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Showing results for tags 'classical'.
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Hi, Does anyone have experience with the Junior Classical League? We are trying to start up a homeschool JCL in our area. I'm looking for ideas and inspiration! There doesn't seem to be much on their website about how to run a successful JCL. I thought it would be helpful to get some ideas on what others have done. Thanks in advance for your help!
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(cross-posting) If you've used CAP Writing and Rhetoric, can you tell me what you liked about it? -did it help your student write better -did you feel you had to supplement with another program -do you feel it is complete -are you able to apply it to modern writing i.e. 5 paragraph essay We are currently using Classical Writing, we'll be in Chreia next year. I do think it is a thorough Progym program, however, the way it is laid out, I've had a hard time getting the rhythm and flow of it that our year looked "choppy." If there are already threads to this, please let me know!
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Registration for Summer, Fall, and Full-Year 2017-18 courses is now open! New courses include: • Summer Reading Club for Logic Stage Students • Counting and Probability & AoPS Pre-Calculus • Latin I, French II, & German II • Physics for the Logic Stage • Kinesiology & Nutrition I • Science of Writing Grammar Series, from Foundational to Advanced Grammar • Socratic Discussion for the Rhetoric Stage Our unmatched refund policy is very simple and aims to benefit our students and families. If a student withdraws from a course before the end of the withdrawal period (listed below), he will receive a full course tuition refund. Fall and Full-year courses - September 30th Spring courses and Full-year transfers only - February 28th Summer courses - June 30th In addition, because our primary goal is the successful education of our students, we do not charge any fees for section or course changes. The Well-Trained Mind Academy Handbook offers guidance on course planning and placement for both logic-stage (middle) and rhetoric-stage (high school) students. And of course, you can contact us for help! See our website for our full course offerings and to register: www.wtmacademy.com We can’t wait to see you in class! Contact us with questions. -
Dear Forum Folk, Note: WTMA Fall registration has closed, so subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook to receive announcements for spring registration! Did you know that our Well-Educated Minds program offers courses for adult learners year-round as an Independent Learning Module? This provides the opportunity for independent learning at your own pace. The Well-Trained Mind has been in the classical education business for over 15 years, providing homeschooling families with high-quality, ground-breaking resources that combine the best of the classical tradition with innovative teaching methods. In fact, more than half a million parents have successfully used the curricula, book lists, and methods of The Well-Trained Mind to teach their children at home. We’re excited to bring you the third year of the Well-Trained Mind Academy, with experienced instructors to further your ability to homeschool your children at middle school and high school levels of learning. We offer small class sizes, with live and delayed-recording courses to meet any schedule - including those seeking additional courses to augment a private, charter, or public school education. Full-year courses include writing (based on our successful "Writing With Skill" workbook series), math, science, music, history, literature, and now foreign languages. We also offer one-semester courses, including Study Skills, Socratic Seminar Discussion, Geography, Grammar, SAT exam preparation, physical education, and several levels of creative writing. Here's what our parents have to say: "My daughter is in the WTMA Algebra 1 class this year. She was so nervous... math was her least favorite subject. Oh, the anxiety it would produce! I have heard her exclaim that she loves math this year and her WTMA teacher is one of her favorites. (And I am wiping sweat off of my brow.)" "...in the past two weeks, our child has actually proclaimed that she is enjoying writing. Awesome!! She is much more focused, diligent and enthusiastic about tackling the assignments." "I've used other online schools. I can honestly say, WTMA has been the best experience!" Preview our courses to see how classical online learning works, then register soon. Classes began September 6th (recordings are available for any missed lectures) and are filling quickly! www.wtmacademy.com
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Looking for classes that are offered as dual enrollment courses for highschoolers that are actually classically based. Looking particularly at the History, Lit., Bible and Rhetoric combo would be awesome! The only one I am aware of is Potters with Belhaven U. Anyone know of any others? Thanks for your help! -
Dear Forum Folk, Summer is almost over, but it’s not too late to sign up for classes! Reserve your student’s seat in class and take advantage of our multiple course discounts. Hurry - registration ends soon!
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If you've used CAP Writing and Rhetoric, can you tell me what you liked about it? -did it help your student write better -did you feel you had to supplement with another program -do you feel it is complete -are you able to apply it to modern writing i.e. 5 paragraph essay We are currently using Classical Writing, we'll be in Chreia next year. I do think it is a thorough Progym program, however, the way it is laid out, I've had a hard time getting the rhythm and flow of it that our year looked "choppy." If there are already threads to this, please let me know!
