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mama2many
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I've wanted to do the Elisabeth Foss Advent unit.. but I don't think I got enough books.. and now I'm freaking out that my kids are going to be "behind" at the end..
How often do I do copy work? A new thing daily??
And I got all the Tomie DePaula books, but that's all.. do I need MORE??
How do I work MATH in on this? Oy, I'm having a panic attack.
PLUS we have a birthday this week, and I feel like I'm behind already.
Please help with any tips you have for me to calm down, and or solve this without the terror of bringing five kids to the library as they are NOT well behaved there.
**ETA, I am so freaking out I want to re-enroll them in Seton for next year, no matter how dull I think it is..
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Krystin
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A (7/10)
C (11/12)
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SusanMc
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My guys are only 3.5 and 2 but last year I tried easing into the same Advent unit as much for me as anything else. We didn't have all of the books either but with with those plus what we do anyway (St. Nicholas, Feast of Immaculate Conception, Advent wreath each night, decorating the mantle with pine and purple, we had a VERY full Advent season. We never even came close to a Jesse Tree. Maybe this year, maybe not.
Oh, and we have THREE family birthdays in Dec. plus a name day. Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is just relax and enjoy the quieter time with your kiddos. There are lots of activities other than books this time of year.
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Aagot
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Krystin,
you need a teacher day or two! 
I've been known to start advent two weeks late so just take a deep breath. You will have other advents to do more so don't try to catch up.
First I would use today to plan and tomorrow to clean up (assuming your kids make just as big of a mess as mine do  ) Maybe you won't need all of that time but you'll feel good about bonus time if you get done early.
Second, can you put books on hold online? If so, do that today. Use the books you already have until those library books come in.
Third, reading is the easiest to accomplish, do that each day. M can narrate on Monday J on Tuesday etc. If the kids are doing math and copy work 3 out of the 5 days, smile! If you are finding extra time, let them play math games the other two days.
Fourth, choose one extra activity or craft each week if it doesn't stress you out. And as Elizabeth said, get out side for a brisk walk.
Good luck, I'm off to find my advent wreath and candles. 
Aagot
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Erin
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Krystin
 Deep breath, it will be alright.
Now the Advent unit, there is no way you can do 'everything' in that unit, nor are you meant to. Elizabeth states It is not necessary to do everything and it is not. I've never done everything, I don't own all the books and we get sidetracked and yet my children have wonderful memories and traditions for Advent. Mostly we read, that's it. But reading the same books, year after year have woven their magic.
Are you meaning copywork within the Unit or as a new addition to your lessons?
Math- Just my experience, although I know I'm not alone, I have found it far easier to do as a separate subject and not try to integrate into a unit.
Aim for a little of the 4 Rs daily; a little maths (20min) a little writing (be it copywork, or dictation or a story the children want to write) Faith (just read Saints or Bible stories at this stage) and Reading (phonic practice for your little ones, 10 min. encourage your older ones to have a good book going and read aloud to your dc).
Go easy on yourself, acknowledge you are already doing so much more than your realise. You have lots of littles including a 6mth old, enjoy. It may not seem like you are doing lots right at present, but a little every day or week adds up over the years. Look at the longer term, bigger picture.
Don't go to the library, use the online reservation if you have to. Otherwise snuggle on the lounge read Tomie De Paola and enjoy! Enjoy that birthday and focus on creating memories!
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Mackfam
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mama2many wrote:
| I've wanted to do the Elisabeth Foss Advent unit.. but I don't think I got enough books.. and now I'm freaking out that my kids are going to be "behind" at the end.. |
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Oh my! No freaking out! Don't dismiss the beautiful quiet preparation time of Advent.
I'm sorry I don't have any specific advice about the Advent Unit as I've never done it. I do really enjoy some of those books though!!!! Many of them are in our Advent basket of reading!
So, keeping in mind that I don't have the experience of having completed that Advent unit...could I suggest that you could just enjoy what you've got and it will probably be a lovely Advent. It's probably plenty. You'll have some wonderful books you can add to your collection next year! That's what we have done - our Advent reading collection was so modest when we started and we've slowly added a few more books each year.
Gather up the books you have, add in other Christmas reading you might have on your shelves...and just read together. Savor the books. Read them again if the kids ask for them (mine always do!) Ask the children to work on copywork twice a week, completing their chosen work with care and careful attention. Read together in the morning and do math in the afternoon...or vice versa. If you have time for some crafting - great! But, don't allow it to become a source of stress.
This is a beautiful season of preparation, and I always appreciate how it anchors me to quiet reflection and preparation with Our Lady. Enjoy the blessings you have in front of you this holy season (both children and books) and enjoy Advent with those blessings. I'm sure it will be wonderful!
mama2many wrote:
| PLUS we have a birthday this week, and I feel like I'm behind already. |
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We have two birthdays and an Anniversary during Advent and Christmas. Birthdays are family events we enjoy and they're kept simple and quiet. Choose a favorite meal and let the birthday person choose his/her cake. Decorate the kitchen with home-made decor and let it be a special day. Read your Advent books together - perhaps the birthday boy/girl gets the special seat next to mama on the couch, or gets to choose another special book. The birthday person always gets to light/snuff the candle for the night, too!
