I've been reading Teaching the Trivium and I have thoroughly enjoyed the first four chapters. Honestly, I feel like I could blog about something every page. However, I will just write this for tonight.
"We first instruct the child in Knowledge or Grammar; then we guide the child in Understanding or Logic; and finally we challenge the child in Wisdom or Rhetoric." (emphasis added)
If you are interested in learning more about Classical Education and the reasons why you should homeschool, I would strongly urge you to read Teaching the Trivium and have your husbands read it as well, if they are willing.
June 1, 2011
May 28, 2011
Why?
Why Follow a Classical Model and Method?
Teaching the Trivium (pg. 41)
Academics
Results
Methodology
Academics. Certainly, some parents choose a classical style of schooling because they are attracted by the academic achievement. They want their children to achieve high academic goals in classical languages, in logic, and in communication skills. They want them to study a very high level of material. Perhaps some of this is driven by a sort of academic snobbery, but much of it is driven by a sincere desire to see their children challenged and excel for the glory of God." (Page 41)
Results. The classical Trivium-Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric-is a very effective means to prepare to serve God in the world. By mastering these basic tools of learning, the classical method creates self-teaching students who are able to move forward and master any area of learning on their own. Whatever our goals may be, the classical approach lays the broadest and most solid foundation for achieving them.
Methodology. The best reason for choosing the classical style of schooling is simply because this is actually the Biblical model written into reality. So what if the pagans stole it? We simply take it back and clean it up and put it to our own use. The classical style has been successful for millennia because it matches reality. If we ever learned anything, then we learned it by the Trivium method- whether we knew it or not.
School at Home or Homeschool?
There is so much that I could say about this photo that is in the book, Teaching the Trivium, however it's late and I do not have the time right now. Honestly, the photo might just say it all... Do you school at home or do you homeschool?
"The great advantage of tutoring your own children at home is that much of what goes on in classroom schooling is rendered completely unnecessary."
Teaching the Trivium
May 6, 2011
Dayspring Used Curriculum Sale
I'll be at the Dayspring Used Curriculum Sale tomorrow.
Come to White Plains UMC in Cary from 10 am to 1 pm to find some curriculum and visit me at the Classical Conversations table!
Come to White Plains UMC in Cary from 10 am to 1 pm to find some curriculum and visit me at the Classical Conversations table!
I think that this quote nicely sums up the Grammar stage of learning...
"What that material is, is only of secondary importance; but it is as well that anything and everything which can be usefully committed to memory should be memorized at this period, whether it is immediately intelligible or not. The modern tendency is to try and force rational explanations on a child's mind at too early an age. Intelligent questions, spontaneously asked, should, of course, receive an immediate and rational answer; but it is a great mistake to suppose that a child cannot readily enjoy and remember things that are beyond his power to analyze--particularly if those things have a strong imaginative appeal (as, for example, "Kubla Kahn"), an attractive jingle (like some of the memory-rhymes for Latin genders), or an abundance of rich, resounding polysyllables (like the Quicunque vult)."
A quote from Dorothy Sayers' The Lost Tools of Learning ...
"What that material is, is only of secondary importance; but it is as well that anything and everything which can be usefully committed to memory should be memorized at this period, whether it is immediately intelligible or not. The modern tendency is to try and force rational explanations on a child's mind at too early an age. Intelligent questions, spontaneously asked, should, of course, receive an immediate and rational answer; but it is a great mistake to suppose that a child cannot readily enjoy and remember things that are beyond his power to analyze--particularly if those things have a strong imaginative appeal (as, for example, "Kubla Kahn"), an attractive jingle (like some of the memory-rhymes for Latin genders), or an abundance of rich, resounding polysyllables (like the Quicunque vult)."
A quote from Dorothy Sayers' The Lost Tools of Learning ...
April 2, 2011
Big Sale for Cycle 3
Most of you are probably on the CC email list, but for those of you who are not, they are having a sale on the materials that you need for Cycle 3 that starts in September.
If you are going to do Essentials, they have the guide on sale for next year as well. It's a one time purchase for the entire time in Essentials. They have updated it to make it more user friendly, so if you are starting next year you are in luck!
I will probably get the new one since I have four other children that will use it. I need things to be as 'user friendly' as I can get them!
http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/ is the website. Check out the sale. If you have any questions about what to order, send me an email.
If you are going to do Essentials, they have the guide on sale for next year as well. It's a one time purchase for the entire time in Essentials. They have updated it to make it more user friendly, so if you are starting next year you are in luck!
I will probably get the new one since I have four other children that will use it. I need things to be as 'user friendly' as I can get them!
http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/ is the website. Check out the sale. If you have any questions about what to order, send me an email.
March 29, 2011
A Few Questions About Challenge
So, during our two recent informational meetings there were questions about Challenge. Since I didn't know the answers, I could not give definitive answers. We are embarking on uncharted territory for Michele and I, so we will learn this right along with you.
I'm sure that Michele will hold Challenge A informational meetings soon and will be able to answer any additional questions that you may have as well.
