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Jenny
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| Posted: Dec 20 2005 at 3:40pm | IP Logged
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or a Charlotte Mason approach to teach all the way through high school & have the children gone on to college?
My children are young still, 2nd grade & under. We used a very structured curriculum in K, (I know, I know...) & have used MODG, sort of loosely for 1st & 2nd. I am drawn to CHC, but wonder about how thorough the program is if one of my childen chooses college. I do not have any college & b/c of that I feel like I need some type of hand holding.
What about the later grades & transcripts? My plan was to enroll in 8th grade in MODG so we would have a paper trail so to speak.
Thanks for any help!
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Jenny
Chris' wife and momma of 7. My blog: The Littlest Way--Bible Journaling, Inspiring Bible Quotes, Daily Affirmations, Prayer Journaling & photography
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time4tea
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| Posted: Dec 20 2005 at 6:18pm | IP Logged
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Hi and Welcome!
First of all, CHC does not yet have a high school program available - it is currently due out in the Spring of 2006. From what I understand, it is supposed to offer a wide range of choices or "tracks" for those who either want to go on to college or those students who talents, skills and desires lie on a different path. There will be the option to articulate your student's studies using the CHC materials with either Clonlara or North American High School (sp?). Both of those umbrellas would be something each individual family would have to pursue independently, if they so desired; it is not a service that would be provided for you by CHC.
I currently use CHC Middle Grades Lesson Plans for my 2 oldest dc in 7th and 5th. We used (primarily) the MODG syllabi for 6th and 4th last year. I have to say that from my experience, CHC has many similarities to MODG, style-wise. Both employ CM type methods of narration, study of the arts, encouraging the reading of living books, etc. The biggest difference I have noticed with CHC is that I have not found it to be as time consuming for me as the teaching parent as MODG was. I have been able to give my dc a CHC assignment to work on independently, if I need them to do that. In my experience, I found that MODG required more hands-on from me, and it got exhausting, especially where my oldest dc was concerned (he required constant hovering over to get his work done).
It is highly likely that we will be using CHC again next year, for 8th and 6th grades. I have to say that after studying the curriculumm suggestions in the Middle Grades Plans, I can't imagine that a child who completed "Middle School" with CHC would be lacking any skills or knowledge that would come back to haunt him later in high school. The Middle Grades curriculum they recommend is really quite comprehensive. Depending on what the high school materials look like, we are strongly considering just sticking with CHC through 12th Grade.
If there is anything else I can answer for you, please feel free to ask!
God bless!
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Jenny
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| Posted: Dec 21 2005 at 1:55pm | IP Logged
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Thank You for such a thorough response.
Was the switch from MODG to CHC a tough one; were there very many gaps?
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Jenny
Chris' wife and momma of 7. My blog: The Littlest Way--Bible Journaling, Inspiring Bible Quotes, Daily Affirmations, Prayer Journaling & photography
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time4tea
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| Posted: Dec 21 2005 at 3:15pm | IP Logged
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Hi again!
The switch wasn't too hard for us. For my younger dc (who is in 5th this year), the switch was nearly seamless, because both MODG and CHC study US History in 5th grade, and history is usually always the sticking point for kids in the Middle Grades. For our older dc, it was also pretty painless. He studied ancient history last year in 6th, and this year in 7th, he is doing US history with CHC (which means both dc are doing the same history, for the most part, so I can combine the teaching!). Assuming we stick with CHC in the upcoming year (which I believe we will), our older dc will study World History next year, and our younger dc will do likewise, so again, I will be able to combine.
One thing I really enjoy with CHC is their Reading materials, especially in the Middle Grades. They offer so many leading questions that can be used for the makings of great narrations. I have also had the dc do other types of narration work as per the CHC materials, such as drawing maps and sketches of people and events, etc. The materials offer a nearly inexhaustible amount of suggestions for all different types of assignments, and you get to pick and choose what you want your dc to complete.
I also like the fact that CHC stresses teaching "core" subjects, while also encouraging families to add in non-core subjects as desired. For example, in 5th Grade, the core courses for CHC are Religion, Math, Science, Reading and Hsitory. Subjects such as foreign language, which are part of the MODG core for the elementary years, are considered electives which you may of course add in if you and your student want to (and I supose you could "tweak" the MODG syllabus to simply not teach that subject if you chose not to). The reason I bring this up is because I found that for my own dc, sometimes MODG appeared to include so many different courses in their core, that I found my dc became overwhelmed. Now, I realize that that may fly in the face of CM's method of implementing a broad-based education which encompased many different disciplines. However, CM was also a realist who believed, at least as I understand her, that education should not be a complicated matter, but something simple and straightforward in its implementation. I have found CHC helps me to achieve this goal more so than did MODG.
Now, all of this is not meant to detract from MODG. It is a fine program and many families are very successful with it. If you have a chance, though, I would encourage you to have a look at the Middle Grades Lesson Plan Guide from CHC. I have been finding that it has helped us provide our dc with an excellent education that has at the same time been affordable for us.
Please let me know if I can answer any other questions you may have!
God bless,
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TracyQ
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| Posted: Dec 29 2005 at 12:39pm | IP Logged
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Excellent review, thank you! 
God always helps me just when I need it!
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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Has anyone used CHC
