THE PROBLEM WITH GATHER ROUND HOMESCHOOL | GATHER ROUND CURRICULUM REVIEW | WHY IT'S NOT FOR US
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.ย. 2024
- THE PROBLEM WITH GATHER ROUND HOMESCHOOL | GATHER ROUND CURRICULUM REVIEW | WHY IT'S NOT FOR US
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Thank you for saying this. I don't trust her, because of this origin story. I was, and am, so surprised that most people don't agree or even remember that it happened. This issue of "Mormon curriculum" was a successful invention of an opportunistic competitor. No one talked about that before GR was launched. I've never found a parent who believes this myth who can point to a place in TGTB's curriculum where Mormon doctrine was "slipped in". We use some resources from TGTB. Not exclusively. But I personally appreciate their "high-level-only" mentions of God. It allows me to insert my family's specific beliefs easily, and without always needing to explain what makes us different.
Yes! So well said. I completely agree.
This comment 🙌🏻❤️
7 minutes into the video and we are still bashing this woman. You both are obviously entitled to your opinions but this just feels like a bashing video on the lady vs the curriculum. I came to this video for info on the curriculum. Just say your opinion and move onto the facts or being helpful.
YES. What is the point in this video at all? How is this woman any better by making a video bashing someone else.
Wow! The proof is in her family.
My wife and I recently had the pleasure of getting to know Rebecca and Jonathan Spooner, a truly remarkable couple whose warmth and generosity are matched only by their incredible talents and accomplishments. Rebecca and Jonathan have nurtured an extraordinary family. Their children are a testament to their love and guidance, each one shining with their own unique talents and bright personalities. In a world where genuine, loving families can sometimes feel like a rarity, the Spooners stand out as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Their dedication to each other and to their children is truly heartwarming.
I felt icky listening to you complain. To each their own I guess
I am a Christian woman, and I use the good and the beautiful language arts. We are all on our own journey and shouldn't judge others for what they choose to do. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts❤
Definitely! 💗💗
If you're here to hear about gather round skip the first 11 minutes...
Just a heads up..some of her words about "God told her", "she doesn't vet other curriculum writers but most she does", and several other things are straight from Masterbooks Facebook page. The Mom's of Masterbooks page will literally block you for even mentioning TGTB in passing. It's insane. I knew the minute she started this video and started talking about writing for a company, exactly which one she was about to say due to the verbage she was using. Gather Round is a huge "ick" for me! I've tried Gather Round and it was full of errors, ridiculously lacking, and so so expensive for what you get. You are spot on here. I also left the Masterbooks page after being told I was literally sending my children to hell because I used TGTB handwriting😳
I do enjoy the Gather Round curriculum for certain subjects....I never watched the video you were talking about but do know the creator finds herself in drama with other companies time after time. Most recent was both Campfire and Gather Round going at each other and that rubbed me the wrong way for them both personally, but they both offer good units that work for some families.
I did not know about that recent drama. It does seem like she’s frequently in drama with other curriculum creators…
@gatheredandgroundedhomeschool Where is Campfire’s initial criticism found? Blog post, FB, TH-cam? I never could find it. I only saw GR’s response, and I wanted to know what Campfire’s accusations were and what compelled them to offer their criticisms.
@@de5889 I have no idea where the video is now I believe it was posted originally in their Facebook group but was taken down. Gather round did respond to some of the claims and corrected their curriculum.
One example in a unit they stated someone had passed away but they were still alive….clerical errors and not using proper sources but either way both of those companies handled that discussion poorly.
