The Reason I Am Asking So Many Dumb Questions

[Hunter]

I'm not sure if you're looking for complete curricula online, or also interested in 'units', i.e. printables that will complement history/science rotation, but here goes...

 

We like these resources on Science and Islam (UK website), (also some crossover into maths and art).

 

http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/scienceislam_education/resources.php

 

Site includes: Historical introduction to Science in Islam, historical introduction to Astronomy in Islam, make a model astrolabe, problem-solving with an astrolable, triangles and geometry, using a quadrant for measurement and calculation, Arabic numerals: Zero and place value.

Numbers and long multiplication, Introduction to art and Islam, geometry in Islamic design, Islamic tile design. Art and Design.

 

We like this list of historical fiction for children, arranged by date and/or subject and with a short synopsis stating age suitability.

http://sherbrooke.ndo.co.uk/s/h/sherbrooke.ndo.co.uk/web/bibliography/cont.htm

(Most are UK authors, so if you plan to branch into British history they're likely to be more accurate). Likely to be secular. I've known people base an entire history curriculum around the booklists on this page. 

 

 

Millstone Education for free world literature units http://www.millstoneeducation.com/worldLit/info/new.php

 

 

Free curriculum on Water http://static.water.org/docs/curriculums/WaterOrg%20ElemCurricFULL.pdf  science, technology, language arts

 

 

Lots of free downloadable materials/units/lesson plans on science and technology and history at smithsonian education  http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/index.html

e.g. oceans and weather http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/oceans_weather/index.html

 

 

Open University (UK) free online courses http://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses

 

Sometimes I will need an individual unit to fill in a gap. When possible, I want to make sure this doesn't become an Easy Peasy curriculum that needs to be constantly updated, though. I want to schedule stable books. Thank you for these links. When I do need to fill a gap, these links might come in handy.

[rose]

I wanted to suggest a good world history text. I haven't used it with my youngsters but I've read through about 1/4 of it so far and will probably use it with them when they're a bit older, barring any surprises in the last 3/4 of the book. It's not overtly Christian or secular. Here's the link:

https://archive.org/details/andersonhistory00anderich

 

When I was trying to find the link I realized that the same author also produced a text for a younger audience. It even has review questions at the end of each chapter. It does look a little more overtly Christian but I suppose you're not going to find much different in 120 year old books. Here's a link:

https://archive.org/details/amanualgeneralh00andegoog

[Hunter]

I wanted to suggest a good world history text. I haven't used it with my youngsters but I've read through about 1/4 of it so far and will probably use it with them when they're a bit older, barring any surprises in the last 3/4 of the book. It's not overtly Christian or secular. Here's the link:

https://archive.org/details/andersonhistory00anderich

 

When I was trying to find the link I realized that the same author also produced a text for a younger audience. It even has review questions at the end of each chapter. It does look a little more overtly Christian but I suppose you're not going to find much different in 120 year old books. Here's a link:

https://archive.org/details/amanualgeneralh00andegoog

 

Thanks! I hadn't heard of this author before.

[MiMi 4under3]

I haven't read all of the responses, but I remember liking All-in-one-Homeschool. It may be sort of what you are trying to compile?

 

Allinonehomeschool.com - - - sorry not a link.

[Hunter]

I haven't read all of the responses, but I remember liking All-in-one-Homeschool. It may be sort of what you are trying to compile?

 

Allinonehomeschool.com - - - sorry not a link.

 

Nope. That is Easy Peasy. It requires daily wifi, and for each student to have their own internet connected device.

 

This is more of a family style read aloud, that follows a TWTM 4-year rotation and a CM 3-term year.

[stutterfish]

Sometimes I will need an individual unit to fill in a gap. When possible, I want to make sure this doesn't become an Easy Peasy curriculum that needs to be constantly updated, though. I want to schedule stable books. Thank you for these links. When I do need to fill a gap, these links might come in handy.

 

Ah, ok, I see...So something more like openstax

http://openstaxcollege.org/books or http://cnx.org/  (Though I suspect these are pitched too old for what you want)

 

 

 

Obviously there are CK12.org and Middle School Chemistry, but we also like...

 

http://www.mesc.gov.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=333&Itemid=210

 

for free science textbooks, primary and secondary age. They're published 2000 onwards (I find antiquated science books very frustrating! :) ) They also have maths, English, Geography, agricultural science textbooks available to download, though I haven't looked at these.

 

 

 

Another for science..

'Chemistry grade 10-12' (2008 version) here: https://archive.org/details/ost-chemistry-chemistry_grade_10-12

 

 

Not much I can think of for history as I prefer something contemporary with a more gender and race-appropriate outlook, and textbooks like that don't tend to come free. :)  Not my taste, but for ancient history there's Ancient civilization; a textbook for secondary schools (1915)  https://archive.org/details/ancientcivilizat00ashl (has someone already mentioned this?)

