Are You a Curriculum Junkie?

[TKDmom]

Just curious.

 

And I would include myself as a junkie because I'm always looking, even though I try to refrain from buying...

Edited February 11, 2010 by bonniebeth4

[lionfamily1999]

:lol: I chose other. I drool over it all, but it's not often that actually change what we're doing. So, I could be a junkie, but I'm not... if that makes ANY sense at all.

[jewel7123]

A definite Junkie here.

[StartingOver]

Most definitely a junkie here, of 21 years and counting.

[Scuff]

Other too: reformed junkie :) I'm looking at everything with the subjects I'm not happy with, but have found contentment in some subjects.

[lulubelle]

Not a junkie here. My husband keeps me grounded.

[MissKNG]

I'm a junkie but I'm not always searching for the newest or best....just what works!!

[AudreyTN]

I'm a reformed junkie. :) So I chose other. I like to look (and drool) at some of the new stuff, but I won't change unless what we're using isn't working.

[nmoira]

Other: I do make purchases for evaluation purposes (just how many first year Latin programs should one person own? :tongue_smilie:), but once started we tend to stick with programs as long as they're working.

Edited February 11, 2010 by nmoira

[SilverMoon]

Nope. I do research with extreme care before making any purchases. We have far less curriculum flops this way. I'd rather find a way to make an ill-fitting curriculum work for us than replace it if the going gets tough. There have been a few exceptions to this along the way, of course. :)

[meet me in paris]

I'm a junkie, on the road to recovery. I'm almost there... :)

[LanaTron]

I do try to keep track of all that's out there. But we are on a tight budget so I only buy what I think we'll actually use.

 

I do probably go through more stuff than anyone I know IRL, though. lol

[JudoMom]

Other: I've do make purchases for evaluation purposes (just how many first year Latin programs should one person own? :tongue_smilie:), but once started we tend to stick with programs as long as they're working.

 

All of them, of course :D.

 

I am a junkie, but I tend to stick with what works as well. I'm not a big hopper once we start something unless it's obviously not working.

[nmoira]

 

All of them, of course :D.

Between the two of us, I think we've got them all covered.

[Mama2Three]

Other: I do make purchases for evaluation purposes... but once started we tend to stick with programs as long as they're working.

 

:iagree: Describes me to a T. I call it "catch and release" -- and sometimes I do a lot of fishing before I find what I need. Fortunately, my DH is rather understanding.

Edited February 11, 2010 by Mama2Three

[Haiku]

I voted other. I am not a junkie because I rarely buy anything, but I do really enjoy researching, mostly just for the fun of it.

 

Tara

[TMarie]

another Reformed Junkie. :grouphug:

[Carol in Cal.]

I'm a junkie in that I research curriculum, but actually I have not made any changes in quite a while, because I have found just what I want. There are only two holes in the curricula that I have--one is that I don't know of an engaging US history program that is not too biased one way or another, and the other is that I would like a more complete version of RS4K Chemistry Level II, sold complete with all the lab supplies. Barring those turning up, though, I can't imagine ever needed to change curricula again.

[Crimson Wife]

I try to finish the current level before switching, but I've done a bunch of curriculum-hopping in search of what will work best. But we've only been HS since mid-2006 so I would imagine that this will become less frequent in the future.

[angela in ohio]

I voted Other, because

 

(1.) I used to be a junkie when I was a newer homeschooler, and

(2.) I still look/listen all the time, but I don't buy anything except at the beginning of the year when we need new stuff for next year.

 

Now I might be a "how to" junkie. I scarf up books and tapes for me on teaching methods, specific subject areas, and classical education.

[Tree House Academy]

I am...but I try to refrain. I am not ALWAYS looking. I have my picks...I just tend to change my mind a lot about what is and is not working.

[HRAAB]

Other. I used to be, but I am reformed. Well, until I started reading about MCT, but so far I haven't fallen off the wagon.

[Avila]

Other, I guess. I love to look, but after a rather large bomb in the fall, I am no longer BUYING curriculum to change what we are doing. At least big stuff. Books don't count, right? ;)

 

I do pretty well with the real basics, but history is another story entirely. Oh, nuts. I should probably change my vote ...

