Thank you for sharing. I would normally shy away from vlogs like this because of how they present the things they didn't like and convince others not to buy but because it was you I watched. I wanted to say you did this very well and very tastefully. This was a great share and great info.
I’m so glad my heart showed bc I too don’t like videos that bash curriculums bc even though it doesn’t work for one doesn’t mean it won’t work for others but I also saw it could be helpful to talk about some that haven’t worked so I’m so thankful it didn’t come off as bashing.
I totally agree with you. We really need to hear why a curriculum didn't work along with why it did. Otherwise we risk getting swept along with someone else's enthusiasm (and bias.) And we could pick a program that isn't best suited for our own children.
I love your heart for the gospel teaching of your children! It took me a while to discern a lot of the moralistic teach on "Christian" material, and now I can't unsee it!
I didn’t care for Masterbooks Foundation Phonics either! I’ve actually been working on a video explaining why, but one of my reasons is very similar to yours.
I have just found your videos! Love them and subscribed. Love that suggest reformed Christian resources. Do you know when that manners program will be coming out? I so want one of those with a biblical basis!
I feel the same way about the lack of repetition in Master Books. We loved that curriculum but it bothered me when they would go over something once then it would show up a month later in a review and it was a more “challenging” concept that should have been covered more than once.
As a math tutor: I have never met a student that has liked Saxon math. I do think it has a lot of really great solid coverage of concepts but IMO makes concepts very overly complicated, and boring, especially in high school. I think Homeschoolers have the idea that we need math to be challenging and hard and rigorous which is why they choose Saxon. So many other ways to make math fun and still challenging!
I agree with masterbooks language lessons. I was bummed that it was a waste if money. I really like the science and history from Masterbooks, but language and math did not work for us.
I totally agree with you about Language lessons and phonics/teaching a child to read. My kids could never learn to read from Language Lessons. It is very much lacking in good, solid phonics instruction. I teach my kids to read with All About Reading and/or Logic of English. However, I LOVE Language Lessons levels 2 & 3 for an intro to grammar and learning how to write a solid paragraph. We use it mainly for grammar for levels 2-3 and then move on beyond there to various LA curriculum dependent on each child and what they need. I don't use level 2 & 3's spelling either as I also find that very lacking. We use Spelling You See (dyslexia here too).
I love that you brought up the Moralistic approach that the Etiquette Factory takes. I have browsed their table at numerous homeschool conferences but its always been way too expensive for us. But I'm glad we never took the leap because the moralistic approach would be a definite no for us. Moralism wont change the heart of our kids or teach them to depend on Christ ❤
I agree with you on the manners curriculum. Not that I have used that specific curriculum, but more that I haven't found one that has a biblical foundation. I am very interested to see what you come up with!
Totally agree with Masterbooks LA we just use it for practice on any concept if needed, otherwise we really don’t touch it. Our spine for Language Arts is First Language Lessons and Lightning Literature for grammar, Writing with Ease, All About Reading and All About Spelling and we loop everything. We don’t use all of it every day. For math one of my kids LOVES The good and the beautiful, even though I have tried to steer him towards Math Mammoth lol, but he just loves his curriculum and thrives on it. So🤷🏻♀️ his choice😆 My other son doesn’t thrive on TGTB so we started Math with Confidence and so far he loves it. Let’s see how this year works out🤞🏼🤞🏼 Wishing everyone a happy and amazing homeschool year💜
100% agreed! Well except I wouldn't go with Apology just because I think 1 year on one topic is too long for my family right now, but still a great curriculum. 😊 I was so happy to hear you say these things, just affirming my thoughts also, and you said them very kindly. Great review!
Thanks for sharing. From Masterbooks I agree on not being thrilled with their LA and even their Math. But I've actually loved their Science. We are using the Life for Beginners for Science, and it's divided into (1) Plants, (2)Body, and (3)Animals. Since they are just focussing on one main topic per quarter, I feel like it goes deep enough for my Kinder and 1st grader without overwhelming them. I've also heard great things about their History, though we arent there yet 😊
Please do your manners course!! Any thoughts on teaching the fruits of the spirit to kids 9 and under? I keep looking but finding Sunday school stuff... I want an actual curriculum for homeschool...
I’m hoping to be able to turn the manners course into something I can share. As far as the fruits of the spirit I have not found things outside of a Sunday school format either.
