I have been re-reading the book that most encouraged me to homeschool way back in the 'old days'. Before Kevin J. was even five ,the mothers in my circle of friends were passing around Laura Berquist's book, Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum. It's had many updates since then, but that first edition was gold to me. Laura Berquist explained how she taught her children Latin, music appreciation, art appreciation excellent writing and how to use good literature as the backbone of learning. She did this within the context of the natural stages of learning.
These subjects were foreign in my own very poor education. But I had glimpses of them through my parents interests and my love of literature as a child. This was what I wanted for my children! We started out following the classical education model. Over the years I branched out trying a little of the Charlotte Mason method, (which is mostly compatible to the classical model), a little Montessori, hands-on approach, and the scholastic model which more closely resembles the school days many of us experienced.
Every few years I would return to a classical focus and the children would thrive. When the going got tough, i.e. morning sickness or new baby, was usually when I would search for a 'new and better' way for us to school. However, the best way for us consistently seems to be a more classical approach.
This year, the older children are attending a two day a week homeschool enrichment program that is heavily classical. It has been challenging but their interest level is high and they are doing pretty well. So I dusted off my classical curriculum books and ideas for the younger kids and revised the current plans for them.
Blaise (8) and Regina (6)are studying Latin and Greek root words, memorizing poetry and starting with the ancients in our study of history. (I wanted to start in the middle ages where the older kids are this year, but the younger ones asked for the ancients. It's those Egyptian mummies, Greek armor and Roman soldiers that interest them I bet.)
My oldest summed it up. When he saw the books I had pulled out he said, "Hey, cool! I liked this stuff! They'll love it."
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