This video is just so judgmental and not fully true on so many levels. You keep repeating how it’s “very expensive” or an “arm and a leg”…. It’s 50 dollars to get the digital for your entire family. BJU that you compared it to is hundreds of dollars for one course and you don’t even keep the videos. And Rebecca’s main conviction for leaving TGTB was because of the religious difference. Mormonism isn’t a denomination like catholic or baptist like you mentioned, it’s a different religion and that was her personal conviction that we have no right to judge. Her video is still up because it’s still her personal conviction. I have used a little of both gather round and TGTB and chose neither as our core so I’m not saying this as someone who rides hard for either. I just found this video to be mean and judgmental and part of the problem not the solution
It was a lot more than $50. It cost me almost $100 for everything I needed for the Chemistry unit for all of my kids. BJU is an online curriculum that offers videos, grading, etc. You actually learn a lot about the subject BJU is providing. The Good & The Beautiful curriculum is not a Mormon curriculum though. So she’s just basing her conviction off the fact that Jenny herself is Mormon. I understand the difference between Catholic & Mormon. However, that’s not the point I am making.
@@madisonhoppermomlife5444 the whole family curriculum itself is $55 and yes you for sure get more with other companies like BJU. It just depends on what you’re looking for. I personally would never use gather round as my core because I think more is needed as well
@@rewise73 I think I purchased seatwork, the experiment book, etc. That made it even more expensive. But it definitely wasn’t even worth the $55 in my opinion. That is a lot of money for something I am going to have to add to. Of course that is my opinion & “expensive” is subjective.
Catholicism isn’t a denomination either. I’m sure that there are many true believers within the Catholic Church, but Roman Catholicism is not Christian. They actually teach that Protestants are anathema. They teach faith plus works. Protestants teach faith alone. There are other issues as well, but that is the foundational issue. So I would be more hestiant to use a catholic curriculum even over a secular curriculum. At least with a secular curriculum, the false teaching is pretty easy to spot.
@@Deeplyrootedhome I agree. I never thought Catholicism was a denomination. I was just pointing out that she seemed to be lumping Baptist, Catholicism and Mormonism all together as if they were
My issues with GR is the fact that is reads terribly...basically like Wikapedia articles. I really wanted to like it because the concept is great, but I just don't like reading it aloud. The art is really nice though.
I agree.
Because she likes to eat apples on Wednesdays 😂😂😂 made me laugh. I completely agree with you. GR is a hot mess and the creator, there's so many things I could say but I won't even waste time with it. Such a mess. 🤦🏼♀️
😂😂 Seriously!
I agree. We started homeschooling with Abeka, which was working amazing- but being a flawed human I thought the "grass could be greener on the other side" and looked at other curriculum. I found GR and was sucked in by how "easy" and "pretty" it looked. After spending thousands on Abeka, I spent several thousand more buying allllll the GR units, printing, binding... only to discover after doing a couple units that my children were not retaining anything. Like, nothing. Learning about Vikings all day does not teach them language arts and phonics. 😂 I leapt back into Abeka and learned many very valuable lessons. Pretty and easy doesn't mean anything when it comes to your child's education. School isn't meant to be coloring all day, or listening to me read 6 pages of a lesson that is intended for children up to twelfth grade. 😂
I don't mind their holiday units, but we use them strictly as "fun" days. I don't count them as actual school days, and I don't expect much from those days except coloring. 😂
Oh, and now I have sooooo many GR units, printed off, and ready to use. And nothing to do with them 😂😭.
@@jessisblessed6689 yes! I agree. GR pulls you in with the promise of something easy and family style but it doesn’t deliver. I’m sorry you spent so much money on it. Maybe you can sell them? 🤞🤞
We are christian. Mormons are not christian they are part of an occult. We use the good and the beautiful. For ela math and handwriting. We feel personally convicted to use a more directly christian and theologically rich curriculum for history, bible, and science.
Also tgatb does keep things pretty surface level with anything bible related. However, if you are familiar with the Mormon faith you will notice a few quotes here and there from Mormon leaders as well as I've noticed certain subjects (I can't remember which one) gives an alternative option for Mormon families that includes more Mormon history and background.
Although I don't think it's wrong to use the curriculum. As a pastors wife I can sincerely understand how some may feel convicted about it and not comfortable using or supporting it.
