angela in ohio Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 (edited) I was helping another homeschool mom with younger children pick out some curriculum, and I started reflecting on what I have learned while picking out curriculum for the year for the tenth time now. It doesn't matter what math program you use (with a few exceptions, imho.) It matters whether you express that math is important and whether you are consistent with math instruction. It doesn't matter that much which spelling curriculum you choose. It matters that YOU know spelling rules and can help your child when he or she is writing and wants help. It doesn't matter if you use a comprehensive history program in the elementary years. It does matter that you don't spend so much time on history that you never do math or writing. It does matter that your children learn to appreciate history, whether it is in discussion, from field trips, from a textbook, or from a full-blown history-centered program. It doesn't matter whether you use the perfect literature guide or program. It does matter that mom and dad read. It does matter that you sometimes read the same books as dc and discuss them, whether with a guide or not. It does matter that mom and dad model an appreciation of learning. It does matter that habits of consistency and hard work are taught. My advice: Look for a few important things in curriculum (that the person who wrote it is qualified, that it is practical for you to use, that it is complete and accurate,) and don't worry so much about which is better out of the dozens of very similar programs in each area. Spend that time instead on teaching yourself the subject, if you don't already know it. A mom who can discuss a subject is worth ten perfect programs. Edited April 21, 2009 by angela in ohio typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 A great reminder...thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmac Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 very nice. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy2BeautifulGirls Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Thanks for sharing! That really does help. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Kirsten~ Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Amen. Thank you for all of your reminders and advice! I'm particularly trying to focus on the self-education, so thanks especially for that! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aquiverfull Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 So true!!! I have also come to many of the same revelations this year. Bottom line, mom needs to be a teacher! :) I'm working hard to get my priorities in order for this coming school year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Kate* Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I love your wisdom and I completely agree with you. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Wonderful post! Rep-worthy, indeed. I would add that it is more important to choose a good program and try to stick with it, especially for math. I have heard several people lament having jumped around too much, to their children's detriment. Of course, you need to balance that with being willing to jump ship if something really isn't working. I also believe in choosing a writing curriculum and sticking with it long-term. For our family, that is CW. For others, it is IEW or WWE. Or whatever. But philosophies can change significantly from program to program, so if you jump around too much, the child can be frustrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphabetika Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 :hurray:Your post should be laminated and placed on refrigerators all over America, memorized as daily memory work, read over and over. Wonderful! Thank you so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 But . . . but . . . but then what would I do with all the time I no longer spend researching curricula? :tongue_smilie: My laundry. ;) Thank you all for your kind words. If only I could tell me ten years ago. If I was on LOST, I probably could, LOL... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicoryChick Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Angela, Thanks so much for posting this. I am preparing for sharing at our homeschool meeting in June with homeschool helps. Hope you don't mind if I include these in my notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessedfamily Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 This is so sweet. :001_smile: It really made me feel better. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessedfamily Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 But . . . but . . . but then what would I do with all the time I no longer spend researching curricula? :tongue_smilie: Oh, yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peggy in Va Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Great advice - great post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peggy in Va Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 But . . . but . . . but then what would I do with all the time I no longer spend researching curricula? :tongue_smilie: Well, one could redecorate and reorganize the classroom?:) Personally, I don't like the laundry idea. Sounds too much like work.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InHisGrip Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Aaaahhhh. That was really refreshing. I usually can stay in that state of mind for 70-80% of my homeschooling thoughts, but that other 20-30% puts me right over the edge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunflowerlady Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Thank you for sharing that wisdom. :) I needed to hear that as I plan for the upcoming year and feel sad that I don't have as much money to spend. I know that it isn't necessary to spend a lot to educate my dd. I think we will have a great year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferB Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I was helping another homeschool mom with younger children pick out some curriculum, and I started reflecting on what I have learned while picking out curriculum for the year for the tenth time now. It doesn't matter what math program you use (with a few exceptions, imho.) It matters whether you express that math is important and whether