|
|
|
The Homeschool Book Shop Newsletter>
August
August 6, 2009
Just wanted to let our dear friends know that we are still here! July and August have been extremely busy!! What a good time we are having. The materials coming in are of such a wide variety that I get positively giddy! What great fun to see so many styles of education, so many wonderful books and so many happy, hard working, dedicated homeschoolers!
We just wanted to let you know that we are loaded with some great books and the items on the waiting list are being filled more often all the time, so if you are waiting for something, chances are you will be hearing from us soon.
It has been intriguing to see what books are the most requested and the most sought after. If you are as curious as I am, you might like to know what folks seem to like.
For science...Apologia, Apologia, Apologia. The elementary books by Jeannie Fulbright are fascinating. The approach is based on the six days of creation and incorporate pictures, text and experiments. Some kids report that they love to spend time in these books because they are just so great! The secondary science books are in great demand as well. Both the first edition and the second edition are requested by all! The second edition has been enhanced with colorful pictures and more experiments. The reports are resoundingly favorable.
For grammar...Easy Grammar takes the prize for number of votes. It is straight forward, quick, gets the job done and is so easy to use! The debate has been over whether the older edition with the combined grades is better than the newer edition where each grade has its own book. The older editions sell just as fast as the new. We are still deciphering what the differences are in the two versions.
For math...we are hearing outstanding things about Teaching Textbooks. This program has all the appeal of color, self-teaching, self-correcting, no messy papers to keep track of and verbal explanations for every problem. Even our household is going to give it a try this year.
For history...the current favorite of our customers is Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer. History chronologically and world wide makes so much sense! Why did we ever get away from this? Suddenly the events we may all have heard about fit into the grand scheme of time and existence! The text book as a book or on audio CD, activity book (with extensive reinforcement) and a test book make this a popular choice.
For curriculum...the top choices by many homeschoolers are A Beka, Sonlight, My Father's World and Rod & Staff.
Our family considers Bible our most important subject. We use a variety of ways to teach this foundational subject. First and foremost is Scripture. There is no replacement for reading God's Word aloud. Reading, singing the scriptures and talking are the three most significant ways, but occasionally, we add a study or devotional to our regular family worship. There has not been a noticeable trend at The Book Shop. A wide variety of materials are used. What does your family do? Do you use a Bible curriculum?
It has been delightful to hear about so many family vacations and summer activities and we are seeing a wide variety of emotions as households are ramping up for the new year. If you are like so many, you probably have a mixture of eagerness, anxiety, contemplativeness and frantic adrenaline as you consider what is to come. It has been good for me to remember that regardless of what decisions I make now, whether I choose the best curriculum and activities or haphazardly stumble from one thing to the next, if I am in earnest prayer, then my footstep will not falter and its every decision is from the Lord. He will direct me. He will protect me. He will keep our family on the way that He desires. Remember to be in prayer. Remember to call on the Lord and listen for His voice.
Blessings in the upcoming year!!
A. for The Homeschool Book Shop
|
|
