Boy, I haven't done one of these meme things in a looong time. Saw this on Explorations in Learning's lovely blog and thought I'd steal it. Thanks G!
1. One home schooling book you have enjoyed.
The Well Trained Mind-While I am not a strict follower of the classical model in my home school, I always find this book to be so centering when I am feeling doubtful about where to go next. Susan Wise Bauer's ideas are laid out clearly and precisely, and they give me a neat and tidy outline into which I can plug my own ideas and materials. My thinking is not always as organized as I would like, so this is my favorite tool for getting things in order!
Library card,online catalog, -I would go broke purchasing every single book we would like to use every year, so I am beyond grateful for being able to browse online and order books from libraries all over the state.
SRA Math Explorations and Applications. When my oldest was in 2nd grade or so, I moved him from saxon math to the SRA math program. (I don't know where I first read of it, but I do remember reading reviews on Mathematicallycorrect.com which gave it a grade of "A-" overall.) It seemed like a good idea at the time because it includes story math, literature suggestions for many of the lessons, game boards and lots of mental math. ( Damn. Still sounds good!) Problem was that it was written for a classroom and I wasn't sage enough at the time to adapt it to better suit my needs. Also, it was difficult to piece together used and very expensive new. As a result, I hobbled through a school year-and-a-half doing this program poorly and then I switched math programs again and again, to find a good fit. I think we were to fourth grade by then. I feel I lost continuity in changing programs and did oldest a dis-service. Oldest doesn't necessarily struggle with math, but he doesn't exactly enjoy it either. I always wonder if my choices in this area affected him negatively. That is my dirty little home school failure secret. Not so much the fault of the SRA program itself, but I wish I just hadn't attempted to do it and stuck with something more clearly executable, especially as a new home schooler. Whew. Catharsis!
4. One resource you enjoyed last year.
Secular. Beautiful book. Photographs are fantastic. A textbook written in an engaging style. The layout is very nicely done as well. While packed full of good information, there is plenty of white space on the page so kids are not overwhelmed while reading. Again, though not really a narrative/story style, it is engaging, for sure.
5. One resource you will be using next year.
Teaching the essay- I have enjoyed using both Junior Analytical Grammar and Analytical Grammar, also written by the author of Teaching the Essay. I find her materials to be easy to understand and use, and they are fairly priced. I think Ben will take well to this writing curriculum.
6. One resource you would like to buy.
Oak Meadow curriculum. This is one I wish I could afford for all my kids.
7. One resource you wish existed.
A fully-scheduled-all-the-bells-and-whistles secular history program/box curriculum with all the books I like, worth-while hands-on projects and at a price I can afford. (See above "One resource you would like to buy)
Unfortunately I don't like looking at any of them anymore. I've gleaned much in the past from catalog book lists, but don't drool anymore over the curriculum I simply can't put into practical use. Although this Acorn Naturalists looks intriguing!
The Well Trained Mind forums-A variety of perspectives on curriculum and methods gives me a daily fix. It is a great place where I'm able to find the like-mindedness often lacking (sadly) in my local community.
10. Tag other home schoolers.
Play along if you feel like it Ladies!
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