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I am not loving our reading program for 5th grade ...

ABEKA

Some days I wonder why I picked this language arts curriculum for {k}????? Maybe it is because I just wanted to have lesson plans laid (is that the correct spelling/use?) out for me. Well guess what? I LOOK at the plans and use SOME of their suggestions, but then I usually follow my own path. We have pretty much completed the 1st of 3 literature books. The stories have been disappointing to us ... boring and a bit conflicting with my Catholic faith. I have been patient with this part of the program, but some days I feel ready to sell them off on ebay. I like the grammar and spelling/vocabulary part of Abeka. It's just the reading part that I am not excited about.

One of my biggest issues with {k} is that she has trouble with reading comprehension. I did find something I like ... Reading Detective (we recently started their software program). I REALLY LIKE THIS (and so does {k})!!!!! I may just take a break from Abeka and concentrate on this.

How obvious is it that I am brand new this homeschooling thing !
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Comments

Regina said…
I have heard Abeka, while being Christian doesn't really go along well with Catholicism. I've never used it so I can't give you first hand knowledge. I also homeschool (2nd yr) but my kids are younger (k and 2nd) so I can't offer advice but I will ask some home schooling friends with older children and let you know if they have any suggestions.
tugandregina.blogspot.com
2:04 AM
nutmeg said…
Hey there... we use the Little Angel Readers from Emmanuel Books. And I have heard excellent things about the Seton reading program. I think you can register for one class if you want to.

Hope this helps!

(wish we lived closer!!)

:)
12:10 PM
thesixburghmom said…
I've heard from homeschooling friends, that if you don't like it, you should toss it aside and do something else. It doesn't hurt.

I only have experience with Calvert's 1st grade program, but I really like it. I'm not so thrilled with their science and social studies. I think I am going to look into supplementing something else for those.
3:05 PM
Hen Jen said…
I think all homeschoolers go thru a phase of buying the wrong stuff for their home..it's a normal learning curve- just chalk it up to your learning experience as a teacher. I had the same problems with Abeka..yet I could not give in and kept trying to plug away year after year, taking big breaks and then going back to it. I finally ditched it this year and we are all so much happier. I really think it works best in a classroom setting.

we all make these mistakes, some are more expensive mistakes then others...
6:32 PM
june cleaver said…
You know, your reading program can simply be going to the library and getting good classical books for her. Things that she will enjoy. Seton has a good reading program as well. My daughter can read anything her heart desires, my son is more of a challenge. The Seton books were very good for him, this year I have just let him pick out chapter books at the library and he reads a chapter or two a day. When he finished his first full book he was thrilled.
12:21 PM
La Bibliotecaria Laura said…
look at CHC: http://www.chcweb.com/catalog/index.html

Have fun.
12:43 AM
Shelly said…
i second the Seton readers. they are fun, good *and* Catholic! My dd's love them.
10:18 PM
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