I've been checking the mail everyday as packages are arriving now, and I love it. Sometimes I flip through a book and go, "Holy cow, what did I get myself into?" But for the most part it's so exciting. I didn't order a lot of teacher manuals and I think I'm gonna have to go back and get some, a couple of books I got I really don't know how to go about some things.
And of course, I ordered more goodies. I did get the Mona Brooke's Drawing with Children ($8.95) and the complete set of Mind Benders A1-A4 ($7.00 each book) which will be for Riley's Logic course, I got supplements for History and Science, the Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia ($19.77) and the Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History ($13.59). For music, A Young Person's Guide to Music, recommended by TWTM for classical music ($3.62) and for Riley, Vocabulary from the Classical Roots 5 ($9.50) and a Handwriting Without Tears Cursive for each kid ($6.95 each).
See, I've been on a roll! I can't wait to get started.
I'm kind of looking at this like I do with new recipes. I see one I like, I try it, and follow it to the 'T'. If I don't like it after that, I know if I should 86 it, or just make some changes to it. I am pretty much following what the Well Trained Mind recommends, to the letter of the law! I have never done this before, so I am just following the recipe I have. After a few weeks, we may hate some, we may love some. Then I can make some changes and try other things. But, at least I have a starting off point, and something to make me not feel so overwhelmed. Even if we just did the books I have right now for this next year, I think they will be getting a FAR superior education to what they are currently getting.
And of course, I will be updating our progress along the way!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Purchases!
I can't believe I did it. I have been SO overwhelmed and so nervous that I would buy the wrong curriculum, and for whatever reason, I feel like this will make us quit homeschooling and run back to the charter school with our tail tucked between our legs! But, I bit the bullet and bought some things. I know I want a classical education for the kids. I have the original Well Trained Mind book. I heard it was better because it recommends several different curriculum options, whereas the newer versions of WTM recommend their curriculum. So, armed with that knowledge, I hit up the Amazon marketplace and found a lot of what they recommend in the "new and used" section.
I also used a website called Rainbow Resources, they have a lot of homeschool curriculum and the best prices on new items that I've found so far, and some have pages you can look at, and reviews from other parents.
From Rainbow I purchased The Story of the World, vol. 1 to use with both kids. I got the paperback teacher edition, the activity book (which says I can make copies for other kids, I may do that or order another copy if I feel the need after looking through it more thoroughly) and a packet of tests. I also purchased English From the Roots Up, flash cards. A few of the reviews I found said that you don't really need the books to go with these, the flash card contain almost all of the information found in the book. Again, if I feel the need to get the book after looking at the flash cards, I will.
Then to the Amazon marketplace, where I went a little crazy. But I don't feel bad when I buy something for 5 or 10 bucks, if we use it, great, if not, I'm not going to feel too guilty for spending money on it.
For Riley, going into 5th grade, I got Writing Strands 4 (for $5.87), probably should have gotten 5, but I think a little back-tracking will be good for him. I don't know exactly what level he will in, since he's very advanced in some areas, and right on target in others. Some of this will be trial and error, another reason I hesitate with spending a lot of money on curriculum right now.
I also got G.U.M Level C for Grammar ($4.19 for student and teacher edition), and the Usborne Illustrated Encyclopedia for Natural Science ($7.95) for science, although the more I read the Well Trained Mind, I think that will be more for Regan, and I thought I would be combining science for both kids. Either way, one of them now has a science book.
I also got Spelling Workout B ($3.50) for Regan, and Spelling Workout E ($5.49) for Riley, no teacher manuals because A) I'm a pretty good speller, and B) a few reviews said you don't need them until the upper grades. Not sure if 5th qualifies as an upper grade, so we'll see how it is when it comes in, then I might order it.
And lastly, First Language Lessons for Regan, ($9.88). So, not bad prices, and I got a lot covered. There are still a few more I'm on the fence about. I was looking at Mona Brook's Drawing with Children, I need a cursive handwriting book for Regan, and probably some type of penmanship book for Riley. I'm also thinking about Vocabulary from the Roots Up for Riley. I also need a Logic course for him, WTM recommends Mind Benders and A Case of Red Herrings, so I'm looking into those as well.
But overall I think I'm off to a good start, and not feeling too overwhelmed anymore. I know not all of these will work for us, we might have to switch to something else, but for now, I have a game plan. Now, I need to start working on a daily schedule and see how our plans shape up, and if all I want to do with the kids can be done on a 4 day week like I originally planned. It's certainly a lot of work to get going, but I am already so excited because I really feel like they will be getting a much better education.
I also used a website called Rainbow Resources, they have a lot of homeschool curriculum and the best prices on new items that I've found so far, and some have pages you can look at, and reviews from other parents.
From Rainbow I purchased The Story of the World, vol. 1 to use with both kids. I got the paperback teacher edition, the activity book (which says I can make copies for other kids, I may do that or order another copy if I feel the need after looking through it more thoroughly) and a packet of tests. I also purchased English From the Roots Up, flash cards. A few of the reviews I found said that you don't really need the books to go with these, the flash card contain almost all of the information found in the book. Again, if I feel the need to get the book after looking at the flash cards, I will.
Then to the Amazon marketplace, where I went a little crazy. But I don't feel bad when I buy something for 5 or 10 bucks, if we use it, great, if not, I'm not going to feel too guilty for spending money on it.
For Riley, going into 5th grade, I got Writing Strands 4 (for $5.87), probably should have gotten 5, but I think a little back-tracking will be good for him. I don't know exactly what level he will in, since he's very advanced in some areas, and right on target in others. Some of this will be trial and error, another reason I hesitate with spending a lot of money on curriculum right now.
I also got G.U.M Level C for Grammar ($4.19 for student and teacher edition), and the Usborne Illustrated Encyclopedia for Natural Science ($7.95) for science, although the more I read the Well Trained Mind, I think that will be more for Regan, and I thought I would be combining science for both kids. Either way, one of them now has a science book.
I also got Spelling Workout B ($3.50) for Regan, and Spelling Workout E ($5.49) for Riley, no teacher manuals because A) I'm a pretty good speller, and B) a few reviews said you don't need them until the upper grades. Not sure if 5th qualifies as an upper grade, so we'll see how it is when it comes in, then I might order it.
And lastly, First Language Lessons for Regan, ($9.88). So, not bad prices, and I got a lot covered. There are still a few more I'm on the fence about. I was looking at Mona Brook's Drawing with Children, I need a cursive handwriting book for Regan, and probably some type of penmanship book for Riley. I'm also thinking about Vocabulary from the Roots Up for Riley. I also need a Logic course for him, WTM recommends Mind Benders and A Case of Red Herrings, so I'm looking into those as well.
But overall I think I'm off to a good start, and not feeling too overwhelmed anymore. I know not all of these will work for us, we might have to switch to something else, but for now, I have a game plan. Now, I need to start working on a daily schedule and see how our plans shape up, and if all I want to do with the kids can be done on a 4 day week like I originally planned. It's certainly a lot of work to get going, but I am already so excited because I really feel like they will be getting a much better education.
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