Does anyone here use any of the Scott-Foresman products?

I've heard they are good. I just can't look :shock: inside any of their textbooks online. I like to see the inside and see how they teach skills before purchasing. If you are using any of them, can you tell us a little about it? Thanks!!!

 

I have not used them yet.... but I did get the math books from our school district. It seems simple enough.. but like I said I have not used them yet.
The first grade is like a workbook and very colorful this is good for ds#1 but for ds#2 that will be to much of a distraction.
The 5th grade is a text book and we will need to use a note book to do the written work in. I hope this helps???? I can write more in about 2 weeks after we have used it some!

 

Missy,
I used Scott-Foresman Science, Discover The Wonder when we were under an umbrella school back east. They are very beautiful textbooks written for a classroom setting. That may have been why we went onto something else. We were using a third grade text for a first grader too. So I had to read everything to her with my two year old running around :shock: . Then again, that was back when I was new to hsing and wouldn't skip a thing no matter what :? .
Now, that I've picked it back up again, It is well laid out and could eaisly be a spine for us to follow. I no longer work for the texts but make them work for us. :roll:
I've always been curious about the SF math. Jimmie Lu, let us know how they work out . btw, www.childsbooks sells the math books at a discount. They have answer keys but no teacher's mauals though.
If you want more of the science info please ask. I'm going to skim through the book again. :wink: And let us know what you decide. We should have a hs reviews link here.
Tammy

 

Thanks JimmieLu and Tammy...

I may have used them in ps before. I taught ps for six years but I don't remember for sure. I know I probably reviewed some of their texts when we adopted new curriculum. I figured it was very colorful and I like that. But, I don't want it to be too much on a page. That can be very overwelming and distracting. I would love to hear more about the math and science. We use Horizons Math and a variety of science. I sure wouldn't mind a nice workbook for science that I would like to follow throughout the year.

 

Our public schools also use some of Pearson/Scott Foresman stuff. Though they also use http://www.teacherspecialty.com/ items too. They do have lots of good things, you just have to search for what you want.

 

Scott Foresman books

These books are more for a classroom setting. My children who went to ps used them. They are in amply supply here at our local used bookstore, but I like the hs programs better. They are very colorful though!

 

Momnmesa...

why do you say they are for use in a classroom setting? Do they gear the problems more toward a group (like children working in small groups) ? And why do you like the homeschool curriculums better? Thanks for your input!

 

From all the sample pages I've seen of Scott-Foresman math and science online, I think they're great. I just wish I knew where I could buy them ... especially here in Canada.

Kathe

 

Kathe...

Can't you purchase some of their curriculum from their website?

 

Oh sure I could, but that would be a commercial shpment, which would never clear customs without charges. God forbid if they sent it UPS ... I'd need a bank loan to receive it.

That's why I'd have to seek out a Canadian carrier. I don't think many people use those books in Canada. The used hs'ing book sites never have Scott Foresman stuff.

I've pretty much pledged my allegiance to Saxon math anyway so unless someone here becomes terribly bored with it, I'm not on the lookout for much else.

I do really like what I've seen though !!!

Kathe

 

Missy

I think when many hs teachers say designed for a classroom, they mean everything from, actual instruction saying "get into a group," or the activities show kids working in groups. The SF, science edition I have shows kids working alone and in groups. For the most part they are in a classroom in a group.

For me, I hate tailoring a program down to one. Now that both of mine are working many subjects together this is less of a problem. Most of the hs programs are simply easier to work with in a one-on-one teaching situation.

The SF text is very colorful. Each page has a 1/2' color border at the top and at least two contrasting colors in addition to the black and white. I like that they use real pictures for the most part. While it is colorful, I don't think its distracting.
The book is set up with modules A-F and each module has three chapters. They are short chapters and now that my dd reads well, she could pretty much do them alone. The experiments or activities are very do-able at home for third grade. She likes 'teaching' so I might let her read this to her brother :wink: It has chapter reviews, performance assessments and then a module review.

I use a mix of both classroom and hs curriculum. For math and LA I lean towards things directly set up for hs'ers. It is easy to re-fit history things. That said we love Evan-Moor products in addition to our Beautiful Feet books and I added G.U.M from Zaner-Bloser for Grammar. :roll:
Tammy

 

Missy,
I was just re-thinking my" tailoring down" and realized some big differences. Class room teacher's manuals are HUGE. Then you have to cut through everything to find what will and will not work. For many hs'ers this takes too much time and then you worry about not covering something. I love/hate Saxon math for this reason and LLATL. Open them up and get started.
Just my two cents again.
Tammy :wink:

 

Missy

I'm filled with :idea: moments tonight. There are some companies that simply will not sell the teachers manual to anyone without a state teaching certificate or the cost is so far up there you can't afford them. There are also companies that simply do not sell to hs for one reason or another.

Hs programs like Saxon and LLATL or many others are just more workable and affordable for many homeschoolers. I don't feel stressed about knowing what to teach or how to teach it using them. :wink: I promise not another word on this. I'm turning off the computer. :roll:

Tammy

 

Thanks Tammy!

I fully understand now what you mean. You gave an excellent description of the SF stuff. That is exactly what I wanted to know. I also understand what you mean now about the hs curriculums. I taught in ps for many years and hardly EVER used my teacher manuals. I liked using my own words and not their scripts. I hardly ever needed remediation lessons so I didn't need it for that reason either. Truth be known, I don't use them now either. The only teacher manual I used last year was one for Avery's MCP phonics workbook. And, I only used it because it had unit tests in it.

Anyway, thanks for all the input. I am slowly learning. It hurts that I don't get to discuss all these things with a homeschool group.....I'm sure glad I have you guys!

 

Missy

I mentioned we moved last year, and well I miss my old hs group too :cry: . I'm so thankful for the support, info and opinions here.
Our local schools here will 'rent' materials to hs families. I nearly fainted when the reading book for fourth grade :arrow: had three teacher manuals :shock: (They are bigger than the Saxon ones!) BUT, I'm curious and just had to see what they were using for curriculum. Someone said how much money we would save :? . Now that I know, I'll just continue to purchase everything on my own.
How is Avery mending? I'll bet you are both ready to "get back out there." :wink:
Tammy

 

Avery is doing fine...

We just got word from her doctor that she will have to go four more weeks before removing her pins/external fixator. I'm so sad. I was really hoping it would only take 8-9 weeks like he had originally said. I'll be glad when it's over. I hope her recovery after that will be easy! :?

 

Hang in there Missy and Avery. Too bad about the delay :cry: . Will she be ready in time for your vacation? I sure hope so.
Tammy

 

I think she'll be okay.

The dr said to go ahead with the vacation. She still might need the walker for long walks but she'll atleast her pins will be out by then!!

 

Missy,
I'm glad your vacation is still on. My sister has a dd, with special needs and a walker for long walks. Please take every advantage of this. It will make everything easier and more enjoyable. Call ahead or just inform anyone, that she needs assistance. My sister's dd and her family loved the special attention at the airports and amusement parks. No waiting in lines, a lift here and there and excellent parking. :wink: You might mention this to your dr. You can get a temp. parking flag too.
Tammy

 

I thought about this a few weeks ago when we started...

really getting out with Avery. I looked on the internet and our local DMV but couldn't find anything about a temp handicap tag. I might call her dr office and see if they can help. That is so much more convenient to be able to park up close and we don't mind the special attention either! Thanks for the tip!