you are consistent with math instruction. It doesn't matter that much which spelling curriculum you choose. It matters that YOU know spelling rules and can help your child when he or she is writing and wants help. It doesn't matter if you use a comprehensive history program in the elementary years. It does matter that you don't spend so much time on history that you never do math or writing. It does matter that your children learn to appreciate history, whether it is in discussion, from field trips, from a textbook, or from a full-blown history-centered program. It doesn't matter whether you use the perfect literature guide or program. It does matter that mom and dad read. It does matter that you sometimes read the same books as dc and discuss them, whether with a guide or not. It does matter that mom and dad model an appreciation of learning. It does matter that habits of consistency and hard work are taught. My advice: Look for a few important things in curriculum (that the person who wrote it is qualified, that it is practical for you to use, that it is complete and accurate,) and don't worry so much about which is better out of the dozens of very similar programs in each area. Spend that time instead on teaching yourself the subject, if you don't already know it. A mom who can discuss a subject is worth ten perfect programs. :iagree: I've been thinking about/pondering these things too lately. I call myself a curriculum junkie in recovery. Wonderful post! Rep-worthy, indeed. I would add that it is more important to choose a good program and try to stick with it, especially for math. I have heard several people lament having jumped around too much, to their children's detriment. Of course, you need to balance that with being willing to jump ship if something really isn't working. I also believe in choosing a writing curriculum and sticking with it long-term. For our family, that is CW. For others, it is IEW or WWE. Or whatever. But philosophies can change significantly from program to program, so if you jump around too much, the child can be frustrated. :iagree: too - don't jump around, please, please, take it from me. If I could do it all over again, I would not have jumped around in math, and I would have started writing earlier, despite my daughters fits and tantrums. I still get the fits & tantrums, but we are DOING WRITING! But . . . but . . . but then what would I do with all the time I no longer spend researching curricula? :tongue_smilie: Go through withdrawls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honey Bee Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Thanks for the wise words! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschooltoone Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Thank you, I needed that.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amandajh Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thanks so much for reminding me of the important things. :) You really hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the fact that we should be consistant and willing to learn more ourselves. That is my biggest problem. I have a lack of confidence in myself and tend to be easily swayed by others and their opinions. Your post has helped me to realize that I should be looking for a curriculum that helps me to teach with confidence. Thanks so much for the words of wisdom ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 But . . . but . . . but then what would I do with all the time I no longer spend researching curricula? :tongue_smilie: A more fun option than laundry or redecorating the schoolroom: Research cool living books to fold in to your history rotation. That's what I do! I fold in from Veritas, Sonlight, Landmark, Henty, you name it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Wonderful! This should be a sticky thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 :hurray: Very well said!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medieval Mom Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thank you so much for this thread. I was just starting to feel overwhelmed today. (Perhaps having a newborn and moving two weeks ago helped contribute to this.) You're words of wisdom were exactly what I needed to read tonight. THANK YOU! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thanks for that post!:001_smile: I needed to hear it today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLJen Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thank you. I appreciate the wisdom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Puddins~ Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Just another thank you..your words of encouragement have helped tremendously today as I consider curriculum for next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinsfamily Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Angela, Great wisdom for someone just starting out! Thanks. A more fun option than laundry or redecorating the schoolroom: Research cool living books to fold in to your history rotation. That's what I do! I fold in from Veritas, Sonlight, Landmark, Henty, you name it! Ha! This is my new hobby. I'm building a long list of supplemental books for each year. There are just so many great books out there :D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 But . . . but . . . but then what would I do with all the time I no longer spend researching curricula? :tongue_smilie: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Boy did I need need to hear this today! For someone who has only recently started homeschooling, and who has been obsessed with researching and reviewing and trying so many different curricula trying to find the "perfect fit" for my kids, this was a welcome voice of sanity! I think I will print out your post and hang it over my desk, as a reminder that the most important component of my children's curriculum is..... me. :) Thanks you! Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah&emmasmommy Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 This is so timely. I sometimes get so wrapped up in whether or not I have the "perfect" curriculum. But this reminds that it's not what you use that's important, it's more how you use it. And sticking with it. And I love the part about habits and hard work. So important! Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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