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Forum folks, Our Spring Registration for year-long courses has formally ended, but we are extending registration through the end of this week for three of our 1-semester electives: Creative Writing 2 (High School) SAT Prep Course (High School) Geography (Middle School) Registration for these Elective Classes ends Thursday, January 22nd. Elective classes start on Friday, January 23rd. Questions? Post a question here or.... See Elective Courses available. Contact Us: 844-986-9862
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I was wondering for those that use classical education and use any of the Orton/Spalding Spelling programs. I find myself learning more about Grammar Stage, and how easier is memorization for young children, and how logic, and a more analytical approach is best employed in 5th grade or so, depending on the child. Then I come to ask the wisdom from all of you that have used Spalding methods of spelling and agree with the classical aproach, I have used SWR and have read most of the other ones. Is the marking of the words a form of analylsis of the word, it is to me almost like a diagraming of the word. Am I asking too much from my K-2nd graders to do? Should they memorize the marking instead of being asked to analyze and mark? I wonder how many of you have used SWR/or other in a Classical way. Has anyone twicked these programs to better fit the grammar stage, with what results? I don't think I can compare a classical spelling program, like the ones sold at Memoria press, or other, as their aproach is different, teaching the long or short vowel sounds, instead of all the phonograms first. I ask because I am having a hard time with my children enduring markings, and they are little and really not understanding, they are K and 2nd. Could it be that their brains are not up to par? Belive me I have gone throught the guilt of thinking is just me, that I am not a good teacher. So far they can handle the phonograms, some of the rules, We have the SWR app. They are great readers! they have learned how to read with this program, now the spelling... my K is slow, my 2nd grader can spell great, I think is all the reading she does. back to the issue; grammar stage vs Orton methods. I would love to hear from both sides. and specially those that have noted something like what I say. I cannot go buy something different right now, so I have to make work what i have. How does that look for all you SWR/Spalding users? to mark or not to mark for grammar stage, that is one of my questions, k
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I have been following WTM and 'Designing…Classical Curriculum. ' With three children - 7,5,3 - in the fall, I would like to use something with scripted lesson plans. Has anyone used Kolbe Academy, MODG or Seton? Trying to see if anyone has any insight. I purchased Shurley English for Grammar level 2, and will begin that when I finish FLL2. I use the Seton English as supplement. I will probably have to purchase a few grade levels, as my 2nd grader is ahead in certain topics, but behind (b/c of Mommy) in others, like art, music, science and history (SOTW). Thank you in advance for your time and help!!!!
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Okay, here's a tall order for the hive. I'm trying to help a friend who is starting homeschooling next year with her K'er. Their ultimate goal is to get him into a Christian private school when their financial circumstances change, but in the mean time, they are homeschooling. She is not very confident in herself as a homeschooler and is also expecting baby #2 in August. I'm trying to help her find a curriculum that includes all of these characteristics (or as many as possible): * Christian perspective * preferably classically-oriented * very easy to implement, well laid out, low prep - holds her hand a lot * flexible schedules, but definitely the schedule figured out for her * includes hands-on activities for her squirrelly kinesthetic learner * lends itself well to an easy transition back into private school at a later date She did the quiz about different curriculum approaches in Cathy Duffy's 101 Picks and ended up with preferences as follows: #1 Classical, #2 Umbrella, #3 Charlotte Mason, and #4 Traditional (2, 3, and 4 all very close). Any ideas of something that would be a good fit for her?
