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New and trying to figure where to start
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Hi!
I’ve been pouring over the SCM website for a couple of days now and I’m really considering using this for our upcoming year. Our family consists of an almost 8 yo boy, almost 6 yo girl, and an almost 3 yo boy. All spring babies! lol
Currently we are using a literature-based all inlcusive program that is a mix of CM and traditional. It doesn’t categorized by grade but rather by age range. But the more I read through SCM the more I’m intrigued. My oldest son right now gets that “glazed over” look in his eyes when we have to do the history portion and alot of the program seems contrived/artificial.
My dd is doing the K level work in the same program but has moved into the 1st grade level handwriting workbook. She loves the bible history but thinks little of everything else.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea of combining for history, geo, bible, poetry, nature, music etc……wow! That seems so much easier than eventually running 3 guides with 3 kids.
I was trying to figure out what resources I would need to gather to start SCM this coming summer. Do I just go through the different subjects and buy the recommended books and guides wherever they may be found? And what about placement? I’m not really sure whether to put DS in 2nd or 3rd – I feel he’s missing out on some things by going to 3rd but I dont’ want to hold him back either. Advice?
And since I’d be reading the books during DD’s 1st grade year, what do I read during her 2nd and 3rd grade year since the same books span 1st-3rd?
Also, for the history I can’t find a reasonably priced copy of the Oxford book of Ancient History. Anything I find is priced out the wazoo! Is there an alternative? Or where do I find a copy that doesn’t require payments?
I’m sure I have lots more questions so I hope you don’t mind more posts in the future. lol
Blessings!
Welcome Lizbeth!
Here is a list of “series” of blog posts on this site http://simplycharlottemason.com/series/ one that might be helpful is Getting Started – http://simplycharlottemason.com/series/getting-started/
I am not using all of the SCM suggested curriculum guide – but am using areas of it, and it is a great way to go. I use the “Planning your CM Education” book to work out exactly what we are going to do.
At the moment, the Oxford book of Ancient History is out of print, and is generally pretty expensive. The SCM folks looked into getting the rights to print it themselves, but that didn’t work out. They are working on an alternative resource, and will be updating their guides – but that is a long process and will take a while. People have posted up the topics of the chapters used, and many people just find other books at their library to cover those types of topics… but what I’d suggest myself for your first year, is to do one of the modules that doesn’t need it. What did you do for History already? Before I had switched to SCM, we had done Ancient Egypt, so I started with Module 2, which doesn’t use the Oxford book in Years 1-3… so I lucked out. Maybe you want to start with more modern history, say Module 5?
Generally, if following the SCM guide – yes, go through the guides and pick out the books needed for each subject.
Math – use whatever math you like. RightStart is highly recommended (I use it) – others use Math U See, and probably any math course around is used by someone… lol
Science – decide if you are doing a Course or Living Books… If doing Courses, there are plenty for the first 6 years listed. If doing books – just pick from the list each year… you aren’t reading ALL of them in 1 year. They are also just suggestions, there are probably many options out there in the world…
Reading – this is where you decide a bit on your ds – how well does he read? As Sonya often says on here – “Teach the child – not the curriculum”… If he needs more reading instruction… do this with him. If not, don’t.
Copywork and Transcription – use whatever level of comments on doing this that are appropriate
Spelling and Dication / Typing – not yet! I didn’t do the English & Grammar at this stage yet either… but looks like you would do the book there…
etc…
History/etc – pick a module…. as I said, starting with Module 5 might give you a good starting point, without having to worry about the Oxford book yet…
Literature – pick a set of books that might work for your whole family… I will admit to not totally getting how to do that…
etc…
hope that helped some!
