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 Advice on curriculums (currently 1,142 views) |
| josacli |
| Posted on: April 15th, 2006, 6:13pm |
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I was hoping to attend CAPE but I’m going to have to work.  Hopefully some of you can enlighten me and maybe point me to something I hadn’t thought of –
My DD (6) is going to be starting 1st grade, and I have the usual anxiety about choosing her curriculum. 
We had originally thought about using Sonlight’s history, readers, and language arts but I’m not real sure about the history – some of it seems to be more focused on biblical history than actual “history”. Not that I have a problem with Christian curriculum, but would like something with more of an open focus. I’d like a literature based program though. Sonlight is the only literature based program I've heard of - are there others that someone could reccomend? We are Christian but I don't feel everything that she learns has to be focused on a Christian world view. Has anyone here used Sonlight's history curriculum? Am I misled, are their books more open than I am giving them credit for? Is there a problem if we decide to use a different reader/language arts program? We will probably use thier readers but again, not sure on the language arts program. Does anyone have any reccomendations for this age group?
We’re using Singapore right now, but I’m not really sure she’s “getting it”. I was considering Math You See or another hands on program. Any reccomendations would be appreciated.
Just to make things more complicated, I’d like something that I can use in a couple of years for my DS (3) so I won’t have to purchase everything twice. The other consideration is cost – I’ve looked at some curriculums and they are $500+ and that is definitely out of our budget. I know Sonlight is pricey but a lot of their books are available at the library cutting the cost a bit. 
Thanks for the input,
Jo-Anne
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| droppedout2004 |
| Posted on: April 15th, 2006, 7:10pm |
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Hi Jo-Anne, Though we're several years away from beginning formal schooling, I've been researching curricula. I am impressed by the outline of "Tapestry of Grace". It is a christian based program, and it is guided by the Classical Education model (as outlined in The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise. I cannot comment on the resources recommended as I have only just begun to research this program. I can't wait to get my hands on this one to really check it out. Here's the link: http://www.tapestryofgrace.com
The website is a bit complicated. This link will take you to a page with a printable sample. http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/Miscellaneous/quick_prints.htm
Good luck!! tammy |
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Reply: 1 - 9 |
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| Admin |
| Posted on: April 15th, 2006, 7:42pm |
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Jo-Anne, I don't know about Sonlight's history curriculum, although I have bought their timeline book and some of the stickers that go with it.
I use History of the World (written by Susan Wise Bauer of Well-Trained Mind fame), along with several supplementary picture books like the Usborne History of the World, Usborne First History, and a Children's Atlas. HotW's text book is more like a story book, with short stories chronologically presented, probably aimed at 6-8 year olds. There is also a companion activity book with maps, word searches, coloring pages, etc.
I don't think it's the ideal history course that I would have written (if I could!), but it works pretty well. Even my 3 year old enjoys listening to the stories. They don't strongly emphasize a Christian religious perspective. However, mixed with the actual history and archeological facts presented are fictional stories. I have trouble with the fact that the stories are never differentiated from the actual history. I think its great to help kids understand history through stories, but I think it should clearly state what is part of the author's imagination and what is documented as historical fact.
So, depending on your outlook, you may or may not have trouble with this. One part of a story might be about what a child of a particular historical period might have had happening to her one day (author's made up story), then going on to cover the history of the early Egyptian rulers (verified by achaeological evidence), and finally the founding of Israel by Abraham based (based on the bible). Whether real or fiction or somewhere in between, all the information is presented in the exact same way, so there is no way for the child to distinguish between what really happened, what might have happened, what didn't happen at all.
While we're recommending, I have a set of The History of Us by Joy Hakim that I absolutely love. That's US history. Probably aimed at 4th-6th grade, though. |
Elizabeth
Mom to Eric (8 ) and Ruby (4.5) |
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Reply: 2 - 9 |
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| mtandg |
| Posted on: April 15th, 2006, 8:22pm |
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| Jo-Anne, if you have time come to my open-house on the 26th and most people who are coming are going to bring things that they use and love so you can see some of what is out there! I am going to post officially on another thread...Tabbi |
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Reply: 3 - 9 |
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| Gretchen |
| Posted on: April 15th, 2006, 10:48pm |
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Ambleside Online has a free history guide based on living books and literature. That might be worth checking into. This is a Charlotte Mason based website, so they are assuming you're going to use the methods (narration and such) that Charlotte Mason described, and they're just giving you book recommendations for each grade level. So I don't know if that would work for you or not, but I thought I'd mention it. Here's their website: http://www.amblesideonline.org/
As for math, we use RightStart. It is hands-on and semi-Montessory in its appraoch, but is also strongly rooted in Asian (especially Japanese, I believe) teachings techniques. It is a WONDERFUL program and I'd be happy to tell you more about it. But I must warn you that it is not cheap. If you're using the program for two kids than that helps the expense be more "justified" in a sense. But the initial investment is high. If it's not in your price range, you might consider just buying their basic abacus program (not a full curriculum, but a suplement to any math program) or their math games pack. And here is their website: http://www.alabacus.com/
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Reply: 4 - 9 |
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| Gretchen |
| Posted on: April 15th, 2006, 10:49pm |
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Oh, forgot to mention that Ambleside is also Christian based, but I think it's quite easy to adapt it to your individual needs.