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http://vereloqui.blo...elites-are.html Above is a link to an article that stresses an interesting reason for teaching grammar. Lots of Christian content, so beware if you are opposed to reading any. Whaddya say? I, for one, am so glad that me and my kids have studied grammar so intensively! -
A little background DS is an only child and is now 10 years old DS was in 3rd grade public school last year DS was in GT class and bored out of his mind DS is very social, straight A's, never had a problem in public school Teachers LOVED him Our area schools are not good schools I am not against public schools, just the ones we have around here. I started homeschooling in Jan 2012 when he was in 3rd grade We used traditional method (no intergration at all) He loves to math, science, and reading I discoverd Classical Method and loved it I found TOG and fell in love Started TOG in Feb of 2012 Here is where my OCD comes in Since I started TOG in Feb the only way to finish before Fall was homeschool through the summer....so we did. We homeschooled ALL subjects ALL summer It is hard for me to pick and choose. If it suggest something I am going to TRY to have my DS do it. Total burn out by August 2012 so we put DS in 4th grade in Public School They called a meeting with me about skipping 5th grade. This would have DS going from 4th to 6th grade. NO!!! Pulled DS out again in FEB 2013 Put DS in a Co-op like Classical Conversations but uses a lot of Tapestry. (They write their own curriculum) Very liberal arts feel. Heavy writing!!! Ds wrote 5 papers in one week. Lots of reading which he loved. Math and Science was put on backburner. Also a pick and choose curriculum which is hard for me. I want him to do it ALL!!! There suggested schedule has us homeschooling for 8 hours, and science & math as an elective and last on the schedule. Ahhh!!! Too many choices We have found out about a science, math and technology school in our area. It is through the public school system but has a very small population (around 60 students) and it's own campus. It offers 9th - 12th grades. DS would have to apply in the 8th grade and they do accept homeschoolers. We want to homeschool him till then. I do not want my child to skip a grade in school. I love the classical method but I am really wondering if it is just not a fit for us. I cannot handle a buffet style curriculum because I want him to do it all. I have also looked at several curriculums with schedules. I do better with a daily schedule. I am a planner and the words "just relax" do not fit in my vocabulary. That is just the way I am wired. I very much have our homeschool set up like school, and classical just does not seem to fit that. The things I love about classical Chronological History Lots of great literature intergrated into what DS is learning Things I DO NOT love about classical Days are too long. DH gets home at 4:30 and we are still homeschooling after starting at 7:30. The planning myself. I cannot pick and choose. I need a daily schedule. Reading several books at one time ( I don't get this!!!) Why read 2-3 chapters a day from 4-5 different books? I have looked into MFW, SL, MOH (W/Illuminations Schedule), SOTW, and for some reason keep going back to TOG!!! It is kind of like the perfect shoe that is 2 sizes too small. I think it is perfect but it won't fit on my foot....Ugh!!! My husband says to do Abeka and be done with it. That way DS can be a child too. It has the daily schedule of what to do and when, so me and my OCD would not go crazy and start overworking him, but I really love chronological history and heavy literature. However when we were using a traditional method we were finishing right after lunch and were more relaxed. I also got the "I am done for the day feeling" that I need so very much. What do I do? I am scared that I am going to stress myself out to no end and just put him in public school and be done with it. I also need to have him in a co-op environment because he is an only child. There is one close to me but they are more traditional......Teaching Textbooks, Apologia Science, BJP History, etc. I also do not mind Christian curriculum because we are Christian but MOH seems to be overly Christian for us. Key Points I need a daily schedule Heavy literature Chronological History that does start with creation but does not spend 2 years in the bible. I would like to finish school around 1-2ish. I am not comfortable with a relaxed, choose what you want to do curriculum. I will homeschool him for 4 years prior to the academy he wants to go to. Signed......STRESSED OUT MAMA!!! :eek: -
I just took the plunge and ordered the Highest level of Biblioplan Medieval. Any suggestions for using this with a large family is appreciated. I ordered the Coloring Pages and Craft kit to use with our littles. My biggest fear is that it won't be challenging enough for High School. I have looked at Biblioplan several times in the past but I see that they have alot more to offer now. I know I can send it back, but I know I do not want to. I tried SL World and it was just too much of what I did not want, the books for read aloud were not going well either. We have not read alot of the books on this book list, although we do have some. I am going to look at the book list again today. Are Discussion questions included for Rhetoric stage? Writing assignments? ANY suggestions?
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I'd like to incorporate some Waldorf-style crafts for the superficial reason that they are so pretty :) , and the slightly more respectable reasons that they are nature-oriented and fairly practical/functional -- it ties in nicely with our CM-ish nature studies and goals for handicrafts. I'm not sure how to best to add on, though, because our schedule is pretty full right now. Granted, "full" includes a generous dose of unstructured and outdoor play; but there isn't a LOT of room for more "structured" activities that require teaching & supervision. This is mainly for Button -- who likes beautiful things, and wants more art & esp. to learn to knit -- and the skills I develop should transfer well to the toddler, who is a Waldorf-friendly kind of guy. Button is very mathy and analytical; the little one is story-oriented and imaginative. At any rate: suggestions? I am thinking my best decision is btw. supplementing with Oak Meadow (but full curriculum, or just the crafts + process manuals?) or Christopherus (same question: go for the whole thing at age-level and pare what I don't want, or do manuals with the nature and skills I'm interested in?). My mental energy is in short supply right now so I am leaning toward something already-organized for me: I don't have the time to really learn how to apply Waldorf flexibly. Oak Meadow is here; Christopherus; Live Ed for other browsing Waldorf, and also A Little Garden Flower. Wee Folk Art has a lovely lesson plan for 3 seasons of work with the 4-6 yos. -
Is this considered classical? Does anyone use this? Do you love it or hate it? I have a 3rd grader and 6th grader. I saw this and it looked promising. It looks like you can delve in as much as you want if the kids become interested. Advice please!
