This reminds me of the Wentworth Primary Arithmetic that we use (1890s math). It's public domain, includes slate work, very straight forward, written more for the teacher.
Incredibly helpful! I think adding this with either build your library or torchlight for more literature/reading might work perfectly for us! It doesn’t seem to have much literature.
I found you today because I am just starting AO Year 1 this year. so I have been watching your previous videos. So, when I saw this, I was like, "Oh man!" But your perspective is so wise and you've removed your ego for homeschooling-- which is not so easy in the homeschooling world! I'm excited to follow your SCM journey despite being on AO myself.
Each country or state differs in its laws, so it really depends on where you live. Our state requires yearly assessment, so that’s why we do it. If you’re in the US, you can find out more about your state homeschooling laws here: hslda.org/legal?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADv9Ad429v-1THn-SLXrGyGdAy-ht&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-ai0BhDPARIsAB6hmP72o0CaWeM1Qyu5gmiOsjez8DM1A2nAl3QPgoxxEHzSSnwBR9NLb_caAnTUEALw_wcB
I totally understand that concern. But the way I’ve set it up, they all have the same opportunity to get points. And I want them to be motivated to meet goals.
Woohoo! I’m so excited to see SCM content! I haven’t used AO but I’ve looked at it many times and feel the pressure to use it if you are going to be a CM homeschooler. I am going with SCM for the first time this fall for their history, geography, and Bible study. And I’m so excited!! I too want to do as much together family style as I can and I want us all in the same historical time period. I also have 4 kids, and I knew I would never be able to keep up with the AO schedule.
I loved your thoughts about focusing on academic success vs connecting with our kids and focusing on fun and who God wants them to be. This so resonated with me. Thank you for this.
I went back and forth on size. I ended up going with these just because we’re doing it over the course of a year. But we’re kind of considering this year as our test run, so we’ll see how it goes!
Reminder and encouragement - because it's obvious how much you care :) “The question is not, -- how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education -- but how much does he care? and about how many orders of things does he care? In fact, how large is the room in which he finds his feet set? and, therefore, how full is the life he has before him?” Charlotte Mason -School Education
I’ve been a silent follower for some time and I have to say, I’m selfishly so excited that you’re using Simply Charlotte Mason! I will be using this next year as well! And I’ll be doing our enrichments with both AO and SCM. Anyways, I love your videos! I’m excited to hear more about this transition for you and your family!
Yes! I’ve always looked at Ambleside longingly!!! I had baby number 4 when my oldest was 11 so I couldn’t imagine doing all the material. Also because we are Catholic I would have to add or change to add Catechism and the lives of the Saints. I have used Mater Amabilis which is Charlotte Mason with Catholic resources. When I had baby number 5 I had to switch to a Catholic Minimalist program and it was so life saving!!!!! You do what’s best for your family. Also I don’t subscribe to a. Specific program/curriculum. I just study several in the spring and take what I like and form my next school year. I am done with my upcoming year and it feels amazing!!!! I am sad to say I only have two schoolers and one of them is a kindergartener! I have 3 graduates! Keep on keeping on and enjoy your life with your family. You can’t get any time back. The other day my oldest ones asked me for an Art afternoon! So we watched Bob Ross and then spread out our paints, brushes etc etc. it was glorious! I had from the 22 down to the 5 year old around my kitchen table and it felt amazing! God bless you, your family and your new school year!
We are in a similar situation. I am a mom of 5. I adore AO, but it became too much, with so many children. I also felt, that elitist feel, and felt I pushed my children too much! It was hard to let go, but I felt a weight off my shoulders,once I did. You verbalized this so well.
Thanks for doing a flip-through! 1:06 - When Book 4 was published there was a supply chain shortage that made including the ribbons very expensive, so we opted to remove them rather than significantly increasing the price of the book. The cost has come back down since so that we could include the ribbons back for Book 5, and hopefully we'll be able to include them again with future print runs for Book 4! 🙂
Thanks for commenting! That totally makes sense about the ribbons. Bookmarks work just fine. And we just got Book 5 in the mail. The ribbons in it are really nice!
Thank you for this! By the way, you can melt or kind of singe the end of those bookmark ribbons by running the tip quickly over a lighter flame, then they won’t unravel.
Writing as in handwriting? If so, he does copywork and a cursive handwriting book. He also did a good bit of written narration this year (around 3-4 a week). But if you mean creative writing or composition, no he didn’t do much of that. He did some poetry and worked on a couple short stories on his own that he wanted to write.
Thank you! I have my kids do copywork 2-3 times a week. Generally I let them choose, and it ends up being a quote they particularly enjoyed. Usually it’s one sentence, but sometimes it can be a few, depending on the quote.
Yes, they do! Though telling time isn’t taught until book 4. However, when it does teach it, it’s assumed that they have explored the clock to some degree. I went ahead and taught it early to my youngest two (the other two had already learned in a previous curriculum).
For one of my children, Simply Charlotte Mason’s grammar (Using Language Well + Spelling Wisdom) has been perfect. The other found it frustrating and needed something more straightforward with practice. For that child, I’ve used BJU English Writing and Grammar workbooks.
@smithpartyof6 Thank you for your fast response!!! I am strongly considering these for my 1st and 2nd graders because of the brevity of the lessons. I want to do CLE language arts, but all of their curriculum is 4 pages...math, reading and LA. So I am trying to figure out what to shorten while still getting thorough instruction. Would you say it's fairly rigorous?
@user-jq9um8wr5w I’m not sure about rigorous. We’ve done Singapore math, and I would classify it as rigorous. But with the CM Elementary Arithmetic Series, I would classify it as “thorough.” For my kids, it’s been the only program to really stick well.
I really appreciate this video! We've used Rightstart and dabbled with some other things as well; I like Righstart, but it's so complicated and has SO many manipulative. The space commitment is just a bit too much, as is setting up to get all the right cards out, playing the games (which are hard to understand), etc. I'm between this one and Truth and Goodness Math, which I really like from what I can tell; but I am drawn to having a book and not dealing with printing and organizing at home. I love finding Charlotte Mason curriculum reviewers; I will be checking out more of your videos!
It looks like these specific books came out in 2017. But they’re based on how Charlotte Mason taught her students arithmetic. You can read more here: simplycharlottemason.com/blog/announcing-charlotte-mason-elementary-arithmetic-series/
Thanks for this review. I had been going back and forth looking for a math curriculum & settled on SCM Arithmetic. I haven’t even received the book yet but I am excited to get started using it.