lilbean05 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 As we are gearing up to start first grade, I am stuck going back and forth between Simply Charlotte Mason and Ambleside Online. Any feedback on either of these? Has anyone done both and care to share their experiences? They seem to follow different History/Bible approaches/timelines and I can't seem to make up my mind. I would love to get a discussion going about these! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Jo Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I only have SCM's 106 Days of Creation study but I've spent time on both sites and i use a lot of both. SCM: More ancient history Bible is integrated with history modules Geography is a rotation based on different areas, but I didn't think the book list was that exciting Mulit-age More expensive Strives to be appropriate for all ages/families As a rule does NOT link free sources, even when they exist. Links go to SCM's store. Has a support forum, the author seems responsive from what I've read AO: More modern history Bible is a separate subject Geography has good books (from my experience anyway) but is not as clear cut as SCM A lot more literature recommendations (I think more reading in general) Is not multi-age - children will probably be in different areas of history Many free resources Many older/public domain resources More info on nature study, artists, etc. Not all parents may consider AO's choices appropriate Yahoo groups for support - people are generally helpful, even though I prefer the forum format I highly recommend SCM's "How to Plan your Charlotte Mason Education". Even though I have a knack for [over] planning, it helped me to be more confident in my selections and in feeling that I'd covered all areas. Personally, I'm rolling my own: I made a broad overview (following SCM's guide) and then picked books, mostly from AO. I combine all non-skill subjects right now, especially since I don't have any independent readers. Clear as mud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudreyTN Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I have one of SCM's history handbooks. Just so you know, the Bible portion is not integrated with history. It's merely listed in the guide. I prefer AO to SCM as a main curriculum. A big plus is that the schedule is free. SCM does list good books to be read (which I refer to), but there is no schedule and I would go bonkers! My ds7 is doing AOy1 right now. We are both loving it! My ds9 is working through some AOy3 books while doing History with his sister. She is working on the AO Pre7 list. Both of them are doing TruthQuest Middle Ages. Oh, and I'm about to start reading AO y0 books with my 4yo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Great comparison, mtcougar832! I do enjoy SCM's site especially these things: various suggested schedules, creative narration ideas, their suggested history reading booklists (to make sure I didn't overlook something). I also have their "Laying Down the Rails" and enjoyed it, though I haven't put it to use much yet. If I wanted to use a planning software, I think I would consider theirs first. But, if I remember correctly, the Famous Men series serves as their history spine most of the time and I didn't find those as engaging as some of AO books. I started with AO ~6 years ago.... drifted away, and find myself drawn back to it again. My struggle has usually been how to incorporate young children - to have different time periods going in our household or to have them tag along... or to "slow down" with one so a closely age younger sibling could join them the next year, etc. Right now my oldest and I are dipping our toes in the waters of Year 7 while my youngers are doing a year 1 and year 2 combo of sorts. So at least we are all in the Middle Ages. Last year when I wanted a "Creation to Christ" year I made up my own using Christine Miller's Story of the Ancient World as a spine (my oldest did read some of AO's Year 6 books on his own). Also, if I remember correctly, I think there's a fairly big difference between upper levels of AO and upper levels of SCM (thinking specifically of history and literature). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I highly recommend the Yahoo groups resources for picture studies, even if you don't choose to follow the AO rotation. I think the choice between AO and SCM can be decided partly based on which books you or your dc prefer. With AO many of these are in the public domain and therefor can be viewed online. This can give you an idea whether they will work for you. My older son did AO yr 1 when he was 9 and liked or loved all of the books. My younger son at 7 and still at 8 does not love some of those, particularly Our Island Story. I think it is partly age, but also learning style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2blessings Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 You've received some good replies. I used AO last year. Liked it, except didn't like being on different history cycles with my children. An AO alternate for history is Truthquest, which is wonderful! It's a biblical commentary and let's you pick the living books. However, the list of books to choose from is HUGE. To narrow, I use mainly SCM's history books (most are listed in Truthquest). For literature, I use a combo of AO and SCM. I think AO's is deeper/more challenging and will include their main lit. selections for my kids, then for free reads will choose books from both lists which I place in a reading basket for my kids to choose from. Clear as mud? :) I 2nd the "Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education" planner by SCM, esp. if you want to 'make your own.' It lets you make the decisions on books you want to read, how to schedule them, what subjects to cover when, etc. I love the freedom of this. For instance, AO studies 3 Shakespeare plays a year and SCM rec. one every other year. I choose to do 1 per year. I like to pick composers based on what I have around the house, etc. I like the character books of SCM. I prefer to not do as much British history as AO has. AO's high school years could be considered college material, I have heard (not there yet). Hope that was all clear and helpful in some way:) Gina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thowell Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I have one of SCM's history handbooks. Just so you know, the Bible portion is not integrated with history. It's merely listed in the guide. Please tell me what you mean by this. I have seen others say it and I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Looking at the samples it looks as though Bible is weaved throughout especially in the Ancient history. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I really don't want to make your life harder, but check these out too. They both have some similarities to AO. Although one is Catholic based and the other LDS, they can both be easily adapted to being secular or another religion. http://materamabilis.org/ma/ http://www.milestonesacademy.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudreyTN Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Please tell me what you mean by this. I have seen others say it and I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Looking at the samples it looks as though Bible is weaved throughout especially in the Ancient history. Thanks! If Bible is truly integrated it will "match" with history. For example, you would be reading about Augustus Caesar AS you are reading about the birth of Jesus Christ. But in the Matthew through Acts and Ancient Rome guide you read about the birth of Jesus in lesson 2, and Augustus is not mentioned until lesson 134-135. Now, that may mean that you spend an entire month reading the Gospels at some point, or not any Bible at all for a little bit. Does that make more sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralloyd Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 In the Matthew-Acts guide I have it is Mon.& Tues.- Bible, Wed.- Geography, Thur. & Fri.- History through the whole guide. It is correct in that it doesn't exactly line up date wise. I really like how easy it is to follow SCM's guide. If you like the book selection I think a little more expense is worth having it all planned out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna A. Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 If Bible is truly integrated it will "match" with history. For example, you would be reading about Augustus Caesar AS you are reading about the birth of Jesus Christ. But in the Matthew through Acts and Ancient Rome guide you read about the birth of Jesus in lesson 2, and Augustus is not mentioned until lesson 134-135. Now, that may mean that you spend an entire month reading the Gospels at some point, or not any Bible at all for a little bit. Does that make more sense? My Father's World does this, and does it beautifully, IMO. Then you read Paul's missionary journeys in Acts *while* reading about the spread of the church, the persecution of Christians, and the fall of Rome in history. All of CTG and RTR are set up like this... then in Expl-1850 and 1850-Modern, you get more into "discipleship" (what do I do with all this history and Bible knowledge I've gained?) and personal Bible study methods, and also learn how to apply these things in a modern world where world wars, Communism, politics, global influences, and subtle (or outward) persecution of Christians continues. In MFW elementary, you read large portions of scripture as they relate to history, then in MFW high school, you read the entire Old and New Testaments as they relate to history AND as you (your student) develops a biblical worldview and apologetics as they prepare for college and the real world. MFW also integrates CM style language arts and writing skills better than SCM, IMO. With SCM, it seems like you have to buy multiple guides to accomplish all this. It seems AO does a pretty good job of integrating LA skills, though, if you're following everything on the website... ?? Btw, fantastic comparison of AO and SCM, Mtcougar832! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilbean05 Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 Wow, these are all so great! I have so much more to look at (Truthquest, MFW, the Catholic and LDS models) and it is really so exciting how many choices and resources there are. I really am stoked about developing a life long love of reading good books. The being on different history schedules thing might end up becoming an issue for us at the kids get older, especially with one more on the way. The number of possibilities, though, is really great. I think the SCM planner will end up being a really good resource for me to integrate a variety of the programs to maximize the awesome readings and align the history schedules. Hmmm..so much to think about! Thank you thank you! Time to go research and look around some more. There is a lot to learn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudreyTN Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 My Father's World does this, and does it beautifully, IMO. :iagree: I loved that aspect of MFW... it just wasn't a good fit for us. :001_unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 www.oldfashionededucation.com is another option. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkermamaof4 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I don't want to hijack this thread, but could I have more feedback? I am considering either MFW or SCM. I'd be starting at the beginning and want to teach to multiple ages easily. I would want it planned out daily for me and use great living books. I'd love it to have science and nature and geography and music and scripture and poetry planned too if possible. I don't love all of MFW book choices (like Streams of Civ). Can you all who have done or looked into both help me see the differences and advantages of either? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.