Comments on: Back to (Home) School 2010: Curriculum

By: Roscommon Acres » Blog Archive » The third day of school

Roscommon Acres » Blog Archive » The third day of school — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:29:10 +0000

[...] Dana Well, school is back in session for the Hanley children. This year marks a number of changes, but so far mom is [...]

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:53:36 +0000

Thanks for the info about the poultry club. I need to check in to something like this for our daughter since we have started a small flock.
Blessings
Diane
.-= Diane´s last blog ..Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy =-.

By: missmoe

missmoe — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:27:59 +0000

I haven't used any of your choices, but did want to comment on the anticipation of the beginning of school. It's one of the things I love about homeschooling. The fresh start each school year is refreshing! I also love your chicken project. I have a friend that raises quite a few different breeds of chickens. It's quite interesting to learn about all the differences between the breeds. Thanks for taking the time to share your plans! .-= missmoe´s last blog ..Declare Your Curriculum! =-.

By: Robin E.

Robin E. — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:52:21 +0000

All About Spelling is amazing. Two of my kids (so far) really need the multisensory approach it offers, but if it wasn’t for the everything-planned-and-ready-to-go aspect of it I know I wouldn’t get it done regularly enough to make a difference for my kids. I hope it works as well for you and yours as it has worked for me and mine.

Thank you for sharing on the NOT Back-to-School blog hop.
.-= Robin E.´s last blog ..Curriculum Week =-.

By: soultravelers3

soultravelers3 — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:01:56 +0000

Hello! I just stumbled upon your blog post and love the things that you picked. I really find it exciting to find the perfect things too, but I usually tend to over due it because it all looks so good.

We travel the world now as we homeschool, so I can’t buy everything I want, but I still love reading about it all. I still have too many bookmarks and books about homeschool ideas.
.-= soultravelers3´s last blog ..Darling Dordogne- Vacation Holiday in France =-.

By: Dana

Dana — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 02:57:08 +0000

Processing is what this blog is all about, so process away!

I think having been a teacher makes it much easier to go out on your own, make your own curriculum and tweak it to suit your needs. I don’t do as well with modifying it, but I always wrote a lot of my own things in the classroom, using the textbooks more like a resource.

Congratulations on the twins! It will be nice to have the time off when they arrive without feeling guilty. I took the time off last time, but felt bad for not doing much the whole time!
.-= Dana´s last blog ..Back to Home School 2010- Curriculum =-.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:22:34 +0000

This is my first year to homeschool. I taught high school at a private Christian school for a few years before I started having babies. I like curriculum, but since I am solely in charge now, I see its downfalls. I always supplemented when I was in the classroom, especially in Bible and English (I primarily taught English). I didn’t always gel with the viewpoints of some of the textbooks–especially the anti-Catholic bent and the terminology used for American Indians (i.e. savages). However, it does help me to have something to follow.

My son is in kindergarten, and after talking to so many mommies, I heard the same thing over and over–”keep it simple”. So, I have tried to do that. Actually, I am disappointed in my phonics/reading curriculum (A Beka), not because it isn’t good, but because my kid is advanced. This is all trial and error for me, so it is a good learning experience. I’m also disappointed with math (Bob Jones) because I feel like it is overwhelming. And so much is review! Either my kid is really smart, or I just taught him stuff without realizing it!

What I’ve found though, is that I am learning so much about my son and his strengths and weaknesses. I am also learning about myself–what I like and don’t like, what I will do differently next year, and what I WON’T spend money on! It helps me to see what they need to learn, so I can make sure it happens. So, I guess it hasn’t been a horrible investment–I’ve actually learned a lot.

We are expecting twins around New Year’s, so I started school a month ago so I could take off a little extra time when they arrive. We’ve been doing school for four weeks, and my son has completed 8 weeks worth of phonics/reading curriculum with NO NEW MATERIAL INTRODUCED (all I did with him prior was a Hooked on Phonics beginning reading program) and 6 weeks worth of math curriculum. I’ve just doubled up lessons until we get to unfamiliar waters. I also just started Handwriting without Tears, and it is going well. For Bible, we memorize a verse each week, and my lesson each day is stuff I come up with to help him understand the verse, what it is saying, and how we can apply it.

Sorry this is so long. I think I’m just processing all of this myself. Glad I stopped by!

By: Dusti

Dusti — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:18:38 +0000

Looks like you have some great plans. I so know what you mean about it all looking perfect in July. I love looking at curriculum and find this is a good time to reflect on why we homeschool.
My hope is my plan will still feel perfect in November.
.-= Dusti ´s last blog ..Back to home school 2010-11 year curriculum plan =-.

By: Dana

Dana — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:02:56 +0000

Pricey, but it does come with a lot of little manipulatives. Some tagboard punch outs but the letter tiles are a plastic that looks like it should last a while and you don't need a second book for a second child. Since we have a few more coming along behind, that is a huge consideration! .-= Dana´s last blog ..Back to Home School 2010- Curriculum =-.

By: Kara @ Home With Purpose

Kara @ Home With Purpose — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:01:45 +0000

Looks like a great year! I'm seriously considering All About Spelling for my reluctant speller. It looks great, but it's a little pricey. .-= Kara @ Home With Purpose´s last blog ..Weekly Wrap-Up 73010- Attempting to Gear Up For the New School Year =-.