Hi! Thank you so much for joining me! My name is Lauren and I'm a homeschooling mom to 3 girls. I never thought I would homeschool my children - the thought alone made me cringe! But God had different plans for my life and changed my desires completely. Now I can't imagine NOT homeschooling! I owe a large part of my homeschooling journey to what I've learned through research, talking with other moms, and by watching other RU-vid mom videos! They've been so helpful and inspirational to me and I would love the opportunity to give back to other homeschoolers, in hopes that I may be an encouragement to them too. I strive for excellence in my homeschool, but in a realistic way. I'm not a perfect homeschooler - I'm a practical homeschooler.
THANK YOU very much for your WONDERFUL videos and taking the time to show in detail both curriculum. You are an AMAZING teacher and professional. Truly helpful! May you and all your subscribers be abundantly blessed! 26-Aug-2024
You are truly an AMAZING Teacher and Professional! Thank you very much for taking the time to show in detail both curriculum. You have taken away all my stress. Now I feel confident in the methodology of BOTH! Thank you again! May you, your family and all your subscribers be abundantly BLESSED! 26-Aug-2024
THANK YOU very much for taking the time and effort to show us in detail both resources! Truly helpful! Your House looks very beautiful and BLESSED! Many heavenly graces to you and all your subscribers! 26-Aug-2024
Hi! Lauren, my name is Naomi. I have a question regarding parent kit. Did you buy the complete parent kit or just the essential for your 1st and 2nd grade?
On average how long are your school days? I go about 6 and my girls aren’t thrilled. 😂 The caveat to our homeschool days is that we have 3 hours at co-op on Mondays and all day Thursdays one girl is in a outdoor exploration group and the other one is doing all her extracurricular activities at a co-op. SO MUCH STUFF.
@@hollyalong2780 it depends on the year and I can’t say for this year but last year maybe like 4 hours give or take? It’s hard to say because we stop for lunch and time outside which I don’t really count as our school hours. I hear you with all the activities! It’s easy to want to do it all! We’ve really had to prioritize this year because there are so many good options!
Since you’re finishing up the good and the beautiful science curriculums I’d recommend you checking out science shepherd. It’s one I’m looking at for my kids when they get a little older or even combining kids in. 😊
Great job planning! It looks like a lot to me but if anyone can do it you can. You're so blessed with high energy and a strong voice for reading out loud. It's wise to do nothing but the co-op on Wednesdays. The 3 years I did different co-ops it was a big deal and I never had the time and energy to teach anything those days of the week. We're starting after Labor Day but our dance nights begin early and We're starting 2 subjects now just to make sure we like that new curriculum. I like to ease into the school year a little bit early. I find it really helps with the transition
I like your quarterly lesson planning sheet. That is nice and flexible. 😊 I printed out the memorization passages by week as well. It’s working really well so far. 😊
This is our first year with Sonlight and are using Core D. I have really been liking it! I noticed the William Wilberforce book you have is a different one than what they schedule. Just curious why you are using a different one 😊 I’m already thinking about next year and want to start slowly gathering the books! Thanks for the planning video. It gave me some good ideas!
This was very helpful! This is my 2nd year, and I appreciate the year overview and your thought process down to the week! It is thorough but also easy to follow! Thank you so much for sharing!!
I would have thought that Abeka and BJU would more be in the same vein. I wouldn’t have really thought that TGTB would be comparable. A comparing apples to oranges situation. Maybe I should look into BJU more. I grew up on Abeka so I know well what that is and what it entails.
@@homeschoollifemom I agree that Abeka and BJU are more similar because they are both traditional and are used in Christian schools. But many of my earlier videos compared Abeka and TGTB and I’ve used both in the younger years that’s why I get that question
THANK YOU! For your wonderful video and going in detail with each resource workbook. You are an AMAZING MOM and I wish you the very best in all your endeavors. I know all your children will do GREAT in life. Best wishes to all!
Two of my kiddos are going back to homeschooling after Christian school, and I've had more doubts in myself this time around than the first time we did, and this message is such a blessing and encouragement to me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject!
I am so stuck in between using BJU and TGTB. I have watched both your videos on them. I have been using TGTB but outsourcing spelling to All about spelling because spelling has been a struggle but also using, Fix it Grammar and a different writing curriculum and now moving to Level 4 idk if its worth continuing to TGTB level 4 with outsourcing or switching BJU English 4.
