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Martha
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 8:59am | IP Logged
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I love the CHC Spellers. It's my favorite item from them and I've bought them for years.
I currently have approx $60 of them in my cart.
Here's the thing, I don't know that I really need them.
And our finances are tight, so I'm needing to justify this this year, whereas normally I don't when it's catholic curriculum. (I do like to give catholic probiders business when I can! And I'm a bit of a junkie on this.  )
I don't use the spellers for much more than busy work and the faith memorization each week. No tests. Much as I like them, I don't think any of my kids except 2 need a spelling program at all. And the 2 that do need one, I don't use the spellers to acheive it - I use their own spelling errors from their writing assignments.
They all do a LOT of writing and a LOT of reading compared to most kids I know and that seems to be enough to give them decent spelling skills. They won't win the nat'l spelling bee, but they certainly don't look illiterate in their writing either, kwim?
But I want the spellers, but it would save me $60 not to get them.
They enjoy the spellers, but we don't really need them for spelling.
ug. I'm pretty sure I know my answer already.
But I'd appreciate some encouragement that I'm not damaging my children for life if I don't buy spelling this year.
Or some valididation for getting them.
TIA!
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Martha
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stefoodie
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 9:09am | IP Logged
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I bought many spelling books the first few years of hs'ing. The kids used them... about 1/15 of them or so. So I finally sold them, after gathering dust on my shelves.
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| They all do a LOT of writing and a LOT of reading compared to most kids I know and that seems to be enough to give them decent spelling skills. They won't win the nat'l spelling bee, but they certainly don't look illiterate in their writing either, kwim? |
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These are my kids too. So be guilt-free and moneywise. Don't buy the books unless you KNOW they need them and will use them. 
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stef
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 9:15am | IP Logged
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Just to make you feel better we skipped a LA program this year. I felt OK about it until our reviewer asked me to bring some of ds's writing from the year. Uh, hmmm, don't think I have any. We dug up some poems he wrote one week. It was fine.
So, I don't think skipping a year is going to hurt. 
Anne
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 9:16am | IP Logged
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stefoodie wrote:
I bought many spelling books the first few years of hs'ing. The kids used them... about 1/15 of them or so. So I finally sold them, after gathering dust on my shelves.
Quote:
| They all do a LOT of writing and a LOT of reading compared to most kids I know and that seems to be enough to give them decent spelling skills. They won't win the nat'l spelling bee, but they certainly don't look illiterate in their writing either, kwim? |
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These are my kids too. So be guilt-free and moneywise. Don't buy the books unless you KNOW they need them and will use them. |
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Just coming to say the exact thing as Stef, Martha! This is one of the areas I've cut! I enjoy either saving that curriculum $$ or using it to purchase more special books.
I'd drop the spelling books, buy some inexpensive steno type books that the kids can use to create a spelling notebook (or, if you're like me, pull notebooks out of your existing stash) and maybe buy one pretty picture book or natural history book you've been eyeing and then tuck the rest of the $$ back in the bank for a rainy day. But, that's just me.
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Jen Mackintosh
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 9:26am | IP Logged
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You don't really need them. Maybe you could print off lists of Catholic terms on pretty paper for them to spell? 
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In Christ,
Molly
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Martha
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 10:33am | IP Logged
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okay! thanks ladies. I just needed to hear someone else say it.
makes me feel better about having all the windeatt, vision, forbes, and de Wohl books that I don't already have in my all catholic books cart. I've wanted to for 8 years, but always feel sticker shock and end up taking them out of the cart. we can get most books at the library, but there's not much of a catholic selection.
here's hoping I can brace myself to hit "buy" before taking them out this year.
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Martha
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teachingmyown
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Hey Martha,
I still have a small stockpile of new Vision and Windeatt books from when we owned our bookstore. Tell me which ones you are missing and if I have them, I will cut you a good deal.
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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amarytbc
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I wouldn't switch off the workbooks completely if you're used to using them. Maybe drop the workbooks for the children that are good spellers or the youngest who reads well, but for those who struggle with reading or just get along when they are doing them I'd place the order. You'll save at least half that way, but won't put yourself in a difficult situation. The year we switched spelling programs no spelling got done. Wish I had done it gradually.
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guitarnan
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I'd probably not buy the spellers and make my own sheets somehow. (We skipped spelling for a year and, surprise! my dd forgot how to spell!)
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lambchopwife
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If some of your children still need spelling and you want something Catholic that's cheaper, have you looked at The Catholic National Reader Speller and wordbook? It's only $10-$12 bucks. It's non-consuable and I think it goes up to 8th grade. I have thought about this myself as far as the cost thing goes but I still want something Catholic and had thought about using this. Good luck!
God bless,
Cheryl
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Martha
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 6:45pm | IP Logged
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ohhhhhhhhhh
that sounds interesting...
I've never used CNR because it was my understanding the language in them was more than a bit archaic?
any other opinions?
I have natural speller and spelling power on my shelf...
we just can't seem to get very worked up about spelling for some reason...
all except my 3rd seem to be doing fine. Of course, my 3rd seems to have the combined spelling problems of the 6. He seems to do best with editing his work for spelling.
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Martha
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KC in TX
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| Posted: July 17 2009 at 8:44pm | IP Logged
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I'd skip the spelling and buy the books. I hear Molly has some.
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KC,
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: July 20 2009 at 8:30pm | IP Logged
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It's not Catholic but I thought I would pass on this spelling website. They have lists to choose from or make your own...includes games and stuff.
http://www.spellingcity.com/
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Barbara
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Martha
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| Posted: July 20 2009 at 10:43pm | IP Logged
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hey we're not much for anything computer based, but that does look interesting to me! 
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Martha
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lambchopwife
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Martha,
I ordered the CNR speller today. When it arrives I will let you know what it's like. We have used CHC speller's as well and we love them too. I hear you about the faith memorization, I think that's what keeps drawing me to them the most! I also love the fact that they aren't to complex like Seton's or OLV spellers.
God bless,
Cheryl
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Sarah
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| Posted: July 21 2009 at 11:17pm | IP Logged
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Okay Martha, to be the odd ball here I say that if you have found something you really like and that works you should get it. $60 is not really a lot of money when you compare the cost of some other things. I can justify buying things when I compare the cost of other things. For example, if the spellers buy you time to get something done, add the hours they spend sitting at those compared to hiring someone to come to that work for you at $10 per hour. Think in terms of the cost divided over all the kids spread over the entire time they are using it.
You like them. They work for your family. Don't skimp unless you are really hurting for money, that would be different. However, sometimes the price of a happy mom who is excited about her curriculum is worth it. Think of the things ladies spend that same $60 on: haircuts, housekeepers, manicures, etc.
I'm just saying that if it adds to your overall daily joy then you should consider it. Its more than spelling if its something that works to keep you and your family happy and faithfilled.
KWIM?
Homeschooling is hard enough without us having to make it harder with inventing the wheel each year. My shelves are filled with experiments and money saving deals, not to mention books that worked for others but not us.
Don't throw tomatoes!!!
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Martha
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| Posted: July 22 2009 at 8:01am | IP Logged
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no tomatoes from me.
I know exactly what you mean.
but I already placed my order without them
guess we'll see how the year goes
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Martha
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: curriculum purchase - talk to me
