Help me stop this cycle of using mulitple programs (M)

[one l michele]

in attempt to provide different ways of thinking, different presentation styles, and to cover any gaps. The reality is - it is impossible to cover everything and we each need to prioritize our families educational goals. Even public schools have "gaps". I need to be confident that I have given my all to these kids and that is the best I can do. And stop worrying about what "they" are doing in public schools - LOL. It's actually ironic that this is a concern because isn't one of the many reasons most of us home educate our kids that we want them to have a better education then we did in the public school system? So why "model" those public schools?

Next year I will have three school aged children to juggle. I have thought about long term goals, multi purpose materials, and how I can be more efficient with my time and theirs.

Horizons math is going very well, both boys only miss one or two on a page, they enjoy it, and willingly do the book cover to cover. "I" like Singapore's thought process, my oldest has finished books 1A-2A, and my youngest went through the Earlybirds 1A-2A, but this year they melt at the site of the book. I have nothing negative to say about Horizons, so why do I feel guilty about using it exclusively? Assure me my kids will still have the skills needed to move on to pre-alg/pre-geo in 7th.

History I like two programs. We have SOTW audio and my boys really enjoy listening to this, so far we've just listened casually. One child enjoys coloring, but both would love the hands on projects. My concern is how much teacher prep is involved gathering supplies, supplemental books, etc.? We used Sonlight core C this year and the boys say the read alouds are their favorite part of our school day. I have 4 years to do a "rotation" before moving on to TRISMS. So I'm also wondering which would make that transition smoother? I'm torn, both are very good programs. Which one sounds like a better fit for us?

And geography, are they really getting a solid foundation in SOTW or Sonlight? I feel the need to supplement with Daily Geography practice.

Grammar, my oldest does dictation (5 SWR sentences) and copywork daily (2 sentences from literature, history, or science). The second half of this school year I've had him write one narration a week from a simple fable, he ends up writing a two page spread on it full of basic errors. He does much much better when it is more of a formal writing assignment, like we read about Pompeii, and I asked him to write 5 sentences about it from notes we wrote together while discussing the story. I really think IEW will give me the structure I need to teach writing, but as for the rest of this year, I'm not sure what to do with him. He keeps spacing during copywork, and dictation, because I'm there to correct him, yet during assignments he doesn't combine skills yet - capital letter, spacing, etc.. He worries about getting it on paper before he forgets what he wants to write. Being my oldest, he's unfortunately my "test child" and helping to pave the road for his siblings. Thus part of me says to drop grammar, focus on writing skills until 6th then jump into AG.

Then writing programs. I know I need the structure of IEW. I plan to use the TWSS myself this summer to learn the process. Do I order Theme Based Writing to match the time period in history or would SWI A provide more detailed lessons and structure?

Any food for thought?

[awanama]

I will share how we have dealt with this for our family. First, I will weed it down to two or three programs for a subject that I really like. Then I compare them and see if one sticks out to me more than the rest. My children absolutely would not go for doing two curriculums at the same time. If one does stick out and is more rounded that is what we use. If they are all comparable, I let my children pick from the two or three I have weeded it down to. That way, they feel like they are getting a say in their education and I know that it is one of the top three that I like. I think from your post that my children are older than yours, so my idea might not work for you.

If you feel there is really a gap, why don't you pick one day of the week to fill it. For example, you could plan to do something from Singapore (maybe their word problems book) on Mondays, do extra Geography on Tuesday, Writing on Wednesdays, etc. That way you aren't overloading your kids but you are still getting in what you feel is missing.



I hope this is helpful to you.

[mcconnellboys]

I think that when you find a program that you like, you don't need to change every time something new gets published and other folks give it rave reviews. Yes, I like Singapore, too, and use it. Does that mean that Horizons won't serve your children just as well? No, it does not. Children all over this country and the world use a plethora of different programs, but may still end up with about the same score on their SAT's, etc.

I started using Abeka years ago when SWB first recommended it. It seems to me that virtually no one uses it now, but when my younger son reached the age this year to use their A level book, I bought it again. And it's still working just fine for us.....

Old or new, what works best for your children is what works for you......

Regena

[one l michele]

I will share how we have dealt with this for our family. First, I will weed it down to two or three programs for a subject that I really like. Then I compare them and see if one sticks out to me more than the rest. My children absolutely would not go for doing two curriculums at the same time. If one does stick out and is more rounded that is what we use. If they are all comparable, I let my children pick from the two or three I have weeded it down to. That way, they feel like they are getting a say in their education and I know that it is one of the top three that I like. I think from your post that my children are older than yours, so my idea might not work for you.

