Conference season is right around the corner! What are you longing to look at this year?

I am longing to compare Alpha Omega, Bob Jones and Sonlight curriculums at our state fair this Spring.

Hello! I have never homeschooled before, but I'm starting this fall ~ Can anyone tell me how I find the right curriculum? and how do I find the different choices ~ and the ones that are "good"? I am soooo clueless...that's why I'm starting this now WAAAAYYY before fall! Any help is much appreciated!!! Ya'll will know me well... I'll be "the lady with alllllll the questions!!" Thanks!!

Where and when are conferences in Kansas?

quote:

Originally posted by christinefield:
Conference season is right around the corner! What are you longing to look at this year?

You can find Kansas info at kansashomeschool.org. Looks like a good conference!
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine web site (www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com) has a section called Homeschool Nation. You can click on your state and find conference info and lots more.

Christine

I really need to find a good Government/Economics course -- one that will be interesting for my very artistic daughter. Does anyone have any suggestions?

hey basket case mom, i'm like you... i need suggestions please!

has anyone used 'a reason for handwriting' material? what is the best reading program you've tried and what do you do for a boy who does not care for math! (he's in pre-k/k)

I have a first grader (will be in 2nd this fall) and pre-K (will be in Kindergarten this fall). I really need some ideas where to start. Can anyone point me where to start? Thanks!!

Hello All! I'm a first year HS'er and I went with a "canned" textbook/workbook curriculum for my 1st grader. (To be "safe!" hahaha) We are kinda frustrated with it, so are doing the Weaver Unit Study curriculum this fall. I will be teaching my 2nd grader and preschooler together! ;-)

As far as being nervous about what curriculum you should choose, just pray, pray, pray (and then listen!) about what you should use. Don't expect too much the first year, just take it easy and enjoy learning together. As someone told me, just work on obedience and discipline!

Teaching them at home is a ministry and it's a big and important job. Keep yourself in the Word and things will work out!

Blessings to all of you who are walking down the HS path!

Lori
:-)

Hi Basket Case,
I answered you on another thread to point you in the direction of some Tennessee resource people.
Anyone have any ideas for a government/econ course? You could make this really interesting with the right reading material. Or you could do it quick and easy.
Any ideas?
Christine

My son is taking Economics/Government this year at our homeschool co-op. They are using the "Uncle Eric" books (by Bluestocking Press). I have not read them myself, but he is really loving this class! And this is a kid who thinks school is a waste of time. I can't say for sure if it's the books they're using, or the teacher that's teaching it (probably some of both) but he has really enjoyed both Economics (1st semester) and Government this year.

For me, I'm hoping to look at Teaching Textbooks pre-algebra for my middle daughter to use next year. My son is using Teaching Textbooks Geometry and I really like that. My older daughter is using Video Text Algebra, but I don't think that will work as well for my middle daughter, so I'm looking for something else for her.

As for those who asked about things for kindergarten/1st grade ... wow! It's been a loooong time since I thought about that! But one thing I remember is that I really liked Ruth Beechick's books for the early grades. They are not a "curriculum" as such, but could be used as a basis for one. Very low-key, but covers the basics. I used them a lot especially with my youngest. As for the PreK/K boy who doesn't like math, I would not stress over that at all! We didn't even do a formal math curriculum before kindergarten or 1st grade, and even then I didn't push it. They can really learn all the math they need at that age playing games and through every day activities. My son, at age 4, began to learn addition by counting the cars on the parking lot when we went to church. It was a small church and there were usually less than 10 cars on the lot when we got there. So as we drove in I'd ask him "How many cars are here now?" and he'd tell me. Then I'd ask "And if 3 more cars come, then how many will there be?" Things like that. He loved it and thought it was a game, but he learned a lot, too. Again, Ruth Beechick's books give a lot of ideas for teaching in ways like that.
Lori

I've got to chime in any say how much I LOVE teaching textbooks. We are using it this year for Algebra 2 after using another curriculum for Algebra 1. I can truly say the kids are UNDERSTANDING algebra - and so am I! I've already bought the geometry for next year!

