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Curriculum addiction

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scrapbookbuzz

scrapbookbuzz

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Anyone else find they want to buy curriculum even if they don't NEED it?

 

I was just thinking a few minutes ago how I'd like to be able to take advantage of some of the 

curriculum sales going on but we don't have any extra funds right now. And, honestly, I don't NEED 

any other curriculum. We have PLENTY. Anyone else BTDT (been there, done that)?

 

Maybe it's just my love of books that drives it. I LOVE books! B-)

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OlgaLA

OlgaLA

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Yes. I almost managed to convince myself that I have enough curriculum up to college level in practically every subject, but I did order a couple of math books on amazon yesterday because of $10 off sale and because math is my favorite subject.

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scrapbookbuzz

scrapbookbuzz

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Olga, me too! I did order Learn to Read Greek for my daughter because I had a gift card and the HOLIDAYBOOK code

(which may still be active today). So it made it less than half price for me. But I'm with you - I'm pretty sure I do have enough curricula

to take at least one of us all the way through a Liberal Arts degree!

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mlktwins

mlktwins

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:seeya:  I am!!!  I love to research and plan, but don't end up using anything.  Both of mine are in 6th grade.  I barely managed not to buy anything this weekend!!!  I did get Carbon Chemistry for free as I haven't already bought that one :thumbup: !

 

Since I don't have any younger ones to school, I am starting to week through the stuff I won't use/need anymore and get it out the door. 

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displace

displace

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I'm a curriculum hopper. I'm too picky and switch quickly if there's any problems at all. I bought 3 different US history books to "compare", but only because they were all used and cheap. Once I find something that fits ok and works, I still look around for other things, looking for a better fit. Part is because of me, and part is DS's needs.

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Hunter

Hunter

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I went through a phase of needing to try out and hoard curricula a few years ago.

 

First an earthquake almost dropped a ceiling high bookcase on me. There was a flood that got some books wet. Road construction disrupted a cockroach nest and I ended out with refugee roach infested books. Refugee roaches are worse than ones that wander out of an established nest. They will crawl on your body in broad daylight.

 

I moved. Then was exposed to bedbugs. And then there was a rotting dead body discovered and disrupted and not dealt with properly. The smell was amazingly awful for way longer than necessary.

 

Books? Nope. I only want what I need right NOW. Books equal filth to me now. They are like old food.

 

I do have some eBooks, but also know those can just disappear. I back up and do what I can, but...digital is just imaginary and I have lost books, and expect to lose many more.

 

The Israelites in the desert learned to only collect enough manna for the day and woke up to worms in anything they decided to store overnight. I am learning to trust the universe or god or whatever is in charge to provide what I need to accomplish my role on this planet. I live very lightly now in every way.

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Another Lynn

Another Lynn

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Hi, my name is Another Lynn and I was (am) a curriculum addict.  I know there is no cure, but I consider myself to be in remission.  Somewhere along the way I reached equilibrium where shelf space and time became the more valued resources than curriculum (or researching other methods, philosophies, booklists, combinations, etc.).  I might be an old dog now, too old to teach new tricks.  Anything I buy now threatens to steal my efficiency or my storage space.  So sad!  Where will I find pleasure in homeschooling now?  How will I survive the February blues now?   :svengo:  :tongue_smilie: (Oh, yeah, I forgot, planning for next year!!!   :D   See?  Never really cured!)  

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Guest

Guest

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Ohhhh me! me!! :hurray: 

 

I am trying to recover. I'm still a total book junkie though. And Great Courses......I think the only thing that's kept me from overspending on those this year is a subscription to Great Courses Plus. I told myself once I work my way through all of those courses I want to do, only THEN can I buy a new set online.  :glare:  We'll see how long that works. 

 

I have told my husband that I am absolutely forbidden to buy another Sonlight core next school year and that I'm having him change my online purchase passwords for me around May just in case I have a moment of weakness. :) I see the pretty collections in the catalog and always fall victim although I never use the schedules or guides for more than a month. I am hoping next year I can stick to the programs we use that are tried and true and avoid the eye candy!! 

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RootAnn

RootAnn

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I'm mostly in remission for my addiction. I have a lot and some I haven't used. Even more, I have things we tried that either didn't work or we didn't like. My youngest is in first, so I can start removing items from my shelves as he uses them. (I tried to burn the 100 Easy Lessons book as a sign of moving past that stage but my last two boys wouldn't let me!)

 

I didn't find anything curriculum wise to tempt me at the Cincinnati convention this spring. That convinced me I was finally over the biggest part of my addiction.

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scrapbookbuzz

scrapbookbuzz

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texasmom33, I LOVE Sonlight. Well, I love the books. The schedule, not so much so I totally feel you there. 

