The Curriculum Choice

Renae

Where to Find Used Curriculum

Aug 112009

I hate paying full-price for anything. I’m a bargain hunter extraordinaire. Because of that, I usually search for used curriculum. These are my favorite places to look online:

Paperbackswap – This site is actually for trading books, but you can buy credits for around $3 each. One book equals one credit.

Paperbackswap might not the best place for curriculum, but almost all of our literature and art books come from here. It’s always worth a look.

Homeschool Classifieds – This site allows you to list and sell curriculum for free. You can also create a wanted ad. Sellers sometimes search those before listing their items.

Homeschool Talk & Swap at VegSource – This site’s navigation is by grade level, which is harder for me to use. However, the search works pretty well, and this is a very active board.

Yahoo Groups – Join a group based on your location, favorite curriculum, or even educational philosophy. For instance, Spell to Write and Read, RightStart Math and BiblePrinciples each have a Yahoo Group.

What does that have to do with used curriculum? Most groups allow members to post books for sale. All of our major purchases have been made this way.

Please help me pinch even more pennies. What’s your favorite place to find used curriculum?

Written by Renae Deckard, Biblical Principled mother of 3. Find Renae’s reflections about homeschool and family life at Life Nurturing Education.

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Scrambled States

The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling

New to Homeschooling, Philosophies 2 Responses »

Jul 132009

Have you ever read an article with glossy photos of the perfect homeschool family?

Older children work on math while little ones build the Eiffel Tower with popsicle sticks. Mother posts the schedule on the refrigerator and everyone follows it. Father stages a play to reinforce the lessons of the day. The whole family always smiles at the camera.

Barbara Frank wrote The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling to combat discouragement that trails these misconceptions of utopia.

The conversational tone of this veteran homeschool mother of four overflows with wisdom. She shares practical tips such as the Top Ten Tools for Homeschooling Parents and 115 Organizing Tips for Homeschoolers. (I am almost convinced to get a filing cabinet.)

In the extremely helpful chapter about overcoming obstacles, Barbara Frank tackles the issue of time management and personal habits.

She also discusses how personality traits can help or a hinder home education. See if you are a teacher, a perfectionist, a follower, etc., and then learn to temper your natural bent with the grace of God.

Other circumstances can strain efforts to teach, and Barbara touches on them all: children with special needs, stresses with finances, and difficulties with relationships.

Chapters include:

Confessions of an Imperfect Homeschooler
Homeschooling 101
Teaching Specific Subjects
Teaching Techniques and Ideas
Covering All the Bases
Overcoming Obstacles to Homeschooling
Coping with Changes and Challenges
One the Home Front

It is easy to view a snapshot, but the noise behind the photo is muted. Barbara gives the reality of homeschooling a voice. She teaches her children. She believes you can, too.

Written by Renae Deckard, Biblical Principled mother of 3. Find Renae’s reflections about homeschool and family life at Life Nurturing Education.

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Scrambled States

Principle Approach is a Curriculum

Biblical Principle Approach, Philosophies 2 Responses »

Jun 302009

This is the third of a three part series to answer why, how, and what in regards to Principle Approach education.

We often start our search for education looking for curriculum. What will we teach? What do our children need to know? The mounds of resources quickly become overwhelming. That is why I started this series discussing philosophy. Examining the reason I homeschool gives me a filter to sift the piles of books.

This universe is an amazing place. There is no way we can teach our children everything they need to know or even want to know. So how do we decide what is most important?

Photo by Barbara L. Slavin

I propose that rather than teaching little bits here and there, we teach the whole subject by teaching its principles first. Five-year-old Sunshine can understand that letters create words and words combine into sentences and sentences become whole paragraphs. We discuss the gift of language. We look in the Bible to see how God communicates with us. We are inspired to communicate with Him and with each other.

It is simple to break down the subject to its rudiments, but it is so empowering. It gives the child a foundation with which to build upon.

Principle Approach philosophy is just beginning to have curriculum, but the idea of individualized education encourages parents and teachers to create their own using the 4R method. Rather than creating all my own lessons, I add these ideas to the books that fills our shelves.

