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.

The Big Debate

Every day I wake up and wonder...should I take Riley out of school now, or wait until he finishes his fourth grade year? I'm not too worried about Regan, I know she has plenty of time to catch up whatever area she may be lacking in. But Riley, I feel like the past three years have been like playing Chutes and Ladders, and losing. We just keep sliding back farther and farther.

I'm not a quitter. I don't let my kids quit either. I'm not sure where I got this from, because my parents were both of the opinion that we should quit anything, anytime, as it usually meant less money and less driving for them. My kids have had to stick it out for a lot of things. Mostly Regan, she wants to try something just once, and then she's done. Like soccer, and I hauled her butt to every game and every practice for a couple of months, kicking and screaming all the way. You sign up for something, you follow it through, no matter how much you hate it. You made a commitment to the team, and the coach, now get out there!

And most recently Riley. He signed up for Agents in Action at church, where kids could help out in different areas around the church. I told him SO many times the area I thought he would like the most, but it was one of those things, he made the decision (to help in the children's church with kids around 3-4 years old) and I knew he would be over it in a matter of weeks, and sure enough, every time he's supposed to serve, he wants to go with his friends who are helping in the store. Sorry kid, you made your bed, now lie in it! I'm hoping they will learn to stick to things, your word is important, if you say you'll do something, you do it, no matter how badly you want to quit or give up.

So, the thought of just giving up on 4th grade, I can't reconcile myself with it, but every day I feel like I'm sending him off to 7 hours of wasted life. Throw in some bad friends, a few trips to the principal's office, a couple days of ISS, what is he really going to miss by not going the last 2 months of school? Especially now that I've made up my mind to home school, I'm anxious to get on with it. The times that he's here with me, doing his homework, and we sit down together and work on it, I see the smart kid he used to be, shining through. Not that he isn't smart anymore, he is, so scary smart, but I feel like where he's at now has stifled him so much that it takes time, and attention, personal attention to get that smart boy out again.

That's my internal debate. I still don't know what to do. I know when I have both of them home at the same time, life will not be peachy keen. I have the only siblings on the planet that like to fight with each other. It will be interesting to say the least. But, I just wonder if 2 months of dedicated one on one time will help him out, or if just going through the motions, and letting him finish 4th grade, TAKS and all, will help communicate the message that we are NOT quitters! And which is more important in the long run?