tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post6448384840622141043..comments2024-03-29T05:24:57.634-04:00Comments on House Unseen. Life Unscripted.: Homeschooling on a Budget pt. 1Dwija {House Unseen}http://www.blogger.com/profile/17887429052179249473noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-34992497048826135422012-05-31T17:15:36.742-04:002012-05-31T17:15:36.742-04:00I really like Catholic Heritage Curriculum (next y...I really like Catholic Heritage Curriculum (next year I'll have a 4th, 2nd, kindergartner, preschool (with my basic approach, not an actual curriculum), a toddler and a newborn- =). It's super flexible and well rounded. I purchased the lesson plans for the first kid for two years, but have found that I do better if I just get the books and follow what I have already done, adding in stuff that is related to lessons. It is very Catholic centered, but in a way that teaches virtue and the principles of our faith easily. My kids respond well to the lessons within the lessons, and I love that it opens up dialogue about our Church and our Lord specifically. I LOVE the science program, we just started this year but it's so dearly set up. And I can't praise the Little Stories for Little Folks stuff enough- so easy to implement and my kids are great readers. A lot of the upper grades are similar subjects (i.e. Saxon Math) found within many other curriculums, so it would be easy to buy books used. The lower grades have a lot of expendables but they are really affordable (and it makes it seem a little less stressful to know that they don't have to be so "careful" because the book has to last for six more kids). Anyway, thought I would throw my two cents in... I love your blog, and it's nice to know I'm not the only crazy mom out there. And, obviously, I talk too much (probably because I am around small people a lot...)momBryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-42325446285381038452012-05-09T17:28:30.861-04:002012-05-09T17:28:30.861-04:00I homeschool my kids (ages 9,7,2) and use the Sonl...I homeschool my kids (ages 9,7,2) and use the Sonlight reading suggestions. Other than the really Christian book suggestions, about missionaries and what-not (which I've found to not be well written), Sonlight has some great books on their lists, books I wouldn't have known about otherwise. We start with Miquon Math (grades 1-3), and then go with Saxon Math - the textbooks are great, can be found used, and teach my son each lesson. I've gotten almost all my homeschool books from paperbackswap.com (for the cost of shipping) and Better World Books (used books - their Bargain Bin books are 4 for $12, including shipping). With the 2yo I've found I can't read aloud as much this year, so I spent my birthday money on Susan Wise Bauer's Story of the World audio-CD's. We don't drive often, but we can get in a chapter or two even on short trips. Anyway, I thought I'd share, since I didn't see any of these in the comments yet. Hope it helps.Erinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-33151190651854641202012-05-09T17:14:22.734-04:002012-05-09T17:14:22.734-04:00I have heard of Cathswap and I think I'm even ...I have heard of Cathswap and I think I'm even a member...but I totally suck at Yahoo groups! Isn't that sad? I kind of haven't figured out how to use them, which I know sounds unbelievable and pathetic :)Dwija {House Unseen}https://www.blogger.com/profile/17887429052179249473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-83733415566585877152012-05-09T00:18:16.619-04:002012-05-09T00:18:16.619-04:00Dwija! Have you heard of Cathswap?? groups.yahoo...Dwija! Have you heard of Cathswap?? groups.yahoo.com/cathswap (I think..) It's a yahoo forum for buying and selling catholic homeschool books. You'll love it!OrganicMamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01155241332851583958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-83521086161322381012012-05-08T23:07:58.998-04:002012-05-08T23:07:58.998-04:00Hey, I homeschool my son, and I get a lot of thing...Hey, I homeschool my son, and I get a lot of things second-hand from other homeschoolers. There is an online forum where you can list things for sale, and also things you want to buy in case someone might have it. I have bought and sold there and had wonderful luck, and it's a great way to save a few dollars. Check it out if you get a chance, and good luck!<br />http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/index.phpJanicehttp://www.thenotsospecialmother.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-87195080625586583412012-05-08T14:43:18.073-04:002012-05-08T14:43:18.073-04:00We use CLAA (Classical Liberal Arts Academy) for s...We use CLAA (Classical Liberal Arts Academy) for some core like Latin, Catechism and History and then add in other stuff (when I feel like it, lol) We added in some Saxon math, reading (basically me assigning them to read things I want them to read)and a little Seton English grammar. I haven't heard of Angelicum so I am excited to check out your link. We are pretty happy with the basics at CLAA though. In the fall, my oldest will be in 8th grade, then I'll have a 7th, two 4ths, a 1st, a 3yr old and a 1yr old.Tracy C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15254871932134809248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-54938570206341364122012-05-08T00:19:29.724-04:002012-05-08T00:19:29.724-04:00Thanks for the suggestions! I