Sorry for the dearth in posting. I've been trying to keep the house clean due to tons of company last week and this week, which, sadly, kills the creativity. Tonight I just need to go to sleep and get rid of a low lying headache-lying there ready to rise up and strike me down.
Also, I've been reading lots and lots about curriculum and managing school with toddlers in tow, and 'circle time' and all that. Actually, in the midst of all this research, I very much welcome any and all experience any and all of you have who have any wish to share.
I'm intending to 'go classical'. Last night I actually just dreamt the word TRIVIUM. That's how much I've been reading.
Honestly, I'm wildly excited. As I think about it, that's partly why I haven't been blogging, because that's all I've been thinking about. Matt gets a set look about his jaw when I ask if he has a minute, knowing that I intend to describe in detail what I plan to do with the cupboards in the living room, and exactly what kind of bookshelf I want to buy, and why I think formal math instruction should be delayed. And if his eyes ever so lovingly glaze over, I can't imagine what will happen to all of you (well, I can imagine, you'll go read some other blog, and that would be terrible.)
So, I will leave this for tonight, and go dream about this bookshelf. Goodnight.
13 comments:
Bookshelf? Did they loose the plans part way through construction? And which side is up? Actually I love anything that has a nac for my collection of nics which my wife has said "one day, we'll put them out. Probably when the grandchildren are in they thirties. Maybe in my nursing home window.
Are you SURE about that bookshelf?
New survey of the unchurched shows that they like gothic better than wierd modern. THINK about that in bookcases too.
Just my thought.
ME
Never heard of a Trivium before today, but I briefly scanned the 10 Things to Do Before You Are 10, and immediately bookmarked it to read through it more carefully. I have been thinking of how to challenge my third son, the almost 7-year-old, and this article will certainly help me. Right off the top of my head, the sections on copy work, memorization, service to others and, especially at the moment, instant obedience are going to help, and rock young Master Peter's world, beginning at 2:45 p.m. today.
I don't think I've ever commented before (that's how excited I am!) but my husband and I have read you and Matt for years, and we admire your courage and faith. We are the founding members of a 4-year-old AMiA church west of Atlanta, and you all are in our prayers these days. (In fact, I consider Beau and I to be co-presidents of the "Georgians for 'Hostility'" chapter. Ha!)
I think I may have commented on this in an earlier post....but you definitely need to read both of Susan Wise Bauer's books. The Well Trained Mind is THE book on classical education. Also, check out her websites and resources. She has some wonderful CD's where she talks about various components of Classical Ed....They are inexpensive and well worth it!
Blessings,
Liz
Oh YES! I want you to have that bookshelf. In fact, I want us both to have that bookshelf.
Praying for release from the headache.
Blessings, AnnieCOA
Anne,
I visit your blog, but I am not one to usually leave comments.
However, this last post has prompted me to finally leave a comment!
I am a homeschooling mother of 3 (plus 1 neighbor's child = 4) who lives in the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin (a member of Fr. Dan Martins' old parish!). I have schooled my three children for the past four years, and just took on another child this past year. The kids are in 6th (my eldest), 5th, and 1st grades (my twins).
I use the classical method, and have since taking my eldest out of school in 2003. I agree with Liz (above)that Bauer's book, The Well Trained Mind, is an essential resource for one who is considreing the classical method of homeschooling. Bauer outlines the stages of the trivium nicely, and gives a variety of curriculum options (by grade) and organizational helps. I find it very useful, though I do modify many of her suggestions to fit our family's needs.
Her history, History for the Classical Child, is excellent for early elementary students. I used it when my eldest was 8 and the twins were 3. They were all able to do the crafts suggested in the Activity Guide for the history periodvwe were using that year. My younger children loved being able to particpate in "school."
Check out Veritas Press and Sonlight Curriculum's catalogs for excellent literature suggestions, particularly literature which corresponds to the history you are teaching. I look through their catalogs, but usally buy what I can through amazon.com or Rainbow Resource Center (great resource!)because it is often cheaper.
I hope some of that is helpful. May God bless you as you begin this journey.
