Needing Help Getting Started…

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  • March 14, 2013 at 6:01 pm
    AmandaA
    Member

    I have one child, a pre-teen boy-DS, (he has ADD).  We just started homeschooling this year (2012-2013), and started with the traditional method because that’s what I knew.  It’s not working for us, so I set out to find something that would.  That’s when I came across the CM method, I started reading CM’s Homeschooling Series, and immediately felt that this was what an education should be.  I knew right then and there, that this is what I wanted for DS, and what I wanted our homeschool to be like.  The problem is, I don’t have the benefit of starting out with a toddler or kindergartener.  DS is about to be 13 and is a seventh grader (at least for a few more months).  

    So, here are my questions: Should I start the CM method now, or wait until next year?  How do I start with a child at this age/grade?  If any of you have started this method (or homeschooling period) at this age/grade, I’d love to hear any advice you have.  Thank you so much!

    March 14, 2013 at 6:37 pm
    Jenni
    Participant

    Welcome! It’s quite a challenging question, since every family, every child, every situation is different, but I would humbly suggest you just start with a few things to round out this year and then use your summer to prepare yourself and your son for the fall. We actually school year-round, but if you are both used to this break, by all means, take it.

    A few easy things you could start with are just little things really that add up to the whole philosophy… for instance you could implement shorter lesson times, add in art and nature study every other week, add in a very low-key narration maybe once a week, and add in some living books from the booklist. In fact, maybe choose a few in his favorite subject from last year or from this year, just as fun reads, not required.

    Once the fall comes, he’ll be more aware of the approach and will hopefully have caught the ‘good lit’ bug from those few books. I’d even offer them through the summer if he seems responsive.

    There is no right way to do it. Do what works for your son. Ask him how he’d like to do school and see if he comes up with anything usable. I’m surprised at the great ideas my dds 8 and 5 come up with.

    Again, welcome and HTH-

    Jenni

    March 14, 2013 at 7:11 pm
    momto2blessings
    Participant

    I agree w/Jenni:) Especially getting some narration practice in will be helpful…so it’s not foreign to him next year. Welcome and blessings as you begin! This forum is a great place to ask qu. and receive support…so please jump back in as qu. arise:) Blessings, Gina

    March 14, 2013 at 7:30 pm
    AmandaA
    Member

    Thanks both of you.  I know that each family/child is different, but was just looking for some general suggestions for starting with a child this age that has been in public school up until now.  Thank you both for your suggestions and ideas.  I’ve actually talked to DS about different homeschooling methods before, and we’ve looked at them together.  He told me that if it was up to him he would go with either Charlotte Mason or Unit Studies.  He then started reading up on Charlotte Mason on his own and was very excited about what he discovered…so I’m pretty sure that’s the method we’ll go with next year.  Until then, I think I’ll try some of your suggestions of: narration, nature study, art study for the rest of this year.  I’m also all for anything that gets him reading.  So, I may look into some good living books, and let him pick the ones that interest him to start out with.  Thanks again!  You’ve definitely given me some places/ideas to start with.

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