Guest BookLover Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 just curious what you have felt works best - thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristineIN Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I prefer a variety of books. Kristine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie in AR Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 just curious what you have felt works best - thanks A variety of publishers works well for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArwenA Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I prefer a variety of books. Kristine :iagree: We'd get bored with just one publisher, and multiple views is good, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I can't really compare the two options, because I've always used a variety of publishers rather than all from one. My feeling is that Joan Cotter is an amazing math educator, so I want HER math curriculum. SWB is a great history teacher, so I want HER history program. It might not necessarily be true, but I guess my feeling is that a jack of all trades is a master of none. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetreasurs Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Definitely prefer variety! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Gate Academy Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I've found that the publishers that stick to one or two subjects do a much better job at presenting their material than those who try to cover all of the subjects. It also makes it easier for my children to work in each subject at whatever grade level fits them the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Variety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verena Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Definitely variety :-). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanaTron Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 We use a variety, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in Central TX Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I've actually like using one publisher for many of our subjects. If I had to use one publisher, it would be Rod & Staff. I use it for most subjects already with the exception of science and history. I have used their elementary science courses which are very thorough, but I prefer the Elementary Apologia series. I also don't use their history/social studies books because of their pacifist views. Other than those 2 subjects, I use what is offered by R&S. Of course, they don't offer anything outside of the basics like Latin, Greek, etc. I like the R&S materials because they are well-written and provide a solid foundation in whatever they teach; the price is right too. Another advantage is that the subjects are coordinated with each other and reinforce concepts taught across the subjects. Since R&S stops in 8th grade (for the most part), I will use more variety in our books as we enter the high school years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam L. Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 We have used a great variety of publishers over the years. I have used both Christian and secular materials. Honestly, each of my children is different and I really use different materials for each of them! (I wish the materials worked for all of them - sigh!). Sometimes I use materials based on topics covered and where we are in our journey, sometimes I use materials to cover learning gaps, and sometimes I use materials because they come highly recommended. We too get bored with a publisher of the same subject for more than one year in a row. Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raders Fan Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 We use whatever is best for us. For us, it includes R&S for English, Saxon for math (though all those posts about R&S math are tempting me to take a look), and SWB for history. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 That's why I pick and choose our curriculum. Using one publisher would feel even more limiting than getting a boxed curriculum. I haven't even found too many authors I use for more than one textbook. The grass is always greener, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seewah Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Variety is the spice of life. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula in PA Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 It might not necessarily be true, but I guess my feeling is that a jack of all trades is a master of none. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankcassiesmom Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Variety. Hands down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MySerenity Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I use books from all different publishers. I use A Beka math... but I couldn't imagine using them for anything else. And since most of our science and history are spines we use a ton of other books for those subjects too. (Although I find myself buying a lot of things published by Peace Hill Press). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThelmaLou Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Variety here. Sometimes the temptation to order a "grade in a box" is strong, but I know I wouldn't be happy with the results. I like being able to pick the best from each subject area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 but if later one publisher meets our needs I don't see why we wouldn't stick with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 once I find a good fit for a subject area, I usually stick with it to a large extent. So, for instance, we will probably use Rod and Staff for grammar and for writing mechanics until we finish the series. We will probably continue with Writing Strands and Writer's Jungle to some extent, indefinately. (Although I imagine that at some point DD will join an IEW coop for a year, just because I think that that would be a good experience for her. But we would slow down the others, not stop them.) We will probably continue with Saxon math through Algebra 1 but not beyond. We are definately finishing SOTW! Really! Even though we have slowed down to add in US history via Steward Ship unit studies and living books, especially Marrin and Foster. We spent some long happy years using Real Science 4 Kids and "How the ... Works" and will do RS4K chemistry level II, but now it's time to commit to something else for the rest of the time--Apologia, or Rainbow, or that one that Ria likes so much. I really like finding a good author and buying or borrowing many of his books. So in that respect, I'm pretty loyal. Having said that, I don't necessarily have DD read others by the same author if they don't seem as engaging--for instance, I loved "From the Mixed Up Files" and "Jennifer, Hecate" by E. L. Konigsburg, but not the rest of her books. I have no objection to DD reading them, but I'm not going out of my way to prod her to do so. Same with Zilpha Keatley Snyder. So I guess I have loyal inclinations, but not blind loyalty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Choosing from a variety of publishers/authors allows me to better try to attain the educational excellence that I hoped for in bringing my children home to school. Regena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 just curious what you have felt works best - thanks Variety!! I love at least two views on all things, especially with history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 We use a variety. I also agree with Jenny that for things like history and science it is good to have at least two different points of view. We talk a *lot* about bias and how it relates to what we read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneD Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 nt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmen_and_Company Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Variety is the spice of life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2three Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 what would work for each child. I don't think I could handle using one company for everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadiegirl Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 I have always used a variety...I like reading on the boards all the great recommendations over the course of a year and I jot these down and then at homeschool conferences, I look at these products and read about them online. I think it is a great way to "specialize" your curriculum just for you and that is one of the great things about homeschooling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trivium Academy Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Variety is the spice of life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 that I liked for all subjects (if I were going to use all textbooks, lol). I like R&S for English, spelling, math, science and history. I like BJUP for upper grade history and science. ABeka's science isn't too bad, either. For teaching children to read and spell, I'm sold on Spalding (Writing Road to Reading). I can use R&S's Spelling by Sound and Structure but I have to overlook a few things. I don't really care much for ACE, CLE, or Alpha Omega, although I could use AO for English, history and Bible if I had to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda in NM Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Variety is the spice of life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Puddins~ Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 We love variety...I also love book shopping! I would find it to be terribly boring if I did "one stop shopping" :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 and it is easier to tailor the school work to fit the kid, rather than the other way 'round, when you can pick and choose from myriad sources of materials. I got to use the word 'myriad' today! Whee! :D JFS - easy to amuse in IL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Island Academy Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Variety here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paula j Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 I prefer a variety because the "One fits all" mentality, definately doesn't fit our family.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Heather Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 I'll agree w/ the "variety is the spice of life" folks... we definitely like to mix things up here :o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Variety. As others have said, I haven't found any one source which would be able to meet our needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Then you can get each publisher's best products. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
materursa Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 definitely a variety! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Variety for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof165 Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 We have tried one publisher for 2nd Grade and it was a disaster.:eek: So, I've learned - Variety is the spice of life! Sonja Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my2kidsmom Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Definately variety. I like to pick and choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Variety, although we are using more and more Galore Park. Calvin uses it for English, Latin and Maths; Calvin for English. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 That way I can find the best fit in each subject for each child. It is nice if the whole package works, but for us it never did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punkinelly Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 I use a variety. I have never found a company that has everything I like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricket1178 Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Variety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauriep Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hose Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Variety here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlie Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Variety--it's actually one of the many reasons I wanted to homeschool in the first place! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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