I was there in the beginning of GR. I was a moderator of their FB group and I saw some stuff. All I'm going to say is you are 100% on target in my opinion/experience.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I’ve debated using this curriculum and I agree, it’s expensive when you need to buy multiple levels for a curriculum that only lasts a few weeks (individual units). It makes sense why you would question her motives, and I’ve had many of the same thoughts you expressed. Even if people are upset by your opinion, it’s your opinion, and it’s better to say it and open up discussion than to let the opinions of other people shut you down. ❤️
Thank you! 💗
My thoughts exactly! I've been debating trying the curriculum but I remembered seeing the cringy video when it came out and I was using TGTB. I'm very hesitant to purchase Gather Round even though it looks like what I was wanting for next year.
I know the struggle 😆 I kept going back to her curriculum too but after hearing all the comments from people saying it was more like a “Wikipedia” curriculum, I figured it’s enough if I just use living books from the library and do notebooking as a family. If you haven’t heard of sherry hayes (mom delights), she gives encouragement on educating without boxed curriculum.
There’s actually quite a few moms, like myself, that are not comfortable with “The Good and the Beautiful” because the founder is Mormon. There are even moms that are upset that they thought it was a Christian curriculum and only found out the founder’s religion after they bought it.
As a reformed Presbyterian, I do lean towards curriculum that is supportive of not only our Christian beliefs but, if possible, our denominational beliefs. When I use a curriculum from a Catholic, secular, or non-reformed author I’m hyper aware of where I might need to edit based on our family’s beliefs.
Catholics have curriculums completely devoted to being in alignment with their denominational beliefs. So, it’s not a rarity to have a curriculum in alignment with a denomination or for a family to desire it.
As far as “Gather Around,” I considered the curriculum and I agree that I don’t think it’s “enough.”
Whether she was being self-serving or just created something that fit her convictions after she realized she needed to leave “The Good and the Beautiful,”I don’t know.
I understand what you’re saying, but TGTB doesn’t have any Mormon doctrine in it. You can look it up on their website. They don’t lean towards any one specific denomination.
@@madisonhoppermomlife5444 I understand that it doesn't explicitly teach Mormon doctrine. However, if you refer to their website it states that it is a Christian curriculum, this is not true. Mormonism is not a Christian denomination. I'm all about being ecumenical with my Orthodox, Catholic, and plethora of Protestant denominations (including the ones that prefer a "non" in front) brothers and sisters that believe and profess the gospel. Mormonism is a false gospel. The curriculum purports that Mormons and Christians worship the same God, we do not. Teaching my kids from "The Good and the Beautiful," I believe, would perpetuate the lie that Mormonism is just another branch of Christianity. I understand that other brothers and sisters in Christ might not share this conviction, but I do and so do many others.
You sound a little bitter towards Rebecca. I do not use Gather Round. I know of her and have enjoyed her curriculum reviews in the past. Rebecca has the right to express her opinion of whatever curriculum though I may or may not agree with her just like you have the same right. However, it sounds like you just did the exact same thing that you said Rebecca did in her G & B video. I have not watched Rebecca's video nor do I plan to. I regret watching this video but at least I know how you feel about Rebecca.
I think she has the right to express her opinion just like I do. I just don’t think that was all she was doing. She had ulterior motives.
Rude comment. She is giving her opinion. Don't judge her that makes you no better.
I wish the founder of GR had just made a video saying ‘hey y’all, I’ve decided to go on an adventure and have been writing my own curriculum, I’d love to share it with you…’ there was no reason to even talk about Jenny or TGATB.
I no longer use TGATB for everything like I did in the beginning because we follow a full CM curriculum, but I LOVE the company (not because I am also a member of the same church- cause not every church member lives according to the gospel that is taught on Sundays 😜) because she is such an amazing example of what it means to be Christ-like in this world. ❤❤
You don't know that for a fact though do you? You're assuming she does. Why do you care? Jenny Phillips didn't come out with a hate video, not did she encourage anyone else to.