Take a deep breath and here's a . You don't have to complete every lovely idea as written. When life steam rolls - we READ. So...for Advent...READ your delightfully chosen books. Play some lovely Advent music. Perhaps you choose one new family Advent tradition and enjoy it. Spend some time with Our Lady this Advent and contemplate the joy and anticipation she felt at His impending arrival and share that with your children. That alone would be enough!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Mackfam
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I was cross posting with Erin! I'm glad we were thinking along the same lines!
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Jen Mackintosh
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JennGM
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I think I'm allergic to Unit Studies, mainly because I get overwhelmed. I usually get inspired by the book list. So my advice would be "ditto" Erin and Jen's.
All you should do is read, and read what you have. If you read them all, take a trip to the library (reserve online beforehand, even). Don't stress on what you don't have. And only do extensions (arts and crafts, etc) if it feels right. Don't force it!
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allegiance_mom
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I am doing the unit this year, too. I am omitting any books I can't get hold of. And I have added some books we really love, that are NOT by Tomie de Paola. I am definitely not going to try to do every activity in the unit, it would be too much. Also, this unit, for us, is just taking the place of our religion lessons. We are leaving Faith & Life aside for Advent and doing this in it's place. We are still doing all our other subjects: math, Latin, grammar, science.
I look on these units as a jumping-off point for me to craft something for my family.
Good luck with it. Go with what you have now, and do what feels right.
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ekbell
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If you really wish to work math in rather then continue with a independent program then I'd look at the basic geometry, measuring and multiplying involved in baking and crafting (cookie baking in particular gives opportunities from multiplying fractions to learning simple shapes).
BUT there have been Advents (particularly when I was the only person who could bake independently) where we didn't do any formal lessons at all! I had decided that I'd rather plan lessons for a bit sooner in fall and a bit further into summer rather then try to keep lessons going during Advent.
We had our Jesse Tree meditations (with Advent wreath lit), a few crafts, read-alouds and helping mom bake, clean and decorate the house which was plenty.
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Angie Mc
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Krystin, do you like freaking out? Seriously! Are you the excitable type who gets the adrenaline racing, cleans and cooks in a frenzy to prepare for guests? I do! But...I can't keep that level of anticipation up for weeks . So, I've learned how to pace myself. I have a written plan with goals based on our highest priorities as a family as we enter Advent and look forward to Christmas. Some years we get pretty deep into the list. Others years, not so much. This year looks promising!
Like others have said beautifully, we've figured out a few "pegs", priorities, traditions, that glue Advent together for us.
Have all Christmas gift puchasing finished by Advent (OK, OK, this is the FIRST year I've managed this but I've dreamed of it forever!)
Take the first week of Advent off for planning (we educate year round so it is a natural break to take off around the first week of December.) Keep the plan simple, with the tried and true, as well as a few new ideas to keep your interest high.
As Advent moves along, make notes of what works and what doesn't to help with next year's plans.
Do math and (any) writing first thing in the morning.
Read aloud from Christmas books we own (some years I wrap them to open one a day, some years I get more from the library.)
Focus on ADVENT! Follow the liturgical calendar closely.
Avoid feeling compelled to turn every moment into a "schooling opportunity" or to see Advent as a giant project that needs to be expertly orchestrated! Enjoy building each family member's relationship with the Holy Family through prayer, sacrifice, and generosity. Enjoy building relationships with each other through reading, activities, and shared anticipation.
If you have any specific questions, please do ask. I LOVE encouraging other families to enjoy this holy time and am grateful to all the ladies who have supported me and my family over the years to see Advent through the eyes of a child .
Love,
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Angie Mc
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mama2many
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thanks!!! I needed that virtual slap in the face...
I needed to just chill and realize what we're doing is OK.. I grew up schooling in public school, as did hubby. So, it's still hard to wrap our minds around less than 6 SOLID hours of work...ya know??
Thank you again!
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Krystin
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Maryan
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I'm a product of grammar school public schools and I don't remember December being 6 hours of work. I just remember getting ready for Christmas/Hannakuh -- a lot of construction paper chains and learning a lot of songs to sing for the concert.
But I can relate to freaking out: I'm practicing my labor breathing during Advent. 
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Lisbet
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Please don't do the "Elizabeth Foss" Advent unit - by all means use some of her ideas, some of the books, etc... but PLEASE do the "Your Last Name Here Family" Advent unit.
"Do" the Advent God has planned for you. Slow, steady, peaceful.
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mama2many
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| Posted: Dec 15 2010 at 2:48pm | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
Please don't do the "Elizabeth Foss" Advent unit - by all means use some of her ideas, some of the books, etc... but PLEASE do the "Your Last Name Here Family" Advent unit.
"Do" the Advent God has planned for you. Slow, steady, peaceful. |
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Thank you, I'm doing MUCH better, we're on God's plan to be sure.. we've been hit with LICE, and colds, so we're taking it SLOW, and doing a lot of laundry
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Krystin
wife to Kevin
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A (7/10)
C (11/12)
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guitarnan
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Oh, wow! I hope you're on the road to recovery...
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Erin
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mama2many wrote:
| Thank you, I'm doing MUCH better, we're on God's plan to be sure.. we've been hit with LICE, and colds, so we're taking it SLOW, and doing a lot of laundry |
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You know, sometimes I think this is the only way to make us mamas slow down
Slow Advents are the best Do pray for peace for you.
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Erin
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Really freaking out right now
