My brain is on Spring break! Actually, it's half on break, and half thinking of what we're going to use next year.
When do you buy your materials for next year?
Now, or are you a procrastinator?
Blessings,
Christine

Well, normally, I start thinking about it in January and start buying when we had our used curriculum sales in our local area. I think the first one was usually in April. But this year is anything but normal! We moved in January, when we should have been starting the second half of our school year. Because of things being so crazy we were only about 1/4 of the way thru our year. So I'm just now starting to think about next year. But I don't have all of our "stuff" so I can remember everything I already own, so it makes it hard to buy anything, wondering if I already have it packed away in a box. I am starting to make plans, though, but won't finalize those until we get in our own house, get everything unpacked, and see what I still need to buy (or what I already have that I'd completely forgotten about). I also haven't heard of any used curriculum sales around here so I might have to buy everything new.

I usually start planning and evaluating in Jan and start looking at used curriculum sites until our local used book sale here. I can always find some things I am looking for. Then I finally send out orders in May.

Lori, www.cheact.org has a big used book sale in the Austin-area. I'm not sure about F.E.A.S.T. in San Antonio www.homeschoolfeast.com but both offer conventions with seminars.

Briva

Briva,
Thanks for the info. I'll look into it.

I am frying my brain about next year right now! This is my normal time to look around and say what's great & what needs to be swept out the door! I would love some advice. Our kids are 12(7th grade), 10(4th grade), & 3(just have fun!). We are currently studying history,science, composition and Bible jointly. With high school only 2 full semesters away, I plan to switch the oldest to Apologia science next year. Can I continue to combine the other subjects? I don't want to short change either one of them for the sake of my convenience. Also, if I continue my use of "living books" for history how can I be sure I address the hs requirements of the oldest? What have ya'll used--"living books" or textbooks? Sorry for my initial post being novel length!!
Christie

Hi Christie,
We've used such a hodge podge over the years! Once they hit high school, we found it more difficult to combine the older and the younger.
Have you looked at Sonlight - maybe combining a couple of the cores?
Any other ideas, ladies?
Christine

Hi Christine!

I buy most of my books in February when we receive our tax refund. If I wait, I know that the money will dry up.

I'm always somewhat planning on what we will do in the future. Even though I have enough stuff to last through September, I bought Tapestry of Grace to use after that. Since that is the largest purchase I have. We were tight on money this year, so I didn't buy the new math materials we'd need and now I've changed my mind about the science we will use it TOG, so I have to come up with the money to buy that stuff. But like I said, the bulk of my purchases are in February.

Hi Christie

Sonlight has some great Jnr high programs. I would combine the older two onto SL core 5 if I was concerned about "short changing".

I have kept my older three on the same SL program for most with the exception of Math and LA. They are 12, 10, 8 and little guy of 5. We are currently doing SL 3 & 4 (with additions for my 12 yog), Elementary Apologia Botany, A Child's Geography and some History Pockets. Next years we are doing a South African History year which will be the first time I will be running three different programs - and when I think too much about it...my legs start to wobble a bit!

If SL is not your "thing" then consider buying a scope and sequence book like Ruth Beechick's "You Can Teach Your Child Successfully" or the one by Diane Lopez.

For other SL highschool ideas I have added a summary on my site here: http://www.homeschool-curriculum-for-life.com/high-school-home-schooling.html

Let the shopping (and selling) begin!
If you're looking for a place to sell, check out www.homeschoolbuy.com.
Blessings,
Christine

Ladies, Thanks for the replies! I have been praying, researching, and talking to my hubby for the last few weeks. God is so faithful, he truly gives wisdom to those who ask!(James 1:5)

I have looked at Sonlight several times but have not been able to have a peace about it. We have decided to go with Tapestry of Grace for this coming year.

Blessings to anyone still searching! Thanks again for the input.

Christie
PS-loved your site, Wendy