Classical Education with a Modern Delivery?

[TeachingMyTwo]

I have not read the WTM in a while as I previously borrowed it from the library and don't have it lying around for quick reference. I remember in the book the huge importance of strong reading and writing skills, which I am very much on board with. I vaguely remember something that was against learning through TV or anti-tv...something along those lines, because it spoons feeds education rather than teaching kids to work for it while building skills in the process. Am I right in remembering this accurately?

 

I like the idea of a classical education in many respects in terms of how well rounded it is, but is it still possible to give my kids what would be considered a "classical" education if it's delivered in a non-traditional way? For example, I read in another thread that someone is teaching their kids the presidents. Yes, we are doing that too, but using the animaniacs songs from youtube, along with their states and capitals songs. That just seems so...unclassical! But it gets my kids excited, they love it. And I am *all about* learning DVD's (we skip "regular" tv with the kids pretty much altogether), software, apps, and websites. Not to be misrepresented though, I read to the kids a lot and the kids read on their own (for example, lately it's been What Your Preschooler Needs to KNow with DS and Little House in the Big Woods with DD, among other things).

 

Does it really matter how they get the information as long as they are getting it during this stage? Are the majority of mom's here classical education "purists," for lack of a better word? There is plenty of time to hone the reading and writing skills as they get older, which we will do, but right now we are having fun getting our feet wet using a lazy mom's ;) modern mom's delivery system. I just wanted to inquire if that is frowned upon here and best not to discuss since this is a classical education forum, etc. I just wanted to get a baseline of how strictly folks here are adhering to the book recommendations and what is acceptable in the community!

 

Thanks. :)

[Rosie_0801]

Nobody on here is the classical ed police, no matter how excitable they might get at times. :)

 

Music is an entirely age appropriate way to get info into kids heads and is a technique that was used long before Youtube was invented.

[ElizabethB]

Well, even those of us that limit TV are big fans of outsourcing letter sounds to the cute talking frog.

[TeachingMyTwo]

Okay, that is helpful feedback. I had made some suggestions in another thread and then second guessed if it was even an approach that would be used by members of this forum. I only posted this thread in an effort to be respectful of the spirit of the community since I am new to this particular forum, I figured it was best to ask and be informed up front. I am seasoned when it comes to early education, but the classical approach on the other hand is new to me. I am learning the ropes and we enter into this new chapter of life. :)

 

Thanks ladies!

[Catwoman]

First of all, WELCOME!!! :hurray:

 

Please don't worry that you'll offend anyone if you use a "less than classical" approach -- there are all kinds of homeschoolers here, and almost everyone is very open to new ideas, so I'm sure you'll make lots of great friends here and you won't have any issues with anyone telling you that you're "doing it wrong." If you're going to be homeschooling your kids (who are ADORABLE, by the way!) you'll have a lot of questions as you go along, and this is a wonderful place to ask for ideas, help, and advice. We also joke around a lot, and try to make each other feel better when someone is upset, so I'm sure you will feel at home here very soon if you participate in the discussions.

 

Hope you'll become a regular here! :)

[TeachingMyTwo]

Thank you ladies, I appreciate the input and the warm welcome!

 

@Catwoman - Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. Love your screen name. :D

 

@Linda - Interesting example. We do let them watch non-educational movies from time to time as a special treat. We make it a point to "study the book" (if there is one) for a week or two by reading it over and over and talking about it. We have done this with The Lorax and Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Suess most recently. The kids seem to enjoy both the book and the movie more when they are tied together with anticipation, comparisons between the two, etc.

[Gentlemommy]

Welcome!

[caroljenn]

I know I'm probably older than some here on the boards, but gosh, I can still sing "Conjunction junction", "Lolly Lolly Lolly get your adverb here" "I'm just a bill" from all of those Saturday morning Schoolhouse Rock shorts that were on between commercials. I know backwards and forwards what a conjunction is, what an adverb is, and how a bill becomes a law! My generation also learned the Preamble to the Constitiution, and I remember some singing in junior high when we were required to recite it. I think setting things to music is great for kids and even adults- it helps sink the info into your memory!

 

And who says "classical" has to be boring? What kid wants that? LOL

[fraidycat]

I know I'm probably older than some here on the boards, but gosh, I can still sing "Conjunction junction", "Lolly Lolly Lolly get your adverb here" "I'm just a bill" from all of those Saturday morning Schoolhouse Rock shorts that were on between commercials. I know backwards and forwards what a conjunction is, what an adverb is, and how a bill becomes a law! My generation also learned the Preamble to the Constitiution, and I remember some singing in junior high when we were required to recite it. I think setting things to music is great for kids and even adults- it helps sink the info into your memory!

 

And who says "classical" has to be boring? What kid wants that? LOL

 

 

And we have the SchoolHouse Rock DVD's here. Some days that IS English class. It's called "that time of the month" when Mom barely has the energy to get out of bed, let alone teach anything. DVDs, Netflix, Apps, and audiobooks make wonderful "substitute" teachers.

 

SOTW on CD, SchoolHouse Rock, Magic School Bus DVDs, Song School Latin DVD, The Happy Scientist and Beakman's World, a little verbal/mental math drill, plus Splash Math or Rocket Math on the Ipad/Ipod, silent reading or having kids read a page to me, Audible or Lit2Go audiobooks and I'm covered for 2-3 days when my energy is beyond low - and the older I get, the worse that time seems to get as far as energy drain. I'm ALL about multi-media on those days.