If you feel there is really a gap, why don't you pick one day of the week to fill it. For example, you could plan to do something from Singapore (maybe their word problems book) on Mondays, do extra Geography on Tuesday, Writing on Wednesdays, etc. That way you aren't overloading your kids but you are still getting in what you feel is missing.



I hope this is helpful to you.

It's not that I see "gaps" within the programs I'm using as much as wondering what gaps I'm not catching - YKWIM? I may let them decide between the History programs, or at least talk with them about both and see their thoughts since they are familiar with each.

[8FillTheHeart]

My kids are 7.5, 6, and 4.

Hi Michele,

First, my kids use Horizons exclusively through the k-6 books. (other than games, cards, etc that we play simply as part of our family life) My kids are all very grounded in math. My oldest is currently taking his 3rd semester of college calculus as an 18 yr and has made a very high A in every college math class he has taken (pre-cal up) I have no qualms saying that they will be fine on Horizons alone. :)

As far as writing, I personally think you are expecting too much for a 7 1/2 yr old. My kids are still strictly doing copywork at that point. Short selections. IEW is really intended for 9+ (unless I am remembering incorrectly). 7 yr olds are still learning how to process what they are reading, learning basic mechanics/spelling/developing handwriting skills. Expecting no errors in an independent writing assignment is expecting a lot of skills to be mastered w/o having to focus on content. I expect them to focus on either one or the other at that age.....very doubtful they will master them all.

Your kids are all so close together in age that I would do science and history as a family until the oldest hits about 6ht or 7th grade.

HTH

[Rhondabee]

[
He keeps spacing during copywork, and dictation, because I'm there to correct him, yet during assignments he doesn't combine skills yet - capital letter, spacing, etc.. He worries about getting it on paper before he forgets what he wants to write.

Any food for thought?[/QUOTE]

Just a thought on this one thing: You should be one proud momma!!!!

Do you know what I would give to have my 7th grader be happy with a rough draft?!?!?!?

Instead, he sits and fumes and won't write until he has it all perfect in his head. And once it's written, boy, you better not criticize it AT ALL!! :eek:

How much better to "get it on paper before he forgets" and then go back later and check the structure, and then let it sit for a day before you correct the grammar and spelling, etc. That's what you WANT - it's not something to lament!

As far as trying to do it all, I know that feeling!! Just by accepting that you can't, you will find a place of peace about it. Someone posted last summer that the year they and their dc learned the most was the year they pared down. I took that to heart this year, and have found it to be really true.

I have found that my kids can only take so much academics in one day - they need LOTS of free, down time. But, when I keep it simple, they learn with less effort, and, on their own, they make a lot of the connections that I would be trying to teach them if I tried to "fill in the gaps" with multiple curriculum.

[Karen in Eastern WA]

I have been struggling with exactly the same thing with math. I have two 7 1/2 year old boys and we did Horizons math last year and continued with it this year, but I also feel compelled to use Singapore. Our situation sounds similar to yours. My boys do fine with Horizons but I like the thought process with Singapore, but in the meantime we have actually been getting behind in math (as far as staying on track to finish the workbooks by the end of the school year) because it has been too much.

I like the idea of Awanama's of just supplementing with Singapore's word problems (I just can't totally let go of that Singapore!) Also, we have the Rainbow Rock computer game that goes with Singapore, which they have fun with. I also feel that I really haven't been doing Horizons justice i.e., going through every that is specified in the teacher's manual because I have been worried about getting through Singapore as well. Anyway thanks for bringing this up. This gives me a bit of clarity on our own schedule -- glad that I am not the only one wondering about this!

[Linda...inOwasso]

Wow, exact same situation here! My dd7 went through Horizons 1 last year and is over half way through Horizons 2 this year with excellent progress. There is really no reason for me to add anything to her math curriculum; however I, too, am lured into supplementing with Singapore.

The only reason I can rationally give for doing this is that my dd *gets* math easily and Horizons does provide a lot of reinforcement of concepts. Once my dd has a concept down, she makes careless mistakes if she's required to do page after page of those type of problems. So, once she's shown that she's mastered something I will cross out those types of problems on her Horizons page and give her a Singapore page as well.

I do not think it's necessary at all. I recognize the insanity of it. Yet, I can't seem to help myself. If this is the biggest mistake I make as a parent, my dd will be fine! :)

BTW, Momof7 --- what do you use with your dc AFTER Horizons 6th?