Some curricula does a good job of systematically building upon the principles of a subject and studying the unique vocabulary of each; not every one looks at the source and origin. It requires some thought and study, but each subject has it’s source in either the nature or character of God.

Science is the study of His creation.
Math is the knowledge He used to create.
Art is the expression of that creativity.

When we begin to see the Creator behind each subject opening our understanding, His purpose is revealed: the increase of His kingdom in the hearts of men. The history of science and math display advancements for safety and even liberty.

Nathaniel Bowditch’s dedication to the study of navigation gave men greater freedom to sail without fear of getting lost and perishing at sea. Johann Gutengerg’s printing press gave wings to ideas and individuals reached up to grasp them by learning to read.

According to Noah Webster, curriculum is

the course of study…a stated or orderly method of proceeding…the way of life or conduct.

Studying for life, step by step, building upon the foundation idea by idea, year by year. Growing in understanding of how individual hearts are woven into a providential metanarrative. Life inspired. Hope restored. An effect of biblical education.

Written by Renae Deckard, Biblical Principled mother of 3. Find Renae’s reflections about homeschool and family life at Life Nurturing Education.

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Scrambled States

Principle Approach is a Method

Biblical Principle Approach, Philosophies 2 Responses »

Jun 162009

This is the second of a three part series to answer why, how, and what in regards to Principle Approach education.

As I mentioned in the previous article, Principle Approach is a Philosophy, my purpose of education is to give my children life and hope. I want their character to be formed, so they are prepared to achieve all God has for them. I want them to love learning and worship the Creator as a result. I want them to live with an ever increasing liberty that spreads to their neighbors.

How can these goals be achieved? There is no guarantee for my desired outcome, but there are methods that can help “produce a reflective character, one able to listen to the ‘still small voice’ of conscience which enables us to act appropriately in any circumstance.” (A Guide to American Christian Education, pg. xxi)

Conscience is an internal thing. It cannot be purchased or sprinkled over lessons. It is an issue unseen, unmeasureable. How can you educate the heart?

In Isaiah 1:18 the Lord pleads with his people,

‘Come now, and let us reason together…Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.’

By reasoning from biblical principles, lies are exposed and truth exalted. The stains of ignorance and selfishness are washed with reality and love, life-long pursuits.

The 4 R method places biblical reasoning as the foundation for all learning:

Research God’s Word.
Reason from the truths identified.
Relate the principles to every day life.
Record the ideas for remembrance.

This method is not new. It is the historic method of self-education that brought an increase of liberty to America. Liberty we can reclaim for future generations by teaching our children to teach themselves.

If you would like to know more about this method, I invite you to join us at the new Biblical Principle Approach group at Our Lifestyle of Learning.

Written by Renae Deckard, Biblical Principled mother of 3. Find Renae’s reflections about homeschool and family life at Life Nurturing Education.

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Principle Approach is a Philosophy

Biblical Principle Approach 6 Responses »

Jun 092009

This is the first of a three part series to answer why, how, and what in regards to Principle Approach education.

What do you think of when you hear the word philosophy? I used to picture Plato and professors, Rodin’s sculpture of The Thinker and monks living tucked away in the mountains. Then I heard philosophy means the love of wisdom and realized I am an aspiring philosopher. I want answers to questions raised by the syncretism of my faith and my education.

Albarracín

During high school, my history class focused on the atrocities of mankind. The dates of wars, the horrors of slavery, and, strangely to me, the rock musicians of the 1960s. I wondered why these subjects were chosen. Were these just random events erupting here and there? Why did they happen? Why were we studying them?

Why is a philosophical question. According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, philosophy delves into the reason for things looking for cause and effect. And it has two purposes:

Philosophy endeavors to use knowledge in a practical way to bring life and hope.
Philosophy is supposed to enlarge our views of God and his works.

Is life found in a dry list of events on a time line? Is hope found in simply recounting the evils of mankind without seeing how those evils have been and are being overcome? If God is never even mentioned, how does that effect a student’s view of Him?

