jenniferlee Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 I did look to see if I could find the answer for this, but nothing came up when I searched. I just finished reading through the new edition of WTM and I'm wondering if MCT will meet all her requirements. It's not listed in the resources, which I know doesn't mean it's not good enough, but I'm just not far enough into all of this to know whether this will be a good choice for us the whole way through. I love it and do not want to ever use anything else, but I also don't want to shortchange the kids in any way. My oldest is in 7th and I have four more under her, so I'm trying now to pick something and stick with it. We've been through three other programs so far and I'm really ready to just be content, know what I mean:001_smile: Can anyone help me out here? - thanks so much:001_smile: Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 My guess, and it is only that, is that it wouldn't be WTM approved because of the lack of diagramming. I have been listening intently to SWB's writing lectures, esp 'focus on the grammar stage' and 'focus on the middle years' and she is firm in her conviction that diagramming is a necessary skill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 You can teach diagramming alongside MCT. It's really trivial to go from the 4 level analysis to diagramming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiobrain Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Keep in mind that TWTM can't list curriculum that SWB might not have ever heard of when she was writing her books. MCTLA has been around for a long time, but only recently (within the last 5 years, past 3 years mostly) discovered among the greater Homeschool community. I think that although TWTM is a beautiful place to start, and a good framework to hang your ideas... it is not set in stone. SWB doesn't know you or your kids. She also can't evaluate everything. I think that although MCT might stray from the classical model in some ways, it adheres to it in others. He is big on reading and analyzing classic lit., steeped in Latin & Greek roots, etc etc. It emphasizes a very deep understanding of language and literature while still being fun and interesting. I have no problem with anyone using whatever works best for their family. Is there a Classical Ed. Curriculum Squad I don't know about? You won't get thrown out of the club. ;) MCTLA will give your kids a solid LA education, so don't sweat it. JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 You can teach diagramming alongside MCT. It's really trivial to go from the 4 level analysis to diagramming. That is what we are doing. MCT is what works for dd10. She's my anti-anything-that-looks-like-a-workbook girl. :) We are using a book called Rex Barks for a systematic survey of how to diagram. I'm alternating days with MCT and Rex Barks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenniferlee Posted November 22, 2010 Author Share Posted November 22, 2010 Thanks for your replies, everyone. I hadn't thought about the diagramming - that makes sense. Maybe I will look into throwing some of that in after we finish up their grammar books; we're almost there. Or, maybe not - I guess I feel pretty confident with MCT the way it is, but sometimes I think I waver between being to easily swayed by others opinions and just assuming I know best. I hate to err on either side... thanks again Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saille Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I'll be honest. I was a die-hard sentence diagrammer, but I like four-level sentence analysis enough that I've made four-level forms for my ds9 to use with his Lively Latin in place of the diagramming pages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freerange Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 We've used MCT Island, and are now using Town. DD1 has had no problems tackling the diagramming in Lively Latin, so I'd agree that its just a very small step to take the understanding gained in MCT and apply it in diagramming. MCT has given her a really solid base to build on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenKase Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I think that although TWTM is a beautiful place to start, and a good framework to hang your ideas... it is not set in stone. SWB doesn't know you or your kids. She also can't evaluate everything. I think that although MCT might stray from the classical model in some ways, it adheres to it in others. He is big on reading and analyzing classic lit., steeped in Latin & Greek roots, etc etc. It emphasizes a very deep understanding of language and literature while still being fun and interesting. I have no problem with anyone using whatever works best for their family. Is there a Classical Ed. Curriculum Squad I don't know about? You won't get thrown out of the club. ;) MCTLA will give your kids a solid LA education, so don't sweat it. Wholeheartedly, :iagree: , especially with what's in bold. FWIW, this is our first year homeschooling, but I am using MCT Island and plan to continue through all the levels with a dd10 and a dd7 who likes to tag along. MCT is rigorous albeit very entertaining and we are all learning a ton without even realizing it (bonus). I for one am happy to put LA to rest, knowing that we are using an effective and comprehensive curriculum. I listen to SWB's audio lectures all the time, but I concentrate mostly on her writing recommendations. I'm intrigued by SWB's writing across the curriculum methods and am in favor of using them in place of the more creative writing assignments