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What We're Studying

We follow an eclectic classical curriculum, put together with help from several sources. One of the main sources that inspired us toward a classical education is A Well-Trained Mind by Susan Bauer and Jessie Wise. It's a fabulous book with many ideas on how to arrange a classical education for children of all different ages and stages. Although we don't follow much of what is IN the book, it was the first inspiration of how to do what we want to do in practical manner.

I don't believe that a child should be cooped up inside all day, so our actual "school" day is about 3 hours long. In that time we do math, reading, history, Latin, and science. The rest of the day is spent doing household chores, errands, playing outside, having community classes, going to the local homeschool in the park group, and assorted other things. We're very relaxed about what we do academically, and the combination of being relaxed about academics, yet doing academics that MEAN something works very well for us. Since I've started working outside the home, we've had to coordinate our activites in a much different fashion since June of this year. After all, my wife has a job, too! Her costuming business, Phrogfeathers is a full time job in addition to keeping up with me and the kiddo!

Here's the list of materials that we're currently using. We've tried many others as well, and eventually I will have reviews for different curricula on this site.

• Math - Singapore Math 3b. We tried Saxon and it was a dismal failure. The lessons take forever, and are extremely boring with Saxon. Singapore lessons are quicker, yet cover the same types of thing, yet weren't doing it for us for a while. We tried a lot of different things and are now back to Singapore. We're a little behind in math, so it's our big concentration this year.
• History - History Odyssey Ancients We are in LOVE with Pandia Press! Pandia Press is the company that puts out this study guide for a Classical education, as well as a science curriculum that follows the rotation of science recommended in The Well-Trained Mind. You can look at their material at pandiapress.com, or at Classical Home Education, the company that actually sells the Pandia Press items.
• Reading - We don't use a specific text for reading. Instead, our reading material comes from those stories and faerie tales that tie in with our history readings. For example: We're studying the Ancients right now, so my son is reading Egyptian myths, nonfiction books about how kids lived in Egypt, mummy stories, etc. When we get to Greece, he'll be reading Greek mythology, etc.
• Latin - Latin's Not So Tough by Karen Mohs. This Latin series is made for early elementary students and takes things slowly enough for the kids to actually get it! It's a five level series, and we're planning to work through all five, then evaluate where we are. We've just finished Level 2 and are waiting for Level 3 to arrive.
• Science - Again we don't have a specific text. There are hundreds of great science books available in the library. I specifically recommend Janice van Cleave. Her books are GREAT!