Questions about SCM and AO

Carey ~

I’ve been looking at both booklists also.  I think there are some great choices on both sites, but I like the book selections here better.  I’m going to do about 80% SCM, 10% AO and 10% me .  I went to the library to look at some books, asked the librarian when I couldn’t find some (they are an amazing resource) and also read reviews on Amazon.  There are some of the same books on SCM and AO, so you can’t help but “do both” sometimes.

I wish I could meet you.  I work part time also and I live in Central Texas (near Waco).  Family birthdays will probably prevent me from being at the All-Day Seminar the whole weekend, but I can try to come on Friday.

I would love to hear what others say who actually have experience with both of them.

Blessings ~

Cindie

Hi Carey,

I used AO for 2 years before comeing to SCM.  For me the main reason was because I wanted my children together.  AO does not advocate this, SCM does.  For me I am teaching 2 children 3 years apart.  AO duplicates what CM would have been using in her school, where SCM uses CM methods with many types of living books, old and new.  Does that make sense.  This is my 2nd year using SCM, I have brought a few things from AO, but for the most part completly SCM.  I love it here and feel like my children are doing well.  AO is very good, just not for us.  Hope that helps.

Blessings,

Vanessa

Hi Shelli,

I felt that it was an easy transition.  When I switched I went with the History that my oldest was going to be doing, then I looked at the resources that SCM recommended for that year.  A lot of them can be found at the library so you don’t have to put out more money.  (I even found Yellow and Pink, YEAH!!) Another thing I did was to see what I have on my shelves then check with the living bookfinder here to see if it would work.  So  all that to say, that you could use some of your books from AO and not feel like you wasted your money.

I completely understand the deer in the headlight look with some of those reads and asking for narration.  Another reason for me choosing to come here.  My oldest was doing good, but my youngest (boy) was not “getting it”.  Narrations have been good since the switch with him and he feels accomplished that with some of the books that are listed for his age are thinner and look “doable” for him to finish.  I feel like we are actually reading more books over time because we are actually finishing them still reading in short increments.

Feel free to private message me if you have any questions.  I know that there are more women here who have made the switch, maybe they would have more insight as well.

Blessings,

Vanessa

I also wanted to point out for new forum members, that this particular topic comes up a LOT.  🙂  Many of us have experience with both AO and SCM.  I used to give out a bunch of links to past threads when someone asked, but I finally clicked on “Ambleside Online” in the tag cloud on the left-hand-side of the Forum main page, and all sorts of conversations popped up.  So you might try that for some more information.

There is a bit of text at the top of the main curriculum guide page that explains what some of the differences are. Rather than a compare and contrast with any particular curriculum, though, it’s a list of a few main points in how we approached it. You might want to have a look if you hadn’t noticed it before.