I am just curious. If money didn't matter at all, and you had to use one curriculum, a boxed type, no mixing brands allowed, what would you choose? Would it be the same for all grades or would you change brands in high school? I have been thinking about it and we are so new to homeschooling I can't pick yet. Beth
I really can't say. Money has always been an issue, so I've never even considered buying a boxed set. My best friend swears by Sonlight. She buys the boxed set every year.
I am not sure what I would pick. I am never happy with just one. However, I have heard awesome things about Sonlight. If money were no object I would try that for a year. I also thought My Fathers World looked pretty cool also. I don't have experience with either though.
I really don't know, we have always had to watch what we buy. But, I love what I am doing, that's all that matter.
Calvert! They are solid and have educators you can call and talk to about any school related question. The problem with the boxed stuff is you will find that it doesn't fit your student across the board. We always tell the newbies to start with something laid out and then when you get your sea legs branch out and pick & choose your own curriculum plan.
I agree, if needed buy a boxed set from a reputable publisher, then after you are up and running fine tune things. You can always look an objective up on line and find other ways to present it if you stall with the materials in the box. I do this often, to overcome problems, or to add variety. I will at times, find alternative pages, or explanations and presentations, games, or computer games to cover a topic. I will then put a post it on apage explaining what was done instead. I also keep a journal of what we do each day. First thing is not to panic. Keep in mind that about every year or two or three, you had a bad teacher or teachers, but you still made it through. Also some of the textbooks that you were taught with were likely poor. It the box is "missing" a lesson that is taught in another "box", you will still be alright, really. You will not ruin the kids if you select a good/well known program in a box. Once things are stable and in a rythm, you can add and subtract from that box. I started last year with a program in a box.(kindergarten) There were some things that did not go as well as they could have. This was a learning year for both teacher and student that is to be sure. On the other hand, had we completed all that was in that box with complete mastery, we would not be in first grade this year, we would be in second. I noticed that the first grade box has alot of the same stuff again. LOL Right now we are remediating what we did not accomplish last year in the K phonics program. I was a bit down about this until today. The play date freind had her backpack with her. THe grandmother who is interested in our homeschooling offered the folders in it for my to browse. THis student is attending a good private school where she is considered an accelerated reader, and my student is doing the same stuff. We are remediating kindergarten material, and still on the same level as a private school reader considered to be advanced. It was encouraging to confirm this.
I don't think I could do it! I've been doing my own thing for eight years now, and I doubt there's ANY boxed curriculum that would meet my needs! To me, they represent "school at home" rather than "homeschool". If I had to (because it would be required by law), I probably would check out Calvert pretty closely, or maybe Sonshine. Doing Abeka or Bob Jones would have me and my kids in tears!
Jackie, I don't use a boxed curriculum because I saw so many people on here saying that we could do fine without it and my daughters needed to catch up on some things. So I browsed and bought what I thought they needed. We are doing fine and enjoying ourselves. I asked this question about which curriculum because most of the people in the homeschool group we attended last month seem to be using Abeka. I don't know why. I don't know any of them very well yet and I don't want to ask them and maybe offend them. They are all younger than I am and I am not 100% sure this is the place for us. Anyway back to Abeka. When you said it would have your kids in tears, is it dull or what do you not like about it? Also some are using lifepac gold. Have you used those before? I am asking all this while thinking about Crystal starting 9th grade next year. I don't honestly know that she is going to be caught up enough for 9th but we will see. She is doing the very beginning pre-algebra now and it seems she is getting it so far. I just keep thinking about what to use for high school with her. Thanks, Beth
ABecka is more for kids who learn very easy. It is made to really prepare kids for college. If the child is behind it may not be good for them. It is kinda fast paced but it is very good educational material. Life pacs are good too. They seem to be on grade level. Have you looked at School of Tomorrow or sometimes called ACE? It is good for kids who are strugglers. Lorna
I don't see that A Beka is advanced. We used A Beka math for awhile, and their science and Language. When we moved on to other things, the other things didn't seem more remedial than A Beka to us. That's just my opinion of course.
