:iagree: Again, after rethinking my opinions of the author, I find nothing objectionable in his products, and he has been more then accomodating in answering questions, even going as far as asking members input on new curriculum, and what sales we would like to see on his courses, as the new school year is approaching for many. I know I am looking forward to using his Music Theory 1 course with my dd, so I can finally learn the keyboard!!:D

That's interesting. Thanks for sharing Lady Aberlin.:001_smile:

Thanks Cindy. Let me know your opinion on this. Oh, and I did watch his video clips and read his FAQ page, but it still was not really clear to me at the time.

Yes, only he wouldn't say what the curriculum was. Secular, what type of worldview it had, was there anything objectionable to Christians, did it speak of Evolution only? But, his beliefs are personal. As this is what he stated on the yahoo loop. And as long as it does not interfere with the curriculum, I respect that.

:iagree: To a point. I feel that he SHOULD answer the question. By him not answering raises eyebrows with many people. I understand WHY he didn't, but I also feel that it is out there all over cyberworld, and it is easy for people to find this out. And by not answering the questions directly, does make him look like he is hiding something, even though he is not. I judged right away. But that is because he didn't answer me, and I felt he was hiding something. But I know now that he isn't. But I took the time to ask more questions, and look at this curriculum over and over. Most people wouldn't do that.

I thought I was banned, due to him not posting my comments over the Yahoo Group, and it had to do with religion. He has, in fact, posted my comments regarding homeschooling on his group this morning. So I apologize for jumping to conclusions on this.

Peela and Mom2Moon: Your posts have made me do some serious re-thinking. I had a long discussion about this with my husband last night. And as a Christian, I was quick to judge. One thing that we always agreed we would NOT do. Am I upset that he didn't answer me? Yes. But I can understand why. I am guilty of judgement. And possibly, this question has come up several times with him. I did see the response come over on the Yahoo Group, thank you. I also saw that my Judy Blume thread came over, which tells me that even though I came off as judgemental, even a little rude, he still places my posts on the yahoo loop. That tells me he has integrity. My husband told me that he seems like a man who has worked very hard on a product for the homeschooling community, and to provide for his family. And without putting any of his beliefs in this program. He allows the child to think for himself/herself. Thank you Peela and Mom2Moon for your posts.

:iagree: He will not post any of my questions on the Yahoo Group, nor will he respond to my emails asking about religion or worldviews. It would be negligent upon my part to buy something without inquiring about it, since the religion is a very important part in some people's choosing curriculum. His avoiding my question is clear that he has something to hide. I think he could have responded to my email, or question. It was very simple. It is a question I ask about any curriculum that is new. "What religious viewpoint is this?" "Is the author a Christian?" "Is this secular, and if so, is their anything objectionable to Christians?" "What kind of worldview is the author portraying" As an author of a curriculum, I do not feel that his beliefs are "personal", to me It is what many homeschoolers base their curriculum decisions on. I believe that if he stated he was a Scientologist, it may hurt his sales. Maybe that is what he believes. Now, if he would have just answered my question honestly, then I could have asked him if there was anything objectionable to Christians(which I am a Christian, and ask this of every curriculum I am not familiar with), I may have looked further into this, and even considered using some of his courses. But by him acting unprofessional like this, I would never support his homeschooling curriculum. Scientologist or not.

Thank you Lady Aberlin. Moving Beyond the Page. I think I might add in what I have in my signature line. Unless someone else has any suggestions?

Do you think I need a vocabulary program as well? I know MBTP has both vocab and spelling, but they are a little on the easy side for my child. We are going to use Level G(Grade 7) Thank you

We are going to be using MBTP level 9-11. I want to add in some classical education things. Besides Latin, any suggestions? Is it doable? My child is 10.

Since he did not respond to my private email, I asked him on his Yahoo Group and my message has not been posted as of yet. I have tried to post and he has not sent any messages over from me. It may not make a difference to some, but it might for others. Just like anyone would want to know if the curriculum was Christian or not. Or what the religious views were. He will not answer me.

I emailed the author directly to ask if he was a Scientologist, and received no response. In the past he was very quick to answer all of my private emails, and questions on the yahoo board. Since asking him this, he has not responded, and he has banned me from the Yahoo Group. I just thought I would let everyone know. I guess maybe I shouldn't of asked. The removal of my religious question post should have tipped me off.

I know the curriculum has been around a while, but the 9-11 program has not. RJH, are you continuing with MPTP this year? What age was your child using the 7-9? Thank you:)

What do you mean spam??:confused: Anyways, I understand it was fairly new, and I asked on the yahoo boards, but not to many people have really used it either. They seem to like the other levels. I am just wondering if it really is a challenging curriculum. I have been going back and forth on what to use this year. CTT, MBTP, or trying to follow some of the WTM suggestions. :001_smile:

Snickerdoodle How do you know this? I am curious. I did mention religion on the yahoo group, and received a private email from the author telling me he removed my post from the group, as religion is not allowed to be discussed on his Yahoo group. The group was there to discuss the education of our children. And he hoped I was not offended. So this is why I was asking.

All of you have given me some really terrific suggestions. LCC is one I will read up on, go back to tread the WTM, and someone said to possibly start at Grade 5 and go up from there. Thank you!!

Snickerdoodle, no I have not read this. It looks fantastic though. Thanks for the suggestion!!

So can you jump into a Classical education starting at Grade 6? (well, I should say she would be going into Grade 5 if she was to return to public school, we say Grade 6 as she missed cutoff by 8 days)We have never done dictation at all. Again, we have been relaxed, almost "unschoolers". My daughter is a vorcarious(SP?) reader. Tackling high school level books. One of her favorites was Wuthering Heights. My worry is this as well. Can I "teach" a classical education. To be honest, when I was in high school. I D-R-E-A-D-E-D anything to do with Ancient or medievel histories. We have not done any formal curriculums for history or science. My daughter has an interest in American History. I know that is the point I want to start. But classical education focuses on a 4 year History rotation. So do we really have to plod through the Ancients? I have even tried reading the Ancients here on my own, and it just bores me to death. I live American History, I love everything about it. And the times we are going through right now, I think it is important to know as much as possible about our own country. I know American History is not covered nearly enough in public schools, as the early grades focus only on social studies. I have looked briefly at Omnibus, just for the hey of it. Okay, no way could we tackle that. Well, not now. But I don't think we could even in high school. So, maybe I should go back and re-read the WTM book again. I wouldn't evenknow where to start really. I am sure this time around, maybe I can understand the method much more clearly. I know I want the best education for my daughter, so if she were to ever have to reurn to school for high school, she is well prepared, and has her own ideas and opinions, so that there will be no "indoctrination" taking place. She will have her own beliefs, and be able to stand her ground, while backing up her rebuttals with facts. I hope I am making some kind of sense?????:confused:

(X-Posted and pasted from my Connect the Thoughts thread) Can someone explain this? I thought Classical Education was more geared towards memorization, copywork, and dictation. How does a classical education have a child "think"???? Connect the Thoughts curriculum, from what I have read, does not promote this. I guess I am a little confused. Oh, and I have read the new WTM book, and SWB stresses memorization. Thoughts???(Maybe I missed something). She also focuses on a lot of grammar, especially in the early years. Something I have never agreed with. I always thought that good grammar came from good literature and writing. And to not start a formal grammar program until at least middle school, where it can be retained more, and only a year of it at best, then review after. I am new to classical education. I would be starting a classical education for a child already going into Grade 6, and we have alwys been relaxed homeschoolers. Thoughts? Help?

Can someone explain this? I thought Classical Education was more geared towards memorization, copywork, and dictation. How does a classical education have a child "think"???? I guess I am a little confused. Oh, and I have read the new WTM book, and SWB stresses memorization. Thoughts???(Maybe I missed something) I may post this is a seperate thread, as I think this is worth exploring a little. I am new to classical education.

HappyGrace Go to his website and listen to him speak, it is about 10 min or so, and he will expalin everything www.connectthethoughts.net CurrClick has samples of all the courses. Click on larger preview so you can see it better:)

The yahoo group is really good because any question that is asked is answered by the author himself. There have been a few users that have chimed in, but my answers have mainly come from the author. So I was hoping to find more people who have used this for a while. I haven't used it long enought to comment on how we like it, but so far so good.

I copied and pasted this from my response to my other thread, for those who are interested. And yes, if you email the Author, he is quick to respond. Now the history is chronological, so that in itself sort of fits into the classical mode. But the biggest and most obvious difference is that Classical Education focuses on memorization, and CTT discourages this. This curriculum wants a child to think for themselves, and come up with ideas and opinions based on the information presented. They are encouraged to go out an look at things, touch things, imagine things. And, they are encouraged to take charge of their own education. I like this aspect of it. That there is no real right or wrong answer. The author feels that as long as they are understanding the material, that is what matters. There are four steps Locate Word study Read and exercises (I think I have that right. Peela correct me if I am wrong) So the reading is harder, but before the child reads anything, the author wants the child to know trhe location of where the passage is taking place(so go to a map or globe, locate it, now the child has a mental image of the actual place) Harder vocabulary words that are in the reading. So the child is reading and understaning the material. Then exercises are done. This can be draw something(art does not count it can be a stick figure, doesn't matter as long as the child has the right idea of the passages, or assignments), investigate something and write about it. The upper school is 11 and up, and the author claims the works come from many high school and college texts. And from what I have read, it seems this way. I love the electives/current events they have. From the website: CURRENT EVENTS Course Title Identifier "HOW TO TAKE A VACATION COURSE" 22205 "World Problems - ENDANGERED SPECIES" 21756 "World Problems - GLOBAL POVERTY & HUNGER" 21678 "World Problems - HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES" 23251 "World Problems - RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE" 21677 "World Problems - TERRORISM" 22182 They also have a course in Manners. Then they also have Master Courses. From the website: MASTERS Course Title Identifier "Master's Screenwriter Course" 21556 "Master's Course in Television Writing" 21555 "Master's Course in Short Stories and Novels" 21600 "Master's Poet and Lyricist Course" 21558 "Master's Course in Creative Nonfiction" 21601 "Master's Course in Playwriting" 21599 Writing is CTT strong points. The author does not have a grammar program, and does not believe in them. He feels the more writing and reading a child does, the better their grammar is.(And I agree with this). He does say that you can use a grammar program of your choice if this is what you wish. What I like about this so far, as that there is no bias from the Author For example, both Creation and Evolution is presented. It is up to the child to develop their own thoughts and beliefs on this. You are presented with the facts, see both sides of it and the child can form an opinion on it. We are only on the first subject now "How to Do CTT", but I am hopin Peela will chime in here and giver her thoughts as well. I will update more, as we get a little further. We are only doing one at a time to see how it goes. But so far so good. I can tell you my 11 yo is thrilled to see she can do harder work, and come up with her own opinions for a change. I was wondering if there was anything else out there in case this did not work out.

Me too. Now the history is chronological, so that in itself sort of fits into the classical mode. But the biggest and most obvious difference is that Classical Education focuses on memorization, and CTT discourages this. This curriculum wants a child to think for themselves, and come up with ideas and opinions based on the information presented. They are encouraged to go out an look at things, touch things, imagine things. And, they are encouraged to take charge of their own education. I like this aspect of it. That there is no real right or wrong answer. The author feels that as long as they are understanding the material, that is what matters. There are four steps Locate Word study Read and exercises (I think I have that right. Peela correct me if I am wrong) So the reading is harder, but before the child reads anything, the author wants the child to know trhe location of where the passage is taking place(so go to a map or globe, locate it, now the child has a mental image of the actual place) Harder vocabulary words that are in the reading. So the child is reading and understaning the material. Then exercises are done. This can be draw something(art does not count it can be a stick figure, doesn't matter as long as the child has the right idea of the passages, or assignments), investigate something and write about it. The upper school is 11 and up, and the author claims the works come from many high school and college texts. And from what I have read, it seems this way. I love the electives/current events they have. From the website: CURRENT EVENTS Course Title Identifier "HOW TO TAKE A VACATION COURSE" 22205 "World Problems - ENDANGERED SPECIES" 21756 "World Problems - GLOBAL POVERTY & HUNGER" 21678 "World Problems - HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES" 23251 "World Problems - RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE" 21677 "World Problems - TERRORISM" 22182 They also have a course in Manners. Then they also have Master Courses. From the website: MASTERS Course Title Identifier "Master's Screenwriter Course" 21556 "Master's Course in Television Writing" 21555 "Master's Course in Short Stories and Novels" 21600 "Master's Poet and Lyricist Course" 21558 "Master's Course in Creative Nonfiction" 21601 "Master's Course in Playwriting" 21599 Writing is CTT strong points. The author does not have a grammar program, and does not believe in them. He feels the more writing and reading a child does, the better their grammar is.(And I agree with this). He does say that you can use a grammar program of your choice if this is what you wish. What I like about this so far, as that there is no bias from the Author For example, both Creation and Evolution is presented. It is up to the child to develop their own thoughts and beliefs on this. You are presented with the facts, see both sides of it and the child can form an opinion on it. We are only on the first subject now "How to Do CTT", but I am hopin Peela will chime in here and giver her thoughts as well. I will update more, as we get a little further. We are only doing one at a time to see how it goes. But so far so good. I can tell you my 11 yo is thrilled to see she can do harder work, and come up with her own opinions for a change. I was wondering if there was anything else out there in case this did not work out.