@@kristinabecerra4068 you could always try it for a year (BJU), since you’re supplementing/switching so much, and if it’s not a good fit then you can go back. That’s initially why we went to BJU because by the time I changed spelling and reading and writing there was really no point in continuing TGTB
We quit Abeka. It was really repetitive. And I felt I wasted money on it because I found out my daughter didn’t need all that. Plus the handwriting was a lot when there was a lot of writing in all the worksheets. Good and beautiful we are sticking with for now. And starting spelling you see for handwriting/ spelling. That’ll be new for us because my kid hates handwriting. Haven’t found something fun until now so I’ll see how that goes. I liked the Abeka phonics cards and the way they taught reading but I like the good and beautiful one too. But you’re right in your old videos when it came to handwriting with Abeka , it’s a lot.
Not homeschool related, and maybe you’ve addressed this before but I’m a relatively new subscriber. What nationality is your husband? Your daughters are all so beautiful!
@@srb218 aww thank you! His heritage is Mexican and Spanish (which I know is part of the Mexican heritage but one of his grandparents’ family was from Spain)
So I am so overwhelmed trying to decide what to use to teach my 6 year old to read. I am about to have a C-section for my sixth baby. So with soon six kids and recovering from surgery I need something super simple and non overwhelming and effective. What would be your top recommendation???
Idk if this helps, but I used the Good and the Beautiful to teach all three of my kids how to read. They all enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, it's affordable, it's open and go... So you're not having to plan anything. It has worked really well for us.
@@beachgurl788 I’d say the good and the beautiful also. There is a reason it’s so popular. It will definitely do the job of teaching reading. And again, you don’t have to be married to the curriculum forever. Also, I have a whole video called “the simple way I taught my child to read” and that uses Abeka but just a workbook, some readers, some flashcards (optional) and a reading handbook. You can check that one out too to see if it might be a good fit
Love this video!! Thank you!! Love that you say that about being a patient mom 😅 Great tips!! Looking forward to the comparison videos for TGATB and BJU. Thank you!!
Fun video! Good for you answering these questions. I've homeschooled for 12 years and my youngest two are eighth and ninth grade this year. I like your suggestions about when the kids aren't paying attention or doing their school work and those are what I used especially when the kids were younger.. This is what has been successful for me as they get older. I have a list of consequences that I pull from. First of all they have to do school before they get any screen time, call friends or get to do any fun activities. They check mark each subject off on their planners and show it to me when they are done. As the day goes by I start using consequences such as oh you don't feel like doing school...then you can do chores instead and I have things in mind that they can do. Or you won't get any screen time today. Or if there was an activity planned such as a dance class then we won't go tonight. Another one I use is if you don't do the subject now, you will have to do double lessons on Friday. It might sound threatening or mean but it's all about the parents attitude. It's like this is their work, they have to do it, and they don't have options. Just like in the real world when we don't do our work there are consequences. There can also be rewards for a good school week such as something fun on a Saturday afternoon lined up.
@@pajamamama5965 great tips! And no it’s not threatening either…I tell them that too. “Hey do you think dad wanted to get up at 6 am and work outside for 8 hours in the cold, rain, heat, etc?” Setting the expectation that this is their job is very important
@@thepracticalhomeschooler Exactly! Doing school is training for their successful livelihood. Unfortunately Ive known a number of home schoolers that just haven't prioritized the curriculum, learning, and the daily discipline of doing the school work. Ultimately that shows up in our character such as delayed gratification, perseverance, as well as handling multiple responsibilities. All of that starts with us as parents and enforcing it for our kids. The consequences are actually an easy way of enforcement. Consistency is key.
@@tanyacagle2423 I hope it works for you and your kids too. It gives me peace of mind to know that I have a list of ideas in advance of how to handle situations as they arise. You can even write consequences down and look at your list in case you forget. Sometimes in the moment I will say "if you don't do this, there will be discipline". That buys me time to think about how I want to handle things. A lot of times they will say "what will happen"? I tell them "I'll let you know." 😆 Sometimes that's enough to motivate them LOL
@@bethyjg87 I’ve used Abeka k-3rd and BJU 4-6 so I can’t compare those two on equal fields really. We did do BJU level 2 reading program this year and it was FABULOUS! Also, for writing I did Abeka growing up and can say hands down, BJU has better writing instruction! We turned a big corner this year with my 4th and 6th grader for writing
I’ve ran the gamut with curriculum. Sonlight, Memoria Press, TGATB, Abeka and BJU Press. We’ve settled on BJU Press because my kids enjoy it, it’s flexible, not overwhelming, doesn’t break the bank and doesn’t require sitting at the table for 7 hours (ahem, Memoria Press 😅). Plus we love their Distance Learning option. All that to say is it’s okay to change your mind, pivot, and do something different. I am also not a “piece it together” with multiple different curriculums so I just found one that we loved, and even if they’re not the best in every subject that’s okay - consistency goes a long way.
