March 2, 2008 - Transforming into a CM Homeschool -- Evaluating and Goal Setting
This kind of post from Freedom Academy is inspiring to me. She gives great advice --take it slowly – incorporate one or two aspects of a CM homeschool at a time until you have transformed your curriculum. Otherwise, it’s simply overwhelming.
Although I can look back and see how far we’ve come, I still see how far I have to go. Here is a quick CM assessment of our homeschool.
What we always did –
- Literature-based learning with living books in history and science
- Narration
- Handicrafts
- Timelines
- Geography through map skills and travel
- Foreign language learning (this one is easy when you live abroad!)
- Whole language approach to grammar
What we added last year as a result of my CM research-
- Artist study
- Composer study
- Nature study and nature journaling
What we still need to establish
- Living math
- Shakespeare
- Poetry
And in some areas, I’m even still wondering if I do want to follow CM’s philosophy. Some of my last hold outs are math and spelling. How can I give up my Singapore Math textbooks and workbooks in exchange for a “gappy” living math approach? But I’m studying it. I’m evaluating it. I've got a copy of Family Math. It’s at least on the docket to be considered. That is also a step.
I may choose to add more elements of living math into our Singapore Math. I am considering a weekly living math day each week. [Westward/Cindy, your math posts have really helped me to evaluate this area!]
I may choose to stick with Spelling Power because I may find that it works or that it actually is not far from what CM advised.
Shakespeare is scheduled as a monthly activity. Again, this is new. I'm feeling my way through this new addition. I can't say that I've incorporated it. But I can say that I'm working on it.
As far as math, well, I've done research. But my schedule still says workbook and textbook. Math is my own personal weakness. I don't really enjoy it. But it's something I'm going to consider this year. And within a few months, I hope to have come to some conclusions.
So what are your CM goals this term? Take some time to evaluate how far you've come; celebrate even small victories. Then look forward to what can be improved.
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Comments
March 2, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
Great post! I really ended up doing alot of FIAR this year because of other issues~way to many doctor/ot/sensory integration appointments (114 so far this school year) and 1st child having alot of medical issues and 2nd child showing severe learning difficulties. CM just seemed to overwhelming even after being an avid follower for 8 years. After a year of Unit studies I miss CM alot and will be bringing her teaching style back next year. FIAR really has been fun and I will still do it maybe one week a month but want to get back to CM. We didn't drop nature study, Spanish, narration, great literature and picture study. However, we didn't do it as much as I want us too. I find westward to be very inspiring when it comes to living math and plan on having a living math day too. I have already started tracking down the books and adding in math games.
Blessings,
Dawn
March 2, 2008 - Shakespeare
Posted by HarmonyArtMom
When we take the time to add in some Shakespeare, I remember why we love it so much. My youngest son and I both love the sound and rhythm of old English after you get your ear on the right track.
If you can get Naxos.com in China, I would suggest looking into it. They not only have classical music but whole plays of Shakespeare that you can listen to done by professional actors. It makes all the difference for us. We stumble around trying to read it and it doesn't make sense but put on that recording and listen while you read along and it comes alive.
We started with Shakespeare for Young Readers and that was a big help too.
I now use the side by side Shakespeare, old English on one page and modern version on the other.
Shakespeare's Sonnets are great for poetry too. My son loves to memorize them.
Anyway, this is a great post. We are sort of on the same path as far as CM. I just keep refining what I feel like as we go along. I don't know if I could ever go to a completely "living math" approach if I were starting over. Some subjects just need a good text, in my opinion. Now that we are in high school, science is another one we have gone to a text but as you can see by our nature day, we are pulling together lots of biology topics by direct observation. We jumped out of Spelling Power and now are using Spelling Wisdom. The jury is still out on that one. I don't "feel" like we are doing spelling anymore. :)
Thanks for submitting this to the carnival. I know others will greatly benefit.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom (who is very sort from her perfect 10 of a nature day hike)
March 3, 2008 - Wonderful post!
