Ambleside Online Year 6 for 6th grade

[Rebecca]

Does anyone have an opinion about this for 6th grade?

 

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thank you,

Rebecca

 

P.S. I can't believe I am posting in this sub-forum. I looked at it askance for awhile. It is so hard to believe we are "here" in our homeschooling path already. It goes so fast.

[Mommyfaithe]

I used AO 6 with 2 children; a 6th grader and a 9th grader. I loved it for both of them and enjoyed reading the books myself. I am now planning to use it again come January with my dd who is finishing up year 5. When I used it with my kids, SOTW 4 was not available. I used a more advanced 20th century book (The Century by Peter Jennings and we loved it. ) Math, grammar, writing assignments, science etc were on their own level. It was a really nice year and equally challenging to both my 6th and 9th graders at the time.

 

Faithe

[mama25angels]

Faithe, have you used all the levels of AO and HEO? I have some questions for you about how you use it and if you use all the books they recommend. Thanks

[justamouse]

I am just starting AO with my 6th grader, but I felt that my 10th grader would be better served by starting back in the 7th year (where mine lined up with AOs history so we didn't have any gaps) so what I did (since TWTM 6th and 10th is Medieval) was to put them BOTH in AO 7th which is also medieval. So, basically, I scooted him up a year and I scooted her back three. Now, they are doing their grade's math and readings, but for the most part they share everything else.

 

For some reason I believed that AO was not rigorous, since I've started I have not found that to be so.

Edited December 10, 2010 by justamouse

[Mommyfaithe]

Faithe, have you used all the levels of AO and HEO? I have some questions for you about how you use it and if you use all the books they recommend. Thanks

 

I have used all levels to one extent or another. Sometimes I use as is and sometimes I tweak so much it hardly looks like the original when I am finished :-)

 

I would be happy to answer any questions I can for you. I have been using AO since befor it was AO, and then it was called the Parents Union Online...LOL.

 

So, I probably can answer any of your questions or at least steer you in the direction of the answer.

 

I base most of my school on AO and WTM. The complement eachother beautifully.

 

Faithe

[Jami]

 

For some reason I believed that AO was not rigorous, since I've stared I have not found that to be so.

 

If you didn't know, "Norms and Nobility" written by classical headmaster David Hicks provided direction for HEO Years 7-12. It's definitely a rich, classical program!

[woolybear]

Have you used AO at all prior to this? I have not looked at Year 6 yet, but I do know that it is considered that AO years do not necessarily correlate with grade years.

[mama25angels]

Do you guys print, but or use an e-reader for the books? Do any of you also use TQ? Faithe, I also wanted to ask if you CLE reading in addition to your AO readings or do you drop some of the AO readings? Thanks

Edited December 10, 2010 by mama25angels

[Mommyfaithe]

.

 

For some reason I believed that AO was not rigorous, since I've stared I have not found that to be so.

 

:lol::lol::lol:

 

That always cracks me up. CM was a very rigorous, classically educated educator. What makes CM seem less rigorous are copycat programs who call themselves CM to lighten Mom's load, and they are just a watered down version of what was intended. Also, some people equate time intensive with rigorous. Rigorous causes a child to think, and to think deeply. It does not force feed or ask a child to regurgitate a rote answer by filling in a blank or doing a multiple guess test. BUT, that doesn't mean she threw the baby out with the bath water. She drilled her kids on math, grammar tems, spelling etc. BUT, she did this within the context of study and not ad nauseum. She used copy work and dictation, but in a different mode than say Ruth Beechick. Oh, wow...I can go on and on here. Basically what I see being called CM is really CM based and often does not resemble a CM school term or level or what children in a Parents Union school would receive academically.

 

Faithe

[Mommyfaithe]

Do you guys print, but or use an e-reader for the books? Do any of you also use TQ? Faithe, I also wanted to ask if you CLE reading in addition to your AO readings or do you drop some of the AO readings? Thanks

 

We use CLE in addition. We do almost all of the exercises orally in the LU's until 5th grade, then they write out the answers. We can usually do 2 lessons in 1 sitting, and since my kids LOVE these readers there is no resistance. It takes us about 20 minutes to read the story and do the work pages this way. Anything that seems busywork to me I skip. We do not do the quizzes or tests, but use the self checks as assessments. I also do not have them memorize the Bible Verses, but we do read and discuss their meaning and how they applied to the story and how we can apply it to our own lives.