 

RootAnn, 100 Easy Lessons is a GREAT curriculum. Glad your boys liked it. I can relate to not seeing anything you feel you can't live without.

I was drooling over some MFW and SL offerings recently but realized, when all is said and done, I still have some books from previous MFW and SL purchases

that we haven't read so I could just use some of THOSE and save myself some moula!

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ondreeuh

ondreeuh

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I think I am reformed. I have tried enough things to know what I will use and what I won't, so I am better able to evaluate items before buying. I still buy stuff, but it's stuff I know I will use - and I usually get it via the Amazon Marketplace for pretty cheap.

 

I also just donated an embarrassing amount of curriculum, most of it bought from the same thrift store that is getting it back. That is a humbling experience.

 

My younger son has some stuff saved for him that I loved using with my older son, and I am sticking with what works rather than looking for something that is possibly better. I have stuck with the same math program for five grades and just bought ahead the next three to scratch that itch for a complete set - but it is something that I know works for him, and I know matches my style.

 

 

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Melissa in Australia

Melissa in Australia

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YES!. I thought I had enough curriculum to go all the way from kinder to year 12. I mean I have taught all of those grades.... BUT a new edition of TWTM came out - and it has some great suggestions. I have lists everywhere, and packages coming every few days.  Just 2 more orders to go out and I will have completely changed the spelling program, have more than enough books and activities for the twins for next year,added a few extra novels to overflowing bookshelves 

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dsmith

dsmith

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I was a serious curriculum junkie, but lately I find myself wanting to get rid of it all! I thought about selling on ebay or here, but it's easier to bring it to Goodwill. I've been slowly getting rid of everything except what we are actually using. It's very liberating!!

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fralala

fralala

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I'm addicted to researching curriculum. I fell in love. Put it in the shopping cart. See the Aud conversion and shipping costs. Sigh and leave it in the cart.

 

Yes, I've done the same thing many times. Now I only use websites that have "Wish Lists". My wish lists are about a mile long but I am able to get the satisfaction of researching and clicking buttons and thinking "Someday" without actually spending money. (And you know, after about six months I can often go back to the oldest items on my wish list and think, oh, wow, I'm not in THAT stage anymore, so glad I didn't buy all those books.)

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Rachel

Rachel

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I can't say I have a curriculum addiction, but I am addicted to books for school. I don't normally buy books, I borrow whatever l can. However, I justify buying school books. They tend to be more difficult to find and more likely to be reused. Plus I share with my friends. Two arrived from Amazon this week, neither fits into our current schedule. I can't wait to read them anyway.

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scrapbookbuzz

scrapbookbuzz

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As mentioned, I did buy Learn to Read Greek curriculum for my daughter from Amazon over the weekend because

between the gift card I had and the $10 off code, I got a smokin' deal. Now I'm wondering if I should wrap it as a present for her

for Christmas, or dig in and start lesson planning. What to do, what to do . . .

 

Or I could leave that as a present and start planning out the SL Psychology I bought for her . . .

 

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mama25angels

mama25angels

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Start planning!!! I too purchased a couple of books over the weekend with the $10 off cod, I'm waiting for them to arrive now so that I can snuggle up with them. My biggest problem is the darn classifieds board, I have to routinely ground myself from it and even then I sometimes sneak to it and buy something that I just can't live without, lol.

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LMD

LMD

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I haven't yet regretted building our library. I love being able to say 'Yes, I have a book on that topic' and handing it to a kid. It just happened with ds1 and The Silver Sword, his lit up face was worth having it sit on my shelf for a couple of years. Most of our history is done this way.

I'm becoming less enamoured with 'curriculum,' the longer I teach, the more comfortable I am with the material and going off script.

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sewingmama

sewingmama

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I'm over my curriculum addiction...after 5 years of homeschooling we have found what works and will stick with it. I have my major loves and thats enough. Honestly, every curriculum teaches basically the same stuff just in a different manner and the trick is finding the one that fits you as a teacher and your child.

 

Books on the other hand 😠We have 4 library cards between us with a 100 book limit on each and we usually sit pretty close to limit on how many books we have out. Our State has an awesome system called the "one card" system where you can use your card to borrow books from any library in the State...thats over 300 libraries I have access too ( school libraries are also included). The interloan system is free and the online catalogue contains books from all the libraries in one search. So basically I never have to buy books again as at least one library in 300 is sure to have it.