[Hunter]

Ah, ok, I see...So something more like openstax

http://openstaxcollege.org/books or http://cnx.org/  (Though I suspect these are pitched too old for what you want)

 

 

 

Obviously there are CK12.org and Middle School Chemistry, but we also like...

 

http://www.mesc.gov.ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=333&Itemid=210

 

for free science textbooks, primary and secondary age. They're published 2000 onwards (I find antiquated science books very frustrating! :) ) They also have maths, English, Geography, agricultural science textbooks available to download, though I haven't looked at these.

 

 

 

Another for science..

'Chemistry grade 10-12' (2008 version) here: https://archive.org/details/ost-chemistry-chemistry_grade_10-12

 

 

Not much I can think of for history as I prefer something contemporary with a more gender and race-appropriate outlook, and textbooks like that don't tend to come free. :)  Not my taste, but for ancient history there's Ancient civilization; a textbook for secondary schools (1915)  https://archive.org/details/ancientcivilizat00ashl (has someone already mentioned this?)

 

Thanks, I'm looking through these links!

 

I found Elson's Good English Oral and Written last night. I feeling hopeful about these books but need to read more of them and let the idea sit in my mind for awhile. I really really really wish these came in hardcopy as well as eBook.. Any reviews of this series would be helpful, if anyone want to look at them.

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/529642-public-domain-la-ebooks-that-also-come-in-professionally-bound-hardcopies/?p=5948434

[nature girl]

Just seeing this thread, and I don't have any suggestions but I'm reading along with great interest and awe at your idea and your dedication, Hunter.

 

And I wanted to add that when you do compile these resources, even if they're free I hope you'll add a Donate button to the site, so that all your hard work can be rewarded by those who find it useful and are financially able. I strongly believe in giving back, and know many others will too. (Even if you didn't feel comfortable taking money yourself--although I certainly feel you'd deserve it--I'm sure you could find so many amazing ways to use it to support education, or whatever other causes you feel strongly about.)

[Hunter]

Just seeing this thread, and I don't have any suggestions but I'm reading along with great interest and awe at your idea and your dedication, Hunter.

 

And I wanted to add that when you do compile these resources, even if they're free I hope you'll add a Donate button to the site, so that all your hard work can be rewarded by those who find it useful and are financially able. I strongly believe in giving back, and know many others will too. (Even if you didn't feel comfortable taking money yourself--although I certainly feel you'd deserve it--I'm sure you could find so many amazing ways to use it to support education, or whatever other causes you feel strongly about.)

 

I can't earn any money right now or I just make myself more of a burden rather than less. I mentioned a bit of my sorry story here.

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/529642-public-domain-la-ebooks-that-also-come-in-professionally-bound-hardcopies/?p=5948595

 

This will all just be free free free. It's all paid for by your tax dollars.

 

I like being busy and useful. This is a joy to do.

[lewelma]

Hunter, can you use Wikipedia in some way for modern history?  Like picking 50 important people or the 50 most influential events in the modern age to read about?  Sometimes they have organised their pages into 'textbooks'; perhaps there is a modern history 'textbook' already collated in Wikipedia?

 

Ruth in NZ

[Hunter]

Hunter, can you use Wikipedia in some way for modern history?  Like picking 50 important people or the 50 most influential events in the modern age to read about?  Sometimes they have organised their pages into 'textbooks'; perhaps there is a modern history 'textbook' already collated in Wikipedia?

 

Ruth in NZ

 

Thank you for that idea! I'm feeling more and more confident something will work out. The Indian textbooks have a bit. My memory is so bad; I already forget who linked me to studentsfriend

http://www.studentsfriend.com I've already scheduled it and am working on getting Synge, OIS, and TCOO and Guerber scheduled for as far as they go. Then I'll work on plugging in the Indian books, and then go from there.

 

So much is falling into place, that I'm just confident that it all will. In the meantime, I have a ton of stuff that is already in my lap to start plugging into spread sheets.

 

Often with big projects, the more I get into the project, the more discouraged I get, but with this, I just keep getting more excited. Things are moving along nicely.

[FO4UR]

My request:

 

A quick link for the $-crunched, and another quick link for the Time-crunched...having options organized by the type of crisis. (Is that a footlocker you have? Oh, deserted island, you say? No, just no $ and no library....ahh...OK. :lol: ) This might be like AO's condensed schedules vs the whole buffet.

 

This news makes me happy! :hurray:  I am positive that whatever you get out there is going to be a treasured resource for MANY homeschoolers! 

