kalphs
- Reviewed on Monday, December 01, 2008
- Grades Used: First Grade, Second Grade
- Dates used: 2007-2009
Ambleside Online curriculum is a free online curriculum which follows the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason as outlined in her books "The Original Homeschooling Series."
The curriculum is designed for grades Pre K through 12th grade. The lesson plans and many of the books utilized in the curriculum are included within the Ambleside Online website.
The curriculum is free and available to any parent who wishes to provide a quality, affordable education for their child/children.
Ambleside Online has two online support communities via Yahoo Groups: Ambleside Online and Amble Ramble where parents can fellowship together and learn more about the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason.
I would highly recommend reading either "For the Children's Sake" by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay or "Charlotte Mason Companion" by Karen Andreola before beginning Ambleside Online. These two books will give you a glimpse of the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason and will prepare you to read Charlotte's "Original Homeschooling Series."
My husband and I looked at two other curriculums which billed themselves as Charlotte Mason based. In reality they were nothing more than knockoffs of Sonlight curriculum.
In the end we chose Ambleside Online because it will provide our child with a true Charlotte Mason based education as outlined in "The Original Homeschooling Series." As my husband says,"This is a no brainer. Ambleside Online is the best curriculum we have ever looked at."
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chasedc
- Reviewed on Friday, September 22, 2006
- Grades Used: 1, 2, 3, 4
- Dates used: 9/2005 to present
We have homeschooled (more or less) since 2001, when our eldest entered Kindergarden for a few months. It was always our desire to do so, but we kept getting frustrated with the results. We didn't know of any other way to "do" homeschooling except with workbooks and textbooks. We used several differnt ones but our girls kept getting bored with it all, and frankly so did we. We also tried unit studies and a few "virtual schools". We always felt that we just ended up "doing school" at home.
In the fall of 2005 as we were preparing for a new year, and praying not to get bored and give up, I found AmblesideOnline. Immediately I wanted to drop everything else and jump in. (My husband was more skeptical, especially since it was free) I researched it more and finally took the plunge.
My girls love not having textbooks. I have heard them comment to their "differently" schooled friends about how we use only "real" books. They love not having worksheets to fill in. Instead I find them drawing pictures of historical events or discussing a story they have read.
The main thing that excites me is that I really see their academic growth from day to day. I hear them use more advanced words, trying them out in conversations and seeing if they "fit". I can tell they are thinking more in depth and applying the knowledge.
I can't imagine using any other style of learning than CM (Charlotte Mason) and living books, and the best curriculum I have found is Ambleside Online.
It does take more work on my part because I make all the final decisions about what books and levels and the schedule. However with all of the Yahoo groups Ambleside has and the schedules already prepared, it is very easy to get started.
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SandraDumas
- Reviewed on Wednesday, May 03, 2006
- Grades Used: YEAR 0
- Dates used: 2005-Current
We used the Year 0 Book list and also have started doing nature walks and other CM things. I plan to use their book lists as a supplement for the rest of our school career. This is a free curriculum with lesson plans, yahoo groups, guides, ideas, advice, schedules, links to online books...it could not possibly get any better. You need to purchase very little to give your child a good education. You can also change and adapt it to suit your needs. If you want literature, here it is- for free! We use it as a supplement but anyone could use just this one website to give their children a very rigorious thorough education, almost for free!
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farmnwife
- Reviewed on Monday, March 27, 2006
- Grades Used: 1-5th
- Dates used: 2004-present
http://www.amblesideonline.org/New.shtml
I am so happy that I have found a curric. that fits our family so completely. I have three children all with different learning styles. AO fits them all. I have used many teaching approaches. But have always loved CM style. I didn't know how to apply it for us until I found AO. It is the EASIEST lesson plans I have ever put together. AO gives the teacher the chapters in the books to cover each week. I just decide which day that I or the child will read them. History is now my dc favorite subject.
If you love the idea of using the best literature, short lessons, no text books (yawn), and have time for poetry, art & music apprec. AO is for you.
The final kicker is the price! It is very inexpensive. The "spine" books would need to be purchased since they are used many terms. The out-of-print books are free online. Other books can be found at the library if you don't already have them. A math curric. and lang. curric in the later years will need to be purchased.
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