You’ve probably heard of this book by Siegfried Engelman. If not, well, the title’s pretty self explanatory, lol.
Well, a friend of mine recently gave me a copy of the book and last week, I embarked on the journey of using it with my four year old. (I say embark as the dictionary defines it: “Proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers” —-the danger being that we won’t finish. I am notorious about changing books midstream……..but that’s a whole other post……)
Anyway, the book is highly rated….I’ve only read a few negative comments about it out of dozens of positive ones…(you can see 516 reviews of it at Amazon–of course you probably won’t want to sift through them ALL , lol). But they are useful. The most important thing is to use them only if your child is ready, and that goes with any curriculum/book.
Ok, I have to confess I have tried to use this book before….eons ago with my first homeschooler. But, I had borrowed it from the library and it was on hold so I had to return it before I could finish it. now, I remember back then, also that I probably hit a snag early on and wouldn’t have been patient enough to continue with it but I’ll never know……maybe that’s good for this time around? All kids are different, so it may not work with one, but it may work with another.
I try to keep in mind what some of the reviews say…..don’t start if your kids aren’t ready…..it may start slow, but it picks up and is so worth it….
So for new homeschoolers or those who like everything laid out, this book has scripted lessons. it tells you EXACTLY what to say. Sounds great, but after having homeschooled for 11 years, I’ve learned to put my own spin on things and this is what the author suggests you not do…free lance, unless you have gone through the program once or twice. The danger, he says is that you may try to become too fancy the first time around and find out that you probably should not have modified some of the things you did earlier.
Well, that may be a hard one for me, as I am finding that I am already putting my spin on things and I do find scripted lessons a little confining. they seem like a great concept and I will admit, I did not practice using the lessons beforehand (he suggests making a dry run before you start the book). he says that if you follow the program religiously the first time you present it, “the outcome is guaranteed.” Well, we’ll see. I know that I will not follow it religiously, ok being honest here, but I really do like having something structured and will try to stick to it as best as I can, Allahu ilm. But I still believe that with everything, you have to put your own spin on it for YOUR child.
As I know that I have a hard time sticking with things, I thought I would do a series here at the TJ blog about our progress. (Hoping it will help me be more accountable by posting it publicly, lol)…..maybe it would help others who are using it but having trouble staying with it? So anyway, that’s the thinking. So, I hope that I can record some progress to you, maybe weekly (but won’t promise, lol….we’ll see how it goes).
Ok, maybe not a ring, but are you a blogger using 100 Easy Lessons or thinking about it? why not write about it on your blog (if you haven’t already?)
If you are considering writing or writing about it, please leave a comment with your link. as I (hopefully) post our progress, I’ll include your blog link as well, insha Allah.
My pal, Umm Samyrah over at The HomeschoolinUmmi is using 100 Easy Lessons as well and writing about her progress….stop by and see how she’s doing at her The Homeschoolin’ Ummi blog.
Please make duaa for us. My little guy, 4, has been asking for “school” work and so this book really helps me because I don’t have to plan. wish they had 100 easy lessons for math, lol (or do they?) smile……………………….
If you are considering purchasing it, you can help support TJ, by buying from Amazon with the link below
Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Our tentative date for completion is March 18, 2010,insha Allah.
Gave myself a goal to try to help stay on track.
(It’s over 100 days as we won’t do lessons on the weekends and I added some cushion in…..)
There’s supposed to be a nice little countdown widget here, but me and Word Press and widgets just do NOT get along lol.
Have you used/do you use 100 Easy Lessons?