[Another Lynn]

Michele, I would look at the SOTW vs. Sonlight question in light of what *you* like best. Sonlight is very planned out - do you like that? SOTW gives you the AG as a refence for other read alouds to add in (maps, coloring, projects, etc) - so more is left up to you. Your boys will love read alouds no matter what you do - so I would ask myself which way do I prefer to have things? 1) all laid out for me or 2) all left up to me?

As for your oldest ds's writing, it sounds like he's doing great! I have floundered a bit in the area of Language Arts and still haven't totally satisfied myself that I know what I'm doing, but if he's doing a written narration of any kind at that age I'd say you're ahead of the 8-ball.

Keep up the good work, Mom!

[angela in ohio]

in attempt to provide different ways of thinking, different presentation styles, and to cover any gaps. The reality is - it is impossible to cover everything and we each need to prioritize our families educational goals. Even public schools have "gaps". I need to be confident that I have given my all to these kids and that is the best I can do. And stop worrying about what "they" are doing in public schools - LOL.

Any food for thought?

Maybe this (http://youtube.com/watch?v=BYLMTvxOaeE) will help... :D

[Janice in NJ]

It's not that I see "gaps" within the programs I'm using as much as wondering what gaps I'm not catching - YKWIM? I may let them decide between the History programs, or at least talk with them about both and see their thoughts since they are familiar with each.

I HEAR YOU! I HEAR YOU!! I HEAR YOU!!!!!!

My shelves sag under the weight of "what about gaps" sickness! :D

My answer is self-education. I KNOW that I've said it about a gillion times but it is the ONLY program that I have used that has worked... in EVERY single subject. Every time.

Truly! Stop buying MORE curriculum to "cover" things at the second grade level. Just pick ONE program for math, etc...... and SPEND THE MONEY ON THE MOMMA'S education. Truly. Really. If you are weak in math, then spend the money on a math program for you and work through it. Get help here when you need it. You will learn math, and then you will be able to teach it at the third grade level with a pencil and a paper and NO program.... probably exaggerating on that one. But seriously, you will find ways to plumb the depths of the ONE program that you are using. OR you may decide to use two programs, but it will be a purposeful decision. You will know which parts of which programs are most valuable for your kids AT THAT TIME, because you'll start to see the "why" behind the methods employed by the program.

Or take language arts... you will really start to see HOW and WHY those zillions of programs focus on different things. It will start to make more sense. It will start to become a cohesive whole rather than a bunch of tiny pieces.

Invest in materials for you. Keep working with your kids. I'm not saying to blow them off. By no means! But they will be fine if you ONLY use one program for these subjects for the whole year! Suck the life out of it! Any "gaps" that you might discover in that program because of your own process of self-education will be a snap to fix! But the value of a momma who can stand against the tide of "Oh no! What about GAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPS!" is a strong momma indeed! I know that it's cliche and I've said it before, but "knowledge really is power" here.

Having a plan allows me to smile at the days to come.

Peace,
Janice

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey

[Linda...inOwasso]

LOL Angela... I love it!! :)

[one l michele]

Hi Michele,

First, my kids use Horizons exclusively through the k-6 books. (other than games, cards, etc that we play simply as part of our family life) My kids are all very grounded in math. My oldest is currently taking his 3rd semester of college calculus as an 18 yr and has made a very high A in every college math class he has taken (pre-cal up) I have no qualms saying that they will be fine on Horizons alone. :)

As far as writing, I personally think you are expecting too much for a 7 1/2 yr old. My kids are still strictly doing copywork at that point. Short selections. IEW is really intended for 9+ (unless I am remembering incorrectly). 7 yr olds are still learning how to process what they are reading, learning basic mechanics/spelling/developing handwriting skills. Expecting no errors in an independent writing assignment is expecting a lot of skills to be mastered w/o having to focus on content. I expect them to focus on either one or the other at that age.....very doubtful they will master them all.

Your kids are all so close together in age that I would do science and history as a family until the oldest hits about 6ht or 7th grade.

HTH

Thank you for the reassurance about Horizons.

As far as IEW. TWM recommended it starting in 3rd, the IEW site says grades 2+, the theme based materials that I'm considering are for grades 3-5, and this would be for next year, my ds would be in 3rd.

I'm not expecting a perfect paper by all means.

We did switch to doing History and Science as a family this year and it's been wonderful.