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Difference bx WTm and CM; using living books
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I would like to know more about the difference between what the Well Trained Mind classical way of homeschooling versus Charlotte Mason’s method. What i am particularly focusing in on is the how to do a subject like history for example. What does using “living books” really look like in a practicle way. Please use an example to practically lay it out for me. Wouldn’t looking for living books be more work for us as mothers in planning our home ed than using a good interesting “spine” ?
I m asking these questions so I get a clearer understanding of how to practically apply the CM ideas to my homeschooling.
I think many people use both a spine and living books. Personally, I’ve had trouble finding time to do both. My kids don’t seem to engage much with spines, but love living books—but I don’t want to leave things out! My solution for now is to use Truthquest History (biblical commentary with living book choices). I use the SCM history module books with it (TQ lets you pick). Since my kids are only 5th/2nd I just use the TQ guide/commentary as my spine. I do have a spine on hand in case a topic comes up I want to cover but I don’t have a living book for it. When my eldest is a bit older, we’ll do a regular spine, too. Hope that helps some:) Gina
P.S. My kids can read many of the living books on their own, so that part is not more work for me. At the beg. of the year I choose which books I want us to do together, and which ones they read on their own. The SCM guide is helpful since each period has age appropriate books for everyone.
http://simplycharlottemason.com/2009/06/17/charlotte-mason-method-vs-classical-approach/
Here is a link for CM vs. classical method.
This article and the links may be helpful to you:http://simplycharlottemason.com/basics/started/cmclassical/
There are many booklists to choose from, for history resources and other topics; so it’s not the finding of books as much as decding which books to use!! If you would like names of books that have booklists, I can give you a list. Yes, I would say it does take more effort to gather the materials, but, if you adore books and enjoy seeing your children grow to enjoy and seek knowledge and rich ideas from them, then it’s worth your time; because I don’t think children can have the same reaction, a life-long love of learning just from using a spine alone.
I would also suggest taking some time and thoroughly reading through this SCM site.
Rachel
Thankyouf momto2blessings for responding. I have 5 children but only the first two are homeschooling at this time – 5th grade adn 3rd grade. My two also read very well and love readign stories on history. We have been following the WTM book the last 5 years and though we enjoy it and will still use it as a guide, I want to focus more on how Charlotte Mason explained to do things in some areas like the living books.
Would you be able to tell me how I can get the TruthQuest History? Is it free or do I need to buy it?
How do you find the SCM history module books?
Would I be able to use these two above resources even though I am Canadian? Are the books easy to find?
Lastly, how do you exactly go about using your living books and spine. I know you briefly laid it out, but I would appreciate a more detailed example using a specific topic in history and the related books you read and how you reference your spine.
Sorry for the many questions. Just wanting a clear answer.
Thankyou Rachel and Gem for your links. I have read the short article, but frankly at times I get confused as WTM and CM do many things similar. What has helped me thus far to understand the difference between the two is the purpose of goal of education. Classical education is about feeding and developing the mind, where as, CM is about developing character so they can do what God has called them to do (with feeding the mind being a very strong direct benefit because of it). I have realized that I have been missing this purpose for some time, but could not pinpoint it until recently Iwant the character first with the mind being benefitted.
Rachel I would love to get your booklist if you would be so kind. I am new at this from the CM point of view. I am also Canadian, but most of the information will apply to world history or our history as well. Please PM me.
You have to purchase TQ, it’s around $25 per guide: http://truthquesthistory.com/. SCM also has a history guide to go with their history modules (hear good things, but not all guides are completed yet). The history modules are listed under history—you can get there from the SCM home page under Free Curriculum Guide. They list family/spine books to do all together and also living books by age group for all the history cycles. I use these books with TQ.
The TQ guide will have a Biblical commentary on the main events in history (some long, some short). For instance, it will say “Pilgrims” and have a commentary on who they were and how they didn’t like being ruled by the English church, how they wanted to live their life to please God, etc. A big topic like this will have a “Think/Write” qu. you can discuss, and write about (if you wish). Some commentaries are very short, and there are only a dz. or so (I think) Think/Write qu. in the whole guide, not all the time.
So you read the commentary. Under that there will be a few spine book choices listed, with pages that correspond to pilgrims/the topic. Then there will be several living books to choose from. Sometimes movies will be listed. You could never read all the books! So I use the SCM history module books—-most are in the TQ guide. I check them off at the beg. of the year and read them as we get to the topic. I pick which books we’ll read together and which ones the kids will read independently. I do add in a few of the TQ books that sound really good.
As far as referencing spines, for my age group (5th/2nd) I mainly use the TQ guide as the spine. If a topic comes up that I don’t have a living book for, I’ll read a chapter in a spine book I do have on hand (the ch. is referenced in the TQ guide). Some people use spines at this age, too. You’d just read the spine and the living books under the topics. You don’t have to do every topic—it’s a very comprehensive guide, doesn’t lead you by the hand.
I don’t know about finding books in Canada—-but many are popular books across other curriculums like Sonlight and Veritas. We use Paperback Swap for many of our books, but don’t know about mailing to Canada. I hope that helps some and wasn’t too confusing:) Gina
As for Canadian History,
Here is my general plan for the first 6 years of school (about age 7 to 12) for history… but I will be adding some more living books… each years readings are lined up to match AO’s history cycle… http://maplehillacademy.blogspot.com/2011/02/canadian-history-plan-updated.html
There is also a Yahoo group called cmcanada which has other suggestions and ideas. I think the files section of the group has a document someone made with various books for various stages of Canadian History.
Hope this helps some!
Sorry I only have 4 children – not 5. But maybe my wrong typing is prophetic and not a typo!
(Ha!Ha!)@ Sue_mom23 – Funny!!! You made me laugh! Actually I would like another child and would take you up on your offer, but I am not sure my hubby would be ready for a 5th child!
@ Suzukimom – thanks for your resources as I find it hard to locate resources for Canadian literature and history. The only thing that we have really liked is the 4 DVD narrative series “Canada – A People’s History ” . My kids love it and so do I. My husbnad the historian by education says it is the best resource he has ever seen that covers Canadian history effectively and completely (and he has read lots of books!)
Sue…here’s the link: http://truthquesthistory.com/howtochoose.php. For grades 1-5, they only have American History (3 yrs. of guides). For grades 5-12 they have all of history. A guide will last about a year. There’s so much to choose from you COULD spend years per guide:) But I am trying to keep it to 1 guide per year to keep a 6 yr. history cycle. HTH:) Gina
Canadian History – yes, I plan to use the DVD series when my children are older – during our 2nd run of Canadian History.
I’m starting to work out my plan for Canadian Literature as well, again mainly for the first 6 years or so. There do not seem to be a lot of “classics” out there… it seems that with a few exceptions, Canadian Literature mostly appeared around 1950+… I am going through a great resource right now to pick out potential books.
I am also picking out Canadian Artists (so far, Robert Bateman, Emily Carr, and the Group of 7) and Canadian Folk songs. (mostly Stan Rogers and Stomping Tom so far… but will have other artists too…)
Can you tell that i like to have a plan figured out? LOL
Caralee, have you seen Sonya’s samples from her history guides? They give an idea of books you will need (most readily available at major bookstores) and a sample schedule.
We use Truthquest also, and love it.
I have a decent collection of Canadian books. If you are interested, I can give you a list of good ones.
Gaeleen
(Ha!Ha!)
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