten more independent and capable as he gets older. He is much more literary, well-rounded. Boy #2: Age 11 - typically outperforms his older brother in math. Is like a machine with math - just does the work, no drama. He's really good at math! But he didn't like AOPS because it felt too slow, and honestly he doesn't like to have to work that long LOL. But I do think a part of it was me trying to teach it. I love algebra but it wasn't scheduled and planned out enough for me. Now he doesn't want to do AOPS again. I'd like something challenging enough for him though, but without killing any interest he has in math. Where do we go from here?

I'm trying to figure out Algebra 1 for my 2 boys next year: Both have completed Singapore Math up through 6B, and I feel like we've been floundering since finishing that a year ago. We tried AOPS Pre-algebra. It felt like we were slogging through. Neither one liked it and really don't want to return to it. I felt like it was too difficult for them to do simple equations like (-4) x 3 = -12. It didn't seem to be sinking in. Based on friends' recommendations we stopped AOPS about 1/3 of the way through the book I think? and we did CTC Math Pre-algebra. This they liked better, but I didn't like how there was no mathematical thinking/reasoning, no explaining WHY this is what you do. But it did help them get faster and more proficient with basic equations! Neither boy "loves math." They just do it 🙂 Now I'm looking for a good option for them for Algebra 1. Boy #1: Age 13 - more emotional and prone to get frustrated with math, and take shortcuts if he can, but his ability is actually there. He has liked more help in the past but has gotten more independent and capable as he gets older. He is much more literary, well-rounded. Boy #2: Age 11 - typically outperforms his older brother in math. Is like a machine with math - just does the work, no drama. He's really good at math! But he didn't like AOPS because it felt too slow, and honestly he doesn't like to have to work that long LOL. But I do think a part of it was me trying to teach it. I love algebra but it wasn't scheduled and planned out enough for me. Now he doesn't want to do AOPS again. I'd like something challenging enough for him though, but without killing any interest he has in math. Where do we go from here?

Is there a place online where Singapore Math has a list of errors in their Teacher Manuals/Answer Keys? I know I've spotted a couple of errors over the years. We're using Extra Practice 5 this year and I cannot figure out how they arrived at the answer given in the Answer Key in the back of the book. I double checked our work, but we keep getting a different answer than the one given. Can anyone tell me if they know the answer, or what answer you get when you try to solve it? Curious if we are wrong or the book is wrong ;) It's Exercise 46 #9: In the rectangular tank shown below, the volume of the water only is 19.2 liters. When the iron ball is removed from the tank, the water level drops by 5 cm. Find the volume of the iron ball. (1 liter = 1,000 cm3). (The rectangle shown has a length of 40 cm and the water's height level (with the ball in the tank) is 20 cm.)

This thread has been really interesting. I read WTM when my oldest was a preschooler and followed pretty much all of SWB's recommendations for him and his brother. That was my first introduction to classical education. A Fast forward 8 years to today... I came to the conclusion that I love SWB but disagree about centering on history. I tried MP but prefer the WTM curriculum and outline of teaching writing. I have always combined this with Cindy Rollins' morning time practice and memory work. I liked how MP included great literature, without worrying about what historical period it discusses. I have recently been looking for a booklist-type curriculum like AO or AGF but I have decided to use some of MP's literature, WTM recommendations for skill subjects, continue reading SOTW for now and fill in with some more nonfiction books, and just read all the good literature I can find. My 2 oldest are 10 and 9 and they devour books. I think my oldest has never encountered a story he didn't like 😂 they read a ton of nonfiction books, including history and science. We go to the library once every week or two and I akways make sure they pick out at least one fairy tale, history, science, and biography book. They often pick more science books or books about war. 😂 My 10 year old just finished reading The Sign of the Beaver and started Centerburg Tales. He loves Hardy Boys too. My 9 year old just finished reading the Narnia series, which I read aloud about 4 years ago. For read alouds, I use both old and new books. We're reading The Secret Garden right now because I've always wanted to read it in the spring and now I get to watch the movie again with them 😂 Anyway, I'm not sure if this is helpful at all. I just understand where you're coming from. Also, what podcast are you referring to from Angelina Stanford? Can anyone post a link? Thanks!

For a while now, I have wanted an all-in-one curriculum to work for me and my kids, ages PreK-6th grade next year. I tried Memoria Press and have looked extensively into Tapestry of Grace, Sonlight, My Father's World, etc. None of them seemed to be the right fit. I FINALLY realized that what I am really looking for is a BOOKLIST. We have our skill subjects pretty well covered with Singapore Math, WTM/IEW Language Arts, and MP Latin. But having great books already lined up for me for the year would be so helpful. Reading really brings our family a lot of joy, and I want us to begin to highlight our encounters with great IDEAS and CONTENT more in our homeschool. I'm mostly looking for: 1. Read alouds - history, science, biographies, literature, Bible, art, etc. read alouds for my 6th, 5th, and 2nd graders. We're doing MasterBooks biology science with our co-op and Story of the World 3 at home with Dad. I'd love some good books to supplement these subjects - related to our topic or not. I also want to bring a broader variety of subjects to our read alouds. I haven't read too many nonfiction read alouds over the years - we have great a ton of great literature and will continue to do so. 2. Books for my 6th and 5th graders to read independently. My 6th grader is a voracious reader so just keeping good books in stock for him is a challenge right now. My 5th grader is beginning to amp up his reading also. 3. I want to look more into narration and outlining and other ways to gain a rich experience with our reading as well. I've recently been drawn to A Gentle Feast, but I don't know if it is just more than I need. I have looked at Ambleside Online before, but I was hesitant about the books. (It is nice that it is free though :) Do you all have any recommendations for me? What am I looking for??

