HELP! Newbie here... Biblioplan ?'s and more

[prairedogs]

Hello everyone. I will begin HS next year. I have 4 children (ds6, ds5, dd3, dd2). My sons are in a private school that teaches the classical approach. I want to continue that. I have been looking at choices for over a year and need a little help from y'all. :confused:

 

Here is what I do know (I think I am sure on these.:lol:)

 

Math: Math U See, Life of Fred, and supplement with Kumon

Phonic/Spelling: All about Spelling, Dorbooks

Science: AIMS at this time b/c of age of my kids, but any input is welcome here

Grammar: need ideas here

Art:? (would like something b/c my oldest loves art)

 

Here is where I need help.:crying: I know I need to relax and i am sure I will once I start HS, but right now... well, you know. Okay. I like BiblioPlan and TOG. BUT TOG is overwhelming and although it looks good and I might revisit it later...I just can't take that on right now. Other mamas say to just use what you want, to break it down into smaller pieces, but I don't know how to do that. And honestly, I don't know if I want to know. LOL

 

So BiblioPlan. I have read a lot of helpful threads here and thus led to more questions. Here they are?

 

1.) I see people saying they are using BiblioPlan with SOTW (is that correct... just learning what all the letters mean). What exactly are they doing with both? Is SOTW being used as a supplement to BiblioPlan?

 

2.) Do you like the Bible portion/lessons of BiblioPlan?

 

3.) What other subjects am I going to need to cover in HS ages 6, 5, 3 (not really schooling her yet...just doing a lot of play with her)?

 

4. What planners do you use? (hard copy or on computer)

 

5. I have seen HST+ on many threads. What is that?

 

Thank you so much ladies!! I eagerly await your replies. :bigear:

[ByGrace3]

Hello everyone. I will begin HS next year. I have 4 children (ds6, ds5, dd3, dd2). My sons are in a private school that teaches the classical approach. I want to continue that. I have been looking at choices for over a year and need a little help from y'all. :confused:

 

Here is what I do know (I think I am sure on these.:lol:)

 

Math: Math U See, Life of Fred, and supplement with Kumon

Phonic/Spelling: All about Spelling, Dorbooks

Science: AIMS at this time b/c of age of my kids, but any input is welcome here

Grammar: need ideas here

Art:? (would like something b/c my oldest loves art)

 

Here is where I need help.:crying: I know I need to relax and i am sure I will once I start HS, but right now... well, you know. Okay. I like BiblioPlan and TOG. BUT TOG is overwhelming and although it looks good and I might revisit it later...I just can't take that on right now. Other mamas say to just use what you want, to break it down into smaller pieces, but I don't know how to do that. And honestly, I don't know if I want to know. LOL

 

So BiblioPlan. I have read a lot of helpful threads here and thus led to more questions. Here they are?

 

1.) I see people saying they are using BiblioPlan with SOTW (is that correct... just learning what all the letters mean). What exactly are they doing with both? Is SOTW being used as a supplement to BiblioPlan?

 

We are new to Biblioplan this year. I read from the Companion each week, we listen to Story of the World audios that correspond (it is scheduled as an optional spine in BP) while they do the coloring page. We also use the cool histories, craft book, and timeline.

 

2.) Do you like the Bible portion/lessons of BiblioPlan?

 

We don't use the Bible, we use Bible Study Guide for all Ages. As far as I am aware, the Bible in BP is just a reading schedule, which I am sure is fine for some. Truthfully, I never really understood the Bible of TOG either. My sister uses TOG and they use a separate Bible as well.

 

3.) What other subjects am I going to need to cover in HS ages 6, 5, 3 (not really schooling her yet...just doing a lot of play with her)?

 

For your 6 year old (and 5 yo if they are Kindergarten age) the most important things are the 4R's: Bible, Phonics, handwriting, and math. My 5 yo does those 4 and then tags along with science and history. It is optional except for read alouds. For a 3 yo, just a lot of play. Nothing formal is necessary. At that age we do a lot of directed play.

 

4. What planners do you use? (hard copy or on computer)

 

I use and love Scholaric. I did a review here.

