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teachingmyown
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 3:38pm | IP Logged
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First of all, I have to say that there is not a time in my life when I feel like a bigger flake than when I try to plan for our school year!  I am surrounded by catalogs, various books on various educational philosophies, great blogs and, of course, the archives here (including all of my past pleas for help!). My head is spinning.
On my big white board, I have been working on a chart with the kids' names and what materials they will use for each subject. At the bottom of the board, to illustrate my indecision, I have written :Oak Meadow? Sonlight? FIAR? Serendipity? Robinson? Ahhhhh!!!!!
Could you humor me while I try to think out loud here about what I am planning and hoping to accomplish?
A few things are givens that I am finally accepting:
1. I don't like to teach.
2. I am not organized or disciplined to come up with my own plan and stick to it.(Very ADD!)
3. If I try to "pick and choose" too much, I end up discouraged and things go down hill from there. (Again, ADD!)
So, here is what I am looking at for each kid:
DD12 (7th grade)-
the Teaching Company American History DVDs
Lingua Mater
Bible-Based Writing Exercises from IEW
Exploring Creation with General Science
Saxon 87 or Teaching textbooks
Little Catechism on Confirmation and Bible History
Rosetta Stone Spanish
Piano
Ds10 (5th grade)- big Ugh here!!! I am considering Robinson for him. But really don't know. Here is what I have so far:
Teaching Company history
Singapore Math
Faith and Life/ Vision books
IEW- maybe
Analytical Grammar-maybe
He does love nature, so I was considering Oak Meadow. I have Exploring Creation with Botany that he could probably do. Biggest thing for him is that he needs to start writing, anything!
DD8 and DD6 (3rd grade)- they read all the time. I am thinking about trying to follow Serendipity but I know I won't keep up. They both read Sonlight 3 books last year, so I was thinking I would order Sonlight 4, but don't want to push them ahead too fast.
I will probably use Elizabeth's various "baskets" (science by month, music, art, etc) for them and the 10 year old. I don't know what LA to do with them. They love LOG, but are they really learning much? I don't do a good job keeping up with something more CM like PLL. Is it really even important at their age, as far as grammar goes? I did buy Stories with a View, which I think they will both love since they love to write.
See how my thought process works, or doesn't work?
I do like the idea of working in Main Lesson blocks, also the idea of following daily and seasonal "rhythms". I really like the "idea" of using Oak Meadow, but worry that have three grades (or four if you count the K'er) using three different sets of plans, with crafts and all, that we would take forever to get through it!
Thanks for listening. If anything pops into your head while reading this, please comment. I really just get to the point that there is so much racing around in my mind that I panic and make a snap decision.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Angel
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 5:18pm | IP Logged
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Molly,
I'm just sitting down for a few minutes while dinner finishes cooking, but just wanted to say that I can *totally* relate.  I believe I'm in a similar state right now.
And also that my kids enjoyed the Sonlight 4 books a lot, for what it's worth. We took two years to work through them. (Actually, I don't think they read all the Civil War books, but I imagine that my dd at least will come back to them. She likes historical fiction.)
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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LLMom
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 8:22pm | IP Logged
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I know how hard it can be. I am sure you know this but try to combine as much as you possibly can. Molly, I remember you thinking about unschooling before. Could you take an unschooly approach to a few subjects? I really like Bravewriters philosophy for grammar being done 3 times--once in elementary, once in middle and once in high school. Could some or all skip grammar this year and focus on writing? I also like Latin centered curriculum because it focus only on a few key subjects. Just some ideas.
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Lisa
For veteran & former homeschool moms
homeschooling ideas
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Tina P.
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 9:11pm | IP Logged
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teachingmyown wrote:
| the Teaching Company American History DVDs |
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I only got this far in your post. Are these the ones geared toward high schoolers? I'd love a review (after your planning session, dear).
OK, back to reading your original post.
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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Tina P.
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 9:26pm | IP Logged
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Whew! I read the whole thing.
I completely agree with Lisa about skipping grammar. If they like to write, more power to them.
If you want your 10 yo nature-lover to write, have him start a nature journal. Also, whatever media form your using for American History is good fodder for taking notes. It's easier to take notes for a child when he can rewind! 
And I also agree with Lisa when she recommends you combine what you can with as many in the age range as possible. For instance, my 6th grader is studying Egypt this year. While my 8th grader is moving into the medeival world and my 9th grader is back in American history, they'll be "listening in," reading key Egyptian living history books, and maybe writing a character journal. In the meantime, my littler kids will hear the story of the Egyptian Cinderella and perhaps we'll go on a Cinderella tangent with them.
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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12stars
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 9:37pm | IP Logged
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Your 7th graders plan sound like mine almost sans the history. I really want this year to gear towards this subject but who knows I always change my mind.
