Spelling and Grammar and Writing...Oh my!

[Sue G in PA]

I thought I had it all figured out. Everything. Then I figure out ds9 can't spell to save his life. AND, I'm torn btwn grammar programs for ds8 (FLL3 or R&S3) AND dd11 has hit a wall w/ diagramming so I'm contemplating a switch/supplement to R&S 6 AND our writing plans WERE IEW Medievals but now we're not doing Rome to Ref. next year rather Exp. Countries and Cultures...Okay, I'm taking a deep breath. Did I mention we don't have a ton of money to spend on NEW curriculum? :confused: I'm not asking for advice...just saying that there is just WAY too many good programs/curriculums out there to choose from! How do you decide? AND, why do all my dc have to learn differently? Why can't they all fit into this perfect cookie cutter mold and make my life easier?:glare:

Okay, breathing now. It'll all be okay, I know. Right now, I'm just having curriculum-choice paralysis. Ugh.

[5wolfcubs]

Right now, I'm just having curriculum-choice paralysis. Ugh.

:iagree: Oh, I'm right there with you. Each kid is different and *I'm* different and once I've done something with one or 2 kids, I don't necessarily want to do it again!

Language Arts is also my hardest decision right now. It comprises so many areas! Do I get a different book for each "part" or an all-in-one? Do I keep these two children together or separate? Do I go for gentle introduction or rigorous depth?

I think we have several children that are the same ages/grades. Next year I'll have 8th, 6th, 3rd, 1st + 3yo...oh, look, there is even a new smiley of them ---> :grouphug:

No advice, lots of empathy!

[Mrs. H.]

The first thing I look at is whether or not what we've used this year is working. I have to ask myself (and my dc, although I get the final decision) several questions:

Are you better this year than you were last year? If a spelling program hasn't helped your child improve at all, it's time for a new one.

Is the reason this program didn't work because of me? Did I fail to implement the program effectively, lack consistency, or follow-through?

Did I not like the curriculum for some reason?

Is the reason I don't like this curriculum valid? For instance, I cannot stand Saxon Math K-3, but I haven't found anything that works better for my ds, so I tough it out for him.

Do my kids cry every time this curriculum is assigned? Is it too dificult, dry/boring, too easy?

Does this meet my standards for what I want my children to learn?

I have to go through this mental process with everything I think about purchasing, and for some subjects, I have found good things that work, and with others, I'm still at a loss for what to do. Math, Grammar, Logic and Greek? Got it, I'm good with my choices both for this year and next. Latin, History, Science, Music, and Art? No clue. I'm still weighing my options and trying to decide what to do next.