Yes! Jenn is right about the free resources. Her free ebooks are always worth the time.

I agree with Tia, I *love* Planning Your CM Education. If I had to choose between the book and the dvd for that resource, I think I would choose the book... but that is more a reflection of my personal learning style than anything else. I enjoyed the video but had to have the book in my hand to really pull things together. 

Also agreeing with Tia on the All Day Seminar on dvd... I learned so much from that even though I had read a ton of material on CM methodology before I watched it. Books and Things is really good too but I think I would get the other first. They are both excellent.

Laying Down the Rails... haven't read this one yet but it's on my list. :) 

Also many of the free materials in the bookstore are very helpful.

Happy shopping! :)

~ Jenn

I highly recommend Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education.  I think (for me) it's helpful to have both the book and the DVD for this particular resource.

Also, I think the All Day Seminars are probably very helpful if you aren't familiar with CM and how to teach the varying subjects.  I don't have this one, but I attended her seminar a couple years ago and Sonya does a great job of breaking down the subjects.

Those would be my priorities. HTH!

p.s. My kids are 8, 6 and 4 and when I first saw your ages, I thought our kids were the same age.  How in the world, in the midst of long days, did the years trickle through my fingertips??  *sigh*

and...if anybody has things for sale for someone who doesn't have a thing from this site but wants everything!.... :)

I am looking at the various books (like Planning your CM Education) and wondering which ones are essential, and which ones (if any) should be bought alongside their DVD.  Thank you!!  I am new to homeschooling, and my kids are 6, 4, and 2--again--thanks!!