Very little curriculum money, wwyd?

[Athena]

I hate it when this happens. I have everything picked out, planned out and decided. And DH says sorry, there just isn't any way to come up with that amount. ARGH. So, someone tell me I can successfully teach 3 kids using the library, public domain texts and a few inexpensive workbooks.

 

I'm not so much worried about the little ones. They will be 1st & 2nd grades. My real concern is my oldest. He is finishing 5th now but I think he is struggling with LA (grammar & writing). Actually I know he struggles with grammar. It is his hardest subject. He just doesn't get it!

As far as writing goes, I just need to make him write more. I'm too soft on that. He has an endless list of excuses. I'm tired. I already wrote so much today (no he didn't, my friends 1st grader in ps writes more then he does!) I don't know what to say. etc, etc.

 

Could one of you kindly give me a swift kick and any curriculum advice? Thanks so much!

 

Athena

[Rhonda@LivingWater]

Here are some grammar type on-line resources that are free. I know I have heard good things about the Scott Foresman grammar that I have included.

Definitely check out the library and used book sales too (on this board and Ebay). Also I have heard that Book Samaritan will help homeschoolers get curricula they need.

 

http://www.sfreading.com

http://www.dailygrammar.com/

http://www.loyolaeducationgroup.org

http://budgethomeschool.com

http://www.oldfashionededucation.com

 

HTH!

[Guest Deb in PA]

As far as inexpensive grammar, I recommend the Winston Grammar Basic program. You can find it used on Ebay for $10-$15.

 

For writing, two workbooks come to mind: Spectrum Writing (less than $10 new) or Writing Skills 1 by EPSbooks (about $15?) OR check your library for writing helps.

 

An alternative would be to pick an all-inclusive English like Rod and Staff, which is not expensive. Again, you may be able to find it used.

 

hth

Deb

[awanama]

Well, to address your oldest. Have you considered using a school textbook? I use Houghton Mifflin English with my 6th grader. It also includes writing in it as well. I can usually get the 2001 student books off of ebay for around $5-8.

 

For history, I just got A Message of Ancient Days for $6 shipped from ebay. It's been recommended by several on here for a logic stage spine. There is also a second book in the series called Across the Centuries. You can look these up in Calvert's online catalog to see samples. Then all you have to add is library books.

 

For science you could easily just read books from the library and watch shows on tv or dvds. My library has a ton of experiment books.

 

For reading, my kids just choose books or read something related to history or science.

 

For spelling there are tons of spelling lists online. Many teacher's post their lists on the school websites. I just found a copy of Spelling Power off of amazon for $11 shipped.

 

Libraries have lots of foreign language materials but I really haven't liked any of them. But at your kids ages, you could skip them.

 

I think I would make a list of what your priorities are for curriculum. Then the things that are on the bottom of the list could be filled in with suggestions like these. Maybe you could still get what you really want in your top 1 or 2 subjects. Also, if you have local homeschoolers, you might be able to do some trading.

 

I hope this helps. We have had many lean years and I have used material that definately wasn't my first choice. Many years I have wanted to use programs like Sonlight and Winterpromise and we've never been able to afford them.

[Rebecca in GA]

Borrow some of the books from the Ambleside Online program from the library and use passages for him to copy. Dictate some to him. Have him write from prompts and help him correct his writings, explaining rules as you go. Read from the Ambleside books together and set up a vocabulary notebook where he jots down unfamiliar words, then have him look them up in the dictionary and use them in his own sentences.

[G5052]

Do you have curriculum and things you could sell? I am forever selling things to come up with the funds to buy more curriculum. I do work two part-time jobs and that brings in extra money that I use for curriculum, activities, and DH's constant medical bills, but probably over half of my curriculum funds come from reselling things.

 

Can you borrow or swap things from other homeschoolers? I have a good friend with similar curriculum tastes who is willing to loan me various books in exchange for helping her with IEW.

 

Would your husband be more supportive if you bought bits-and-pieces at a time instead of all at once? Mine has always been more supportive when I ask for extra funds piecemeal.

[Chris in VA]

Just wondering what your list includes. Who knows, I might have something I can give you.

Chris in VA:)

[Debra in CO]

Athena - boy do I understand!

 

When we are really tight for funds, and money for homeschooling just isn't out there, I have done a variety of things.

 

1) get my library card and go digging. If you are willing to do the legwork, and you have a semi-decent library, you can cover all the stuff like history and science without spending a thing. There are great books available, there are great videos out there... Schlessinger puts out a variety of series that cover all kinds of topics - and you can find guides online to go with nearly all of it, so you can flesh it out a bit.