Posted by Anonymous
I cant say I follow CM, but we are evaluating some goals. Especially for my 15 year old. Its seems to me every few years we are re evaluating, but thats because children go through so many stages...
I have begun nature journaling and some study thanks to our friend Barb! *ά* I had begun music and art at the beginning of the year, but fell off the wagon.... I think we need to get back on......
Math and science I just cant let go of a textbook.... its probably due to my insecurities.... but I cant.... although we have family math and have used it over the years... along with all the math you will ever need.... I get scared I think sometimes.... of changing to much.... I love reading about it though.... in fact I am even re reading CM companion for inspiration right now... I need it... we have had a long winter and Im in need for some change....
I loved your post! Sorry I was so long winded....
Lisa at Koinonia Academy
March 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Dell
I love reading about your homeschooling style as it transitions, grows and changes. It is never static, but always living and developing. I'm an eclectic with a lot of classical with a bit of Charlotte Mason in the mix, but like you, I would love to integrate a bit more Charlotte Mason.
Your school sounds delightful, and it is such fun to see what you and Sprite are studying! I love the art focus.
March 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by westward
GREAT post! We are very much in the same boat. :) Like you, I feel like going with a totally living math curriculum would be too gappy for me. That's why I love the safety net of a textbook/workbook and then add the extras in. We don't get through the entire text each year, but I've never found that to be a problem since so much of the next year's text is review.
Now Shakespeare, hmmm...Do I have to?? ;)
March 3, 2008 - Wow!
Posted by LadyPoet33
You are quite organized. Ready for another year already.
The poetry and Shakespeare come easy to us. Shakespeare was meant to be seen as a play, not read...that is a problem many people have. If you can find some clean videos of the plays, you will find you love Shakespeare.
I am still working on the living math.
We do living books, but I'd like to do more.
I love reading your blog!
LadyPoet33
March 3, 2008 - OOPS!
Posted by LadyPoet33
I meant to add that our poetry is included in our nature notebooks. I love to read their poems. Even if I have to write it next to their sketch as they narrate it. We go through these years later and I just adore them!
LadyPoet33
March 3, 2008 - Living Math
Posted by dgallew
Here is a resource to check out. It is called Mathematicians are People Too. I believe there are 3 volumes.
We don't use this as a math curriculum but as a means to inspire.
As for implemented a CM style math program, I'm with you. I do take one day forth math games, read math stories or hands on math. I'm not ready for that leap to no textbooks. :)
March 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jenn4him
This is an excellent post, Jimmie. I need to evaluate and think about where we are with our CM goals. Thanks.
Jenn
March 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by DanielleW
Another great post.
We are using Ambleside Online that is totally CM. But, I haven't followed all the things yet. We haven't added artist or composser studies, or foriegn language. But, like you said, we are taking it slowly. DS is only in first grade so I feel that we have a few years to be able to work all the kinks out.
We also still use a workbook for math.
March 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by EEEEMommy
I remember reading through Karen Andreola's Charlotte Mason Companion book in my first year of homeschooling and being completely overwhelmed by it! I returned it to the library, and just assumed that I could never pull it off. But it planted seeds which have been watered through so many subsequent books, articles, and (my favorite) blog posts. :) If I re-read the book now, I'd probably be surprised with how far I've come in Charlotte Masonizing our homeschool!
Have you posted about CM Grammar? That's one area I'd like to improve. I'm still afraid to let go of my traditional (Rod & Staff English) diagramming approach. It's worked really well for my son, but after just a few months with my daughter, I can already tell that it's not the right fit for her. Perhaps that's the kick in the pants I need to let go...
March 11, 2008 - Love this Post!
Posted by ThreeLittleLadies
I always start reevaluating my year around now, and what I want to do next year...I've mellowed out this year from trying to fit it all in, and put in more unit study with notebooking or lapbooking. Next year I really want to get serious about foreign language again. I guess it is better to do any language than none (I couldn't decide which language to study this year!)
God bless you and your homeschooling!
Carol