Question: Can children take subjects on more than one level of Challenge in the same year?
Answer: Children can go to whichever of the Saxon maths that are provided that best meets his/her needs, but all other subjects need to be taken within the child's group.
Now, I would love to speak with you in more depth if you need more information about this answer. However, I thought it would be nice for other interested parents to get a glimpse of questions.
I'm sure that Michele will hold Challenge A informational meetings soon and will be able to answer any additional questions that you may have as well.
Question: Can children take subjects on more than one level of Challenge in the same year?
Answer: Children can go to whichever of the Saxon maths that are provided that best meets his/her needs, but all other subjects need to be taken within the child's group.
Now, I would love to speak with you in more depth if you need more information about this answer. However, I thought it would be nice for other interested parents to get a glimpse of questions.
March 28, 2011
Parent Night 2011
Parent Night will be Friday, April 1st at 7 pm!
Each class will give a presentation. Essentials students will read papers. Memory Master Awards will be presented. Dessert will be eaten. Fellowship will be shared by all.
CC members please invite family members to come watch your children shine! Bring a dessert or something salty, if you would rather.
CC prospects, please come watch our children strut their stuff and enjoy our dessert and fellowship!
March 27, 2011
Parent Practicums
Today at the Director Training we were told the dates of the upcoming parent practicums in North Carolina. There might be a few additional dates that are going to be released, but I'll go ahead and share these so that you can mark your calendars for the one you would like to attend.
The Parent Practicums are free for parents! Camps are offered for the children for $30 per child for the three days. More information is provided on the CC link on the upper right hand corner of this blog, so I won't rewrite it here. The camps fill up very quickly, as in minutes! So, if you are planning on coming, keep checking the website and register your children as soon as you see it's open.
Classical Conversations' Parent Practicum are designed to share more about classically educating yourself and your children. The topics covered are more 'big picture' and visionary. The parent practicums are not the place to learn more about the day to day of the Classical Conversations Communities. If you have any questions about those topics, please email me or post a comment with your email address.
The Parent Practicums are also where the tutors are trained each year. Each afternoon after lunch the parents who will be tutoring for their groups go to tutor training and the remaining parents have informational sessions on topics that will support their endeavors in classically home educating their children. The tutor training provides so many great ideas. I wish that all parents went to tutor training or something just like it. However, our tutors do 'train' each week in class, so it's all good!
Normally, in order to go to tutor training you have to already be hired as a tutor for your community. However, I learned today that I can have two parents come as 'substitute tutors' that can be trained in the afternoons at the parent practicums, even though they have not been hired as tutors. So, if you are interested in this let me know, but first you will need to register your family and join our group!
May 10-12 Burlington
May 17-19 Wilson
June 1-3 Jacksonville
June 6-8 Boone
June 7-9 Cary
June 27-29 Asheville
June 28-30 Wilmington
July 6-8 Waxhaw
The Parent Practicums are free for parents! Camps are offered for the children for $30 per child for the three days. More information is provided on the CC link on the upper right hand corner of this blog, so I won't rewrite it here. The camps fill up very quickly, as in minutes! So, if you are planning on coming, keep checking the website and register your children as soon as you see it's open.
Classical Conversations' Parent Practicum are designed to share more about classically educating yourself and your children. The topics covered are more 'big picture' and visionary. The parent practicums are not the place to learn more about the day to day of the Classical Conversations Communities. If you have any questions about those topics, please email me or post a comment with your email address.
The Parent Practicums are also where the tutors are trained each year. Each afternoon after lunch the parents who will be tutoring for their groups go to tutor training and the remaining parents have informational sessions on topics that will support their endeavors in classically home educating their children. The tutor training provides so many great ideas. I wish that all parents went to tutor training or something just like it. However, our tutors do 'train' each week in class, so it's all good!
Normally, in order to go to tutor training you have to already be hired as a tutor for your community. However, I learned today that I can have two parents come as 'substitute tutors' that can be trained in the afternoons at the parent practicums, even though they have not been hired as tutors. So, if you are interested in this let me know, but first you will need to register your family and join our group!
March 26, 2011
Director Training
Today I spent the entire day in Cary at Director Training for Classical Conversations. I came away with gobs of new information and my head is swimming with all of it. Instead of inundating our current community members and prospects with emails, I thought the best solution would be to blog about the things that I learned. Anyone who needs to reference the material can just come back here and read it again.
Lisa Bailey, the NC state director who led the training, did a wonderful job of mixing the tedious 'business' side of directing with the 'inspirational' side of classically homeschooling our children within our communities.
Lots of notes were taken and questions were answered that have been asked at our informational meetings. The next few blog posts will be used to break that information up into topics so that each post isn't too involved or too lengthy.
Lisa Bailey, the NC state director who led the training, did a wonderful job of mixing the tedious 'business' side of directing with the 'inspirational' side of classically homeschooling our children within our communities.
Lots of notes were taken and questions were answered that have been asked at our informational meetings. The next few blog posts will be used to break that information up into topics so that each post isn't too involved or too lengthy.
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