[Hunter]

My request:

 

A quick link for the $-crunched, and another quick link for the Time-crunched...having options organized by the type of crisis. (Is that a footlocker you have? Oh, deserted island, you say? No, just no $ and no library....ahh...OK. :lol: ) This might be like AO's condensed schedules vs the whole buffet.

 

This news makes me happy! :hurray:  I am positive that whatever you get out there is going to be a treasured resource for MANY homeschoolers! 

 

I know exactly what you are saying. 

 

Right now, for each document, I'm finding myself doing 4 years of a subject, instead of a year of everything. So instead of a spreadsheet for each term, I have one for each year of a subject. If I continue and expand on this idea it will allow compiling a curriculum from choices. Mix and match.

 

I've been thinking about this, and you are egging me on, that there needs to be at least a couple alternatives.

 

I think to start, I'm going to compile a family style read aloud curriculum of all free downloads. And a graded 3R list of all free downloads. My thinking is, that it can serve as MY self-education reading list, so I can become more familiar with these resources, so that I can compile them into leveled schedules as the next step. In the meantime, I could at least get out my family style curriculum that would serve people that are my biggest concern–those families that have been recently displaced and have NOTHING but a cell-phone or laptop and a friend/church who is willing to print out a VERY limited number of pages.

 

Again and again, I hear from quiver full moms, sitting in an in-law's bedroom, surrounded by her chicks and having NO idea what to do with them, while she e-mails me from her cell-phone in a panic.

[shinyhappypeople]

Hunter, I like your heart.  You're a really good person, and I'm so very glad that you found your way to this forum.    :grouphug:

 

eta: seriously, you have NO idea how many times I've panicked and felt totally inadequate for the task before me, only to remember something you wrote that dares to imply that it's okay not to do this homeschooling gig perfectly.  It's okay if my kids are only prepared for community college not Harvard.  It's okay if I make a mistake, just gotta dust myself and try again.  It's okay if I don't have a lot of money to buy the perfect curriculum.  I'm not failing my kids if all I have is a library card and a heart full of love.  It's really, truly going to be okay.  Yours is one of the only homeschooling voices that doesn't leave me feeling overwhelmed and ashamed of my weakness.  Thank you.

 

And, when I see this awesome, amazing project you're working on, I am not surprised at all.  You make the homeschooling world a better place. :)

 

 

[rose]

Did you know about the downloadable wikipedia for schools? Here's a link:  http://schools-wikipedia.org/

[Hunter]

Did you know about the downloadable wikipedia for schools? Here's a link:  http://schools-wikipedia.org/

 

Thank you! No, I did NOT know about this. I will definitely be using this! Thanks!

 

As I just trust the TWTM schedule, and week by week try and fill it in, and all you awesome TWTM ladies help, we together can find all that is needed.

 

:grouphug: to us all. :)

[Hunter]

Hunter, I like your heart.  You're a really good person, and I'm so very glad that you found your way to this forum.    :grouphug:

 

eta: seriously, you have NO idea how many times I've panicked and felt totally inadequate for the task before me, only to remember something you wrote that dares to imply that it's okay not to do this homeschooling gig perfectly.  It's okay if my kids are only prepared for community college not Harvard.  It's okay if I make a mistake, just gotta dust myself and try again.  It's okay if I don't have a lot of money to buy the perfect curriculum.  I'm not failing my kids if all I have is a library card and a heart full of love.  It's really, truly going to be okay.  Yours is one of the only homeschooling voices that doesn't leave me feeling overwhelmed and ashamed of my weakness.  Thank you.

 

And, when I see this awesome, amazing project you're working on, I am not surprised at all.  You make the homeschooling world a better place. :)

 

So much of what I say, is just saying what most of the other oldschoolers and even 1980's PS teachers used to say. It's not original. it's just forgotten information. If all the new methods and stress were producing better results, it would be one thing, but it is NOT. I can't take credit for what I say that helps.

 

I'm stuck in a holding pattern, making no strides at all to even be allowed into recovery/rehabilitation programs for my PTSD, but I AM capable of doing SOMETHING, even if those in power don't think so. You ladies give me a purpose and provide community, and that grounds me and actually makes me healthier. The little bit that I have recovered I attribute in no small part to being allowed to post and read here. I believe that wellness is about doing normal things and being around health, more than treatments directed at disease. This place calms me.

 

When a person is given a wheelchair, a whole new life of opportunities opens up for them to be productive. This place is like a wheelchair for me. I can be productive even if I can't talk or stop shaking. And if I was to sit in a corner, with my back against a wall, no one here even knows or cares or writes about it in some file as evidence of how unworthy I am of all the rehabilitation that I need to go through before I'm even allowed to try and be productive. You all just hand me the wheelchair and say, "Get to work, now. I have a question."