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Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 9:51pm | IP Logged
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LLMom wrote:
| Molly, I remember you thinking about unschooling before. Could you take an unschooly approach to a few subjects? |
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I am so glad you mentioned that. Unschooling just keeps coming back to the forefront as I try to plan. In some ways, I feel this past year was not successful, but I am not sure what I am using to make that judgment. Other than ds10, I think they all grew stronger in reading, in math, in writing. We did have a new baby, which always distracts us for months before and after.
I think that I will just "tweak" our very relaxed approach to focus on things that I think are weak with each child. I still need a "plan" for ds10, though.
My shopping list will include lots of new picture books, new chapter books (we still don't have all the Bethlehem books) and maybe some art materials from the Oak Meadow lessons. I will probably throw in a few workbooks for my little girls because they love doing them.
Thanks. I feel much better, but then tomorrow is another day to change my mind!
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Tina P.
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 10:01pm | IP Logged
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teachingmyown wrote:
| new chapter books (we still don't have all the Bethlehem books) |
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This just tickled my funny bone! I think I've found a kindred spirit!
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: July 11 2008 at 10:05pm | IP Logged
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Glad to make you smile, Tina!
And yes, it is the high school history course for Teaching Company. Elizabeth is using it for her Serendipity plans so I hopped over to their site and found it on sale. Elizabeth says it is good and engaging enough even for the younger kids. The prof is both a history teacher and a drama teacher.
I will let you know when we take a peek at it.
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Kathryn UK
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| Posted: July 12 2008 at 3:00am | IP Logged
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teachingmyown wrote:
I do like the idea of working in Main Lesson blocks, also the idea of following daily and seasonal "rhythms". I really like the "idea" of using Oak Meadow, but worry that have three grades (or four if you count the K'er) using three different sets of plans, with crafts and all, that we would take forever to get through it!
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Could you use Oak Meadow for your 10yo, and also use those plans as a framework for your 8yo and 6yo. They could do whichever parts of the Oak Meadow work for them, combined with reading the Sonlight 4 books. That way, you could keep the three of them together for the art and crafty things (and have someone else do the thinking on that for you), and your big readers would still have something to get their teeth into.
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Kathryn
Dh Michael,  Rachel(3/95) Hannah(8/98) Naomi(6/06)  (11/07)
The Bookworm
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TracyQ
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| Posted: July 14 2008 at 7:57am | IP Logged
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One thing that has helped me TREMENDOUSLY this year, is that I've been working through the Simply Charlotte Mason Planning Guide from www.simplycharlottemason.com. I bought the set with the book PLUS DVD, because I wanted to see and hear her explain the process to me, something I really need, being so visual. She's an inspiration, and explains it quite well.
This will be our 14th year homeschooling, and working through this has FINALLY taught me how to plan for our homeschool this coming year! It helps you to set goals, and see the whole picture down to your homeschool day, and she walks you through it step by step!
Sonya Shafer is brilliant at helping you to see visually how to do this, AND to do it in a much more simple way, something I really needed, being such a visual person. She helps you to focus on YOUR family, and YOUR homeschool. You pause the DVD to actually DO what she's taking you through step by step. It's a REAL workshop, and has helped me to really work through our year this year, and break it down to what is best for our family. It's truly priceless!!! I wish I had this 14 years ago! 
I highly recommend this, it's something I'll use for the rest of our years when planning our homeschooling year. It's helping me to choose what curriculum to use AND NOT to use, seeing so much better how it will fit, or not fit into our year. I think it's going to finally put to rest (or at least a restful state ) my huge handicap of wanting to do it all, because there's so much great stuff out there, which often chokes me and stifles me from being able to get my year planned out.
I could go on and on, but I won't. I just really wanted to share with you that this has blessed me beyond anything else ever, and I recommend it to you, and every homeschooling mom out there! 
__________________
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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teachingmyown
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Tracy,
Let me ask you one thing before I rush off and buy the SCM planning guide. I am already in overload, and don't see us having the "picture perfect" CM school year. Is this what she is helping me plan? I don't want to get all excited planning for something that in reality will not get done and leave me feeling inadequate. Basically, does she help you plan for where you are, or is it strictly a CM ideology?
Does that make any sense? I am half-asleep. Between babies who don't sleep and hours of debate about curriculum, I am exhausted!
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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TracyQ
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| Posted: July 14 2008 at 10:16am | IP Logged
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Molly,
No! That's what I found SO beautiful about this planning DVD/Book. Yes, she's a CM homeschooler, and that's evident, but the SIMPLE PLANNING she walks you through can be done for whatever methods or curriculum you use! It's definitely not strictly CM! And Sonya never gives the impression that she, or any homeschool mom has a 'picture perfect year', I think she tries to make it more simple, and show that being prepared is important to a successful year, but that our years and our homeschools each looks very unique depending upon our circumstances/seasons, etc. She does not one bit make me feel inadequate at all, in fact, quite the opposite! She's made me feel more confident, and that I can do this, and AM doing this! She's giving me very valuable tools for planning in a simple way that I just could never seem to learn on my own, probably because of my own perfectionistic tendencies.