Did you buy a supplies kit for SIB? Or did you compile supplies at the beginning of the year? Do you typically like living books in your family, and if so did you incorporate any in addition to the SIB book? SIB is not getting done in my house, mostly because I never have supplies immediately available. But I think I'm also not as excited about the textbook-similar format of the book versus books we just pick up from the library. Just curious how it works in your home ;)

I didn't mean to say being emotional is a character flaw. I meant being lazy or being unwilling to do a reasonable amount of work without drama is a character flaw. Just to clarify. I worded it that way on my original post to make it clear that I'm not just looking to lighten his load and make all things enjoyable for him, because I just won't be able to do that for any of my kids - that's not how life works. And I want him to grow up to be a responsible adult. Thanks for the advice about giving him a break from WWE, that might be a good plan. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

This is a different issue, but I've also been noticing differences between Charlotte Mason and Julie Bogart's style of narration and SWB's, and I'm wondering what you all think. Should narration be regurgitated memorized facts and end up looking the same for every student, or should they reflect the personality of the narrator and be unique for each student? Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

At least we're not the only ones 😉 Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I'm contemplating what writing curriculum is best for my 2nd grader, and I'd love your advice. We are about halfway through WWE2, and my son is handling the copywork, dictation, and narration fine, but he complains about writing every day. His writing is quite neat, his hand doesn't hurt, but if anything his writing seems to be getting a little messier as he takes less satisfaction in it. He whines whenever I say it's time for writing. He is my more emotional child, and I understand this is a character flaw in him, so I don't necessarily blame the curriculum. I know there are things we just have to press through with our kids, because they need to be done and our children need to learn to be responsible and work diligently. But I'm wondering if another curriculum might be better suited to him. He whined through a lot of OPGTTR, but he got through it and is now a very good reader. But for that curriculum, it was helpful for us both for me to bring something "fun" to phonics, like writing the words out on a whiteboard or using Bananagram tiles. I'm not sure what I can do with WWE to make it more interesting for him, or if I even should do so. Or if something else would be a better fit for him. A little more about my son: he is good at math, loves to read and learn about things, and always loves stories. He also enjoys history, drawing, and science. He can narrate back to me very well - he likes to go fast and animatedly, and tell the story with pretty good vocabulary. (I'm not sure the structure of WWE in leading them to summarize the main point of the passage is serving him well - it's just more questions. This is my own uncertainty with him - I feel like he might be better off if I just said, "What do you think was the main point?" and kind of lead him there.) I'm going to change his routine and put writing in the morning when his mind is fresh and it will be out of our way. He complains about the actual writing, which I know is not heavy, but I thought that if he were more engaged with the curriculum maybe it wouldn't seem like such a burden. He doesn't complain about writing for FLL or when we write a letter to someone. What do you think? Is this something where I just trust the curriculum and stick with it? Or is there something that might be better suited to him? If I should switch, when should I do so? Thank you for your thoughts!

We decided on London and Paris. What do we not want to miss? Where should we stay? Hotel or VRBO? I think we'll go in early June. 😊 Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

No, he's in the textbook publishing industry - which isn't doing well, so we're not sure if we'll make it to 10 years. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Another trip!! 😊 Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Thank you, I agree about CA. We're leaning toward Europe. I appreciate your advice about staying in England also. That is a great option. It seems less stressful, too, which we value at this stage of our lives. 😉 Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Hubby gets a company anniversary trip to briefly visit the office in London. The company gives us 2 plane tickets and $1500 to spend, plus extra time off work. Hubby went on a short trip to London for work, but we've never been to Europe apart from that. We'll be traveling with our 1 year old and leaving our older 3 boys with my parents. Where would you visit, besides London? Any advice for traveling with a 1 yo? Where do I even start with my research?!?!? And what would we not want to miss in London, or other parts of England? We probably want to be gone about a week-ish.

True, I think it would be great to have a nice get-away with my husband. It's been a long time since we've gone somewhere kid-free. What other place would you see besides London - maybe Paris? Any other ideas? Hubby is not too enthused about Paris. Can anyone change his mind? 😉 Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

As a company 5 year anniversary gift, my husband gets 2 plane tickets and $1500 to spend on a trip to visit (quick stop-by) one of his company's offices, either in LA (Ventura County) or London. We have 4 kids - 7, 6, 3, and a 1 year old. The older 3 can come with us to CA or stay with my parents. The 1 year old will need to come with us. We moved to NC 4 years ago from CA. My husband works from home but frequently travels to the CA office, so it wouldn't really feel like a vacation to him if we spent too long in that area. So we would probably see a few family members, visit the office, and then head to Orange County or San Diego with the kids and enjoy the beach, zoo, maybe Disneyland, etc. Hubby has taken a quick work trip to London, but other than that we've never been to Europe. So... Do we go for a European vacation with a 1 year-old? Is that doable and worth it? Any tips for how to do that? What parts of Europe would you travel to? I've even considered a cruise, but I can't decide if that would make it easier with our baby girl or not. Or, do we go for a family California trip? Where would you go, what would you do? Feel free to link to other relevant threads. I couldn't pull up much in my search. Thanks for your input!

We are a non-denominational Christian family. What could I do for daily devotions/Bible study for a 2nd grader and 1st grader (with a Pre K'er who tags along a bit)? Any resources to use with them, or books I could read that discuss the subject? We've done a children's doctrine book published by Moody called Devotions for the Children's Hour, and The Children's Book of Virtues, and we've read through Luke and Matthew and most of Proverbs. We sing a couple hymns and pray together but haven't found a good rhythm since we finished our doctrine book. Christian families, what do you do? Read straight from the Bible, or a children's Bible, or use another book or curriculum? Also, when do you start having your kids read a Bible on their own? Do you require it? TIA. â˜ºï¸ Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk