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Thought you all might be interested in an update on the transition to classical


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As my first traditional classroom school year comes to an end, I thought you all might be interested to hear an update on the transition to classical in this school.

 

On and off through this first year, I've had frustrating days in a textbook-driven, non-classical school as someone who has been dedicated to classical education for years and not bound by textbooks. Unable to be driven by the textbook, I've overhauled my classes with as much good stuff as I could manage as I followed the sequence of the textbook's topics.

 

At Christmas, I decided to gird up my loins and go to the headmaster to see how open he was to considering the transition to classical methods. He was VERY open and admitted he did not really know what it all meant. I was able to give several presentations on what classical education is and my thoughts of how to begin the transition.

 

Situations happened with a few changes in faculty so that our wonderful admin-asst who really is the glue that holds the school together will teach fifth grade next year. She was so persuaded toward classical that she bought three new TWTM books for the three head teachers in the now elementary, middle, and high schools. Only the middle school, though, will be using these next year.

 

Since I am teaching sixth, seventh, and eighth grade history and English next year, the two of us make up the middle school. Along with the headmaster, it was decided that she

and I will quietly go classical. She will have a self-contained classroom making the fifth grade transition to classical in all subject areas, whereas I will on have history and English. We are not involving any other teachers in this for next year, but this is really doable since the bulk of the transition will be in history and English.

 

I have been able to request all handpicked books for next year and that is has been really difficult, especially for history. We have decided to go to Rod & Staff for English (grades 5-8). For spelling, vocabulary, and writing, I am going to cobble together these to coordinate with history and literature. I plan to base spelling on the How to Teach Spelling book (EPS) and learn spelling words in "rule groups." In this self-designed book, I hope to have it ready to print by August, then take it to Kinkos for coil-binding. It will be non-consumable making it cost effective at under $8 per copy.

 

For history, my decision has been difficult but I finally decided on the following. I will be using resources I've found helpful in the past, plus relying heavily upon Tapestry of Grace and VP. I'll use Abeka's World Geography in each class.

 

For literature, I'm starting all three grades on The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian. In subsequent years, my plan is to complete the first two CoN in 6th grade, the second two in 7th, and the last three in 8th.

 

I'm just really thankful that events have moved in such a way to persuade the powers that be to move toward classical. We figure that once the plan is in operation and working well, announcements can be made about transitioning to classical. I'm sure there will still be frustration ahead but the opportunity is wide open now!

 

[i'm cutting/pasting and unable to remove all highlights, so please ignore.]

 

Sixth Grade:

History:

The Story of the Middle Ages(Guerber)

Monks & Mystics (Withrow)

 

 

Literature:

The Hobbit (Tolkein)

The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe

Prince Caspian

The Adventures of Robin Hood (Green)

The Adventures of King Arthur (Green)

Luther the Leader (Robinson)

Seventh Grade:

History:

 

The Story of the Renaissance & Reformation(Guerber)

Courage & Conviction (Withrow)

Hearts & Hands (Withrow)

The World of Christopher Colombus (Foster)

George Washington’s World (Foster)

 

 

Literature:

The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe

Prince Caspian

The Pilgrim’s Progress in Modern English

Swiss Family Robinson

Guns for General Washington (Reit)

Johnny Tremain (Forbes)

Seaman (Karwoski)

 

Eighth Grade:

History:

 

World History (BJUP)

The American Republic (BJUP)

The Wright Brothers (LM

Abe Lincoln’s World (Foster) Literature:

The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe

Prince Caspian

Rifles for Watie (Keith)

Anne of Green Gables (Montgomery)

The Jungle Book (Kipling)

The Hiding Place (ten Boom)

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Thanks for the update! How exciting to be able to use those years of investment in pouring it out on other students. And what an opporunity to be a catalyst for change for the school. I hope you will continue to share your wonderful resources and insights with us.

 

Many blessings --

Lisa

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