A Beka vs. Calvert...

[hsmommyto1]

I'm thinking about maybe buying either A Beka or Calvert's entire pre-packaged 3rd grade curriculum to use with my daughter this fall. Have any of you used either of these? If so, comments on them would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[canadian gardener]

oh my! Well my sister used both different years, and while their are many good points, her opinion was OVER KILL.

However they are a good program if a lot of work for mother and child.

Are you and your dd more inclined to textbooks and tests and the comfort level of knowing that it's all being covered or experiances, reading, talking, experimenting? BOTH APPROACHES ARE FINE. People who feel cramped by an outline will feel cramped by these programs but on the other hand, if you have an intrusive State legislation, with loads of paperwork, these can be a WONDERFUL peace of mind.

Calvert is an excellent program, my sister saved bits of it to use in her efforts with her 6 kids over the years, and she loved the A Beka textbooks as a resource to look stuff up in.

But the time and effort involved put her off the whole enchilada. hmm not to mention cost.

[MeBColes]

I think you also have to decide if you want a secular or religious program. Calvert is one of the few secular "school in a box" programs out there.

If cost is a large concern, there *is* one place that I never see mentioned anywhere called "The Backpack". They compile known textbooks (Harcourt Brace, Houghton Miflin, etc.), put together a "planner" so you have an idea of what to do, and ship it off to you. I don't know what it's like, except for the website, but it might be worth looking in to:

www.thebackpack.com

just click the "complete curriculum packages" link. It strikes me as less overwhelming than Calvert (and less expensive!).

Ultimately, I think you just have to go with your gut. My son isn't in the same grade in any 2 subjects. I couldn't use a pkg curriculum if I wanted to. I've just had to buck up and adjust.

Good luck to you.

b