Christine

I will be teaching my 2nd grader and my kindergartener together also. <my first year doing this! YIKES> Thanks for your words of encouragement ~ I know this is the right thing to do, but I've just got to convince myself that "I" can do it....not someone else!

Dear Basket Case,
I love your log in name, by the way! I'm sure many of us can relate.
Don't forget - with a K and 2nd grader - when the books get tiresome, just read, read, read! You'll be surprised at how much they learn.

Of course you can do it! You were divinely appointed to be their Mom. God will equip you for every good work.

Christine

I am homeschooling a 5th grader, two third graders, and a K. Plus I have two preschoolers and a baby.

We all use Saxon Math, but I don't do everything the manual tells you to. My boys are in Level 1 of the Toolbox Series for Literacy (same as L 1a & 1b for Teach Your Children Well). My 10 yod uses Level 3 of Teach Your Children to Read Well for reading. She has trouble sounding out longer words and this seems to be helping her. My 10 yod uses Spelling Power for spelling. I just ordred A World of Adventure for everything else. It covers Bible, History, Science, Language Arts, Writing, Fine Arts, Geography, and could even cover spelling (but we'll still use Spelling Power because her spelling isn't up to AWOA's level yet).

For my little girls, I plan on just reading aloud to them for 15 minutes 2x per day and the 4 yog has a preschool workbook she likes to work on.

angieamos,
It's kind of old (hasn't been updated in nearly 20 years) but my artistic son got a BIG kick out of "Biblical Economics in Comics."

Before spending tons of money at the homeschool book fairs, I would suggest you do three things:

1.) Read books on how your child learns by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias

After reading her material, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. My daughter really was NOT ADD, she simply was an auditory learner. I learn just the opposite, so it helped me to create a good study environment for her, and helped in choosing curricula.

2. Cathy Duffy's new book builds on this, and I wish I had it in the beginning. It has helped us in planning for high school, especially. It narrows down the best curricula, by learning style. 100 Top Picks

3.) Before you by anything, please visit the free, online curriculum, Ambleside Online. You won't hear about it at a book fair, because you can't buy it, and no one makes any money from the project. It is a labor of love by Christian homeschooling moms and dads for Christian homeschooling families. Even if you only print out the book list to guide you in good reading selections from the library, it's worth a visit. We have used it as our main curriculum through ninth grade, then switching to David Quine's Worldviews of the Western World.

Southern Baptist colleges and universities may offer scholarships to homeschooled students who are extremely good readers and writers. AO is a great place to start!

Love,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth, those are really wise words! How much money would I have saved if I had equipped myself a bit before plunging in!

Christine

I took my middle daughter with me to a curriculum fair this past weekend. It was a great experience! I've been to this particular fair before and it's "okay" (not fabulous, but definitely worth going) but taking Ana with me was the best thing I could have done, especially right now. It gave us a lot of time together to talk, which I really don't get much of with her (she says it's because she's a middle child). Anyway, we talked about her goals for next year, her interests, etc. It was a real eye-opener for me. She had interests in things I never would have thought about. We ended up completely changing course for her history/geography for next year, and adding to her science. At one of the booths she saw some Trailblazer books, which we have some of, and she said "Oh, Mom, I love those books! Can I read those for next year?" I had no idea. Normally I can't get her to read anything! They had the curriculum guides to go with them, which I'd never seen before, and they looked great. So now our plan is to base her history/geography (and some other things in the guide) on those books. The best part is that she's looking forward to it instead of dreading it. We also bought an experiment book to supplement her science, since that is the one thing about it she doesn't like (no experiments).

I've taken my older two kids with me to curriculum fairs/conventions in the past and plan to take my youngest next year. For those of you with older kids, especially, I strongly encourage you to take them with you to these things sometimes. It really was a special weekend for us, and I think it will make a big difference in her schooling for next year.
Lori

Lori,
Thanks so much for sharing your great experience! It's so exciting when the kids are excited, isn't it? I struggle so much with wanting to let them choose things and ramming my agenda down their throats. Sounds like you've reached a good balance. And had a great time spending bonding time with your daughter!
Blessings,
Christine