 

I use many of the AO readings in the younger years as our read alouds or bedtime books. I will ask them to narrate during school table hours...often they will narrate spontaneously while we are cleaning up toys or washing dishes. I also use CLE Math and LA and again, much of it is done orally, with only spelling and copy work written out in the LA and only some of the math problems written in the younger years. Once they are in 5th, again they are responsible to write out answers. Takes about 20 minutes each lesson for my youngers, about 40 minutes for my 7th grader with an hour for math.

 

I sometimes mix my history years up to keep all the kids together, like this year we are finishing up SOTW 4 and since the youngers came through 1-3, we are just continuing with that. When we start Ancients again, DD will complete Year 6 and go onto 7. Ds's will begin SOTW 1 again and do the maps and AG and thus around our last rotation....sigh.

 

HTH,

Faithe

[mama25angels]

We use CLE in addition. We do almost all of the exercises orally in the LU's until 5th grade, then they write out the answers. We can usually do 2 lessons in 1 sitting, and since my kids LOVE these readers there is no resistance. It takes us about 20 minutes to read the story and do the work pages this way. Anything that seems busywork to me I skip. We do not do the quizzes or tests, but use the self checks as assessments. I also do not have them memorize the Bible Verses, but we do read and discuss their meaning and how they applied to the story and how we can apply it to our own lives.

 

I use many of the AO readings in the younger years as our read alouds or bedtime books. I will ask them to narrate during school table hours...often they will narrate spontaneously while we are cleaning up toys or washing dishes. I also use CLE Math and LA and again, much of it is done orally, with only spelling and copy work written out in the LA and only some of the math problems written in the younger years. Once they are in 5th, again they are responsible to write out answers. Takes about 20 minutes each lesson for my youngers, about 40 minutes for my 7th grader with an hour for math.

 

I sometimes mix my history years up to keep all the kids together, like this year we are finishing up SOTW 4 and since the youngers came through 1-3, we are just continuing with that. When we start Ancients again, DD will complete Year 6 and go onto 7. Ds's will begin SOTW 1 again and do the maps and AG and thus around our last rotation....sigh.

 

HTH,

Faithe

 

 

Faithe, thank you so much for answering my questions. I've looked at Ambleside online for several years and could never get up the gumption to use it. I'm thinking of making it apart of our curriculum for next year. We're going to start with CLE reading after Christmas as well, i'm hoping my DS likes it, but he generally doesn't complain yet.

[Mommyfaithe]

Faithe, thank you so much for answering my questions. I've looked at Ambleside online for several years and could never get up the gumption to use it. I'm thinking of making it apart of our curriculum for next year. We're going to start with CLE reading after Christmas as well, i'm hoping my DS likes it, but he generally doesn't complain yet.

 

The only thing I can say is PLEASE don't ask him, if he is little, to do all that writing. It is tons and no little person should be forced to write that much. Some kids like to, like my 6 y/o, but even he finds it too much. The lesson content in the CLE LU's is wonderful. I can not speak highly enough about it, but I think many kids and their poor moms are turned off by the sheer amount of writing expected. It is NOT necessary to DO all that writing in a homeschool setting. I use the workbooks more like a teacher guide and discussion starter.

 

Good luck and if you have any other questions feel free to ask. I like to feel useful once in a while :D

Faithe

[Mommyfaithe]

Do you guys print, but or use an e-reader for the books? Do any of you also use TQ? Faithe, I also wanted to ask if you CLE reading in addition to your AO readings or do you drop some of the AO readings? Thanks

 

I have printed, downloaded, borrowed and bought print copies. I actually like my printed books because I sometimes have my kids illustrate in the margins or on the backs of the pages, I can make the print big and easy to read, and I can write all over it ...narration responses, questions I think of etc.

 

E-books are easy too.

 

Audio books are available from Librivox

 

I never used a Truthquest guide....but I bought one for this year. It sits nicely on the shelf. I guess I should look at it heh? :tongue_smilie:

 

Faithe

[Rebecca]

I have not used AO yet- but my son is a very advanced rigorous reader/comprehender. When I looked at Year 6 I felt it would be a good fit for him. He will be 11 in April and we would start this August '11 probably... for his sixth grade year.

