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happymama
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| Posted: Oct 30 2007 at 12:49pm | IP Logged
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What do you think about using an imperfect book as a "spine" or springboard for a subject, supplementing with many library books and Catholic books?
Example: i was considering using Usbourne's Book of History and Usbourne's Encyclopedia of the Natural World until I read their reviews on Amazon. (This is for 1st & 2nd grade following a classical schedule.)
I know they aren't perfect sources, but if supplemented and screened, does anyone object to using them?
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Mary G
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| Posted: Oct 30 2007 at 1:48pm | IP Logged
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Not in the least! I use "spines" just to keep me on track and help ensure I don't miss things ... it soundslike you'll be supplementing tons, so don't worry about the less than perfect .... sometimes I like to just mention something (and then, if the kids don't swallow the bait, I just move on to the next). I like to expose them to lots of things, but we don't delve tons into EVERYTHING!
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folklaur
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| Posted: Oct 30 2007 at 2:25pm | IP Logged
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That is basically how Sonlight has their curriculum set up. Well, not the Catholic resources, of course,  . But they often use a Usbourne book as a spine, and then LOTS of living books to make it meaningful.
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: Oct 30 2007 at 3:01pm | IP Logged
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This is what we often do too!
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happymama
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| Posted: Oct 30 2007 at 6:10pm | IP Logged
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thank you, some of the Amazon book reviews I've read were pretty bad and made me hesitate. i just haven't come across any alternatives i've liked better. thanks for the replies.
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cornomama4
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| Posted: Oct 30 2007 at 10:17pm | IP Logged
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I read the reviews. I appreciate that Amazon has this feature, but after I read the negatives, seemed like only a few had a real point. They seemed to be mainly offended by the nudity or the perception of Catholic-bashing (both of which can be legitimate concerns of course). I look at the bar graph to see the general feeling about a book, but I also read the actual reviews to see if the average was skewed by some random whack job with too much time on their hands and an axe to grind.  I've seen the history book many times at Half Price Books (don't know if you have those where you are, but they are great for HS books)
History is my worst subject  , so I'll be using lots of less than ideal books just to get reminded of the various topics that are important. Funny how someone with a Doctorate and a Fulbright scholar could end up knowing so little about History, but I WAS a product of public schools!
Of course don't take anything I say seriously...I'm officially hepped up on goofballs from preHalloween candy "sampling". Now, off to down some more Reeces Cups and Clos du Bois.
cm4
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vmalott
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| Posted: Oct 31 2007 at 11:33am | IP Logged
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I have no objections to these books, especially for the grades you mention above. We've used the Usborne Encyclopedia of World History for several years. All my children enjoy looking at the pictures and we use it as a springboard to read more in depth from living books. I also like the Natural World book...it's got just enough text for young ones to deal with, whether they are reading on their own or listening to mom and narrating back. Again, the pictures are great, which is one of the strengths of Usborne's books.
And, well, as far as the anti-Catholic aspect of some topics...it's fairly easy just to skip those parts in the lower grades and replace with some good Catholic texts (either a living book or a Catholic elementary history text). It's more difficult when they are older and reading on their own, and you may not have had a chance to screen certain things. 
Valerie
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: using so-so books
