Brandy’s Comments (group member since May 07, 2014)

Brandy’s comments from the Classical Conversations group.

"There are plenty of great math curriculums to choose from, but we need to break the habit of working through the book, getting a grade, and moving to the next level." (The Core, page 131)

Confessions from a mom who suffers from the must-get-through-the-math-textbook habit...

I struggle with teaching my children math above all other subjects - and not because I don't like math! As a former engineer and math teacher, I LOVE math! But… perhaps part of the struggle stems from this being the one subject I am certified to teach in public schools (and thus have been indoctrinated with modern methods along with participation in textbook selection committees)?

This chapter is so helpful to me; it encourages me to slow down and PRACTICE at the grammar stage, for "calculating competency inculcates math enjoyment." If our children are to enjoy math later in life, I have to slow down at the grammar stage and equip them with the tools to do so by over-practicing the basics! I have to let go of surveying math just to check a box and move on; I must choose to spend the time on the more mundane memorization and practicing of facts so that I don't lose them later down the road. I know this, but why in the world is this so hard for me?!?

"...we don't always appreciate the importance of seemingly little things... Handwriting and copying are small things that turn out to be foundational to good writing skills." (P. 109) I remember a time when I saw little value in "mundane" tasks such as copywork, opting rather to have my children express themselves via creative writing assignments. It was not until later that I discovered I had not equipped my oldest with tools for good writing before requesting good writing from him. This actually frustrated his early writing efforts and caused him to develop an aversion to writing. Thankfully, we have overcome much of that aversion as we've worked our way through Essentials over the past. 3 years. Has anyone else experienced this (or are you now)? Any thoughts?

Stacy wrote: "I got so much encouragement just from the Introduction..."

I love your summary, Stacy! Such a great overview! Thank you!

Great discussion on the introduction!

I also am praying for the courage to continue breaking away from overemphasizing "fun" rather than simply letting my children know how much of a privilege and joy it is to learn alongside them (even - or especially? - when it's tough!). The joy of discovering the world with my children grows every year - and the classical model has equipped us to discover more together. That, in itself, has been more fun than I ever imagined!

Here are places where I find good books (and I also use Honey for a Child's Heart and look for Caldecott and Newbery award winners - visit orange marmalade at http://orangemarmaladebooks.com - when making our personal book selections):

Our reading selections are taken from many other sources, including (but not limited to) suggested resources from Sonlight, Tapestry of Grace, Veritas Press, and Classical Conversations, as well as the 1000 Good Books List, Gospel Coalition, Old-Fashioned Education, IEW's Books for Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Build Forts All Day, and Ambleside Online. (I have a ream-of-paper I reference along with an assortment of catalogs - and my trusted friend Tina over at Chasin Raisins - when I make my booklists.)

Links to some of the above-referenced lists:
http://classical-homeschooling.org/ce...
http://iew.com/sites/default/files/vi...
http://www.amblesideonline.org/
http://chasinraisins.blogspot.com/p/b...
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/j...
http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/...

Although the discussion forum will be open before and after these dates, the proposed schedule for the completion of each chapter is as follows:

June 9: Intro, Chapter 1 & Chapter 2
June 16: Chapter 3
June 23: Chapter 4
June 30: Chapter 5
July 7: Chapter 6
July 14: Chapter 7
July 21: Chapter 8
July 28: Chapter 9
August 4: Chapter 10
August 11: Chapter 11 & Epilogue

"The person who says, 'I can' and the person who says, 'I can't' are both right. I believe every parent can participate in the restoration of our culture to one that appreciates classical learning, but only if they will believe it about themselves." (p. 4)

As you consider the "As a minimum before high school, my children should be able to..." list on pages 8-10, how does the above quote challenge you to rise above what you think you and your children can do?

The CC Challenge program used to scare me to a certain degree. But as we have built our home with a classical education at the grammar stage, I have seen my children grow. The fruit was made so evident as our oldest child, an upcoming 6th grader, started to enter dialectic discussions with me this year. It is astounding the connections he makes! And... the seemingly impossible draw-a-map-from-memory? I can already see it taking shape, simply from practicing map tracing and drawing consistently!

Thoughts, comments, or questions concerning the epilogue

Thoughts, comments, or questions concerning Chapter 11.

Thoughts, comments, or questions concerning Chapter 10.

Thoughts, comments, or questions concerning Chapter 9.

Thoughts, comments, or questions concerning Chapter 8.

Thoughts, comments, or questions concerning Chapter 7.

Thoughts, comments, or questions concerning Chapter 6.

Thoughts, comments, or questions about Chapter 5.

Thoughts, comments, or questions about Chapter 4.

Thoughts, comments, or questions about Chapter 3.

Thoughts, comments, or questions about Chapter 2.

Thoughts, comments, or questions about Chapter 1.

Were there any thoughts, questions, or quotes that stood out for you in the Preface, Forward and/or Introduction of this book?