Cyndi Telander
I began the homeschooling journey 4 1/2 years ago and found some great help at Focus on the Family. We have gone the classical route as well, after a few years fumbling around. Some great resources we have found/used are "MY Father's World" which actually brings together the best of classical, charlotte mason and other styles to create a solid biblical based study. It was created by a missionary family with many children, and it is very user friendly. A great math program (you could make it fairly informal and keep it at the interest level of the child) is Right Start Math. It scared me for a while because it is not "traditional math", but finally I was so frustrated with the other that I learned how to do it. I started it with my 3rd child when she started kindergarten and she absoultely loves math. It makes sense and it is fun...full of neat games that she will pick for game time! My 4 year old started kindergarten math with this program this year because he saw her having so much fun and he wanted to do it too. He will not start kindergarten until next year but he is loving learning about numbers and playing games with his sister.
Last but not least, Classical Conversations is a national organization that we just happened on while looking for what to do for next year. You may be able to find one in your area. We discovered we are expecting #5 in Oct...our sweet New Year's surprise, and are in need of a little structure. One thing that is appealing about CC is that we can all go together...it is not quite a co-op, but parents have to stay on campus with their younger children. We went to observe for a day and it was really neat. And they go all the way through high school (which I need...you not yet ;O) ) I hope this helps. It is a great journey...not an easy one, but such a blessing. I love that I am with my children everyday (most of the time) Feel free to email me if you have any questions...
thegents@bellsouth.net
Good Luck...you are in for the ride of your life! :o)
Blessings-
Laura Gent
Hi Anne:
After reading your post and the comments, my husband Mark, pointed out to me a book from the Eighth Day Books catalog (www.eigthdaybooks.com) entitled "Trivium: The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric" by Sister Miriam Joseph. The description of the book states that "the editor Marguerite McGlinn has converted sister Miriam's classroom outline into straightforward, clear, 21st century prose..." You can go directly to the description of the book here:
http://eighthdaybooks.com/cgi-bin/ccp51/cp-app.cgi?usr=51H1389532&rnd=9651201&rrc=N&affl=&cip=74.209.19.140&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=OB-67503&cat=&catstr=
Just another thing to add to your already long (I'm sure) reading list.
Nancy McCall
thanks for all the comments! I'm booking marking and making lists.
Go beyond the trivium if you want a true Classical education model for your homeschool. The Well-Trained Mind focuses too much on the Trivium as the end-all, be-all of the classical method, but I've learned that there is much more to it.
Try these authors: Andrew Kern (a personal friend), David Hicks, Dorothy Sayers. Check out the Memoria Press Catalog (which also has wonderful articles making it also a great magazine), too.
I also highly recommend the "ClassEd" yahoo group. This is a tight-knit group of homeschooling families who use the classical model.
Enjoy!
Anne+,
I home-schooled all my kids. One was home right through high-school. I loved it!! The time spent, although challenging, was priceless.
We got to do so many interesting, and neat things together as a family that would have been difficult if the children had been in school full-time.
I always felt there was a freedom to teach more according to my families schedule, interest, and learning styles, rather than to have everyone fit into one mold. I learned alot, too.
Best wishes in starting your home-school journey. There are tons of good advice, and resources out there, as I"m sure you're finding. :) Hope there's a home-school coop your area.
It was fun, and interesting to get together, pool our talents, and get together to teach with other home-schooling parents.
We had everyone from horseback riding instructors, to a Biology prof. from a local college coming out.
God bless!
Grace.
I'm amassing and compiling reading lists for myself, much thanks to you all for contributing. But I wanted to say a special thank you to Introverted. After reading your post, I googled Classical Conversations and found, in amazement, a group in our area, forming this month. So surprising, and gracious of God. It was actually my last fleece (after a whole string of others I had laboriously laid down). So thanks so much. And to all of you for all the ideas.
Anne, I've been visiting your blog for a few months and enjoy reading...and then offering up prayers for you and your family as you stand firm in faith in the midst of turmoil.
I'm very excited for you and your family as you begin your homeschooling journey. I've been homeschooling my girls for many years and love the lifestyle. My girls are now teens and I have no regrets about our decision to educate them at home.
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