Can someone tell me more about Oak Meadow?

[LNC]

I've homeschooled for several years and never heard of this company. I've noticed on the boards more and more. I ordered a catalog and in looks very good - accredited. Around since 1975. I'm not interested in changing up everything I'm using - but I'm just interested in the background story. I.e. how it was founded in the 70's and how well regarded it is by homeschoolers and the mainstream educational community. Anyone know and want to share? Or pm me?

[mhgillil]

I can't give you any background info on the company, but I used several of their courses in high school (I'm a homeschool grad) and really enjoyed them. I was homeschooled secularly, so Oak Meadow provided good alternatives to the Christian-based packages.

[Caitilin]

They have a pretty good "who we are and how we got here" story on their website. I don't know how they are regarded in hsing community in general, but I have been very pleased with the materials I have used, ie. Secular, non-textbook sciences. :001_smile:

[cindergretta]

We are in our first year using Oak Meadow (Kindy, 2nd, and 4th) and like it so much that my high schoolers are using it next year. I find it relaxing and aestetically (sp??) pleasing. My dc love the crafts that go with it. My oldest dd (starting it next year) liked the looks of the high school offerings.

[NanceXToo]

I have a pretty detailed review of it on my blog, if you click the link in my sig and then look at the sidebar on the left side of the page for the "My Reviews" section.

 

There's a lot about it on Oak Meadow's site, too.

 

I love Oak Meadow! We've used OM4, OM5 and are going to use OM6 and OMK in the fall.

[Audrey]

Martha and I started a yuku forum for Oak Meadow users and those interested in using OM. Feel free to drop on by and join. Then, ask whatever is on your mind about it. :001_smile: http://oakmeadow.yuku.com/

 

I've used OM for Pre-K & K, then grade 4, 5, 6 and next year 7. There are many on the forums representing nearly all the grades.

[tinkhs]

I am impressed myself. So much is made of the gentle nature, OM 1 is this way, not as much with OM 3. I have OM 3 also which is so full and complete! I am glad I found them. :)

 

I did a Google search for blogs. I wish I were that computer savvy to have one of my own.

[tinkhs]

Martha and I started a yuku forum for Oak Meadow users and those interested in using OM. Feel free to drop on by and join. Then, ask whatever is on your mind about it. :001_smile: http://oakmeadow.yuku.com/

 

I've used OM for Pre-K & K, then grade 4, 5, 6 and next year 7. There are many on the forums representing nearly all the grades.

 

Audrey,

 

Did you not do OM 1 - 3 for a reason?

[Desert Rat]

OM also has fabulous resale value on ebay. I sold used curriculum for a friend a year ago and she did great!

[Audrey]

Audrey,

 

Did you not do OM 1 - 3 for a reason?

 

Well, that is a bit of a long story, but the shortened version...

 

I second guessed myself and went with a program that was supposed to be very "rigourous" for 1-3. We had been loving OM and ds was thriving and loving learning. It was *my* insecurities that led me to choose another program. It remains my biggest regret in homeschooling and in parenting. The other program was not a good fit for my ds. He learned -- yes, but at the cost of his love of learning and the joy he had previously found in nature, art, and music.

 

I went back to OM for grade 4 and turned some things around, but I don't think there is enough time to repair all the damage done. Thankfully, my ds has regained his love for learning and some of his previous joy in nature, art and music. I will always be left wondering what he could have had, though, if we had stayed with OM.

[tinkhs]

Audrey, thank you for your candor. My second grader had so many tears this year and I promised myself I would bring joy back to our days. I am very much looking forward to this fall.

[NanceXToo]

Well, that is a bit of a long story, but the shortened version...

 

I second guessed myself and went with a program that was supposed to be very "rigourous" for 1-3. We had been loving OM and ds was thriving and loving learning. It was *my* insecurities that led me to choose another program. It remains my biggest regret in homeschooling and in parenting. The other program was not a good fit for my ds. He learned -- yes, but at the cost of his love of learning and the joy he had previously found in nature, art, and music.

 

I went back to OM for grade 4 and turned some things around, but I don't think there is enough time to repair all the damage done. Thankfully, my ds has regained his love for learning and some of his previous joy in nature, art and music. I will always be left wondering what he could have had, though, if we had stayed with OM.

 

:grouphug:

[hearts4homeschooling]

What is in an OM Syllabus? I'm wondering especially about the high school level syllabi.

 

Thanks,

Mrs. Hearts

[MotherMayI]

I am considering using OM next year for my stb 2nd, 4th, and 6th graders. Is the Teacher Manual necessary for all/any of these grade levels? Also, are the Craft kits worth the cost?

