Victory Homeschool

• May. 16, 2007 - McGuffey Readers et al...

Hello again! Yes, I know it's been quite some time since I last blogged. The Lord put it on my heart to take a break (not that I added entries very often to begin with!), but I have no room to complain about not getting anything done or being able to spend time with the children, or the Lord for that matter when I allowed myself time on the computer. Something had to give and blogging went. I still don't know how often I'll get on. I still feel led to use my time more wisely.

Getting on with my entry point. Does anyone have any experience with the McGuffey Readers, Ray's Mathematics and or Spencerian Handwriting? Actually, the McGuffey Readers are my key interest right now.

DH was listening to a pastor on the radio a couple of days ago and he was speaking about public eduation. He said something to the effect of statistics show that in our country each decade students decline one grade level. Meaning that seniors are at a level that 6th graders were 60 years ago. And of course it will continue to get worse. My husband mentioned some of the things this pastor referred to being taught. I asked dh, "Sooo, what curricula was being taught back then?" Dh said, "Probably things like the McGuffey Readers". So, I found their website, which also lists the math and handwriting I mentioned. Now I'm just wondering if anyone has used them and what they thought of them.

On another note, I ordered the Beautiful Feet American History Primary that we will begin next week. I'm picturing "Class on the Grass" with a picnic blanket and snacks while we learn about Leif Erickson, Ben Franklin, etc. I want to try to make it fun. Praise the Lord that the library had about 90% of the books for the course. I really can't wait to get started.

And now I need to stop. It's bedtime for my babies.

Jennifer :)

Comments

• May. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by MOMatHWTK

I have the entire set of readers and really like them. I don't know if they would work for a parent just starting to teach phonics b/c they don't come with instructions. LOL! But I am using Phonics Pathways and supplementing with the readers. Some of the word choices and situations are odd and thus my son has to sometimes ask what they mean ("lad" for boy, why would you need a "fan?"- no A/C when these were written!). The really great thing about the books is that in the higher grades the reading assignments are great speeches and morals stories. So you are building character and reading skills. Plus the challenging language requires the child both to learn to read and to expand his vocabulary.

Here's a review of the series that I wrote:http://www.books.hwtk.net/subpage1.html

You can read a little bit about them here http://donpotter.net/ed.htm

and there's a link to a digitized version here http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14642

(I guess I kind of like them. LOL!)

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• May. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Hello---
I have the set of Mcguffeys. Mostly my girls play with them, Little House since she used those books. But I have had them read in them some. I sometimes use passages for copywork too. I think they work better as readers rather than the actual teaching to read. Mostly because like the previous commenter, there aren't any teacher directions. The language is very proper but I think it is good to expose kids to older language. My oldest even said the other day that old language sounds so much better than the way we talk today. Pretty insightful for a 4th grader. I don't know about the math. My kids actually don't enjoy too much the actual reading of the books. The stories can be boring. But they are so clean with great morals. Hope that helps.
Susan
PS- we are going to do BF next year too. Let me know how it goes. I have a few of the books already that I got used and i hope to find more at the used sale in a few weeks.

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• May. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JenIG

i've not used them but i have heard excellent things about them!

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• May. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by drewsfamilytx

Hi Jennifer! Glad to hear from you again!

I have no idea about the McGuffey readers but I have heard good things about them. Maybe you can find a local bookstore and take a look to see if you like them?

Have a great week and savor the time with your family!

Marsha

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• May. 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by nsremom

I bought the readers when I was first homeschooling and frankly....they were a little to old fashioned for my liking. But they're certainly inexpensive, so as far as readers go, it's not a huge waste of money or anything. Who knows, you might love 'em. If not, Ebay here you come. :)

I really like the reading lists that Sonlight encourages. They really do pick GREAT literature.

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• May. 22, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by chickadee

i don't think the mcguffey readers are going to radically change you're homeschool. we have the whole set and use them for practicing reading. the stories aren't exciting but they are nice, old fashioned stories and the books start with a primer and build so it's nice to move through them and see them learning more words.

they also have some practice writing you can let your children do for copywork in the readers.

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• May. 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Titus2woman

You've been TAGGED! http://titus2woman.wordpress.com/2007/05/24/tagged-again-woohooo/

We have just switched to Ray's and haven't quite started yet~coming soon! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

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• May. 25, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by socalval

Just stopping by to say hello. As you know, I always enjoy my visit with you. Have a wonderful weekend.

Valerie

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• Jun. 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Honeybee

Hey there!
It was nice to hear fromyou again! Please call anytime! :)

We loved our trip. We did a lot of driving, that's for sure. As for Jamestown...it would definately be more appreciated after studying it. Otherwise, it might seem a bit dull. Williamsburg, however, is just great! Though studying the Amer Rev helped us enjoy that much more than we would have. I'm probably no help! heehee As for the actual driving, we tried the all night driving once, and no one but the husband liked it. We took our coolers full of food this time and stopped a lot for picnics and breaks. That was great! Especially for still potty-training 3 yo!
Blessings,
Melissa

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"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." -- 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

About Me

Christian wife and homeschool mom of four. I'm just trying to please the Lord by doing what I can to be a godly wife and mother. I want to raise our children to love Jesus, first and foremost. This is our fifth year of homeschooling. I enjoy seeing what other families are doing and how they keep it all together -- assuming they do!

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