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AO and SCM
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I was 100% set to use SCM history modules, and then I started looking around on AOs site. Does anyone follow their recommendations except for the history/bible/geography? The thought of doing those 3 subjects separte with every kid is a little over whelming to me. Since CM is soooo literature heavy, I feel like following their recommendations but doing the SCM module would be great. No sense in adding more work for myself.
Does anyone do this?
i have a dd4 ds2 and one on the way. Im a planner and I think I have over researched.
thanks
I think that would probably work well. Some of the AO literature selections are based on the timeframe being used in history, but I don’t think that would be that big of a problem – you would just be laying down possible connections for a later time.
(I’m using all of AO right now….)
I love the idea of using all of it, It is just the thought of 3 different kids in 3 different areas of history.
What are the ages? Are you on the AO forum? There are mom’s there with large families. My oldest is finishing year 2, next is doing year 1, there is one learning to read and doing math, and i also have a 2 year old, so i can relate…
i have a 4-so we just start prek stuff and will start year 0 next fall (2014) a 2 he wont start year 0 until 2016, and i am pregnant. but with spacing the oldest will be in 5th when the youngest is in 0
Oh, I see you told me the ages above… lol.
So for AO, you wouldn’t be starting the actual years for a couple of years… right now you are focusing on outdoor stuff, good habits, etc.
Your oldest 2 would be about 2 years apart. So the first couple of years, you are mostly handling 1 child in school, and a couple of youngers – so that isn’t too bad.
So when your 2nd starts your oldest would be in Year 3. The likelyhood is that she would be able to do some of the readings on her own. (Or, if she can’t – you can use audiobooks to help her be more independent. My oldest has dyslexia, so that makes things more complicated…) And then you focus on the 2nd…..
When your 3rd starts, your middle would be in Year 4 and your oldest in Year 6, and doing a LOT of things independently (hopefully)…
It is doable, but seems daunting when you look at it from this end.
Of course, the SCM – family style – work is great too. It is just that my son (oldest) was feeling stupid because he was struggling (the dyslexia) and his younger sister wasn’t.
Kayla,
I like to visit SCM, AO, and CM Help for ideas. I tend to work on one area of our schooling at a time, so I might read about picture study on all 3 sites and work on a plan from there. I don’t see why you can’t pick and choose from both AO and SCM. We’ve used AO’s poetry and music selections and I’ve gotten read aloud ideas. I’m hoping to add their Plutarch study guides eventually as well.
Personally, I could never follow AO’s specific schedule. I need my DC combined as much as possible to school to get done around here! Some moms like to have their DC more split up so their books are geared for their exact grade level. I’m sure there are plenty of moms who have found a combination of both styles that works for them as well.
One thing I also like to do is glance at what is recommended for each grade at those three sites and write down any books or subjects that stand out as something my DC would enjoy. I then narrow this list down so they aren’t overwhelmed by too much. I mostly use AO and CM Help for independent reading books and follow SCM for the bulk of our studies. I’ve also found some fun ideas on CM Help for younger grades…things like learning table manners and family rules or handicraft ideas.
Hey Holly
You might like Milestones Academy too for more suggestions (you know, in case you don’t have enough! lol)
I love SCM, CM Help, and AO. I feel like I have found a way to combine them, my way, into a perfecr fit for our family. My seven year old daughter is just finishing up AO Year 1 and SCM Module 1, with a modified American History rotation more like the one Linda Fay has laid out at CM Help. I use Truthquest History Handbooks to guide our study of American History. It has been a great year. In the fall she will do AO Year 2 with book selections added from SCM module 4 and 5, and Truthquest. Hopefully this doesn’t sound too overwhelming…….I have been at this homeschooling thing a while
I am attaching a link to my plans for our AO 2 year. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxobHyGwz7QBU2xMUGxmMzRBajg/edit?usp=sharing
I also do my own mixing for my 12 year old and my 16 year old, but their plans aren’t done yet. We all stay together for Bible and follow SCM’s rotation.
Warmly,
Heather
Thanks everyone. I know I still have a while to think this through. It is nice to have a list to look for at the thrift store 🙂
If it has not already been mentioned- The Simply Charlotte Mason Planning Guide is very helpful for me. Do I have the title name right on that? Just my .02.
I use AO, SCM, CM Help and Truthquest and use a 3 year history rotation through elementary years so I have to rework all the great books into the age-appropriate years. It’s a bit of legwork, but I have been happy with it so far.
Can I please ask what AO means? I already wondered a lot as I saw it with the descriptions of books on the booklist…
Ambleside Online. http://amblesideonline.org/curriculum.shtml
I’ve used ideas from SCM, AO, and CMH/HUFI. We tend to do things quite like SCM, but I throw in a year of state history. That throws off the SCM module schedule a bit. This has meant combining the first three modules and the last two a bit. It works out fairly well on paper for our youngest two DC, but I’ve recently noticed what looks like a better fit for my 13yos on the CMH site. It won’t throw anything off as far as togetherness. It just seems to be a better organization for him at this point. His little sister turned 7 recently. That makes it more appealing to me for them to have separate studies as they are so far apart in attention span, interests, and abilities. Our older three are 21, 20, and 18. Doing everything together was a much easier route. Now that I have more time for each of the younger two, I can tailor things more individually.
I think quite a few folks here pull from various places and create their own plan. The SCM Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education suggestions are the best I’ve ever seen to help put everything into perspective. This forum is also a huge blessing as similar minded folks can help each other sort through all the options to find a good fit for their families even though each is quite different from the next.
Over the weekend, with help from Richelle, I solved the odd math situation my 13yo was up against. I couldn’t have done it on my own. With the CM style adjustments I made to his 12 year plan, I am confident that his education will be an exact fit.
Enjoy learning with your children!
I am attaching a link to my plans for our AO 2 year. 
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