new and don’t know how to start

Here’s a wonderful link on this site if you haven’t already read it:

http://simplycharlottemason.com/home/started/transition/

I am coming from a more relaxed time (we’ve had a lot of major disruptions in the past 3 years), so I am taking it one step at a time. Don’t get me wrong–we try to fit in picture study or other things, but I have a “core” that I am working on. I’m still basically in “step one” from that link, (we started just before the holidays, then kind of got out of our routine!) but that’s okay. There is no hurry. Especially at your children’s ages!

Don’t despair! You might be able to plug in some of the books you have, but if it’s any consolation, I bought some things when I tried to do Ambleside a year ago, and some of my older dc are picking them up on their own to read them! (Like the Shakepeare for children I bought.)

I’d start just having shorter lessons on their math and language arts. Read some history together (living books) and start them narrating (my younger ones still need a lot of prompting–but I’m careful to not overdo it).

I would also incorporate more of their language arts into what you’re doing as time goes on, but that actually is a later step.

One thing that helps my dc is I have Fridays “off” from their regular math and they can do a fun math (they like the Pet Store Math from Your Business Series here at SCM) or math games–something different than the norm.

And just read other books aloud for the fun of reading them. Don’t require a narration, but maybe later, if they don’t on their own, ask them to tell Daddy at dinner what they liked about the story that day. I am finding THAT’S where my dc’s narrations are best! Not sure if it’s because they’ve had time to “digest” it a bit or what. Of course I eventually want them to be able to do it sooner ;), but I consider it a baby step!

We already were picking a hymn for the month and a hymn for the week, so that one is easy to go ahead and do even though it’s more of a “step 2”. You could pick a composer for this month and have his music playing in the background during some of their individual school time (if it’s not distracting). Last month we did Tchaikovsky, and I got a few books out of the library, read them to my younger dc, let them look at them, and we listened to some of his music. I didn’t ask them anything about it and we didn’t study it in depth. It’s just a step to incorporating. I haven’t even gotten anything together for this month yet. Maybe we’ll just listen to more Tchaikovsky! 🙂

I get hung up wanting to make sure I do something “right” and think it to DEATH before I just get in there and do it. So, make a loose plan that won’t overdo, then, to borrow from Nike, “Just do it!” 🙂 You can tweak as you go!

Hope that is helpful! I’m sure you’ll get advice from more “seasoned” CMers–just wanted to share our experience.

Trisch

The AO books are great. We used AO for a few years until it was just to much with our ever growing family. I love how SCM keeps us studying together as a family so I am so thankful we found it. I add in AO books as needed when we need something extra. What you have bought I am sure will not be a waste.

But, no matter as Michelle said pray about what the Lord wants for your family.