Thanks for sharing! I felt the same about Masterbooks Language Lessons for a Living education. We were adding other things in and it didn’t seem worth it to keep doing this curriculum
We love masterbooks but have never used their language arts and I don’t think foundation phonics is enough either!!! I was hearing it wasn’t good for dyslexia as well!!! We looked at Abecca science for my youngest but we thought we do the science I already do when she’s ready and we will redo certain things with her!!! She’s not yet doing science!!!
We switched from Abeka science for many of the same reasons. It was very top level and repetitive. It was really difficult to keep my daughter's attention when she had already learned the basics of the topic and we had to read quite a bit to get to the deeper portion of that specific scientific concept.
Absolutely agree with you on LLFLE and Foundation Phonics. And we use Saxon but with Nicole. I don't think I'd use it otherwise so I'm with you on that as well. Thanks for the video. You're saving people a lot of money, hopefully!
I feel the same way about Masterbooks. The only subject we've liked from them is science. We've really enjoyed the age appropriateness of their program.
I did saxon math 3 with my son. I liked the teachers manual. It was easy to use. The workbook though focused too much on unimportant things like lines and rays. It completely skipped things that were in the lessons. We now do CTC math and love it. My son has dyslexia and dysgraphia. CTC took the battle over writing problems away.
Saxon is so dry! I tried grade 1 with one of my sons and I thought I’ll never use it again ! One of my sons needed a new math program and he actually loves it, he’s very to the point haha. But he pretty much does it all himself, I may do Nicole the math lady once the concepts get too difficult
One of your IG reels on the apologia experiments totally sold me on that curriculum. I had been looking at it then I saw all the fun you guys had and was like “sold! Add to cart” 🤣
Ohhhh I’m glad you mentioned that about the etiquette factory. I saw that our convention and it looked amazing but they were so just I couldn’t talk to them and just kinda added it to my list.
I used Saxon math as a homeschooler. I think it is best suited for middle school, since middle school math concepts are very important for everyday life. Conversions, fractions, etc). But I don’t think they need any of that extra repetition.
Oh man, I'm trying Saxon for the first time this year because of Rian! Haha You know what? I bought a science curriculum from masterbooks and noticed rhat they had some stories in there to read to the kiddos that were based on Bible characters but the events in the stories weren't in the Bible. I didn't like that at all, so because of your suggestion for apologia, that's actually what we're going with this year. Also, I'd LOVE to hear more about your manners course!! Keep us posted!
Saxon works for so many people and especially if your kids get distracted easily by all the extras then it’s a great way to go. And yay for apologia I’m sure you will love it
Thank you for sharing. I would normally shy away from vlogs like this because of how they present the things they didn't like and convince others not to buy but because it was you I watched. I wanted to say you did this very well and very tastefully. This was a great share and great info.
I’m so glad my heart showed bc I too don’t like videos that bash curriculums bc even though it doesn’t work for one doesn’t mean it won’t work for others but I also saw it could be helpful to talk about some that haven’t worked so I’m so thankful it didn’t come off as bashing.
I totally agree with you. We really need to hear why a curriculum didn't work along with why it did. Otherwise we risk getting swept along with someone else's enthusiasm (and bias.) And we could pick a program that isn't best suited for our own children.
Exactly. I never want to speak bad about a curriculum but I do think it helps so much to share the pros and cons of different curriculums.
I love your heart for the gospel teaching of your children! It took me a while to discern a lot of the moralistic teach on "Christian" material, and now I can't unsee it!
So true once you see it you can’t unsee it
I didn’t care for Masterbooks Foundation Phonics either! I’ve actually been working on a video explaining why, but one of my reasons is very similar to yours.
Can’t wait to see your video
Can you please make a video on your manners course
I definitely will when I finish it!
I have just found your videos! Love them and subscribed. Love that suggest reformed Christian resources. Do you know when that manners program will be coming out? I so want one of those with a biblical basis!
I am not sure of an exact time. There is still a lot of tweaking that needs to be done
I feel the same way about the lack of repetition in Master Books. We loved that curriculum but it bothered me when they would go over something once then it would show up a month later in a review and it was a more “challenging” concept that should have been covered more than once.
Yes exactly
As a math tutor: I have never met a student that has liked Saxon math. I do think it has a lot of really great solid coverage of concepts but IMO makes concepts very overly complicated, and boring, especially in high school. I think Homeschoolers have the idea that we need math to be challenging and hard and rigorous which is why they choose Saxon. So many other ways to make math fun and still challenging!
