Thursday, July 23, 2009

Thirsty Thursday – July 23, 2009

thirstythursdaybanner

Before we go any farther, you need to go read this post and sign up for the cool book giveaway which will be on Friday, July 24!!

This is my first time to participate in the Thirsty Thursday meme, but I figured that since I love homeschooling and love to write about it, it would be easy.  But, alas, no.  This week, I perused the Sonlight Core 100 forums, as I am wont to do on occasion, and came across a thread about Core 100 language arts.  The mom who started the thread was quite unhappy with the Core 100 Language Arts.  Many of the responses were other moms telling what Language Arts curriculum they had substituted in place of the Core 100 Sonlight Language Arts.

And all my confidence for this year’s curriculum went down the drain.  We haven’t used Sonlight’s Language Arts for several years, but I thought I had researched it pretty carefully this year and really wanted something that integrated literature and writing.  And, now, all these other moms were saying that I must be wrong.  Right?

Wrong.  Those moms were writing about their experiences with their children while I have to choose what to do with my kids.  After going back and looking at the Core 100 Language Arts curriculum, I have to agree that it isn’t a seriously structured writing program like some others.  But, I chose it knowing that.  Rosie Girl is already a very good writer.  She can structure ideas well and uses words better than most adults.  I already have plans to have her do her research paper with an online writing coach, but otherwise still think that Sonlight is a good fit for her.  I’m pretty sure it won’t be for Wild Man when he gets to be this age because he’s wired so completely differently.

So, my plan is to stick with Core 100 Language Arts this year.  If I’m not happy with her writing at the end of the year, then I’ll probably do something more structured the next year.  In the meantime, I need to remember that I know my kids best.  As my hubbie reminded me – A bad day at home school is better than a good day at public school.  We are committed to homeschooling because it’s the best thing for our kids, not because of the perfect curriculum, but because of the time spent with each other.

Check out Thirsty Thursday for other great homeschooling posts!

  

3 comments:

Joy @ Five J's said...

Thanks so much for participating in Thirsty Thursday!

I can totally relate to the feeling you got when you read those reviews. The longer I homeschool, however, the easier it is to read the reviews with a more mature eye, knowing that not all homeschoolers are created equally. What works for some won't work for others. Reviews are good, but only to a certain extent.

6intow said...

Thank you for sharing. Such a great word of encouragement. God gave me these kids, and has given me the role of schooling them as well.

I love that -- even a bad day homeschooling is better than a good day in public school. :-)
~Erin

Luke Holzmann said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You do know your children best, and that is one of the many wonderful things about homeschooling.

May Core 100 LA be exactly what your daughter needs this year (and, honestly, if you have any feedback, please send it in; we're always trying to make our product better!) [smile].

~Luke