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| granolagirrrl |
| Posted on: April 17th, 2006, 2:49am |
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Susan Wise Bauer's history series is called Story of the World. it is made up of four story books, four activity guides and as of now, only has the first three as CDs. I don't know when the fourth CD will come out. You can learn more about the series at http://www.welltrainedmind.com or Peace Hill Press. The series is ment for both Grammar stage (1-4) and Logic stage (5- . Obviously the level of work would be different for each stage. The four volume's themes are Ancient Times, The Middle Ages, Early Modern Times and Modern Times. In classical ed. each of these themes are repeated, in order, three times from 1st thru 12th grades. There is lots more info at the WTM site. |
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Reply: 6 - 9 |
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| josacli |
| Posted on: April 17th, 2006, 6:11pm |
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I am fairly unfamiliar with the classical education model. I know that math is typically started later in this type of schooling. I've requested the Well Trained Mind from the library but not real sure when I'll get a chance to read it. I'm feeling a little inadequate right at the moment - it feels the deeper I get into this the more there is that I don't know and am not sure of. Cecilia definitely has special learning needs. She has a VERY low tolerance for frustration and doesn't glide easily from activity to activity. That's why we decided homeschooling would be best for her - the daily scheduled routine in school was difficult for her to adjust to not to mention the labeling etc that goes on in school. I know we're doing the right thing, but at times I have the natural anxiety about what we choose for her. I really appreciate all the support and ideas I get from everyone here. I think we're in a transition phase right now and that's what makes things difficult.
Thanks,
Jo-Anne |
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Reply: 7 - 9 |
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| droppedout2004 |
| Posted on: April 17th, 2006, 9:20pm |
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"A classical education, then, has two important aspects. It is language-focused. And it follows a specific three-part pattern: the mind must be first supplied with facts and images (grammar stage), then given the logical tools for organization of facts (logic stage), and finally equipped to express conclusions (rhetoric stage)."
In the Well-Trained Mind the authors outline suggestions for developing your own curriculum, tailored by you for your childs individual needs. The beauty in homeschooling is that this is sooo possible because you and only you know your child well enough to adapt day-by-day or year-by-year what is working for her. They provide references to materials and curricula reviews in all subjects (you can also find some at their website). Math is suggested for short periods each day starting in the earliest years. In the words of the authors "This is a very big book". It isn't meant for cover-cover reading.
You may already be familiar with this site for curricula reviews, but just in case: http://www.homeschoolreviews.com/
If you're wanting to further research classical education here's a link that links to some classical education sites: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/methods/Classical.htm
The long & the short of it is that the concepts in a 'classical ed.' can be combined with many other methods, including Charlotte Mason. A common thread is the use of living books rather than texts (as in Sonlight and Tapestry of Grace).
The most important thing is for you and your daughter to have fun along this path.
This is getting real long quickly, but, I have a copy of the revised ed. of The Well-Trained Mind if you'd like to borrow it. I know the wait at the library can be long for this book.
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Reply: 8 - 9 |
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| Twinville2 |
| Posted on: April 18th, 2006, 4:54am |
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Hello Jo-Ann,
I'm guessing that you're in a similar situation as we were (are)
when we took our (then) 7 year old sons out of PS 2nd grade.
It is most definetly a time for 'de-compression', re-evaluating
and exploration.
We had many similar questions the same as you then. And we are still
learning what our needs and interests are in regards to education
and curricula, in general. And it's been interesting and lots of fun
I love the idea of Tabbi to create a Homeschool Support Night so everyone
can share what they are using and others can get some ideas on if it
might work for them and their children.
It's very scary and frustrating spending a huge chunk of money on
a packaged curriculum only to find out it is not compatible with you
or your child's learning/teaching style.
It's rare for us to buy any sort of educational material full price because
of the financial consequences for our family, so most everything we have bought
has either been given to us, bought at yard sales, e-Bay, or at homeschool fairs.
And if the stuff doesn't work well for me or my children, then we usually pass
it on to someone else who would like to try it instead.
We have several friends who use SonLight and just love it. We've read some
of the wonderful readers and we all enjoyed them very much. My sons enjoy that
style/type of writing and have read all of the Magic Tree House books which educate about geography and world customs. So, the SonLight readers are perfect for children who enjoy this type of book, and especially if they yawn loudly (like mine do) whenever
I try to read textbook style books to them.
If you find that your daughter enjoys this type of writing over textbooks, you both
may enjoy GA Henty. His books are hard to find, but oh so worth it (imo). Here's
a link for more info: http://www.henty.com/henty/s86p1362.htm or
reviews: http://www.henty.com/henty/s86p1047.htm
GA Henty's books make history come alive and are very exciting.
Also, I think you asked about MUS, too? We started using this last year after tossing
our copies of Saxon onto someone else. My sons and I looked at those math textbooks and just about passed out!
We are all enjoying MUS and I'm even learning how to understand Math now. I was awful at Math in school, so it's odd to now be enjoying it so much. And I think my
enthusiasm is rubbing off on my sons, too. It's exciting watching my sons
come up with their own different ways at reaching a Math conclusion while still following
the basic concepts. I didn't think I'd like the MUS blocks, but seeing how we have all stopped using our fingers to add and subtract is a huge benefit and very exciting
We also like the videos of Steve Demme. My sons seem to like that they are being taught by someone other than me for a little while
Well I probably forgot to answer some of your questions, but I hope I've been of some help. Most of all, I recommend not stressing over curriculum choices and just spend time getting to know your daughter in this different education setting. Spend some time reading, exploring, talking. I will bet that your curriculum choices will come easily after a while of this de-compression and 'getting-to-know-you time' |
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