DO LIFE TOGETHER!
Hello, we are a family of five residing in the southern Appalachian mountain region of Georgia. We home educate our children, love getting outdoors, work hard, and play hard! On our channel you will find us chatting all about our faith filled adventures, homemaking, and learning. Jonah and SarahRuth quit their typical American jobs so they could DO LIFE TOGETHER! They share this lifestyle with others so that families can once again thrive as they grow in their faith and friendships.
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I loved watching this, SarahRuth! I used Alveary two or so years ago and I see it getting better and better! This year I am trying out just ordering their suggested books and going at our own pace, Sally Clarkson style. Eeek, we will see how it goes! My personality just gets anxious with lesson plans, crazy enough. I am excited to see your excitement!!
I found this interesting. Thanks for sharing! I have been with the Alveary for 7 full years now and am seriously considering a change next year. You are right, their in depth details are fabulous (though at times overwhelming - like drinking from a fire hydrant setting everything up, but runs smooth once you get organized). The past two years the Alveary has been focusing a lot on Native American Indians - so much so, that it seems odd and imbalanced. I can appreciate an expanding view from just European descendants, but the majority of us ARE of European decent so it does make sense to focus on our country and it's heritage. The story a lot of their history paints is of victim hood, and not on what was overcome. African American history is often presented in that light as well. Also, their literature options are becoming more modern and my middle school and teens rarely are exposed to any classics. The middle school years seem soft. I really don't like the direction history and literature are heading. I DO love where they are going with Spanish and science. Their botany course this year is amazing and we are very much looking forward to using it. I know there isn't a perfect curriculum - this is just to give perspective.
Loved listening to this! 😍🥰♥️ You popped up on my recommended videos. I’m refreshing my CM home school this year, too, so it’s interesting to hear what others are doing.
Thank you for this review with thoughtful feedback! I’d love to see a video for the under 6 crowd. I have a 3 and (almost) 5 year old and I’m trying to find the best option for our family 😊
I was thinking of that punch tool that you use to poke holes in signatures before you bind them. Also maybe a few binder clips. 🥰
Interesting.
@@kindletogetherness Oh goodness. I commented on the wrong video! 🤣
A question: how as a public school educator come to be familiar with Charlotte Mason? 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I’m not sure of the context for this question, but I learned about her in college. We had to do a research thesis paper on a philosophy of education we liked and in researching the various philosophies, I found Miss Mason and read her volumes.
@@kindletogetherness how wonderful!
Oh I love A Gentle Feast! And I'm so curious about Alveary!
I love AGF too! And I’m excited to be trying The Alveary.
Hey!!! 🎉❤🎉 We love The Alveary as well! I'll be looking for you in the Hive ❤
Awesome! I’m still getting the hang of everything.
Where did you find the hardback Strayer Upton book?
I bought them from a Facebook BST
The fact that is each kid is separated would be big challenge for me with 4 kids. Doing family style learning & then adding different reading levels for things like science, geography & history is kinda a must. So I'd love to see how you do it with multiple kids.
That’s sort of how this is. In a way.
So exciting! I can’t wait to hear more! What are those other accounts that you mentioned that do Alveary?
Min Hwang, she’s on IG under her name. Also, Amber from Heritage Mom Blog, and Shanda from Devoted Motherhood.
Syllabird sounds just like Homeschool Planet. It has been a game changer for us!
I’m sooooo not tech savvy, but I’m trying it.
Thank you!
My joy!
<3 Thank you for sharing with us this reminder. I need a mentor in my life, and I appreciate where you stand in this gap for me!
Oh goodness, Heather! I’m honored to be your friend. You have the most sincere heart with a beautiful faith! Let’s continue to sharpen one another.
Love this idea!
So glad!
I will definitely be tuning in to this new series! ❤😊
💕
Fun! I hope your family has a great year with Alveary. We used Alveary for a few subjects this past year and had re-subscribed for next year when that opened up, but are planning to move to something else now, instead. It's a wonderful program, but it became too difficult to juggle with a large family, especially with a few kiddos in the learn to read stage plus littles and older ones. We need more family style, open & go, so we are choosing more options along those lines:) I'm sure you'll love it, though!
Thanks for sharing your experience with it. I can see how it might be more of a challenge if you don’t combine forms a lot in The Alveary. I only have 3 children and I’ll be combining a bunch.
I'm looking for family style too - what curriculum have you found?
@stephaniesticka5556 I don't have all of our curriculum figured out yet- Berean builders science in the beginning is our choice for family style science, likely adding in some Simply CM Exploring what God has created/Discover what Go's created book recommendations. SCM is the most family style I have found for history but we are CDN so it doesn't work for us for early modern/modern. I'm piecing that together myself, family style. I haven't found any truly family style CM programs. A gentle feast combines forms, so that's helpful compared to others that are grade based.