Those are great tips from suzukimom. You may find it helpful to read the series on here about transitioning to CM.
http://simplycharlottemason.com/2009/07/22/making-the-transition-to-the-charlotte-mason-method/
Hi Lizbeth – Welcome! I love combining for the subjects! It helps with discussion, time, and even hands-on projects. I think that you will enjoy it very much. Remember that you teach your child, not the curriculum, so make sure that you can cover your bases with your placement. If he is reading 3rd grade level, let him. If he is doing second grade math, let him do that. It is so much easier to meet them where they are and help lift them higher. It can cause a lot of friction in relationships to not consider that when placing a child’s grade level.
When I first started with SCM I chose what we were using and started to collect the additional books to go along with them. On each guide in the bookstore, download the sample and in that sample is the “Resources Needed” Page. I printed that and started to find those through the library, resale shops, yardsales, and the internet. If you use the search engine http://used.addall.com/ you will be able to find these books pretty reasonable.
Now, the very best advice I can give you is this: not all books are required. If you can’t find one, use a substitute book. If I had to start this process over again, my first few purchases would be:
All Through the Ages: History thru Literature and contains up to 20 book lists combined to have over 7,000 titles for countries and regions, timelines, historical periods and each one has lists of books for each grade levels 1-3; 4-6; 7-9; and 10-12. This one gives me alternatives and the confidence to know that I can do this! http://www.nothingnewpress.com/atta.shtml
Who Shall We Then Read? vol 1 and 2 – over 300 authors with short biographies and complete lists of works. Jan Bloom, the author, measured each author to Biblical standards and has chosen her authors from the “golden age of children’s literature” Her books are set up similiarly to the All Through the Ages. http://www.booksbloom.com/Home_Page.html
Books Children Love by Elizabeth Wilson is another recommended source from this forum. http://www.amazon.com/Books-Children-Love-Revised-Edition/dp/1581341989
Karen Andreola’s book – A Charlotte Mason Companion has been very helpful with summarzing CM methods and actual practical application. She teaches me a lot without preaching at me. =) http://www.homeschoolhighlights.com/books/companion.shtml
To answer your question of what to read during dd’s 2 and 3 year – well, if you are doing the SCM history modules there will be new selections every year for the new time period that you are studying. The modules are repeated twice, so she will still get a full course of history. If you are talking about literature, there are differnent recommendations each year. If you need to find other books, the books I recommended above will be your new best friends.
I will send you a PM with information about the Oxford book.
Hope this helps.
Welcome, Lizbeth!
Relax, and take a deep breath. It’s not nearly as complicated as you think! With SCM, nothing is written in stone. If you are looking at starting with a History module, there are many options besides the Oxford book. I will also be looking for an alternative. I’ll just comb out library for other books that cover the same material and make do. The kids won’t know the difference if I choose one resource over the other. The thing with history is that there are so many books to choose from, and not every book works for every family. You will find something that works for you.
As far as what year to put them in or what to read, don’t worry so much about that. The list on here again is only a suggestion of books that appeal to or are appropriate for a certain age level, but there are no hard and fast rules about lleaving out, adding to or floating between lists. Choose books you think your family will enjoy, and don’t be afraid to choose something not on the list. Your ds will likely enjoy many of the selections that are on the grade 1-3 list, and your dd may enjoy some of the others. In our home I have a ds 7 (2nd) and a ds 11 (5th). I usually have one lit family read-aloud going, (we usually read during bed-time snack time) and then they each have their own book going that we read once they are snuggled into their beds. I don’t often plan too far ahead which books we are going to read. I have a list of books I’d like for us to read, and we just go with whatever seems to strike us as interesting in the moment. This term I plan to read Black Beauty and Pinnochio. Also, don’t figure that just because the main character in a story is of the opposite gender one of your children won’t be interested. Both of our boys enjoyed Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden. We also don’t limit ourselves to the classics. My older ds and I are really enjoying the 100 Cupboards trilogy right now. We read what we like. Which also means that if a book doesn’t work for us, I am not afraid to put it down and find something that does rather than force our way through just to say we’ve read it. At this stage my goal is teaching my kids to love books. Tying them to something boring isn’t the way to do that.
hope this helps!
Tracey
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