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Becky Parker
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Can we talk about ... workbooks? My ds who is in K this year just seems to love workbook activities. He is the 4th one I've homeschooled, and I've never really used the workbook approach. For years I took the "I would never use a workbook" stand, but now I am thinking that that is MY personality and maybe not this ds's?
If you use workbooks successfully, could you tell me how things go? What do you use? I can see Math and Handwriting as workbook subjects, but what do you use to teach reading?
I haven't looked into CHC much, but would you say they are workbook based? What about Seton?
Thanks!
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Becky
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lapazfarm
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Though workbooks are not something we do much of here, I have used the occasional workbook to address specific skills that need polishing. For that I usually just pick up something cheap at a bookstore or wherever.
For instance, dd (8) is currently using one for time and money that I picked up at Office Depot. Every once in a while I hand her the little workbook and a jar full of coins and she enjoys doing a page or two.
I don't think she'd like doing them for the majority of her schoolwork, but sometimes a little bit of a workbook is just the ticket.
And now that I think of it, I really have only used workbooks for math skills practice, nothing else I can think of. That is the only subject that lends itself to workbooks around here.
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CatholicMommy
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My son LOVES workbooks. I use Montessori with him (I have the AMI training for both primary and elementary), and my Montessori trainers are SO adamantly opposed to workbooks. But for drill, for practice, for fun, I don't worry about it.
We have a few math ones picked up cheaply at variuos lcoations. He receives the Montessori presentations or living math experiences, and then he can work in the workbook as long as he likes (once his other work is done). He's previously had a science concepts one as well as a couple of geography and culture based sets. Upcoming will be some more science ones picked up from the Target dollar rack, as well as more math.
They are great for waiting at the doctor's office and other such locations, as well as "proof" to questioning family members that something is actually being learned. I've let go of that need to prove myself, but since my son loves the workbooks, it just happens to be a benefit.
We have a main shelf for our homeschooling materials (books, my Montessori albums, his readers, etc) - everything that we do at some point in the course of our "required" homeschooling. This is in addition to the Montessori/CGS materials of course. Then he has a clear tub in which are placed all of his "extra" stuff - so things he can do when his other work is done.
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Willa
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A couple of my sons pick them up and browse through them just for fun. To me they seem like crossword puzzles or word searches or those paper and pencil activity books -- not something I'd want to base an education on, but appealing to some types of kids and sometimes helpful to have around to provide practice in a topic.
I also find some workbooks helpful to have around for me because they usually have a sequence of concepts and a cheerful, visual way to present the concepts -- so I use some of the approaches to make games or discuss something orally with a child.
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ekbell
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Becky Parker wrote:
I haven't looked into CHC much, but would you say they are workbook based? What about Seton?
Thanks!
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CHC has workbooks for handwritng, grammar and spelling (which my children mostly enjoy).
Seton books also has quite a few workbooks available for sale.
My children use workbooks for copy-work(handwriting), grammar, spelling and math. There is a family weakness with writing which makes it advisable to work on the skills needed for writing separately and thoroughly before requiring them to be combined on a composition. Workbooks have been a useful means of doing so.
I use a workbook series for math mainly because the series is a convenient source of problems laid out in a logical and useful sequence.
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Sarah M
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We use workbooks- my girls especially enjoy working in them. I loved workbooks as a child.
I don't require the kids to work in them, but I do keep a few favorites handy, and my girls pick them up every couple of days and do some work in them.
Our favorites are those from Handwriting Without Tears and Explode the Code. We also have some Kumon workbooks on a variety of subjects- I really like those, except I wish they were bound differently. They don't lay flat and that makes it hard to work in them.
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ALmom
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Nothing says you cannot tear out pages and laminate them as worksheets to go in a hands on tray or basket activity related to the concept. Miquon math is often used that way.
I like cutting out rules after a page is done and making a display of these for visual reinforcement.
The biggest thing about workbooks to watch for is what I call the mimic the example without engaging the mind syndrome and racing through the book as if they get a prize for doing the most # of pages in a day. I solve this by taking the workbook from their stack when I think we need to apply something (say a grammar concept) in writing real sentences.
Janet
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teachingmyown
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Explode the Code was great for teaching reading for my workbook kids.
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mariB
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I second Explode the Code! Also, the Singapore for math:)
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Becky Parker
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Thanks everyone. I find it interesting that the first people to reply actually only use workbooks as "extras". I am so all-or-nothing! I guess I need to go with the flow a bit more. This ds is only in Kinder, so we only do the basics; math, reading, religion and handwriting. He seems to like workbooks but I'm wondering if that's so he can do it, say it's done, then go play. At the start of this year I would have said he is definately a kid that enjoys projects, experiments, and Montessori work. His nickname on my blog is "Builder" because he always has his tool box near by! So his sudden interest in workbooks through me a bit. I have to admit, it is easier for me. I too can check it off, call it done, and move onto something different. I'm questioning now though if that's really the answer. Thanks to your kind replies I'm inspired to keep things more project based for him and have the workbooks on hand for when he needs skills practice. Maybe I'll give him an option regarding the workbooks and see what he chooses.
So can we set up some appointments so I can come visit each of you and see how you do this homeschool thing??? You'd think after 8 years I would have it nailed down.  Each of my kids is so different though. It's like starting over each time.
Thanks again ladies.
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Amanda
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Hmmm...you're making me examine the how and why of what I'm doing this year with my kindergartner, as well as the what. This is my first year with more than one student, and we've just fallen into our K approach with dd, rather than really planning it.