 

I am looking at AO for his "upper" years. I like how independent he can be with the readings.

 

My next group of students will be studying American History with SL Core 3 and I thought about just creating an advanced reading list for him on the same time period- but he likes having his "own" school and schedule. He is an avid reader and thinker.

 

I have varied reasons... just considering right now.

 

Appreciating all these responses...

Thank you so much,

Rebecca

[mama25angels]

The only thing I can say is PLEASE don't ask him, if he is little, to do all that writing. It is tons and no little person should be forced to write that much. Some kids like to, like my 6 y/o, but even he finds it too much. The lesson content in the CLE LU's is wonderful. I can not speak highly enough about it, but I think many kids and their poor moms are turned off by the sheer amount of writing expected. It is NOT necessary to DO all that writing in a homeschool setting. I use the workbooks more like a teacher guide and discussion starter.

 

Good luck and if you have any other questions feel free to ask. I like to feel useful once in a while :D

Faithe

 

Thank you! I definitely won't have him doing all the writing, i'm thinking that I could pick one or two exercises for him to do and save the rest of them for the next child, lol. I hope you don't mind me asking, but I see you have a 16 year old and i'd love to know what Biology you're using for him.

[Mommyfaithe]

Thank you! I definitely won't have him doing all the writing, i'm thinking that I could pick one or two exercises for him to do and save the rest of them for the next child, lol. I hope you don't mind me asking, but I see you have a 16 year old and i'd love to know what Biology you're using for him.

 

We used Exploring Creation With Biology (Apologia) and Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (Apologia) Advanced Biology, and the SAT2 Prep Biology book. We watched most of the labs on you tube videos.... They took the SAT2 Bio test at the end of 9th grade and did pretty well.

 

We also used 2 books, In His Image and the companion volume Fearfully Made as extra reading.

 

HTH

Faithe

[justamouse]

If you didn't know, "Norms and Nobility" written by classical headmaster David Hicks provided direction for HEO Years 7-12. It's definitely a rich, classical program!

 

thank you! I'll have to read up and I look forward to it.

 

Do you guys print, but or use an e-reader for the books? Do any of you also use TQ? Faithe, I also wanted to ask if you CLE reading in addition to your AO readings or do you drop some of the AO readings? Thanks

 

So far I've printed some (Bede's selections, say) and then I've bought (Our Island Story) and I'm getting a kindle for X mas and plan on downloading the rest. Oodles. I can't wait. :-D I've also borrowed from the library what I didn't want to buy and couldn't wait on while I got the kindle.

 

I've had years of building up my own library and haven't had to buy much, but if I were brand spankin' new, I'd simply invest in a kindle and download it all. By the time you were done buying all of the books you could have bought the kindle a few times over.

 

:lol::lol::lol:

 

That always cracks me up. CM was a very rigorous, classically educated educator. What makes CM seem less rigorous are copycat programs who call themselves CM to lighten Mom's load, and they are just a watered down version of what was intended. Also, some people equate time intensive with rigorous. Rigorous causes a child to think, and to think deeply. It does not force feed or ask a child to regurgitate a rote answer by filling in a blank or doing a multiple guess test. BUT, that doesn't mean she threw the baby out with the bath water. She drilled her kids on math, grammar tems, spelling etc. BUT, she did this within the context of study and not ad nauseum. She used copy work and dictation, but in a different mode than say Ruth Beechick. Oh, wow...I can go on and on here. Basically what I see being called CM is really CM based and often does not resemble a CM school term or level or what children in a Parents Union school would receive academically.

 

Faithe

 

You are so right, on all of it. Reading your blog was the tipping point of my choosing to switch. I don't regret the change one bit.

[mama25angels]

We used Exploring Creation With Biology (Apologia) and Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (Apologia) Advanced Biology, and the SAT2 Prep Biology book. We watched most of the labs on you tube videos.... They took the SAT2 Bio test at the end of 9th grade and did pretty well.

 

We also used 2 books, In His Image and the companion volume Fearfully Made as extra reading.

 

HTH

Faithe

 

 

 

WOW!!!!! We're using PAC Biology because my two boys are definitely not science minded and i'm going to add in some extra reading to beef it up a bit. I found the books recommended in TWTM on google books and will download and print them out. Thanks for reminding me to check out youtube for labs!