[Guest Cindie2dds]

I voted Obligatory Other. Recovering. ;)

[KrissiK]

hmm, I put "no" because I don't really change our course. But, I love to window shop, so what does that make me?

[chaik76]

I voted other...I am a curriculum junkie, but I'm not necessarily looking for the "newest, best programs"...I just collect curriculum, sort of like other people collect figurines. I've been collecting nineteenth century textbooks since I was 11...so this is just sort of an extension of that.

[Closeacademy]

I am a reformed junkie. I used to want to check out all the latest to see what it was like but we have now settled into a good rhythm and flow and I am happy with what we are using.:001_smile:

[MicheleinMN]

I voted *other* because I am a junkie, but not because I'm looking for the newest program. Sometimes the things I buy are very old...books/curricula. I'm a junkie because I buy more than I could ever possibly use, and then I still want to find the perfect program for each subject for each child. :tongue_smilie:

 

There you have it.

Edited February 11, 2010 by MicheleinMN

[elise1mds]

Other. I had to pick that because I'm only a junkie for science curriculum/books, and mostly because my son breezes through it so quickly that I basically *have* to have a ton of stuff available so he doesn't get bored. Everything else, I pretty much stick to what I already have and what works.

[DarlaS]

I voted other. I'm not looking for "new and improved", I'm looking for something that's what I had in mind.

 

Unfortunately, you really need to buy things in order to really SEE them. If I'd kept track of (and subtracted) how many purchases I did not feel were accurately represented by their samples, I'd be firmly in the "no" category. I no longer feel guilty about not using something that wasn't what I thought it was or hoped it would be (usually in terms of user friendliness).

 

Just to clarify, I'm not saying companies intentionally misrepresent their product. More like I sometimes get the wrong impression.

[FO4UR]

I can admit it - I am a curriculum junkie - my only saving grace is that we have a very limitted HS budget so I can't actually purchase (and force upon my innocent children:tongue_smilie:) every single curric that catches my eye.

 

Don't ask me how many maths a 1st grader needs. I'm still in the denial stage when it comes to math!:lol:

[Heidi]

Does it count if I haven't actually started homeschooling yet? First grade starts in the fall, and while I did K with my oldest this year, I don't really count it as home schooling officially. I research and research and research. (I drive myself crazy) Fall in love, then out of love, with curriculum. I buy USED (Thank goodness for http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/ and this forum!) so I can look at it, then turn around and sell it, sometimes. Then maybe buy it again, or not. I'm trying to figure it all out now so I won't have to be a junkie later (hopefully), when it counts a little more. However, it so much fun to buy curriculum and get it in the mail. It's like Christmas. And then the satisfaction of selling it and getting money to buy more. Who am I kidding? This is a vicious cycle that will only end when I throw my computer out of the house! :glare:

[jewel7123]

Does it count if I haven't actually started homeschooling yet? First grade starts in the fall, and while I did K with my oldest this year, I don't really count it as home schooling officially. I research and research and research. (I drive myself crazy) Fall in love, then out of love, with curriculum. I buy USED (Thank goodness for http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/ and this forum!) so I can look at it, then turn around and sell it, sometimes. Then maybe buy it again, or not. I'm trying to figure it all out now so I won't have to be a junkie later (hopefully), when it counts a little more. However, it so much fun to buy curriculum and get it in the mail. It's like Christmas. And then the satisfaction of selling it and getting money to buy more. Who am I kidding? This is a vicious cycle that will only end when I throw my computer out of the house! :glare:

 

Ditto, to everything she said! :iagree:

[FO4UR]

Does it count if I haven't actually started homeschooling yet? First grade starts in the fall, and while I did K with my oldest this year, I don't really count it as home schooling officially. I research and research and research. (I drive myself crazy) Fall in love, then out of love, with curriculum. I buy USED (Thank goodness for http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/ and this forum!) so I can look at it, then turn around and sell it, sometimes. Then maybe buy it again, or not. I'm trying to figure it all out now so I won't have to be a junkie later (hopefully), when it counts a little more. However, it so much fun to buy curriculum and get it in the mail. It's like Christmas. And then the satisfaction of selling it and getting money to buy more. Who am I kidding? This is a vicious cycle that will only end when I throw my computer out of the house! :glare:

 

:lol::lol::lol:

[Tess in the Burbs]

I am always looking. But I don't buy unless it just really jumps out and grabs my heart :-)

[johnandtinagilbert]

That depends if you believe a former junkie is still or junkie in recovery, or no longer a junkie.

