Jun. 25, 2008 - Hmoeschool Convention Report- part one
I have to say, I had a beautiful post about the homeschool convention, and I lost it! Waaaaah!!!!!
I was so excited returning from the convention. We saw a great Vendor Hall, heard some good speakers, and just enjoyed having the time to spend together. We especially enjoyed hearing Todd Wilson (the familyman). Even Jason, who was determined that he did NOT want to sit in workshops all day enjoyed some of the workshops.
The Vendor Hall was one of the neatest things for me. For all the years I have homeschooled, I have usually ordered online or from a catalog. It was a really good experience to see it all out in person in real life! Of course, I would have liked to spend more money than I did.
Here is what I did get:
Managers of Their Homes and Managers of Their Chores: I have heard such great things about the Maxwells' books. but I haven't read them. I was persuaded after one of the workshop speakers- a mom of six who homeschools and runs a family business- said she was amazed at how much more time she had found in a day after using MOTH.
Math-U-See: Again, I had heard such god things about this curriculum but couldn't quite figure out if it was a good fit. We were watching the demo DVD, and Jason said, "This is the way I learned math!" That sold me because he is waaaaay better at math than I am.
Total Language Plus: I love literature units and think grammar is so much better learned in context, so I purchased several units to use with Kathryne and Charles this year.
State History: We purchased a state history curriculum written by a homeschool mom for her own children because Jason has been looking for a curriculum to teach the kids state history.
The things we bought will help to round out what I had already bought or ordered:
Story of the World- I bought volume 1 and 2 used and ordered the activity books.
Considering God's Creation- I bought it used. I really like Apologia also, but this was cheap and I think will work well with notebooking which I want to do more of.
Draw Write Now- I had bought one of these that we have been using this year, and we love it. I bought two more so far for next year.
That covers our Vendor Hall experience.
I will share some more about the workshops next time- if I don't lose my post.
Comments
Jun. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MayTheyBeMightyMen
I haven't been to one of the big conferences yet. But, those vendor halls sound like some of the huge book sales we have here. I just get all excited and goofy at the same time just looking at all the stuff that's there. Eventually the overwhelmed feeling sets in, too. ;')
Glad you got what you needed.
Have a wonderful day with VBS, too.
Jun. 26, 2008 - Sounds like it was great...
Posted by proverbsmomof3
and that you got some great stuff for next year. We have used a few of the things you've mentioned. We especially like SOTW. You should have a great year.
Jun. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Connie Jean
Sounds like you had a lot of fun there. I went to mine the first weekend of June. This coming fall will be my first full year homeschooling and getting to see hands on with some of the curriculum really helped me as well.
I bought the Maxwell's stuff online a little while back. I am just now finalizing the chore charts and stuff. Reading their stuff and listening to their audios excites me. I am a newbie in so much stuff, LOL.
We also got the Math-U-See. I really liked the concept and the kids will like it I am sure.
I'll have to keep checking out your blog to hear about SOTW. I've been hearing it is a good program but I've not seen it (in hand) yet and so didn't buy it. I'd be interested in your thoughts.
Hope you have a wonderful week!
~Connie Jean ~
http://www.cjmills.com/hs/