I remember this drama on TH-cam with her. I also felt icky about it some. I have attempted Gather Round units here and there. I don’t really love them…especially reading. I did choose to use the government this year to introduce the topics to my girls. We use it weekly because I couldn’t use it daily 😂 It is a lot of reading. I agree with most of these points about it all!
I’m glad I’m not the only one that felt that way when this all went down! Thanks for sharing. I agree about the reading. 😂
I have had similar feelings. I didn't try GR for the longest time because of the icky feeling I got when I watched her video years ago. After seeing so many youtube mommas rave about GR, I finally bought a few units to try this year and our first one was Chemistry. I was excited to try it because of the concept of chemistry in everyday life. I thought it would be a better way for my youngest to understand it, but it was a bust. I have a kid each in high school, middle school, and elementary and was hoping it would be perfect to have them all together for a subject. I've been hestitant to start another one because it just didn't work for us. It was painful to get through each day and my kids didn't enjoy it. I also had a lot of chemistry education and thought it was lacking in depth. I haven't seen any reviews on the GR chemistry unit so I wonder if it was not a great one to start with. Maybe the others are better. I have the Pyschology and Entrepneurship units. Hopefully, they work better. It's a great concept of gathering them all together. I have been having my 2nd and 8th grader combine for science with the TGAB units this second half of the year and it has been going great! (I am loving their new ones so much better than the older versions!) So I'm going to finish out the year with TGAB science units for them. My 11th grader is doing a Chemistry class online with Journey Homeschool Academy and it's working much better!
I'm thinking about using Journey for my kid. Thinking about their Earth Science for a 7 year old. What do you think of Jourey?
@@kaylacrittenden7760 we have only used the high school chemistry class and it is working for us so far. I love unit studies for the littles. We have used campfire curriculum, TGAB, and just made our own with library books, videos/documentaries, printables from homeschooling mamas (For the Love of Homeschooling is a good resource)
So u didn't like it when she dropped it, but bought it, and u still dont like it? I wouldn't have even ordered it. Seems many families ditched it within 2 years of it coming out. I have been homeschooling for 4 years, and i have looked into a whole variety of curriculums... and i have found there is a huge part of the christain homeschool community thay will stand 10 toes down on a shit curriculum due to them being "friends" or in the same "click" its a very highschool mentality. Either way i remember when she did her leaving g&b and the community seeming to be "parted"... i find it funny people are still going on about this yeara later. But happy u got this off ur chest ❤
I miss living in a world where grown ups can dislike something and just not use it anymore. Now we live in a world where these grown ups feel the need to make a 19 minute video ranting about what they don't like or agree with. I clicked on this video thinking I would get actual information about the curriculum. Be a grown up. If you don't like it, find something you do like. There's no need to screw a bunch of nonsense hate about something you don't have all the facts for. What a ridiculous video.
@@ChristyLile you knew what you were getting into when you clicked on this video. You saw the title and thumbnail. Don’t play innocent. You are just as much a part of this world today as anyone else. Give me a break.
Amen! Also the maker of gather round does not have academic credentials where tgatb does. My reason for homeschooling was to choose academically sound materials.
Agreed!
Rebecca doesn't write most of her units. Like The Good and the Beautiful, she also has a team of writers, and many of those writers have academic credentials.
Ohhh! I feel exactly the same way. Her video bashing TGATB planting those seeds of,”Oh you shouldn’t use it” and then coming out with a new curriculum. It was very brazen of her at the very least! It was very surprising to me that she has kept that video up! I definitely have looked into the curriculum after other moms raved about it, but it just never appealed to me.
Thank you! You get it!!
And the owner of GR is raising the price. Especially on the digital. I can't remember exactly, but it's going up quite a bit.
And??? Welcome to 2024!!
