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Literature Modules

(10 posts) (4 voices)

Started 1 year ago by Cindy D
Latest reply from havefaithplease

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Cindy D
Member

I am homeschooling my two 9 yr olds for the first time and I've decided to use the CM method (ds is in 3rd and dd is in 4th). However, I'm a bit confused on how to get started, esp on the literature aspect. The free curriculum guide lists "Modules 1-12" for literature, yet when I click on literature, I see a very confusing list of books. I'm even wondering if my computer is displaying the info correctly.

Do I just pick out some books and get them (via library or online)? And then, are these the books we use for dictation? Also, there are lots of books recommended in the history/geography/bible modules so I'm having a hard time figuring out how we would read all of these books...I'm all for reading lots of books but having a hard time figuring out how to plan it out. ARRRGGH!

Then, I read about Language Arts Through Literature (LLATL) here on the forum and wonder if I should use that curriculum for language arts. And I like the Spelling program SCM offers (forgot the name of it)...how does that fit in?

I have math, science, and music figured out but the literature/language arts piece is driving me nuts. Oh, I also just bought the entire Shakespeare for Kids series (which looks wonderful!) and wonder how to fit that in as well.

Any ideas??? Thanks in advance!

Cindy

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
suzukimom
Member

Hi Cindy!

I personally am not using the SCM modules etc, but must say that I'm amazed at the number of books I read with my son last year for school and that was for a year 1 boy. (I was reading them to him mostly...)

I just looked at the Literature list on SCM, and it looks like their formatting has gotten messed up as it used to be a table with 12 different modules. If you look closely, in the huge list of books, there are numbers 1 to 12 in there.... that would denote the 12 modules... So module 1 would be the books listed between the little 1 and 2. Hopefully they will fix the formatting soon.... they might not have realized it was messed up!

Actually, looking at the summary of the History etc page, it looks like they are changing the formatting of the pages... but at least this one doesn't look messed up...

Anyway, I would highly recommend the "Planning your CM education" - I bought the ebook version, and it is working well for me.... at least I feel like I have a handle on things. There is a DVD too, but I haven't seen it...

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
havefaithplease
Member

Oh no the formatting is messed up in the Literature module. The modules 1-12 in Literature go with grade level. So if you do look closely (as suzukimom said) you can see the numbers in there, look for 3 & 4. You could do read alouds from those years. Or if your child is able to read on their own they can do their own readings from those selections. You can use the Literature as family read alouds also. I have two boys, they are 7 & 8. Almost 9 & 8. This year 2nd and 3rd grade. For Literature I keep them together. I do the read alouds. Then my older ds will have a few books to read on his own (to build reading skills). I honestly choose though from anywhere between 2nd-4th grade books. Although sometimes even older... we've been working through two Moody's books. Little Britches and The Home Ranch.

I hope that helped!

Blessings,

Carrie

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
Doug Smith
SCM Team

Looks like we have a problem with a few of the curriculum guide pages. I'll get 'em fixed up as soon as I can.

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
Doug Smith
SCM Team

All of the curriculum guide pages should be back to normal now.

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
suzukimom
Member

Thanks Doug!

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
Doug Smith
SCM Team

No problem. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
Cindy D
Member

Thanks, Doug, that looks much better! Now I understand it. And thanks to Carrie and Suzukimom too, I really appreciate your input.

So, I can choose the SCM books in modules 3 and 4 for my kids or substitute my own books to teach language arts, right? If I use the SCM spelling book too (forgot what its called), then I don't use these books for dictation, just reading. And the history books are separate from these books...just thinking out loud and trying to sort this out in my pea-sized brain! I'll read the "Planning Your CM Education" like Suzukimom suggested.

Ok, one more dumb question: is a "read aloud" a book that the parent reads to the child or the child reads aloud to their parent? I'm thinking its the latter but want to make sure.

Thanks so much everyone!

Cindy

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
suzukimom
Member

Hi Cindy - glad it is clearer!

Note that the "Planning your CM Education" doesn't tell you how to do the modules, or how to homeschool in a CM style. It is more how to plan what your overall goals are, then how to break that down into plans for the year, term, and eventually how to plan a week and how to plan a day. This can work great with the modules etc that are setup, but can be more on how to plan if you want to pick out your own resources and books.

A "read aloud" is a book that you read to a child, or to several of your children. With older kids, it might be a book that is being read aloud to the family, but everyone (including you) takes turns. At least, that is how I use the term.

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
havefaithplease
Member

Yes the history books are separate from the Literature books.

As far as the language arts questions. There are quite a few posts on that subject within the forum. Personally what I'm doing with my almost 9yr old this year is using Spelling Wisdom (SCM'S book). That is for dictation. Plus English for the Thoughtful Child vol 1. I also have Queens Language Lessons for the Very Young. I will alternate between the last two. English for the Thoughtful Child and Queens both give a gentle intro into grammar. I feel my son is ready for that. Also I like how they combine a little of picture and poetry studies within the books. I have a hard time with my boys getting them interested in picture and poetry studies. So that is a way to get it in for now. Spelling Wisdom we'll use 2x a week. The others 1-2x a week. (but we'll alternate them)

Then the Literature readings are me reading aloud to both boys.

For my younger ds he has Queens Language Lessons for Little Ones that he is working through.

Here is a link to the page that explains the CM methods

http://simplycharlottemason.com/basics/started/charlotte-mason-method/#dictation

I hpe that helped a bit more!

Blessings,

Carrie

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post

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