So true
We just jumped into Saxon 7/6 with Nicole the Math lady. One lesson in! Pretty good so far, lol! I wouldn't have used it otherwise.
She seems amazing
I agree with masterbooks language lessons. I was bummed that it was a waste if money. I really like the science and history from Masterbooks, but language and math did not work for us.
Yeah we have had great experiences with some of the other things from master books
I totally agree with you about Language lessons and phonics/teaching a child to read. My kids could never learn to read from Language Lessons. It is very much lacking in good, solid phonics instruction. I teach my kids to read with All About Reading and/or Logic of English. However, I LOVE Language Lessons levels 2 & 3 for an intro to grammar and learning how to write a solid paragraph. We use it mainly for grammar for levels 2-3 and then move on beyond there to various LA curriculum dependent on each child and what they need. I don't use level 2 & 3's spelling either as I also find that very lacking. We use Spelling You See (dyslexia here too).
That’s a great way to do it
I love that you brought up the Moralistic approach that the Etiquette Factory takes. I have browsed their table at numerous homeschool conferences but its always been way too expensive for us. But I'm glad we never took the leap because the moralistic approach would be a definite no for us. Moralism wont change the heart of our kids or teach them to depend on Christ ❤
Exactly
I hope you plan on selling your etiquette curriculum!! I'm eBook form anyway, cause we are on the other side of the world!
I'm hoping so as well!!
I have thought about it and if it turns out to be any good I might.
I agree with you on the manners curriculum. Not that I have used that specific curriculum, but more that I haven't found one that has a biblical foundation. I am very interested to see what you come up with!
yes 💯
Totally agree with Masterbooks LA we just use it for practice on any concept if needed, otherwise we really don’t touch it. Our spine for Language Arts is First Language Lessons and Lightning Literature for grammar, Writing with Ease, All About Reading and All About Spelling and we loop everything. We don’t use all of it every day.
For math one of my kids LOVES The good and the beautiful, even though I have tried to steer him towards Math Mammoth lol, but he just loves his curriculum and thrives on it. So🤷🏻♀️ his choice😆
My other son doesn’t thrive on TGTB so we started Math with Confidence and so far he loves it.
Let’s see how this year works out🤞🏼🤞🏼
Wishing everyone a happy and amazing homeschool year💜
Yes it does make a great book for extra practice and I love that we can use different curriculums for different kids.
@@LifeintheMundane yessss 💯 percent!!
Agree an the language arts masterbooks, we did it for one year and that was it. It felt more like a workbook not a curriculum!
Agreed
Glad I never jumped in with LLFALE. Phew!
Yep knowing you I know you would not have liked it
I love finding new channels through collaborations! New subscriber🍎❤️
Welcome!!
100% agreed! Well except I wouldn't go with Apology just because I think 1 year on one topic is too long for my family right now, but still a great curriculum. 😊 I was so happy to hear you say these things, just affirming my thoughts also, and you said them very kindly. Great review!
Thanks
Thanks for sharing. From Masterbooks I agree on not being thrilled with their LA and even their Math. But I've actually loved their Science. We are using the Life for Beginners for Science, and it's divided into (1) Plants, (2)Body, and (3)Animals. Since they are just focussing on one main topic per quarter, I feel like it goes deep enough for my Kinder and 1st grader without overwhelming them. I've also heard great things about their History, though we arent there yet 😊
Yes we have loved some of their other subjects as well.
Please do your manners course!! Any thoughts on teaching the fruits of the spirit to kids 9 and under? I keep looking but finding Sunday school stuff... I want an actual curriculum for homeschool...
I’m hoping to be able to turn the manners course into something I can share. As far as the fruits of the spirit I have not found things outside of a Sunday school format either.
Thanks for sharing! I felt the same about Masterbooks Language Lessons for a Living education. We were adding other things in and it didn’t seem worth it to keep doing this curriculum
Totally agree!
We love masterbooks but have never used their language arts and I don’t think foundation phonics is enough either!!! I was hearing it wasn’t good for dyslexia as well!!! We looked at Abecca science for my youngest but we thought we do the science I already do when she’s ready and we will redo certain things with her!!! She’s not yet doing science!!!