Thank you for sharing this wisdom with us. So often I get so caught up in what is occurring that I forget to look at how God could be using this to mold me into the woman He wants me to be.
Right? I do the same. I was praying about the situation, but it was focused on the issue and on my husband. I wasn’t asking God to do a work in me.
I joined the Alveary for this year too!! Excited to see more of your videos in the future. 😊 (especially how you plan your schedule!)
Aaah! So fun to find other folks using it.
What a blessing she is to you and you are to us! ❤
I’m so thankful for her in my life. If I can be anything like her at all, I’m becoming more like Him!
I love this idea SarahRuth, what a blessing to have a mentor like that in your life.
I’m glad it’s an idea that resonates. I’m praying it will be life giving to other mamas.
I have six children 14 and under and have used the Alveary 2 years, CMEC 1 year, AO 1 year, and a Gentle Feast 2 years. Last year I tried doing my own thing last year. I will be back using A Gentle Feast and plan to use it through graduation. I find it to be the simplest to use with a large family.
Wow! It’s so neat that you’ve tried so many and been able to see how each works. It’s quite possible we will circle back to AGF as well at some point, but I’m excited to try The Alveary.
This was the most helpful and encouraging video like this that I've watched! Very relatable for my situation with my 3 girls and how we also can't rely on a consistent nap time like I hear many homeschool moms suggest. I just found your channel and have been loving your content. Thank you!
Wow! Thanks for responding to let me know! The toddler and baby years were some of my favorite parenting years thus far - but that’s looking back. Haha. It’s a lot of work when you’re in the thick of it.
I was looking at Without Doors for this coming year, but now you and Shanda have me looking into Alveary. I really love how the daily lessons are set up and how using Syllabird is an additional option! I've watched the book list videos for this coming year and am unfamiliar with almost all of them. I also didn't see any classics at all. The lesson seems SO rich and I absolutely love the scaffolding that is provided, but I also would hate to miss out on great classic literature. Are there actually classics included but just not shown in the videos?
I’m not certain which classics you’d like to see but we are doing Plutarch and Shakespeare, which I believe are classic. Pilgrims Progress would all be a classic in my opinion. We are coming from AGF where a lot of the read alouds are classic children’s literature. I feel like those are easily pulled for afternoon read alouds, but aren’t necessarily needed for a robust lesson feast. Unless you’re meaning some history and other classics I’m not thinking of. Also, while I’ve not used Without Doors, it’s been highly recommended several times. What makes it not a great fit for our family is it’s more a unit study of specific time periods, versus laid out like Miss Mason suggested (multiple history streams as your children enter form 2). If a family wanted all their children in the same period of history, some kids would begin in Ancient when they were ready for formal lessons, some children would start with British. I’m a big proponent of always starting a child with their home country. This is what drew me to AGF and The Alveary also does it.
@@kindletogetherness Thank you for your response! This makes sense. I was thinking of possibly just pulling classic children’s literature as read alouds if Alveary didn’t include that in the plans. That seems like an easy enough addition! I see what you mean about Without Doors. It does look like a great time period unit study approach, but history cycles definitely differ from CM methods. Thank you, SarahRuth!
I would like to see how you combine kids
I’ll definitely get something up with those details! Thanks for letting me know it would be helpful.
I’m curious what you are planning to do for Math - are you continuing SCM/Beauty and Truth or are you going with the Alveary’s plans?
Such a good question. Tbh, we wound up switching into TG&TB. I don’t use it as written because I don’t love the workbook feel of a lot of it. However, I also like my kids all in the same math, because for me as the teacher, this works best. The SCM series is a solid year or 2 behind my eldest and it’s made it hard for us to stay bought into it as much as I wish we could.
Thank you so much for the Code for Alveary. I am so excited to be doing it this year and a little nerves. Happy to be joining you and your friend with Alveary :)
You are so welcome! I’m excited for a refresh too! Yay for something new and for mamas that are willing to make a switch when needed.
Thank you for making this! Is there still a morning time together with Alveary? I have grades 1-9 and that’s my favorite part of the day 💚
It’s one of my favorite parts too. They have different Bible lessons/suggestions for different grade groups, but it’s so easy to just pick one (that’s what I did). Composer, folk song, and artist study are all the same for different ages.
I love your dress. I tried to get that one as well but it sold out so fast. I'm so happy to see you got one. You are rocking it :)
I would love to see how you combine the boys.
I plan to share that for sure. I may be premature by sharing this summer, instead of waiting to see what actually works this fall. Haha. So it may become a 2 part video series.
