Various subjects purchasing confusion

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  • March 14, 2011 at 9:36 pm
    amama5
    Participant

    I found SCM a few months ago, seems like a wonderful fit for my family.  We are doing a mini-unit on Greece until we start Module 5 in June for a full year with my two oldest.  I am just so confused as to what subjects I need to purchase(or borrow from the library) books in, I see so many names and titles go by on the posts. 

    Basically I need: books listed in the curriculum guides for literature and history/geography(or others I choose to substitute), then I need to buy a separate math curriculum(or use a free internet one), science books(living books or the apologia series), a separate grammar program, and also spelling books(like Spelling Wisdom)?  It just sounds so tiring to me to figure out all these pieces  for each child as opposed to curriculum that’s all put together in a box(even though I know that’s not the way I want to go!)     Am I understanding this correctly?

    Hope that made sense, I’m just wanting to make sure I’m covering what I should be at the right times, and feeling a little overwhelmed.  Thanks, Adrienne

    March 15, 2011 at 12:07 am
    suzukimom
    Participant

    Hi Adrienne!

    You didn’t mention the ages (or number) of your children… but it sounds to me like you have the idea.   If you are following the SCM guide recommendations (you can, of course plan your own CM program… if you do, get the “Planning your CM education” book from here)

    Unless I miss something….

    Literature:  Books listed, or substitutions

    History/Geography:  Books listed for the grade ranges of your children.  Probably want to buy the module guides, but that is up to you.

    Math: whatever course you are going to do

    Science: suggested books, ones you choose, or course that you choose to do (Apologia series is a great choice… there are other options too, but Apologia is very CM friendly)

    Spelling: (depends on age of children) – either a resource like Spelling Wisdom, or do with dictation…

    Grammer: from about age 9+

    There are possible other things, music study, picture study, foreign language, etc.

    I know it seems like a lot, but really it does tend to come together

     

    March 15, 2011 at 12:20 am
    pangit
    Participant

    If you want to go CM style and still buy a curriculum already put together for you there are several options out there.

    I know that Queen’s is one – queenshomeschool.com

    I just got their catalog in the mail and love it.  I think I want some of everything.  I do have some things chosen that I already know I want, so I won’t be ordering a package from them, but I will sure be using some stuff.

    I’m sure some others on here could point you towards some other CM curriculum that is packaged if you want to go that route.  I think I’ve heard that Ambleside is?

    But, to encourage you, once you sit down and start choosing it isn’t as bad as it seems.  This is my first year, I purchased the Planning Your CM Education book and that was helpful.  You could also list each child and each subject and tackle one subject at a time.  Look at the obtions your interested, ask questions, and narrow it down to one.  I just did this again for this year so I can start watching for deals and get everything on time still.

    Best of wishes to you!!  Ask all the questions you want here, I’ve gotten lots of answers that have helped along the way!!

    March 15, 2011 at 12:43 am
    LindseyD
    Participant

    Adrienne,

    I love the freedom of SCM because, unlike boxed curriculums, I truly can pick and choose. Granted, I pick pretty much everything! We buy about 66% of our books and borrow the rest from the library. Depending on how long your library allows you to keep certain books, you can borrow a lot. Ours lets us keep books up to 6 weeks at a time. 

    We always buy our math curriculum (MUS). 

    I try to buy all literature, although we have checked out two or three books.

    I always buy the history module and whatever recommended books go with it. You can find the recommended books fairly inexpensively on abebooks.com. Those are usually used, but that doesn’t bother me.

    You don’t necessarily have to buy a spelling curriculum, unless you don’t feel comfortable with coming up with your own program.

    I always check out CDs of composers from the library, as well as books or DVDs about those composers. Same with artists and coffee-table sized art books. 

    Since we study one poet per year, I only have to buy one good book of poetry per year (unless I can find one that has several different poets in it).

    We are going to pursue sign language as our foreign language right now, and my librarian is looking for the Signing Time DVDs for me. If we need the DVDs longer than the allotted checkout time, I’ll buy a few if necessary.

    It really isn’t that difficult. The Curriculum Guide (if you choose to follow it) is like a boxed curriculum…you just can’t order a big box with everything in it. That’s also how it’s so affordable. You can choose what to buy new or used, what to borrow from friends or from the library, or what to leave out all together.

    I like it so much better than feeling committed to a big box of stuff just because I spent a bunch of money on it.

    Hope that helps,

    Lindsey

    March 15, 2011 at 1:29 am
    my3boys
    Participant

    I, too, felt overwhelmed with all of the choices, and ‘xed out’ of the curriculum guide for quite awhil. Obviously, I needed to read about the her methods more and read from the discussion forum a bit more.  I ended up realizing that it really wasn’t all that different from what we were doing since we never used an all-in-one curriculum anyway.  It was more the fact that CM had so many different subjects she covered (and a different way of covering them) and trying to figure out how they were going to fit into the week with the subjects that children normally do.

    I did as pangit has suggested and put each child’s name on a piece of paper and went back to the curriculum guide when I felt ready and started choosing one subject at a time (on the paper).  Basically, I weeded out what we were doing by asking lots of questions and/or modifying what we were using.  Not all at once, mind you.  This took some time, but I really wanted to begin this current school year fully CM (or so I hope I did:), so I spent the summer making plans, a little at a time.  I did have to come to the conclusion that because this is our first full year that I may not be able to get to all of the subjects this year, and be okay with that.  We have done more than we were doing (some picture/poetry/composer/hymn studies/scripture memorization), and that has been a so enriching.  My kids have really come to think of those subjects as what our family does.  Hopefully with this year under our belt next year will be even better. 

    I also wanted to add…the more that I read and try to understand the easier it is to make choices for my family.  I can more readily say, “No,” to the newest/greatest and just know that it is probably not necessary.  I have found that ‘less is more.’ 

    HTH

    March 15, 2011 at 2:04 am
    amama5
    Participant

    Thank you for all the wonderful help.  I just printed my ebook Planning Your CM Education, and yes, I think I will feel much better just getting some charts written out for each child.  I am such a schedule person and I think it will be easier for me to see it on paper and have a schedule ready by June.  (Plus Mother-in-law, a retired schoolteacher, is coming for their month long visit so I really feel the need to have things flowing smoothly by then!:) 

    I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions soon, thanks again!

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