Name: Thrive! NCHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-05-22T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-24T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 16 years ago by mommix3.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

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April 28, 2009 at 5:18 am
mommix3
Member
I’m new to CM and I’m having a hard time deciding where to start. Most of the books that are listed on the module booklist are not available at my library and I don’t have $$ to purchase a ton of books at the moment. So I don’t know where to start when it comes to that. We want to do history module 1. I have 4 kids, ages ranging from 5 to 12,so we will be doing it together.
For language arts, I can’t afford junior analytical grammar. Will easy grammer work just as well???
Now, as to easing into the CM approach, what subjects should I start with?? I’m assuming math, reading,writing,and language arts. We school through the summer so I’m “planning” on being comfortable in the CM style by September. I’m really feeling overwhelmed and thinking that I should just go back to the normal school type setting. But I’m having a hard time with that thought now that I have read about Mrs. Mason’s theorys more in depth. I absolutely agree with it all. I just need some encouragement I guess 😐 Thanks
Angela
April 28, 2009 at 10:44 am
CindyS
Participant
Angela, have you taken a look at the Getting Started page of this website? It is on the homepage left column. Also, the free book Education Is can be helpful and also Planning You CM Education (not free but affordable).
As for resources, have you done a search to see if any are printed online? Sometimes older books can be read on the internet (I’ve not looked at this particular module for this, though). Also, scouring through Amazon can yield inexpensive books. I’ve picked up books for not much more than the 3.99 shipping. Another idea is that as you look through your library, you likly will notice lots of books that have potential. I do not think that the SCM team would say that their list is the end-all in books; there are just too many. So, that may be worth a try. Booklists from other sources are an aid, as well. There was just a thread about this yesterday or so, and I think another one even earlier; I’ll look for it.
We have used both Analytical Grammar (are now, actually) and Easy Grammar. AG is more thorough in my opinion and therefore more difficult. The children like EG better, obviously 🙂 . Just getting started you will be fine to use EG.
Slow and steady! Easing into things will bless you and your children.
Blessings,
Cindy
April 28, 2009 at 10:47 am
CindyS
Participant
I just took a look and if you go to the Living Books forum (it’s below the current posts) and I think you’ll find lots of ideas.
April 28, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Jodie Apple
Participant
Angela,
I also would direct you to the ‘Getting Started’ link on the homepage of this website. We’ve been transitioning (and are still a work in progress) to the CM method for about 2 years now and still refer to this link often. It has been a journey that has been tough in some ways, but I can definitely see the benefits of sticking with the transition. The hardest part for me has been patience. I wanted to trash everything we’d been doing before I discovered CM and start new. But this proved to be too much change too quickly for the children.
I would encourage you to stay the course in your pursuit of a CM education. There is so much freedom in it. Queen Homeschool has resources that are CM friendly and are economical as well. We’ve used some of their materials and liked them.
April 28, 2009 at 4:01 pm
mommix3
Member
Thanks for the help. I know that changing to CM is going to work for us. I’m trying to jump in too fast I guess. I already ditched our old curriculum 😯 And passed it on to another homeschool family just starting out.
Angela
April 28, 2009 at 4:01 pm
richpond
Participant
Angela,
One thing to keep in mind is to take it slowly. I am one that gets really excited and jumps right into something but then a month later I am floundering because I really haven’t thought things through or planned anything well. I guess I’ve learned that even though there is so much freedom and flexibility using CM that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t take planning.
I would encourage you to pick a few subjects to focus on..read up ONLY on those subjects and add them to your plan. Then read up on a few more subjects and add those in.
As far as your Library..have you tried the inter-library loan system? Not sure of the exact name of it..But our library is very small and doesn’t have half of the books that I want..so I can fill out a form and they will find it and request it from another library for me. Then the Library calls me to let me know it is waiting for me.
Just an idea.
For Language Arts we use First Language Lessons (Jessie Wise)..it is an oral LA program and is for 1st and 2nd grades. Very economical since it is non consumable and covers two years of schooling. I used it for my then K and 2nd graders, and then 1st and 3rd graders. It really is very simple and thorough..and even though it is from a Classical approach it is very “CM like” i.e. picture study (observation), narration dictation and copywork (we opt not to do the dictation and copywork from this resource). Even my preschoolers like to chant the helping verbs and then like to act out action verbs. It is LA made easy and fun.
Sorry this is so long I just started rambling and it’s hard for me to stop. HTH.
Shelly
April 29, 2009 at 4:13 pm
mommix3
Member
I purchased this from someone on vegsource and I’m anxiously awaiting it getting here so I can look through it.. It sounds awesome!
Angela