@@kindletogetherness I understand that I’m so thankful God laid on your heart to do all that you do. We have many things in common I’m learning watching your videos
So fun!! As far as the lesson plans laid out like a gentle feast, Alveary does have that!! 🎉🎉 It’s called Alveary+ and it will reschedule lessons as well so it’s a little more useful IMO.
Oh I see what you mean, each grade side by side rather than a single list for each day. Alveary+ isn’t quite like that. But you def request that as they are updating and improving! Excellent idea!
Yeah, I really enjoyed the layout of AGF and will miss it. That full week spread of all subjects and all kids was chef’s kiss for me personally. 👌
What’s the add on you bought again? (The scheduler)
It’s called Syllabird. I found it a bit overwhelming initially, but I’m so tech not savvy. Once I sat down and relaxed and really looked at it, it was very straight forward.
Ahh! I would love to see how you end up combining your children. We have used AGF in the past but will be using the Alveary this year, as well.
How exciting! What grades are your kids, Brooke?
I will have a 1st grader, 4th grader, and 5th grader. We also have a 4 year old and 6 month old to tag along!
@@brookelewis8958 That’s a full house! I love it. What a wonderful year you’re going to have.
We made this decision too! I started with AGF largely from watching you, but when I saw the Alveary this year and looked at samples, realized this is what I need! I’m so excited to know I can watch you go through this too as we venture in!
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 How neat that several of us are shifting simultaneously. We really are blessed to have so many options to choose from.
So glad you are joining me!!
Thanks for the help navigating all my big feelings and resistance. You’re the best to help me audibly process.
I’m so glad you have your joy back in teaching.
It’s a big thing, isn’t it? I mean, every day doesn’t need to be magical, but we definitely don’t want it to be drudgery all the time.
Would love to hear how you plan and combine your kids 😊
I am adding it to my list. Do you use a curriculum?
@@kindletogetherness Thank you! I have Without Doors Early America Guide and I have been looking at AGF Cycle 1. Without doors is very beautifully done, but I purchased before learning about AGF. AGF just makes it seem easy to implementing a CM style learning. But I am unsure I will change curriculum before we have even started.
How fun!! Okay, I like learning about the nature inside each person, through Dressing Your Truth (I've never bought anything from them). There's 4 nature's/energies, that all of us have a little bit of each, but have a dominant type. Mine is type 4 - all or nothing, black and white, bold and striking. There are facial features on me that give this away, too! My secondary also crops up I my facial features in support of the primary. 😊 I'm the "lowest" energy. I've long pondered that you are a Type 1 - playful, light, airy, and exuberant energy that comes across very naturally! I think your facial features move upward, even. So, the feeling of getting bored and needing that big breath of fresh air and not wanting to pick from all the great choices, was no surprise for me. I think you're going to love this year of Alveary! 🤩
Wow! This is such a fun and complimentary comment. Also, unexpected. I hope I’m those things - fun and airy and exuberant. Do you use a specific curriculum? Forgive me if we’ve previously talked about this and I’m forgetting 🤦🏻♀️🤪
@@kindletogetherness I've used AO since my first (now in her early 20s) was in 4th year. I had my second child 10 years after her, and we've continued with AO entirely until this year. I'm adding in Sabbath Mood Science for my second, this year, going in to their 6th year. I keep eyeing Alveary and CMEC, one for one reason, and the other for different reasons. I'll enjoy hearing your updates on Alveary. <3
Oh awesome! You’ve got a lot of experience. I really liked what I saw at Sabbath Mood. I was ready to buy a unit if I stuck with AGF.
Say what?!?! I have some local friends who absolutely love Alveary. Excited to see how it works for you and your family.
Also, you are too cute in this hat and dress! <3
It is a shock to me too! Haha. I really fought switching because I loved using A Gentle Feast. However, I feel like this was God leading me and my sons to a new place in our lessons.
@@wholeheartedhomemaking You are so kind, friend!
Thank you so much for this!
Absolutely! I love both of these curriculums and so many other families have enjoyed both too. You can’t go wrong with either one. 💕
In regards to Alvearys history...if you are starting with a 6 year old in Form 1B are they wanting you to jump in wherever they are? Isn't that not consistent with what CM did with teaching history of their own country first ( I agree that this makes a lot of sense)
To my knowledge, The Alveary includes US history for their form 1 students. It would just be in the time period/history cycle they currently are in.