[mama25angels]

I'm getting a kindle for X mas and plan on downloading the rest. Oodles.

 

 

 

I'd give anything to be getting an ereader for Christmas, but i'm going to have to wait until tax season for my Nook:)

[Mommyfaithe]

WOW!!!!! We're using PAC Biology because my two boys are definitely not science minded and i'm going to add in some extra reading to beef it up a bit. I found the books recommended in TWTM on google books and will download and print them out. Thanks for reminding me to check out youtube for labs!

 

My oldest dd was not science minded, and she did more of a "real" book biology using library books, some Usborne books and a few college coloring books. It was perfect for her and she was very art oriented. I don't see my 12 yo dd following the Apologia sequence so much as probably doing the "real" book thing. She is also a crazy budding artist.

 

LOL

Faithe

[Mommyfaithe]

You are so right, on all of it. Reading your blog was the tipping point of my choosing to switch. I don't regret the change one bit.

 

REALLY??? I didn't know anyone read that thing! I guess I ought to start writing it again. I am happy I could help, and thanks for the incentive to continue...

 

Faithe

[mama25angels]

Faithe, I have another question and then i'll leave you alone for now, lol! Do you stick to the AO history cycle or do you "fit" AO into the 4-year history cycle? I also wanted to say that I love your blog as well and yes, you really should get back to writing! You have ALOT of great practical advice to offer.

[Mommyfaithe]

Faithe, I have another question and then i'll leave you alone for now, lol! Do you stick to the AO history cycle or do you "fit" AO into the 4-year history cycle? I also wanted to say that I love your blog as well and yes, you really should get back to writing! You have ALOT of great practical advice to offer.

 

haha...i am sitting at the kitchen table and cooking dinner, so no problem! I think I will get back to my blog now that Mom has passed away and I am finished for the most part closing out her obligations etc., I will have more time. I am amazed at how much i was able to be home this week. I really had no idea how much time I had devoted to her care. I miss her, but I am also getting some much needed down time, and kid time.

 

About the 4 year rotation or AO rotation...ummm, I follow my own rotation which basically lasts about 5 years. I start AO 1 with my kids when they are 7, but pop them into our History rotation where ever we happen to be. My kids have not had a problem with this at all. I aim to do a 4 year Hx rotation, but it never works out that way. When we finish Modern Hx, I like to take a year and do Cultures and Geography. During that year we read loads of books from different cultures, any we missed or skipped due to time constraints fro the AO years, any books that sounded fun but I didn't know where to put them in. I have no problem pulling one book out of AO and putting in opne I like better and I have done that plenty over the years. I also love coming back to books I have enjoyed with my older kids with my younger ones.

 

Our history rotations never fit neatly into 4 or 5 36 week schedules due to interest levels and rabbit trails...theirs and mine :D

 

Education is a life. :D and may I add, it is supposed to be enjoyed.

 

Faithe

[mama25angels]

Ok, I promise this is the last question for tonight. Do you keep all of your kids on the same history rotation? Thanks

[Mommyfaithe]

Ok, I promise this is the last question for tonight. Do you keep all of your kids on the same history rotation? Thanks

 

yes. :-)

[mama25angels]

Thank you so much!!!!

[Rebecca]

So based on some of your new answers Mommyfaithe-

do you think I would do better- just to generate a more advanced reading plan for my sixth grader and keep him tracking along with Core 3? Then they would be on the same history time period??

 

Also- do you do Book of Centuries?

 

Thanks!!!

Rebecca

[Kfamily]

My older dd is doing an adapted Year 8 and my younger dd is doing a mixture of Year 2 and 3. We've been using AO for many years now (always slightly adapted) but we love it. It is the philosophy to which I always seem to come home, if that makes sense...:lol:

[Lostinabook]

Ok, I promise this is the last question for tonight. Do you keep all of your kids on the same history rotation? Thanks

 

yes. :-)

 

How do you do this? Dd has done Ambleside since the beginning, but once she started reading on her own I couldn't figure out how to fold in ds. This year she's doing year 5 & he's doing SOTW 3 b/c it doesn't take much time & I can do it with him. My plan was to have him do year 4 next year while she does year 6, but if there's a way to put them both in the same era I'd prefer that.

