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mom2mpr
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| Posted: July 12 2007 at 5:55pm | IP Logged
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You all are scaring me here-- with some of the other posts discussing this.
I am thinking of using this, the first book, with my kids(9 and 4) starting in the fall.
How much work is it to get the supplies together and make the things you need for lessons? Give me an example of one lesson and things that need to be made, how many items, how much work are they? I was hoping to do a "presentation" twice a month but am getting the feeling I won't be able to get it all together to do that. I am willing to bop down to once a month but have such limited time for preparing for schoolwork(and paying bills  ) now. Approximately, if you can guess, how long does it take to prepare?
Thanks!
Anne(who is getting a little bummed here, I was really excited about doing this)
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 12 2007 at 6:24pm | IP Logged
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The key to these albums is to only look at the presentations ONE AT A TIME! Then it's do-able. When I first got my album, I went through it and made a list of the needed items that I didn't have somewhere in my house. I keep that list in my purse in case I'm at Michael's or somewhere and want to check something off the list. Otherwise, I just take it one at a time, and try never to look at the list, or I get overwhelmed.
The mustard seed presentation is probably one of the most time consuming to gather (hence why I haven't done it yet). But there are lots of others that use everyday things around the house and are easy to assemble.
Here's what's needed for the Mustard Seed Presentation:
5-6 seeds glued to a small tray
jerusalem mustard seed
a photo of a real mustard tree
felt roll out of mustard tree
small prop of bird and nest
bible
gospel candle
candlesnuffer with small plate
The ALTAR presentations are not hard to assemble, IF you can buy the Mini Mass Set. I DID spend some time making the tabernacle.
Advent presentations are pretty simple, because you have access to your nativity sets, etc.
The Baptism presentations are everyday items.
Psalm 23 presentation:
all materials for the good shepherd presentation
matches, bible, candle, candlesnuffer, small white drape cloth, good shep figure, picture of jesus, white flowers, small vase, candle lamp.
Here are a couple of pictures from us doing the Good Shepherd Presentation:
Good Shepherd Presentation
All that said....yes, it IS something I would spend money on to have it all done for me.
HTH,
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 12 2007 at 6:43pm | IP Logged
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Oh dear Anne, I fear I must apologize. I was feeling hormonal, and...well...whiny. I would be delighted to find a source for the COGS materials in one happy little (or big) ziploc bag that I could just click "order me  ", but truly, half the fun is in the making.
It will be overwhelming when viewed in it's entirety - so many presentations, so many figures, so little time. But, they are completely do-able. I try to plan a little at a time as Suzanne said. I try to plan one liturgical season ahead so I can have my items together before. Items can easily be purchased from Hobby Lobby and Michaels for the presentations for next to nothing.
This is definitely a WORTHWHILE undertaking for you and your dc! You will never regret having started down this path once you have presented even once, because your children will be hooked, and you will be caught up in watching your children make connections you only read about before. Truly, it is worth the effort!
How long to prepare? Well, it does depend on the lesson. Some are more involved than others. I don't stress (unless you count my most recent ranting about the lack of a kit of materials  terribly sorry) about my presentations, rather I allow the presentations time to sink in. I haven't found the presentations I have done (or planned for) so far to be terribly costly - Michaels has so much for so little. It's really just a matter of getting there with a list in hand, coupon too! I work on building things and putting things together either during naptime, or in the evening. Once you get started, you get really excited about how the project is coming together.
I hope I have redeemed this noble book for you. I too am using the 3-6 book with my 10,6,and 2 yo and am finding it so rewarding. I really am sorry for being whiny. 
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Cheryl
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| Posted: July 12 2007 at 6:58pm | IP Logged
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Anne,
I'm planning on using the 3-5 album this year. It takes quite a bit of time to gather the materials, but I think it will be worth it. I started 2 years ago by only preparing for the Advent presentations. It was manageable for me to only work on one season. After that I purchased the Baptism kit. That certainly saved time, and I was able to work on those presentations that same year. The second year I bought the miniature Mass kit and linens and did the Altar presentations. I didn't worry about not having a tabernacle and I skipped one of the geography presentations. This year I will gather some of the materials for presentations we haven't done yet. Each year I will build on what we have. It's really not overwhelming if you just focus on a few presentations at a time.
__________________
Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: July 12 2007 at 8:38pm | IP Logged
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Since the presentations are meant to be spread over 3 years (with younger children), it's fine if you don't get to them all the first year, though your children will likely be ready for all or most of the Mass/altar presentations at once or perhaps in two sessions. I have done all the presentations with children in one academic year, but I do NOT recommend it. I would not do that again if I had the chance. It's too much too fast (this was a once a week parish session though - in my home we can have lots more time to spend with the work).
The first several times I did the mustard seed presentation, we had a small white ceramic box found at a thrift store, with several mustard seeds taped to the bottom (no spilling), a small magnifying glass to look at them closer, and the scripture booklet. Eventually, I did add a picture of a boy in front of a mustard tree/bush and a second picture with a close-up of the flowers (I have both pictures on my computer if anyone would like to see them) and just recently, I picked up a small container of American mustard seeds to show the kids. But that's all we have, and added slowly.
Think simple. If you don't have 'everything' - it's ok. I've heard of atriums that have no materials at all when first starting out.
One at a time, lots of prayers - you'll enjoy it as much as (if not more than) the kids. 
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AndreaG
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 8:35am | IP Logged
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Yes, I think the hardest thing of the 3-6 album was figures-and I think I made mine more comlicated then they needed to be by sewing felt clothes on them. When I got to the 6-9 album I just painted them solid colors (angels gold, people tan). I think for the apostles I just left them wood and glued symbols to their chests.
__________________
Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
Read Through the Catechism in a Year- For Moms!
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 8:53am | IP Logged
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I haven't yet added symbols to mine, but I have sections of that thread printed out. I may just paint symbols on mine, if I decide to do them.
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: July 16 2007 at 7:52pm | IP Logged
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Thank you ladies! I am looking forward to this again. I'll try not to set my goals too high for accomplishing a lot this year because of the prep. I think we all will just learn so much with this and have fun!!
I'd rather know about the hard stuff up front..I would be driving myself crazy trying to do a presentation weekly if I didn't know. And that wouldn't be any fun....
Thanks again,
Anne
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: COGS "work"