 

5. I have seen HST+ on many threads. What is that?

 

HST+ is a software based planner. It has a ton of features. I used it last year and really liked it, but wanted something I could use on my iPad this year. Scholaric is much easier to use, but it does have less features. PLenty for me though. HST Online is an online version of HST+, it has less feature than the + version, but still has a lot to offer.

 

Thank you so much ladies!! I eagerly await your replies. :bigear:

 

Hope this helps!

 

Not sure if you stumbled upon the reviews I did of Biblioplan here and here. Hope this helps!

[prairedogs]

Thank you so much Nicole! I think we are one in the same. LOL When I was reading your review on the planner I just giggled. It sounded just like my thought process and what I look for and such. Planners with me is a love/hate relationship. :) I love using them and search the globe for the "perfect" one for me. I hate this b/c sometimes it can take me a very long time to commit to a planner (or curriculum for that matter). I always feel there is something else. I am praying through that. :001_smile:

 

I am really stressing over this history thing and honestly, it is wearing me out. I am going to stop worrying and start praying specifically on this. And you know what... at the end of the day if I don't like the curriculum I picked then I am not set in stone. That is what I need to remember. I will not ruin my children for life if I pick a curriculum that I do not like. Just make the adjustments and move on. Easier said than done for my personality.

 

I will keep looking for replies here. Oh, Nicole... any other curriculum you recommend in any subject? I was looking at your planner and I was seeing stuff I didn't think of (handwriting and such).

 

Thanks again!!!

[JESSICAinMD]

Hello everyone. I will begin HS next year. I have 4 children (ds6, ds5, dd3, dd2). My sons are in a private school that teaches the classical approach. I want to continue that. I have been looking at choices for over a year and need a little help from y'all. :confused:

 

Here is what I do know (I think I am sure on these.:lol:)

 

Math: Math U See, Life of Fred, and supplement with Kumon

Phonic/Spelling: All about Spelling, Dorbooks

Science: AIMS at this time b/c of age of my kids, but any input is welcome here

Grammar: need ideas here I have used First Language Lessons and Rod and Staff Grammar.

Art:? (would like something b/c my oldest loves art)

 

Here is where I need help.:crying: I know I need to relax and i am sure I will once I start HS, but right now... well, you know. Okay. I like BiblioPlan and TOG. BUT TOG is overwhelming and although it looks good and I might revisit it later...I just can't take that on right now. Other mamas say to just use what you want, to break it down into smaller pieces, but I don't know how to do that. And honestly, I don't know if I want to know. LOL

 

So BiblioPlan. I have read a lot of helpful threads here and thus led to more questions. Here they are?

 

1.) I see people saying they are using BiblioPlan with SOTW (is that correct... just learning what all the letters mean). What exactly are they doing with both? Is SOTW being used as a supplement to BiblioPlan?

Story of the World is one of the spines used for Biblioplan. Biblioplan schedules it and other books to read. Story of the World also has an amazing Activities Guide that gives additional activities and reading ideas. I prefer just using Story of the World and the AG for the younger years there are more literature choices for younger children.

 

2.) Do you like the Bible portion/lessons of BiblioPlan?

I only used Biblioplan 2 which covered the Reformation, not really the Bible at all. There are many weeks without literature choices for young children. I used a seperature Bible study.

 

3.) What other subjects am I going to need to cover in HS ages 6, 5, 3 (not really schooling her yet...just doing a lot of play with her)?

For this age group, lots of good picture books are the best. There are many craft sites online that have free activities. I do crafts based upon the season or what holiday is approaching. I like the art books by Mary Kohl like The Big Messy Art Book, Scribble Art, and Discovering Great Artists. They are all inexpensive, age appropriate and easy to do. Most of her books let you know the level of difficulty or the age it is aimed towards.

 

4. What planners do you use? (hard copy or on computer)

I use HST+.

