Question about book and curriculum

[hsmom]

Do you sell or get rid of all your curriculum yearly? Do you only buy for that year and no more? Also for the amount of books you have is it necessary to keep all these books? I mean would it be a bad thing to have only the books needed for that year and only that year?

 

I just have too much, we probably not as much as some. I feel like there is just too much clutter all the time. Too many science books, history books, LA books, just too much. Would it be stupid of me to downsize to this year and only this year books, then sell those when done and buy next years?

 

We have a small house and the two large book shelves and closet full of books takes up a lot of needed space.

 

What is every ones opinion on this one. To sell or not to sell, or to downsize or not to downsize that is the question.

[hsmom3tn]

It's really a matter of your own comfort. If you're not comfortable with the clutter, then go ahead and sell anything you don't need. Is there anything that you might regret selling? Are you going to need something again for maybe a younger sibling? I would do some checking to make sure you're not getting rid of anything that will be hard to find again.

 

I was a book pack-rat for a long time. I would buy anything that looked good or that I thought I might use someday. I don't have as much space as I used to so I've given up on having my own library, only keeping what we need right now, and using the public library a lot more.

 

-Angie

[elegantlion]

I tend to keep. I have a good amount of bookshelf space however. I've also collected several books from thrift stores or paperbackswap. While they may or may not get used as curriculum I like to have the option. I have enough material that in case of a financial crisis in our family I could homeschool my ds for several subjects with the material I own.

 

I have been weeding out items this spring and I don't think there is anything wrong with only having material for one year at a time. I like the security the extra books give me. That's it really, as I type that I realize it's security for me.

 

Maybe picks the best of each subject and keep those and downsize the others.

[Willow]

As my youngest is now 12 I have been weeding out a lot of the primary age stuff. We also have a small house, 3 small bedrooms, one other room for living, kitchen, eating etc. no garage. But we are creative as to where we have bookshelves. We compromise, I keep the really great stuff...I have adult daughters, who may marry and produce homeschooling grandkids....but I have got rid of a lot of the so-so stuff. I have kept all the historical fiction for example, but sold famous five type books. I can always get them from second hand shops if I do get grandkids!

[Jayne J]

Personally, I found that I ended up forgetting all the stuff I had and never used it, because I didn't check my own shelves:blushing:. I have gotten rid of alot of things, but mostly stuff for future use (I have 2 youngers coming up and want to reuse as much as possible--I keep what I really used/liked and get rid of the marginal stuff). I keep just a few of the hard to find/expensive/will DEFINATELY use things for the next year or two (this equates to about one 3 foot shelf full).

It's always a hard line to walk--over stocking vs. overspending. Good luck finding your happy medium!

[MamaofTwo]

I used to be a keeper. I kept all my texts from college on my bookshelves for years. Then I moved them to boxes and alphabetized them with a quick reference sheet in the house. Of course, I never used the reference sheet or the books. Then I realized that most of the texts were so old that the info would be totally outdated, so i got rid of them all.

 

Now I try to keep my collection to the two bookcases I own. I keep curriculum that will be used by a younger and I keep classic books that we really enjoyed. I try to sell off the rest.

 

HTH!

[8filltheheart]

I keep everything that I like and know I will use again. I sell the curriculum that I didn't like at all.

 

Right now, I have bookshelves in my attic b/c I don't have enough shelf space in my house. If I didn't have a walk in attic, I would probably put them in Rubbermaid containers and label them in the attic or put them in the under the bed ones under some beds.

 

I am glad I have kept the materials I have. K and 1st grade with my current 7 yod cost me the replacement work books for SSRW and Horizons workbooks. My rising 5th grader I only had to buy her Horizons workbooks. It has allowed me to be a lot more generous in my high school expenditures.

 

(But, I have used all the stuff I really like several times and still have several more times to go, so I know exactly what they are! :) )

[Ashkraw]

I question the same thing. However, If I need it for a younger sibling is keep it. If not I sale it. I am not sure what is the right answer. I just sale things to make room for new items. the attic is a great idea but not in South Texas. The heat ruins alot of things. I am a purger. I think it is a matter of what is comfortable for you.:)

[TengoFive]

I keep everything that I like and know I will use again. I sell the curriculum that I didn't like at all.

 

This is what I do too. I have regretted selling some things in the past that I would have liked to tried again with another child.

[AngelaNYC]

I just buy for the year and that's it. (ok, unless I see something I'll use at a later year for an insanely great price, lol). I plan on selling most everything that's in good condition as soon as our year is over. My ds (8) is my last child. We won't be using any of it again. Our curriculum is literature-based, so I'll probably keep some of the really good books, but everything else has to go. I'm a big clutter queen, so I'm learning to toss and feel good doing it! :001_smile:

[Bee]

If I use something with older dd and I think I may use it with the younger, I keep it. If I won't use it I donate it or throw it away. There are a few rare textbook-type things that I've used with both children that I will keep in case either child grows up and has children and decides they want to hs or after-school. After we read the literature books we go through and the children decide which they want to keep and which we will donate.

[Suzannah]

I have not gotten rid of very much, but then I haven't done a lot of curriculum-jumping either and I intend to re-use most of it for the younger kiddos. The few things I do have and don't have a use for I'm still holding onto just in case. But when space does become a bigger issue I'll sell it or give it away. Mostly it's a bunch of workbooks and flashcards that people have given me when they learn that I homeschool. I have no real use for them, but one day I might.

 

FWIW, I have historical fiction and nonfiction books on the bookshelves in the office that hold all of our non-school books as well. There's a small book case in the dining room where we do most of our schoolwork that holds reference books, history spines, and other books we need regular access to. On top of the shelf is where we keep most math manipulatives, pencil sharpener, pens and pencils. Then I also have a baker's rack with space for three large fabric bins, one each for the older children and myself. Teacher's manuals and my notebook are in my bin, the children's notebooks and texts that they are using are in their bins. I used to have a small bin for the toddler's activities on the bookshelf too, but next year I'll be using a large basket/hamper from Ikea to house activity boxes for him--one for each day of the week. Everything we are not currently using is kept in what used to be the linen closet. I keep all towels, sheets, etc in the rooms in which they are used to free up that space.

[Dobela]

Until my son was 7 I just sold everything when we were finished. But then we had dd. Now I keep what I really like only, usually supplements that would work well with any curriculum (like math drills or favorite books). I don't have space. I also don't have money to just keep building up curriculum without selling old to buy new. Besides, there is 7 years in age difference and already I can tell their learning styles are vastly different. God has provided all I need so far and if I sell it all, I believe He will provide what I need in the future as well.