4Real Forums: I know I'm going to offend someone...but

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: I know I'm going to offend someone...but

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JSchaaf
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Joined: Feb 22 2005
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Posted: March 12 2007 at 3:01pm \| IP Logged

I have to vent.

After Christmas the decision was made to enroll by two older girls in Calvert (both second grade). I would have some premade lesson plans and have some accountability through their Teacher Advisory Service. The idea was that if we only got the Calvert stuff done each day, that would be enough, and all the extras would be the sweet jam on top of the healthy, whole grain bread. (or some metaphor like that) However,

Calvert is boring us to tears!! I've already ditched the math in favor of keeping our Horizons. I now know what people mean when they talk about dry, boring textbooks. The science and reading textbooks are like chewing sawdust.

The good thing is that, with my edits and skipping of lessons, we should be finished with 2nd grade by July and can find something else for the fall. Also, what the manual says should take 3 hours a day is over in about one hour, which gives us time for other stuff. Meaningful stuff. Educational stuff. What was I thinking turning away from CM? Why did I think Calvert was the way to go?????

Vent over.
Jennifer

Mary G
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
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Posted: March 12 2007 at 5:09pm \| IP Logged

Jennifer -- with a subject title like that, I'm surprised I'm the first to answer !

Isn't it great when we think we do the right thing, God shows us that not only was it a goofy u-turn, it was really DUMB -- but as the Fig Tree gospel this weekend shows us, God always gives us another chance (THANK GOODNESS!!!!)

Glad you're back with us dear -- come walk on the light side.....

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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!

hylabrook1
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Joined: July 09 2006
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Posted: March 12 2007 at 5:10pm \| IP Logged

Jennifer -

I know I have shared with people on these forums regarding Calvert. Generally the material is very academically solid. I'm not saying it is either good or bad; it works for some people and not for others. You're absolutely right that it is very textbook oriented, and that is a big reason it doesn't work for some people. We mostly used it when there were several young children and more babies being born. My energies were not extremely available for school planning. Also, it was 15 years ago that we started homeschooling and there weren't as many choices available as there are now.

It is sometimes difficult to hear about, or even to look at, materials and know how they will *fly* with you and your particular children. Considering how expensive Calvert is, it is pretty frustrating to try it and find out you've spent that kind of money on something you don't love.

Is there some way you can take the curriculum/lesson plans and adapt the materials to a more CM approach so that at least the rest of this school year is more palatable?

I apologize if I contributed to your thinking Calvert was a better idea than it turned out to be.

Peace,
Nancy

One thing that is very difficult is knowing how to interpret the input you get from others.

hylabrook1
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Posted: March 12 2007 at 5:12pm \| IP Logged

Please excuse the random sentence fragment at the end of my previous post. I thought I had deleted that in my editing process, but I guess it just went to the bottom of the page.

Peace,
Nancy

JSchaaf
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Joined: Feb 22 2005
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Posted: March 12 2007 at 8:14pm \| IP Logged

Nancy-
Don't apologize! I did ask opinions, and got lots, both for and against Calvert. It did seem like the answer to all my problems, packaged up into one neat box.

It's just not for us. (that's the line I use with the girls all the time, as in "Bratz dolls are not for us").

I know now that a prepackaged curriculum is not the way to go. I should have realized it sooner, especially with a 6yo reading on a 6th grade level but lagging behind in writing. She's not going to fit into any box.

So I'm starting over. I'm gleaning from Calvert what I can and tossing (donating) the rest. It is a costly mistake. The courses are not returnable once they are used and the lesson manuals are not to be sold.

I'm pulling out my CM stuff and starting at the beginning !!

Jennifer

PS Bethany (the 6yo) was filling out a reading comprehension worksheet after reading a story in her book. She looked at me and said "This is silly. Can't I just tell the story to you and you'll know that I know the answers?" Oh, as in NARRATION!!

Celeste
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Joined: April 03 2006
Location: Nebraska
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Posted: March 12 2007 at 9:18pm \| IP Logged

JSchaaf wrote:

(that's the line I use with the girls all the time, as in "Bratz dolls are not for us").

I love it!

Celeste

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