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Natalia
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What are your parameters for deciding about curriculum? I have been following the Planning ebook from SCM. I am at the resources step and frankly there seems to be so much good stuff out there. I know what not to get; and I know that Sonya would probably say to look at the big picture and see what resources help you to get there. But the thing is, there is a myriad of resources that can get me to where I want to go...
So when you are trying to make a decision what parameters do go by? what sells a resource for you? do you have a handy dandy set of questions you ask yourself when trying to decide?
Just curious...
Natalia
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Natalia
http://pannuestrodecadadia.blogspot.com
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cornomama4
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Natalia,
Do you have access to Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Homeschool picks?
One very interesting thing about it is that it talks about what type of learner/homeschool approach each of her picks would be good for. It has a chart where you input your preferences and it does help narrow the choices somewhat
If you can identify your education philosophy and what style of materials work for your kids, you may get some choice ideas from her book.
Also, tried and true from people you know IRL and online really helps. You get more of a hands on feel for how a resource works beyond what the catalog says 
Good luck!
cm4
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LLMom
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Since I have been doing this for a long time, I always check what I already have before deciding. Other than that, I try to buy things that I can use long term so I don't get too many workbooks. I also try to get some independent items (i.e. not too mom-intensive) because there is only so much of me to go around.
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Lisa
For veteran & former homeschool moms
homeschooling ideas
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Bookswithtea
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I ask myself, and have to be brutally honest...will we actually use this??? Because a lot of programs look great but I don't have the time or hands or whatever to really give it what it deserves. Also, I look at how long it will take to do the program at least "good enough" if not "well." If its a 36 week program that is 45 minutes or more a day, I walk away unless it can be easily altered.
And when it comes to read alouds, I ask myself if I really want to hear the book myself!  Seriously, I have noticed that read alouds are more likely to get done if they are stories I want to hear myself...which is why we read Mountain Born but not Mr. Popper's Penguins last year. 
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mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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Leonie
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Bookswithtea wrote:
| I ask myself, and have to be brutally honest...will we actually use this??? |
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Yep, I am the same. Many times, resources sound great but I know I won't have the time to use them or they won't fit into our busy life or won't capture my kids' interest. So, I honestly think - will we use it or not? And I give it time before ordering, rather than ordering in the gush of finding an exciting resource...
I also listent to what others have to say - on blogs or on a forum like this. Hearing feedback from users is useful for me, too.
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Living Without School
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Willa
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Natalia wrote:
do you have a handy dandy set of questions you ask yourself when trying to decide?
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--Do I really need this or am I just jumping on a bandwagon?
--Do I have an equivalent on my bookshelves already?
--Is what I am doing already for this subject working pretty well? (if so, keep using the same thing or only buy something similar)
--Will it suit my teaching style and the kids' learning style? (that is, real books and real tools or art supplies and very simple, focused workbooks are more likely to get used in our home than complicated teacher-intensive resources).
In general, I try to study my own motivations. I find that being on boards like this one I can, if I don't watch myself, get pulled along in whatever direction everyone else is going. This CAN be a good thing -- it's always easier to do things when there are other people helping with the support network -- that's why I like Mater Amabilis and Ambleside. But again, it depends on my own motivations. I have learned to recognize and be wary of a sort of "hunger" for something that isn't really suited to my philosophy or my family culture, just because it happens to be getting a lot of buzz on the internet or in my local hs circle.
The other thing, for me, is that it either has to be simple and very effective in itself, OR just for fun. I'm not sure how to explain that -- it's a bit like what Charlotte Mason says about letting the children do the work rather than the teacher. If the curriculum itself is a lot of bells and whistles and complicated things to buy or do, it is distracting -- UNLESS it's joyful and enriching for its own sake, for our family.
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Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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marihalojen
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Do I like it?
If Mama don't like the topic/presentation/whatever the year will be 
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SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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Kristie 4
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I ditto what everyone else said! If it is complicated or teacher intensive it will sit on the shelf here. I go for good books, simple presentations and try to save the rest for the music and dance lessons.
It is so easy to jump on a bandwagon though- case in point is me last night researching for I can't tell you how long (it would be too embarassing) a new latin program even though the one we are using the kids are enjoying, I am enjoying, and it is working!
I also have to like the presentation- my best example of this is the Writing Road to Reading. There are so many good reviews about it. I have bought it twice!! But alas, there it sits, only to be pulled out once a year at the 'my children can't spell' stress moments. I just don't like the format and it seems to spill over to my kids!