 

2) get online and go looking. Rhonda gave you some great starting points. I really like the Old Fashioned Education site myself (but plan to check out the ones on there I don't know!). I plan to start my 5th grader on the Daily Grammar stuff soon, and I keep debating the Scott Foresman materials

 

3) Figure out what you really think you need to purchase. And then mention those to people. You never know who has something sitting around, unused, that they've been debating putting on eBay or something but that just sounded like too much bother. They may give it to you, sell it cheap, or let you borrow it. One of my "really need" items this year was VideoText Algebra. I kept trying to find something I liked that cost less, and I failed. I used most of my curriculum budget to purchase Module A. Someone I barely know let me borrow Modules B and C, as she doesn't need them again until next year. (saga continues below)

 

4) Put up WTB notices, create searches on eBay, notifiy friends who frequent used book stores - do anything you can to be watching for a deal on the things you need. VideoText saga continues - so, I have a search on eBay, and I was able to obtain two modules on an auction for $27 total (these go for over $100 each new). My paypal balance at the time was $28.12. I'm still missing a module - but we aren't there yet, so there is still time... and yes, we're stuck with VHS instead of DVD, but we'll work with it.

 

5) Is there something you can do to bring in a little extra in funds that you can use for curriculum purchases? I do some online surveys and some other similar things - it isn't much, but when you have a $5 a month curriculum budget (I've been there), bringing in $7-8 a month more than doubles it, you know?

 

6) Is there something you could give up or cut back in order to have a little more for school stuff? Get your hair cut every 5 weeks instead of every 4?

 

I don't know if that helps at all... but it's some of the stuff I've done.

 

Debra

Mom of five, ages 1-10

[Closeacademy]

http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/KISS.htm

 

This is a grammar curriculum that you can print out or use the online pages. She does not have 4th plus in pdf form yet but you can use the online pages.

 

Click on Kiss Grammar Workbooks.

Page down to #2 grade level workbooks.

Click on grade level workbooks.

The OL link next to the grade levels will take you to the grade level workbooks. The literature links will take you to online pages of the literature used in the exercises. Yes, KISS is based on real books.

 

You may want to go through the exercises a bit to find where your son needs to start out. Workbooks and teacher's guides for grade 2 and 3 are in pdf form. The student workbook is in front and the TG is in back. There are also quizzes and tests.

 

Hope this can help a little.

[Sue G in PA]

Check w/ your local district. In PA, the districts are obligated to loan any and all curricula to hsers to use for the year...FREE. Also, check sales boards, eBay, library sales and utilize your local library to its fullest. Our library has many writing helps, math textbooks, etc. See if your local homeschool groups are having any sales (usually in summer). Ours had a homeschool yard sale and I got many texts for under $5 last year. Also, as said before, post WTB ads and explain you need them for a budget price...many are willing to part w/ books cheap to make room for new curricula.

[Stirsmommy]

We had this issue with the beginning of this school year since we still had two houses at the time. I covered the basics. I looked at our budget and covered math and grammar first. Since we hadn't been home schooling long I couldn't recycle with the youngest. I was able to get grammar covered for dd using sale/swap. A curriculum store near us in GA had a bunch of used stuff for my ds and thank heavens I had the foresight to pick it up before we moved and found out how tight things would be. My oldest waited a semester to start at the cc so we would have in state tuition. I would definitely let everyone know what you are looking for as people often are looking for things. Try Freecycle. Post a wanted and keep looking. I got a bunch of hs things that we use as reference. I agree it is far easier to pull it together for the younger ones. My dd is 12 and it was much harder so I concentrated my budget on her. Fortunately she was still carrying on with Alg I and I needed nothing there. Since she was use to using HO I bought that guide and got the books from the library and used books stores. Science I let slide until this semester. I knew she needed it but I am not science enough to pull together a plan for an accelerated science person. One last suggestion is if you have a birthday or something coming up and people want to know what to get you tell them curriculum. I did do that too.

Hope this helps. And do post what you are looking for so that we can keep an eye for you too.

Melissa

[GothicGyrl]

I'll third Book Samaritan. They are open for business and all you have to do is request what you need--the less picky you are, the easier it is to get your stuff. Then they mail it to you--all free of charge.

 

All they ask is that instead of selling it when done, you gift it to someone else who may need it.

 

I have to do that this year as well.

[kat19]

Maybe if you let us know what you are looking for, some of us might have it and be willing to part with it :)

[mcconnellboys]

Yes, I absolutely think that you can school using the library and internet - I don't even think you necessarily need any workbooks. It will just take work on your part to research the websites; pull up the things you need for each day (I'd do it all ahead, but that's just me); and print them out. Now, the printing's sure not free. Sometimes I think cheap workbooks are less expensive than ink cartridge costs, LOL....

 

In my town, our library has a "Friends' Book Cellar" where they sell books (including sometimes workbooks) very inexpensively. Also, at the end of the school year, homeschoolers in this area have one or more books sales where they get rid of stuff they don't want and sometimes there are great deals there, too. Our local "Parent-Teacher Store", which sells curricular materials, always has a sale box with tons of cheap workbooks in it. And you can find most anything for little of nothing on Half.com or sometimes on Amazon.

 

I'd find out what you CAN budget and buy the most important stuff first, at the cheapest price I could find, then look for free resources for anything else.

 

Regena

[Athena]

Hi all,

I did my errands this morning and came back to see great ideas & lots of encouragement. Thanks so much!