found in Island (IMO). I can't speak to the writing requirements of the upper MCT levels, but I have read that they too tend to favor writing across the curriculum (please CORRECT me if I'm wrong!). So all this so say, OP, that if you enjoy MCT and feel your dc will benefit from the program, rest assured in knowing that it is a solid LA curriculum and you can give yourself permission to put your blinders on. Believe me when I say that MCT Island is already more than my dd's ps counterparts are receiving in our local schools! Sad but true!! HTH and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallory Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Thanks for your replies, everyone. I hadn't thought about the diagramming - that makes sense. Maybe I will look into throwing some of that in after we finish up their grammar books; we're almost there. Or, maybe not - I guess I feel pretty confident with MCT the way it is, but sometimes I think I waver between being to easily swayed by others opinions and just assuming I know best. I hate to err on either side... In TWTM, rescources are not only recomended because they teach the subject well, but also they have to be affordable and simple. I don't know if MCT fits those other requirements even if it is "good enough" academically. I think if it is working for you (and it seems to work for many here) then it is a good solid program. And it is more important to use an okay program that gets done then a great program that doesn't (not to say MCT isn't great as well, just to offer more encouragement). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cheryl in SoCal Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 In TWTM, rescources are not only recomended because they teach the subject well, but also they have to be affordable and simple. I don't know if MCT fits those other requirements even if it is "good enough" academically. I think if it is working for you (and it seems to work for many here) then it is a good solid program. And it is more important to use an okay program that gets done then a great program that doesn't (not to say MCT isn't great as well, just to offer more encouragement). That seems...wrong...to me. :leaving: While I think that it's important for there to be options that are both affordable and simple I don't think they should be the only options promoted, KWIM? How many WTM families will miss out on an awesome curricula or resource that would have worked better for them simply because it wasn't "affordable and simple?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gratia271 Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I did look to see if I could find the answer for this, but nothing came up when I searched. I just finished reading through the new edition of WTM and I'm wondering if MCT will meet all her requirements. It's not listed in the resources, which I know doesn't mean it's not good enough, but I'm just not far enough into all of this to know whether this will be a good choice for us the whole way through. I love it and do not want to ever use anything else, but I also don't want to shortchange the kids in any way. My oldest is in 7th and I have four more under her, so I'm trying now to pick something and stick with it. We've been through three other programs so far and I'm really ready to just be content, know what I mean:001_smile: Can anyone help me out here? - thanks so much:001_smile: Jen I agree with what everyone has already mentioned, but I will add a cautionary note. You mention wanting to pick something and stick with it for all of your children. This is merely my experience, but I discovered that some programs that work with one child are not the most effective with other children. MCT is an outstanding program, but some children do better (dare I say it) with workbooks. I personally love the program (I hate workbooks), but it is not the most effective approach with one of my children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 The one that comes to mind from her lectures is one of the Logic programs she hadn't recommended in the past b/c it proved difficult for parents to teach. But she added in WTM2009 when the DVD option became available. I would like for it to be recommended but just the difficulty explained so we could make the decision for ourselves. There was a writing curriculum that she suggests w/ the caveat that you have to be strong in it yourself and in fact she asked the publisher why the curriculum was so difficult to understand and they said it was b/c they wrote it for the advanced/knowledgeable parent market and not for folks needing hand-holding. That's the kind of info I like to find out about a curriculum. Yes, I agree w/ different curricula for different children. I've been lucky in that so far, my boys are very similar and what worked for the oldest seems to be working equally well for the youngest. I actually was just mulling over this today about my DD. My boys just learned to read w/ the reading lesson...no writing. You know how boys are. :001_huh: (to make a gross overgeneralization that is perhaps supported by physiology). So a program like SWR to teach reading just seemed like torture to me. My DD however, seems to be processing language through writing. She just turned 4 and is all. day. long. writing words, sounding them out, or copying words, learning how to spell them, writing them from memory and then sounding them out. I'm thinking a more spell to write and read approach might work better for her. anyhow.....I digressed......:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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