Our Busy Little World
Oct. 13, 2006 - Homeschool Advice Anyone?
I was talking to my husband this past week, and found out something I didn't realize. He really likes Teaching the Trivium as much as I do, and wants a classical education for our children, but he told me he wants me to use a more or less complete package my first couple years of homeschool (like Sonlight or something of the sort). My question is, does anyone know of a fairly complete "package" (one that has a daily guide and pretty much maps out each day for you) that flows well with the principles in TTT, or classical education in general? I've been planning to use TTT as our framework, but didn't realize Matt wanted me to have a "checklist" for awhile so I won't get overwhelmed. Anyway, I'd love any leads on truly classical "packages" (I don't mind having a bit of Charlotte Mason thrown in too or maybe Principal - I'd have to look at it), if there are any. Also, I'd love anyone's thoughts on how the complete curriculum sets which they use fit within the trivium framework. Please feel free to comment or email me!
Comments
Oct. 13, 2006 - Classical Education
Posted by Anonymous
Hi, I love reading your blog-I have an almost 4yr old daughter (next month), 2 1/2 yr old son and a 7mo daughter. I have read through TTT and love the idea of it but know that I'm going to struggle with applying it and my husband is the type to like seeing a list of what has been accomplished. I'll be interested in any replies you get. :) He also didn't like the idea of not doing math right away. I've slowly been collecting resources (McGuffey readers, and Ray's Arithmetic, etc) but we just started doing the Earlybird math from Singapore Math, and I'm still looking for a good phonics program-I"m thinking of going with 100 EZ Lessons and I didn't like Alpha-phonics.
I"m sure you've already seen these but I found these two links that might give you some ideas to look through. I'm new at all this also, obviously, so I'm not sure what to use either. Reading through many homeschooling blogs-it looks like most people piece things together from many different sources.
www.mfwbooks.com/
http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/contents.html
Oh, we also love vision forums products-as I noticed you've discovered them also-if you need any suggestions-I can recommend quite a few of their books, etc. I can't wait until the new catolog comes out :)
This is way to long, sorry! HTH,Mandy
Oct. 13, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I forgot a couple more links:
http://www.veritaspress.com/store/home.asp There are some great resources here.
One of my favorite books:
All Through the Ages http://www.nothingnewpress.com/atta.shtml
Mandy :)
Oct. 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TwaddleMeNot
Thanks Mandy - I love Veritas press, too, and have looked at MFW. The others I'll have to check out - I'm sure I'll post eventually on what we pick for next year :-)
Melissa
Oct. 14, 2006 - Hi there...
Posted by kampsplete
A friend of mine home schools 5 children with "Covenenant Home", and I BELIEVE it is a classical education. She says it spells out everything for her, and tells the kids exactly what they have to do each day. She has used it ever since she started home schooling the oldest. She has 3 more preschoolers yet to school! I don't know much about it, but you could go to their website and check it out. I'm pretty sure she told me it was a classical education. Hope this helps!
Love, Kathy
Oct. 14, 2006 - P.S.
Posted by kampsplete
I LOVE the picture of your little darlings getting a shampoo while helping wash the car. That is SO cute!
Love, Kathy
Oct. 14, 2006 - just my two cents
Posted by MommaJoy
Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but I'll share anyways!
We are choosing Alpha Omega's The Weaver for our babies. I have a 5yob, a 3yog, a 1yog, and a baby due in Feb. Right now we are using their Pre-K/K curriculum, which is a bit different, called Interlock. The Weaver is a "package" curriculum which includes everything but phonics and math. You can obviously add in other things, other books, notebooks, whatever, as you want to personalize your children's education.
They say it is based on the Hebraic, rather than Hellenistic, style of learning. It is based on TRUTH - you read the Bible first in the morning, and literally everything you are studying is based on scripture. It is "weaving" your child's education around God's Truth. Considering God told us to first look to Him and His Word, how can we go wrong when we do this???
I have heard people say it is not as kinestetic (sp?) as Konos, and doesn't take as much time to prepare - although it has plenty of hands-on learning. It also is not as visual as Sonlight, although again, it incorporates ALL different learning styles. That way, because you will be teaching all of your girls together, all on the same subject, you can pick and choose activities and WAYS to teach them - based on their own personal learning styles (and your teaching style).
You can go to their website and check it out - plus request a sample that they will send you in the mail. The Pre-K/K Interlock (that I am using now) is a bit different - it is 3 days a week, DOES include math (The Weaver does NOT) and we just add on phonics as our babies are ready. My children LOVE it!!
Ok, website is:
http://www.aop.com/weaver/index.php
Just an idea - thought I would share what is working thus far for us. Let me know if you have more questions or thoughts. I am on a discussion board for them, they have an UNofficial site and really great people!
Good luck in finding what you need for your family. My dh too wants something all "put together for me" in the beginning at least. He believes it will help me gain confidence and keep on track as I learning all about this world on teaching my babies!!
In Him
~MommaJoy~
Oct. 15, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anne in TN
I've enjoyed reading your blog for a few months now after someone on the Woodshed message board recommended it. Thanks!