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Science is the one thing I'd like to do with all my kids (since it's not working out to do history together due to mature themes of SOTW 4), so I would really appreciate any input on how best to do it. To stay on the WTM cycle, I would like to do a semester of chemistry and then a semester of physics (physical science). We would have done chem this past year but I delayed it because I thought Apogolia's chem/phys book was coming out this fall, and now it turns out that it won't be until next year. I've read through many threads and checked out samples. The contenders seem to be NOEO, RS4K, Elemental Science, McHenry's Elements, and Classic Science (Mr. Q). My dilemma is that there seems to always be a divide between K-3 and 4-6. I want something that will bridge that gap...if it's out there. So I am open to other curriculum suggestions as well, Christian or secular. -
I haven't seen a thread on CLAA for a while so I thought I'd check in to see how those of you who have taken the plunge are liking it. What would you say are the strengths of the program? Its weaknesses? Which course(s) did you sign your dc up for and what age are you dc? Oh, are you willing to share if you're Catholic or not? It's my understanding that you don't have to be.
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Three questions that overlap (the 2nd one is kind of a jumble of related questions): 1. How do you decide whether to read a book aloud to your child or have them read it on their own? I recently told my middle child (6.5, 2nd grade), that I will no longer read her twaddle, though I will still read her quality picture books. My oldest (9, 4th grade) I decided to only read books that are slightly above her reading/comprehension level or ones that I want to read :) What criteria do you use? 2. Some background for the second question: Over the summer, I have been reading my 9yo Little Women and she is eating it up. My 6yo is overhearing bits and pieces. My almost 5 yo has his bedtime reading with his dad. We're starting school tomorrow and going to use Classical House of Learning Literature - CHOLL - so I'm trying to decide what to continue reading to her separately at bedtime and what to read to all three during our language arts hour. It's a lot of reading, so I probably won't do all of the books. Which ones do you think work best for that range of ages? I'm also planning to read all three The Chronicles of Narnia at bedtime with my husband (since we both love those books). If you read your oldest a classic (with or without the youngers participating), do you end up reading it again in a few years to the youngers? 3. What you do think of adaptations and/or abridged versions of classics? If you use them, at what age do you phase them out? What series of adapations do you prefer? Do you read them aloud or have them read them independently? Part of my problem is that if I haven't read the particular book - like say A Tale of Two Cities - we read the Great Illustrated Classics version - it spoils it for me! I wish I had time to read all the great classics I've missed but alas, I'm over halfway through LOTR and that has taken me all summer, so the way is slow...
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I'm doing SOTW 4 with my upcoming 4th grader, but in the Well Trained Mind, she discusses supplementing with more American history (even though we had some in SOTW 3) because 4th grade is the year when it's normally taught. She also recommends covering state history for the same reason. I'm looking for books and/or curriculum(s) that are compatible/complementary to classical/WTM/SOTW that could be taught to multiple ages. I won't be including my 2nd grader and K'er in SOTW 4 (except read alouds from CHLL), so I want them to participate in this to some extent. Ideas so far: Road Trip USA Elemental US History Beautiful Feet - American and/or California History Your input is greatly appreciate! :)
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I'm embarrassed to say that I'm having a tough time navigating this little tale. I'll need to use an online resource to help w/ my discussions. Does anyone have experience w/ any of these sources? The kids are 11 & 13, fyi. We are doing TWTM logic stage Middle Ages reading list. Its days like this that I regret my kids not having an adequate literature teacher (wiping tears...:sad:). I'm in way over my head on these medieval tales. Thanks in advance for any input. Cliffsnotes: http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/Sir-Gawain-and-the-Green-Knight.id-173.html Enotes: http://www.enotes.com/sir-gawain YahooEducation: http://education.yahoo.com/homework_help/cliffsnotes/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight/ Sparknotes: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gawain/ Gradesaver: http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/gawain/themes.html -
"In those days a boy on the classical education side officially did almost nothing but classics. I think this was wise; the greatest service we can do to education today is to teach fewer subjects. No one has time to do more than a very few things well before he is twenty, and when we force a boy to be a mediocrity in a dozen subjects we destroy his standards, perhaps for life". ~C.S. Lewis in Surprised by Joy (autobiography of the first half of his life - includes his conversion story) Memoria Press posted this on Facebook and I couldn't help but share it! That's also a great book. I love all his stuff.