I also remember reading a post on someone's blog about being 'good enough'. We always seem to go searching after the BEST when there are many 'good' programs/books/curricula that will fit the bill.
Hope your planning goes smoothly...
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Angie Mc
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I only look for curriculum if/when we have a specific need. I don't shop! Once we have a need, I come here and ask for specific recommendations. From these I look for something that is some or all of the following:
inexpensive
usable by more than one child
not fussy
child able to do on his/her own
straight forward
efficient
effective
Not shopping REALLY helps me.
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Bookswithtea
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Reading other's thoughts reminded me of something else I do. I keep track of what has worked for us in the past, on paper. Because we use simple resources and mostly living books with just a few well placed workbooks, it hasn't yet really mattered what the child's learning style is. Once I have used something more than once and it has worked, it goes in my "tweak/don't replace" column.
I cannot tell you how many times friends will send me a link with, "have you seen this new program for xxx???" and honestly, if I have something that works for us, I try not to even look. I made the mistake of buying something last Spring because everyone I knew was raving about it (Apologia Elem.) even though I had a feeling I wouldn't like it. We didn't like it.  It was not a good science year for us. I renewed my commitment to not jump on bandwagons!
I also don't keep many catalogues on hand. I read Sonlight, Emmanuel Books, CHC...I have a few oddball catalogues onhand like Montessori services, Memoria Press, and Seton but the first three are really the only ones I read cover to cover. I think catalogue shopping should be enjoyable with a cup of tea or super fast and convenient like Amazon...not a nightmare experience where the catalogue looks like a phone book and the shipping takes forever. 
There are a lot of copycat catalogues these days, tweaking other programs that are well established and proven. I avoid them. It feels like buying an untested car to me instead of one from a company with a well deserved reputation. Plus, I have called all three of the above catalogues more than once with detailed questions about products and they always take the time to talk with me, mom to mom. 
OH! I look for buzzwords in the ads as well. I tend to bypass anything that markets itself as "classical" because that's just not our style. And if it says CM, I read further to find out which kind of CM it is...MA/Ambleside style or more like Karen Andreola/FIAR style.
Curriculum shopping is more about saying 'no' to me than anything else. Not that we don't buy stuff...we do and sometimes a lot. But weeding through all the no's to get to what will actually be used can take a lot of time.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Isa in Michigan
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It helps to have a good idea of what your goals and philosophy are. For example, I have determined to find the curriculum that will be the most efficient in teaching concepts even if it is more teacher intensive. I'm looking at it long term, so I'm willing to put in more time now to save me more time later on. Since I can't do this with every subject (due to time constraints), I focus on the essentials.
So for example, with math I look for a program that not only teaches the process of math facts but also how to think and really understand math. In math I also look for it to be presented in an interesting way with some challenging problems to keep the interest of my children.
With spelling, I use a non-workbook program that has me dictating the words while my children figure out and mark why each word is spelled that way. I'm already seeing the benefits of this approach as my children are spelling above grade level.
The advantage of what I'm doing is that it's effective, and I haven't gotten burned out because it's interesting. So I always have my goal in mind when I look for curriculum (will it give me the outcome I'm looking for in the most efficient manner possible compared to other curriculums).
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TracyQ
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It's SO HARD, isn't it???? This is our 14th year coming up, and I can tell you, it does NOT get easier! Looking at my Rainbow Resources catalog on my table right now, it looks like a phone book for goodness' sake! And when I open it, I shake with glee!!!
The way I choose curriculum is:
1~ PRAYER (which I keep doing throughout)
2~ Remind myself of learning style of child
3~ Remind myself of teaching philosophy of me
4~ Create GOALS for the year
5~ Write down what I'd like to use, but ONLY that which fits under their learning style, and my teaching philosophy, that PROGRESSES the GOAL.
6~ Create an overview first draft plan for using it before buying anything
7~ Realize that this plan is under no circumstances REALISTIC, and trim out what is not necessary to the goal
8~ Make purchases accordingly (or gather what I already have if I have it)
9~ Create a final plan, reminding myself that I have to allow flexiblity AND allow for time for things that may come up through the year, or changes as well that may happen.
10~ Pray that the Lord will bless our homeschooling year, and ask Him for final approval
What I USE/BUY depends on several factors:
1~ Does it fit into our goal? (after prayer of course)
2~ Does it fit into our Budget for the Year?
3~ What I already may have in the house, or can borrow from the library or a fellow homeschooler or the internet
Hope this helps some!