 

Thanks!

[MotherMayI]

Bump

[tinkhs]

Well, I'm not an expert. I know you need the Syllabus for 2nd grade, but I don't know about the older grades. Hopefully someone else will pop in. :)

[MotherMayI]

Well, I'm not an expert. I know you need the Syllabus for 2nd grade, but I don't know about the older grades. Hopefully someone else will pop in. :)

 

Thanks!:bigear:

[Audrey]

I am considering using OM next year for my stb 2nd, 4th, and 6th graders. Is the Teacher Manual necessary for all/any of these grade levels? Also, are the Craft kits worth the cost?

 

Thanks!

 

 

You definitely need the Teacher's Process Manual & Heart of Learning Manual for K-3. They are the bulk of the program.

 

For grades 4 and up, it isn't entirely necessary, but are nice to have. I didn't have one for grade 4, but bought it for 5 and 6. They give suggested responses to assignments and test questions, plus some vocab and some other suggestions every now and then.

 

I will continue to buy them because my dh teaches 2 days a week and he feels they are worth it to him. I have a teaching background, and I rarely think to reach for them because I know what I'm to be looking for in ds's work. I would say, though, that if you have any doubts, get one.

[KristinaBreece]

So, to be reallllly clear. To start with OM K, I would need to buy the K kit, Heart of Learning & the the K-3 Teacher's Process Manual (or the kit of the 2)? Have you used the Craft Package or Growing Growing Strong?

[MotherMayI]

You definitely need the Teacher's Process Manual & Heart of Learning Manual for K-3. They are the bulk of the program.

 

For grades 4 and up, it isn't entirely necessary, but are nice to have. I didn't have one for grade 4, but bought it for 5 and 6. They give suggested responses to assignments and test questions, plus some vocab and some other suggestions every now and then.

 

I will continue to buy them because my dh teaches 2 days a week and he feels they are worth it to him. I have a teaching background, and I rarely think to reach for them because I know what I'm to be looking for in ds's work. I would say, though, that if you have any doubts, get one.

 

 

Thanks! I'm on the fence for the 4+...I was a teacher too, and I rarely use TMs when I buy them- but I always get nervous when I buy a new curriculum.

 

I would love to hear feedback on the craft packages too!

 

Thanks again...I am looking forward to getting started with OM!

[Audrey]

So, to be reallllly clear. To start with OM K, I would need to buy the K kit, Heart of Learning & the the K-3 Teacher's Process Manual (or the kit of the 2)? Have you used the Craft Package or Growing Growing Strong?

 

 

Yes, but... you use the Heart of Learning & Process manual for 4 years (K-3).

 

I bought the craft package mostly for the really awesome crayons. Later, i found this place and ordered all the goodies from them. I much prefer their selection of main lesson books over the ones they issue at OM. I like choice. :001_smile: We did use Growing Growing Strong, but to be honest, I don't remember much about it, except that ds liked it when that book came out.

[tinkhs]

I returned the Health book, it was not our style. It has some great content, though. I really like the Heart of Learning, so sweet. I am glad I purchased the craft kit from Oak Meadow because I had no idea where to start.

 

Audrey, thank you for the link. You have been very helpful.

[cindergretta]

I *love* that link. Boy, over the last year, it has gotten me in SO much trouble! ::giggle:: We have so much of their stuff and I always want more. <swoon>

 

I like the craft kits for the convenience but they aren't necessary. I know people who use OM without them just fine. I just go with the "in for a penny, in for a pound." Probably because I like getting fun mail, and craft kits are FUN MAIL!!!! :lol:

[ktog29]

I have been looking at OM for the past several years...but every time I go on the website to look at the lesson plans, they seem so...open ended? Non-specific? FTR, I've looked at OM K, OM 1-4. Are all of the lessons so vague in their instruction?

 

My other question...in one of the examples online, the teacher's guide talks about breaking a stick that is "one" in half to illustrate "two-ness." But that's not two...it's 1/2, isn't it? That example always seemed kind of strange to me.

 

So, please tell me before I shop for any more materials this year, whether there is more specific instruction than what is listed in the lesson plans...because I really want to like and order this material but I'm unsure...

[5forMe]

I have been thinking about Oak Meadow a lot too! My soon to be second grader has been in public school since K. I have been thinking about taking him out for a while now because he is incredibly bored and dreads going to school.

 

When I look at Oak Meadow online, it looks like there isn't enough meat to the curriculum. I need experienced Moms' advice.

