I think when some people begin to consider adding Classical Conversations to their homeschool, they think it might be too much. It may feel overwhelming and hard to grasp what the planning will be like each day/week.
I think this because I did it two years ago when I began homeschooling. It wasn’t until my second year that I decided to take the leap and become a part of a Community. You can learn more about that in my previous post.
I’m so thankful for God’s guidance in choosing Classical Conversations, because we have been so blessed by the Community and the program itself.
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So, how do we add Classical Conversations to our day?
Before explaining this, it’s important to know the ages of my children. I have two in Foundations that are 4 years old and 6 years old. I also have a 2 year old and a new baby that is 5 months old. All of these ages play a part in our day to day rhythm.
The easiest day to plan is Community Day, because it doesn’t change, and we have to be there. We meet once a week for half a day, and we really don’t do any other school work on that day once we are home.
Sometimes I may read from our read aloud or I might take some time to catch up on a subject, if needed. Most weeks, our Community Day is it. They do a lot of learning just in that half day, and you’ll see that as you continue reading.
Students in Foundations meet once a week for half a day.
Every community will have some differences, but the content should be mostly the same. We meet one day a week, and we begin at 9:15 for an opening, family presentation (like an introduction), and prayer.
At 9:30, students go to their classes and begin working on the new grammar for the week. Each part of the day is broken up into 30 minutes. The segments include new grammar, science, fine arts, presentation and review.
For new grammar, the tutor goes through each subject demonstrating the new material we will practice throughout the week at home.
It is repetitive and quick, but it’s easy to catch on and helpful to me as the parent. We memorize material for English, Latin, History, Geography, Math, Science, and Timeline. The topics we memorize will depend on the Cycle we are in. For more information on the way the cycles are set up, visit the website here. The cycles are explained toward the bottom of the web page.
Science consists of experiments and projects that encourage students to ask questions, make predictions, and reflect on an outcome.
Once again, this will look different for each cycle, but I love that every week is something new. Our tutor does a great job helping the kids get involved with their project and talk about what they are doing or observing. It’s also neat to see a group of 4-5 year olds reciting and singing the scientific method.
The Fine Arts portion is broken up into drawing, music, and great artists.
The drawing portion definitely challenges my four year old, but it’s in a good way. I’m right there to help her or if I step out, another parent jumps in. I like how it’s all planned out and structured with a goal in mind.
The music portion is learning how to play the tin whistle. If you don’t know what that is, just think about when you were in elementary school and had to learn the recorder. It looks just like that but smaller. To be clear, my four year old was not able to learn a song, but she was exposed to music notes and an instrument, and I love that. There was no pressure for her to master it.
Studying great artists has been the most fun for me, probably because I know the least about it. Currently in Cycle 3, we are studying the artists, and the children are practicing their drawing/painting styles. Most weeks, I want to jump in and try it too!
Presentation is a lot like a Show and Tell
I think the word “presentation” intimidates people, but that’s exactly why this is so important. By teaching the children to show up and speak in front of others, it is helping them gain confidence in public speaking. Some love it more than others. A few may need help or to be encouraged. The tutors are providing strategies and tips to overcome the fears and learn to be in front of others.
When I first started, I thought my child was going to have to make this big speech about something they learned. I imagined it super serious. It’s not that way at all from my experience in Foundations. I’m sure as they grow older, the challenge will be there, but for now it’s just about learning to present.
Everyone in our community is very supportive and encouraging when it comes to helping the kids present. I’ve stood up at the front with one of my children before. Sometimes, I’ve had to jump in and help my child remember what to say.
My 4 year old loves to look at me during her presentation and say, “What is it…?” I answer, and she’ll repeat. It’s a learning process for these littles. If you’re concerned about it, talk with a director in your local community.
The last part of Community Day is review (and lunch!).
During review time, the tutor will lead review games to practice memory work from the weeks before. It’s fun to see what the children still remember! Through songs, motions, and games, the group is led by the tutor to practice. It is not a test or assessment by any means. It is a time to practice together.
That’s it for Foundations! We have lunch with the Community and our campus even allows us to play outside!