 

The library staff know me well 😂

Edited by sewingmama
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CadenceSophia

CadenceSophia

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Every time I think I am over my addiction and happy with our choices in a lasting way, something comes up to rock the boat and I am buying things all over again :) My oldest is only 8 though and I will homeschool 5 kids so I just consider this part of the research and study to become a good teacher. I don't really do much scripted curriculum packages but I have about a zillion math books, almost every well rated French curriculum, quite a few options for reading and still growing my collection as I try to figure out how to approach my kids different learning styles and challenges. Collecting materials on art right now as I try to figure out how to actually teach it and keep the kids from getting frustrated. Writing curriculum will be next :-p There is so much for ME to learn in order to do a good job at this.

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scrapbookbuzz

scrapbookbuzz

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I'm over my curriculum addiction...after 5 years of homeschooling we have found what works and will stick with it. I have my major loves and thats enough. Honestly, every curriculum teaches basically the same stuff just in a different manner and the trick is finding the one that fits you as a teacher and your child.

 

Books on the other hand 😠We have 4 library cards between us with a 100 book limit on each and we usually sit pretty close to limit on how many books we have out. Our State has an awesome system called the "one card" system where you can use your card to borrow books from any library in the State...thats over 300 libraries I have access too ( school libraries are also included). The interloan system is free and the online catalogue contains books from all the libraries in one search. So basically I never have to buy books again as at least one library in 300 is sure to have it.

 

The library staff know me well 😂

Where do you live?? This sounds heavenly! (Or not, knowing how I am with overdue books and fees.  :mellow: )

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scrapbookbuzz

scrapbookbuzz

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Every time I think I am over my addiction and happy with our choices in a lasting way, something comes up to rock the boat and I am buying things all over again :) My oldest is only 8 though and I will homeschool 5 kids so I just consider this part of the research and study to become a good teacher. I don't really do much scripted curriculum packages but I have about a zillion math books, almost every well rated French curriculum, quite a few options for reading and still growing my collection as I try to figure out how to approach my kids different learning styles and challenges. Collecting materials on art right now as I try to figure out how to actually teach it and keep the kids from getting frustrated. Writing curriculum will be next :-p There is so much for ME to learn in order to do a good job at this.

There's a great art/geography combo curriculum called Mapping the World through Art that we started this year. You can find more info at 

http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/

 

Hope that helps!

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CadenceSophia

CadenceSophia

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There's a great art/geography combo curriculum called Mapping the World through Art that we started this year. You can find more info at

http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/

 

Hope that helps!

So funny that is exactly what I am thinking about buying.. I was day dreaming about it this morning in fact :) Ugh this board is so bad for the budget.

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OlgaLA

OlgaLA

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I got my books today (two Borac math books), and they are going into rotation on Monday. I just flipped through them, and I like them.  I was worried they wouldn't be used, but it looks like they will fit right in.

 

I am working on my addiction. I don't need anything in any subject except math, where I am only up to date with my freshman DD14. I still need books from Intermediate Algebra through Calculus (we use AOPS, which I love). I am also thinking about getting my son Analytical Grammar workbook at some point.

 

And we didn't talk about counting books :) Those are a separate story, and I am not counting them. I did switch from hardcovers to paperbacks and kindle whenever possible for the kids due to space problems (yep, space, not books, never books).

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scrapbookbuzz

scrapbookbuzz

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All this chatter made me want to start planning again! But I wanted to start on future curriculum. 

However, since we've been off for over a week and really need to get back to it, I made myself work on current

lesson plans. That takes some time! Whew! I've been entertaining the idea of getting the rest of the year planned out.

Not in dates, but in assignments, and putting it all in a contained file system like I saw one gal do. Not sure if I'll accomplish

THAT but I can get at least a month or two done. right?

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Hunter

Hunter

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There's a great art/geography combo curriculum called Mapping the World through Art that we started this year. You can find more info at

http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/

 

Hope that helps!

I owned that. I didn't use it much. Another homeschooler on this board wanted it badly. I mailed it to her. She didn't use it much either. Some of the stuff that sounds the most amazing is the least likely to get used.

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scrapbookbuzz

scrapbookbuzz

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Yes! I may! And thankfully my husband supports it 😀 I'm also way too into planning. Why is planning and drooling over the curriculum so much more fun and easier than implementing it?

 

Right? Maybe because the planning and drooling over doesn't involve responses of, "Ugh." "Okay" in a moaning voice. "Why do I have to do this?" "Do I have ta?" Etc.

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Dmmetler

Dmmetler

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Me! It's partially an occupational hazard-I've been a curriculum developer before, and taking something and seeing what they did, and then pulling it apart and tweaking is just plain fun. Alas, this Spring, I'll be down to homeschooling Australian History and Latin, with everything else either online or at the college. Next year it is likely to be even less.

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