 

When people ask me why I'm doing better, they get so confused when I say I mostly quit the few treatments I was allowed in and went back to my old homeschooling roots and decided to try spending some time just self-educating and trying to do normal things and be around healthy people. Comparing O-G curricula has got to be one of the very most calming things I've ever done. :lol:

 

God/Force/Creator or whatever you call Him has put me in this holding pattern with the ability and desire to regurgitate and reorganize old information, and adapt it to today. I'm a bit OCD and spreadsheets are beautiful to me. Problem solving with very tight restrictions has always fascinated me.

 

Back in my old life I was consulted about interior decorating only for the WORST problems. I was useless to start from scratch, but give me some AWFUL room and ask me what was the SINGLE most helpful thing that could be done, I could laser in and identify it. It was a puzzle that went beyond personal preferences and current fads. It was fun.

 

Thank you all for giving me puzzles to solve and the wheelchair I need to solve them. You all rock!

[Guest]

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Hunter)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

 

I totally get it.

 

Thank you.

[Pen]

Don't have time to read this now, but subbing for easy access later!

 

Information on how to easily and quickly download would be very important for me. I do have a computer (not a cell phone), but am in rural area with only dial up connection. So I (and anyone in my situation) can only reasonably download when somewhere with better internet connections (such as for me a public library). That happens only once per week or so in my case at most, and the library has an hour limit on computer time. So I have to know exactly what I am going to need to do, and be ready with my little flash drive to use my time to advantage.

[Hunter]

Don't have time to read this now, but subbing for easy access later!

 

Information on how to easily and quickly download would be very important for me. I do have a computer (not a cell phone), but am in rural area with only dial up connection. So I (and anyone in my situation) can only reasonably download when somewhere with better internet connections (such as for me a public library). That happens only once per week or so in my case at most, and the library has an hour limit on computer time. So I have to know exactly what I am going to need to do, and be ready with my little flash drive to use my time to advantage.

 

I am without internet access enough to appreciate how important it is to take into account the needs of people without it.

 

When friends in my building are not mad at me, they let me tap off their wifi, but just speaking my mind can land me days or months without home wifi. :lol:

 

Wifi is expensive. My quick research is that at least 25% of USA homes do not have wifi.

[Hunter]

Did you know about the downloadable wikipedia for schools? Here's a link:  http://schools-wikipedia.org/

 

Has anyone tried downloading wikipedia for schools?

 

I'm trying it now on a computer I don't usually use. I'm hoping I can can transfer the file to a card or thumbdrive and use it on something else.

 

I'm hoping non techy people can get someone more techy to just hand them a thumb drive or card that they can put into their own device, without ever having to be involved with the downloading process.

 

Pen, do you have anyone that will download things for you and just hand you the full thumbdrive? Pen, if you need something, PM your e-mail and I will e-mail you the file you need, if that will help. I just e-mailed a bunch of files to someone in England last week and was happy to do it. I forget who it was. My memory is always a bit flakey, but it has been a bit worse last week. Oh, well. I got the files to someone even if I don't know who they are; that's the important thing. :)

 

I'll update you all on wikipedia for schools as soon as I have something to report.

[Hunter]

I think I'm going to call the curriculum "Abundantia" after the Roman goddess of abundance.

 

Abundantia is a beautiful goddess of success, prosperity and good fortune. She is considered a protector of savings, investments and wealth. She helps lift one out of “poverty consciousness†and into a place of gracious acceptance, peace and joy. http://www.awarenessmag.com/sepoct4/so4_abundantia.html

 

was also the guardian of the cornucopia â€“ the horn of plenty.

http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Abundantia.html

 

I can't embed this pic, with the new rules, but I adore this picture of Abundantia. 

http://www.affordablepsychicreadings.com/GoddessAbundantia.jpg

 

I guess she used to be on a lot of Roman coins.

[Guest]

Has anyone tried downloading wikipedia for schools?

 

 

It's a torrent file, so you will need a client like Transmission and a computer that stays online for most of the day.

 

Don't forget to leave the client open after your file completes and seed for the next person!

[rose]

Has anyone tried downloading wikipedia for schools?

 

We downloaded it quite awhile ago because our internet access is transient. Are you having issues? My dh might be able to help when he gets home in a few days. There might be a way to use it.

 

One thing that I really like about having a downloaded version is that I can alter it to my heart's content. :) I don't have the same guilt that I would if I were to alter a PD book.

[Pen]

 

 

Pen, do you have anyone that will download things for you and just hand you the full thumbdrive? Pen, if you need something, PM your e-mail and I will e-mail you the file you need, if that will help. I just e-mailed a bunch of files to someone in England last week and was happy to do it. I forget who it was. My memory is always a bit flakey, but it has been a bit worse last week. Oh, well. I got the files to someone even if I don't know who they are; that's the important thing. :)

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the kind offer, but email suffers from the same slow loading issue here as anything else!  Worse in many ways because a big email file will jam up any other email that I might be trying to get until I can get to library.

