Hi LivingUnderGrace,

I appreciate the information you've included on your blog about ACE. How helpful! - - all of that in one place altogether. Thank you.

I remembered (I think?) from your former blog that you had been using (was it R&S? ABeka?). Sorry! I am not perfectly recollecting but I thought maybe I'd remembered you switching from ACE and I was wondering what made you come back. I'm wondering because I am considering using much of it (can't tear ourselves away from Saxon math...) next year, just seeing how well my children do with independent work. They thrive and it is somehow less "distracting" for them than something that is dependent on me teaching too much....like the information flows directly to them without getting stuck in a traffic jam at the teacher. (If that makes sense...I know what I mean but I may not be communicating it well at ten after a night of Awana's and Sparkies, LOL.)

We all do other things together, reading chapter books, crafting, games, etc. throughout the day, so I don't mind that they do well with independent schoolwork, as they work together in the other ways.

Looking forward to hearing about ACE from you! :o)




Rejoicing in JESUS,
Mommy4Jesus

I'd remembered you switching from ACE and I was wondering what made you come back.
.......................................

Hi Mommy4Jesus,

Yes, you are remembering correctly. I do regret ever switching away from ACE to begin with...and my biggest prayer this year is to overcome 'the grass is greener' curricula syndrome. ugh
=o)

My family thrives with ACE, it just works for us. The lesson planning (utilizing the goal cards) is so simple! I mean amazingly simple! lol

The record keeping is also a no-brainer.

My oldest two children do use the Paces about 85% independently (I do occasionally require oral narrations from them in things like history, or ask them to explain to me orally something from science, or ask them to teach me a math procedure, etc.)

My 11 year old uses the Paces about 65-70% independently.

My 8 yr old uses them about 50% independently.

My 5 yr old is totally dependent yet. ;-)


I liked to be involved as much as I can, yet with the Paces I have the freedom to have 100% independence from 4 of the children if I am having a crazy or busy day. Does that make sense? We do use them as recommended as far as goal cards, 2-3 week per pace, passing is 80% or more, student scoring their own work, etc...but I will admit I do try to be more involved then what say the kids in a ACE school would have...but I like learning with them. Many times I have my youngers read aloud to me from their Social Studies or Science, just because *I* find it interesting, and it's nice one on one interaction. I require the oral narrations occasionally from the older 2 just to be sure they are not 'filling in blanks to pass a test to forget and move on', so to speak. ;-)


>>>> They thrive and it is somehow less "distracting" for them than something that is dependent on me teaching too much....like the information flows directly to them without getting stuck <<<<

This does make sense...my oldest especially likes to be totally independent, and if I go on and on teaching her, when she does not 'need' teaching...the glazes over! lol



>>> We all do other things together, reading chapter books, crafting, games, etc<<<<

Great, because I feel this IS so important when using a self directed type of learning...Kudos to you!

This post was edited on Nov 02, 2009 09:39 PM

LivingUnderGrace,
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing all that with me! I appreciate your advice as I know you have a number of children (5 ) and I have 4, so I like to see how it works out well with several children. :) Thanks for your advice.



Rejoicing in JESUS,
Mommy4Jesus

LivingUnderGrace,

Interesting to hear about your "regrets" ;) I'm also aiming for that independent style still, realizing that those younger ones still need my attention the most. Still using my MOTS-like schedule too, somewhat loosely, but most helpful this year in keeping us all on track and satisfying my need for box-checking!

I remember you also getting into the Bluedorn's Teaching the Trivium book. I haven't read that yet, but I'm curious about your thoughts on that (after your "regrets"). Was it just getting too overwhelming to keep up with? Too much juggling? Are you still applying some of their principles/methods with your new ACE choices...besides the narrating? Just wondering!

I like how you seem to be using your paces. You make them very tempting :) It's also encouraging to know that your brother has been very successfully edcuated using them and is now in college doing well. I think the ACE gets underestimated as a solid curriculum choice many times. There really is no "magic" curriculum out there is there?! LOL! I think ACE provides a very solid, down-to-earth, doable option for many homeschoolers, and I think nobody should feel the need to apologize for using them or think the "grass is greener" elsewhere :) If they are working, don't quit! There's no use in buying a shiny, brand-new car if the motor isn't working, KWIM? Stick with what works and gets you where you want to go!

Nancy

ACE vs. Lifepac?

Or ACE vs. Abeka?

If anyone has comparisons I would love to hear them.

:)

Hi, i was just started homeschooling my 1st grader this year with ACE. I really like it. I work from home so the flexibility and the independence of the program is great for me. I am however so overwhelmed with the abundance of curriculum choices and advice out there. I am concerned that ACE is not challenging enough. I would love use ACE all the way through high school but I'm concerned about ACE not being good college prep. Just really interested in your feedback...
thanks.

Nancy,

>>>> Interesting to hear about your "regrets" ;) <<<<

I don't have any regrets as far as using the TTT ideas in itself...however, I do have regrets for ever switching from ACE to begin with. I really does just work for us. I fell for the stigma of GASP! Paces? Textbooks? That is not *real* homeschooling - that is school at home. LOL

I do still really like TTT, I think it is EXCELLENT for those that are geared for a classical/charlotte mason style...it is the best of both in a nice package...it's just not 'us'. :-)


>>>> Are you still applying some of their principles/methods with your new ACE choices...besides the narrating? Just wondering! <<<<


Hmmm, no, not really. I am an all or nothing type person for the most part (type A, baby)...so I had to let go. KWIM? Oral narrations, written narrations, memory work, self ed though these things yes I have kept somewhat. For exmaple: my ds13 is using the ACE social studies 8 - and the activity packs are really TOUGH! So what we are doing for him this year with these is he reads the pace, and does oral or written narrations, rather then the activity packs. so, ok maybe I kept some of the TTT ideas. ;-)


Hey, Nancy, if you want to borrow my TTT book to read...drop me a line with your mailing address. :-)

undergracebyfaith at gmail dot com

ACE vs. Lifepac?

Or ACE vs. Abeka?
..................................

Lifepacs - not super easy to use, IMO. Poor paper quality, errors in manuals, no obvious daily start/stop point, and also sometimes really confusing as to *what they want*? lol Language Arts components all mashed into 1 subject. Spiral approach (which is perfect for some) In a nutshell I HATE it.

Abeka - a money trap (constant updates/revisions), the spelling is too advanced IMO, nice seperate LA components though, good solid math program up to grade 6 (after that I did not like the math), expects too much in grades 1-3 IMO, kind of a pain having ummm, how many manuals (test keys, curriculum, teacher key, solutions, blah blah blah). SPIRAL approach (which is perfect for some)
Overall a great, solid, academic program...just too much stress for me, but I have 5 kids too so hmmm In a nutshell, I don't have it, but neither do I love it. I could use it no problem, its just not my preference ?

ACE - SO SO SO easy to use! No brainer lesson planning, simple record keeping, nice paper quality for writing on, definitely stopping points with the score strips, seperate LA components, starts of very gentle in the lower grades (like Rod and Staff) and builds steam over the long haul. Mastery Approach In a nutshell i do really like this program overall. I do add somethings though like oral/written narrations, I require more accountability to ME than the program is set up, etc...but it sure is nice to have 100% independence in student work on the days you need that. ;-)