New to CM-where to start?

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  • November 3, 2008 at 6:06 pm
    purplemommy
    Member

    I am not new to HS, we have tried a lot of methods (Tapestry of Grace, Five in a Row, Sonlight, etc.). I keep coming back to CM, probably because I am drawn to all of the things that were missing in my own schooling. I really struggle with scheduling, fitting it all in, getting it all done. We are using Sonlight right now and this problem is hugely evident – behind in some subjects, ahead in others. Having to rewrite the schedule every week. Anyhow, I have two dds 11 & 9. The 9 y/o has congnitive issues and speech delay plus is ADHD-ish (actually has a rare chromosome issue). I can’t spend a lot of money right now, but was looking at the “Laying down the Rails” – any input? And what about “Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education’? Everything looks so good, and I don’t want to make any more costly mistakes. Please help!

    November 3, 2008 at 9:10 pm
    CindyS
    Participant

    Hi and welcome!

    I think that both of these books are wonderful and I recommend them. Also, there are plenty of articles to read at this site that will give you lots of encouragement and insight even before you make a purchase. Perhaps that could be your first step.

    I know what you mean about fitting it all in. While many of these curriculums, I think, are geared toward the cm-style in content (i.e., living books), they have missed the boat on the amount that is necessary and it quickly becomes too much. Sonya’s curriculum guide is a helpful tool in that regard; if not for exact selections, then for a guideline as to how many books are appropriate for a certain age. I imagine that you will find that you can use what you have, just in a different, slower-paced way.

    Blessings,

    Cindy

    November 5, 2008 at 5:11 pm
    purplemommy
    Member

    Okay, that is helpful information. I didn’t see how the curriculum guide indicates how many books are appropriate for a certain age group – did I miss something? Also, is there a book where all this stuff is listed so I don’t have to go back and forth clicking, printing, back, click, print back?

    We are readers, here, so living books is a natural solution.

    November 6, 2008 at 12:03 am
    CindyS
    Participant

    I’m sorry I was not clear. What I meant by the number of books was just that I did a visual on what is listed for each grade and that helped me keep my own list to a doable amount. We have lots of books on the module we are doing because we have older children and so I wanted to use what we have one hand; that is why I did not use Sonya’s list as given. Are you talking about printing each subject’s contents? I don’t think there is another way, but if you were to use the Planning book, it may cut down on some of the printing because it will help you identify just what you want to teach. Someone else have a suggestion?

    Blessings,

    Cindy

    November 6, 2008 at 2:16 am
    Bookworm
    Participant

    I did just print every list off, especially the history, literature, artist and musician modules. It really helped me to “see” everything. I keep it all in a notebook; it really wasn’t all that much printing, and it is helpful to me to see. I am like Cindy, if I have something similar on my shelves, then I just use that, so I make lots of notes. I also add in to my handwritten copies books I have or really want to add in and use.

    Michelle D

    November 6, 2008 at 5:10 pm
    purplemommy
    Member

    Thanks to both of you. I ended up getting the e-book, Planning Your CM Edu, and it has helped a lot. I’m a visual, so I understand what you are saying, Michelle. I have most of it printed anyhow. And Cindy, your advice to use what is on the shelves already is very helpful. I don’t feel so lost, now. In fact, I feel pretty inspired to start over with our year in Jan.

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