Much needed advice please

[Montreal_Marisa]

I am happy to note that hubby has agreed to permit me to homeschool our  4 1/2 year old this fall, with a couple of stipulations; Dom still has  to go to French preschool (2 hours a day three times a week); I have to  learn French before then; and it's on a trial basis. 
 
  I really need some advice and honest opinions on curriculum.  I've  decided to go the structured route because I need it.  I'm afraid  I would probably make a mess of things on my own as I am a born  procrastinator.  I've narrowed it down to two homestudy schools,  Kolbe and Our Lady of Victory.  The problem is that I'm unsure how  to ensure that Dom gets a good Traditional Catholic education, as I'm  so new to this myself, I have no idea what to look for in content as  far as textbooks and such.  I don't want to think I'm doing good  only to find out I've erred, know what I mean?   So if any of  you can find the time from your busy homeschooling schedules, I would  really appreciate some guidance on texts, wha to avoid, etc.   Thanks again for your time.
 
 

[algts]

I have heard good things about OLVS, and it is traditional.   I am so happy for you!

[Sophia]

That is wonderful that your husband is letting you homeschool!

 

For structure, I would definitely go with OLVS, as Kolbe is more parent-led, even though they will give you help whenever you want it.

 

OLVS, is solidly Catholic and uses the tried-and-true texts of the 50's. And even though I personally don't like all their books, it will take a huge load off of you to have that structure, and your husband won't see you floundering around not knowing what to do next.

 

How are you going to go about learning French?  Is there a class that you will take? Or are you going to do Power-Glide or something?

[Montreal_Marisa]

That is wonderful that your husband is letting you homeschool!

For  structure, I would definitely go with OLVS, as Kolbe is more  parent-led, even though they will give you help whenever you want it.

OLVS,  is solidly Catholic and uses the tried-and-true texts of the 50's. And  even though I personally don't like all their books, it will take a  huge load off of you to have that structure, and your husband won't see  you floundering around not knowing what to do next.

How  are you going to go about learning French? Is there a class that you  will take? Or are you going to do Power-Glide or something?

 
  Thanks for the help ladies!  How am I going to learn French?   There again, I think I'm going to need some structure!  I've have  a very good learn on your own book/tape set that I've had for, ummm,  three + years, and haven't used it much.     I think I'll have to go the total immersion route along with structured  classes.  I do know quite a lot of French already just by being  around the language here so much, I can usually make out what someone  is talking about in a conversation if I listen closely.  Reading  it I do okay, can usually figure it out.  It's so hard (boo hoo  hoo), that I've been lazy and stick with the easier English.  Have  you ever heard a Quebecer talk?  They talk very very fast, and  they don't talk "proper" French as those in say Paris would, lots of  slang and lazy way of pronouncing French.  But hubby wants me to  learn "proper" French.  I'm determined to homeschool Dominic, so  I've got to buckle down and get busy!  Besides, I have to prove  hubby wrong that I can do this! 
 
  I was leaning more towards OLVS because of the "extra" help they  provide.  It's good to know that they are traditional! 
 

[tradcatholicmom]

http://www.olrs.com/ is also traditional, and still structured.

 

Pretty much everyone at my parish who switched to our private school due to burnout used OLVS.  That's not to put it down, just to say it's a HIGHLY structured program and from what I hear, doesn't have a lot of flexibility for your needs.

 

Here's another site that is traditional leaning.  http://members.tripod.com/~catholic_homeschool/index.html

[Montreal_Marisa]

http://www.olrs.com/ is also traditional, and still structured.

Pretty  much everyone at my parish who switched to our private school due to  burnout used OLVS. That's not to put it down, just to say it's a HIGHLY  structured program and from what I hear, doesn't have a lot of  flexibility for your needs.

Here's another site that is traditional leaning.  http://members.tripod.com/~catholic_homeschool/index.html

 
  Thanks Kathy!  I stumbled upon that site a few weeks ago for OLRS  but wasn't sure about it since it didn't list much info on their  curriculum.  Do you know how much it costs?  Also, what about  Seton?  I looked into it for my son who was 16 at the time so he  could finish highschool up here in Canada.  I had even enrolled  him, but due to family problems it didn't happen.  Are they  traditional?  I was at that time only looking for Catholic  homeschooling. 
 

[JLeigh]

To the best of my knowledge, Seton is not traditional. It is my understanding that they are conservative, but not traditional. My aunt used it, but when my mom looked into it, she thought it was too modern.

[Marisa]

Marisa,

Another option is to put together your own curriculum. I highly recommend St. Francis Books (they are in Ontario).  I'd be lost without them! They'll send you a free catalogue if you request one. I loosely follow their suggested curriculum:

http://www.stfrancisbooks.com/Toppage_suggested_curriculum_K-1.htm, and add a few things of my own here and there. They carry books from OLV and Seton, and they're Trad!  

[Montreal_Marisa]

Marisa,

Another  option is to put together your own curriculum. I highly recommend St.  Francis Books (they are in Ontario). I'd be lost without them! They'll  send you a free catalogue if you request one. I loosely follow their  suggested curriculum:

http://www.stfrancisbooks.com/Toppage_suggested_curriculum_K-1.htm, and add a few things of my own here and there. They carry books from OLV and Seton, and they're Trad!

 
  Thanks Marisa!  That's another great idea, and that would solve  the problem with duties paid on U.S. books.  I'm not sure if they  tax those or not, but I was worried about it.  I know I'll still  have to pay GST. 
 
  I was thinking that I should change my name back to Reese here, I've  had a few emails and pm's of people thinking I was you.   Not  that it bothers me, just to avoid confusion.  I wouldn't want  anyone thinking that you're an idiot based on something I post.    I think I'll see if I can figure out how to do that now. 
 

[Montreal_Marisa]

To the best of my knowledge, Seton is not traditional. It is my understanding that they are conservative, but not traditional. My aunt used it, but when my mom looked into it, she thought it was too modern.

 
  That's what I thought too, thought I read that on the old board.  Thanks for the opinion, it's much appreciated!