 

My son reads at a 3rd grade level (according to the reading teacher and library specialist). I realize that Oak Meadow is aligned more with the Steiner/Waldorf model of learning, so what do I do about the reading aspect? He needs fundamentals in Math, since our public school uses the Everyday Math Curriculum. My son has a hard time with Math, is Oak Meadow strong in Math concepts?

 

I am drawn to Oak Meadow because of the living crafts aspect...should I just order the craft kit and then use something else for curriculum? My son is very artistic and his attention to detail is amazing. He is my only left handed child, I am guessing it is a lefty thing.

 

Help.

[UmMusa]

In the year I've been looking at homeschooling stuff I've never once looked at Oak Meadow. I'm intrigued!! However, looking at grade 1, the language seems behind for where my soon-be-1st grader is. The rest would be fine, though.

So, it's $1000+ a year???

[cindergretta]

$1000+ plus a year?! I'm not sure at what you were looking. Were you looking at the academy or the bookstore? For elementary, the curriculum + the craft kit will run around $500, give or take, each year. High School is pricey.

 

I tend to think of OM as fairly relaxed and a good place for struggling learners. My 2 dc with autism are thriving with OM because it isn't "too much" for them. It also led my 2nd grader to learn to read and to LOVE it. I really appreciated that. He is an amazing reader now. (Not so much at the beginning of the year...)

[Blueridge]

Can someone share their opinion of OM science? We used it for K-3 many years ago, but now I am looking at a science for my 7th and 8th graders to share this fall.

[FrogMom5]

We did OM Biology this yr. w/my 9th grader. We were not enrolled and I bought the Holt text used somewhere else. I thought the class was a pretty good regular high school class. Ds will not be majoring in any of the biology fields so, it served it's purpose for us.

 

The syllabus contains the labs and tests. I like the tests because they asked in-depth questions which really showed whether ds knew the material. Ds hated the tests because most questions require explainations instead of one word. :D

 

It was good for him to have to answer in paragraph form, even though he didn't like it.

 

The labs were weak, in my opinion. Lots of charts and diagrams. Ds wanted to "do" things. We ordered dissection kits from Carolina Bio. Co. to supplement a bit. Don't get me wrong, there are a few hands-on labs but most are not. The lab worksheets and questions were good though.

 

The teacher's manual was helpful because it contains the answers to test and lab questions. I used it for grading only as it doesn't contain help for teaching.

 

We will use OM again for other classes though not for science classes. I hope that helps you.

Denise

[ktog29]

Bumping this up :D:D:D

[deannajo]

Hey, I'm glad ya'll are talking about this. I am seriously interested in OakMeadow, but my only concern is the time involved in doing it with multiple kids in multiple levels. Can any of you veterans speak to that? I'll have a 2nd grader, 5th grader, and 7th grader. I might have the 5th grader do the 4th grade curriculum because of the literature choices...she's a young 5th grader anyway and hasn't done much formal writing.

[cindergretta]

I have ADD and found co - ordinating lessons for my kindy, 2nd, and 4th graders (plus 2 high schoolers doing a different curric) to be trying. But I think it can work really if you A) have a few weeks to get comfortable with each grade and make a plan and B) don't have ADD.

 

Beginning in 4th grade, OM works toward getting the student into independent learning. I started OM in the middle of the year, all 3 elementary dc at the same time. It was not my smartest move. I felt really overwhelmed. But I am taking this summer to get familiar with next year's plan for each one of them. I will start from the beginning with it, rather than jumping in in the middle.

 

Give yourself a little time to read it over and make your plan and I think it will go much more smoothly than if you do it like I did... :tongue_smilie:

[Oakblossoms]

I prefer waldorfsupplies.com for supplies, too. I like the stockmar crayons and lyra pencils.

[Oakblossoms]

Hey, I'm glad ya'll are talking about this. I am seriously interested in OakMeadow, but my only concern is the time involved in doing it with multiple kids in multiple levels. Can any of you veterans speak to that? I'll have a 2nd grader, 5th grader, and 7th grader. I might have the 5th grader do the 4th grade curriculum because of the literature choices...she's a young 5th grader anyway and hasn't done much formal writing.

 

Well, your older two could do one level. Are they indepdendent workers?

 

I still have to sit and work with my 2nd grader. I would probably do a circle time with everyone. Then do school with the youngest and let said child take a break and work with the other two. You could probably schedule some crafts together with all three.

 

I really like Waldorf. I am drawn it to because I have anxiety issues. I like that it is calming, helps me make a rythm, and gives me pretty mommy friendly stuff to do. Plus, I feel like it is enough Waldorf and enough "grade level" to keep us on track. We were pretty child led before and I wish we had done something like this with my oldest.