@ReiverGrad14 😂 And... people complain about it being ridiculously overpriced all. the. time. It's been awhile since I watched this video, but I'm pretty sure cost was a point she made. Hence my comment about the price. You must be a GR diehard 😂
The problem with “God told me” is that God has spoken the same thing to all of us. It’s the Bible. He doesn’t deliver individual messages to certain people, as He is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33) and He has made it clear (Galatians 1:8-9) that no other message is valid. Every whim or thought is not a message. Man inserting himself is always problematic. Most of the time a “message” one receives is in direct contradiction to another’s.
I like this explanation. Thanks for sharing.
All that above said…..we did the Gather Round Christmas Around the World. I thought it was very good and my kids enjoyed it. But it was VERY expensive. Multiple age-ranges plus all the little add-ons that pile up. Whew! There are a few other Gather around units we might do one day. Mainly, holiday or special theme units. After looking through the samples and reviews, I wouldn’t use them as my main curriculum. We’ve done some Campfire units too. One was a total bust, others were good (not great), and some were excellent. But even with Core Connections in the Campfire units, I wouldn’t trust them for my sole source of education. I saw GR’s response to Campfire’s criticism but I never could find Campfire’s initial comments or video or whatever it was. Anybody know where I could see that? I’d be curious to know what Campfire said. I know it was a critique of GR’s sourcing.
You don't sound like one gossiping & being awful like you are
@de5889 I've never been able to find the original video either. By time I found out about the drama, it was taken down. I specifically remember something about GR using Wikipedia as a source.
@@de5889Also, I agree with you.
I've tried both GR and TGATB. I would never use GR as a standalone curriculum, there just is not enough language arts in it to be sufficient, and even if you use their seatwork journal add ons, I've looked through them and some of the HIGH SCHOOL versions are teaching language arts concepts that my 3rd Grader is currently learning in Abeka.
I agree with you on the Holiday units. My children thoroughly enjoyed Christmas Around The World, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter.
Both TGATB and GR are very "pretty" but I don't feel either of them are tried and true, solid curriculum.
I agree the origins of Gather Round is rooted in dishonesty. Clearly Christians have different levels of conviction regarding supporting dishonest behavior, but I’m not comfortable with it.
We’re also academic homeschoolers and from looking jt over, GR is just not a fit, personally.
Yes! Agreed.
I would like to support people that believe the same as me but I don't always think it's possible. I look at what my kids need and what works best for us. I used two different Gather round holiday units and it worked great for us. I use Good and the Beautiful language arts and it works well too.
Agreed! That’s all we can do. 💗
You are kinda rude about Rebecca. I’ve met her and she is the sweetest person. I watched it play out too but I still don’t have an attitude towards her. You seem gossipy ? How does this bring Glory to Jesus ?
You watch it play out too yet you said in a separate comment that she was just talking about writing for Master Books. That’s incorrect so it seems you didn’t see it all unfold.
@@madisonhoppermomlife5444 she hadn’t decided to do gather round at that point. And why does it matter if she planned to make
Her own curriculum? It’s not like she’s is doing something sinful or a crime ???? She’s a kind person. You do not know her heart nor do you know her.
This is coming from me who knows her and has used her curriculum since year 1.
But Rebecca basically verbally assaulting Jenny Phillips and causing a LOT of drama brings glory to God? 🤣 Sure Jan.
@@BookMama72 no she didn’t. She spoke truth
You only used one unit. So not sure you can have an opinion. You can’t judge her heart bc you don’t know her.
I can have an opinion from the unit I used. To me it was obvious what her intentions were when I watched it all unfold live many years ago. However, that is also my opinion.
Everyone is entitled to have an opinion on it and we've all seen how it unfolded, her heart has nothing to do with it, she's all about the money. She's selling a half a** product for expensive prices, its not about heart, it's about greed.
She was hinting at her Bible curriculum masterbooks. That was before gather round
Gather Round was coming.