Have you ever looked at Tanglewood? http://www.tanglewoodeducation.com/ It's a combination of Charlotte Mason/Classical. I'm using it as a guide for two of my kids this year.
I would love to read Naomi's adoption story sometime! If you've posted it before, could you tell me which date to search for?
Oct. 15, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TwaddleMeNot
Hi Anne, thanks for the tip -actually I have the Tanglewood corebook planner. I really enjoy their site, too! I have posted the majority of Naomi's story here: http://homeschoolblogger.com/TwaddleMeNot/147522/ and also many of the reasons we adopted her here: http://www.geocities.com/melissasubee/adoption.htm
Oct. 16, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mamaduso
Hi, I stumbled across something that you might like. Its called Winter Promise. It looks wonderful with many good books, mostly in history but incorporates language arts too. You can look it up online and get the catalogue. The only thing is that it is expensive. (369$ for a year) I don't think it is necessary to spend that much on the early years. I would think it would be pretty easy to put something together with The Well Trained Mind. I believe the first couple of years should be focused on Reading, writing and math. Pick a good math curriculum, your reading/phonics of choice, read a lot, with read alouds and reading practice, and learn to write (mechanic- no grammar). Ruth Beechick is good with this stage. She has The 3 R's which is excellent. I am sure you will get plenty of advice. I guess mine is don't do too much and don't stress out. Keep the fun in learning. Sometimes a curriculum can take away from that. I tried a canned curriculum when my daughter started 1st grade. We lasted one week and I had to start all over. We hated it. Now I piece things together. We use mostly Robinson Curriculum and his philosophy, a math curriculum, copy work and now some grammar and language skills. My youngest is learning her letters and numbers. Hope that helps.
Susan
I will tell you my impression of Sonlight from looking into it. While I believe the books are wonderful, I am not impressed with the guide. Here is why. Ever go through the bible in a year, and you get a schedule that breaks each book into sections and you read more than one book in a sitting? That is how I've seen the schedule to be with Sonlight. So instead of reading on book all the way through, you read several books at a time with a small section each day. Personally I can't stand that. I need to read a whole book then move on to another. But that is my personal opinion.
Oct. 16, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Hi! I have an almost 2 yob and a 3 1/2 yog. I have been working with them daily on singing their abc's and counting. My daughter uses Singapore math for 4-5 yo's. I love how Singapore really makes you think through everything. We use New England Primer verse cards to learn abc's. I just love for my children to learn scripture in every subject. I love classical education and Charlotte Mason's style, so I try to blend these in my teaching style. The children and I love going on nature walks and enjoying the change of seasons. We make lapbooks on various topics such as: shapes, 5 senses, etc.. I do not use a resource book; I just use whatever is available in my house. It is so true that children learn so much more when they use as many senses as possible. I am interested in using The Mystery of History and/or Diana Waring's Ancient Civilizations and the Bible, with my children. (I would not recommend Story of the World- It does not start with creation, is erroneous when describing bible events, and states "in fact" when referring to myths.) These can both be used in the pattern displayed in The Well Trained Mind. The first year (probably 1st grade), you start teaching your littles from creation-the time of Christ. Then the next year, you pick up from Pentecost to the Reformation. Each year, you study history progressively, until modern times. Then you start again, going more in depth for each time period. You repeat history every 4 years. This is so much easier to understand since it is chronological and in depth. For science, I am highly interested in Jeannie Fulbright's creation based science texts, available from Apologia. They are in the style of Charlotte Mason; encouraging many hands on learning activities. Also, Answers in Genesis has a wonderful, multi-aged curriculum for grades 1-8. All of these materials can/should be used with multiple aged children. I love this idea.I pray that your day is blessed!
In Him,
Christine
www.christine-mary.blogspot.com
Oct. 16, 2006 - A thought
Posted by momco3
Melissa,
I so enjoy your musings and desire to follow wholeheartedly what God has for your family. So take this with an entire shaker full of salt.
Our first year, I had what I thought was a pretty thorough "checklist" so that nothing would get lost in the shuffle, etc... and I found that at times, instead of making it easier for me, it was one more expectation I couldn't fulfill. Especially when a curriculum package is very... well, packaged, I think it's hard not to feel like I'm failing if I fall "behind" in one area, while we dig deeper in another. Isn't this the beauty of the trivium: that important things will be repeated?
Blessings,
Annie
Oct. 17, 2006 - Preschool Eduacation
I hope I'm not too late to jump onto this one! I wanted to second the Interlock by Weaver. I used it for many years with my preschoolers. I haven't the time now to do those lessons and regular school for the bigger kids, so my preschoolers don't get a curriculum now...I have just posted a lot of my Weaver stuff on the HSLDA buy and sell board, including my Interlock. http://market.hslda.org
I so so love reading your blog and watching your Lambies grow! Enjoy every bit of it, even the tough stuff, as it will soon be gone!! My eldest somehow turns 11 next spring!!!!!
Momma
Edited by Mommaofmany on Oct. 17, 2006 at 8:50 PM
