callmecordelia2
- Reviewed on Monday, March 29, 2010
- Grades Used: 2-3
- Dates used: 2009-2010
Ambleside Online and the Charlotte Mason approach have revolutionized our homeschool. We used a couple of different workbook and textbook based, school-at-home programs before. They were useful in terms of making me comfortable homeschooling because they were very structured. But there were so many times when I would realize: my kids can't wait to get done with school so we can get to their "real" books. Charlotte Mason and AO is all about real books! My children love the books they are reading. Using narration to demonstrate their comprehension makes so much sense: listen to what they learned, what they know, rather than tripping them up on what they don't know, or what someone has decided are the predigested "important" facts. CM is VERY EASY to do. My biggest word of advice is to trust the process. We are combining grades-- 2nd and 3rd-- and my kids are able to do more than the AO schedule outlines without being overwhelmed. This simplifies things for me, and works for our family, but maybe not for others. I would have to say that I am especially impressed with history. I must qualify that by saying that some of the AO history books have a Protestant slant that contradicts my Catholic faith and has been, in a very few instances, ahistorical. I have had to correct that with my kids. But apart from that, they love the history books and remember a remarkable amount. In AO, they are not doing as much writing at an early age as they might in another curriculum, and that worried me at first because of concerns of "keeping up." But they are learning loads, they love school, and it is so important to compose their thoughts before struggling with them on paper, or else the joy is killed. I do have my kids do book reports-- but they narrate them while I type, and when they can just think and remember and tell what they know without the impediment of writing skills that are beyond their years, their reports are GREAT. You can easily tailor this curriculum. Lpoads of support and resources are available. Charlotte Mason wrote that the measure of a good education is how many things the child cares about. My children are interested in-- and feel confident and proud to know something about-- SO much more than they did in the boring, textbook/workbook/school-at-home methods.
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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 before beginning Ambleside Online. Susan's book will give you a glimpse of the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason and will prepare you to read Charlotte's "Original Homeschooling Series."
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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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