our local conference

[Cookies4me]

Well we just had our conference this last weekend.
I was a bit upset that there was a low turn out. I guess it's because of the court ruling in our state. :pout


I did however find some new programs that I like

I ordered general science for apologia. It's the new second edition

I also will be picking up Write shop :yay for my daughter

I ordered Lamp and quill's bible lessons for all my kids.
I was impressed with this one. Each grade level through adult teaches the same bible passage. They just require more thought process the older you get.
I am testing out one quarter. There are 6 in all.


I also found a book on children's reading theater. I want to do this with our entire home school group. Thought it would be quite fun. www.readerstheaterusa.com


Went to 4 classes some of them I could have taught my self :lol
Guess 5 years of doing this is showing.

[lisaann]

I felt like I could have taught the seminars last year as well. I guess after you do this for awhile you've seen it and heard it all.

Our MD curriculum fair is this weekend. :thumb My favorite fair is Pennsylvania's and that isn't until May (Mother's Day weekend).

[EmmieAZ]

Quick question from a soon-to-be-newbie...

Are the conventions a good place to buy curriculum? I have held off buying certain things that I am interested in thinking that I would buy it at my state's (AZ) convention. Are the prices better or worse than buying online, etc? Thanks!:)

[Cookies4me]

They almost always have convention prices. Bundle kits for the weekend only and remember you don't have to pay shipping. :yay Yes, It's a good time to buy or just look though it. If they have two days to look though products I would suggest not taking your money the first night and just look. It can be very over whelming the first time. (Remember you don't have to choose your child's 12 years of education in one day. Just pick things you would use a program you could see your child using for a year.) If a product speaks to you then you can get it. If it still leaves a question in your mind then at least you know about it and have held it in your hands.

[lisaann]

It is a great opportunity to really look at curriculum. :nod I wouldent recommend bringing your kids though because you just can't concentrate as well with them there.

[MochaMel]

^^ I agree i NEVER bring my kids'; i enjoy going to ours just about every year.. :thumb

[HSmomto4]

I want to go this year! It is always Memorial Weekend here so I normaly don't get to go.

[JustGiveMeJesus]

Quick question from a soon-to-be-newbie...

Are the conventions a good place to buy curriculum? I have held off buying certain things that I am interested in thinking that I would buy it at my state's (AZ) convention. Are the prices better or worse than buying online, etc? Thanks!:)

I can imagine that you are excited to soon be a "newbie"!!:yipee I can still remember being so happy and excited!!:hyper I still am, but after 18 years of homeschooling the new-ness has worn off some:) Every now and then that first time excitement comes flooding back and I love that!! Usually, after I have attended our state convention!
I have always found that this is a great place to buy your curriculum. It helps a little to know what you want and are going after because it can be overwhelming and often times very busy. But it's fun to look at all the new stuff too!:) The representitives are always helpful, too!:thumb
As far as better prices...I think the conventions have better prices. Some packaged deals and others have 10% or more discounts and you don't have to pay postage.
This is just my opinion. Listen to others, pray, pray,pray for the Lord's leading and WELCOME:welcome to homeschooling!! I'll be praying for you!!

[joyandpeace]

Curriculum fair here in Orlando was awesome. HUGE. Ours always has great childcare. This year they brought in nationally known childrens speakers to do a workshop for the kids on Biblical vs worldview. My kids loved it and I have 11, 8 and 5. Maybe you should look into a long wekend next year. It is always Memorial Day weekend. They have it at the Shingle Creek resort and the resort welcomes you to bring your family and they have the pool open to us as well as hotel guests. They had face painting and 6 bounce houses outside. I WAY over bought. So many incredibly cool kids Bible studies.

I plan on continuing:
Math U See
Story of the World
Spelling Power
Latina Christiana

New stuff I got is:
Balancing The Sword Bible Study
Supercharged Science
Power Glide Spanish
Vocabulary From Classical Roots

Sorry for rambling. Just got home and I guess I am excited.

[My Abba's Child]

Quick question from a soon-to-be-newbie...

Are the conventions a good place to buy curriculum? I have held off buying certain things that I am interested in thinking that I would buy it at my state's (AZ) convention. Are the prices better or worse than buying online, etc? Thanks!:)

Hi there, EmmieAZ! I'm also home schooling in AZ. :hat

We've been home schooling for a couple of years now, had ups and downs and setbacks, but also joys and I can really see my boys changing their thought processes. We started out using Switched on Schoolhouse (completely computerized curriculum), but they ABSOLUTELY HATED IT! hehe Bored 'em to tears. Now we're using Heart of Wisdom and they seem to enjoy that a lot more and I'm learning (and unlearning) just as much as they are! hehe SOS was pretty much a teacher's hands off, you used the computer program to assign work, the kids did it (or not) and the program graded their work (or lack thereof)... but a lot of times, the boys just refused to do the work. Heart of Wisdom is a MUCH more parent involved curriculum, I'm not just saying, read this, answer these questions, let me know when you're done; I'm actually TEACHING!! :)

In Heart of Wisdom, everything is integrated. You learn language arts, science, history, etc... all built around the Bible. Science is taught in Creation Order (the first pack deals with Creationism vs. Evolution, then the next pack deals with light, energy, matter, etc...) and History/Geography/Social Studies is taught from Creation to the Fall, Adam and Eve, Abel, Cain and Seth, from Seth to Noah, from Noah to the Flood, From the Flood to the Tower of Babel, from the confusion of language to the dispersion of people from the plains of Shinar, to Abrahm, ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Ancient Israel, Ancient Greece, etc... and it's all built around the Bible.

The only subject you have to supplement is Math. Language Arts are also built around the Bible. Bible Study class is recommended as the first class of the day and recommended in chronological order so that you are actually studying the whole Bible within 1 or 2 years. Of course, these are recommendations and there's no DEFINITE RIGIDITY to the program. I like that you buy it in small packs so that you don't have to put out a bunch of money all at once. It's very research oriented and teach to your child's interest oriented.

In His love,