Please advise. We are like minded family, and im coming out of piecing my curriculum together, the core being through Homeschool Torah. However, as much as i want to like it... I just cannot do it again. Some of it is good, but there are cons too. My first two years of HS were with My Father's World which my son (8) loved. Now ive been introduced to CM and im a)blown away b) overwhelemed c) undecided! My son loves reading, and i have (unintentionally i guess) pushed him these early years, so he is well ahead in some areas but it came with a cost and struggle at times. I wish i knew what i do now. Lol. I just want homeschooling to be an enjoyable experience and not a task... Seems like im consumed with it and i feae not having time to do anything besides that. Ugh. I am praying that YAH will lead me to which is right for the future. Thank you for your videos
Hi Alyssa! Welcome! CM can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. I suggest landing on a curriculum and just trying it. Maybe give AGF or The Playful Pioneers a go.
Thanks for sharing this information. I was interested in hearing the explanation of this approach and it was helpful. I respectfully disagree with the order of teaching history. I think with the world being so interconnected with each other and so many resources available as far as physically and visually they are able to grasp ancient cultures and further back history to the best of their ability of course. My opinion is that it makes the most sense going in the sequential order of the world's history as a story. Then when you get to american history, all the cultures that have influenced the culture makes sense. Also, the reason people even came here makes more sense if they can understand it within the context of what was going on around the world. Yes, its a flyover at first as there are things that are challenging for them to grasp but then you come back around and take more deep dives into topics and time periods. I also think its good for kids to realize theres a bigger world and more going on than just their little area. (While doing history in order, of course we still learn about where they live and even travel around the country to see things and learn some history as they experience but then theyll be able to plug in their experiences when we get to that point in the timeline and they will have context for what was going on) i also feel like starting at the beginning of history helps them to understand things in the bible as well. But i appreciate learning about other approaches to educate our kids. Thanks for sharing!
I know lots of folks that like the approach you are sharing!
Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience with math in your homeschool. This video was helpful. We are thinking of using SCM this fall for my oldest. I’m hoping it’s a good fit. Quick question- would you recommend SCM for grades1-5 and then suggest B+T series for 6-12? Do you feel it’s a nice transition from one to the other? Or would you suggest starting with B+T from the beginning?
To be entirely honest, I can't say. Due to my son being ahead of the releases of SCM arithmetic, I finally had to move to something else. It was sad for us because I certainly love that series, but I couldn't hold him back waiting on each release.
What do you do after this? This is the approach we took and it was SO good. Now my daughter is reading frog and toad and the tuttle and free first reader after we ised rhe primer to learn. Do tou continue phonics lessons like rhis or do you do just read aloud?
Such a good question. Once my children were fluently reading Frog and Toad, I had them read to me daily from whatever we were reading together. I would notice hang ups or issues with specific sounds, etc. and I would do some quick, in the moment instruction. However, so far, my sons have not needed more reading lessons after they take off with reading independently.
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your heart! Very encouraging! In a similar season of life and homeschooling and God has been leading me to similar heart convictions! When we simplify and reorient our focus to what matters to God, he gives us a heart after His heart and we allow Him to fill us and be used as His instrument in the lives of others. I'm a lifelong learner and get so excited to learn alongside my children that I have found myselt getting overzealous and neglecting the primary role of exemplifying God first and parenting my childrens heart. He gently guides me back and it often means letting go in the process. He had called me to submit to His plans press pause - push the books aside and go after the heart. (even daily if I need to). This doesn't mean there is something wrong or we are behind and we shouldn't be frustrated by our plans being altered but THIS is the plans He has called us to. Often that means sacrificing our daily lists and what success looks like in our day to day and realizing that abiding in Christ and sharing His heart with our kids is the true work of education❤
100% It is easy to prioritize the other parts over their hearts, but the end result won't be what we hoped for if we do that!
Absolutely loved this❤️ Worth my time!
Thank you for telling me!
Loving this!
Thanks, Jada! It’s a neat what to do history.
Your headband is adorable! I actually hand die scarves for my etsy account. I can totally see you in them.
Aw thanks! What is your Etsy? I’ll peek at them. Tbh, most of mine are cut up clothing or thrift store finds.
@@kindletogetherness TheEclecticSouk :) Im here on KZread as well. I will be getting back into our homeschool content soon. Been just uploading random knitting vlogs. After 3 years of homeschool the kids decided to try "real" school this past year. We have a great local private Islamic school, BUT we happily decided to go back to homeschool this year so now I'm trying to get all back into the groove. Are you still enjoying Simply Charlotte Mason Math? We were looking at singapore math but Im still open.
@@chelseyummali Sounds like you are in for a wonderful year with your family. We do still really like the SCM Arithmetic series. However, I had to make some changes for a variety of reasons this year.
@kindletogetherness hey it works until it doesn't, right? God willing, your changes serve you well.
I could listen to you talk all day about anything home or education related honestly!!
What a kind comment. Thank you.