Classical Conversations

Every now and then I get asked about Classical Conversations. I am trying to put my thoughts together so I can just direct people here.

We are on our second year with this program and it has been a good experience. I have always felt an attraction to classical education. I have seen the good results that a good Classical school produces. I have met countless articulate, thoughtful, smart kids that have come out from Trinity Schools. As good as Trinity is, it is not a possibility for us- geographically speaking. So through our 10 years of homeschooling I have dabbled in classical education on and off. I have read about it but never felt I could implement it at home successfully. I could somewhat handle the Latin (knowing Spanish helps), I could study the Logic,and I could even handle the memorization proper to the Grammatical stage, if I could only be consistent about it. But the discussions, the learning community, the Socratic discussions, that I couldn't provide at home. Classical Conversations have enabled us to give classical education a more consistent, serious try. So far it seems to be working.

Classical Conversations consists of two main programs: Foundations and Challenge. Foundations is subdivided in Foundations and Essentials of the English Language. Foundations is for students roughly 5 to 12 and Challenge includes what in traditional school would be Junior High and High School. Presently, I have two children enrolled in the Foundations program and one in the Challenge program. Leigh Bortins, the creator of the program encourages parents to think beyond the traditional view of grades. The important thing is that the student is prepared to handle the work, brain development and maturity wise.

One big question that we had to answer for ourselves before we decided to give this program a try, was the faith issue. As Catholics, we are always cautious about using non-Catholic curricula. I was concerned about the world view that was going to be presented or the use of material that could have any anti-Catholic bias. So far we haven't had many problems. The main issue has been the Veritas Press Timeline cards. A few of the cards have very blatantly anti Catholic remarks as well as incorrect information. The good news is that the only thing is required for the kids to do is memorize the name of the timeline cards. So we don't even bother in reading the back of the cards (of course I wish they didn't use that resource since the cards ARE spreading falsehood). The other resource we had an issue with was a book used in Challenge II art history seminar ( How Then Should We Live by Francis Schaeffer) but the tutor handle the issue very graciously making sure she pointed out the possible points of disagreement. This brings me to the next point: the group.

I think the CC experience have two essential components that can make or break the experience: the tutor and the group. We have been blessed with a great group of women both the ones that tutor and the moms who participate. This has been an added bonus I wasn't looking for. I wanted and needed a good social environment for my high schooler but I never thought of the support I would get. It has really been a good surprise.

The other big question we have to answer was the money issue. Is it worth the money? We are spending a lot more money that we have ever spent in homeschooling before.For us it has been worth it. When we started CC last year my daughter was beginning High School. She wanted to go to school, we weren't thrilled with the idea. We didn't want to send her to a public school and the local Catholic school was a big expense we weren't sure we wanted to make. CC allowed us to homeschool high school and provide the social contact my daughter wanted, at a fraction of the cost! So for us the money has been well spent. In all honesty, I am not sure I would've looked at the Foundation and Essentials programs if I didn't have the pressing high school issue. Now I am glad I did.

Another question I get asked is what else do I do with my kids, do I supplement? Last year I had to get used to the idea of having this program. I had to transition from wanting to do whatever I was doing before and adding CC to the mix. It was too much! This year I have taken a different approach. This year I have let CC be my guide... for real. I have taken the multum non multa approach of sorts. I have concentrated in the basics and have concentrated in doing those well. The basics for us are: CC memory work, reading, writing and math for my youngest; CC memory work, Essentials work and math for my 11 year old and religion for both. We add a history program because I like history but we take it slowly mainly reading living books.The same goes for science. For my oldest, the only thing we have added is Religious Education and we are working very slowly through an Ancient History Book.

So my advice to parents considering CC is this: read at least the basics regarding the Classical Method of education.These are some starting points: Memoria Press and Dorothy Sayers' essay The Lost Tool of Learning Then commit yourself to this method and do yourself a favor, don't try to do two programs at the same time. CC is not a co-op we tag along to every thing else you are already doing. You are paying for this service, make it work for you and don't try to re-invent the wheel.