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We've been using WTM since I started with my oldest 2 years ago. This fall, I'll be bringing my son into the mix. I'd like to have him do more of a self-directed kindergarten like my middle child did, but his personality wants more interactivity and structure, so I'm wondering how to divvy up instructional time between the three of them, since none are really at ages where they can do a whole lot independently apart from reading. I'll be using SOTW 4 with my oldest (4th grade) and am thinking of dismissing the other two from school an hour early each day, so I can do that. After scouring the forums to research it (SOTW 4 is designed for upper elementary & middle school), I've decided to just not to do history with my younger two (I've had my now early first grader doing SOTW 3 with us this year and it's been a stretch, so basically I just make her listen to the reading and answer a few questions orally - sometimes she does the coloring sheet or copies her older sister's mapwork). But even if I it do that, I'm still not sure how to juggle the other subjects. I can keep them together for science, but for language arts and math, they will all be at their own levels. I am using CLE math for the older two, as it has been working great, so it's mostly the language arts and Kindergarten instruction that I'm concerned about. I wish I could have my oldest do LA more independently since she is gifted in that area, but CLE LA is what we have now and I don't care for it. The other LA programs are more hands-on, so not sure what do with the younger ones while I do that with her, as I don't want to shorten the school day that much with my 2nd grader. ...So what ways have any of you figured out how to balance instruction time with independent work using WTM or MFW or another classical type curriculum with this set of ages? That's another dilemma I have - whether to keep with WTM or use more of a pre-planned program - Does MFW spell out what to do with each age group while working with the other?
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I did Apologia Astronomy this past semester with my second grader and we loved it. Science is her favorite subject so she was just eating it up. I had planned to follow TWTM order and go with chemistry next, but thanks to the forum, I just learned that Apologia will be releasing Chemistry/Physics in 2011, so I've decided to hold off until then. My kindergartener tuned in and out of our astronomy sessions, so I know it can at least partially hold her interest, and hopefully moreso in a few months when we start a "soft" first grade (she's only 5 1/2, but she's been reading/writing for several years). ...So I'm wondering which of the other Young Explorers books would be best to start with for both of them. I refuse to do two sciences, histories, etc. so I'm determined to learn how to consolidate them, just as so many of you have modeled for me!
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Really hitting a wall with my seven year-old and narrations. We're using TWTM and it seems like I'm spending way too much time walking her through the comprehension questions (which I make up), then the aloud narration, and finally the dreaded putting it on paper. We're doing this for history, science, and literature (correlating with history), so it's a good chunk of time as it is, and she's really resisting the whole format, despite how bright she is--I think it's a combination of her perfectionism (worried about not getting it right) and her age/temperament which tends toward the literal, details, facts (the sensing vs. intuiting preference on the Myers-Briggs). So we either end up writing way too much (because her memory is like that) which wears us both out or I get frustrated spoon feeding her the main ideas. So I'm wondering if there's a better way to go about this for her temperament and my sanity, as well as time--my poor early kindergartener is basically on her own doing art all morning, which she's happy about, but I want to be with her more, and she's not interested in what we're doing. Not to mention juggling housework with prep and planning for school times (her math workbook has gone uncorrected for the last few weeks and I haven't even had time to teach her the new concepts she's learning purely by example). Our mornings are packed and then at lunch my almost three year-old comes home from preschool and it's all over (having him there three mornings is akin to giving myself training wheels for homeschooling!). So I'm curious what alternatives to the TWTM might be a better fit for us, preferably other forms of classical but I'm trying to be open to anything that has more of a literature feel than a textbook one (and yet my daughter can't get enough of The Magic Schoolbus). What made me think we should stick with classical was how much she loved SOTW I and the mythology, but that was last semester when I had just pulled her out of public school (at her urging) and I skipped the whole narrating/writing part, so we basically just read and did the questions from SOTW AB. All of my children are advanced (taught themselves to read very young) and enthusiastic learners (on their own terms of course!). My oldest (the 2nd grader) loves science and animals, is highly articulate and creative (in speech and writing), a very fast reader, but even when she finishes a book on her own, she wants me to read it to her. She's very relational and visual--loves colorful pictures and prefers illustrated chapter books. Thanks so much for your input! I'll be gone all morning but am looking forward to reading your responses in the afternoon. Meanwhile, I've taken Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Curriculum Picks down from the shelf (for the umpteenth time) as I go back to the drawing board for what I'm sure will not be the last time...:tongue_smilie:
