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A Life Better Than I Deserve
Nov. 9, 2009
My Disclosure Policy
For those of you who are new to my blog, I decided it was time I updated my disclosure policy. This policy replaces my old policy and will continue to be linked from the sidebar.
Now, why do I have a disclosure policy? To make clear when I might endorse something exactly what my relationship might be to whatever product or service I am endorsing.
In short, I am an independent reviewer. I currently review books, curricula, and products and services for The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, as well as for several publishers--NavPress, Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, Bethany House, Crossway, Kathy Carlton Willis Communications and Waterbrook/Multnomah. However, in order for me to review these products, these publishers and TOS-affiliated curricula vendors must send me items for me to review. I get to read and use these books and products in exchange for providing my honest review.
They do not give me money or other financial compensation. Just the book or curricula or other educational item. I do get to keep the item when I've finished reviewing it.
I do write what I think about the product, but even if I do not like it I may be diplomatic about what I don't like, why I don't like it, and I may even give alternative ways to use the product. I may try to present ideas about what type of person or family might like the product. Why? Well, for one thing, I may have a friend who already uses that product or who might love that product. My likes and dislikes are not your likes and dislikes; what may work well for one family may not work for another. I try to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each product I review and inform you, my readers, what those are. The world would definitely be a boring place if we were all the same, wouldn't it?
I also generally have some input as to whether or not I receive a specific product. So, I try to choose products which I think will work for my own family, and reading material which seems interesting and worthwhile to me. Therefore, many of my reviews may seem favorable rather than unfavorable. So without further adieu, here is my formal disclosure:
This policy is valid from 6 November, 2009
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Michelle At ajandmichelle At Juno Dot Com.
This blog does not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. However, we will and do accept and keep free products, services, and other forms of compensation from companies and organizations.
The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog.
The owner of this blog is compensated with products alone to provide opinion on books, curricula, products and educational subscription services. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for her posts or advertisements, she always gives her honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blogger's own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
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Nov. 5, 2009
Review: Bright Idea Press
Recently I was provided two free books from Bright Ideas Press in order to review these products for the Homeschool Crew. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for providing my honest review, and the opinions expressed represent my own and my family's experiences with this product. To read more about this product and many more exciting homeschooling products, please visit the Homeschool Crew web page.
A Young Scholars Guide to the Composers by Melissa E. Craig, Maggie S. Hogan and Richard B. Pinkerton was just what our family needed for music appreciation this year! I have been using this primarily with my 8th and 5th graders, but my 2nd grader and preschoolers have certainly been listening in to the interesting lessons I've been reading aloud as well as the wonderful music samples and discussions about the music. I think they are actually much more actively involved, even at their young ages, than a casual observer may suspect.
You know, I really like just about everything about this 298 page music resource. It is easy to use, both Christian and chronological in its approach, covers an entire year and provides the necessary music you will cover in the form of web links. Having covered medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music, we are currently enjoying selections from the Classical composers. We have been spending about 20-30 minutes daily studying musical composers and their chronological historical time periods with this wonderful curriculum. Some days are longer because we may be reading about a composer's life and filling in notetaking pages and then listen to a short musical selection, while others we may only listen to a musical selection and discuss it. This book also includes some fun bonus materials I've detailed below.
Strengths:
- Covers 4th - 8th grades
- Minimal teacher preparation required
- Christian
- Chronological
- 32 weekly lessons (one year of lesson plans) including: 6 musical eras and 26 biographies of famous composers
- timeline and maps included
- composer information cards with game directions
- note-taking pages
- quizzes
- answer keys
- coloring pages
- listening suggestions (internet links)
Was there anything I didn't like? Okay, I did really wish for the paperback to be spiral-bound. Making neat copies of the notebooking pages, coloring pages, and more from the paperback just was not working out well. This was easily rectified at my local office supply store for less than $5. This made the volume not only easier to photocopy, but even just easier to read aloud the articles about the composers and then flip over to the back section to find the musical selections I would need to pull up on the computer, often while my 8th grader finished filling in notebooking pages.
The other thing is that I also sometimes wish I had the CD-Rom version instead since I have been typing in somewhat long musical selection links at least a couple of times per week. A clickable link would have been easier. I thought I could find the right links for the youtube links by simply typing in the composer and the piece, yet I still found I had to type in the provided link codes by hand. Yet, I still also really like being able to open the book and read aloud to my children from it while they fill in the note-taking pages. If Bright Idea Press would offer the paperback and CD-Rom as a package deal, I think I would be in love with this program! Which version (paperback or CD-Rom) will serve your own family best will depend on your own family's preferences and needs. You will also want a computer with a good internet connection, as the music selections will require a good amount of bandwidth. We do have high-speed internet connection, so it worked just fine for us.
This book is available in the following formats:
$34.95 Paperback book
$29.95 CD-Rom version
This company also sent me Hands-On Geography by Maggie S. Hogan. I like this book as well, but I must admit that the format of this one is quite different. This book, instead of being an easy, complete one year study which requires little preparation from the teacher, is actually more of an idea book for the teacher. I like that it is designed to encourage teachers to think "outside the box" and that it is really rather packed with some great hands-on activities, especially for the more kinesthetic learners in your family. Many pages are reproducible and creative, but many of the activities must be assembled, photocopied, or in some way created by mom. Wonderful, but this really requires advance preparation by mothers.
I'd love to say we completed several of the projects in the past weeks, but I have actually only completed a few. One (gasp!) I even cheated on just a little--I used a beeswax candle-making kit instead of following the candle-making directions included within this book. As soon as I discover where my precocious toddler has placed my camera/computer data cable, I'll add those candle photos right here! We also enjoyed the geography card game and took that one on the road with us to play in the car. I had never noticed how many states have the mockingbird as their state bird! I have also begun creating some fun nature field guide observation pages with the children. I wish I had had that section for some of our previous elementary science studies. Although it does not tie in quite as well with our current elementary study of oceanography, I still really like this idea as well.
Strengths:
- Kindergarten - 5th grades
- Reproducible
- Creative
- Includes many outline maps
- Ties the study of geography into many different school subjects
- Includes instructions on how to create many activities, games and projects!
- 142 pages of some really creative, hands-on activities targeted just for this age group
This 142 page book is available for $14.95 in paperback and I was able to photocopy from it much more easily than the much thicker composers book which I had spiral-bound. Considerably more teacher-intensive for most of the activities, but definitely worthwhile for the homeschooling parent who has the time to really go through this book and utilize these great plans. If I were not so busy already, I would probably have done more with this book.
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Nov. 3, 2009
Review: A Family Guide to the Bible
Recently I was provided a free copy of A Family Guide to the Bible from Crossway. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for providing my honest review, and the opinions expressed represent my own opinion about this product. Those interested in purchasing a copy may purchase A Family Guide to the Bible from Crossway for $15.99.
I have been highly pleased with this recent Crossway title. Christin Ditchfield, author of more than fifty books including A Family Guide to Narnia, recently traveled the United States sharing with Christian parents how they could use C. S. Lewis' Narnia tales to reveal Biblical truths with their children. On this tour, she realized that for many Christian adults they either came to faith later in life or grew up in churches which only focused on the main stories of the Bible like Noah's ark or Daniel in the lion's den. Sadly, these parents lacked confidence in sharing the truths of Scripture with their own children. Determined to help these parents disciple their own children, Ditchfield decided to write this newest book, 304 pages of basic Biblical education with a good measure of encouragement and exhortation included.
As I have read this title myself, I have greatly appreciated Ditchfield's format and style of writing. On the one hand, as a Christian for twenty-seven years and a minister's wife, I found little which I did not already know. Yet as I kept reading, I decided this author has developed a tone and style which should greatly appeal to the average church member while building his faith in bite-sized amounts. I found this book readily accessible for the layperson while keeping today's busy parents and families in mind. With all essential information covered in only a few short pages per Biblical book and yet written in an engaging style, this resource could easily be used by parents, grandparents, and even Sunday School teachers. Here is what you can expect to find in the real "meat" of this book--each synopsis of the sixty-six books of the Bible:
- The Book's Name
- The Author
- The Audience
- The Setting
- The Story (simplified)
- The Message
- Key Verse or Passage
- More on This Story in the Bible (how the different biblical books may be inter-related, especially historically)
- Words to Know (Vocabulary)
- Making the Connection, Did You Know?, and Think About It sections (one or more of which may not be included when discussing shorter biblical books, but all of which are devotional in nature or application-related).
Other helpful sections of Ditchfield's book include:
- a brief history of the Bible
- a brief apologetic on the authority of the Bible
- the core message of the Bible simplified
- tips on choosing a Bible translation
- using a Bible dictionary, encyclopedia and concordance
- study tips for personal Bible study
- study tips for family devotions
- Bible reading plans
- stories from the Old and New Testaments everyone should know
- Bible heroes
- Jesus' miracles
- Jesus' teachings
- verses to help you share your faith
- verses to help you guard your heart
- verses to help you face your fears
- maps of the Bible lands
- and more!
I would have no hesitation about handing this book to one of my older children to read, in recommending it to Sunday School teachers in my church, using it in a church Bible study group, or even recommending it to newer converts or giving as a gift to families of young children. Discover more exciting titles and other Crossway news at the Crossway blog.
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Oct. 30, 2009
Review: My Access Writing Program
Recently I was provided a year's free My Access subscription for up to three students in order to review this product for the Homeschool Crew. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for providing my honest review, and the opinions expressed represent my own and my family's experiences with this product. To read more about this product and many more exciting homeschooling products, please visit the Homeschool Crew web page.
Recently I was intrigued to receive access to an online writing evaluation service called My Access. When I taught in a university writing lab almost two decades ago, we did use computer software programs designed to self-correct both grammar and spelling in order to be a time-saver for the five or six of us graduate assistants who each put in a minimum of ten hours per week tutoring college students. It certainly was not a perfect solution, as we instructors would sometimes laugh and joke among ourselves at the suggested grammatical or spelling errors and suggested "corrections." Yet, the programs did call attention to a number of errors and in the end saved us some time.
So, when My Access Home Edition arrived, I wondered not only whether this program would be beneficial but how helpful it would really be. Here is where I put my children to the test! First to be in line for product testing, my 14 year old eighth grade daughter seemed to enjoy this program. She liked typing up her essays, despite the fact that she does not touch type yet! (In case you are wondering, I actually did buy her a touch typing program this summer, but we have just not begun it yet.)
She has really enjoyed both slowly typing her own essays and dictating to me and seems to like the prompts it gives her to correct or expand her subject more in certain areas. Mostly, she enjoys seeing her scores rise! Her very first essay attempt was overall in the borderline "below proficient"/"proficient" area. Not wanting to perform "below average," this result really motivated her. By following the suggested corrections, she was able to raise her score and improve her paper, according to my own estimation as well as this program's artificial intelligence estimation. After only six submissions over the past few weeks, one of her recent essay submissions saw her "language style" approaching the "advanced proficient" level with her second draft.
Now my second child, an eleven year old fifth grader, is a wonderful young man of few words. Really. Very few. Some of the other scout leaders have asked us on occasion whether he does not like them, as he really is not a talker and sometimes will not even reply to questions or greetings. It simply is not his strength. Interestingly, he actually likes this program because he wants to do all the associated learning activities. Go figure! He likes the little computer animated sections where he can see the definitions of the parts of an essay and identify them in order to earn points. I'm not sure he has used this feature enough for it to branch over to his actual writing skills yet . . . but I am hopeful that someday it will.
Since he also does not touch type, I have been allowing him to dictate his essays to me. The procedure I have been following with him is simply this: he narrates to me his paper while I type. After he has told his story, I ask him some clarifying questions. In short, I force him to name some adjectives and adverbs and even some transitional words and phrases to clarify and add color to his otherwise bland "Noun/Verb" sentences. I also sometimes have to ask him to fill in some part of the action which he has left out. I do this before he submits his first draft rather than after because I really do not want him to earn a super low score! His initial scores still remain mostly in the "Below Proficient" level. We have then revisited his essays and I have asked him more probing questions, forcing him to rewrite. So, although I am having to continue to work with my son very "hands on" (at least at this point), this program is helping him in a more indirect manner and he is enjoying it. He is also receiving outside evaluation of his abilities, which I think is beneficial. I think as he matures, he could use this program on his own.
My eight year old second grader does have an account yet I cannot seem to convince her to try writing an essay yet. I do not think that is terribly unusual. She is still getting her basic spelling, reading, and math skills down. I have attempted to show her topics and get her interested in one, yet she either seems intimidated or uninterested.
Now that I have told you about our experiences with this program, I want to share a link of demonstration videos of My Access writing program. You can view these videos to see the ways you can use this program, how to add students, and much more. Overall, I do think this program could prove beneficial for many families. Yet at least in our family it cannot be used as a stand-alone writing program, except perhaps for my eighth grader. I do like that my two very different students both like using this program, yet for very different reasons!