Par of it with me is that, with a background of special ed and materials that my class could rarely use, I got in the habit of doing my own thing. That has carried over. When Rachael was kindergarten/first grade, I saw no reason for any set curriculum at all. I did it all on my own. Of course, things have changed. Both my younger ones had Horizons math starting with Kindergarten. I also use Spectrum Reading for grades 1,2, and maybe 3. But that reading is IN ADDITION to reading they do on their own. Part of it, too, is that I teach my history and science together as much as possible. I wouldn't be able to do that with a boxed curricullum. To me, a boxed curriculum forces my child to conform to standards arbitrarily set for children that age. It's still the "one size fits all" education that is one of our complaints against "real" schools. If I don't want it there, why would I want it in my home? Of course, many homeschoolers use it. And it it works for them, that's fine. I am sure not going to tell them what's "right" or "wrong" for their homeschool. I know Tina and Sheila suggest it for newbies, because it gives more guidance for that first year or so, until they gain confidence to "do it on their own", (or until they decide that they really likes the boxed stuff because it works for them!) Again, it's just my opinion! I am SO THANKFUL I don't HAVE to use one!
I use Abeka and love it. We also use different books from different publishers to mix, match and suppliment. Just because a person purchases a boxed curriculum doesn't mean their child will still be conforming to the ways of the public schools, not in my opinion anyway. That is totally up to the parents not the curriculum. I take information from the books and teach it in a way that works for my daughter. We do not always complete everything in the books and we simplify things if need be or I will dive into other books of a higher grade if necessary. If Abeka doesn't seem to cover what I want then I explain it with a different method. It is no different then getting different books for different subjects. They are all books and how you apply it to your childs education is what will make the difference. Just because certain ideas are in a book or might be lacking in a book, doesn't mean I need to teach it or teach the way it tells me too. In the end the children are learning more or less the same things academically. It is the methods we use to teach our children that will make a difference. Most curriculums are not written in stone. This way parents can teach in a fashion suitable for each individual child. I purchase a boxed curriculum because it allows me to see areas I need to cover and the teachers guides help me to understand what I may lack in. I use the supplimental books when I think Abeka lacks or is not getting the point across. Books, regardless of the publisher are just ideas, paper and ink. The teacher is what makes a big difference. If the child's education is strictly from the book as it is written, then this is were I can see a problem because no book is written with a specific child in mind. Although I use a boxed curriculum, I do not put emphasis in the method that is given. I put it into a way my child can understand and retain it.
Em's Fan, I think you summed that up very nicely! I also think that's a lot of wisdom that you've probably learned through experience.
Thanks Jackie. I really appreciate that we all have a different way of schooling our children. I get so much insight from what everybody shares on this site. Patty
Yeh we tell the newbies..."let the curriculum be your slave not your master" For those starting out...we highly recommend they start with something put together BECAUSE it is sooo imporatant to get those sea legs of homeschool, housework, laundry, groceries, meals, cleaning, BLEAH!!!! After you get the feel of what is a good amount and pace and then spend some time to put together your own thing. Get the kids involved in activities but...in the beginning don't. People that have homeschooled for 3+ years will tell you that it is simple and they truly forget how it is to start.
i would go with Sonlight. I do not buy the cores right now, but I buy enough of it to know if I could only pick one that's what I would use. Personally though I don't think I could handle only using one, I use mostly Sonlight but could see me giving up SOTW and MUS anytime soon.
Many do not use boxed sets for a number of reasons expressed in this thread. On the otherhand, using a set is not a bad thing. If you have kids that need out of the public school system and you need a crutch to lean on the first year, use a boxed set. The school system used a one size fits all approach anyway, so if other factors are positive, you should have a better situation overall even with a boxed set. Homeschooling, even being home with kids without HS'ing can be a challenging transition. Get the tools you need for the task at hand, and get new tools next year that are appropriate for the new situation.
