New Keep it Simple books

Hi, Bonnie. I’ll be happy to try to answer your questions below.

1. Are these just the teachers manuals or does it include the books required based on grade level?

The Keep It Simple lesson plans are basically daily itineraries outlining how you can use the books we recommend: in which order to use them; how much to read each day; how to use them in a CM way. You would gather the books themselves from your favorite sources.

2. Have there been any testers for the lesson plans? What did you like or not like about it? I can’t find any reviews yet.

There have not been any testers. The plans are simply one suggested way to put together the resources listed.

3. My daughter will be going into 2nd grade, so can I start with 2nd or should I start her a year behind?

The History Studies and Enrichment Studies are topic based, not grade level based, so feel free to select whichever time period you want to study for history. The Individual Studies placement would pretty much just depend on where she is in the reading-and-writing process. You can find specific descriptions on the Individual Studies pages and in the samples for grade 1 and grade 2 to help you decide the best fit for your daughter.

4. How many hours per day will it take to do one lesson in each book (at the 1st/2nd grade level?

Take a look at the samples to see the suggested weekly schedule and time estimates. The history lesson will probably take less than 30 minutes. All of the Enrichment lessons combined should take less than 60 minutes. Individual Studies will vary, depending on which reading/writing track you’re using; but should take less than 60 minutes per day for language arts, math, and science combined.

5. Will there be a preview I can do of the book to see how the lesson plans are laid out and how easy they are to follow along?

Yes, samples are available for download on each of the pages for the lesson plan books. You’ll find all of the lesson plan books featured on this page of the bookstore. Click on a book to see details and download a sample.

6. Who compiled the books/lessons (trying to justify the “qualified educators” requirement for the hubs)?

I compiled the books as a 20-year veteran homeschool mom, but the real “qualified educator” is Charlotte Mason. It is her methods that are being used; I merely put together a suggested daily plan. 🙂

Hi, Grace. The Enrichment Studies and the History Studies are designed for all the children combined. It’s only the Individual Studies that are grade level specific, because the subjects covered in them are best taught individually rather than all together. With each of those studies available separately, the parent can pull out only the grades she needs and not have to wade through all the others that would be irrelevant that year.

Let’s see, 2nd grade Track A is set up like this.

• Term 1: Copybook Reader 4 days/week; Pathway Reader 1 day/week
• Term 2: Copybook Reader 4 days/week; Pathway Reader 2 days/week (one day has both scheduled)
• Term 3: Copybook Reader 3 days/week; Pathway Reader 2 days/week

I am finally getting to dig in to these new lesson plans! This is my third year homeschooling with SCM resources and once again I am amazed and so VERY GRATEFUL for the hard work of the SCM team. I had already made my lesson plans for this year just before the books came out. The pre-made plans helped me to remove some unnecessary items from our schedule and to RELAX more! Yay!!! My kids are going to love you Sonya! Have a great day everyone!

Love, Mollie

Thank you :)))

You can look at the Individual Studies recommended resources on the SCM Curriculum Guide to get an idea of what is used at each grade level. You can also download the sample of each Individual Study lesson plan book to see the pacing for using the suggested resources. All the other subjects (history, geography, Bible, and enrichment studies) can be done all together as a family and do not depend on grade level.