Today nathan called me out to help him with a computer problem (mouse problem, not clicking sometimes).... and I watched what he was doing. I had NO CLUE what it was... atomic and molecular sentences and word sentences. Logic stuff.
Definitely not anything I would have even thought to expose him to. He was getting correct answers, and I was like "huh?" lol
It is just recent that he is getting to much more challenging thoughts and processes... but I think it was beneficial for him to work through some of the easier stuff. A lot of it builds on previous concepts and ideas. So I am glad Nate started with 'easy' stuff.
I'm reading with interest. I hear lots of good things about EPGY, and also a smattering of "eh" things. For us, I know that if they put Sam in the 2nd/3rd grade stuff just because of his age, it would be a disaster, and that alone would stop me from enrolling.
ATM we're using a combination of Aleks, TT, Life of Fred, and some Zaccaro books. It was mentioned that folks like EPGY because it provides objective documentation that your kid is working on a certain level; Aleks does this as well (for $20/m), and even maps to my state's math standards if I want to print out reports. I just thought I'd mention it in case anyone wanted to check it out.
I will say I'm not overwhelmed, but we like it enough still, if that makes sense. Erik, in 3rd grade now, is still working well below his level, but at the same time I think he's cementing some concepts he's never really learned, just sort of knew (I'm not sure how. ) I imagine when we hit the 4th grade level, and for sure in 5th grade level, he'll be covering new things.
He asks to do it almost every day now, though, so the drudgery of the 1st grade stuff (it really was drudgery....) is now past.
Tara, is Aleks a standard math curric? Does it concentrate on mental math and deeper concepts, or go through math as any standard curric would? Is it self-paced? I'll go look at the website and see, too.
I am seriously considering ALEKS for Austin again next year (in addition to TT Algebra). I don't think he would test into EPGY.
EPGY definitely comes at the instruction with a gifted child in mind. It's just presented differently. ALEKS is pretty simple, no frills, basic math course. I did love it because I could see where Austin was at any given time, it was to the point, it was simple to use, it adjusted to whatever his level was (similar to EPGY). Oh, and the reports were nice, too.
So for Austin and Nate - both will be doing TT Algebra (I think they are ready, they are taking the assessment tonight) along with EPGY (Nate) and ALEKS (Austin). We will also be doing some really cool math games/activities.
I think you homeschoolers should definitely give feedback to EPGY about how to better meet the need of the homeschooled child. For instance, when you say that they're working at X grade, that probably means they've already covered the material in grades below that. Kids in out-of-home school situations might not have covered all of the material, even if they are advanced. Kwim? I think it's good for Erik that way. But he's not getting much math at all in school right now, and we've not really done any curric at home since Singapore 1A and B. So there ARE concepts he's missed, and I can see why they want everyone to start at "appropriate" grade level.
I think you homeschoolers should definitely give feedback to EPGY about how to better meet the need of the homeschooled child. For instance, when you say that they're working at X grade, that probably means they've already covered the material in grades below that. Kids in out-of-home school situations might not have covered all of the material, even if they are advanced. Kwim? I think it's good for Erik that way. But he's not getting much math at all in school right now, and we've not really done any curric at home since Singapore 1A and B. So there ARE concepts he's missed, and I can see why they want everyone to start at "appropriate" grade level.
I agree.
Nathan is now working on long division. We did it at the end of last school year. BUT... the WAY they are showing it is really incorporating a lot of other ideas. AND... they are exposing him to a lot of stuff I never would have thought of - the whole set idea for the operations and the atomic and molecular sentences. Those are just a couple of things. And I do love that it walks him through - if he gets 5 in a row right, he's done. (ALEKS worked similarly in their mastery)
I plan on giving his teacher some more feedback at the end of the school year. He will have done 2 'years' worth in 6-7 months... and only 3 times a week most weeks.
Military wife of a deployed soldier. 
) I imagine when we hit the 4th grade level, and for sure in 5th grade level, he'll be covering new things. 
Linear Mode