[prairiegirl]

I am doing AO Yr. 6 with my 11 yr. old. She is having no problems with the reading (but she has done AO since she was 6) but some of the reading we do together just because I want to. We also do not do the history rotation. I am doing AO with all 3 of my kids and it is just easier to do the same time period all together.

[Lostinabook]

So what exactly do you do with the younger two? We do poetry & Shakespeare together (& in theory Plutarch, but that tends to get dropped), but dd does the lit/history on her own. There's no way ds could do the lit/history on his own. I really don't think he could manage the year 3 readings on his own, which is why we've switched to SOTW 3 for this year.

[justamouse]

REALLY??? I didn't know anyone read that thing! I guess I ought to start writing it again. I am happy I could help, and thanks for the incentive to continue...

 

Faithe

 

Absolutely. Something you had said here on the board hit me in my seat--the questions I was asking and the answers I was looking for--and I surfed over to your blog and just read, and read, and read. I SO needed it.

[Mommyfaithe]

How do you do this? Dd has done Ambleside since the beginning, but once she started reading on her own I couldn't figure out how to fold in ds. This year she's doing year 5 & he's doing SOTW 3 b/c it doesn't take much time & I can do it with him. My plan was to have him do year 4 next year while she does year 6, but if there's a way to put them both in the same era I'd prefer that.

 

History is one subject we all do together. Extra reading is not always according to our history rotation.

Just becAuse my kids began to be able to read all of their own books did not mean I didn't want to be involved with what they were reading or read to them. I even read to my high schoolers daily, and they read daily to the younger kids. We all read to each other.

 

I just couldn't do 5 different history programs and history is the subject I enjoy the most and the one which lends itself to be multi-level easiest so that is the one we do together. That is the part of AO that I tweak...to death :D

 

As far as what books we use, I often use whatever is scheduled for the hx period we are up to and add in extra readers from the free reading section or WTM lists or Sonlight lists.

 

History is our read-aloud subject. Then, the kids each have a reader at their own level.

 

We use a timeline which I made simply of cardstock taped together on the short sides and can be folded accordian style. It is broken into 5 sections: People, Wars, Arts/ Music, Science and Exploration and Everything Else. We make entries whenever we feel like it. I also have a shower curtain map that is hanging over my school closet which is easy to write on with a dry erase marker. We use that to find places and trace routes. I love the SOTW AG for extra books and projects.

 

Where in year 5 is your dd?? Maybe you could include her in SOTW 3, introduce outlining with Kingfisher or another encyclopedia and have her use the free reading books...

 

The only way I "fold" my kids in is once they are 6 I expect them to begin narrating during our read aloud time. Before that they can listen, color, play with playdo, but they have to be quiet. No talking while I am talking. Once they are 6 they are expected to pay attention, but by then they are used to reading time and have seen enough narrations to know the drill. By then, it is just natural to them that this is what we do.

 

I would just pick whichever books you wanted to do with them together and go for it. No need to stress about it.

 

Faithe

[Mommyfaithe]

Absolutely. Something you had said here on the board hit me in my seat--the questions I was asking and the answers I was looking for--and I surfed over to your blog and just read, and read, and read. I SO needed it.

 

WOW! I am totally speechless....and that doesn't happen too often. Thank You. I needed that.

 

~~Faithe

[Jami]

We're not to Year 6 yet, but I thought I'd chime in with how we use AO in case it's helpful. :)

 

I use the Veritas history cards for our general pegs for a time period and then use AO history and biography selections to flesh out that information. So far this has worked really well for us. And it should make it possible for me to add in my younger ones as we progress into later years, while still keeping them in their own levels for literature, nature readings, and so on.

 

So this year is middle ages, Renaissance, and Reformation for us. We've read from Our Island Story, Trial and Triumph, Child's History of the World, Lamb's Shakespeare and many other AO Year 2 and 3 selections. Next year as we move into Year 4 we'll use the VP Explorers to 1815 cards. I think I'll be using the Guerber books for American history, perhaps the combined volume that Memoria Press has recently published, or the two volumes from Nothing New Press.

