Nina
Member
My head is spinning. Just when I think I am completely sold on CM, I go to a Tapestry of Grace Tea and boom the indecisiveness starts over. WHY?????????
This is the hardest part of hs'ing for me. The curriculum. UGH! Anyone, anyone, any words of wisdom. Is CM way enough?
The SCM guides use less books. But I love what I have seen. I just don't want to constantly be trying to add in extras. And the writing part scares me. I am a terrible writer and am terrible at grammar. I get so nervous.
mj
Member
If I'm not mistaken, TOG is classical in nature. Here at SCM they did a blog series comparing the different methods of hs'ing. This one may help http://simplycharlottemason.com/2009/06/17/charlotte-mason-method-vs-classical-approach/
Scherger5
Member
Well, I have learned this lesson the hard way (lots of $ out the window). My best advice is AVOID TEMPTATION! Don't look for new things. I know it sounds so simple.
Blessings,
Heather
Debij
Member
Hehe, that has been my problem too, just when I think I have it figured out I discover something new. So I've decided that I don't like the "in a box curriculum" too much money on book I may or may not use. I downloaded a sample of TOG and decided that the guide books were too confusing and hard for me to follow. Plus I'm only homeschooling one so I don't want to spend money on books that will only get used once then be forgot about.
Just my opinion, the other thing is I just stopped looking. I decided to go with SCM and just not look further.
debij
Rebekahy
Member
Nina - Don't stress. CM is ENOUGH! And if you get started and find that you are finishing school and your kids are still wanting more, you can always ADD and supplement as the year goes on, but my advice is to start with a bare bones schedule and then work up from there. You don't say how many children you have or what ages, so this may not be a good objection for you, but for me TOG was just overwhelming. I have soon to be four kiddos and maybe more someday, so when I evaluate curriculum I always take into consideration the fact that we may have a very large family with lots of different age levels to account for. I borrowed my friends TOG guide last summer while she wasn't using it and I just felt completely overwhelmed, especially considering that it didn't cover as many subjects all together as a family as SCM covers. With SCM and a CM approach in general you can combine SO many subjects. I LOVE the look of TOG and having that big fat binder which I would pull out and use every four years, but I love it in theory. I don't think that if I actually paid for it that I would use it, but then I wouldn't want to sell it either in case I might get my act together and use it "someday". Now that is just my personality. My friend that let me borrow her TOG has five kids and loves it and plans to continue using it, but I am quite content with my $20 guide from SCM that covers History, Geography AND Bible - with many books from the library and THEN what I'm planning on doing is supplementing with extra activities from the FREE TOG website - where you can look up ideas for all different subjects based on time period (I can't believe they give that away for FREE!)
http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/year1/ check out the supporting links in the right bottom corner.
I'm sure you can find the support you need for TOG if that's the route you choose to go, but if you need affirmation to stick with your decision of SCM you've found the right place!
Rebekah
pjssully
Member
i have tried TOG at least twice(i have four children) I always love it in theory and love what i learn, but after only a few weeks, it gets overwhelming-too much prep time, too much reading for me to be prepared for discussions, and just overall too much busy work in my opinion. I have also tried several other in the box curriculum and always find the same thing--really good books but too much for four children--even those that combine levels i have found that it's either too easy, or too much. I have used several CM ideas throughout these years as well as i must say, i really do think it's enough. This year will be my first without a box curriculum, and i am excited-even with a new high schooler i plan to do some work as a family!!!!Watching my children grow and learn, i have experienced the joy of watching them learn "naturally" and making there own connections. I hope you find the right path for you-!!blessings
pjean
RobinP
Member
And to answer your question...yes...CM is WAY enough. Don't worry about writing and grammar in the beginning. Begin with oral narration from much of what you read. To me, this is the best part of a CM education. As Doug said in a past post when I commented on how folks seem to think CM is a light education, "We read, we tell, we know." It's so simple and deceptively effective. When they're comfortable with narrating, let them begin writing them down. Read wonderful books with rich language and, at the right time for the child, work through a grammar program.
Don't be nervous. Just enjoy learning with the great outdoors and wonderful books with your children. Get SCM's All-Day Seminar and the new Books and Things seminar to learn all you can about a CM education. It really is very freeing once you let go of the "school box."
And in case you're wondering, and not to brag on my boy, but we followed CM throughout his education (he's now almost 20 and in college.) We did very little formal grammar and he wrote some...not enough. He's a math/science genius type pursuing a PhD in Astrophysics (he didn't get it from me.) In his college classes, his professors have been reading his papers in class and asking him who his writing teacher was. He said, "My mom." One asked if I was a college professor in composition. He said, "No. She just read to me." 
It really will be OK.
morgrace
Member
Wow Robin, how rewarding to see all the fruits of a CM education!
Nina, I don't think Robin's expierence is necessarily new or something reserved intellectually gifted. Reading is what makes good writers! Jack London and Benjamin Franklin both learned to write by copying great literature. I don't think as teaching moms we have to necessarily be exceptional writers (or math whizzes, or artists etc) because we are exposing our children to the best - seems that should take some pressure off of us at least. It's encouraging to me to know that I CAN give my kids what Robin wrote about above by reading good books. I don't have to be a good writer myself - I just have to know some (good writers that is - and they're all over in the SCM cirriculum guides) :)
Esby
Member
CM is enough.
RobinP - thank you for sharing! That is so what I need to hear right now. We are going to homeschool next year and the grandparents on both sides think our children will never get in to college and won't be eligible for scholarships! It was nice to hear of your son's succusses! Thank you for sharing!
blessedmom
Member
In his college classes, his professors have been reading his papers in class and asking him who his writing teacher was. He said, "My mom." One asked if I was a college professor in composition. He said, "No. She just read to me."
RobinP
Member
And please don't think I'm boasting...I'm paranoid about things like that. Any success has been through the grace of God. It's just that some are really nervous about those things that we can see, as Sonya spoke on, and I wanted to encourage you that it will come. If we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, all the other will be added unto us. My two younger sons may never be astrophysicists, but I feel certain, Lord willing, that they will have a love of learning that will last them a lifetime, an excitement about God's creation, a Biblical worldview in all areas of life, and a desire to pursue what is truly important and whatever it is God has for them. My job is simply to point them to God and give them the tools they will need. I just happen to think CM's philosophy is the BEST way to do that for our family.
Grace to you...
Nina
Member
Wow, I go away for a few hours and come back to this. :) Thank you all for your encouragement. I really needed to hear all that everyone said. I knew I should have just said no thank you to the TOG tea. But I wanted to check it out. I have the All Day Seminar, but would really like to get the Books and Things. I just have to wait a bit.
My children are 11, 9, 7, 2 and almost 1. And God only knows how many more we will be adding. I have read so much CM stuff and love everything I have read. And I have even been implementing alot of it. And I do have to admit the children are LOVING it! And me too. :)
Why do I question it. I truly believe I was led to this site by God and it is the right timing. I am going to take the advice that it is enough and to start with the barebones and add too in time. Thank you all again soooo much! What a wonderful place to hang out.
And Robin, I do not think you are bragging at all. Praise God for all that is being accomplished in your home. To Him be the glory.
Also Rebekah, thanks for the freebie website. I will check it out.
Now for the big.... aahh! :)
blessedmom
Member
Robin, I didn't feel that you were bragging....it just made me smile!!!
briedell
Member
Yes Robin, I like reading stories like that. It is uplifting and encouraging. Thanks.
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