CC Video Snippet

Parent Practicums

I'm at the last day of the three day parent practicum for Classical Conversations, and when I find time, I will blog more about what I learned this week.

I am so thrilled that it has been great this year!

Teaching the Trivium

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.

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

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! 

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 ...

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. 

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.

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!