Learning based on the number of books used?

[bookworm]

Let me try to explain this so it doesn't sound silly...
I have all the Bigger books for the year in a tidy basket-it looks so lovely and inviting and DOABLE! This is for ALL subjects mind you

Then I look at the program I was going to use and the 2 baskets of books that were just for the history program-not even the 3 Rs! There are more activity books and more readers.

I KNOW rationally that the actual number of books does not correlate with learning. But I look at the TON of books from this other program and wonder if it's a "better" program in any ways? Might the kids get more out of it because of the variety?

Then I look at the wonderful books of Bigger and think how great they are and how I don't feel overwhelmed by the program. I know it's a good program and the kids will learn just fine.

But i can't help but start plotting how to fit in more books based on this other program....

Isn't it silly that we homeschoolers think this way??? The grass is always greener huh?

Not really a question, just a silly vent for myself LOL!
Ann

[inHistiming]

I think it's the 'better is more' mentality trying to break through! I tend to try to hold on to things because I might need them. Having my plan in place for using Bigger...next year with my two older children, and LHTH for my youngest has helped a lot with that. I still have a bit of a problem with buying books, especially if I find a good library sale or garage sale. But, I am working this summer to reduce the number of books we own; to make room for the HOD ones I want to own! I have many different curriculum books that have been given to me, and I often feel that if I get rid of them, then need them, I'll have to buy them, and then waste money, KWIM? So, I understand your desire/tendency to try to add things.

Having said all that, I am convinced that HOD is superior...at least to other things I've used. It's a CM method, with the 'less is more' mentality...meaning fewer books, smaller amounts of time reading them, and more time to savor them and ponder...hence actually getting MORE out of the study! I feel so relaxed about our up-coming year....I don't have to worry about 10's of books sitting in our library basket, possibly being late, and then having to pay late fees! We had so many books to read last year with the 'other' program that I never really felt at peace...great material, but too much for our family.

So, I guess I just wanted to offer some support, and let you know you're not the only one! However, I encourage you to fight those urges, and do the program as is. I think you'll be wonderfully pleased with how relaxed you are, and with how much your children will learn!

[netpea]

But, I am working this summer to reduce the number of books we own; to make room for the HOD ones I want to own!

Exactly! This is where I'm at too. I used to go garage saling when the kids were toddlers/preschoolers and just stock up on what I now understand to be "twaddle" (Charlotte Mason's word). I wish I had been more selective instead of oodling over the 10 cent books. I still go to the garage sales, but now I have my list of books for all of the HOD programs and if it's not on the list, similar to one on the list, or at least written by an author on the list, I pass it by.

[bookworm]

It's a CM method, with the 'less is more' mentality...meaning fewer books, smaller amounts of time reading them, and more time to savor them and ponder...hence actually getting MORE out of the study! I feel so relaxed about our up-coming year....I don't have to worry about 10's of books sitting in our library basket, possibly being late, and then having to pay late fees! We had so many books to read last year with the 'other' program that I never really felt at peace...great material, but too much for our family.

Thanks for this reminder! This is exactly what drew me to HOD but so easy to forget among the throngs of curriculum

I need to "chill" and enjoy the ride instead of stressing about the "what ifs" as you said.

Thanks again!

[Carrie]

Ann,

I am a book lover by heart too, and I just wanted to say that at HOD we strive for fewer books of higher quality done better over time, which is very Charlotte-Mason style.

But, I do still love having my kiddos have free reading books of high quality too. So, to address this need of mine, we keep a laundry basket under each kiddos bed and at the beginning of the year, I make a list of free reading books that I put in their basket. They must read those books before summer, however, they can read them when they choose and as fast as they'd like when they have free time. This way, I still feel like I have a place to go with my "book finds" but it doesn't add on to our precious school day time. I also get some harder, more classic books on audio (to put in the basket) and have my kiddos read and follow along with the audio.

Before the laundry basket idea, my kiddos each had a shelf downstairs that functioned the same way. However, they could only "check out" one book at a time from their shelf and then had to return it prior to checking out another book.

It made a huge difference in how the kiddos viewed those books. The books became special.

Anyway, just a thought!

Blessings,
Carrie