Classical Conversations?

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by chicamarun, Jan 30, 2010.

  1. chicamarun

    chicamarun New Member

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    Anyone do this program?

    I'm looking at it for next year (now that I know the person running it - they are both my customers and we are all pretty straight forward people and I like them).

    I'm thinking of tutoring to get the cost down.

    I'm finding out more on Wednesday night about it and tutoring and how much etc etc etc. There are 2 groups close by - and I think Jake REALLY needs something like this.
     
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  3. eyeofthestorm

    eyeofthestorm Active Member

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    I don't, but my neighbor does. At first she adored it, then seemed unsure (her first year homeschooling), then kind of liked it again...and now, five months into it is much more solid in her positive attitude about it - enough to have already signed up and paid (at least a deposit) on next (10-11) year.

    I think she believes her son (1st grade this year) really benefits from the class format. Also, there are preK classes for her 4yo and 2yo (which I am sure REALLY helps).
     
  4. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    I don't, but have heard people talk about it. They seem to like it, but I think I'm too independent for it to work for me. It just seems like a lot of money.
     
  5. ochumgache

    ochumgache Active Member

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    I'd seriously consider it if it came to our area and was run by reasonable people. My friend is a teacher in the middle grades of CC. She loves it, and her kids have done very well with it. I have followed a mostly classical approach to our homeschooling from the beginning; I like the philosophy behind it. I think CC helps kids really embed the important facts into their heads -- not just learn it for a test and then let it fly away. The only down sides for me would be cost and loss of some flexibility in our schedule.
     
  6. chicamarun

    chicamarun New Member

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    What I am looking at is helping out and tutoring which apparently will cover the cost of tuition (tutoring is a PAID position - which is why the fee is so high).

    I really think that Jake would benefit from a classroom situation where it is controlled and only 1 day per week.

    I'll let you all know more on Thursday after I go to the info meeting. I think it helps me that:

    A) A good customer of mine runs it and I do trust her and like her as a person

    B) Another customer of mine is involved and came over Saturday and told me she's doing it again next year and if she had found it earlier her eldest would not be in public school right now

    C) The new one opening up is going to be run by again - someone I like and know and our kids get a long.

    Only think Jake has asked is for ME not to be his teacher in the classroom - which I wouldn't want anyways. Apparently I have been told by his religion class teacher he is extremely smart (he doesn't always show that side to me) and knows a lot and reads "into" a bunch of the readings and has excellent questions - which she said is a little odd for her to see in a 12 year old boy to have SUCH insight (and she homeschooled hers and his class is 95% homeschoolers).....does he show these attributes with ME at the moment??? Heck no.... I get 100% attitude ;)
     
  7. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    LOL!!! Just like a boy!!! With such good insights, etc., Classical Conversations just might be a good match for him!
     
  8. chicamarun

    chicamarun New Member

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    Ok - I go tonight for the meeting. I'm actually excited about going - not just because I like the people who run it and it's always good to see them ;) (after a day of getting ready to go taxes ANY conversation rocks!).....but this will be the first time I look into something like this and actually learn HOW a particular curriculum works :)
     
  9. chicamarun

    chicamarun New Member

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    Ok - my 2 second review. I came home very excited - I really like the people and I really like the program. It's VERY intense when you get to middle school. DH and I argued about it (he says I keep switching blah blah blah <G> and I need to focus)

    If I was a tutor - it would cover most of the tuition cost. I have to be in the building anyway - guess I should get paid to be there!

    This morning - I start looking at "stuff".....I like the timeline cards and I will get those because those are just cool and I think Jake and Alexis will enjoy those. I found some used so I will go with that for right now (2 sets for $25 vs $20 each set!) and we can see how they work for us.

    They use Latin's Not So Tough.... ok I can do that - 2 books per year for Jake's level... again - I can do that......

    I'm not sure right now - but what I MIGHT do is just sign him up separately for an IEW class to learn how to write better - Alexis as well - but that would cost probably as much as the tuition.

    So I'm still researching. Is it worth having him do this every week and have a semi-classroom setting? Or should I continue trudging along with my mismash and go from there.
     
  10. ochumgache

    ochumgache Active Member

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    I think it is a great thing. I will offer you this from my friend who was a tutor though...the first year of tutoring is a lot of work. It was a bigger time commitment than she had anticipated. I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, because my friend is still very excited about CC, and I think she'd tell you that it was worth it.

    That's funny about your husband saying you "switch" all the time, because I could possibly be accused of the same thing. Just tell him that a child's eduation should be fluid, moving and conforming to the child's needs; you're just going with the flow! :lol:
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2010
  11. Bry's-Gal

    Bry's-Gal New Member

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    We are doing CC this year. I was going back and forth on whether or not to do it next year. After evaluating everything, I can see where they are taking kids and that is where I want my kids to go. Right now it is a bit much for young kids but I'm learning to back way off and take their lead more. If they don't get it now, they'll get again.

