Apr. 3, 2006
How We Use RC and Our "Typical" School Day
I got asked about the Robinson Curriculum, so I thought I would blog about it here. Some people think that your kids are by themselves in front of the computer, and I thought that too at first. But the more I looked into it and lurked on the yahoo RC group, the more I became convinced to try it.
It comes on 22 CDs. I got a GOOD deal on Ebay last summer. (There is also a similar program called A2.) RC encourages them to learn how to be self-learners and not be dependent on a teacher -- I am more involved now than I will be when she is older, just due to her age and keeping her on track. But I do find that she will go at a faster pace at times than I thought she would for the week/month. Plus her comprehension on so many levels has gone up. (I think due to a combination of RC & Classical Conversations.) In a nutshell, RC is stream-lined, easy to implementyet amazing results, K-12 for a low price, reusable and great e-group support.
RC has compiled great books and have scanned the original pages (A2 does not -- they have regular computer font much like Guttenburg). I also glean ideas for books to read from A2's booklist and Keepers of The Faith, along with other booklists and catalogs, and them find the books on Guttenburg and other free e-book sites to print off.
RC is not like Switched on Schoolhouse where the kids are on the computer. (RC actually discourages computer & TV time.) I just insert the appropriate RC disk number, find the book or worksheet, and print it off. A big reason I bought RC was to save money, as it is a K-12 program -- I figured I would save LOTS of $$ in the long run, as we love books and our local library is lacking. I just print the books that we want to read that year off in advance and put them in 3-ring binders, or I hunt for them at garage sales or thrift stores really cheap. RC also have comprehension tests & vocabulary (both are great for test and SAT practice), grammar, spelling, penmanship, and flashcards for math, vocab, and phonics. For math, they encourage you to focus on having the student master their math facts (+,-, /, x) and then start on Saxon 54, but sometimes we do a little Math-U-See. Science is included via the booklist, and we also do science for our Classical Conversations co-op, and we do nature studies here at home and pick up science and nature books from the library.
I like a good portion of RC's educational philosophy and find the course of study valuable, as well as the online RC group. It helps ground me, as sometimes there seems like "you could always do more" when you are homeschooling. But by focusing on the 3 R's (takes about an hour or so at her age), we are free to focus on so much more and Abby is thriving. First we have bible time -- snuggle, read and discuss a chapter. Then math (Calculadder drill and flashcards). Then copywork/penmanship (bible verse, quote, a couple of sentences from a book, or her own orginal writing). Then reading (McGuffey reader &/or another book from our reading list). Then we do Classical Conversations (CC) or Konos anywhere from 2-4 times a week. She has also requested to start Spelling, which we do a few times a week after math.
We are done with all that by lunch if we don't dawdle. Then in her free time, she reads from the booklist and anything else we have around the house or library. We can continue do KONOS or research something interesting that we are learning in CC. We also do read-alouds, listen to books on tape, homeschool radio shows, nature study, crafts, science, games, or just relax and play, or do whatever the kids are interested in learning about. She probably has more interaction with her brother than if we were doing a packaged curriculum.
It is nice to say, "Abby, do your drill sheet and I'll time you, and then please go on the couch and do your stack of flashcards." When she is done, she then does her copywork and then reads, sometimes aloud to me & Tyson, and sometimes in her head. During "RC" time, I can put in a load of laundry, do some chores or desk work, play with or "teach" Tyson, all while keeping an eye on her & encouraging her and answering any questions, as we have an open floor plan.
Please note that we are VERY eclectic and use several parts RC, KONOS, Classical, and Charlotte Mason in our homeschool to fit our family's needs and we add different things at different times. ("Sounds" like a lot, but we are actually very relaxed and learn a lot without a lot of "extra book work.") Konos is done occasionally & in the summer. Classical Converstations is for two 12-week sessions during the fall and spring semesters, and gives us a way to learn drill and memorize LOTS of stuff in a very do-able fashion in 15 minutes or so a day. We also school year-round and sometimes on Saturdays. We also LOVE taking family trips and field trips.
A few good sights for more info on RC are:
https://home.comcast.net/~j.nodwell/homeschool/my_curriculum.htm
http://www.my.homewithgod.com/joyfullight/robinson.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RobinsonUsers4Christ/
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I have been the bride to the most gracious, sweetest man in the world for the last 11 years. What I love most about him is that he is always striving to be a better husband, father, and child of God.