Here's what you've made me realize we do: I have a bunch of resources for each subject. For math, I have Rightstart, books like How Much is a Million, manipulatives, and a couple of workbooks. My dd chooses to do one of those things, and then I mentally check off math for the day. And so on with the other subjects.
For reading, Explode the Code is good, and so are the Kumon workbooks. My dd likes one we have about long vowels, so she does a few pages in that sometimes.
We also have a couple of those workbooks that have all the K subjects--or at least math, reading, writing, and spelling--in one book. If she wants to do something from one of those books, I'll pick a page that works on a skill I think she's ready for.
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Amanda
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PS If your ds really likes to know when his work is done, then you might look into using workboxes--just do a search if you're not familiar with them. I have the book on workboxes, but many people just use what they've gleaned from blogs, etc. to implement the system.
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I use workbooks in much the same way that Willa does. I keep a few in a small bin on our "rainy day" shelves. The kids sometimes enjoy them, or occasionally I'll pull one out for someone to work on. They're sort of "game" pages. The kids sometimes get the bin down, go through all the activity books, choose one, and ask if they can work on it.
Most of the workbook-y type pages I print myself - things like Startwrite or something from Enchanted Learning. These seem to capture their interest because the topics presented seem significant in some way - a copywork page of a poem they're memorizing (made using Startwrite) or a page on using the microscope when we're studying Microbiology (from Enchanted Learning). In other words, they seem to support what we're studying already and the kids and I enjoy them this way.
I just thought I'd throw this out there since you mentioned discerning how you'll use workbooks as you continue to pursue a more projects-based form of learning. It sounds as if your son really enjoys pursuing projects and building, but perhaps he also really enjoys being able to see something neat and tidy and finished - like a workbook page. A feeling of accomplishment. Can you consider some workbook pages that tie into what you're doing with some of his projects/themes of study?
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Barbara C.
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We do a lot of workbooks. My oldest DD has always worked well with them. And I like that I don't have to do a lot of resource gathering (unlike the constant trips to the library for our history resources), they are pretty flexible (so if you miss a day hear or there your whole schedule isn't thrown off), and they don't take up a lot of space. Plus, I can pace my daughter easily depending on her mood from day to day.
I use a lot of Kumon books for preschool (Uppercase Letters, Number Games, Pasting), but at that age it's purely optional, for when they ask to do schoolwork, too. We also use cheap ones as a child becomes interested in certain things (letter sounds for instance).
We've used Singapore Math since preschool/kindergarten. We use MindBenders workbooks for logic. Last summer I bought a BrainQuest workbook as filler between semesters, but it's a really nice over-view of skills for the grade level.
This year we're using Explode the Code Online. Basically they have converted the workbooks into a computer format. It follows the same scope and sequence as the workbooks for a one-year subscription fee. You just have to remember to stay close to answer questions and go over new concepts, like any other workbook.
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Becky Parker
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Jennifer, you sort of flipped things for me! I was thinking of using the workbooks, then allowing this son time to build, create, make messes, you know ...! But, tying the workbook pages into his current interest would be so much more meaningful. So, instead of the workbook coming before the project, we'll begin with the project and add the workbook. Thanks for helping me flip that in my mind!
Amanda, we do use workboxes and I agree they are helpful - probably more for me so I can make sure everything is covered each day. I find that I have to save anything "open ended" (like his tools) for the last box though or he never gets back to the rest. I know, I should set a timer, but I have a really hard time with pulling a child away from something meaningful when he is really into it. I think it's a matter of philosophy there. My boys can be so rowdy, I try really hard to develop their ability to concentrate on one thing for a while ... if that makes any sense.
And Barb, I agree that the workbooks are flexible and they don't take up alot of space. Plus, they allow some independence when I can't be right there.
Okay, so now I'm thinking of changing things up a bit over Christmas break...
We have a huge room in our basement that I use for our schoolroom. It currently is a jumble of lots of things including shelves of Montessori trays, projects, kits, etc. that I have collected over the years. I also have desks (or tables) there for the kids and each child has some sort of workboxes to use. So, here's what I'm thinking...
We'll do "the basics" - reading, math, and religion upstairs and I am going to try to tie anything workbooky into what my K'er is interested in. The older kids wont have that so much since in fifth grade math is ... well, math! But, then, we'll all head down to the classroom for some project time and cover things like science, history, writing, art, building, etc. So, we'll be covering the basics so I wont wig out, but the kids will also benefit from the projects and more creative things that are so beneficial.
I've been feeling a bit burned out, well, alot burned out and needing a change. Maybe this will help. I think I'll sit down with each child and find out the sorts of projects, history topics, science experiments etc. they are interested in and make sure those are available.
I'm not sure the question I started with was really my question then! I feel much better about a combined approach instead of an all or nothing workbook type curriculum. Thanks for helping me to see that!
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Becky Parker wrote:
I've been feeling a bit burned out, well, alot burned out and needing a change. Maybe this will help. I think I'll sit down with each child and find out the sorts of projects, history topics, science experiments etc. they are interested in and make sure those are available. |
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This sounds just LOVELY!! It's exactly the sort of thing that would jump start me and get the children excited all at once!
Don't overwhelm yourself with a list of too much for each child - that would lead to more burnout. Go for simple! I'm so excited for you, Becky! It sounds as if your ideas are freshening. I pray it ushers in a newfound sense of joy for all of you!
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Becky Parker
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Thank you Jennifer! You're so kind! 
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Topic: workbooks
