Thanks again for taking on this project. As requested, here is a SC 1-3 thread 
I would like to see scheduled and purposeful inclusion of manipulatives into the math. This would help, I think, with moving from the concrete to abstract expression and use of numbers. Also, a problem we've had with R&S math (and many, many other math programs) is that they move from 1+1=2 to 1+?=2 very quickly. I understand that everyone is trying to move algebraic thinking to the younger grades but my daughter just really couldn't manage this. R&S groups their addition problems by fact families of things that equal 3 or that equal 5, etc... What's been working better for her is more like adding +0, +1, +2 problems. After this gets cemented she has been able to do an occasional algebraic type question.
I'm not sure how far you plan to include hands-on type activities (I think the website mentions "younger levels"). I hope this includes at least level 1/Kindergarten. Having things to see or move around has helped her comprehend and remember data, and sequence and discuss story lines.
Other thoughts: songs or other memory helps to assist those who don't memorize easily. Reading comprehension questions (even for read-alouds) that are simpler but grow in difficulty. Or at least directions on how to cut down or modify the questions that are part of the standard programs.
I'm certain others will have more and better specifics for these and higher grades. Thank you again!
(re Math: for me, you may remember we had moved to Shiller after lots of trials and errors with other programs. She did well with it. Especially with all the manipulatives. She finished the first level fairly quickly but I have gotten too frustrated with typos and other problems to continue using it. Personally I'm not fond of spiral but it seems to help her with lots of little review. I haven't done higher levels, of course, so we may end up with the frustration you mentioned with Michelle about spiral seeming haphazard.
I had planned to move to Saxon since it's a well-known program and it incorporates manipulatives. It ended up on backorder and in the meantime, I have tried CLE math. If nothing else, I'm very happy with the small increments of new material but especially because they leave the algebraic addition problems out for quite awhile.)

I would like to see scheduled and purposeful inclusion of manipulatives into the math. This would help, I think, with moving from the concrete to abstract expression and use of numbers. Also, a problem we've had with R&S math (and many, many other math programs) is that they move from 1+1=2 to 1+?=2 very quickly. I understand that everyone is trying to move algebraic thinking to the younger grades but my daughter just really couldn't manage this. R&S groups their addition problems by fact families of things that equal 3 or that equal 5, etc... What's been working better for her is more like adding +0, +1, +2 problems. After this gets cemented she has been able to do an occasional algebraic type question.
I'm not sure how far you plan to include hands-on type activities (I think the website mentions "younger levels"). I hope this includes at least level 1/Kindergarten. Having things to see or move around has helped her comprehend and remember data, and sequence and discuss story lines.
Other thoughts: songs or other memory helps to assist those who don't memorize easily. Reading comprehension questions (even for read-alouds) that are simpler but grow in difficulty. Or at least directions on how to cut down or modify the questions that are part of the standard programs.
I'm certain others will have more and better specifics for these and higher grades. Thank you again!
(re Math: for me, you may remember we had moved to Shiller after lots of trials and errors with other programs. She did well with it. Especially with all the manipulatives. She finished the first level fairly quickly but I have gotten too frustrated with typos and other problems to continue using it. Personally I'm not fond of spiral but it seems to help her with lots of little review. I haven't done higher levels, of course, so we may end up with the frustration you mentioned with Michelle about spiral seeming haphazard.
I had planned to move to Saxon since it's a well-known program and it incorporates manipulatives. It ended up on backorder and in the meantime, I have tried CLE math. If nothing else, I'm very happy with the small increments of new material but especially because they leave the algebraic addition problems out for quite awhile.)
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