After lunch, my crew heads home.
The rest of the week, my goal is to practice memory work each school day.
This usually takes us 20-30 minutes. It has looked different as our family changes and babies grow…and nap…or don’t nap. The reason I say this is because you don’t have to fit it in so perfectly and scheduled.
Sometimes you just have to make it work as best as you can. So, if you are considering CC, know that you can give yourself grace. It’s OK if you don’t know exactly how to do it. There’s time to grow. If you are already in CC, and you feel like you’re not doing enough with your little ones – well here’s me telling you – it’s OK! We have had weeks that we completely flop on practicing, and we still survive.
We’ve practiced in the car, during lunch, after quiet time, outside, while exercising, on a walk….when I had a new baby, I just had to fit it in as I could.
Now, the baby is starting to follow somewhat of a sleeping schedule, and we are enjoying some routine and rhythm in our own homeschool schedule.
Currently, we’ve been practicing our memory work in the mornings after our devotion time.
Some people call this “morning basket” or “morning meeting”…I don’t call it anything. It’s not quiet, and sometimes it can be a little chaotic. (Real talk!) I take my children into our play area and we listen to the memory work together.
I choose the play area to keep little hands busy. I allow them to play as long as they’re attempting to participate. I expect my 6 year old to say the memory with me at least once. I encourage my 4 year old to join us. (Note the difference in verb there.) During this time my babies are either playing or in my lap. Most days, my 2 year old sings along with us!
My role in practicing memory work is important.
I am the example for my children. My mood sets their mood. If we are all together in a room practicing, I am right there practicing along with them. (And I have learned so much!) I usually just sit on the floor and start reciting along with the app.
We mix it up by how we choose the subjects or how we say the subjects.
Take turns choosing. Write the subjects on the board and point to one. Roll a dice, choose popsicle sticks, make a spinner…change up how you pick your subjects to practice. It will keep things fresh and interesting. I hope to do a blog post soon compiling all these ideas and more!
It’s also fun to change HOW you are practicing. For example, sometimes we assign an exercise to a subject and do that exercise each time we recite the memory. (I participate and count it as a workout!)
We’ve used puppets before, as well. When the subject changes, change the puppet. It’s fun to change your voice for this as well. Get silly and have fun!
Sometimes just a simple voice level change can help add fun to memory practice. Talk with a deep voice. Say it in a whisper. Squeal like a mouse. Pick an accent.
These are all just great ways to keep learning fun! If my children want to play with something quietly while we practice, that’s great. Many days they cartwheel back and forth while reciting. I guess gymnastics and memory work is a great combination for them!
I tell you all of this to hopefully get out of your head that it doesn’t have to be this sit-at-the-table-and-recite-over-and-over kind of drill. Get crazy and have fun with it. Join in with your little ones. You’ll learn a ton and you’ll be making beautiful memories.
We practice the memory work. That’s all!
My goal for the week is to practice memory work each school day. If we’ve done that, we are golden. That’s it, and that’s enough. At these ages, we are just laying a foundation. It doesn’t need to be extreme.
If my children have an interest in a topic we will surely look into it by watching a video or checking out a book. My girls especially love the history sentences, so usually that’s what we dig into.
We’ve read a couple of “Who Was….” books. (Literally a couple – two! Don’t get crazy here.) I believe it was one on Columbus and another on Davy Crockett. They were fantastic!! If you have older children, these would be great to add on for personal reading time. I’ll be honest, I’d love to add more of them into our day. For now though, we stick with simplicity.
I just love how we can follow the lead of what interests our children as we learn about all of these wonderful topics. I am so looking forward to digging a little deeper each year.
I encourage you to pray about Classical Conversations if you feel interested in it.
Don’t let fear or worry stand in the way of doing something new. Talk to someone you know that is involved in a Community. Call a director near you just to get a feel for what it’s like. Ask questions. Leave a comment here or email me!
Planning your homeschool day is important, and it always feels better once a plan is in place. I pray this blog post allows you to feel more comfortable with a decision-whether that means a “yes” or “no”.
