mymonkeybug
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Posts posted by mymonkeybug
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I hit as many library book sales and B.I.G. sales as I can and everything in between. In doing so, I see many folks, even at thrift stores, scanning barcodes on their cells or little handheld PDA devices. I asked one woman who hesitantly said, "It let's her know if the book is worth paying the asking price for." That didn't sit well with me, not the answer so much as her hesitation and almost 'mind your business' behavior.
So in researching this, I found it to be called 'Book Scouting'. Many of you may be familiar with it but for those that aren't here goes a basic explanation. You download software to your cell or purchase/rent a PDA from a scouting company and you then use this system to scan barcodes for books, cd's, dvd's, even some video games and toys and a value pops up based on what is selling and for how much on Amazon. You are basically being told by the info. on the screen whether that book or item is worth buying for the sake of reselling. If you have older items without barcodes, some software/devices allow you to manually type in a name and other info. on the item and you can see what they are valued at and selling for. Of course there is the cost of the unit and/or software and a monthly subscription fee which I have seen range from $12 all the way up to $30 or more per month. And the PDA's are in the hundreds so if you own a smart phone that seems to be the way to go.
My question is two-fold: does anyone here do this as a means to earn a little extra cash since the majority of us are single income homeschooling households and are you having much success?
Heather in MD
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Kids and myself are looking for other homeschoolers in our area of Maryland. We live in southern Maryland in Calvert County and are fairly close to Annapolis and AA County as well.
We consist of DH 38, myself 38, ds 11, and dd 8.
Thanks bunches-
Heather
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I will add my few cents for what it may be worth.
My advice is to SLOW down and breath. Having been in a very similar situation with hating the house, etc...but I am sure different circumstances leading to it. The best advice I got was to slow down and breath. Really think about a move hard.
You do have the benefit of dh being able to transfer anywhere and have that guaranteed job which many don't.
So keeping that in mind, check into the cost of living and whether you truly-you and dh-truly want to live in mom's basement. What utilites will cost, groceries, car insurance, etc...in a new area. Think about weather also. If you would be going from one climate to a totally different one then that is something to consider.
I wanted to abandon our home in Maryland and move to Vermont. We own our home but I didn't care anymore with all that had happened. We are still here in our home in MD three years later and while I have a pang of desire to scoot every now and then, it is less now that I have made the conscious effort to make the best out of what I have as opposed to running away from it.
Problems follow you wherever you go so keep that in mind. You can't run away from what the real root of the problem is.
Without knowing all the details, and they aren't my business, don't take offense to anything I said.
Keep your chin up girl!!!!!!
P.S. and make sure you can let it go, the stuff that is. I sold it ALL except for beds and really wish some of those books and games and knick knacks never went. Heck, I really miss all my kitchen gadgets and have slowly been replacing them but for more than I sold mine for. UGH!
Heather
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My opinion and take it as you will:
Keep up with the, "That's enough!" He will learn after being trained, just as he has trained you before and is currently training his AWANA leader, that certain behaviors are not tolerated nor acceptable. You will also need to train his AWANA leader and others he spends any time with that he pulls a certain stunt and how to handle it.
Mommy, he is spirited and trying to assert himself and find his place in the higherarchy of life lol.
You are fine mom and don't worry about what other's think of your mothering skills.
Heather in MD
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Lemon and dill in a saute pan on the stove top. Easy and SUPERB!!!!
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PEGLEG
Slamwich
Almost all Cranium younger child game slike Balloon Lagoon & Cariboo
Dominos
Farkle-non online version
Puzzles
Rush Hour and other simililar games by Thinkfun/Binary Arts
Check your local thrift stores too; you would be amazed what old games/classics you can find sometimes, especially if you live near a military base(as we do). When they get shipped out they donate awesome games and books and such they have picked up from their travels.
Heather in MD
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I prefer a more natural/holistic approach so while I would be concerned, I might make a choice to find non-toxic methods to treat just in case as opposed to going all out with chemicals if there infact isn't a diagnosed matter.
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Still learning this forum and have no idea how to bump posts? I mistakenly posted a thread in the wrong place yesterday and have been asked to bump it so folks can follow it but have no clue how to do that.
Thanks bunches!
Heather in MD
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Hi Heather!
In our home each of my daughters use a different math curriculum because they each processes information differently. One of the many beauties of homeschooling. !!
That is one thing I have to pound into my head, both kids can do different programs. I think as a still newer homeschooler, I am stuck in that 'let's all do the same thing' train of thought.
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Rather than replying to each post so far, I will say a BIG thanks to all for having commented to this point.
The text book thingy comment was just me stating my opinion of Saxon.
