We’ve used a few CM curriculum options. I think most programs are solid choices and I could add lots of Pros to each list, but I’m focusing on why we didn’t stick with these.
AO
I felt the Year 1 readings were too advanced for a 6yo
I prefer a mix of public domain and modern books, while AO focuses more on public domain books. Since I like physical copies of books, I think it would get pretty pricey for us!
I prefer combining my DC as much as possible
Heart of Dakota
Too expensive, looking ahead to upper levels
My DC were taking too much time on the lessons
Art projects were too school-like for their tastes–they were more “follow the directions” than creative.
Not much room for adding you own materials and studies
Why we use SCM:
Combining everyone for family studies and lower level science
Wonderful booklists, quality over quantity.
Flexibility of subbing in our own books and choosing our own topics each term
Not a huge amount of time spent on history, which isn’t a favorite subject of my DC. SCM seems more balanced than most literature based programs.
Love SCM materials! They are simple, yet effective. Many books are used over multiple years, which makes them a good investment. Pretty much everything is re-usable or re-printable for younger DC.
My only complaint about SCM is that I would love more materials for the upper grades. Hint, hint. 😉
What HollyS said! I love that all grades will be combined for history and geography. I’m expecting my 4th child in a month and can’t imagine trying to keep 4 of everything going and straight without losing my mind. 😉 Thanks Sonya for keeping my hair from greying prematurely!
After one year of Sonlight, I knew that we needed a change. I was able to attend Sonya’s sessions at Teach Them Diligently. Her presentations were such an encouragement. I found the materials produced by SCM to be exactly what I was looking for. The team at SCM seems to have put together a well balanced curriculum. So, what do I like about SCM?
I first switched our history from Story of the World to SCM because I was getting confused with SotW’s presentation. SCM seemed so much simpler, and I have a much better grasp of world and American history after 4 years with SCM history guides and suggested books.
Then I bought the artist study portfolios. ? them! We would do NO artist study if it wasn’t for those portfolios! Just pull them out, hang them up, and talk a bit about them.
This year, we’ve added the Visits to…to our geography. We sort of fell off the wagon a couple months ago, but we’re getting back in the swing of it. I like those, too, and will use more in the future.
Holly – you nailed the concerns I had with those two programs. I’ve been scouring different programs this past week: HOD, MFW, AO etc… and nothing seems to fit as well as SCM, or be as flexible. AO especially seemed quite honestly, a bit insane to me, lol. The workload was so heavy, and as you said, the readings way over their head. Not only that, I honestly, despise having a bunch of different literature choices on the go at one time. I don’t mind having something for science, geography, history etc… But to have 2 or 3 different literature novels going – no thanks, that would drive us up the wall 🙂 Likewise, the workload in HOD was intense, a good 10 subjects every day, and they weren’t quick things either.
Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
The topic ‘Why did you choose SCM?’ is closed to new replies.