Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources EPGY vs CTY math at K-1 level?

Does anyone have any recommendations as far as CTY vs. EPGY (vs. something else) for math at the K-1 level? Is one any better than the other? I am looking for something fun (recognizing that my daughter has a very warped definition of fun) for enrichment at home --

The first thing I noticed when looking at these programs were the prices! EPGY tops the list, followed closely by CTY. (Our nickels definitely have to be considered) We opted for Time4learning.com as its only $19.95 a month and you can accelerate as far and as fast as you wish.

We opted for Singapore math because the workbooks are very reasonably priced and very hands with the use of manipulatives and home items so there is a good conceptual foundation. We then added ALEKS quicktables with the thought that we will move the younger kids to a combination of Singapore math and ALEKS. We may eventually move away from workbooks and use the HEY! Math program instead, we'll see how that goes. We decided with the cost of those classes to reserve them for when they are older. My oldest DD is looking at a learning links class this summer to see how they are presented and how she does. We are thinking of a CTY science class in the next year. She has done very well with ALEKS and some Singapore math.

FYI, K-5 CTY math is licensed directly from EPGY. The entire interface is EPGY. Only difference is that you get a CTY rather than an EPGY tutor, and CTY has its own written (as opposed to online)final exams. Because it's licensed, it's cheaper to get it directly from EPGY.

As for science at CTY, that's CyberEd. They mark it up 8000% from what you could get from Homeschool Buyer's Co-Op (I bought it for $32 for a year vs. $640 for 3 months) but it's no longer available. However, HSBC is negotiating to buy it and sell it themselves, so watch their website for bargains. www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.com You don't get a tutor and the software doesn't keep track of your child's progress, but doesn't seem to make a difference to us. Also, even though CTY says 5th grade math is a prerequisite, we've seen no math in life science or earth and space science.

We have been looking at CTY math for summer, because DS6 cannot fathom 3 months without math. I'll have to check back into EPGY if it's cheaper. I looked at it a couple of years ago and just remember thinking "WOW!"

Why is it that all gifted kid programs assume that the parents have lots of money?

Thanks questions! I saw the other day when I was looking that one of the classes they were using CyberEd Plato in the demo for CTY and was thinking the same thing. I use www.homeschoolbuyerscoop.org a lot. The fact that they mentioned the math was the only thing holding me back with the last group buy. Dang! I sure hope they get that again. I will email about it before I forget.