 

I will dig into some of the links here to see what I can use, especially for the language arts, since that seems to be the hardest spot for us. I really appreciate the offers! And I will definitely be selling used curriculum to earn some extra money.

 

Sometimes finances are no fun but I really appreciate you guys listening!

 

Thanks,

Athena

[umarider]

A friend recommended Shurley English and I am totally sold on it (even though the scripted nature of it originally put me off) You don't necessarily have to use the set level that matches your child's school year (ie: you can use a level that is one up or down from the school year). It includes vocabulary, writing, & grammar. I have a dd 9, who is a reluctant student, but is now doing a great job w/ all areas of English/grammar/writing! You can often pick up Shurley English used, and not needing the precise year to match your child gives you some flexibility. Another thought is to start a change jar.. sounds silly, but we have one and the whole family contributes any coins they come across. It adds up faster than you'd think and can really come in handy. I hope that you have success. You'll certainly find satisfaction as you make this school year work.

[txchick]

What was your original list. maybe we can all help you prioritize.

[AllSmiles]

I had a very similar experience. I had everything picked out for school that I wanted to order, but then there was no money for school things. That year, I had to try to make do with things I had on hand, the library, and the Internet. It was a lot of work, but it is possible to still have a great year.

 

History (ancient):

 

5th Grader:

On the Shores of the Great Sea (M. B. Synge)

http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=synge&book=greatsea&story=_contents

 

The Baldwin Project ( http://www.mainlesson.com/main/displayarticle.php?article=feature ) has many other history books that you can substitute or add to this one. Guerber’s books “The Story of the Greeks†and the “Story of the Romans†come to mind. I would have your 5th grader write something every week for history. If your 5th grader wanted to dive deeper into a particular subject or person on any given week, I would suggest their writing be on that. Otherwise, assign a short topic to write about. For example, this week, my kids are learning about Ancient Egyptian writing. My 5th grader is to write about who was responsible for the writing in Ancient Egypt, what their training was like, and what kinds of things they might have written.

 

 

1st and 2nd Graders:

 

I would find library books to correspond with what your 5th grader is learning. We do history 3x a week, and my 5th grader works pretty independently the first two days. On the third day, we all get together and discuss the history topic they have been studying. Sometimes we all work on a project together, do mapwork together, or watch a movie.

 

 

 

Science

 

5th Grader:

 

I would go through some of Arabella Buckley’s Books - http://www.mainlesson.com/displayauthor.php?author=buckley

 

Birds of the Air

 

By Pond and River

 

Wild Life in Woods and Field

 

 

I would also add in a study of the human body using books from the library.

 

Once again, I would make sure that your 5th grader writes on one science topic every week.

 

1st and 2nd Grader:

 

The Burgess Animal Book for Children

http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=burgess&book=animal&story=_contents

 

I would find a coloring page for the animal you are studying (there are tons of places online that offer wildlife coloring pages). I would also go to Jungle Walk ( http://www.junglewalk.com/ ) to find a picture of the animal being studied. They also have audio clips with animal sounds, and short videos for many of the animals.

 

 

Math:

 

Centre for Innovation for Mathematics Teaching

http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mepres/primary/default.htm

 

For Drill – The Math Worksheet Site

http://themathworksheetsite.com/

 

Bible:

 

Hulburt’s Story of the Bible

http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=hurlbut&book=bible&story=_contents

 

An audio version of the books is also online at Librivox

http://librivox.org/newcatalog/search.php?title=&author=Hurlbut&status=all&action=Search

 

Spelling / Phonics:

 

There are a variety of resources online and you will have to pick the program/resource which will best fit your needs.

 

Don Potter’s website has links to many free online phonics/reading programs. He also has some spellers which would work for your 5th Grader.

 

http://donpotter.net/ed.htm

 

English / Grammar / Writing:

 

Both of these resources have materials for all three grade levels

 

Kiss Grammar – http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/kiss/wb/PBooks/index.htm

 

Scott Foresman Online Grammar and Writing Handbook – http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html

 

Art and Music:

 

You could use Ambleside Online’s selections for each term.

http://www.amblesideonline.org/

 

 

Logic and Critical Thinking:

 

5th Grader:

 

CR Puzzles

http://www.crpuzzles.com/

 

1st and 2nd Grader:

 

I would suggest signing up for Dover’s free weekly samples. They have two editions, one for regular subscribers and one for teachers. If you sign up for both, you should find a variety of materials to use.

 

http://www.doverpublications.com/sampler4/

[LizzyBee]

You can download tons of out-of-copyright books as .pdf files from Google Books.

 

Some examples:

Ray's Arithmetic, and some of the answer key books

Harvey's Grammar (and an answer key for Practical Grammar)

some really good high school composition and rhetoric books

tons of primers and readers (McGuffey, among others)

History books by Edward Eggleston, James Baldwin, H A Guerber and lots of others

Science/nature books by Jean-Henri Fabre, Parables from Nature, and more

[Closeacademy]

Between Dover and http://www.learningpage.com/, I am able to build very nice review books for my children for language arts and math. These are fun worksheets and activity sheets.