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So I'm brand new to homeschooling. . . brand. new.
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Hello everyone!
I’ve been looking at different homeschooling methods as we feel God is urging us to homeschool our 6 year old daughter this next year. It’s a bit overwhelming, but I must say I am loving what I am seeing on this site. But I am a bit confused as to know what to order for the school year. She will be starting 2nd grade but already reads on a 3+ grade level. (She was promoted to 1st grade after 30 days in kindergarten this year). So I want to make sure I’m doing the right curriculum.
How do you know what parts to order? I read through the getting started guide/planning your year information. It was very helpful, but when I go to the store, GAH! I’m stumped.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Also, while I’m thinking about it, could you give me an idea for a 2nd grader the total cost of all the materials? I noticed we order from different places. Do you order everything in the beginning of the year or as you go along?
It kind of depends on what direction the Lord is leading you! For science you could stick to Nature Study and reading Living Books (there is a list of them in the Free curiculum guide – although that is by no means an exhaustive list!), or you could start with either Outdoor Secrets or 106 Days if you wanted something planned out for you. Seeing as how she is an advanced 2nd grader, I’d suggest 106 Days, unless you love the look of Outdoor Secrets. That is meant for younger grades, so I’d do that one first if you have your heart set on it. We did 106 Days and LOVED it.
Many people here love the History/Geography/Bible guides. If you are going to go with those, I’d just start with Module 1. The beginning is always a good place to start! We use Truthquest, and love it.
For math, there are TONS of options! We use Ray’s Arithmetic, but many people love Math-U-See and Rightstart.
For Literature, things like Little House on the Prairie, All of a Kind Family, Charlotte’s Web, and the Little Princess have been big hits over here at that age.
Grammer you could choose to do nothing but copywork at this age, or you could use something like Emma Serl’s books. There are a few options of similar styled books to Emma Serl’s books.
I think mostly, look over the options and pray which particular books would be a good fit for your family!
And for price, I generally spend less than $200 a year on curriculum stuff. Like, a lot less (maybe if you start counting up items like pencils, paper, notebooks etc the price would climb, but I buy those things y the boatload from staples when they have their massive sales. And I’d have those things in the house without homeschooling anyway, so I don’t really count that in our cost.) I think $200 was the most I’ve spent in one year. Most of the books I get from the library. I by used when I can, and buy when we need it, not all at once. Many books if you can’t get them at the library, you can get them free online. I recieved a Kindle for Christmas and we use it constantly for schooling, but before that, I would just read it off of the laptop or print the pages I needed. CM schooling can be super cheap if you want it to be!
Cost can vary so much depending on what you buy but here is one example.
Science/Nature Study- Either use the library for books or grab free ones online to read aloud (I use a Kindle, but you can download to a computer, tablet, etc too). For example I would probably read the Burgess Animal Book for Children and his Bird one or work through the Among the ____ People books by Clara Dillingham Pierson. All are free online to download (including on Amazon in Kindle format). Then spend time outside! The basic cheap Kindle is $69 if you want to invest in one. Totally worth it!
Math – Choose a program you want to use. This is one of our biggest yearly expenses (I have going on 8 kiddos age 11 and under). We use Math U See and love it. Others use different programs. I bought our teachers manuals and dvds used and so each year I just buy the workbook ($25-30 NEW). Also bought the blocks the first year but they’re used in every level and really important.
Reading – With your daughter reading already jut get great books to let her read from the library, or maybe invest in a reader for the year like Pathway Readers (hardback books with usually 2 books for a year, full of stories).
Copywork – Get this free online (there are places you can print your own) or buy one from SCM, etc. Another option is to buy the Startwrite software to make your own, I think that runs $20-$40 depending on which version you buy. I have 5.0, the newest is 6.0. Newer has more color options etc, but it’s copywork, I go basic.
History – If you do this with living books it depends on if you buy all the books you want to read or if you use the library for some/all. 🙂 I buy some and use the library for some, and try to shop used when I can. SCM has book lists (you would use the Family Reads and the few listed under 1st-3rd grade) but remember if you can’t find a book cheap you can always substitute!
Picture Study and Composer Study – Honestly, you can get it all free online (we use pictures as our screen saver for artist study) or you can buy these. We always do fewer here than is often recommended, 2-3 per year.
For literature outside of what you’re reading for history and science/nature study – use the SCM lists and hit the library! Or check for free copies online to download in reading or audio format.
Hi and welcome to homeschooling! Since you like what you see here at SCM (I love it!), just start at the Free Curriculum Guide found here: http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/scmguide/
You can start at the top and make your way down, subject by subject, reading the brief explanation. Or, you could start with your core subjects (History, Literature, Math, Bible, LA). Pray as you go and following God’s leading. The planning takes time. Go slow. You don’t want to jump into buying anything until you know what you’re doing and feel confident in your choices. I make a rough plan each year, but usually purchase by the term. The great thing is most of what you’re buying is BOOKS!
Does this help?
You have great advice already! Just wanted to mention that there are various series of articles on here that can be helpful for various topics for YOU to figure out what you are doing… That series is here -> http://simplycharlottemason.com/series/
I highly recommend the series on getting started… http://simplycharlottemason.com/series/getting-started/
Do you have more than one child? Is money a large concern?
If money is a large concern, I recommend getting one of the Kindle’s with e-ink (easier on they eyes) – and then when they have a sale, getting the collection of ebooks from Yesterday’s Classics when they are on sale (latest sale was 225 ebooks for $50) And there is an organization called Book Samaritan (google it) that can help. If money isn’t a big concern then don’t bug Book Samaritan… lol.
Hope that helps!
Thank you all so much for this help! It makes it feel a bit more manageable!
I appreciate all of the advice. I’ll look around more and read some of the other follow up/getting started articles.
One other question, can you use SCM as school covering or do you have any recommendations on that? There seem to be a TON Of places.
Thanks again!
I would recommend picking up the book “Planning your Charlotte Mason Education”. It walks you through figuring out your goals for each year and each subject and then you can slide in the books or resources that will help you achieve those goals. It’s been very helpful in keeping me from getting off on tangents or buying more than what I need or curricula/books I like the look of but don’t really fit into our short or long range goals.
I don’t believe SCM can be used as a school covering. I would definately check with the legal requirements for your state on that one. There is probably a homeschool organization for your state? Or just check with HSLDA.
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