Pieced together LA for grades K-3rd

K-1st: Phonics Road level 1 (now I appy what i learned from that program to the spelling lists in Spell to Write and Read)
Handwriting Without Tears (now I'm using Joy of Handwriting-cursive for my new Ker),
Copywork from literature here at home, after they learn how to write well
Narration from history, science, and religion,
Memory work using poetry and scriptures,
Reading practice beginning in Bob Books, then Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading & Mcguffey Readers, then Little House in the Big Woods.

2nd: Prima Latina
Spelling/dication just using SWR
Copywork from literature here at home
Narration from history, science, and religion
Memory work using poetry and scriptures
Reading books silently/daily, oral reading to younger siblings 2Xs/week

3rd: Latina Christiana I
Spelling/dictation just using SWR
Copywork from literature here at home
Narration from history, science, and religion
Memory work using poetry and scriptures
Reading books silently/daily, oral reading to younger siblings 2Xs/week

Latin-Centered Education: A Classical Education

I read this article today in defense of a Latin-centered, classical education.  I've ready many, many articles like it, so this isn't new knowledge for me; it only further confirms my belief that this is the way to go in education.

Now, just because it is called a Latin-Centered education does not mean that we do not have a Christ-centered or scripture-centered education.  Our "main book," like TJed talks about, is the scriptures.  We are not taking turns reading from The Odyssey after we say our Latin prayers in the morning.  That is ridiculous.  Thomas Jefferson received a classical education, as did most of the Founding Fathers.  The linked article lists the top most influential people of all time: they ALL received a classical, Latin-centered education. 

I did NOT receive a classical education; I didn't even receive a decent education.  I've never studied Latin.  I  don't know Greek or Roman history, nor have I ever read a single truly classical book in my life.  Savannah's third grade grammar was difficult for me.  I've got some serious self-education to do if I am going to give my children a classical education.

My own education begins with Latin.  I thought I might work through a English grammar book first, but I am going to trust the Latin experts and first learn Latin.  I purchased First Form Latin from Memoria Press.  It has a DVD teacher.  I'm filling in my own student workbook and checking my answers in the teacher's manual.  It is hard.  It has a steep learning curve for me. 

I'm convinced there is nothing more important than to be a knowledgable teacher of Latin, then of Greek and Roman history, then of the classics, then of math, then of writing, then of science (which will probably be the one subject I farm out).  That is my order of priority.  I can't be a good teacher of everything, but I must be a good teacher of Latin.

Tentative plans

I LOVE planning.  Here are my tentative plans for 3rd and 4th grade.  We will probably start sooner than later since I'm expecting a baby in November!

4th grade - Savannah

Math - Math Mammoth 4 & xtramath.com

Latin/grammar - Latina Christiana I / English Grammar memory/copy work

Classical studies - Famous Men of Rome w/ MP's workbook

Writing - Classical Composition I - Aesop

Literature - booklist from Ambleside Online w/ book journal

Science - undecided..

History - family rotation - early American history, specific books still undecided

Other - copywork, narration, dictation (SWR or SW?), reading aloud, memory work, freewriting, poetry teatime, nature journal, timeline book, piano, gymnastics, homeschool class (art, P.E., computer). 

Typing - ? 

 3rd grade - Charlotte

Math - Math Mammoth 3 & xtramath.com

Latin/grammar - Latina Christiana I / English Grammar memory/copy work

Classical studies - Greek Myths w/ MP's workbook

Literature - booklist from Ambleside Online w/ book journal

Science - undecided

History - family rotation - early American history

Other - *same as Savannah*

Typing - ?

Kindergarten - Madelynn

Math - Essential Math

Handwriting - Joy of Handwriting

Reading - Phonograms, Bob Books, McGuffey Readers, Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading

Science - undecided

History- family rotation - early American history
Other - copywork, narration, reading aloud, memory work, poetry teatime, nature journal, gymnastics.

