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Joann in AL
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| Posted: Aug 02 2006 at 12:06pm | IP Logged
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Perhaps this is already answered in 100's of other places, but I need to ask a couple questions. If you had a very limited budget, would you buy living books and/or spines? Or would you buy "mom resources" like say, Elizabeth's book and use the library resources for living books? What would you choose if you could choose only one resource book? What would you buy for Nature Study? (Anna Comstock or Lesley & Roth)
Thanks,
Joann
Wife to Bud for 20 years (who are those OLD people in the mirror!?) and mom to 7 (19dd, 18dd, 16dd, 14dd, 9ds, 7ds, 4ds)
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lapazfarm
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If I could buy only one book for nature study it would be this one:A Field Guide to the Familiar. I think it is wonderful.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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marihalojen
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I would vote for mom resources vs. spines or living books any day. If you are not inspired, your teaching will not be inspired.
Read lots of resource books, grab them off of friends, libraries, until you find one that fits you like a glove. Currently my fav is The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education as it helps me, as a Mom, to think outside the box.
Amateur Naturalist is my pick for Nature Study. Lots of pictures and activities on a huge range of subjects in an attractive eye-pleasing format.
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~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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KellyJ
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If I were on a very limited budget, I would try to use the library for all books. You might even ask your library to purchase them, which I've done for a variety of books, and it has been a $-saver, not just for me, but for others too. For those books not available through the library, I would try to borrow from others (short-term loan, unless otherwise agreed upon). Also, as much as possible, I would visit homeschool conferences that have publishers/materials for sale/preview in which I am interested.
From there, I would try to determine, which ones, if anything, I really needed my own copy of. I would try to be really discerning about this, making a delineation between what I'd really, really like to have a my own copy of, and what I need my own copy of. A sort of having a need list and a serious wish list, in addition to regular wish lists.
As for narrowing it down to a single resource book, that depends on what you want the resource book to provide. There are so many good resources out there, but some are pricey. I put in a purchase request to our library for one last night, as I can't see myself putting out $20 sight-unseen, when I've personally been disappointed by some books (NOT Elizabeth's -- her's is great IMO) that are equally or more expensive that have been highly recommended to me.
Again, I recommend trying to preview and use as much as possible both living and resource book-wise through a borrowing system and then making a NEED list and a WANT-IT-BAD list from what you've previewed and used by borrowing.
Also, remember to make use of less costly ways for things you can't preview but are convinced you must see/use (i.e., used book stores (online/in person), book swapping (online/in person), and so on). Oh, and there is Amazon, which I really like for the Search Inside feature where available. It has saved me for a number of book purchases that weren't a good match for us.
P.S. When I've found books or parts of books I really like, but can't justify the cost -- this is usually with mom-resources -- I try to make notes of the key points that inspire me. It helps me have that bit of information I found so helpful, without having the cost of the book.
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KellyJ
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Leonie
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I have been on a very limited bidget in the past
( well, I still spend little on official homeschooling - it is a habit now.  ).
I spent my money on resources for me first - and used the library a lot.
With the internet now, though, I think I could get ideas and resources and inspiration from the net - save in a file on my computer. And buy a couple of personal favourite, must have living books.
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Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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Bookswithtea
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I would start with a good mom resource, for inspiration, and I would make sure that its one that makes some specific recommendations (like Elizabeth's book has wonderful booklists). If you aren't already a member, I would join "Cathswap" to see if you can find your mom resource first. The trading post here is also a great place to find books not normally available used.
You can use the library for most literature picks, and its not uncommon for hs moms in local groups to share. If your local group has a fee for joining and its a good group, that's where I would put the next chunk of change.
If you have any money left over after that, I would use the mom resource and the web to figure out a basic plan and then watch for used copies of the few things you are having a hard time imagining yourself doing without.
I wouldn't recommend one nature study book since the library is full of gorgeous picture books on all sorts of things.
hope this helps!
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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Joann in AL
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| Posted: Aug 04 2006 at 7:07pm | IP Logged
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Thank you all for your suggestions. I'll probably order a couple mom resources and try to utilize our library's inter library loan. I am the local homeschool group. There are a few folks using Abeka and Bob Jones nearby, no other Catholics at all for quite a distance.
But I do appreciate the time you all took to answer.
Joann
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Kim F
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| Posted: Aug 05 2006 at 5:38am | IP Logged
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Don't forget library book sales. We have many classics - literary and education titles- on our shelves that came to us that way. We have purchased very few new books over the years but somehow we still have nine bookcases full today!
It is helpful to peruse book lists and familiarize yourself with the name of books and series that are frequently recommended so that you can spot a find easily when at the sales.
Kim
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Starry sky ranch
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Re: free hs'ing & Copyright threads