As with any artificial intelligence software program, it is not quite as effective as having a live teacher or tutor, yet could save time for busy homeschooling moms, especially for those whose children already touch type or for moms who feel unqualified to help their children with writing skills. Areas marked for improvement are very general and specific errors are not noted. I also want to point out that we did lose access to this website for a few days, as the site experienced difficulties. If this online program is your sole writing program and you are using their generated topics, this might make a mess of your lesson plans for the week.
Another item you may wish to know is that this program does award points for essays completed, as well as individual learning activities. The suggestion is made that the parent may wish to have a certain reward for a certain number of points attained, which the parent may also set by increments of 250 (250, 500, 750). However, a student can simply change a few words in his essay, resubmit it, and attain a large number of points very quickly! It would be somewhat difficult for a parent to initially realize that her student was doing this, so you will still want to maintain fairly close oversight of your children's use of this program.
Finally, I want my readers to understand that this program does not cover any literature, and only covers spelling and grammar in terms of noting where your children are in need of improvement or may be strong, so do not expect this to be a complete language arts program but instead a complement to one. If your budget allows for this expense, or writing is an area in which one or more of your upper elementary through high school aged children could use improvement, this is one option available to you. Access to this online program costs $99.95 for 3 students for one year, or $129.95 for 6 students for one year.
 You may also want to reference this "What's Included" product page to assist you in making your decision. Below I have summarized some main points:
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You need a computer and an internet connection. Access to a printer is also helpful.
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This program includes 90 pre-loaded writing topics for three different distinct age groups (8-10, 11-14, and 15-18), yet you may also add in topics.
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Includes interactive lessons designed to guide students through the writing process: planning, organizing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
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Graphic organizers and other printable resources to help students through the writing process.
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Immediate essay scoring and individualized feedback through an artificial intelligence based software program.
- Revision plans focus students' revision activities on the following traits of writing: focus, content, development, organization, language use and grammar.
- Links to progress reports are emailed out weekly and may be viewed online and printed. Most recent essay submissions may also be accessed and printed. Email newsletters are also mailed out.
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Oct. 29, 2009
It's birthday time again!
My eldest is taking her turn for a day in the limelight today. It is her fourteenth birthday today! Hard to believe how much time has passed! Five out of the seven of us have autumn birthdays, and most of our extended family does as well, so many days my time has been taken up with birthdays or other super-fun things like selling BSA popcorn or AHG gourmet chocolates! Anyone in the mood for chocolate?
So, I thought I would pop on for a minute today to show off a photo!
Hmmm, I see that someone has been avoiding photos lately, but here's one from the summer!
I'll be back with a new review sometime tomorrow!
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Oct. 28, 2009
BSA Popcorn Goal Met!
My sweet eleven year old Webelos II son completed his popcorn goal this week! He trekked through our own subdivision plus three other subdivisions over the course of about twenty-something afternoons, but HE DID IT! Woo hoo! Here are the final results:
$1490 sold on two and a half sheets
+$72 online orders
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a basic popcorn patch
an extra popcorn patch for selling $1,500
a Wal-mart gift card for $50 for selling $1,500
his name on a "top popcorn sellers" banner displayed at Camp Comer
all his fees for this scout year are covered in his "personal account" with the pack--with some to carry over to the Boy Scout Troop in March!
I'm very proud of him!
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Oct. 26, 2009
Review: Jim Burns' Pure Foundations Series
Recently I was provided two free books in Jim Burns' Pure Foundations series to review for Bethany House. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for providing my honest review, and the opinions expressed represent my own and my family's experiences with this product.
From the impressive photography of these two volumes to the well-worded text, I have been impressed with these two volumes from Jim Burns designed to teach “values-centered sex education at home.” Each volume begins with a one page letter to the parents which touches on ways which they can use these books as a basis for laying a foundation of trust and honesty in talking through these topics with their own children. Not intended to be an all-inclusive program, the author intends these books to be an introduction in developing a healthy dialogue between parent and child. Do expect to find correct anatomical terminology along with simple line illustrations of the reproductive organs in both these volumes.
