Why SCM? Please help!

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  • October 6, 2010 at 1:52 pm
    Hispeace
    Member

    I want to more actively pursue a CM education for our children, ages 7 and 3.  I have been contemplating different “programs” (mostly all-in-one programs) for WAY too long, and need to know some positive testimonials from SCM fans!! I can tell Sonya is very modest, as there isn’t a place for bragging on SCM! 🙂 How is it different from some of these other programs? (HOD is the other front runner for us.) I’m mainly curious about book choice, how much it all ties back to God, and the effectiveness and/or descriptions of the guides, etc. My main goal is to locate a program whose history and science (living books) are done with a Christian perspective, and that have some sort of guide with them to “connect the dots”. ANY HELP APPRECIATED!

    Jana

    October 6, 2010 at 3:33 pm
    my3boys
    Participant

    Well, I know for sure that the 106 Days (for science) is based using the Bible because it uses the first 6 days of creation. 

    My kids are 11, 8 and 4.  We started out when our kids were 10, 7 and 3 (maybe younger).  You may or may not care for some of the book selections, but like anything recommended at this site, the choice is your’s. You can substitute/omit or go ahead and read/watch/do all that is recommended.

    I know the history modules 1-4 have guides (5 and 6 do not have guides yet, as far as I know) that refer to the Bible for part of the lessons.  We are using Module 5, even though it doesn’t have a guide we have had a great time reading all of the books listed.  We are reading what is suggested for Bible, as well as other devotions/scripture memory/character studies. 

    I don’t know if this is of any help to you or not:)  I will say that I’m much happier with our homeschool than I have been in a long time.  My kids are, too.  I feel the method itself helps to “tie much together” as each subject is approached in the same way, gently.   Obviously we still have our challenges with personalities/house management/illnesses/finances, so nothing is perfect, but we feel we have a better foundation to build our homeschool on, next to the Lord, of course:)

    HTH

    October 6, 2010 at 4:31 pm
    aarut4evr
    Member

    I just have a minute, here, but I wanted to jump in and say that we have done and are doing HOD, but are looking forward to starting SCM in January/February.  HOD has been a good starting place for us in our journey in learning how to do CM, but I am ready to be able to have more control over our book choices, etc. 

    What I like about HOD

    Everything is scheduled out for you and it is very open and go.  The book choices are good for the most part – a few I have found to be at the wrong age level, things like that.  I do like the emphasis on the Lord and on using Christian resources.  I have learned a great deal along with my children who are doing CTC this year. 

    What I don’t like about HOD

    You cannot substitute a book that you have that may be similar.  A lot of the books that Sonya recommends I have at my library, and I don’t feel bad about substituting similar books if I can’t get ahold of the ones she recommends.  With HOD, you really have to go with what is on the schedule.  It’s very hard to substitute. 

    The older manuals are getting to be overwhelming in their price and content.  I like the gentleness of the younger HOD levels, but when I look at RTR (which my 2 oldest would be using next), I couldn’t believe how much it would cost, and just how many different books they would have to be trying to get through.  It also seemed that history was overtaking things.  I want history to be one of the things they learn, but I don’t want it to be so all consuming.  I like that Sonya has fewer books that you can enjoy and savor without feeling like you are in a mad dash to hurry up and get to the next book.

    Another thing I dislike (and I saw this in Bigger the most) is how the unit study part of it seemed like such a stretch.  You were jumping around in books and making connections simply for the sake of that unit’s topic.  Some of that seemed a little contrived to me.  I would rather they read and make connections on their own.  That is actually more CM. 

    I also tried to use DITHOR, twice.  I felt like it was going to destroy their love for reading.  I know that plenty of people use this and they enjoy it, but like I said, I tried twice to like it, but sold it both times.  I just want them to be able to read and enjoy it without too much analyzing.  I know that that kind of study has its place, but I don’t think it’s necessary as early as they begin it. 

    As you can see, I have more reasons to move on from HOD, than to stay, but if you need the open and go and the hand holding to get you started with CM, then HOD may be a good place to start.  I tried to do SCM early on when I first learned about CM, and I had a hard time seeing how it was enough, but as I have grown and learned, I can see how it can definitely be enough. 

    Hope this helps, and be sure you let us know what you decide.

    In His love,

    RuthAnn

    PS If you have any more specific questions, please feel free to ask me.  I’ll do my best to help. 🙂

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