    In the younger ages, it is intense- a lot of memorization! We listen to the memory work in the car and a lot of it is sit to music. The stuff sit to music she has down really well. The other material, I'm not stressing about. She'll get it again and she is only 5!
    My 3 yr old has also picked up on a lot of it by listening with us. It is cute to hear a 3 yr old skip count her 2 and tell you the classifications of living things!

    The classes start when a child is 4. I think that is to young- the typical 4 yr old isn't quite ready for that type of work. I can see why they do it though. They provide child care for the younger ages and you need some sort of cut-off. My youngest turns 4 in late Sept. The director said I could leave her in the nursery or sign her up. I could also have her start the classes the second 12 week period. We are going to start her in the nursery and then decide from there.

    I like it because I can see where they are taking the kids in the later years and that is where I want my kids going. I like it because it gives me a framework to work with but a lot of freedom to do what works for my family! I also like it for the friendships for myself and my kids! I also like that they emphasis is on the parent as the teacher and this program is just a support. They do have really good practicums- definitely go to one!

    Our tutor for this year is new. Her first year doing CC and her first year tutoring. It does seem to be a lot for her trying to learn it all along with the kids. She is doing a great job and next year she is going to do an even better job!


    Please let me know what else I can answer for you!
     
  12. chicamarun

    chicamarun New Member

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    I am still debating and weighing the pros and cons. One of the things that we have to think about is the Public school schedule and our vacation schedule we already have set up. They don't follow the PS schedule at all - they take off from Thanksgiving through New Years and end in March/April.

    They did have a 5 year old "Memory Master" last year!!

    Here's the thing - I see the logic, I see the reasoning....it MAKES 100% sense to me..but now I go from here - will it work for us? That is what I'm not sold on completely as I sit back and think about it.

    Our schedule is just plain strange as it is because of the farm.....so again - I debate ;)
     
  13. Bry's-Gal

    Bry's-Gal New Member

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    We do have people who take vacations during the CC year. They just miss that week- if they can, they work on it at home.

    The farm schedule- I don't know about that! I'm not familiar with the responsibilities of a farm! :D
     
  14. chicamarun

    chicamarun New Member

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    I have decided to stock up slowly on some things - including the Foundations book. But I found all the timeline cards for a low price.......I have a friend who will loan me the Strategic Writing DVD's so I can watch those and then REALLY work with Jake on his lack of writing skills.
     
  15. TeacherMom

    TeacherMom New Member

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    okay I have read through here andyou all have my curriosity up.. what is Classical Conversations?
     
  16. chicamarun

    chicamarun New Member

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    A quick and short run down...

    Classical Method.... from age 4/5-about 11/12 = foundations....memorizing facts
    age 12/13 - 13/15 = next step.... processing and understanding those facts
    14+ = logic and debate about those facts.

    The ages don't really matter it's more of where your child is.

    CC is a group of moms who actually teach the same thing each week and then 1 day per week get together and go over everything for the next week in small groups and based on age.

    It is a way to put the classical method (think Well Trained Mind) into action with like-minded people.

    Some of it gets pretty intense though for their learning.... like the 2nd semester next year for Jake would require 1 book read a week and then a paper "due" the next week.

    The cool thing is that the parent is definitely still the teacher - the group "tutors" are just there to help guide and to help the parents.
     
  17. TeacherMom

    TeacherMom New Member

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    okay, I am more confused, so they do their school work there or is this like an outside class? What are they memorizing? Don't they normally just memorise as they are doing different things in regular school work? Why would one need a seperate class or group to do this I guess I am wondering.
    Is it like a homeschool group class? that i swhat it sounds like to me.
    We do lessons one week then not the next in a group, we have certain things to memorize and projects to do, together and seperate.
     
  18. chicamarun

    chicamarun New Member

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    Everyone is doing the same thing and working from the same book. Think Co-op but it seems to be a little more "advanced". It is like a homeschool class. Everyone is using the same curriculum and working on the same week. They meet to go over everything, explain what's coming up and as a support group situation.

    Did you visit their website? www.classicalconversations.com

    They use materials from IEW & also Veritas Press
     
  19. TeacherMom

    TeacherMom New Member

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    I checked otu the web site, looking up the CAL stuff ... so it IS like the home school schools they have here.... they do a class in several things together same books just like a private school... onlly the parents are there too not just dropping them off etc?
    Thats what I am gathering?
     
  20. chicamarun

    chicamarun New Member

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    Right - the parent stays IN THE CLASS the whole time. Our's will run from 9-3 on Fridays with an hour lunch/recess break.
     
  21. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    So what does a parent do if she has kids in different classes?
     

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