In Burns' first 32 page volume, God Made Your Body (for ages 3-5), I want to highlight the two font sizes of text. The larger font size contains one simple sentence on either every page or every other page. After reading the book and thinking it through, I realized that for the younger end of this recommended age, the larger font size alone could be read. Most 3-4 year old children simply will not have the patience for the reading of the complete text, as engaging and developmentally appropriate as the accompanying photographs may be. They simply will want to turn the pages too quickly. Although the inclusion of the two font sizes is not explained in the introductory letter to parents, I believe this is the author’s intent.
I also want to note that in the smaller font size the term “making love” is included, so parents may want to consider whether to read this terminology or substitute a different phrase. Emphases in the first volume include God’s creation of individuals, their similarities and differences, every individual’s worth to God, fetal development, infant care, and the God-ordained role of the family. Lovely, heartwarming photography is included throughout and multicultural images are used. This book appropriately closes with an excerpt from Psalm 139.
The second 47 page volume, How God Makes Babies (for ages 6-9) understandably discusses the topics introduced in the first volume in more detail. The wonderful photography continues to complement the well-worded text. “Making love” continues to be used as the preferred terminology and introduced is God’s plan of waiting to share your private parts until marriage. Prevention of abuse is also a theme in this volume, although not covered within the volume intended for younger children.
Fetal development is given more detail in this volume, as is infant care. I especially love the photography of actual newborn infants in this volume! I further appreciated the inclusion of midwives with doctors in the discussion of childbirth as well as the suggestion that breastfeeding is the normal way that God has created for infants to receive nourishment. A modest photograph of an infant nursing is featured on that page, and formula is presented as another option. God’s role in forming families as well as individuals is continued and adoption is introduced as another way in which families may be formed. Scripture is interspersed throughout this volume. Warm, approachable, honest, well-written, beautifully photographed.
I already own a couple of different volumes which cover this subject, yet Burns’ are the ones I now prefer and I am considering purchasing the other three volumes in this series. One is designed for pre-teens, another for teens, and the final one is for parents. Do consider the recommended ages listed on these volumes as guidelines. For example, many children may not be interested in nor sit still for the complete text of the first volume until age 5 or 6. As a former natural childbirth educator and home educating mother of five, I have previously seen a few different resources as well as formed a few personal opinions on how to best encourage a healthy understanding of God’s role in forming humans and healthy reproductive education. I am glad to have found these volumes and I recommend them for Christian homes.
These two volumes are available in hardcover from Bethany House for $12.99 each.
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Oct. 24, 2009
Review: Sue Patrick's Workbox System
Recently I was provided a free e-book from Sue Patrick's Workbox System in order to review this product for the Homeschool Crew. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for providing my honest review, and the opinions expressed represent my own and my family's experiences with this product. To read more about this product and many more exciting homeschooling products, please visit the Homeschool Crew web page.
Sue Patrick’s Workbox System has certainly been sweeping the homeschooling world by storm! I’ve been viewing this phenomena for months now and have admittedly been curious--and a little nervous. Why? Simply because I knew this method would require some extra efforts and adjustments not only from me but from my children as well. I had to decide whether these efforts were the best for my children and my own family. Or whether another approach would really be best. Sue Patrick believes her system to be best for every child, yet my own experience mothering five children has taught me that each child needs to be parented--and taught--a little differently. So, what did I discover?
Allow me first to introduce the author and her book. Sue Patrick’s Workbox System User’s Guide reveals Mrs. Patrick’s heart for her own children, the first of which was diagnosed with autism at a young age, as well as her educational philosophy and method. Faced with her long-awaited adopted child’s diagnosis of a disability, Patrick worked hard to find treatment and a solution for her own child and his educational needs. Her book reveals what she has learned along the way and how she developed an educational plan for her own two children. She was so pleased with her results that she began to share her method with other families. I do not think I would have understood her philosophy nor her system had I not had the opportunity to read her book.
When I received the electronic version of this e-book I spent two days reading it and understanding her philosophy and method. Then I spent a full week getting my supplies all collected and assembled for implementing this method. If I had not known in advance that this opportunity was coming up, it might have actually taken a bit longer–and if I had more children it may have taken me longer yet! I bought velcro supplies and shoeboxes as well as spent time on the internet printing–and laminating. (Since I do not own a laminator, I used clear contact paper instead--which admittedly is more time-consuming.) A purchase of Patrick's book will allow the user free access to basic downloadable forms also needed. This method does indeed demand some teacher preparation time and might be best left for implementing over a natural "break" time within the school year. Since Patrick also sells ready-made supplies, for many it might be best to save time by buying many of the physical components directly from her.