googled the book you...Thanks for the suggestions! I googled the book you recommended and stumbled upon a whole wealth of potential resources! And she focuses on kids 6-12, which makes me feel a lot better about the fact that my almost 4 year old has only ever learned that there are "please prayers" and "thank you prayers". I'm not sure what else to tell him, honestly, and had no idea there were resources like this out there. I appreciate it.LazyBoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04076700682212137753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-62748231778774589032012-05-07T16:56:12.593-04:002012-05-07T16:56:12.593-04:00Oh, you are supposed to clean off the dining room ...Oh, you are supposed to clean off the dining room table before doing school work on it? We just use the shove over method.<br /><br />Have to agree on the futon. When I was homeschooled we had a spelling curriculum that we had used for years and loved. Then one year the program we were using changed it. Because they wanted to use a Catholic spelling book. Really? What does that even mean? How can my spelling be more Catholic? It was awful. We had to just go with it. So, that was also one of my considerations when I decided to go with Angelicum.NonDomesticMamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01101237513037307877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-25233374725504132972012-05-07T09:31:09.748-04:002012-05-07T09:31:09.748-04:00Yay! I am so glad that homeschooling is working ou...Yay! I am so glad that homeschooling is working out for all of you! Isn't it the most awesome thing ever?!?! And you are definitely a woman of my own heart when it comes to being "frugal". In the 8 years that I have been homeschooling, I think I have purchased only 2 books new. It really seems pointless to me to break the bank to educate my kids. Lately we haven't even been using books except to just read, but the kids are still doing great!!<br /><br />And congratulations on the upcoming addition (yeah, I have been gone a while, :p) - Rancher Mom-Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07271764542463185414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-29059026685011088012012-05-06T20:16:16.422-04:002012-05-06T20:16:16.422-04:00OOOH Montessori and Catholicism have tons in commo...OOOH Montessori and Catholicism have tons in common! Check out Sophia Cavaletti's book on the religious potential of the child or even some of MOntessori's writings. There are Catholic MOntessori schools in VA, Chicago, CA and other places!MJDMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10685715493085741426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-78067041625900399702012-05-06T19:53:40.154-04:002012-05-06T19:53:40.154-04:00Um, yeah, futons stink. Thank you for sharing tha...Um, yeah, futons stink. Thank you for sharing that, I've gotten weird looks from some Christian homeschoolers when I recommend a secular science program or admit that I'd prefer to NOT use a Christian math program. I agree that sharing our Catholic faith needs to be forced that way. And I need to look into Angelicum again, as if I need more curricular indecision. ;0)Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06710205217819146347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-34065087154237434692012-05-06T18:07:21.230-04:002012-05-06T18:07:21.230-04:00I love that picture. It really is so beautiful.
...I love that picture. It really is so beautiful.<br /><br />I did MODG for K and 1 and liked it a lot! I ditched it for 2, but was like you and needed a bit of help with a new baby. I'll have to check out your links, with the move, I'm not sure what we're going to do next year. But, I had better decide soon because I love the planning phase!<br /><br />And, I agree about futons, both the furniture and the curriculum. No need for over the top Catholic everything! (I particularly disliked the Catholic theme handwriting...but that's just me.)Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10135272827538989265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-27329161272271749732012-05-06T14:55:44.931-04:002012-05-06T14:55:44.931-04:00Sounds perfect! I will be doing MODG with a kinder...Sounds perfect! I will be doing MODG with a kindergartner next year, too!True Daughter of Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02497945822170843088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-44918904746672126482012-05-06T13:23:52.291-04:002012-05-06T13:23:52.291-04:00Points awarded!! Great post - I still have homesc...Points awarded!! Great post - I still have homeschooling in the back of my mind.... Your first 2 facts are facts for me too and I TOTALLY agree with you about futons!!<br /><br />JamieFor Love of Cupcakeshttp://forloveofcupcakes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-66698373340629137512012-05-06T08:59:54.872-04:002012-05-06T08:59:54.872-04:00Your plans sound wonderful! I tend to agree about ...Your plans sound wonderful! I tend to agree about the not needing/wanting a fully Catholic in every subject sort of curriculum. I never really got that.