@@lindsaysimplified that keeps things simple too when you do it all the same, as well as less decision fatigue for moms doing the curriculum shopping. so i definitely see the positive in that approach
@@thepracticalhomeschooler sorry for all the questions! I’m debating between bju 3 for English or tgatb level 2 or 3 for my 3rd grader. I really want to focus on writing. We already do all about reading and all about spelling. She is a reluctant writer. Which do you think would be better for her- bju or tgatb?
Would you please expound on why you switched from Beautiful Feet History (Early American K-3 if I'm not mistaken) back to Sonlight for this upcoming 24-25 school year? It seemed like you really loved Beautiful Feet, but aren't continuing with it. I appreciate your input because it has been a struggle trying to choose family subjects over here and I've been considering both these options, as well as several others (Notgrass, Masterbooks, Mystery of History, Story of the World). Our kids are 9th, 3rd, K and toddler, so big enough gaps combining is pretty tough! Thanks!
@@thepracticalhomeschooler I actually watched that one last night (along with several others). All I recall hearing was I think you said BF was geared to older students, but I was a little confused by that because I thought the one you chose was recommended for K-3rd grade. Wasn’t sure if I heard it right and with you teaching a couple grades beyond that, was a little confused. :)
@@christinamacedo7397 yes we did early elementary this year for early American history but for modern American history BFB offered middle school levels only. So it was between that and Sonlight since they don’t have a picture book version/early elementary modern American history
Swimming and summer movies are top summer faves for us too!! Yay for co-op! 😊 I’m glad you found one that seems like a good fit!! I agree with you on the science experiments! So much set up and clean up for it to fail😂
Do you still have one child in public school? Or do you have your 4th grader back at home with you? Curious to know if there were any transition difficulties or if it was really easy.
Hi! Thank you so much for your video! I wanted to ask a question regarding going from Abeka to TGTB. My daughter is currently doing 2nd grade with Abeka and it’s doing excellent. She’s done Abeka from K5. I absolutely love the way they teach phonics. But she is also 5 and 2 years ahead so I thinking of giving her a little bit of a break and have her do TGTB 3 and then start Abeka 3rd Grade after she finishes TGTB. With that being said my question is did either of your children struggle at all or get confused by the different verbiage? For example Abeka has a subject and a predicate where TGTB call is subject and verb. Or a declarative sentence and an interrogative sentence where as TGTB calls it a sentence or question. Also I know TGTB teaches phonics with word families and sight word but Abeka uses special sounds and blends. Did either of your children struggle with the change in phonics instruction? I appreciate your time. 🤍
Whenever that came up I would just use both words. So if it said predicate I would say “or verb” etc. for the phonics, I just always called them special sounds because that’s what my girls were familiar with
I somehow thought I was going to get so many projects done this summer and I've gotten zero done! Haha. I agree...it has been SO busy and gone by SO fast!
We are in our second year of homeschooling and second year at a co-op. I love it. Ours is very different than most I liked into, and it is a great fit. I pray your new co-op is a great fit for all of you.
I've also been in a newly-found reading season of motherhood as well and have been enjoying some good mysteries. I recommend Middle of the Night and God of the Woods. I still haven't finished God of the Woods, but it's been really good and no overly-steamy scenes yet 3/4 of the way through.
Some great thriller/suspense with no spice/no politics - Author Stacy Willingham - A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things (this one is really good for moms, its emotional but the author does it really well)
Jaime Jo Wright has some good ones- Souls of Lost Lake. Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is one of my favourites (people either love or hate it). Steve Cavanaugh's Eddie Flynn series is great at the start, goes downhill by book 6 i think? But his first handful are pretty good. 😊 My homeschool breaks are all over the place, I'm having my third baby in October and so I'm trying to finish out my term and prep for next term so I can have a good month off 😅
A Abeka only teaches through memorization but does not motivate STEM or logical and creative thinking. I have teached using Abeka and it was boring in primary school it teaches the same thing every year … same topics only adding more info.
