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Sarah M
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| Posted: Jan 31 2008 at 5:03pm | IP Logged
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I'm considering using a spine curriculum like Oak Meadow or Living Books Curriculum next year, when my daughter is officially 1st grade. Do any of you have thoughts as to whether this is a good idea? Do you think it would streamline planning? I'm a bit nervous about buying a whole package because I tend to skip around a lot, not sticking to any one plan for very long. And I don't want to feel like I *have* to stick with the program just because I spent so much money on it. But I wonder if it would be easier? Do any of you do this?
Oh my. I'm rambling.  Any thoughts from more experienced mothers than I??
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SallyT
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Another option would be to use something like Mater Amabilis as a spine. It's free (except for the cost of the books), and you get an exhaustive booklist for each subject, with some sample schedules/plans included in the site's database. It's flexible -- I've never yet used any level as written -- but provides PLENTY to do, especially for a first grader. There are also two very helpful yahoo lists with lots of experienced homeschooling mothers to offer advice and support.
We've been very happy with the booklists Michele and Kathryn have put together. I tend not to do the CM method very rigorously at all, but have benefited a lot from her wisdom regarding education and young children. There's more in the curriculum than I've ever been able to accomplish, but you can pick and choose what you think you and your child will most like doing and come away with a really solid literature-based program.
Just a thought for something to try without a huge financial outlay for a packaged program.
Sally
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Leonie
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I'm with Sally - perhaps use a reading list-cum-curriculum as a spine. In addition to Mater Amabilis you can check out the curriculum lists and ideas from
Ambleside Online.
When my kids were in the early years, we used many of the Sonlight Kindergarten and Year One book suggestions ( not the teaching manual), as a curriculum spine that could inspire rabbit trails. Also the Five In A Row booklists and guides....
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Leonie in Sydney
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SallyT
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Oh, yes, I'd thought about looking at FIAR again for next year. I haven't used it, but browsed some of the materials at our conference last year. Everything we do is very literature-based, and I've been thinking my littles might enjoy FIAR.
For me, at least, having a booklist is more helpful than having schedules, lessons, etc -- because we just don't do them. If I have some idea of what to be reading to the kids, and add in a little writing practice and gentle math stuff, then I'm good. But that's just my style -- I'm more intimidated and guilted by lesson plans (even when I make them myself!) than I am helped by them. That's true even in the high-school English class I'm teaching. But that's definitely a personality thing, not a basis for a blanket recommendation or non-recommendation of curriculum.
Sally
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Sarah M
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I think it's in my more overwhelmed moments that I think a spine curriculum is a good idea.  I know that using a book list and following rabbit trails is really what suits us- I think the only reason I doubt it from time to time is that it seems to easy-too enjoyable!  I do have a couple volumes of FIAR and I think that I'll use that, the Real Learning booklist, some ideas from Ambleside Online and Mater Amablis, and continue to make lapbooks (my daughters LOVE making lapbooks). Really, I don't know why I start doubting our curriculum. I think it's a shouldn't this be harder? thing. 
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SimplyMom
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Sarah M wrote:
| Really, I don't know why I start doubting our curriculum. I think it's a shouldn't this be harder? thing. |
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I do this all the time. We have such a straightforward approach and are really enjoying learning many things and I think, "Wow, my mom went to school for years to teach should this be difficult in some way?" There are times when it is difficult, but only difficult in the time it takes or deciding what to do among so many good ideas and occasionally in motivation or discipline. The things I thought would be difficult in homeschooling are not.
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Leonie
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Sarah M wrote:
| Really, I don't know why I start doubting our curriculum. I think it's a shouldn't this be harder? thing. |
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I know - sometimes hard is good but hard does't necessarily mean good, iykwim? 
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Leonie in Sydney
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SuzanneG
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I tend to feel like we are "skipping around" as you say. Sometimes this is fine. Othertimes, when it feels not so "fine", I always go back to Mater Amabilis and Ambleside to refocus a bit. It makes ME feel better
Everyone is different, but I think I would feel like I HAD to stick with something if I spent lots of money on it.
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Spine Curriculum
