Bay Lake Mom
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Posts posted by Bay Lake Mom
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I know there are many books available to guide homeschooling families in choosing curriculum and getting started. However, I've been looking for a few encouraging books to read for Moms that already have their choices made and have been homeschooling for years. I've found myself struggling to make it all happen each day. I need some encouragement to keep me going. I look forward to hearing your suggestions.
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All of these writing curriculums are confusing me. I can't afford to invest time or money in another wrong choice. We've been using BJU English, but not doing much with the writing lessons - mainly just the grammar. My oldest dad is 8 yo and I also have a 6 yo but she's quite delayed.
I need a lot of hand holding. I'm more of a math person. My 8 yo seems very overwhelmed anytime we attempt a writing assignment. What are your opinions on these choices (in the subject line)? Pros and cons of each if you have experience?
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We Choose Virtues - 30% off store with code HOLIDAY (Friday - Monday)
Grapevine Studies Birth of Jesus - 30% off (Friday - Monday)
Progeny Press - 20% off physical products code : THANKS016 (Friday)
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What's In The Bible - $5 DVD's
Memoria Press - free shipping code SHIP16FREEBFCM
Our Journey Westward - 25% off Christmas and winter themed curriculum (now - Monday)
Pam Barnhill is offering several discounts on her site
Critical Thinking - 20-50% and free shipping with code : THANK16
A Journey Through Learning lapbooks - 60% off downloads with code BF60 (Friday)
Those are the emails I've received so far. I look forward to hearing about the others!
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You might like Positive Action bible study. It's grade level and workbook style.
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Have you looked at the Outdoor Hour Challenge? This makes nature study simple and doable!!!
http://handbookofnaturestudy.com/2011/01/nature-study-helps-and-hints.html/
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I use AO and several other sources, plus lots of my own research, to make my own CM style curriculum. If all you ever did was AO, your children wouldn't suffer. It IS thorough and it IS well done. BUT. It isn't the only way to implement Charlotte Mason's philosophy and methodology, and I think it is unfair that AO gets represented as the sole option.
The book choices all looked great to me, too, when I first looked at it. The more I researched their selections, however, the more I saw a bias in their history and a decided lack of science. If you want to use AO as written, again, I think your kids will get a good education. But I'd recommend doing the research - even if you just research one year at a time before you use that year - to be sure that those books are in line with your family's beliefs and preferences.
Part of what makes AO so effective is the work of the parents using it day to day, doing their darnedest to follow CM's advice and instructions on HOW to educate children (because she had a lot of pretty awesome stuff to say about that ;) ). Speaking from my own experience, choosing high quality books and then putting your energy into habit formation and consistency over time will be effective - no matter where the list of quality books came from. AO even warns parents against using their curriculum without understanding the methodology and philosophy that it was written for.
That said, if you and your family like all you see on AO - jump in. Education through living books; the skills of narration, copy work, and dictation; the ability to focus the mind and listen or observe; the inclusion of beautiful things such as poetry, Shakespeare, and great artists not as an "extra" but as integral to the whole education.....this way of bringing our children through their school years is truly wonderful and worth the effort. Just be aware that you don't NEED AO to do it.
I'm actually not drawn to AO so much. I don't care for their book choices regarding history. Charlotte Mason Help (or Higher Up Further In - HUFI) is the curriculum that I'm interested in. Their book recommendations are great! I am aware that a CM education isn't through only books. It's more about the lifestyle and approach. I am wondering if anyone has actually used CM Help (or HUFI) and has experience they can share.
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I know a lot of people talk about AO, but I'm curious if there are any users that have used CM Help (or Higher Up Further In) successfully or if anyone can provide any opinions?
I really like the book choices, and I've been looking for an alternative way to teach world history (other than SOTW). -
Unit study.com has a big sale on Monday. From 7-9 am, take 50% off everything. From 9-11am, take 40% off everything. From 11am - 5 pm, take 30% off everything.
This is a great topic. We should have a post like this for every holiday "sale" time!
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We used BJU English 2 this year. It was okay. I'm not sure how much she actually retained, though. I have BJU English 3 on hand, but I'm not sure it's the best fit for my daughter. I like the looks of both FLL and ELTL. I think she would respond better to less of a "text book" approach. Has anyone used both of these that can offer a comparison? I've also considered adding Writing With Ease for writing.
Note : Narration and dictation would be somewhat new for us.
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I really wish our library did this!
If your library has a decent website, they should display the list checked out (including history) under your account.
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If you want to do world history, Sonlight core B is an introduction to world history.
You could also spend a year studying geography with something like Galloping the Globe or Expedition Earth. Your older child(ren) could add reading biographies. My 7 yo loves the Who was? Series, and she's learned a ton reading these. Our library has a lot of them to choose from as well!