I'm using it to plan both Zach's year, and Sarah's year. Zach uses Trisms, not a CM education, and Sarah will be primarily CM this year, and in the years to come. This has been equally helpful to plan ALL of our school year for both of them, what can work to do together, and how to implement and best use my time to be available for both of them in their independent subjects.
Sonya's so informative, and walks you through the process, so you can visually see how your plan will work. She starts with the big picture, and shows you how to plan your term, your week, and finally your day. It takes work, but it is truly simple, and is helping me to find our PRIORITIES through our GOALS, and to elimate that which will not work for us. That's HUGE for me! There's only so much time in the day, and what I plan MUST be realistic for this coming year. I tend toward planning too much, or the wrong stuff, that ends up not achieving our goals, and then I become frustrated. This has really helped me so much to understand how to plan our year, and I am truly blessed by it! I can't even tell you!
When I began this this past weekend, it says it's 63 minutes, so I put it in, figuring I had an hour to watch, fine. BUT, then I quickly realized this was a REAL WORKSHOP, where you PAUSE the DVD, and DO the work! By the end of the evening, I was through one section, and had completed it! I was on my way, and was quite happy, and not stressed! I felt GOOD, like I'd accomplished SO much, instead of feeling my normal frustration.
Since then,I've been continuing to work through this with her, and will continue this coming week, after I gather my resources. By the end of it, I'll be fully ready for school!!!! I think it'll be a FIRST in 14 years!!!! Wow! 
I feel more clear headed in THIS coming year already, not even having completed my planning yet, than I have EVER before!!! To me, that was SO worth it!
I hope this helps make a decision for you. I don't want you to rush and buy it, but pray about it, and decide. There are some sample pages of the book at the site. But I think it's the DVD along with the book that is truly the GEM. 
__________________
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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12stars
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| Posted: July 14 2008 at 11:53am | IP Logged
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Tracy would you mind telling us how much you spent on the scm dvd? I am itching to get it but have not looked alot into it. I am a visual right brainer and would love to see it also.
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Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
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fsuadamson
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Tracy,
Your posting came in perfect timing. I have been contemplating this planning guide for a while now and your enthusiasm and information was very helpful -- Thank you!! 
Off to go make my order.
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Leslie
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Knotty Pines Academy
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Tina P.
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TracyQ wrote:
I bought the set with the book PLUS DVD, because I wanted to see and hear her explain the process to me, something I really need, being so visual. She's an inspiration, and explains it quite well.
and she walks you through it step by step!
focus on YOUR family, and YOUR homeschool. You pause the DVD to actually DO what she's taking you through step by step. It's a REAL workshop, and has helped me to really work through our year this year, and break it down to what is best for our family. It's truly priceless!!! I wish I had this 14 years ago!
I highly recommend this, [I have] a handicap of wanting to do it all, because there's so much great stuff out there, which often chokes me and stifles me from being able to get my year planned out. |
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I'm another one who needs to *see* it done step by step to get certain things done. I'm also one who wants to do *it all.* And because of your enthusiastic recommendation and because I respect you and what you've done with your children, I didn't even hesitate to order it for us.
Claudia, this planner with the DVD is $25.95 + shipping. If you click on Tracy's link above, you'll see that you can order different components for different prices. I just ordered the whole thing because I want hand-holding.
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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12stars
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I just saw that AFTER I posted I'm sorry I jump ahead of myself I think I will get it too. Most of the time I have to be held by the hand too I am so visual that it's annoying well more to my dh  he told me yesterday why do I always have to know and see every detail I am just wired that way.
Sometimes when I am foraging through this forum I feel as though I am amongst the greatest homeschoolers in the world. I am but a wee intimidated sometimes.
So with that said I think once I get it and work through it I will feel like Tracy. Total relief. I hope.
Molly I think you should know you are one of those that I can look up to
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Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
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TracyQ
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Tina P. wrote:
And because of your enthusiastic recommendation and because I respect you and what you've done with your children, I didn't even hesitate to order it for us.
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Tina,
You have no idea how much you blessed me today when I read this. I too admire you very much. You're a blessing! I'm praying you like it!!! I can't WAIT to get back to mine!!! I'm too busy today to do any planning, but tomorrow, watch out!!!
__________________
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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TracyQ
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12stars wrote:
So with that said I think once I get it and work through it I will feel like Tracy. Total relief. I hope.
Molly I think you should know you are one of those that I can look up to |
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Claudia, I hope so too!!! I think you will feel that. And I agree, I admire Molly, and all moms here who sacrifice, and give of themselves daily to their beautiful family to answer the beautiful call to homeschool!
__________________
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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teachingmyown
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TracyQ wrote:
12stars wrote:
Molly I think you should know you are one of those that I can look up to |
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Claudia, I hope so too!!! I think you will feel that. And I agree, I admire Molly, and all moms here who sacrifice, and give of themselves daily to their beautiful family to answer the beautiful call to homeschool! |
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Thank you. I definitely feel I am here to sit at the feet of the great ones and openly share my struggles and what I have learned in the hopes that it will bless someone else.
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Thinking out loud