It also requires additional time spent “trouble-shooting”–investigating and planning for modifications of this system–for larger families with limited space. Now, Mrs. Patrick would really prefer you use her original method first before attempting to modify anything, but I knew immediately that not everything would work well for my own family. Finally, I went about actually implementing this method in my own home–at least partially.
One modification I made immediately was that I only have one school desk in the house. When I brought up the topic of purchasing more, my husband asserted that we simply did not have room. I had to admit that he was right. We have a wood school table with three matching wooden chairs which my younger children are able to work at almost like a desk--only without room for all those workboxes and a cart beside each of them. My eldest uses the school desk, and there is a little room beside it.
 Some photos of our school desk, school table and workboxes ready to be filled.
So, when we actually began implementing this method, I found first that I really did not have enough room for that many workboxes even after I emptied four out of five shelves of a large bookcase; and second that it worked best for me to come up with some larger totes which would hold everyone’s books, notebooks and supplies in those subjects which we normally completed together. It became clear to me early on that in my own, larger family that I had intentionally chosen many subjects which we could study together as a family. This is a personal educational choice which works well for our own family. For those subjects which two, three, or four children can study together it actually conserves my own time and gives my own children more chances for interdependent interaction, discussion and cooperation. I do know that Mrs. Patrick is concerned that many homeschooling families actually waste too much time talking–time which might be spent in otherwise more worthwhile pursuits–but each homeschooling parent will have to determine the correct balance of interpersonal and independent work for her own family.
In fact, after I calculated in those subjects which we would be studying together, my children (aged 8th grade, 5th grade, 2nd grade and two preschoolers) really only wound up completing about half of their subjects as separate “workboxes.” I, as the teacher, had to expend mental and physical energy both mentally preparing an interesting, varied schedule as well as physically preparing and arranging their workboxes with educational items beforehand. The first night it took me nearly two hours to do so for my three older children. Even though I got a little faster as the week proceeded, I found that it was taking too much of a mental and physical investment of my time in the evenings–many of which I really did not have any free time, as I needed to take my children to scout meetings or church in the evenings instead. In the mornings I needed to be preparing our breakfasts since our family has special dietary needs.
Now, the theory behind the workboxes is that a child is able to develop a sense of personal accomplishment and becomes better able to manage his own time by seeing his work completed and physically set aside throughout the day. Agreed, that can be a great motivator for some children--my second child, for instance. Although for my second child in particular I did notice an increase in his productivity with workboxes, the increase in productivity for my first and third children was not much–and in the end I felt I was spending more time on the system than I spent doing things our old way. And I felt my time was better served spending it with my children and even dealing with their interruptions than with filling boxes. I also felt this system was not a good match for our educational philosophy in general. We tend toward the Classical and Charlotte Mason models of education, and I really just feel my time is better spent reading aloud a really good book to my kids, all piled together on the sofa, and talking about it than by completing a pile of worksheets--which at least in some cases, can merely become "busy work."
In the end, I was ready to quit by the end of the first week. My first child probably was least affected by this system and did not really care either way whether we continued. My second child was the one who was helped by this system and perhaps would have liked to continue. My third child was the one who really just needs my individual attention and for which this system was the worst fit. I realized that our previous method, overall, just works better for us. Perhaps aspects of this method I can find a way to adapt in a less time-consuming and space-consuming way–at least for the child for whom this method would be beneficial. Perhaps I can also find enough time, space and energy to make this system functional for my preschoolers. Perhaps we can just complete a few individual “workboxes” per day per child between lunch and mid-afternoon and keep using all our regular curricula and methods throughout our mornings.
I truly applaud Mrs. Patrick for working so hard to find the best system for her own children and family. I further applaud her for sharing that method with others through her book, conference speaking schedule, and personal consulting. Yet as Patrick has found what is best for her own family, we each need to discover the same. This program was not the best for our family; yours may be different.
If you would like to try Sue Patrick's Workbox System with your own family you may purchase it in the following formats:
- $19 for the e-book version
- $19.95 for the physical book, plus shipping ($23.30 total)
- $119.95 for the book with 4 months of personalized email consulting
- Various supplies, pre-assembled "starter kits" and additional consulting packages are also available from Sue Patrick.
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