classical conversations homeschool classrooms

The tutors have worked so hard during the week getting ready for their classes. I can't tell you what a difference this makes! On the two weeks I was unable to attend classes, I had a much more difficult time absorbing the information from the memory guide and CD. We parents also learn along with the children in the class as we listen and watch the tutors introduce the information so that we are able to teach and review at home during the week. I'm not quite as helpful now that I'm holding a baby and occasionally have to leave class to calm her down or change a diaper, but the other moms (and family members) have been gracious and helpful with my boys when I can't be there or have my hands full. Parents sit in the back of the class and help with various tasks or discipline issues during the morning, which allows the tutors to spend their time teaching.

This gives us a little wiggle room when someone is sick (or new babies are born.).

My mom is there every week in one of the boys' classes, and Russ has been able to be there a few weeks, as well. Many grandparents and fathers are there helping out. Most of the parents have more than one child enrolled, so we try to space ourselves out and make sure there are a couple parents in each class. I can't be three places at once (unfortunately), so I take turns in each of the boys' classes. Parents are required to be present in the classes. The time line events and presidents are repeated each year there are different Bible passages for each of the three year-long CC cycles.Ĭhildren are then dismissed to go to their classes. presidents, and a passage from the Bible. Over the course of the year (24 weeks), we learn roughly 180 time line events in chronological order with hand motions using the Veritas Press time line cards, the U.S. The director goes over the eight new time line cards and Bible verse. One family does a short presentation (we are each assigned a specific week), introducing themselves and sharing something that helps us get to know them better. The program director (she's fabulous!) says a few opening words and leads us in prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a patriotic hymn (we sing the same hymn for a few weeks so the kids can gain familiarity). The morning begins in an assembly, all the families sitting together. So many of our family and friends are participating, it is like one big party! All the other families (moms, dads, grandparents, children, and babies) are trickling in. A few minutes later, we meet my mom at the little country community church down the road. Have I mentioned that I'm not a morning person? And that I had a baby during week three?Īfter a hot, protein-heavy breakfast we head out the door. Anything we might need for presentations gathered. I try to get as much together and organized on Sundays as possible.

(My sister, Holly, is Luke's tutor.) These classes meet every Monday morning from 9-12 just 5 minutes from our house! There is a trained parent-tutor leading each class. Our community has two classes each of Abecedarians and Apprentices and one each of the older students.

Leif, Luke, and Levi are in the first three groups, respectively. The CC Foundations classes are divided into age-based groups: Abecedarians (4-5), Apprentices (6-7), Journeymen (8-9), and Masters (10-11). Our community is rather large for a brand new group. Looking back over the past 11 weeks (with just one week left this semester), I am astounded at what the boys have learned and had the privilege to experience! This is going to be extremely long, so I'll break it into three (still really lengthy) parts: what our CC classes are like, why I value CC, and then how we continue lessons at home during the week.įirst off, I can say without hesitation that CC was the best decision we could have made for our homeschool this year. If you want to read an overview of the program, be sure to check out that link.) I'll be sharing in this post more about what we've personally experienced in the past 11 weeks. It's only taken me 11 weeks to get around to it, but I've been busy!īack in June, I shared about our decision to register with a new Classical Conversations group starting up in our town, including why I was initially hesitant then why I changed my mind. I've been meaning to write a review of our journey with Classical Conversations this fall.

Classical conversations homeschool classrooms