As for what we have tried or used, we have used Teaching Textbooks and I felt it was too computer based(call me old fashioned), MEPS but find having to tweak the English pounds for US currency for me a drag, Shiller Math which seemed too juvenile for him but I got thinking maybe he needed to go back a bit to relearn or learn period, and some other odds and ends things.
I am truly thinking that I would like to try Math U See for him or Math On The Level. I prefer the mastery approach to spiral. It seems to work best for him also; being able to master a concept before having another tossed out at him. I have also looked at Right Start Math and Moving With Math. It boils down to too many choices ugh.
As for the comment about Dyscalculia, I have been reading on it and many of the issues those with it show, he too shows. Lord knows his father probably has it and I don't mean that disrespectfully to my DH.
It was suggested to me when I first pulled him from public, to allow him a period of de-schooling or rest time to let go of the hatred of school so to speak. I did that and it helped I believe because now he doesn't cry over math. Also, I have been going slowly with him and not making him ride the conveyor belt at home as he did in public.
Some reading this will notice there seemed to be a great deal of "I" when referring to what we tried and didn't like and why. It is easy for me to say I don't like it when I see the reaction it gets out of him. I simply can't force feed a curriculum to him when he is in tears over it because he just doesn't get it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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We are in our second year of homeschooling after having pulled both kids from public. DS is a major math struggler and if the county looks at us, they say he is whatever PC words they might use.
Anyway, I still to this day try to find a good math fit for him. He is 11 and in 6th grade and is just now grasping multiplication but has no tables memorized yet, well maybe the 0's and 1's.
I see so many people rave about Saxon. Why is that? To me, honestly, it seems tooooooo textbook public school'ish for my liking. Why would I want to pull him from public school just to do public schooling methods at home?
Thanks for your opinions and advice.
Heather
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One I haven't used yet but want to try this coming school year is Imitation In Writing by Matt Whitling of the Logos School. www.logosschool.com and www.logospressonline.com
Heather
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TRISMS follows a multi-year approach as does Learning Adventures(beginning work on 4th year I believe).
Doesn't Veritas Press follow a multi-year cycle system too?
Heather
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We use Piano Wizard and the kids seem to enjoy it. I will admit though that I have slacked off in setting it up for them to get on it as we have one computer to share. Can't swear I can give you a great review.
Heather
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Parents-
Please if you don't mind assisting me, I need help with math and my children. We homeschool and we have a 3rd grader who is fairly advanced and a 6th grader who is struggling greatly in Math. I don't use any specific curriculum now, simply print off worksheets from different sites now and use manipulatives to work on those sheets.
Could I possibly get some advice and suggestions on what math programs and/or curriculums you enjoy and why for homeschooling?
Much appreciated in MD-
Heather
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Thanks everyone for the responses. I had a feeling when I would read LEGOS that it meant the Legos building blocks but wanted to make sure. LOL!!!!
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I am new to the group and reading through posts. I see mention of LEGOS a great deal. Does that mean Legos as in the building block toys or is that the name of curriculum products?
Sorry for the silly question but I won't know unless I ask.
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Have you thought of looking into a program like Truthquest History or Mystery of History? They are History guides more so than a full curriculum and you supplement them with living books and classics which they provide a spine list for. You can also add in your own things from places like Greenleaf, Memoria Press, and other places.
Also, KONOS has History packages that look nice, never used them myself, but they do look well put together.
Just a thought.
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I have a crier with Math. My children were pulled from public school and this is our second year hs'ing. My son, grade 6 and soon to be 11, is very behind in math. Or should I say very behind if you talk to the public school system. DD however is advanced in mostly everything.
For math, I have decided to go with Math On The Level. It is a series of books that takes you from pre-k through highschool. You can purchase the books as a set or individually base don your budget. There are no work books or manipuatives however you can add what you like and use those things however they suit your situation. The MOTL books are great guide books for the parent that truly do explain the concept and method to every math application. It is full of answers to the why's, how's and when's.
It may not be for everyone, but I have found with a struggler, it has taken away ALL the drama and trauma associated with math. They do have a 5 a day problem series which is nice too because it doesn't stress the child with 20 or 30 repetitious(sp?)problems; if they are mastering a concept then why over burden them with so many written problems?
Hope this helps in some way. www.mathonthelevel.com and they also have a very good supportive yahoo group.
Also, books by Keith Kressin and Mark Wahl are fabulous for math. You can make a curriculum yourself just by using their books.
Was ready to do TRISMS but now thinking Biblioplan
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
Anyone care to chime in on their preferences and why?
I was all set to get TRISMS History Makers for next school year to do with 12 and 9 year olds. I have in the last several days though found out about Biblioplan and it looks very appealing and the price point is nice too.