Okay. Thanks for clearing that up.

Does anyone know if I can use his violin/piano lessons as music on his IHIP, and swimming/sport classes for PE? I would like to, but I'm not sure if I can.

Thanks! If I don't use a curriculum, I don't know how the state will approve my request to home school. I was planning to write the books he'd use for schooling on the IHIP. I actually created an account with KhanAcademy, but haven't used it yet. My son actually plays chess and takes piano and violin lessons. I want him to continue doing that. Thanks again.

That is wonderful!!!! My son just turned 5 last week, and he is doing beginning algebra (solving for x in simple addition, subtraction, and multiplication equations). Did your son also learn how to do algebra in more complex equations (multiplication, division, fractions, square roots, etc.)?

I heard many great things about that book. I heard that many parents taught from that book rather than investing in Jones Geniuses. However, I'm not sure if I should just let him go to a Soroban class, or if I should have him learn both Soroban and Jones Geniuses. I'm not sure if it's sensible for him to learn two different ways to do mental math.

Thank you for your response! That is an amazing video of your son!!!

Hello everyone,

I am interested in helping my son learn mental math. I was planning on starting with Jones Geniuses. However, I have found a Soroban/Abacus class that I want to enroll him in. Should I still buy Jones Geniuses for him? Does it make sense for him to learn both, or would it just cause confusion?

What types of mental math did you try with your children? How were the results?

Thanks!

Thanks, everyone. I am actually in NYC, but can't seem to find any Soroban schools.

I will look more into Classical Conversations. I really like the fact that 7 facts are presented each week.

SOTW may be a good history curriculum for us. I will most likely get the activity book, too.

Thanks, everyone!

Thank you for such a great wealth of information. I have heard many great things about FLL Levels 1 and 2. I like that they are completely oral, so I think I'll be using those.

For math, I am thinking about using Singapore Math. I am also very interested in Soroban/Abacus math and would love to find a class for him nearby.

I really like the science website you provided. I looked through the first grade textbook and activity book, and I really like them. I also like that it's free!

I really like the SheppardsSoftware website. I looked through it today, and the U.S. Map Puzzle gained my son's attention. It's definitely something I am interested in using. I also plan to buy the Evan Moor workbooks.

I have never heard of blobbing before, but it's definitely something I would love for my son to do. I just need to figure out how to get him started with that!

Again, thanks for all of your suggestions. They are all very helpful and I will be using a lot, if not most, of them!

I plan to homeschool my son this September. He will be 5 years old. I am just overwhelmed and don't know what I should use for him. He is really a bright boy (for instance, he was reading since age 2 and now reads chapter books; he knows how to solve very early algebra, such as 100-x=98 or 2+x=6). I want to make sure that I continue helping him to learn. Are there any curriculums you recommend for kindergarten? Or are there any good curriculums you used with your children? I'm looking for any advice. Thanks!

Hello everyone. I'm interested in teaching my 3 year old how to play chess. Has anyone taught a toddler/preschooler or young child how to play chess?

Do you know any chess programs, books, videos, etc. that may help teach a young child?

I think it'll be good to start on a big chess set (rather than the smaller, classic sized board).

Any thoughts?

I still don't know whether I should get the rightstart basic kit or the mathtacular kit. The RS has lessons to follow, whereas the mathtacular kit just has manipulatives. I don't think Mathtacular has lessons, unless they are on the DVD?

I also tried pricing all the RS items kerileann99 mentioned above. For some reason, I cannot find the RS A manual in the online store, but the other level manuals are $45. Altogether, the price of these separate items are very close to the price of the entire basic program (the price came to $100, but the whole package is $110). So unfortunately, I cannot afford to buy this and the Mathtacular kit. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

I might end up buying the RS basic kit and Mathtacular DVDs for now. Next month,hopefully, I can buy the Mathtacular kit to use along with the DVDs. The in a few months, I might incorporate jones Geniuses. Does this sound like a good plan?

Thanks for reminding me about Mathtacular. I am interested in that DVD also. I see that there is a Mathtacular kit, too. Does anyone have experience with this kit?

I understand parents buying many different kits. I would, too, but money is tight right now. I'm a stay at home mom and I'm expecting another baby in November. Since my husband is the only one working, we have to save some money for the baby. Everyone knows how expensive those little ones are!! Lol

So it seems I will buy the Rightstart basic A kit first. I will also try to buy my son a math DVD. He already has the Leapfrog 'MathAdventure to the Moon,' but it's too advanced for him. So Mathtacular might be what I need.

I have a few counting and math apps on my iPad. I also show him counting videos on YouTube. In the future, I might incorporate more/other math programs (maybe in December, for Christmas) . Hopefully this will be enough to teach him for now! I'm excited!

Thank you everyone! It seems like Rightstart is the way to go. I plan on eventually incorporating Jones Geniuses though. If I add JG in 6 months, do you think this is okay? Or is that too long? I just don't know when I'd be able to afford it.

And thanks, kerileanne99, for the suggestion of a digital abacus! I didn't think of that. I think the my son wil be  fine with the digital abacus. It's probably just the noise (when the abacus shakes) that scares him.

Can you recommend which Rightstart kit I should begin with? I see that there is a basic and deluxe kit. The deluxe starter kit is a bit expensive, around $200. If I have to spend that amount, I was wondering if I could just buy the basic kit and the downloadable JG. This way I will have both programs. What do you think?

Thanks everyone! I appreciate it!! I like the ixl site, although my son can it use the site yet. However, the concepts on it are great. I might use that as an outline to teach him myself.

I thought about buying the digital JG to save on money, too. How do you get the program? Can you just download it onto one computer, or is it linked to your account?

MathStart sounds great too. Are there any books in particular you recommend? I cannot afford to buy them all at the same time. Also, how long are the books? Do they tells story, then ask questions as you read? I can't really find info on these books.

Miquon math seems a little advanced. Is it adaptable for a 2 year old?

Thank you. Where do you start with miquon math? I looked on the website but cannot find any information. I can't use Rightstart because it has the abacus (I don't know why they frighten my son. He isn't afraid of anything at all except that .. Weird).

MathStart also looks great. I like that it's math incorporated with reading.

Thank you! And yes, I've read both threads and they're full of valuable information. I might just get JG.. I just need some reassurance before I go spend $100 on the program. Thanks.

Hello.  I'm interested in teaching my 24 month old how to do math. However, there are so many programs and it's just overwhelming. I am looking for just ONE program that will be effective. So far, I am most interested in Jones Genius. Is this alone enough to teach math?

Also, what exactly does the program teach a beginner? Does it teach numbers? Counting? Basic arithmetic? Why do you suggest this program?

My toddler already knows how to count up to 30 (possibly more, but I've only heard him count to 30 aloud) and recognizes/knows numbers. So I would love if he can start adding, subtracting, etc this year.

I cannot afford multiple programs and I'm afraid that if I buy too many, I will not use them anyway (this also goes for reading). Can I use Jones Geniuses (or another program) alone, with absolutely no other (not even an abacus. For some reason my son is afraid of them )  and teach my son well?

I am a stay-at-home mom and daily, I make my son review the alphabet, sight words, numbers, & reading. Now I'd like to add math to our "curriculum." Thanks!