 

I'm more thinking that part of your curriculum could, maybe, include info on how to effectively use thumbdrive to get the things you recommend? Or maybe it is too variable from web site to web site. 

[Hunter]

I recently wiped an old computer clean. I think I did all of the hard part correctly, but I didn't have anything on the computer to unzip a zipped file. I think I downloaded something malicious trying to download something to unzip. I'm having to do another full restoration of the computer now. Sigh!

 

I think the downloaded wiki for schools is too much for most of my target audience. They can save a wiki page to use as if it were a textbook chapter, though. These wiki pages are better than the regular wiki pages.

 

A full downloaded copy of Wikipedia for Schools is an important resource to mention to people, but many will need a more advanced friend to do it for them, or need to skip it. I use myself as a bit of a benchmark. I could do this if I had to, but if I'm having to fight tears over it, it's too much to expect of others.

[FO4UR]

I think I'm going to call the curriculum "Abundantia" after the Roman goddess of abundance.

 

Abundantia is a beautiful goddess of success, prosperity and good fortune. She is considered a protector of savings, investments and wealth. She helps lift one out of “poverty consciousness†and into a place of gracious acceptance, peace and joy. http://www.awarenessmag.com/sepoct4/so4_abundantia.html

 

was also the guardian of the cornucopia â€“ the horn of plenty.

http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Abundantia.html

 

I can't embed this pic, with the new rules, but I adore this picture of Abundantia. 

http://www.affordablepsychicreadings.com/GoddessAbundantia.jpg

 

I guess she used to be on a lot of Roman coins.

 

 

That is perfect!

[Hunter]

Thank you for the kind offer, but email suffers from the same slow loading issue here as anything else!  Worse in many ways because a big email file will jam up any other email that I might be trying to get until I can get to library.

 

I'm more thinking that part of your curriculum could, maybe, include info on how to effectively use thumbdrive to get the things you recommend? Or maybe it is too variable from web site to web site. 

 

Pen, is there anyone, where you are, that can give you some lessons on downloading? Or download what you need for you?

 

Sometimes the problems you are having, is maybe because you are being blocked from the site. Google blocks people from some countries; I don't know why.

 

Once the files are all chosen and scheduled, maybe we can figure out a way to made a CD version available, and figure out how to make it available very cheaply.

[Hunter]

That is perfect!

 

I'm a little worried it might offend some ultra-conservative Christians. But it is a neoclassical curriculum, and well…children learn about the gods and goddesses.

 

I know I have at least one student that will freak over the title. Sometimes she won't even let me write the names of the days of the week on her paper.

[FO4UR]

You can't please everyone all the time. The name fits your purpose. 

 

You don't have to advertise *all* of your work to your irl students. Meet the needs you can and trust that you have done the good that you should.

 

(I know many Christian Homeschoolers who would not be offended. fwiw.)

[Hunter]

You can't please everyone all the time. The name fits your purpose. 

 

You don't have to advertise *all* of your work to your irl students. Meet the needs you can and trust that you have done the good that you should.

 

(I know many Christian Homeschoolers who would not be offended. fwiw.)

 

Thank you so much for responding to this! On THIS question I very much value YOUR opinion.

 

I just don't want to harm or exclude or offend anyone. That whole "First do no harm," can be paralyzing.

 

I don't want any money or recognition for this project, so it's not that I'm worried about getting all customers possible. I just really really don't want anyone to feel bad. Especially moms that feel like they have so few choices for the year, and then feel they can't use this either. Once your choices are ultra narrow, being excluded from each of those last choices produces an inflated feeling of exclusion.

 

My students that I refer to as my "KJV ladies" give me a run for my money. Sometimes all I can use with them in a KJV Bible and Bedell. I am SO thankful for the Bedell curriculum. I'm hoping he finishes that last volume soon. It's very unlikely I'll even finish the first 8 volumes with anyone, but I'm so OCD I just want the complete set, for these ladies. I guess if these ladies find out about Abundantia, I can just assure them that we have Bedell for them if they don't want to use any of Abundantia. It's their choice.

[rose]

I'm a little worried it might offend some ultra-conservative Christians. But it is a neoclassical curriculum, and well…children learn about the gods and goddesses.

I'm probably what you would call ultra-conservative (people mistake us for Amish or R&S style Mennonites). I don't particularly care for the name but it wouldn't stop me from using the curriculum. I have some friends that this would probably be a barrier for. Maybe you could use some play on the name Sophia since wisdom in Proverbs is referred to by this name in the Greek scriptures.

[silver]

I think you're right, that some people might have issue with the name. But if something as simple as the name would turn them off from it (it's not like it'll be a curriculum focused entirely on the study of ancient gods), chances are that they would find something else that they dislike, even if the name were "okay."

