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12stars
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| Posted: May 05 2008 at 11:41am | IP Logged
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Hello Moms,
I am new to this forum I introduced my self already in the into forum.  . I really need help and dont really know where else to turn to as far as ideas go. We were using a charter that was boxed for me and ready to use and although it was a great curriculum I want to move on. I am still going to use a charter but now I get to pick and choose the curriculum and I really wanted to get ideas and see what has worked for you as far as unit studies. My 12 yo dd has struggled with math even when she was in ps I was thinking of using teaching textbooks they are a vendor so I am happy about that but I am not sure what to use for my 8 yo dd nor my 5 yo. Do any of you think that the catholic homeschool companion would help? The desicions are just really exciting but I dont want to over do it.
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TracyQ
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| Posted: May 05 2008 at 2:26pm | IP Logged
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Hi! Welcome! 
There are so many wonderful resources out there, and no one way to do this, so it is a bit confusing, especially when you're trying to figure out what will best work for your family.
The Catholic Companion is a nice resource, I have it. Here is a review of it at my favorite review site:
Review of The Catholic Homeschool Companion
This is a GREAT website to help you read about different curriculums, and get an idea of how to do this:
Cathy Duffy Reviews Her book that's featured on her site, *100 Top Picks* is an excellent resource for helping to choose good curriculum. I love the way she thorougly reviews curriculum.
I have found a couple of links online that may help you with your search to find what will work for your family.
These are two very good websites to help you with your search as well. It's fairly comprehensive, and it's online:
Homeschool Teaching Methods
Step by Step Guide to Choosing Curriculum
If unit studies is what you've decided on, here are a couple of websites that may help too.
Unit Studies for Dummies article
Free unit studies online
Homeschooling with Frugal Unit Studies article
Whenever I try to decide what to use for curriculum, I take these steps:
1~ PRAY,pray, and PRAY some more! (The Holy Spirit leads
me always to what God wants for us. Only when
I seek His will first does our homeschool run
smoothly.
2~ RESEARCH - (using this board (best resource ),
Cathy Duffy's book and website (given above), and
other homeschooling websites and catalogs.
3~ LOOK to see if there is something I can use that will
work to achieve the goal that I already have at
home here, or if I can use resources from the
library (our budget is limited)
4~ KEEP PRAYING and discerning so that I'm always
focusing on His will
5~ Make sure I keep the kids' learning styles, and my
teaching style, and our learning philosophy
in mind while making these decisions.
6~ Try to be sure I'm not overbuying, overplanning,
and overeverything. I am famous for this. 
7~ REMEMBER the two quotes I learned and have focused on
for years now in our homeschool...
*God does not call the equipped, He equips the called!*
and
*Comparison is the DEATH of contentment!*
So I remember that God will equip us with our every need every year, and that I have to really try not to compare our homeschool with others, or my teaching with other homeschooling moms, or my children with other homeschooling children.
I hope this helps some anyway. May God bless you this coming year with a GREAT year of learning!!!!
Blessings,
Tracy Q.
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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12stars
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Joined: April 25 2008
Location: California
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| Posted: May 05 2008 at 3:16pm | IP Logged
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 BIG HUGS!!!! To you
Tracy I am so glad you responded I am looking at all the links. Thank you so much for all the insight its great.
To be honest with you this year was kind of a unschooling and low key year and I don't think I was to happy about that I kind of like structure but it was hard for me because we had a baby in November.
I also really lacked in my prayer life.  this year too.
I know that I have to get back on track and I am trying to.
I am so glad I found this forum and that all the mamas here have great knowledge to share. Please pray for me and my efforts to keep on homeschooling my daughters.
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Leonie
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| Posted: May 05 2008 at 4:32pm | IP Logged
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Tracy - fantastic resources - thank you!
12stars, I find its good to get a resource book for me, something like Wild Days, A Charlotte Mason Companion orOne-to-One.
Gives lots of helps for planning and ideas.
I have also been using ideas from a purchased unit study with my 12 year old. It is based on the Narnia books - we have just been picking and choosing activities from the Prince Caspian unit since we know that movie is coming out soon and we enjoyed the book together again. Further Up and Further In
__________________
Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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12stars
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| Posted: May 05 2008 at 4:53pm | IP Logged
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The resources you mamas are giving me are so good I have looked and looked on the net for them and you have given me new ones. I am dancing for joy!!!  Hooray I am so happy right now.
I think I will do the chronicles unit for my 12 year old too.
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lapazfarm
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Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
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| Posted: May 05 2008 at 6:24pm | IP Logged
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Don't forget about Five in a Row for your little ones. It is a great resource.
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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12stars
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| Posted: May 05 2008 at 6:31pm | IP Logged
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I thought that since cathswap didnt allow 5 in a row a other books like it I stayed away from them but I will check it out thanks.
__________________
Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: I need help for next year
