So, I share this not as the only option - but just as what I like. This is just MY opinion! Take it or leave it for whatever it is worth to you. I've prayed about what to do in our home next year and here is the result:
Classical Conversations: I'm going to start with this because it is truly going to be the backbone for our curriculum this year. I've really grown to love CC this past year and as I'm understanding more about the Classical Model, I can see that it is something I want to implement in our family.My favorite explanation of the Classical Model comes from Scripture itself - Proverbs 24:3-4 says,
"By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures."
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures."
Knowledge is the Grammar stage. When children are young - it is so easy for them to memorize facts! These become memory pegs to reference later when they learn how to apply the knowledge.
Understanding is the Dialectic stage and Wisdom is the Rhetoric stage. In our house, we are just beginning the Grammar stage - so that is what I understand best at this point!
One word about classically educating: if you are looking for a traditional school experience, you will be disappointed. Classical education requires a long-term goal and vision. You're not going to see the same kind of results in first grade, second grade, etc... that you will see in a more traditional school environment, your results will really be longer term. Classical education requires a lot of parent involvement.
I will tell you that I am so impressed about what my children are learning this way and even what I am learning! Remember how elementary school used to be called Grammar School? Classical Education used to be the norm - where now it is not.
Ok, I'll hop off my soap box now - if you want to read more on my thoughts about the practical logistics of CC go here.
Back to my plan for school - we'll be using the CC memory work as a basis for our school studies. For example, if we are memorizing a history sentence about Columbus - we will read books, look at maps and do activities relating to Columbus.
History: to supplement our CC memory work, we will be using Story of the World volume 3 and 4. We will just add library books to this! (I bought mine either used or off of Amazon - check around for the best price!!)
Geography: very well covered in CC, we'll supplement with library books. I also ordered these to have as reference for the years to come.
Science: for the first part of the year, we'll be learning about the human body. So, I will supplement with Apologia: Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology, Body of Evidence DVD's from Vision Forum, Usborne First Encyclopedia of the Human Body and a few CC recommended resources.
If you are involved in a CC community - there are some great resource lists available that correspond to each week. Library books, Netflix movies, etc... that correspond. I've put together a history and science match up list and those will be on the CC Connected Community as well.
To be continued tomorrow .....
Understanding is the Dialectic stage and Wisdom is the Rhetoric stage. In our house, we are just beginning the Grammar stage - so that is what I understand best at this point!
One word about classically educating: if you are looking for a traditional school experience, you will be disappointed. Classical education requires a long-term goal and vision. You're not going to see the same kind of results in first grade, second grade, etc... that you will see in a more traditional school environment, your results will really be longer term. Classical education requires a lot of parent involvement.
I will tell you that I am so impressed about what my children are learning this way and even what I am learning! Remember how elementary school used to be called Grammar School? Classical Education used to be the norm - where now it is not.
Ok, I'll hop off my soap box now - if you want to read more on my thoughts about the practical logistics of CC go here.
Back to my plan for school - we'll be using the CC memory work as a basis for our school studies. For example, if we are memorizing a history sentence about Columbus - we will read books, look at maps and do activities relating to Columbus.
History: to supplement our CC memory work, we will be using Story of the World volume 3 and 4. We will just add library books to this! (I bought mine either used or off of Amazon - check around for the best price!!)
Geography: very well covered in CC, we'll supplement with library books. I also ordered these to have as reference for the years to come.
Science: for the first part of the year, we'll be learning about the human body. So, I will supplement with Apologia: Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology, Body of Evidence DVD's from Vision Forum, Usborne First Encyclopedia of the Human Body and a few CC recommended resources.
If you are involved in a CC community - there are some great resource lists available that correspond to each week. Library books, Netflix movies, etc... that correspond. I've put together a history and science match up list and those will be on the CC Connected Community as well.
To be continued tomorrow .....
11 comments:
We are currently working on our homeschool plan for the upcoming year as well. I think you are very wise in realizing that you have to make your own plan. Everyone has to find what works for their family. There is no "one size fits all" and while we can learn from each other, ultimately we have to find what works for our own children. That is part of the beauty of homeschooling.
Thanks for sharing what you will be doing, I love to "peek" into other homeschools.
What a blessing to be able to home school your children. I am happy for you.
LOVE CC!! I will be directing a Foundations and Essentials community in Auburn, AL this year!
Thank you for sharing! My oldest will be a first grader this fall and we have registered for Classical Conversations, it's new to our area, we are very excited!
My BFF is getting ready to start CC next year with her children and I'm eager to hear about her experiences (and yours). I thought about it for this year, but we're taking a year just at home without outside tutorials and classes because of a new baby and a recent move.
I wanted to mention a human body resource that I did with my daughter when she was in kindergarten that we LOVED: http://www.amazon.com/My-Body-Science-Books-S/dp/1557342113/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1305812360&sr=1-1. It has pieces that you can photocopy onto large pieces of posterboard or chipboard and your kids can make lifesize maps of their body. My daughter LOVED being able to see "inside herself" and I'll be doing it again with my other munchkins as they are old enough. :)
Fun to hear what you're planning for next year. I hadn't been aware of that geography resource and it looks very interesting! I have it tagged to look at more closely. I love getting fresh ideas for quality resources! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your plan.
We're planning on starting CC next year. I think it's an excellent option for us.
I appreciate this post. I'm currently pregnant, and I'm considering homeschooling, as I'm displeased with certain aspects of public education in Texas. I've looked at CC online, but the website doesn't give the sort of detailed information I want. I do know that there is a local CC group, which is partly why I'm interested. I don't want to completely homeschool alone, assuming I do it.
This is a great post ;) :) I always like hearing what my friends find interesting, good, useful, incorporating faith in the home etc ;) :) If I ever get married and have kids, this would be good information to keep handy :) :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)
I love reading others' school plans; thanks for sharing yours! I posted some human body resources we used this year today, and I thought I'd share the link with you in case you're still looking for things:
http://www.hopeisthewordblog.com/2011/05/20/more-human-body-resources/
Also in this post is a link to a post on what we used last year for my dd's kindergarten science studies. I think the resiurces in both posts would be appropriate for your dd.
We also use CC! I love it. I wanted to mention Fandex for the states. I found it at Cracker Barrel and they are wonderful for Cycle 3. Already have the presidents since I am tutoring but for $10 I figured I could justify the splurge. :-)
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