Classical education

[staceyshoe]

I'm thinking about hsing next year and have been reading "A Well Trained Mind". The trivium/classical education approach does appeal to me, but I'm still feeling my way and trying to come up with a plan for next year that fits us. Ideally, I would LOVE to read other books/blogs/websites to see how other people implement a classical approach to homeschooling. Does anyone know of any? Anything else relevant that you'd like to share is much appreciated! Still so much to learn about homeschooling . . .

[HappyFox05]

I'm not Catholic (this book is) but I've been told that this book gives a good idea of how to implement a curriculum.

[lach]

The Well-Trained Mind has a VERY active message board that I've found very helpful and very friendly. If you go to their website, you'll find it. As with most things in life, very few people actually follow the plan word for word, so if reading around you'll find all sorts of different ideas and implementations.

Other authors who are also into "traditional" educational curricula are William J. Bennett and E.D. Hirsch. There are also a lot of specifically classical curricula you can read about on the forums: The Latin-Centered Curriculum was a popular one.

[kwg]

I have enjoyed reading The Latin Centered Curriculum. I had to buy it as my library did not carry it but I really like having it around.

[theretohere]

I highly, highly suggest the Well Trained Mind's forums. Huge amounts of information!
I'm homeschooling following the book very closely- I blog about it here: http://concordiaclassicalacademy.blogspot.com/ and on my sidebar I have links to other blogs that follow the WTM as well.
How old are your kids? Are you just starting with homeschooling? I think the Well Trained Mind is an awesome way to educate and grow with your kids.

[amygabrielle]

I'm following The Well Trained Mind too. The approach has worked great for my daughter. The Well Trained Mind forums are indispensable.
I pieced together our kindergarten curriculum from all the recs in the book. I have a blog about our journey- http://www.abbyupdater.com

[staceyshoe]

This is great! I found a bunch of William Bennett's and E.D. Hirsh's books in our public library and requested them. I've also bookmarked your blogs and will be venturing into lurkdom at TWTM forums as soon as I get a chance (hopefully today!). This is EXACTLY what I was needing. If you have more suggestions, keep them coming!

Theretohere, I have two sons--18 months and 4.5 years. The 4 y.o. is in public school kindergarten this year and loves it. He's an unusual child (profoundly gifted) and CRAVES intellectual stimulation. He's already so advanced that I don't think public school will work for him once there is less play time involved. I never thought I would start my child in school early, have him skip grades, or do homeschooling--and yet, those are exactly where we are now. Funny how our ideas change as we grow with our children's needs, isn't it?

Since I've never really considered homeschooling, I am completely overwhelmed by all the options and am trying to wade through them and find what will work for us. Thankfully I have a year to get a strategy in place. I'm open to any and all advice, resources, or words of wisdom you have!

[lach]

Good luck! Sounds like you may be doing the best thing. It's great that you're keeping your options open.

Since you have a year to prepare, I'd look into all the homeschooling groups in your area. Get on their Yahoo mailing lists or whatever they use, even if you're not sure you agree with them philisophically. But on the lists they'll announce all the different events and activities for homeschoolers in your area, so you can get a good idea of what's available. At least where I am, homeschooling is sort of this underground phenomenon that you have to get into before you learn all the dirt Go to a park playdate or two if you do find a group you think that you like, and introduce yourself to the other moms (and it's okay if your son is at school while you do it!).

I really like Hirsch and Bennett, and I always think that it's interesting that they're at opposite ends of the political spectrum, but agree on so much. I don't think that either of them are really true "classical," or would call their ideal curricula classical, but they're both supportive of fairly rigorous, traditional educations and have, in my opinion, interesting ideas.

Good luck!

[theretohere]

If you are looking for more book suggestions- Who Killed Homer and Climbing Parnassus are excellent reads.
I think it's wonderful that you are planning and getting things in place to fit your son in advance! Classical education can be a really great way to educate a gifted child. Something I really like about it is that I can get the core subjects done in a very reasonable amount of time- and it leaves my DD1 lots of time to pursue her own interests and play.
Classical education can be tough at times- so can all homeschooling. It's not popular on this board (which is why I and others always suggest the WTM ones ) but I think it's good to stick with a method, even when things are rough going. Things are usually most difficult right before a breakthrough, in my experience.
www.satorismiles.com is a classical, secular blog of a mom with a gifted 4.5 year old- you may really enjoy that one, too.
You are at such an exciting point in the homeschool journey- but it can be an overwhelming part, too. So much information, so many curricula choices, so many methods! And everyone thinks theirs is best. Enjoy!

[Momma Aimee]

subbing to reread later and check links