Anyone Using Lakeshore Learning Theme Boxes?

[SunflowerMama]

I saw these on LS and just the idea of having everything organized and ready for the year is appealing. The price...not so appealing, but with the quality of their other products I'm wondering if it could be worth it.

Has anyone used their theme boxes before? Are there a good number of activities? i was thinking with 8 boxes I could just focus on one per month (summers off) and incorporate other free activities if we needed more.

Anyone used these?

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CsearchResults~~p%7C2534374302201949~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/language/viewall.jsp

[spud912]

Cool idea, but seems very pricey for not much stuff. Plus, I like to pick out my own stuff for our themes. That's the best part of theme shopping!

[Countrygal]

Here's the take from a mom who has homeschooled four children for over 22 years..... NOT from a daycare perspective.

The price I don't think is too bad, actually, for curriculum. It is probably well worth the money.

My thoughts on the curriculum itself: I don't like to buy curriculum that I don't know EXACTLY what is in it. I have usually been disappointed. I would want to see their idea books before I purchased, but that might just be me.

These look like they would be good, but to me they don't look like they would be a complete curriculum at all. I like that they have other things besides seatwork. So many of the curriculums I've looked at include a bunch of seatwork. I also like looks of the idea books.

Stretching eight subject to fill a year wouldn't work for me, and although there are several activities in each box, I doubt that there is more than a couple of weeks of ideas in each. And I know my kids would get bored stretching one theme for 6 weeks. But we incorporate pretty much everything into our themes - our arts, our crafts, our play time. If you just wanted circle time material, it might be enough for a year - maybe - but then, I don't think the cost is quite as good, either, if that's all it's used for.

These are just MY thoughts. What works for me may not work for you and vice verse!

[DCMom]

I got a great deal on 10 of these at a daycare closing sale a couple of years ago ($175!). They were complete and in excellent condition. The quality is good, but in my opinion, there isn't enough to fill a month unless you were only using them a couple of days a week.

The good thing for me is that they became 'starter boxes'. Each year I have added things to them that I have found or created ~word wall words, extra craft ideas, different things for our What is it Box, dramatic play ideas, books, coloring sheets, written lesson plans, etc. Most of them have graduated to larger containers. I love being able to grab a theme and go without a ton of preparation. It really makes our day easier.

[MyAngels]

I don't have an opinion on the boxes, but discount code 2232 will get you $15.00 off.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

My OCD organized side likes the simplicity/cute factor. ::

Maybe I should just buy some clear bins and I'll feel happy about my own items.

[jojosmommy]

I havent used them myself but I did post earlier about Lakeshores return/replace policy. Our rep told us that if its "lost, chewed, ripped, ruined, colored on etc they will replace it so you can still use the set." Direct quote. He said they want you to LOVE it and they know how kids are so they will gladly do what they can for you to make sure you can keep loving it. Just a thought.