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joann10
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 5:19pm | IP Logged
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I really, really want to use a packaged curriculum with lesson plans all written out for me this year. I was looking at CHC. But, we have NO money to spend. I have always written my own lessons and let interests lead the way, but I really need pre-packaged lesson plans to help me, by relieving stress, and saving time. ( My health isn't improving)
Any idea of what I should look into? Does anyone have a great website I could check out?
Just putting it out here for suggestions. I know I will get some good advice! 
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 5:33pm | IP Logged
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I feel you about the money thing!
How's your library?
Does it have something like Prairie Primer you could just open and use?
What about Homeschool share? Not exactly lesson plans, but the lapbooks are very complete and quite easy to follow along without too much planing. If you picked a few ahead of time and then scheduled accompanying books from the library for them it could be done for the cost of paper and file folders.
Of course there are Mater Amabilis and Ambleside Online, but there will be some planning and most likely some cost involved with book purchases those.
Starfall.com for the littles.
Let me think some more.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 5:36pm | IP Logged
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If you want something online.. I've heard good things about khanacademy.org but I haven't checked it out myself.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Mimip
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 5:37pm | IP Logged
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Joann,
My only thought was that wouldn't you have to spend a huge amount of money to buy all the books for those types of lesson plans?
I mean, I don't know about the copyright laws and such but could you borrow lesson plans? For example, I have the 2nd grade lesson plans from CHC that you could use for a year but then you would have to get all there books to go along with it, right????
My only other thought was the St. Thomas curriculum by Maria Rioux (sp?) but I can't find the link anymore.
Sorry I wasn't more help 
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 5:48pm | IP Logged
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Oh, yes, Khan Academy is great, but it is for high school(and up) only.
If you have Netflix you could do a lot with that. History and science in particular.
The blog Educate Freely has lots of good free resources listed, as does clickschooling.
Freely Educate
clickschooling
Although those wont supply lesson plans, it does address the "free" issue.
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Theresa
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LaPaz Home Learning
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 5:53pm | IP Logged
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You could also use those "What Your 4th Grader Needs to Know" type books by ED Hirsch. Most libraries have them or they can be gotten very, very cheaply used. It wouldn't be too hard to just crack some of those open and go with it.
What Your 4th Grader Needs to Know
Add some catechism or saint stories and you are good to go.
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Theresa
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 5:56pm | IP Logged
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I was just at the Khan Academy site and the math at least is K-12 says you can start at 1+1
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 5:58pm | IP Logged
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Homeschool Your Child For Free has tons of free resources, and most libraries have it.
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 6:01pm | IP Logged
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Another idea-
You can post at Cathswap that you are looking for older editions of lessons plans or even free ones. Many people have older editions that they will sell very cheaply, possibly even for the cost of shipping if they know there is a need.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 6:03pm | IP Logged
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And this site has a bunch of worksheets tied to the Hirsch books.
Redwood Games
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Theresa
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lapazfarm
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JodieLyn wrote:
| I was just at the Khan Academy site and the math at least is K-12 says you can start at 1+1 |
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My bad!
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Theresa
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rcarter
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 6:13pm | IP Logged
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I've had the same thing on my mind, too, Joann10. I followed the link to Homeschool Your Child for Free, and among the replies to some of the reviews, I found this great blog. Hope it helps us both! 
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mamaslearning
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The Head of Class
Free online learning. Could be a starting point for you. We've used it on days when we wanted a change of pace.
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joann10
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 7:14pm | IP Logged
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What wonderful resources you are all sharing!! These could keep me busy for quite a while. 
Theresa, my library does have the Hirsch books and I was thinking that this is what I would use with my two 1st graders.
The biggest problem that is that NY state requires a bunch of paperwork, so I feel I need specific "titles" and plans to satisfy the school system.
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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 7:15pm | IP Logged
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Joann,
So sorry to hear that your health is not well. Is there a chronic issue? How about re-using what you have already used in the past? Since most curriculum repeats, esp. in the younger grades, you could just re-do things you did for review, or cover them a little more in-depth. I was horrified to keep discovering that one of my sons who used Seton's spelling workbook was so tied up with trying to figure out the vocabulary type questions included in the lesson, that he wasn't learning to spell most of the words when I quizzed him. So, technically, I could just go through that whole book again using it as a word list source and maybe have him write down all the spelling rules that went with said list and not spend a dime.
You could use reading lists from Ambleside or I am sure there are numerous links here for younger or older kids. Maybe if you know someone on this list well, you could borrow some of the reading books and promise to replace them or something if they were damaged?? (living book type books that might not be found in libraries.) I was curious about things like The Bladwin Project and things like that which make older texts availible online FOR FREE!! How cool is that??
Ruth Beechick's books? Enchanted Learning's website for fun printouts? Used books online..have found cheaper books there...for say a math book. I think MCP goes pretty high in their workbook offerings and they are only $12. I am already set on NOT writing in any of our consumable workbooks anymore. Seton's Religion workbook would be a good example. While wanting to support Seton, obviously, it doesn't make much sense for the kids to write on the 2-3 lines that are required per lesson after all the reading, making it "old" for the next student. We could just discuss the answers orally, of the child could easily write the answer on looseleaf and put it in a binder.
Maybe more nature studies for science? There is that cool blog that uses Handbook of Nature Study..forget the name..you probably know what I am talking about. (I have it bookmarked.) Using this..with their monthly and weekly "challenges" you probably wouldn't even need to own the book.
