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Victoria in AZ
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My grand intentions are going by the wayside this school year. The summer was difficult between a girlfriend's death (preceded by weeks of visit to her at the hospital), a bad case of bronchitis and reactions to a new treatment. I am literally exhausted. We are having a workbook year. Previously I've always been a snob about workbooks, considering those that use them either lazy or uncreative (forgive me please). God has a good way of showing us where our misplaced pride is though.
Now dd (5th grade) has a stack of workbooks by subject that she can mostly work through on her own. The history workbook even meets Charlotte Mason standards of using primary sources; pretty neat.
Spelling program on CD that reads her new spelling words to her is Pudewa's The Phonics Zoo.
Delighted with this new math program that dd can completely work through on her own, with help for every single problem if she needs it:
www.teachingtextbooks.com
Because lately I find even reading aloud for any length of time a chore, we are listening to Little Women as a book on tape (corresponds with study of the Civil War).
God willing, we will have other school years where my higher standards will be met and my creativity exercised in lapbooks or art projects. For now, I am grateful to have her home with me and still make progress on fundamentals.
Sign me a reformed snob.
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Your sister in Christ,
Victoria in AZ
dh Mike 24 yrs; ds Kyle 18; dd Katie 12; and one funny pug
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trish
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Been there .... done that!!!!
Very glad you found something that works for you. 
Editting to say I was laughing at the reformed snob part. Because that was me too!
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~ Trish ~
Wife to Les
Mom to 8 Wonderful Kids
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Saintly Soaps
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Bridget
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Poor Victoria. I've been a snob about things regarding child raising, hs'ing, nutrition etc. In recent years I have been laid low by circumstances enough to know that sometimes mediocre, even lame, is alright. Life isn't perfect, people aren't perfect. Everyone is trying to do the best they can with what they've got. Just do it with a smile.
Another reformed snob. 
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God Bless,
Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
Our Magnum Opus
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Matilda
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You do what you have to do! I've been there too.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11 , 10 , 9 & 5 ) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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8kids4me
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I have a daughter that LOVES workbooks, so since she learns better that way, we use them.
It's all about whatever works for you.
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Cindy B, mama to 8 great kids, and 5 grandbabies!
http://www.magnolialane.wordpress.com
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TracyQ
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Victoria,
I hope for you a year of refreshment and peace after a very difficult summer. We had a very difficult summer as well, as I lost my dad, and our nephew has been in and out of the hospital at least 5 times, with still no diagnosis, so I do understand how difficult it can be.
You'll be able to find the joys in your homeschooling year despite this difficult time. You're doing great. Just keep taking one day at a time, and God will equip you for all of your needs, as He's doing so well to do right now!
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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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folklaur
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Oh, Victoria! If it works - then you just do what you have to do, ya know?
I have a dd who LOVES workbooks.
It sounds like it is working right now for what you need, plus, God let you learn a lesson, too!
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4 lads mom
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I am laughing....same thing here...I got a "canned" curriculum for the first time for everyone....I always come up with my own, but after having my second special needs baby in six years...moving to a new state five weeks before she was born...my ten yr old's dyslexia dx...good grief.....too much for a mere mortal.....and once again, I take my "Superwoman" outfit out of my back pocket, throw it away, and recognize how weak and inefficient I really am 
You are in good company, Victoria!!
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Scenes From This and That
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LisaD
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Victoria in AZ wrote:
Now dd (5th grade) has a stack of workbooks by subject that she can mostly work through on her own. The history workbook even meets Charlotte Mason standards of using primary sources; pretty neat.
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My dd loves workbooks. My oldest ds, not so much. While ds loves listening to living history books read aloud, dd thinks what we're reading this year is pretty boring (This Country of Ours).
I would love to know what workbook you are using for History.
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~Lisa
Mama to dd(99), ds(01), ds(03) and ds(06)
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Mary G
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Workbooks .... what a controversial subject!
My dear sweet shy 8 yod LOVES having a list of what to do and just does it ... she hates spontaneity and doesn't like when I spring changes on her ...
Her brothers on the other hand thrive on surprises and change and doing things differently ...
Workbooks are a necessity when that's what life gives us ... not when we have more time, energy, whatever ....
Never a bad thing or a good thing ... just another tool in our arsenal to educate our kids!
Prayers heading out to you and yours that all smooths out .... remember "to everything a season"
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Victoria in AZ
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Bridget wrote:
Just do it with a smile.
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Ah, what a great reminder. Thank you all for the kind comments, wonderful company and uplifting encouragement.
Regarding history workbooks with original documents, I found many examples at Rainbow Resource and clicking around the workbooks. See if this link works
http://tinyurl.com/6cwj66
and this
http://tinyurl.com/6nyljb
Thank you again so very much!
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Your sister in Christ,
Victoria in AZ
dh Mike 24 yrs; ds Kyle 18; dd Katie 12; and one funny pug
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helene
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Try not to worry too much about it. Last year I had a workbook year, too. We were having a baby and our house was on the market. It was a very interrupted schoolyear. I resorted to Story Of the World on CD and it worked great. It was a laid back, easier year and we actually accomplished a good deal looking back. This year my energy is back and we are doing much more read alouds and everything is back to normal. It will return for you, too. Until then, enjoy the ride! God bless your family.
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Happy Mom to five girls (20,17,13,11and 4) and five boys (19, 15, 10, 8 and 6)
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amyable
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Can I make this my new motto?
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Kristie 4
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Funny, we are doing a few workbooks this year (which we haven't much in the past) but I have no babies or house sales or anything looming, which for us is not that normal!
I like the motto- it was a real healing balm when some worries hit the other day 
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Kristie in Canada
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A Walk in the Woods
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Mary G
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Victoria -- here are those as links:
Workbook/Activities - Overall US History
and
Period Focused Workbooks/activities
THANKS for these ... I really like just about everything I've ever ordered from Rainbow ....
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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MarilynW
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Bridget wrote:
Poor Victoria. I've been a snob about things regarding child raising, hs'ing, nutrition etc. In recent years I have been laid low by circumstances enough to know that sometimes mediocre, even lame, is alright. Life isn't perfect, people aren't perfect. Everyone is trying to do the best they can with what they've got. Just do it with a smile.
Another reformed snob. |
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Bridget - I could have written the above. All my "snobbery" and pride in my perfectinism and ability to do it all is slowly but surely being chiseled away. God has a way of reminding us that we can only do all things in Him, and His strength is made perfect in weakness. One of my favorite quotes at the moment is "how are the mighty fallen"
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Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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TracyQ
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Reformed Snobs.....
This is very normal. I think it's because what I've learned in these 14 years (after having been judgmental of others in the past) is that God gradually uses our homeschooling to refine us, and help us to become more holy. This realization that we're not perfect, and our lives are not perfect, and therefore our homeschooling will not be perfect comes on our journey- it's inevitable.
I've had to apologize MANY times to my older siblings for judgements I've made regarding their parenting my older nieces and nephews as my children have become young adults..........too many times to count in fact! 
I've learned in my ripe old age of 44 (almost) that I'm very careful now about how I judge others and their actions, because one day, I may have to apologize to them for the exact same thing my family has done! 
Ugh. Life's lessons can be hard!!! When I have years like the one you're speaking of, which is all too often, I keep uttering the phrase,
Be it ever so humble, There's NO PLACE like HOME!
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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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Kristie 4
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Reformed snob here as well (still in a bit of denial at times though )...
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: We're having a workbook year
