Name: Thrive! NCHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-05-22T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-24T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 7 months ago by caycecronk.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

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September 30, 2012 at 3:05 am
caycecronk
Member
Although we are doing the charlotte mason method and liking it so far my son asked to have some workbooks as well to work in. I know it’s not very charlotte mason friendly but he seems to love them….especially the really bright and colorful ones. Do you think it would hurt to use them?
September 30, 2012 at 3:19 am
Jennifer WI
Member
I think some workbooks are fine. In fact, this year I am using more than I ever have. I find that they are actually helping in some areas. I know, I’m not a purist. I do what’s best for my kids, not forcing them to adhere strictly to any educational philosophy, but using what is beneficial to them and adding in other beneficial resources as well.
September 30, 2012 at 3:38 am
chocodog
Participant
That is funny! My son hated the workbooks. So we switched to SM . Then, He said he wanted to go back to the workbooks. So, we went back for a little while. Then, he said to me he didn’t think he wanted to contiue them. I know he does like bright colored books and things of that nature. I know he likes to be busy drawling and writing so maybe it is just fulfilling a need of his. He even wants to sit down and do those books that everyone has around. Most people give them to a homeschooling family. I guess I should call them pitty books. Its a pitty the kid they bought them for did the first 2 pages and walked off. Tehe he…
anyway I can relate. LOL…
September 30, 2012 at 12:02 pm
simple home
Member
I like mixing CM with workbooks throughout the year. Variety is good, and workbooks are a cheap and easy thing to start and stop. And especially for traveling!
We have used Wordly Wise, Pentime, various science ones, math supplement ones like The Key to Fractions, and my younger ones enjoy dot to dot, etc. The Critical Thinking Company has some very good options as well.
October 1, 2012 at 1:24 am
HollyS
Participant
We use a few workbooks. I’ve used ETC to work on phonics and handwriting. They’ve all loved the R&S preschool books which also help with fine motor skills. We also use workbooks for math.
I’ve also picked up some cheap books from the dollar store. I just leave these with the coloring books, and it helps the younger DC feel included in schooltime. Since they are only $1, I don’t feel it’s a waste if they just scribble in them. lol

October 1, 2012 at 1:40 am
LDIMom
Participant
My 10YO son begged for workbooks last year, so I found one at Sam’s Club for about $8 and it covered spelling, language comprehesion (this was actually very helpful to him), math, and reading. Some of it was way below his ability while some of it was more challenging. It was for 4th grade.
I basically used it as supplement, and he would do it as he wanted. I never assigned it per se, but he would often want to do a page so I would check it. He would use it also at times where I needed him to stay busy while I worked with someone else, and it was one of his “free choices” (others include reading, creative writing, drawing).
This year, he hasn’t mentioned any workbooks LOL! I think he got it out of his system, but if I were you, I would allow some and just make sure it isn’t the primary focus. Make light of it and your son will probably lose interest, but even if he doesn’t I think it is fine in moderation.
October 2, 2012 at 2:11 pm
caycecronk
Member
Im glad im not the only one using workbooks! Sometimes there are things in the workbook that we haven’t covered before and some we have. I think it helps him focus when he is sitting down and looking and concentratingo only on one or two pages. I try to only maybe do two worksheets a day and will fade them out when he looses interests! It’a complete workbook that I got from Barnes and Noble!