 

5. I have seen HST+ on many threads. What is that?

It is home school tracker plus. They also have a free version which is wonderful too. HST+ has a lot of features and took a long time for me to get the hang of them all. Once I did, it was wonderful. The free version is also great and simple to use. If you are interested, I would start with the free version before paying for +. http://www.homeschooltracker.com/

 

Thank you so much ladies!! I eagerly await your replies. :bigear:

 

Good Luck on your journey and enjoy the early years!

[prairedogs]

Thank you Jessica. :001_smile: I will look into those are books you mentioned. I will have to look at the planners too. I am nervous but excited to begin this journey.

 

Rachel

[mom31257]

I am using BP again for Year 2. My son was in 3rd last year and my daughter in 9th. I followed BP's guide for using SOTW so that my son would be on the same topic as my daughter, but I really didn't use much from BP for him. I used SOTW as the main book along with the Activity Guide for maps. I much prefer their maps over BP's maps. I did use a few book selections from BP, but honestly, I could have just used the suggestions from SOTW's AG.

 

I think the Bible portion depends on what you want for Bible. You do have recommended scripture reading and the Journey bible book, but it's going to follow the historical context of what's happening. The Jouney book isn't theological in nature, in my opinion. It's more the archaeology and history of the bible.

 

If you want bible that also teaches character and scripture meaning, I would recommend Positive Action for Christ. Their Kindergarten book would be perfect because it would be in between your kids ages and it covers all the major stories of the Bible. You could just match up the lessons to where you are in history or just do the book in order. Their lessons include the bible story, scriptures and songs to memorize, character traits every week including a story, and a fun, colorful workbook. This is one of my favorite bible publishing companies.

 

I like planning on paper, so I make my own spreadsheets to plan out the whole year, file what pages I can in weekly folders, then I make weekly assignment checkoff pages for the kids. Here are some links to planners I've made.

 

Weekly Planner One Page

 

Weekly Check Off List

 

Planner for multiple children (made this one for a friend with 6 kids)

[Amy M]

Hello everyone. I will begin HS next year. I have 4 children (ds6, ds5, dd3, dd2). My sons are in a private school that teaches the classical approach. I want to continue that. I have been looking at choices for over a year and need a little help from y'all. :confused:

 

Here is what I do know (I think I am sure on these.:lol:)

 

Math: Math U See, Life of Fred, and supplement with Kumon

Phonic/Spelling: All about Spelling, Dorbooks

Science: AIMS at this time b/c of age of my kids, but any input is welcome here I haven't heard of AIMS, but have you considered Apologia? For my son's first grade year (about to start) we're using 106 Days of Creation Studies from Simply Charlotte Mason.

Grammar: need ideas here

Art:? (would like something b/c my oldest loves art)

 

Here is where I need help.:crying: I know I need to relax and i am sure I will once I start HS, but right now... well, you know. Okay. I like BiblioPlan and TOG. BUT TOG is overwhelming and although it looks good and I might revisit it later...I just can't take that on right now. Other mamas say to just use what you want, to break it down into smaller pieces, but I don't know how to do that. And honestly, I don't know if I want to know. LOL

 

So BiblioPlan. I have read a lot of helpful threads here and thus led to more questions. Here they are?

 

1.) I see people saying they are using BiblioPlan with SOTW (is that correct... just learning what all the letters mean). What exactly are they doing with both? Is SOTW being used as a supplement to BiblioPlan?

BiblioPlan (BP) says you can use just their "companion" as a textbook if you want, or you can use another textbook. They have several options for different age levels all scheduled out for you. So, many people choose to use SOTW on the lower levels for their "spine." BP provides a schedule, sometimes taking the SOTW chapters out of order, and also coordinates it with other popular history texts like Mystery of History for example, as well as scheduling in some Bible reading and church history. BP also provides other items in separate purchases--like maps, timelines, review questions, writing assignments, hands-on activities suggestions. But you choose the textbook.

 

2.) Do you like the Bible portion/lessons of BiblioPlan?