😍
We switched from Abeka science for many of the same reasons. It was very top level and repetitive. It was really difficult to keep my daughter's attention when she had already learned the basics of the topic and we had to read quite a bit to get to the deeper portion of that specific scientific concept.
I’m so thankful that there are so many options out there
Yes! Same with maybe I’ll do Saxon with Nichole the Math Lady.
She’s so fun
I am really interested in apologia! I'm really enjoying this collab. I've never heard of that last curriculum you mentioned. Thanks for sharing mama!
Thank you for watching
This is definitely a fun and interesting collab topic!
Yes, I thought so too
Absolutely agree with you on LLFLE and Foundation Phonics. And we use Saxon but with Nicole. I don't think I'd use it otherwise so I'm with you on that as well. Thanks for the video. You're saving people a lot of money, hopefully!
Yeah Nicole just makes it look so much more fun
I feel the same way about Masterbooks. The only subject we've liked from them is science. We've really enjoyed the age appropriateness of their program.
Yes I’ve heard great things about their science
I did saxon math 3 with my son. I liked the teachers manual. It was easy to use. The workbook though focused too much on unimportant things like lines and rays. It completely skipped things that were in the lessons. We now do CTC math and love it. My son has dyslexia and dysgraphia. CTC took the battle over writing problems away.
That is awesome!
TY so much for all that you take the time to share... Always such a blessing!! TY! (=
You’re welcome
Very wise words to introduce this topic & I must say enjoyed your video!
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it
Ouuu a manners course! I'm excited to see what you come up with! ❤️
I’m hoping it turns out as good in person as it is in my head lol 😂
Saxon is so dry! I tried grade 1 with one of my sons and I thought I’ll never use it again ! One of my sons needed a new math program and he actually loves it, he’s very to the point haha. But he pretty much does it all himself, I may do Nicole the math lady once the concepts get too difficult
Yes some kids it works great for and that's what I love about homeschooling is we can pick and choose curriculums for each of our kids.
One of your IG reels on the apologia experiments totally sold me on that curriculum. I had been looking at it then I saw all the fun you guys had and was like “sold! Add to cart” 🤣
Ohhhh I’m glad you mentioned that about the etiquette factory. I saw that our convention and it looked amazing but they were so just I couldn’t talk to them and just kinda added it to my list.
😂 that’s so funny
I grew up with Saxon math too. I don’t want to go back to that either! 😂
😂😂😂 #scaredforlife
Thanks for this video! I would love to know more about your etiquette course when you're ready!
I will definitely share more once I figure it all out lol.
I used Saxon math as a homeschooler. I think it is best suited for middle school, since middle school math concepts are very important for everyday life. Conversions, fractions, etc). But I don’t think they need any of that extra repetition.
I meant they don’t need that extra repetition before middle school.
That actually makes a lot of sense
I agree with you about the Etiquette Factory. Expensive and not biblical.
We are trying Apologia for the first time!
That’s exciting! Which apologia are you doing this year?
@@LifeintheMundane astronomy
I was happy to hear you like Apologia science. We are trying out their science for the first time this year.
Love love love apologia
I'm with you on Saxon Math. It was painful for me to teach 😬
It’s a tough one
Oh man, I'm trying Saxon for the first time this year because of Rian! Haha
You know what? I bought a science curriculum from masterbooks and noticed rhat they had some stories in there to read to the kiddos that were based on Bible characters but the events in the stories weren't in the Bible. I didn't like that at all, so because of your suggestion for apologia, that's actually what we're going with this year.
Also, I'd LOVE to hear more about your manners course!! Keep us posted!
Saxon works for so many people and especially if your kids get distracted easily by all the extras then it’s a great way to go.
And yay for apologia I’m sure you will love it
We love Saxon!! I’ve used it for all three kids!
Where do you find the apologia science? I tried Abeka and felt it was way too traditional for me.
Here is where you can find Apologia www.apologia.com?a_aid=603b98390018c
Thank you!
Love all your reasons! Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome!
This is so perfect😀.
Thanks
@@LifeintheMundane my friends your welcome😀.
I wasn’t a fan of Saxon either!
It’s definitely not for everyone
I’m the same for science too :)
🥰
Spot on for the Masterbooks language arts
Glad I’m not the only one
I totally agree about LLFLE but we like straight forward Saxon 🤣 We are trying out Nicole the math lady for Algebra 1 this year.
😂