I've been on a spring vacation from school- well, really all of us have been on spring vacation :) But now I'm feeling like digging back in. We started Monday with math for Micaela and Preschool ABCs for Nathaniel. I guess I'm just inching back in. I hope tomorrow to include some grammar/memory review with Micaela, and then next Monday start back with spelling, grammar and math daily. I may wait one more week before we pick up history again- or maybe not. Since we've had so much vacation/sickness lately I do not intend to take a summer vacation. We will just school through summer and take off when we like. This really doesn't matter AT ALL since none of my children have hit the compulsary school attendance age.
ANYWAY, the reason I'm excited is that I ordered some supplies for next year. I bought Math U See for Micaela, Nathaniel and Gabriel- that's Primer, Alpha and Beta, the blocks and the box. Micaela will finish her Rod & Staff Math in about two weeks, and I intend to have her do Alpha before Beta since the skills don't exactly overlap, and she can use the review while she learns to use the blocks. I'm debating about whether I should let her move quickly through Alpha or not. Advice? Nathaniel and Gabe will both start at Primer, but I expect Nathaniel to move more quickly than Gabe. I will only start Gabe if he's interested anyway. He may wait till next spring.
I also *Invested* in Veritas Phonics Museum for the boys. I bought the K/1 Combo Kit. OUCH! But I figure if you divide the cost by four it's not that much (about $30 per child, per year), and Ian and I both think that Nathaniel especially will enjoy it. Gabriel enjoys anything so far. Nathaniel is wanting to learn to read, I think, so this is a good time to start with him.
Ian was supposed to have been teaching science this year, but he let it slide. He can't work without some sort of guide. I wrote something out for him, but it was too general. Anyway, I also bought an Apologia science book for him and the kids. We're going to try botany for the spring/summer, since gardening is such a huge priority around here. I hope they like it, and I think that Ian will enjoy being the teacher for a little while each week.
I'm throwing out handwriting for Micaela in favor of copy work. Copy work is already incorporated in her grammar book weekly, and she does it fairly well. I bought a CD that includes copywork from A Child's Garden of Verses on appropriately lined paper with the idea that if she doesn't do it neatly I can print it again and repeat! Now she just slops through handwriting workbooks however she likes, and short of making her erase the entire page (which would leave it looking like swiss cheese), I really don't know what else to do. Assigning another page just gains me more slop. So we'll try this approach for a while and see.
So now if I can just cough up enough money for Tapestry of Grace and a telescope I'll be perfectly happy-hehe. I'm content anyway, I'd just love to use Tapestry of Grace! Ian thinks I should go ahead and buy it, but I just don't think I can spend that much on something really geared for older students. I do want to use it in the future, and it's possible the price will just go up, so maybe Ian's right?? I'm still thinking about it. I'll probably think about it for another year. If any of you use it, tell me what you think. I know De'etta uses it. What do you think? Wait till they're older or invest in it now so that later I can invest in something else- like maybe the library that goes with it or braces or stock in BlueCross BlueShield :)
That Ear Thing
5 days ago
5 comments:
I don't know anyone who's done Tapestry of Grace. I just looked up the website. Do you buy all of the books for each year? How does it work? That would seem expensive if one has to buy everything. I really wanted to get the Bible curriculum from Children Desiring God this year, but I think I'm going to wait until next year when both Sami and Autumn can do it. It's hard for me to know what's wisest when balancing the budget and the curriculum. I'd love to hear your thoughts =)
=) Suzanne
You have to have the primary sources for the level you're working at (Grammar, Dialectic, or Rhetoric). You can use the library, friends or buy the books, but you have to have them at specific times so the library may not work out. Most of those books are extra reading material that could be easily substituted and found at the library. Ian's thought is you buy the four levels @ 1200 total, divided by 12 yrs of schooling (100/yr) by 5 children = 20/yr/child. He's a great rationalizer! I'm still floored by the upfront cost, but I love the world view woven throughout the curriculum, the church history/religion aspect, and the focus on God's hand moving through history.
As far as balancing the budget goes... we're struggling to faithfully balance our budget each month. We're never overdrawn, and we've still not been in serious debt (although last year we incurred some medical bills and 1 credit purchase of appliances after we bought our house). That's paid off now. I make a list each year of major purchases (anything more than $10 just about), and then I add up the amt and ask for that as a yearly budget. So far it comes out of our tax return. I would love to budget monthly, but that's not working (read copays, copays, copays!). Anway, I have to be content for the year with what I have, because I know I'm not getting anymore.
Also, Ian grew up in private school, and if we ever chose not to homeschool he would send the kids to private school. It is easy for him to think 1000/yr, that's nothing compared to monthly tuition for 3 students. Whereas I think 1000/yr! That's ridiculous for little kids! So, I guess we have slightly different perspectives, but we've both agreed that school supplies have to be a priority if we want to succeed. So then we compromise on a number & agree to stick to it.
Becky.....hmmm.....good questions.
I LOVE TOG but I have always had older children too. In the younger grades a lot of the books are ones you will read in one day. I would use the library. HOWEVER - I then go out and buy the ones that are must haves! ::snort::
You are right that the year plan is the essential.....
I'm not sure I'd do it for such young ones....and yet....I've not found anything I liked better for young ones. LOL It does seem like a lot of money - but this for instance this is our 2nd year using the year 1 plan - and it is GREAT that we have the books and such ready to go. I will need to buy Year 2 redesign because I gave my year 2 away....and it did just go up - so there is wisdom in buying sooner than later....but then you may be tempted to give it to someone who has a need and then you're out. ::snort::
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