Copy Work

I have the girls do copywork 4Xs a week.  This is how I do it:

Day 1 - Literature
Day 2 - Scripture
Day 3 - Literature
Day 4 - Poem

I require that they write at least 2 sentences.  They can pick which sentences they want from whatever book they choose.   We only have good books here.  They have to write a whole scripture and a whole poem, so of course they choose the shortest ones, but I have faith that they will one day write ones that have meaning.

I print out this page, front and back, and write the week number at the top.  This way I can easily glance at their paper and see if they did all of their copywork for the week.  I also use that same format for their Latin copywork.

I require that they write as neatly as possible.  If it is sloppy I give them extra practice from here.  Their handwriting is getting very beautiful! 

For cursive, I printed out a small cursive alphabet, laminated it, and stuck it in their folder.  They pull it out if they forget how to write a letter.  I require all of their work in cursive now, and I've decided to start Madelynn in cursive instead of the Handwriting Without Tears book.

Multum non multa

So I've been doing this homeschool thing for about four years now.  I'm getting a pretty good idea of what I feel is important in education.  I'm seeing results in my kids that I am pleased with.

You want to know what I think is important in education?  Multum non multa (Much, but not many things), or in other words "quality over quantity."  The following are what I consider the best use of our time:

1. PLENTY of free time to be outside, or reading a good book, or building things, or making things.  My kids have an imagination.  They apply what they are learning when they are given ample free time.  It is important to me to make our formal school day as short and efficient as I possibly can.  No busywork.  No unnecessary subjects that can wait until they are older.  No video games to distract them.  Limited outside commitments.  As I am writing this, my three oldest kids are building a bridge over a stream in our woods.  Best education they can have right now!

2. Reading from the scriptures as a family and having family prayer daily.  Not only are we coming closer together as a family, feeling the Spirit, and learning the gospel, but we are reading and hearing good, worthy language.  We are becoming familiar with the language of the scriptures.  We are learning history.  We are reading the best books of all time.  We are practicing reverence and patience and respect.  Excellent use of time for many, many reasons.

3.  Memory work.  The kids are memorizing gobs of poetry and scripture.  We recite four days a week.  They have good, beautiful language, imagery, and morals forever seared in their brain.  This is one of the best ways to promote articulation, composition, and to exercise the brain.  This year, and probably all of next year, they will hear "The Living Christ" recited approximately twelve times a week!  They will know who Jesus Christ is!  Savannah and Charlotte's Activity Day teacher commented on how well they have the Articles of Faith memorized, when the AoF actually haven't been a part of our memory work at home.  They are just used to memorizing things that it has come easily to them as they recite the AoF in Primary.  Our time and effort spent on memory work is well worth every minute. 

4.  Latin.  This is language arts all rolled up into one.  Grammar, composition, vocabulary, memory work, and the root of English, especially science, and many other foreign languages.  This is our first year in Latin and I am seeing that it is a great use of our time!  We're in it for the long haul.

5.  Greek and Roman history and mythology.  This is the foundation of Western civilization.  This is where our Constitution came from.  This is what our Founding Fathers studied.  I have just begun my first dip into Roman history and I am blown away by the examples of courage, honesty, honor, and bravery exemplified by the Roman heroes, and I've only scratched the surface!  I already find myself wanting to be more like them.  In Latin we just learned the phrase, "Romanus civis sum!"  "I am a citizen of Rome!"  I say it with longing.

6. GOOD books.  It must pass Paul's test: "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."  It must have quality language.  It must contain worthy ideas.  Reading a dumb book is just as bad as sitting in front of a video game: a mindless waste of time.  Good, living books are used to cover many topics: history, geography, science, nature study, biography, fairy tales, etc.  All of those topics are covered in my homeschool through living books.  No textbooks, no worksheets.  Some of these books are retold by the kids (narration), which is part of composition.

We do other things, like math, copywork, dictation,spelling, and piano, but I believe those six things are the most important parts of our day.