I heavily researched history options, and came down to three choices that I labored over--Tapestry, BP, and My Father's World. I made a document to get my thoughts on those three choices all on paper and help me make a choice. If you haven't looked at My Father's World, that also might be a route you'd like to go, since you don't have a science choice picked out. MFW includes science and Bible, which brings me to answering your question--one reason I liked MFW is for their Bible instruction. I thought it interesting that for a curriculum called BiblioPlan, there really isn't much Bible instruction as a separate subject, per se. It's just 3 times a week, and after ancients, is mainly church history or reading about missionaries. TOG also, though very rich on the upper levels in comparing philosophical ideas, doesn't really have much Bible instruction, especially after the ancients. You could do that on your own, but I was a bit disillusioned on that point with TOG and BP, because I thought they included Bible as a "subject," and they really don't IMO.

3.) What other subjects am I going to need to cover in HS ages 6, 5, 3 (not really schooling her yet...just doing a lot of play with her)?

Handwriting? I don't know Dorbooks--I assume that's your phonics/reading instruction.

4. What planners do you use? (hard copy or on computer)

I don't yet, but interested to see what you do. :)

5. I have seen HST+ on many threads. What is that?

 

Thank you so much ladies!! I eagerly await your replies. :bigear:

HTH

[mom31257]

HTH

 

I assumed that Biblioplan was using "biblio" for book not Bible. They are a Christian company, so history is going to be from a Christian perspective. I don't think they intend every year to be a bible study because they are a history curricula publisher. Year 2 includes reading through the Psalms as well as reading about many of the history, saints, and martyrs of the early church. I believe that Years 3 and 4 focus on missionaries.

[ByGrace3]

Thank you so much Nicole! I think we are one in the same. LOL When I was reading your review on the planner I just giggled. It sounded just like my thought process and what I look for and such. Planners with me is a love/hate relationship. :) I love using them and search the globe for the "perfect" one for me. I hate this b/c sometimes it can take me a very long time to commit to a planner (or curriculum for that matter). I always feel there is something else. I am praying through that. :001_smile:

 

I am really stressing over this history thing and honestly, it is wearing me out. I am going to stop worrying and start praying specifically on this. And you know what... at the end of the day if I don't like the curriculum I picked then I am not set in stone. That is what I need to remember. I will not ruin my children for life if I pick a curriculum that I do not like. Just make the adjustments and move on. Easier said than done for my personality.

 

I will keep looking for replies here. Oh, Nicole... any other curriculum you recommend in any subject? I was looking at your planner and I was seeing stuff I didn't think of (handwriting and such).

 

Thanks again!!!

 

I can totally relate to the challenge of deciding, because there just might be something more "perfect" out there and you don't want to miss it. :tongue_smilie:

And with history, there are so many great options, it's just about finding one that fits you.

Decide how you want to do history. Make a list of what you want in a curriculum. This year I bought 2 complete programs trying to decide. Crazy yes, but I am thrilled now. :001_smile:

 

Last year I realized right as I was it pleased with our history choice and I tweaked a lot, but didn't switch. I should have. Give something your best try, tweak if you can, but don't be afraid to give yourself permission to abandon ship if you feel you need to. ;)

 

For handwriting, I really love handwriting without tears for pre-k through 2nd/3rd (whenever you start cursive). We are successfully using Zaner Bloser for cursive this year. For third grade dd will switch to just copy work for instruction.

 

We are using First Language Lessons for grammar. I hear a lot around here about MCT and Growing with Grammar.

 

For art, I keep a nice sketchbook, good drawing pencils, and Draw Write Now books available for her to use as she pleases.

 

 

A few other notes on responses I read (sorry, I should have multi quoted but am on the iPad and can't easily go back). :tongue_smilie:

 

BP has been redone so some responses might not apply if you use the newer version. For example, there are no weeks of BP year 2 that do not have books for the youngers. Maybe this was another year or maybe it was revised. There are not only those scheduled, but there is an additional annotated bibliography for additional books for each level.

 

Also, as for Bible, there is a lot of Bible readings in year 1, church history and a Psalm study year 2, and I believe yr 3-4 have missionary studies as well as other Bible readings scheduled. I think (not sure!) that the Bible readings for yrs 2-4 are new additions?