Because I couldn’t see what God was doing past the cross, I wondered if he was still acting in history. Arbitrary facts were puzzle pieces scattered across my knowledge. Not much fit together. Now I understand why.

My high school education was void of Providence.

Photos by: reinante

Principle Approach philosophy exposes the loss by examining history, not as a series of secondary causes listed in a textbook, but through eyes of faith looking for the hand of God working in the hearts of men and nations to bring true liberty. Liberty that starts internally and works its way outward to this day. God wants to set individuals free! That idea does bring life and hope.

We read over and over in Scripture God’s exhortations to remember His works lest we turn to idols. Deuteronomy 4:9, is one example.

Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.

It takes diligence to keep our souls. It requires study to remember, but remember we must if we are to give life and hope to our children and grandchildren. Let’s fill their souls with an ever expanding view of God by sharing a daily glimpse of His majesty.

Written by Renae Deckard, Biblical Principled mother of 3. Find Renae’s reflections about homeschool and family life at Life Nurturing Education.

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First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise

Charlotte Mason, Classical, Language Arts 2 Responses »

May 052009

fll_thumb As a homeschool mom hopefully you will at least once use a curriculum that will leave you with cherished memories. First Language Lessons was one of those programs for me. It is a curriculum that leaves me with warm memories of cuddling with my daughter on the couch as we would do her grammar lessons. Oh, how I miss it even more as I write this review.

What is First Language Lessons? It is a complete grammar and writing program for first and second grade.

When my daughter was in 1st grade I was looking for a language arts program to suit her needs. I was a new homeschooler at the time and was afraid to step away from “workbooks”. I went with a typical language arts workbook program and boy, did my daughter shed tears with those workbooks. It simply was not an enjoyable way for her to learn. I knew I needed to find something that would give me sanity and yet educate my daughter without a daily dose of tears.

Through many hours of searching and boring my my dear husband with endless conversations of how I need to change my curriculum, I finally found my solution. It was First Language Lessons!

How does this program work? It is set up to be done through 1st and 2nd grade. In first grade you start with very simple lessons that are done orally and some small writing exercises. The first forty lessons are completely done orally. In the first grade level the student is taught nouns, proper nouns, capitalization, and pronouns. Sentence types are introduced near the end of 1st grade. During first grade the student is also taught their telephone number, the days of the week, the seasons, holidays, months of the year, titles of respect, and how to write dates. My favorite part of the program is the poem memorization. I will never forget my daughter reciting the poem “The Caterpillar” by Christina G. Rossetti. This is a memory so dear to my heart. There are various short poems that the child is to memorize. The memorizations are right on target for being age-appropriate. My daughter and I would laugh so hard when she was memorizing the poem “The Goops”. Oh, such a wonderful memory!!

The second grade level takes it up a notch in the level of work expected from the child. Some of the poems are longer to memorize. All eight parts of speech are introduced including linking verbs, state of being verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and interjections. The writing consists of copy-work and dictation which is done in many of the second grade lessons. It may sound a little intimidating to teach all eight parts of speech to such a young child but the idea behind the program is to introduce the child to grammar. It is in the later years that your child will perfect these grammar skills.

Another part of the program is narration which is done in first and second grade. The narration is done in two ways, with picture study or story narration. With picture study the child will study a picture and then describe it to you orally. In story narration, a story is read and the child is asked to tell the story back to you in his own words. Both types of narration create wonderful vocabulary skills.

What are the pros? The lessons are short and easy to teach. Very little material is needed. The two year program is much cheaper than many of those fancier programs out there on the market. This is a very effective program introducing all eight parts of speech. Jessie Wise and Sara Buffington have created two more volumes of First Language Lessons that goes up to the fourth grade level. The best part is that you can cuddle up on the couch for many of the lessons.

What are the cons? For some homeschoolers they may not want to introduce grammar at this young age. There is a lot of repetition which some may not like but I consider this a plus.

In conclusion, First Language Lessons is an excellent program to gently introduce grammar to the young child. From my experience this program gave my daughter a strong foundation in grammar and writing which she has continued to carry with her .

For more information regarding First Language Lessons please click on link:
http://www.peacehillpress.com/

Written by Korey