Curriculum questions

[Janelless]

My daughter is six and doing some first grade work now. In reviewing my order for next year I have a couple of questions.

First Math...she either loves or hates it (depends on the minute/second) but does very very well at it. Catches on way quick. I've chosen Singapore based on what I've reviewed, seen, and read. But do I really need the extra practice and the challenging word problems? My dh lost a toe due to Gangrene in Feb and we're still trying to recoup our financial losses since Aflac decided so kindly NOT to pay. Can I make due with the student book, teacher's guide and supplement with living math books and the Family Math book I have already from this year?

Question 2 - debating between FLL and Queens Language Lessons for the Very Young. She's gifted word/language wise. Way. Ready for grammar, and way quick to catch on. Making older cousin's mad because she's helping them read:001_smile: There's pros and con's of both...but any thoughts you might have on the two programs? Don't want to bore the poor thing, because then she starts looking around for trouble to get into.

Everything else I've got covered and figured out, but those two are puzzling me.

Thanks,
Janelle

[anabelneri]

Hello... My dd is just finishing up 1st grade, and sounds a lot like yours in some ways.

Singapore Math -- If I were on a strict budget, I'd get the textbook, skip the workbook and the extra practice book, but get the Intensive Practice book for each level. The Intensive Practice book covers the same topics, but does it at a more challenging level.

Also, go look at MEP (http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mepres/primary/default.htm), which is free and very good. It's now our primary curriculum for math, though we still use the Intensive Practice books from Singapore. I thought it'd be worth mentioning since you're on a budget.

I wouldn't bother with FLL. Dd was done with the whole 1st grade section before Thanksgiving. I haven't used the Queen's program. We're using MCT now, though slowly. I probably only really needed the Grammar Island book for 1st grade; it introduces plenty of material for this year. We've also continued poetry memorization through the year.

I do want to mention that my daughter loves WWE, and I have found it worthwhile to continue all through the year. It has introduced her to a number of lovely books that she has very much enjoyed reading the entirety of (Blue Fairy Book, Caddie Woodlawn, and others), and it does teach some basic language skills such as abbreviations, capitalization, and some punctuation.

Good luck picking your material!

[Janelless]

Thank you for your help. We are working through MEP right now, ok zooming through. So was looking to also supplement along with it. Actually WWE was on my list already to get, so it was good to hear that it's working well! Still undecided about grammar, but have emailed Sandi at Queens Homeschooling to get some questions answered. Would you then recommend Grammar Island?

[anabelneri]

Thank you for your help. We are working through MEP right now, ok zooming through. So was looking to also supplement along with it.

Then I really would stick to the Intensive Practice and maybe whatever they're calling Challenging Word Problems these days. You most likely won't need the textbook/workbooks for SM, though the Home Instructor's Manuals might be interesting for seeing how Singapore teaches the material.

Actually WWE was on my list already to get, so it was good to hear that it's working well! Still undecided about grammar, but have emailed Sandi at Queens Homeschooling to get some questions answered. Would you then recommend Grammar Island?

Let's just say that I feel extremely comfortable with Grammar Island and its companion books. My dd knows the parts of speech and it was a lovely, gentle introduction. She doesn't need the same amount of repetition that other children might need (and that is provided in FLL). Grammar Island doesn't have any poetry memorization built in; we've added that on our own. Between WWE, Grammar Island, and our poetry memorization, we have a very solid 1st grade grammar program as described in TWTM, but at a better pace for my verbal girl. Add in the other books in the Grammar Island level as the budget allows, and it's a solid program all the way through 3rd grade.

Good luck figuring out what's best for your child!