 

For your KJV only ladies, would they be okay with it if they knew that there was also a Saint Abundantia?

[rose]

I think the downloaded wiki for schools is too much for most of my target audience. They can save a wiki page to use as if it were a textbook chapter, though. These wiki pages are better than the regular wiki pages.

One thing that I appreciate about the download wiki is that you can ask students to try to find information on their own rather than just handing them an article that contains the answer. This is a big deal to me because I really want my children to be able to teach themselves as adults rather than just needing to be spoon fed knowledge.

 

While some of your target audience may not be able to take advantage of this many people do have friends with wifi access that they can mooch off of from time to time. When we're without access we either use the library which does come with the limitations that Pen mentioned or we go to a friends house, set up the downloads we need and then visit.

[happypamama]

I am looking forward to what you have to share!

 

Even if this experiment turns out a steaming pile of poo, a mom could look at it and think, "If that is the best that free can accomplish, I need to stop looking at free right now and explore my other options."

 

 

I think this is a really valid point. I know I, at some point a few years ago, realized that a lot of free stuff was very good, but it wasn't quite giving my kids what they and I needed, so my alternative was to find a way to spend some money. A mom needs to know what she's up against -- squeeze some money out somewhere else, or whatever.

 

I think this is a great experiment, and I will be watching it unfold! The Baldwin Project has so many great books. One series that I would highly recommend for medieval and ancient is the Our Little ________ Cousin of Long Ago. My children really liked that series!

 

It may not be what you want to do, but I would really consider adding sections for "if your budget allows, get these," and/or, "if you can borrow these from your library, please do," because there are so many good books that aren't available for free, like the Wrinkle in Time series, Narnia, or even the Little House books, or David Macaulay's Castle, etc.

 

Off to read the rest of your thread! I have absolute faith that you, Hunter, can make this work!

[FO4UR]

Thank you so much for responding to this! On THIS question I very much value YOUR opinion.

 

I just don't want to harm or exclude or offend anyone. That whole "First do no harm," can be paralyzing.

 

I don't want any money or recognition for this project, so it's not that I'm worried about getting all customers possible. I just really really don't want anyone to feel bad. Especially moms that feel like they have so few choices for the year, and then feel they can't use this either. Once your choices are ultra narrow, being excluded from each of those last choices produces an inflated feeling of exclusion.

 

My students that I refer to as my "KJV ladies" give me a run for my money. Sometimes all I can use with them in a KJV Bible and Bedell. I am SO thankful for the Bedell curriculum. I'm hoping he finishes that last volume soon. It's very unlikely I'll even finish the first 8 volumes with anyone, but I'm so OCD I just want the complete set, for these ladies. I guess if these ladies find out about Abundantia, I can just assure them that we have Bedell for them if they don't want to use any of Abundantia. It's their choice.

 

 

Your KJV ladies are going to object to almost everything. It's OK to work around them...or work a different angle for them if you have the time and energy.

 

Honestly, if they are KJV only then they are not likely aware of the names of all of the goddesses. They may just think that it's a Latin word meaning abundance, and they might superimpose their own Biblical meaning onto that unless otherwise directed. 

 

This is going to be an awesome resource. Don't feel bad if it doesn't help EVERYONE in need. You truly cannot please everyone.

[happypamama]

 

National Archive has a wealth of lessons using historic documents.

 

They also have a free app, which has a document a day and a bit of information about it. It works without wifi, once it's downloaded. Cool stuff!

[Hunter]

Ladies, I cannot tell you how helpful you all have been to me. I have never read a thread where the contributions were so targeted and precise to the question asked, and so amazingly insightful and full of experience. I am just amazed at how each roadblock I hit is  dissolved in hours with your advice, and how the ebooks that are just being dropped in my lap.

 

I went out to dinner with a friend, out of town, and there is an amazing bookstore right next door to where we ate. There was an expensive book I have wanted for a couple years, and it was there for less than $5.00. It was SO nice to fill my long held desire for that book, but after that was satisfied, I quickly saw the book's shortcomings and realized they were more extensive than most of the vintage books I am scheduling right now. There are some obvious lacks in these vintage books, but there are lacks in the modern books, too. I was amazed how quickly I wanted to put my new book aside and jump right back into my vintage treasures.

 

I'm feeling totally okay about the title Abundantia, now. Thanks!

 

As for research, I'm sitting on this a bit, waiting for a bit of clarity. Knowing how to research is critical. How much that needs to be taught explicitly, and how, and with what, and in this curriculum at all is still up in the air to me, though.