 

When we get to Year 6 and back to ancients, my older two will continue with AO readings (and perhaps some Omnibus essays and book selections) and my younger one will start her VP history cycle with Egypt/Greece/Rome and we'll read from CHOW, 50 Famous Stories, D'Aulaires, etc. to complement both AO and the VP cycle.

 

We have loved the AO book selections so much, both for history and literature.

[Rhonda in TX]

REALLY??? I didn't know anyone read that thing! I guess I ought to start writing it again. I am happy I could help, and thanks for the incentive to continue...

 

Faithe

 

Oh, please do! I've read your blog and would love to read more specifics about how you homeschool using AO/CM.

 

We're returning to AO for high school. I'm going to do a combination of HEO Years 7 and 8 next year with my kids and I can't wait!

[Mommyfaithe]

We're not to Year 6 yet, but I thought I'd chime in with how we use AO in case it's helpful. :)

 

I use the Veritas history cards for our general pegs for a time period and then use AO history and biography selections to flesh out that information. So far this has worked really well for us. And it should make it possible for me to add in my younger ones as we progress into later years, while still keeping them in their own levels for literature, nature readings, and so on.

 

So this year is middle ages, Renaissance, and Reformation for us. We've read from Our Island Story, Trial and Triumph, Child's History of the World, Lamb's Shakespeare and many other AO Year 2 and 3 selections. Next year as we move into Year 4 we'll use the VP Explorers to 1815 cards. I think I'll be using the Guerber books for American history, perhaps the combined volume that Memoria Press has recently published, or the two volumes from Nothing New Press.

 

When we get to Year 6 and back to ancients, my older two will continue with AO readings (and perhaps some Omnibus essays and book selections) and my younger one will start her VP history cycle with Egypt/Greece/Rome and we'll read from CHOW, 50 Famous Stories, D'Aulaires, etc. to complement both AO and the VP cycle.

 

We have loved the AO book selections so much, both for history and literature.

 

This is very similar to what I do. I have used VP cards with some of my older ones when they were little and we really enjoyed them.....these younger kids, not so much. I really try to tailor the program to the kid or kids at hand, make it memorable, fun but profitable to their education.

 

 

Oh, just so you know when we did AO 6 last time, my kids loved the Guerber books, even the 9th grader. They are easy books to narrate and outline. Omni 1 worked nicely with it too for some books...just not all of it...that was overkill, imo.

 

Faithe

[Mommyfaithe]

Oh, please do! I've read your blog and would love to read more specifics about how you homeschool using AO/CM.

 

We're returning to AO for high school. I'm going to do a combination of HEO Years 7 and 8 next year with my kids and I can't wait!

 

OK, after the new year when we get back from break, I will continue our weekly report. I hope I can stick with it longer this time...and I finally have a new camera!!!

 

Faithe

[Lostinabook]

Where in year 5 is your dd?? Maybe you could include her in SOTW 3, introduce outlining with Kingfisher or another encyclopedia and have her use the free reading books...

 

I would just pick whichever books you wanted to do with them together and go for it. No need to stress about it.

 

Faithe

 

Thank you Faithe! Dd is in Term 2; ds is quite a few years behind her in SOTW 3--he hasn't quite made it to the US Revolution yet. I guess it doesn't really matter if they're doing the same history as long as they have *something* that they're doing together. Right now, that's Shakespeare, Age of Fable, Trial & Triumph, poetry & whatever fun thing I'm reading aloud. Good idea to do the Kingfisher outlining. I'm beta testing WWS right now, but that would be a good thing to do when we're done with the current set of lessons.

 

I was reading History for Peter to them, but we started getting late starts to school & that got neglected. I need to get back to that b/c they both enjoyed it even though it's kind of in between their 2 history periods.

 

Anyway, thanks for the look at how you do things at your house!

[mama25angels]

OK, after the new year when we get back from break, I will continue our weekly report. I hope I can stick with it longer this time...and I finally have a new camera!!!

 

Faithe

 

:party: can't wait to read more

[Tammyla]

I'm toying with the idea of AO for my youngest next year. Very interesting:lurk5: thread.

[Donna A.]

REALLY??? I didn't know anyone read that thing! I guess I ought to start writing it again. I am happy I could help, and thanks for the incentive to continue...

 

Faithe

 

I read it. I've been waiting for updates. :D