I went through a similiar challenge last year due to lack of funds. I enrolled my two oldest in Seton, but for the rest, I used mainly what I had on my bookshelf from past years, and it ended up being a good year learning wise. So, maybe say a novena about it, or just a quick prayer, and then go and revisit your shelves first. See what you can recycle and then look online for freebies. The internet is such a resource, one could probably use nothing else! :>)
I will keep you in our prayers. I am so sorry to hear you are not feeling well and having this sort of problem on top of it. It can be discouraging to try to live this life we live, can't it? Whatever God is asking of you though, be assured that He IS with you. Don't feel alone or depressed. Your struggles are His struggles too. Be easy on yourself. Some years are better than others. Ona sympathetic side note...I had a rough year with Willy last year and then an accident involving my 3 year old daughter that resulted in her having to have one of her sweet little toes amputated. It seemed like a devastating year for our family and I felt very beaten down and for the first time in my homeschooling journey, I just didn't "care" about school anymore. Now, I knew that that was not really an option for me..to not care..but if I was honest with myself, I didn't care. Life seemed fragile, I was stressed and burnt out, and I was just thankful that all of my children were healthy and alive!! This year, I have really struggled to juggle 9 months of morning sickness, the docs telling me all sorts of horror stories about how they thought the birth of my current baby would go, Seton high school for my eldest two, and a whole crew of little ones begging to be raised. The new baby wants to nurse all the time, which is wonderful, but I also have a lot of little ones to care for, a house that always seems to keep me way too busy due to the mess, etc. etc. Anyway..to save you from the boring story..just today I was trying to figure out how to "make it all work" and I just had to stop writing. It doesn't seem to be able TO work. There is just not enough "day" in my day..my baby needs me...I don't even know how I am going to add my two twins girls (aged 5) into the school mix this year!!! And I just had to laugh. I laughed thinking that "I" was in control of anything or that "I" could do anything, and the Bible verse that popped into my mind was.."Unless the Lord build the house..they labor in vain.." And isn't that the truth?? I don't know what He is asking of me. I don't know why my kids seem to be fighting all the time lately even though I try to instill virtues and good, loving attitudes in them...but I kept coming back to God really wanting me to ask Him for help, and....this is the important part...to really mean it. Do we really "mean" it when we ask Him for help, or is it just something we do out of habit? I think I pay lipservice if I am truly honest..a sort of.."Please help me Lord, while all the while I keep trying to do it MY way. So, I don't know if you do this or not, but let God work this out. You have been open to life..you have been open to raising your children in the faith...now is the time to be like Mother Theresa who sat the kids at the table for breakfast when there was nothing there to eat...and food always came. God will take care of school for you. Just go to the table (of your soul) and pray. Expect great things! We are just so little really. Be little before God.
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10 Bright Stars
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Joann,
I meant the "Baldwin" Project and there is some other site like that. Just saw your problem of needing things noted for the state of NY. Not sure about how to handle that....Is there some one that you know that could help you put something together? Someone super organized that could help with the paperwork and getting some things down on paper for you or watch the kids for you so you can do this in peace? People want to help more that you think! Maybe an older homeschooling veteran who is supportive of what you are doing and whose children are now grown. Remember....Hope in the Lord...TRUST in the Lord...Expect great things!
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Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
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joann10
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| Posted: June 08 2011 at 7:30pm | IP Logged
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10 Bright Stars wrote:
Joann,
So sorry to hear that your health is not well. Is there a chronic issue? |
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Kim, about a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Rheumatiod Arthritis. It's been a hard year learning to cope with chronic health issues, frequent dr appointments and meds with nasty side effects.
It's all about learning a new normal around here, and one way I thought to help myself was to let someone else, (a packaged curriculum) help schedule school. This probably won't be able to be accomplished, but I'm trying.
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Erin
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Joann
Not a full curriculum but wouldn't be hard to pull a few links together to make one;
Over at Uncommon Childhood (not OUR Jennifer Miller) are some possible links.
100 Awesome blogs for Roadschoolers with interesting links.
Homeschool Freebie of the Day
For the Aural learner:
My Audio School 20% of the site is free. That would be low stress for you.
Deep Space Sparkle
Art Projects for Kids for art
Crafty Crow for craft.
I would leave both craft and art off if stressed ( I do   ) but I know you're more hands on than I.
Then there is biology 4 Kids
Cosmos 4 kids Chem 4 Kids Physics4KidsGeography4Kids Number Nut
Do you have any basic resources already to work with?
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Erin
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Mimip wrote:
| My only other thought was the St. Thomas curriculum by Maria Rioux (sp?) but I can't find the link anymore. |
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Here is the link and new plans are coming sometime going from K-12 and with schedules.
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Erin
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cathhsmom
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We are in the same boat with next to no funds. I use CHC as written for the same reasons {health and lack of time} and buy as much as possible off Amazon using gift cards earned on swagbucks and Irazoo. It takes time but I get $15 to $40 a month in Amazon gift cards just from those sites. I also make it a point to ask family members for Visa or Amazon Gift Cards in lieu of gifts when possible, and use those to pay for needs.
If you have prescriptions filled regularly and have a Target nearby you can get medications filled there when they offer a $10 Target gift card coupon for any new or transferred prescription filled {use one coupon per script} and then use the Target Gift Cards to buy a Visa Gift Card which can be used anywhere. I just did this for $50 worth of materials from CHC that I couldn't get used since they are new.
Things I can't get off Amazon I watch Cathswap for a used copy cheaper or even a free copy. You would be amazed what you can get free. Post a list on Cathswap and explain the situation and why you need free / low cost materials and I'm sure you'll get some things.
Another option is to contact The Book Samaritan, they may not be able to meet all your needs but they try to provide as much as they can at no cost to families in need. They are not Catholic though, so if you just do a blanket request for materials from certain grades you may get some anti-Catholic materials since they don't know what is and isn't.
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Topic: Packaged curriculum with NO money
