I reread my last post and
overwhelmed myself. Please do not be
overwhelmed, once you get your hands on the stuff it all comes together, trust
me, and trust the method. You don’t have to do any of the extra laminating,
etc. If all you did was play the audio (which I know many people that this is
exactly what they do), it is enough and will benefit your children immensely.
I also forgot to mention
that each cycle is only 24 weeks long and meant to go one year, that means take
some breaks in there, don’t fret if you think your kids aren’t getting it,
enjoy the freedom of the 24 weeks to work your overseas schedule how you want.
In the U.S. this is broken up into 2 x 12 week semesters. We usually go 4-6
weeks before something comes up to make us skip a few weeks or a month!
Brief cycle overview. Taken from the Foundations book.
·
Cycle 1, 2, and 3
all have the same TimeLine (161 facts in a chronological timeline) and includes
the last weeks memorizing the U.S. presidents every cycle!
·
Cycle 1,2, and 3
all have the same Math facts (multiplication tables up to 15x15, common squares
and cubes, as well as basic geometry formulas and unit conversions)
·
This means the only
things changing from cycle to cycle are the other five categories of facts:
History sentence, Science, Latin, English Grammar, and Geography
·
Cycle 1: 24 history
sentences that add depth to the timeline, focusing on Ancient History, Science
facts focusing on Biology and geology, English
Grammar facts (prepositions, helping verbs, linking verbs), 5 Latin noun endings and their singular
and plural declensions, 120 geographic features
in Africa, Europe, and the Old World.
·
Cycle 2: 24 history sentences that add depth to the
timeline focusing on Middle ages to Modern World History, Science facts focusing on Ecology, Astronomy, and Physics, English grammar facts (pronouns,
adjectives, and adverbs), Latin verb
endings and the first conjugation, over 100 locations and geographic features in Europe Asia, and select parts of the world.
·
Cycle 3:
24 history sentences that add depth
to the timeline focusing on American History (including Preamble to the U.S.
Constitution and the Bill of Rights), Science
facts focusing on Anatomy, Chemistry, and Origins, English grammar facts including the principle parts of 11 irregular
verbs), Latin rules and vocab
(including the text of John 1:1-7 in Latin and English), 120 locations and geographic features in North America
(focusing on the U.S.)
Tweaking
You can tweak the
above any way you like. I have not done much tweaking except by way of review. For
example, since I know the math is the same every cycle, when it gets to
reviewing the squares and cubes and multiplication tables for 13, 14, and 15 I
slack quite a bit! Also I know my kids know the geography facts but forget the
actual locations on the map because I don’t review that much, I am okay with that,
I will make them learn it in later years. It is enough for now that my 5 yo and
3 yo know what makes up the geography of the Byzantine Empire.
Other ways you could
adjust is to drop a whole subject if you would like. This is what I love about
not being accountable to a real community. I have not dropped a subject yet,
but can if I want to. OR you can add a subject. David is getting our catechism
to coincide with the cycles and weeks which I may just add to our CC day. OR
Cycle 3 has heavy focus on American history, which I want our children to
learn. BUT in the off weeks I could use the same method to come up with deeper
Chinese History/dynasties, etc. and even/especially more specific Asian
Geography. Sounds like a good idea if I ever get around to it. Also, Leigh
Bortins herself says in one of the overviews that there is no literature memory
work and build that in as you like. For those doing First Language Lessons or
something else, poetry memory is already there.
My weekly preparation, etc:
I spend an hour give
or take preparing for my CC introduction day. I do not do my ‘fine arts’ or ‘Science
Experiment’ on my CC day (if I do them at all). Choose whichever ‘intro’ day
you like. Mine is usually Tuesday, This week I post-poned to Thursday because of
illness, this just means I slowly adjust back if I want to get back on a
Tuesday CC day. Another thing I love
about doing this here and not in the U.S.
Timeline: CC provides the
song (on the audio cd) and hand motions on their website. On their website go
to ‘CC Connected: Foundations: Classical Learning Center: Timeline motions’ If
internet is slow this can be troublesome. CC connected has links to detailed instructions
and reasoning behind the motions. I actually learn the motions and teach to the
kids but do not hold them accountable for the motions. But during review they
have to be saying it with me, not
doing it unless they want to. Most parents I know do not learn the motions, but
I do, completely up to you. Most real CC trained Tutors do learn the motions. I
go through this a few times until I know it then continue to learn it as I introduce
it. I actually try most weeks (not all) to read the cards before-hand in case I
get a question. This is not necessary and can be completely done on the fly. Prep:
15-20 minutes (a guess).
History sentence:
CC provides the song for this as well and most are really good. When I first
saw some of the history sentences I thought no way my kids could learn them,
but they do. There are also motions written down I found on CC connected, but
they are not super necessary either. My kids get it simply by the song. Recently
I have been getting on Pinterest and seeing what other people do to enhance. I
have shown a few youtube videos that go along with whatever we are talking
about. This prep is 5—10 minutes.
Math: weeks 1-12. All
songs are provided. 13-24 I get songs from CC connected. You can learn this
with your child, making prep minimal. For some tutors I know they write out all
skip counting numbers and add visuals, do what you like, I am sure this would
be helpful for the higher numbers. But math is the same every cycle! Prep: Less
than 5 minutes.
Latin: I just listen to
this to see what I am getting into that week, all jingles are provided for
Cycle 1 at least, not sure about the others. I will talk more about ‘activities
to make it fun’ when I discuss what the intro day looks like. Latin gets harder
into the Cycles, not sure what this will look like for me in cycle 3. But cycle
1 has lots of Latin review built in! They spend 4 weeks on the same thing
spread throughout. This is no prep time.
Science: No jingles/song are provided for this subject
on the audio CD. I look at the science fact and if I cannot come up with a
jingle/song on my own I go to CC connected and get it from there. 10-15 minutes
prep.
Geography:
No jingles/song are provided for this subject on the audio CD. Same as Science,
If I cannot come up with a jingle/song on my own (think up old/kids song tunes)
then I go to CC connected and get it from there. 10 minutes.
English Grammar:
Weeks 1-12 there is a youtube link to a great video that does an awesome dance
that I did learn week by week. My kids loved it. Weeks 13-24, helping verbs and
linking verbs I am using CC connected folks to get songs. 10 minutes.
All of that said, I
know people doing CC overseas who say their prep time is zero. It is totally up
to you how much you want to put into it.
Next post: what my CC day looks like!
