Classical Conversations K4-3rd Grade - Foundations
My youngest began Classical Conversations 3 days after his 4th birthday. A little K4 boy who could barely pronounce the words he was learning. It was so cute! Pausing for a tear of days gone by. If you have a child that will be in the Foundations program I would like to offer some words of wisdom from my perspective. I am heading into my 8th year in the Foundations program! (Yes, I still love the timeline!)
The focus for your child during their young years should be learning the memory work. It is enough! Your focus during your child’s young years is studying them. Learn how your child learns best. Discover your child’s strengths, weaknesses, and passions. Do not try to conform them to a curriculum or schedule. Mold them to love learning.
Do not enroll your child in a community day program before they reach the age of four. This is Classical Conversations recommendations and it is for a reason. It might be cute. You might feel the pressure to do “pre-school” but, there are so many great things to do to prepare your child for formal learning. Studies have shown that more free play and delayed formal learning is helpful for developing brains.
“Learning should breath life into us - ignite our imaginations and inspire us to share the ideas we learn with the people we love “ The Core pg 14 Leigh Bortins”
The Classical Conversations catalog will tell you the curriculum and supplies you need. So always check there as it might change after I write this article. The basis are; The Foundations Guide, Tin Whistle and a Trivium Table Map for the Cycle you are starting in the fall. Everything else is fun and fluff. Don’t get me wrong it is all helpful and I own most of it but it is not required. If I could only choose one additional resource it would be the Timeline cards and the App (Opps! I guess that is 2 things)
In addition to the Classical Conversations Memory work you are going to need to add 3 elements to your homeschool academic planning.
1. Math - CC Memory Memory work teaches 24 math pegs, but it is not a compressive math program. Pick one that works for you and enjoy!
2. Reading - CC will not teach your child to read. Teaching your child to read can be daunting, but there are dozens of excellent resources. A good program will teach you how to teach your child to read. Work with your child’s learning style and make it fun.
3. Books- You can purchase or use the library! Use this exploring age to read like crazy to your kids. Read aloud to them, listen to audiobooks, let them read at night till they fall asleep just READ READ READ! Read with variety: history, literature, geography, music, science, art, how to’s, fantasy, and humor. I made the mistake of burning my kids out on history and historical literature. (Don’t even ask them about the Pilgrims) Some moms go book list crazy and line books up with each weeks memory work. If you can do this great! However, when your kids are young this can be a tough schedule to follow. I recommend following the cycles. For example, in Cycle 3 US History, read all things related to that Cycle. If your child sparks an interest in a particular area, dive a little deeper. This is where you can cover history, science, art, health or any other subject you feel the need to teach. You do not have to have a formal curriculum for your child to be learning.
Two other common subjects at this age are Spelling and Handwriting.
1. Spelling might be covered in your reading program or you might need to plan that in an al-a-cart fashion. There is a stream of thought that it is not necessary to introduce a formal spelling program until 2nd-3rd grade. You have to make that call. I say focus on reading then spelling.
2. For Handwriting find a simple program with some workbooks to help your child learn to write. Handwriting is a necessary focus but integrate this into practicing memory work. Or copying a sentence from a book you are reading. We have shed way too many tears over handwriting.
Keep your schooling simple, organic, and natural. Focus on routine nor rigorous schedules. The floor and couch are great “desks.” Have fun! Go explore! Play! Bake! Build Forts! Let them be little!