 

I fall on the "no longer a junkie" line of thought, so I voted no! Although...now that I think about it, even though I don't switch or jump, I do love to talk about it still....perhaps I'm in denial!

[Caitilin]

I am always looking. But I don't buy unless it just really jumps out and grabs my heart :-)

:iagree:

 

I only buy when something isn't working or if it's for next year. (Mostly:D).

I did buy MCT, but I am really sold on it; it's what I plan to use for the forseeable future.

[Jen+4dc]

I'm a junkie but I'm not always searching for the newest or best....just what works!!

 

:iagree:

 

I'm a reformed junkie. :) So I chose other. I like to look (and drool) at some of the new stuff, but I won't change unless what we're using isn't working.

 

Me, too!

 

I'm a junkie because I buy more than I could ever possibly use, and then I still want to find the perfect program for each subject for each child. :tongue_smilie:

 

 

:iagree: Is the perfect program out there????

[djsmom]

I too am a reformed junkie:) so I chose NO. I have picked our programs and will only look now if something obviously isn't working. And oh the freedom!!

[SewLittleTime]

Junkie here....in the sense that I'm always looking and researching. Thankfully, I don't have enough money to buy all the good stuff I find.:drool:

[woolybear]

I voted yes, but I also wanted to put other. I often am not looking for new curriculum, but then I come to these boards and I hear about some wonderful program that I hadn't heard of before. Then I research it and then my head is completely turned around.....And also, I am a curriculum junkie.:D

 

Wooly

[Mom-ninja.]

Always looking out of curiousity. Sometimes I buy.

[...................]

This year after a major expensive flop, I got 5 friends to be my accountability partners - no more purchases, and I must finish what we started. It's going great. There is a wonderful feeling if having a stack of books 2/3 done, the kids are learning step by step, and there is a rhythm here.

 

I already made my purchase for next year and I finally feel I understand my kids and myself!!!

 

I like some textbooks, or open and go easy to teach programs such as older levels of LLATL...I like workbooks for math, spelling, handwriting...and mostly self teaching. I am basically eclectic and I'm finally fine with that.

 

For fun I am using the library more and getting more read alouds even if that means occcasional Amazon purchaes for books instead of curriculum.

 

:)

[IsabelC]

No junkie here, too busy trying to use what we already have effectively.

[Aoife]

Junkie here but I love to research so when DS gets old enough I will have a better idea where we are going.

[Jayne J]

I voted yes--I am a junkie. A theoretical junkie. I make a plan, choose my materials and stop. Then I peek just a bit more, and change a few things, reshuffle the topics, tweak a program with just a few changes, re-plan and stop. The I do the whole thing all over again. I do this for three or four months (or five). Then I finally order exactly what I first chose. So, although I don't actually buy all the stuff I plan, I am a junkie!

[mtollie]

Like others have said, I love to look and drool over everything but haven't actually changed our curriculum during the school year. I'm a little nervous about that vendor hall at the conf. in Cinninatti though - all those materials in your hands! :)

[melissel]

I am always looking. But I don't buy unless it just really jumps out and grabs my heart :-)

 

:iagree: I am, however, a go-along junkie! I'm a sucker for stuff (books, manipulatives, helps, etc.) that will go along with what we're doing, even though we're probably not using half of what lives in our bookshelves right now! DH is going to ban me from used book sales soon for that reason :tongue_smilie:

[ElizabethB]

I'm a junkie but I'm not always searching for the newest or best....just what works!!

:iagree:

 

In fact, newest may be something I like from the 1800's!

[ElizabethB]

Other: I do make purchases for evaluation purposes (just how many first year Latin programs should one person own? :tongue_smilie:), but once started we tend to stick with programs as long as they're working.

 

I have 5, including 1 from the 1800's, an actual book I bought years before I had children or considered homeschooling any future children I might have!