Preface, Forward, and Introduction

[Brandy]

Were there any thoughts, questions, or quotes that stood out for you in the Preface, Forward and/or Introduction of this book?

[Brandy]

"The person who says, 'I can' and the person who says, 'I can't' are both right. I believe every parent can participate in the restoration of our culture to one that appreciates classical learning, but only if they will believe it about themselves." (p. 4)

As you consider the "As a minimum before high school, my children should be able to..." list on pages 8-10, how does the above quote challenge you to rise above what you think you and your children can do?

The CC Challenge program used to scare me to a certain degree. But as we have built our home with a classical education at the grammar stage, I have seen my children grow. The fruit was made so evident as our oldest child, an upcoming 6th grader, started to enter dialectic discussions with me this year. It is astounding the connections he makes! And... the seemingly impossible draw-a-map-from-memory? I can already see it taking shape, simply from practicing map tracing and drawing consistently!

[Keith and Rachael]

I have only one question, do you happen to have the reading schedule and dates printable? I would like to stick in on my fridge.

Thanks, Rachael

[Brandy]

Although the discussion forum will be open before and after these dates, the proposed schedule for the completion of each chapter is as follows:

June 9: Intro, Chapter 1 & Chapter 2
June 16: Chapter 3
June 23: Chapter 4
June 30: Chapter 5
July 7: Chapter 6
July 14: Chapter 7
July 21: Chapter 8
July 28: Chapter 9
August 4: Chapter 10
August 11: Chapter 11 & Epilogue

[Keith and Rachael]

Super! I'm excited to get started.

[Stacy]

Brandy wrote: "Were there any thoughts, questions, or quotes that stood out for you in the Preface, Forward and/or Introduction of this book?"

I got so much encouragement just from the Introduction!
As a now two-year home-schooler of soon-to-be fifth and eighth graders, I realize a few things....

1- It's not too late! (p.3 "The lost years apart from our classical roots are being redeemed.")

2- My kids need to know that I am still learning, too.
(p.4 "..... when I am learning something new, I am only as smart as a first grader.")

3- I want to help "feed my child's soul". (p.5)

4- I need to communicate to my kids more often that I feel like it is a "great privilege and pleasure to be with them." (p.7)

Love Leigh Bortin's writing style already, and can't wait to read Chapter 1! :)

[Amy]

Leigh does a phenomenal job reminding me as a mother to "get back to basics." We as parents are so capable of providing a solid education for our children. We love them. We are their constant. Education is about building persons of good solid virtue. Classical education allows parents to get back to basics and allowing their children to know that it is a pleasure & a privilege to learn alongside them. No other homeschool model emphasizes this like the classical model!

[Marla]

p 5... The classical model emphasizes that learning feeds the soul and edifies the person rather than producing employees to work in an assembly line." This is one of the reasons we wanted to approach learning and teaching in a different way. We saw that we were programmed too much to be worker bees, but that something inside us was railing against that, and pushed us to find better for our children.

[Marla]

...also: p 7 "Let's resolve to be adults whom children like to spend time with, not because we are "fun," but because our kids know that we think it is a great privilege and pleasure to be with them." Often I lose sight of the many opportunities each day affords to show my children what and interest I take in them- similarly, I beat myself up for not being "fun"...yet I Do know that much of the time, I value the moments, and that is something they may hold onto MORE than a few fun moments. :-)

[Brandy]

Great discussion on the introduction!

I also am praying for the courage to continue breaking away from overemphasizing "fun" rather than simply letting my children know how much of a privilege and joy it is to learn alongside them (even - or especially? - when it's tough!). The joy of discovering the world with my children grows every year - and the classical model has equipped us to discover more together. That, in itself, has been more fun than I ever imagined!

[Brandy]

Stacy wrote: "I got so much encouragement just from the Introduction..."

I love your summary, Stacy! Such a great overview! Thank you!