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VERY tight budget, starting 6yo in module 1, suggestions?
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I’m looking to start my 6 year old in history module 1. I am also looking at Ray’s Arithmetic. Do you all have any suggestions (as I have a very tight budget and a local library that is lacking)? I have Boy of the Pyramids already and the Vos Children’s Story Bible. As far as math goes, I am looking at Ray’s Arithmetic because it is free on google books and I like the first year being oral, doing mental math, with simple manipulatives, etc. Anyone have experience with Ray’s? I know a couple homeschoolers that I can borrow from, but not anything as far as module 1 history goes. Are there any suggested books that you would consider necessary over others? I prefer books in hand over reading online, but we will do what we can do. I appreciate any help/suggestions! Thanks!
Hi Inosborn,
I tried Mod 1 with my dd when she was 6.5 and much of it was over her head. I would say keep it simple. This will help with your budget. If at all possible I would get the picture books suggested. Do you have any thrift stores where you are? We have a poor library system, but sometimes our thrifts yeild treasures. I just go most days that I do my shopping and check them out.
These are the books that workded for my dd when she was that age:
Boy of the Pyramid
True Story of Noah’s Ark
Pharaoh’s Boat
Growing Up in Ancient Egypt
Uncommon Travler
Seeker of Knowledge
Croconile
Several of these are out of print and older suggestions. But if you can happen upon them at a thrift store they would be good.It could be that your child may understand the new book (which my dd and I LOVE) Ancient Egypt and Her Neighbors, which could take the place of the picture books, but it would have gone right over my dd’s head at that age.
VOS will make a great spine. It is good that you have this!
I tried Ray’s with my dd briefly. It didn’t work very well for her, but she is a right brained learner. It may be great for your child.
Thanks, susie in ms, that is very helpful! I do occasionally check the thrift store…will keep doing that.
One thing crossed my mind: have you seen the free download Bible memory cards? These would be wonderful if you have a laser printer or can get them printed at your library. (Ours is 25 cents per sheet for b/w.)
Your situation is really weighing on me. We have spent years being strapped for cash. Litterally wondering how we would keep the man from turning off our electricity, etc. But God has been faithful and our needs were always met even when dh was unable to work and I could not find a job. We are only now breathing….just a little. Because of this I am sitting here pondering of any free down loads I can think of that would possibly suit any of your needs. If I find any I will be sure to post again.
I agree. Keep the picture books and wait with the rest.
Here’s a link to quite a few free math resources and more.
http://www.homeschoolfreeb.com/p/free-education.html?m=1
Becca<><
I would also focus on the picture books and children’s Bible. I have found many of the picture books used from Amazon for a fraction of the price. They also have bargain books…I just picked up a hardback copy of Seeker of Knowledge for $6, earlier in the year, I purchased the Noah’s ark one for a similar price because it was “damaged” (the corners were slightly bent). For geography, you can find the outline maps online for free and skip the other resources…there are lots of online or library resources you could add.
Also, you can substitute many of the books with what is available. If your library has different ancient egypt books, I’m sure they’ll be fine.
For math, we haven’t used Ray’s, but I’m sure it will be fine. We often use household items as math manipulatives…we often use pennies and dimes in place of base 10 blocks and legos instead of unifix cubes.
I’m also not big on electronics, but I invested in a clearance e-reader and have saved quite a bit of money with free (or inexpensive) e-books. I try to get a hard copy of picture-heavy books, as well as the teacher’s guides, but the e-books work well for chapter books.
My daughter was 7 when we started Module 1. She loved Boy of the Pyramids and The Child’s Story Bible by Vos. I would definitely seek out Yellow and Pink if your library has inter-library loans. We love The True Story of Noah’s Ark. We are now reading Ancient Egypt and her Neighbors and really enjoying it. You could save a few dollars by getting the e-book version and this would replace the Oxford book.
Here is a link for free outline maps: http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/
National Geographic video Unlocking the Great Pyramid free online: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/unlocking-the-great-pyramid/
Also, if you ever do end up buying books, look on http://www.abebooks.com or http://www.half.com first, I hardly ever pay more than 5.00 for a book.
I wanted to pop in to remind you that while SCM has chosen the best books they can find for a time period it is okay to use what your library has instead. I adore SCM and most of their picks, but when it comes down to a situation like you describe I would spend the money for the chapter books like Boy of the Pyramids and Ancient Egypt and Her Neighbors which you can spread out over weeks/months and then fill in with whatever picture books you can get at your library.
((HUGS))
Also, have you considered a Kindle? The cheapest one is just under $70 and then you can use thousands of free books without needing to sit at a computer. Then lists like those at Ambleside Online could help, with many many of their titles linked to free downloads.
One last thing, related to math. I think at this age you can do fine with Rays, but don’t forget to check your library for living math books. Basically, stories that use math on a level your child is ready for. Mine enjoy the Mathstart series of picture books and each has a different math focus. Those could be a fun addition, just focusing on the ones you can get through your library.
Thanks everyone, all these suggestions are very helpful to me. Tristan, thank you for reminding me that it’s ok to use books from the library that don’t exactly match up with the SCM suggestions. I know this, but sometimes I get in that homeschool mom frenzy! The living math books is a good idea too.
Wierd – I posted and it isn’t showing up – maybe caught in SPAM filter?
Check out http://www.booksamaritain.org (or .com?) – they might be able to help….
I just finished module 1 with dd6. I would vote for Vos Story Bible, Ancient Egypt and her Neighbors, and Boy of the Pyramids. Don’t bother with Letters from Egypt and use free blank outlines for Geography. If you can find other picture books at your library or at thrift stores, that’s great. If you never found any other picture books though, the three books listed would be plenty for an Ancient Egypt study for a 6 year old.
We are on a tight budget as well! I have found most of the books at the library or books that were similar. Most of the books that were christian based I could not find at the library but did find them on amazon for just a few dollars. I amazingly have found several great books at thrift stores. I buy the ones that I truly cannot find and the ones that I would love to own and use again and again.
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