 

I have watched people try to use TWTM and SOW(Student of the Word) since 2000, and FAR, BITM, CLE, ACE and American School since the 90's and have followed some other curricula for a decade or more. I've watched where moms have faltered from day 1, or months later or years later, and that has always fascinated me, so I have paid attention to the points where they cried, begged for help, got bored, and jumped ship.  I'm just trying to balance everything, look at the wholes more than details, and just make this work as well as it can as a WHOLE.

 

The thing I remember about American School with my oldest was that it was doable from day one to the end. Always, always doable. A book might have been boring, but if it was, it was concise and quickly over. A book might have been a bit hokey or outdated, but it for the most part it got the job DONE. As my son sprinted toward the finish line, and was preparing for the next stage in his life, I watched some moms get lost in meaningless details, and warned them to look at the big picture. Some could and some couldn't. The books that were the ones most often complained about were my favorites. I saw them for what they were. An American School teacher written text that was written to fill a gap as efficiently as possible. The WHOLE always superseded the details.

 

The struggles of 2 1/2 decades of mamas are floating before my eyes, today. The tears and fears and questions. Those that made it to the finish lines, any finish lines, were not usually ones that focused on the most up to date texts, research skills, and critical thinking. And those kids that crossed those finish lines didn't appear to be any less prepared than those whose mamas made those things priorities. Every kid I knew that crossed one of those sneered at finish lines, knew how to think, research, and speak well about current events, anyway. Often better than those using curricula that made those skills a priority, either in explicit teaching, or especially those that just expected those skills, but didn't provide the tools to meet those expectations.

 

So, for now, I'm continuing to work on the bulk of scheduling the main subjects, and just feel like the research aspect is going to reveal itself, by something just dropping in my lap, like all the other stuff is dropping in my lap. And if it doesn't, maybe it's not supposed to be a priority. For those of you that are concerned about research, please continue to link and discuss. I'm listening. But I'm also feeling very calm about the possibility that this might be a weak area that might stay a bit weak. I'm curious to see what reveals itself. This is an EXPERIMENT, and I am enjoying watching it unfold.

[Stellalarella]

I think it is likely you are aware of ElizabethB's downloadable free resources for teaching reading.  But here is the link just in case.

 

Webster's Speller Download

 

the phonics page  

 

I appreciate the downloadable free reading assessments on her phonics page.

 

There should be a lot of butterflies, rainbows, cupcakes and daisies flying around when all the "how dare you use that PD book to teach a kid" stuff starts going.  Stay tuned for forum fun, I say.  :)  It's such a great way to learn about folks' perspectives.  

 

I look forward to your compilation.

[mumto2]

Hunter, What an amazing project. Honestly not sure what else to say but your generosity in doing this for others.......

 

If I think of something useful to contribute I will be back. I have frequently designed my own curriculum using whatever resourses my library had available. The key here is available, I am one of those people who is easily frustrated and gives up when I can't find a single title on the suggested list. When working that way it is very hard for me to make an obvious substitution. I always felt I was somehow cheating my kids.

 

:grouphug:

[Hunter]

I think this is a really valid point. I know I, at some point a few years ago, realized that a lot of free stuff was very good, but it wasn't quite giving my kids what they and I needed, so my alternative was to find a way to spend some money. A mom needs to know what she's up against -- squeeze some money out somewhere else, or whatever.

 

I think this is a great experiment, and I will be watching it unfold! The Baldwin Project has so many great books. One series that I would highly recommend for medieval and ancient is the Our Little ________ Cousin of Long Ago. My children really liked that series!

 

It may not be what you want to do, but I would really consider adding sections for "if your budget allows, get these," and/or, "if you can borrow these from your library, please do," because there are so many good books that aren't available for free, like the Wrinkle in Time series, Narnia, or even the Little House books, or David Macaulay's Castle, etc.

 

Off to read the rest of your thread! I have absolute faith that you, Hunter, can make this work!

 

I really need to read a couple of the Little Cousin books. I've never read even one of them.

 

As for lists of library supplements, I'm realizing that by making this a 4-year rotation, and a 3-term curriculum, moms will be able to easily access AO, TWTM and all the websites and reading lists based on them. I also think if I can create a core that just makes sense, and make this TOTALLY copyright free, there will be bloggers that will want to add their own frosting and post all about it.  I'm becoming less and less worried about the supplemental library book lists. I think they are going to take care of themselves.

 

My biggest problem is making the core lists short enough, rather than there not being enough–at least for years 1-3.

[stripe]

If I'm thinking of the right books, I find the Little Cousin books annoying. Definitely read and decide for yourself.

[Hunter]

I think it is likely you are aware of ElizabethB's downloadable free resources for teaching reading.  But here is the link just in case.

 

Webster's Speller Download

 

the phonics page  

 

I appreciate the downloadable free reading assessments on her phonics page.