<br /><br />My oldest is starting MODG Kingergarten this Fall as well. And so far I have gotten everything used (including the syllabus!!). Someone handed me a copy of Teach Your Child To Read a year ago..so got that and most of the rest of what I need I got from Cathswap. Have you ever checked them out? They are an e mail list used to buy/sell used books and curriculum. I have gotten great deals for stuff that way.Jamie Carin and Claudio Romanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14152021172290149801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-72194966676615359642012-05-06T00:38:22.062-04:002012-05-06T00:38:22.062-04:00P.S. please ignore the typos. IPads give me a head...P.S. please ignore the typos. IPads give me a headache when it comes to comboxes.Micaela Darrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04601442850363152303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-74386935211433143962012-05-06T00:37:38.963-04:002012-05-06T00:37:38.963-04:00Love it, Dwija! We are using the lessons from Mate...Love it, Dwija! We are using the lessons from Mater Amabilis (free) and found most of their books. On CathSwap. It's a Catholic Curriculum swap Yahoo group. Highly recommended if you haven't already found it. I am curious about "lesson plans" too, as I was a teacher (in-school) for many years. Teaching at home doesn't seem to require those for me, at least not yet. But I know I could always use a bit more structure. Anyway, keep us updated. Oh, and I am SO jealous of the CGS program at your parish. I found one 45 mi utes away from us in CA ans was ready to sign the kids up, but then we got all crazy and moved to South Korea. Oh well, maybe when we move back. :)Micaela Darrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04601442850363152303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-5893946910011796372012-05-05T21:51:10.713-04:002012-05-05T21:51:10.713-04:00Montessori-based Catholic religious education prog...Montessori-based Catholic religious education program? Woah! I'm a lapsed Catholic who would love to introduce the faith I was raised in to my kids, but don't know how to do that when I myself remain unsure about it. But as an early childhood educator, I LOVE Montessori. Combining the two might give me exactly the space I need to explore these tensions. And I'm planning to homeschool, and regularly torment myself about how to teach religion. Thank you!LazyBoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04076700682212137753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-16571196669334454502012-05-05T21:12:16.788-04:002012-05-05T21:12:16.788-04:00Yes! 10 point minimum for the suggestion :) I ha...Yes! 10 point minimum for the suggestion :) I have a feeling this is the only year we'll do the lesson plans, too. I just want to get a feel for their recommendations, but if it's really self explanatory (and your comment makes it seem like it is) I'll probably drop most of them for future years. <br /><br />p.s. I am doing the splits while writing this. You're impressed, yes?Dwija {House Unseen}https://www.blogger.com/profile/17887429052179249473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-70784218190794706442012-05-05T20:48:20.266-04:002012-05-05T20:48:20.266-04:00Score! This totally means I get some points for b...Score! This totally means I get some points for being one of the Angelicum referrers, right? It's been working out really well for us. And I love getting all our books used as well. I'll try not to start bidding against you on ebay now :) I don't even use the lesson plans much any more since we just do whatever lesson is next in whatever subject it is and some subjects we've dropped altogether but still love having their spine to use. Don't know if we'll ever enroll but we'll see... You are SO like a gymnast. A radiant pregnant gymnast. I want to see a split.Mary @ Better Than Edenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05409924891343767874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-85045673099310662032012-05-05T19:41:38.957-04:002012-05-05T19:41:38.957-04:00You're a genius.You're a genius.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13174981423633745590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-79710134101530642482012-05-05T19:06:18.533-04:002012-05-05T19:06:18.533-04:00Best money saving thing I EVER did...read The Thre...Best money saving thing I EVER did...read The Three R's by Ruth Beechik...Practicing Mammalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04274507983353868813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-63924544423305929862012-05-05T18:37:57.884-04:002012-05-05T18:37:57.884-04:00Dang, I hate futons. ;) Checking out your links.
...Dang, I hate futons. ;) Checking out your links.<br /><br />HOW DID I JUST NOW DISCOVER YOUR BLOG?! You are hilarious!! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11471641245888346516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-26384429772404132102012-05-05T18:01:14.996-04:002012-05-05T18:01:14.996-04:00I read your Angelicum/futon simile out loud to my...I read your Angelicum/futon simile out loud to my husband, who has no clue who you are, where you live, what you do etc.<br /><br />. We both were laughing. You are brilliant my dear.Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16021781602272064901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6378450001604002654.post-73757824423627872402012-05-05T18:00:07.615-04:002012-05-05T18:00:07.615-04:00How about 25 mom points times five kids? That see...How about 25 mom points times five kids? That seems more appropriate!Ellen aka Elliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892924619560880572noreply@blogger.com