Is CM time-consuming than other methods, such as classical?

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  • kernat
    Participant

    I’ve been interested in the CM method, and have attempted small changes, but if you go entirely CM in a homeschool with 4 kids (next year I’ll have 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th graders), is it more time consuming than other methods?  Right now, we are mostly classical.  My kids can do some things somewhat independently.  I have trust in the method, but CM sounds great, too.  I’m just afraid of not being able to do it well because of time constraints.  Have any of you switched to this method completely, coming from a different approach?

    Michelle
    Participant

    As you go through learning about the CM education philosophy, you will see that most things are taught in short lessons.

    When I started out schooling, it was more “classical” and we spent half the day it seems on the subjects because we did lesson per lesson. At one point, my 2nd grader spent 1.5 hours just on a reading assignment. That said, Charlotte Mason is somewhat classical, depending on the definition.

    I also have 4 kiddos; because we combine most subjects, we finish in 2- 2.5 hours for everything. Math is what takes the longest because sometimes I have to work one at a time with each kid, sometimes the older girls can do theirs independently. My oldest (15y) added in Highschool Biology, so her day is closer to 3.5 hours.

    CM is not as much a method as it is a philosophy- if you look into some other CM groups online, your day may get longer because ages (forms) are separated. I tried and failed at that and returned to Simply Charlotte Mason to bring my family back together again.

    Andrea
    Participant

    Actually, I think Charlotte Mason is less time-consuming–especially because so many subjects can be combined.  Kids who are older can generally do readings at their grade level independently, while the younger ones may need a picture book to be read aloud to them (sometimes older kids can help with this, which will only enhance their own understanding of subjects matter).  Your 5th and 6th graders would be reading the same additional texts, as would your 1st and 3rd, so it would likely work well.  I have two kids 9 years apart, and I find it works well.

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