tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post7380852523986686625..comments2023-04-27T07:33:42.843-07:00Comments on The Unplugged Family: Homeschooling 2014-2015Cassandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929231009510772743noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-88197213624095570942016-03-12T20:05:51.207-08:002016-03-12T20:05:51.207-08:00Hi Jenna! Thank you so much for your sweet commen...Hi Jenna! Thank you so much for your sweet comments. Yes, you sound BUSY. First of all at those ages, I would say - take a DEEEEEEEEP breath. I wasn't doing anything formal with my kids until my eldest was 6. :) As for paying for these various options - well, I try to find things second hand and to be honest, I have, in many cases, I have had success either in person or on many different Facebook groups, etc. Also, at your stage, I would say you def. do not need a curriculum. Books can be borrowed from the library or purchased second hand through other Moms, Garage Sales, Thrift Stores, or websites like Thriftbooks.com. <br /><br />As for your question on how much time? When my kids were your kids' ages - none. My days consisted of playing, doing crafts, reading, and going for walks/to the park/to a local mommy play group. We didn't do anything formal. Even now, our days are short... with a 10, 9, and 7 year old, I'd say we spend about 2 hours a day on 'formal' school and most of that is reading and liberal arts (like poetry work, music, art, etc.). Kids are learning all the time. As long as they are presented with enlightening and interesting surroundings (ie: fun and educational toys, art supplies, creative things to play dress up, etc, and nature..) they will learn tons. Lots of reading together too! (You read aloud).<br /><br />As for your third question - haha. I literally re-plan every few months. I have learned that 'planning for the year' is a work in progress and that's why for my 2016 post I put 'subject to change' because it will likely change... and I always add and take away aspects of our year or we end up on crazy side roads for weeks as a time... so, planning is an ongoing adventure.<br /><br />You can take full days away to plan, but, you may be disappointed if your plan that you worked so hard on doesn't work out. I've experienced this. For me, I prefer to have a loose plan of the materials we'd like to read, but that's about it for the 'plan' right now.<br /><br />For example, for your kids' ages, I'd just have a list of books you would like to cover in various 'subjects', like NAture Study, Social Studies/History, Geography, some poetry... and enjoy! They are still so young! Don't stress. You are a million miles ahead already considering you are thinking of all these things!!! <br /><br />Have you considered Five in a Row? It is a very lovely, inexpensive, gentle approach that really helped me get into the groove of homeschooling. I hope this helps.<br /><br />xo.Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06929231009510772743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-28500939432329514862016-03-05T15:29:03.220-08:002016-03-05T15:29:03.220-08:00Hi Cassandra! Oh my goodness, I LOVE your blog. An...Hi Cassandra! Oh my goodness, I LOVE your blog. And these posts on curriculum have been extremely helpful to me. Can I ask you a couple of questions? I'm sorry if any are too personal. I looked for a Facebook page so I could private message you, but I couldn't find one!<br /><br />First, our family has four kiddos: ages 4.5, 3, and 18-month-old twins. Yeah...it's busy. ;-) This past Spring, we started Classical Conversations with my oldest, who is in PreK. She will begin K in the Fall. Despite liking aspects of CC, we've decided that it will be best to not continue next year for a variety of reasons. One is simply the fact that I'll need to supplement their program so much to be satisfied with what my kids are learning, that it's too expensive to buy a bunch of curriculums and also still pay tuition. Which brings me to my first question: I see you have a LOT of curriculum choices: FIAR, Sonlight, AAS, Apologia, among others...plus a variety of books. Are there any tips you could give me as to how you pay for it all? I know I can find some on eBay, but I was wondering if you had any other suggestions. :-)<br /><br />Second, how much time do you spend on school per day? With so many little kids, I have to get creative. My oldest can't really work independently yet and will definitely need my attention for a lot of her school work. I'm planning to do some during nap time, but won't be able to fit it all at that time.<br /><br />Third, how long does it take you to plan for the year? You seem super organized! I am also, by nature, but lack the time I'd like to really devote to it. I'm currently planning a few days this summer to have a little retreat for myself while my husband takes the kids...I'm hoping it will be enough!<br /><br />Blessings! :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06159224731641002600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-7605248304368697862014-09-04T17:40:44.962-07:002014-09-04T17:40:44.962-07:00This helps tremendously! Thanks so much! :)This helps tremendously! Thanks so much! :)Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18248220196214626803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-38051690042784309632014-09-04T13:23:15.774-07:002014-09-04T13:23:15.774-07:00Thank you! Are there some days where you scratch ...Thank you! Are there some days where you scratch everything and spend the day outside? I'm such a rule following box checker that I'm having a hard time being flexible and allowing more fun into the day. Janellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411252290153605545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-69635587063437233992014-09-04T07:56:50.174-07:002014-09-04T07:56:50.174-07:00It's up!It's up!Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06929231009510772743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-70107381084905387202014-09-04T07:25:06.288-07:002014-09-04T07:25:06.288-07:00Hey Malanie - Yes, I've heard that a lot too. ...Hey Malanie - Yes, I've heard that a lot too. I didn't find it to be a problem at all. I do, however, hear that TT is 'behind', however, I use the term loosely (behind according to whom? right..?) I didn't find TT to be a repeat and they really loved the first grade. What is great about it, is it doesn't do too much repetition. I teaches concepts simply and fully and moves fairly quickly (perhaps to a fault... we are spending 2 months reviewing past lessons right now because it just moved a bit too quickly for me as they weren't memorizing their times tables). The firs lesson for the first year of TT is MATH 3. The first lessons is "Simple Additions" like, 4+0 and 6+1. Very very simple. But it moves quickly and by the end of the book they are doing fractions, addition and subtraction with carrying (333+976) and they have learned a TON. I like the format as it builds their confidence int he first lessons and moves forward. The only caution with TT is that you ensure the children are really getting it before whizzing through the lessons, as there is a new concept EVERY lesson. So, if you are doing a lesson a day, it is literally a new concept every day, which can be overwhelming if the stuff is a bit harder. We generally do a lesson every 2 days and spend day 2 reviewing and doing further questions on the same concepts. Hope this helps. The computer component is fantastic and acts as the teachers manual in my mind. Really great program at least for us! Hope this helps! :)Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06929231009510772743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-34070090117997687582014-09-04T05:42:20.744-07:002014-09-04T05:42:20.744-07:00Quick question for you about Math. I've read ...Quick question for you about Math. I've read the TT is a year behind compared to other Math programs like Horizon, Abeka, Christian Light, etc. Did you find that when you went from Grade 2 into Grade 3 TT that it was just a repeat of concepts already learned? Do you find your children are retaining what they learn from it? I've read a lot of really awful reviews and a lot of really great ones. I have the opportunity to buy TT 3 (book and CD) for a great price for my 3rd grader but I have my concerns because it is computer based and there is no teachers manual for me to follow along and make sure I too understand the concepts and how they are being taught. Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18248220196214626803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-50007720462885176222014-09-03T18:33:09.775-07:002014-09-03T18:33:09.775-07:00Sure, Janelle, no problem! :) I struggle some day... Sure, Janelle, no problem! :) I struggle some days too, but the kids are starting to get used to the idea that 'school' is taking longer now that they are older!! ;)Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06929231009510772743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-70837752162286709592014-09-03T18:31:20.294-07:002014-09-03T18:31:20.294-07:00Thank you so much. That's so humbling and hea...Thank you so much. That's so humbling and heart-warming. Haha, you were right - I forgot the photo of our math stuff, so I've added it! Thank you so much, it's nice to 'be back'… *hugCassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06929231009510772743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-55904537144980246722014-09-03T18:29:47.256-07:002014-09-03T18:29:47.256-07:00Sounds lovely. Thank you, and to you too.Sounds lovely. Thank you, and to you too.Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06929231009510772743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-18988129294435791922014-09-03T18:04:51.400-07:002014-09-03T18:04:51.400-07:00This is just wonderful and so inspirational! I wa...This is just wonderful and so inspirational! I was totally looking forward to a post like this since you came back to the blog! I didn't see any mention of the Math program your using this year? So glad your back ;)Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18248220196214626803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-72302230835943107962014-08-31T07:07:27.659-07:002014-08-31T07:07:27.659-07:00Would you mind posting your daily schedule? I als...Would you mind posting your daily schedule? I also do Charlotte Mason along with a literature based homeschool and I am struggling with getting it all in on one day and still giving them lots of instructed free play for the afternoons. Thanks!Janellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411252290153605545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-36398523082164887242014-08-30T10:55:55.788-07:002014-08-30T10:55:55.788-07:00You are in for a fabulous year! I love following m...You are in for a fabulous year! I love following most of Mason's ideas, especially the shorter lessons with my youngest (who's 9 and has a short attention span). I used to be a big planner, but now I just have goals in my mind...and a Dollar Tree weekly and monthly planner where I jot down activities and a few notes here and there. Our 11th years starts on Monday. (Labor Day is rainy here so might as well get going! LOL) All the best for a great year!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06441870348048026971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400013362999368442.post-90307291015556006892014-08-29T19:08:52.230-07:002014-08-29T19:08:52.230-07:00Inspirational!!! Thanks for sharing :)Inspirational!!! Thanks for sharing :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02124454132444444323noreply@blogger.com