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Just wanted to update in case anyone reads this thread later. A representative from Olly reached out to me today and provided me a new license link. Apparently they were on vacation, and that's why they didn't respond all week. -- The tool is awesome once you get the correct access!!
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Geography Matters has a an excellent series called Trail Guide to Learning. You can actually choose to purchase either the Regular package or the Government Funded Package. They're used to this requirement apparently.
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I shared this reply on another forum. Here are some great resources to consider. Not Consumed and Doorposts are my favorites!
Check out the blog - Not Consumed. She has a few studies that are great for working on character.
I've also used parts of the following :
The Character Corner has Little Lads and Ladies of Virtue AND Lads and Ladies of Wisdom
The Road to 31 offers ABC's for Godly Girls/Boys
Reluctant Entertainer has Balcony Girls
There are also several out there based on the Armor of God
Also a popular option is We Choose Virtues
Doorposts has a lot of character building guidance
Simply Charlotte Mason sells a book and DVD called Laying Down the Rails
The first ones on this list are easier to implement, and the latter give more guidance and let you decide how to teach. I have focused a lot on character building in the early years.
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I think that I didn't understand you had to download a separate license file. The email that they sent when I purchased was a bit confusing. I think I must not have downloaded that, and now it must be expired. Hopefully they answer soon. I'm so frustrated. Thanks for the advice, though.
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I love OLLY! I'm in the process of creating our lesson plans for next year.
Have you searched the OLLY Forum? Perhaps this thread may help.
Thank you for the response. Unfortunately, that won't work either. I can't even open OLLY at this point unless I want to buy another license. I tried the "finder" solution, but I don't know where to find the license file.
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I signed up for a trial of OLLY in early May. I decided I really liked it, so I purchased a license in mid May. I spent the next 2-3 weeks entering all of our fall lesson plans. I am very excited about this tool. It will help me so much.
..... However ..... apparently the "trial" period is over, so now when I try to login, it states that my trial period is over -- Do I want to buy a license?
Well, obviously - I already have! I submitted a ticket on Sunday to OLLY trying to get this resolved. I am not getting any response (other than an auto-generated email saying they received my ticket). I sent them another email earlier today, and still nothing.
1. Has anyone had an experience similar to mine? Is there something easy that I could do to fix this?
or
2. Does anyone know of any better way to get in touch with them?
Thanks in advance!
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Also check out Maestro Classics. They are audio only, but tell the story along with the music. They are nicely done. We love Swan Lake!
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I'm disappointed with the options as well. Even the build your bundle doesn't seem like a great deal. I also own a lot of these already. Hopefully they see this feedback and make changes for next year.
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Winter Promise sounds like it would be a good fit. They have a schedule similar to Sonlight. They choose awesome real books, not textbooks, and they have a lot of hands on activities. I recommend buying the WP guide and exclusives from them directly, but buy the books and readers from Amazon.
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If I had a redo and kids those ages, I would have saved myself a heck of a lot of money and just bought Tapestry of Grace, which is what we use now and what I have always wanted to use but didn't want to spend the money....ha. Looking back, it would have been cheaper to start with it. Since that isn't on your list, I would use Story of the World; that is our spine of choice with TOG. I do like Sonlight a lot, though, also.
I have looked at TOG many times. I've been told not to try it. It's too difficult to make work. I do LOVE the idea of it, but I'd be nervous about the scheduling. I'm not crossing it off my list to consider in the future. We'll be moving 2 times this year, so I think I would do best with something planned for me.
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Another vote for ES. We've done biology and loved it. It got done, and the kids learned a lot of vocabulary and facts that stuck! I was curious, and I bought a level of REAL. We completed one lesson. We never pulled it out gain. It's not as easy to open and go. I love that ES has the 2 or 5 day schedule, the coloring book, quiz book and options for activity book and lapbook. You choose how much "paper" work you want to complete. I don't feel guilty for not doing everything. For now, we will stick with ES!
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I love that Disney creates these educational materials. They actually have educators guides for several of their Disney Nature videos. Some of the videos are/were available to view on Netflix! Here's the link to all of the guides.
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Easy Classical - reviews?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
I recently discovered a curriculum that schedules out SOTW with Guerber and VP Cards as well as living books to go along with it. The schedule also includes all other subjects. The curriculum is aligned with SWB WTM. It is very appealing to me, but I'm wondering if anyone has actually used it. I think it is similar to Wayfarers, but I like the book suggestions better. Also, there are writing lessons scheduled that use IEW TWSS. Here is a link to the home page. Please share your knowledge or experience. Thanks!
http://www.easyclassical.com/index.html