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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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ALmom
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I do a lot of what everyone else has said, just not as well. IE I always check my shelves before purchasing and I still manage to purchase duplicates . I plan for goals, consider my weaknesses and strengths as well as my children's, etc. and still jump on bandwagon's at times.
One thing I've found recently that has helped is focusing my purchases in areas of my child and my mutual weakness. In most other areas, honestly, anything works without being a disaster. If I'm strong in the subject, then I'm capable of using a lousy text on hand and filling in with good books or tweaking to make it fun for us. If the child is strong and passionate in the area, they really don't care where the information is coming from, they'll dig into the driest textbook (as long as it's accurate) to find an answer and they'll weed through the busiest, ugliest, whatever is wrong with it material.
IF both of us are weak and lost and not particularly interested in a subject, then I've got to really hunt and hunt for something that sparks interest, is self-teaching to a certain extent (it has to teach me along with the kids)and doesn't leave me confused or overwhelmed. I shop in this area first and then everything else is added in as it fits what is left in the budget.
Almost all my purchases this year were in science. We are finally getting enthused. Last year, my focus was on science and remediating fine motor/writing lags (the physical part of putting pen/pencil to paper).
By taking this focus, we seem to be doing a better job of finding stuff that really works and doesn't just sit on the shelf.
I also come on line before a final decision and especially if nothing seems to fit our constraints. I ask for information - I have to know why someone likes it and by now I've gotten a feel for those who like a bit more planning and those who seem able to wing it with very loose guidance. I've also learned to describe something of what I think an ideal program would be. Ex. - my request for a French program. I knew that stuff that was good but not auditory and not self teaching would be a disaster because of the constraints. We were led to what looks like a really good fit - and I didn't waste time with other stuff that didn't quite meet our requirements. For science, I wanted something particular to help me guide the id of trees and leaves. I now have a bunch of free websites and I also didn't want to spend Montessori prices - but couldn't find what I was looking for except at Nienhius and that was way out of budget for us. Andrea came through with a link to something really nice and I think I have something that will do a great job for us by getting a little here, a little there and the advanced stuff from the site Andrea linked. Anyways, I factor information stored in my head about what seems to be different folks styles into weighing the like dislike comments. I also look for specific hints. A mom with one or two older children will be able to use things that simply will not work for me and if she loves it but in the description talks about all the discussion and creativity and ..., it might mean it is very teacher intense and I'd have to ask a lot more about it first.
I'm not great or efficient at this whole process, but after 20 years, I'm finally getting better. It is just so tempting to try all the new stuff that wasn't there when we worked with our older ones.
Janet
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Natalia
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I felt kind of silly asking the question. After all I am not a newbie. I have been hsing for quite some time, and most of the time things have gone well. The problem is that the market has grown, the choices are more and better.
"Hearing" your thought process has helped me. I am writing down a basic list of questions and putting it where I can see it before ordering.
Thanks,
Natalia
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Natalia
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Natalia
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Almom wrote:
| In most other areas, honestly, anything works without being a disaster. |
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This has been my experience. There has been few things that I have bought that have been disasters. I don't know if it is because I make it work or is it because I don't have strong feelings associated with curriculum 
Books,
I envy your self-confidence. I am just too wishy washy. Even when I know that some things have not worked out for us I still sometimes cave in because I have read or heard somebody raving about it. Take lapbooks for example, I love the idea of doing them. I can see how they help the children process the information and at the same time they are a good output, a tangible evidence of something accomplished. But, we have several unfinished lapbooks. The same with notebooks.The band-wagons are powerful...
Really, my case is pathetic. I know having a basic philosophy of education is important but, I can't make up my mind. I love so many things from different philosophies that it would take me forever to write it all down in a coherent way.
My consolation is that I least I know what I don't like. That is something I guess...
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Natalia
http://pannuestrodecadadia.blogspot.com
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Bookswithtea
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Natalia wrote:
Books,
I envy your self-confidence. |
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Don't. Its born of learning the hard way...too many times.
Lapbooks/notebooks require a child who likes to express him or herself artistically. I learned the hard way on that one, too...
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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teachingmom
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Angie Mc wrote:
I only look for curriculum if/when we have a specific need. I don't shop! Once we have a need, I come here and ask for specific recommendations. From these I look for something that is some or all of the following:
inexpensive
usable by more than one child
not fussy
child able to do on his/her own
straight forward
efficient
effective
Not shopping REALLY helps me. |
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What Angie said!
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: What are you parameters for deciding