 

There should be a lot of butterflies, rainbows, cupcakes and daisies flying around when all the "how dare you use that PD book to teach a kid" stuff starts going.  Stay tuned for forum fun, I say.   :)  It's such a great way to learn about folks' perspectives.  

 

I look forward to your compilation.

 

I have spelling set for grades 2-9, but am still undecided about the phonics. I'm very familiar with Don Potter's site and semi-familiar with Elizabeth's site. Nothing is PERFECT for my needs, but there is a lot that is solidly adequate to meet my needs. This is another thing, that I'm letting sit for just a bit, while I work on some other things and see if something drops in my lap.

 

For spelling I have decided on Pearson's 1919 3-book series of Essentials of Spelling based on the Ayres List. http://books.google.com/books?id=3fIAAAAAYAAJ&dq=inauthor:%22Henry+Carr+Pearson%22&source=gbs_navlinks_s

followed by these free SAT vocabulary lessons. https://www.nms.org/Resources/SATVocabularyLessons.aspx

 

If I had to pick phonics today, it would be a hodge-podge of Blumenfeld's Primer and Monroe's First Steps in Spelling. And probably McGuffey's readers.

 

As for what people will think, I have NO idea what is going to happen, because I have NO idea how good or bad this is going to be. Experiments are like that. :) There are an unlimited number of possible combinations of best-of-the-best, and this will just be my opinion, but I think there are many people that will see the value of the attempt, even if they think it should not be used, ever, and that PS would always be a better option.

 

There are many people that believe in harm reduction. There are doctors that practice harm reduction techniques with drag addicts that don't think drugs are good. This compilation might be nothing more than harm reduction. Or it might be good. We'll all have to wait to see. I really appreciate that people are allowing this experiment to take place without a lot of distractions.

[Stellalarella]

What is harm reduction, educationally speaking?  And what does 3 term CM mean?  

 

 

[ezrabean2005]

I LOVE this experiment, Hunter!

Let me know how I can help.

I can proofread, compile, pre-read, research something you can't get to....whatever you need.

[Hunter]

What is harm reduction, educationally speaking?  And what does 3 term CM mean?  

 

Harm reduction, educationally speaking, would be using an updated and beefed up PD reading list, rather than some of the inferior ones compiled decades ago when choices were more limited, or ones put together by newbies in a rush, even if someone believes that PD books are inferior and educationally neglectful. It would be akin to helping a drug addict reduce his drug use, rather than leaving him to use as much as he was currently using. Harm reduction is about improving quality of life, rather than setting the bar impossibly high. It's about meeting people where they are at, and helping them make improvements that are possible.

 

AO and other CM curricula use a 3-term year. Many of the AO and CM family style subjects and "riches", as they like to call them, are planned over these 1/3 year terms. By breaking the Abundantia schedules into 3 terms, it makes it easier for families to take advantage of free and already prepared CM curricula, if they want to use them.

 

I'm attempting to create bridges to fill in gaps, rather than attempting to create something complete and unique. I want there to be a free complete end product, but for that end product to be a combination of other free and well-loved pieces, that people are already familiar with.

[Hunter]

I LOVE this experiment, Hunter!

Let me know how I can help.

I can proofread, compile, pre-read, research something you can't get to....whatever you need.

 

Ezrabean, thank you! There are bits of input I will want specifically from you. You, like some others here, are uniquely able to review for certain questions. TWTM draws amazing people, with unique backgrounds and experiences. This will be a compilation of advice and leads from pretty amazing people. Thanks!

[Stellalarella]

Hunte---in your curriculum, it would be so helpful to have a one-sheeter :) (I loved your explanation of how those one-sheeters can really help folks) explanation about the different ways to teach reading--just to give folks a handle on understanding the implications of how the teacher chooses to teach.  I was reading last night about the syllabary and realized that using a syllabary is actually different from phonics.  I knew that using a strict phonics method was different than whole language or using phonics + teaching sight words, but I didn't know how different.  I felt like I was having a Simpson's "Doh!" moment.  I have an el. ed degree--and I've taught kids to read, but apparently I have not had a good understanding the different choices in reading pedagogy.  But it's not like this is rocket science.   I just wonder if it would help people decide what resource to use, or at least to feel CONFIDENT in the PD or free downloadable reading, spelling, writing resources that are available.  

 

A teacher having confidence in materials is a big help, I think.   Have you found that to be true in your teaching?

 

 

[Hunter]

I think that is a good idea to have teacher education one-sheeters as well as one-sheeter schedules. Thank you for the idea.

 

Yes, confidence in your materials is absolutely critical. I think one of the that reasons people curriculum hop so often is that they don't have confidence in the materials.

 

You made some great points! Thanks!

[idnib]

Did you see this yet?

 

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/530923-cool-middle-school-engineering-resource-kit-for-free/