Former CC leader shares PROS & CONS of CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS \\ Info Mtgs don't tell you all!

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2 жыл бұрын

CC information meetings don't tell you everything! They are happy to explain the pros, but rarely will address the cons of joining a community. But I'm going to tell you!
Classical Conversations is a very popular homeschool co-op that has global recognition.
My homeschool family was a part of a Classical Conversations community for 4 years and I learned a lot, not just as a community member, but as a Classical Conversations leader! There are many positive things about this homeschool curriculum and being part of a homeschool community, and there are also some unintentional negatives that you should consider before joining Classical Conversations.
In this video, I'm going go over 13 Pros of joining a Classical Conversations community and 14 Cons to consider.
Classical Conversations Foundations program is for Pre-K (4 years old) to 6th grade (12 years)
Classical Conversations Essentials is a Grammar Writing Program for 4th grade - 6th grade.
Classical Conversations Challenge A-B is for Jr. High, 7th grade - 8th grade.
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Пікірлер: 184

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

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@sarahdavis7566 2 жыл бұрын

We have done classical for eight years going on nine next fall. I’m so glad you didn’t bash it, it has been a wonderful fit for our family. I do hear all your concerns about community but for us the benefits greatly outweigh the negatives. In northern New England there is A lot of options other than public school. So I am so thankful for classical.

@regfernandez6759 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! We're joining CC so I loved hearing your kind take on this and understanding the program better in terms of pros and cons

@theguerrerofamily9699 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the objective opinion! Made me want to pitch in more in my community and also made me even more thankful for my community.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! I’m so glad you are thankful for your community! 😉

@LCharg Жыл бұрын

You nailed it! Every single point. And you did it gracefully. Thanks for sharing this info so well. I appreciate your videos.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!!! 🥰

@GinaRLacy 2 жыл бұрын

Great insights! When I was researching homeschool curriculum, a bunch of my friends do CC so I had to check it out. I spent an evening reading the entire site and watching videos on it. Flashbacks of my private education kept popping into my head and I had to run the other way! Lol. I know it’s very thorough, rigorous and a wonderful education, but it just isn’t a good fit for my family.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Yep! It’s not for everybody!

@mrs.stocky2445 Жыл бұрын

We are going into our first year with my 6 yr old this fall and I am so glad these videos are out there. I go in with my eyes open and a realistic view of what I may encounter.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

I hope you have a wonderful experience!!!

@rebekahm622 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to assess the impact for your family and those in your community and to articulate and share your assessment! We're blessed to participate in a fantastic community right now, but it's helpful to get honest thoughts about pros AND cons from someone who's been in a lot of the roles ISO evaluating continued participation as our kids get ready to enter Challenge. I also appreciate your exhortation to support directors. This is something I think is really hard to understand for those who haven't participated in running these kinds of groups, or had to do all of that work for their own family on their own. A good director is working so much and it can really make or break the quality of community for everyone (as does family commitment at every level!) All the best to you in your continued homeschool journey!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I’m so glad you found this helpful! And yes….any leader of any homeschool group, whether it be a co-op or even just a homeschool extracurricular like a sport or theater group….they are doing so much behind the scenes that we can take for granted bc if we came from a public or private school, those schools had administration to help with that. Homeschool moms of these groups have to be a parent, teacher, coach, BUS DRIVER, and administrator! (Not to mention, we’re also the lunch lady and the janitor!) 🤪 It’s A LOT! I’m glad you have a wonderful group!! That makes such a difference! 💕

@ceri311 5 ай бұрын

I am in my 3rd of CC, and have experienced Foundations, Essentials, Ch A, and Ch B. I have been a parent, a sub, a tutor, and am considering directing next year. We have been in the same F/E community for the three years, and a second (much larger) community for challenge for the last two years. The amount of blame I see thrown at CC as an organization, for things that are so clearly community/director driven, makes me crazy. CC is a wonderful program, but like everything, the people you are with (or that are in charge) will make or break your experience. I found all of the negative feedback on CC right after we had signed up the first year, and I started second guessing my decision. However, I had already committed, so we gave it a try. We love it, and are happy to continue with the program for as long as we feel called. Thank you for giving an HONEST, fully informed review of Classical Conversations. I wish I had found this before we signed up - it would have alleviated all of my concerns about what I had been seeing on KZfaq and in FB groups.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 5 ай бұрын

You’re welcome!!! It is sadly amazing how many people want to bash the organization and spread so many sweeping accusations that are really just isolated incidents. But they want to paint the entire organization like that. It’s definitely not for everybody. But for those it is for, I still think it’s an amazing program! Glad you’ve found your people!

@vickiemckinney1004 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed hearing your perspective. Our family participated in the CC program for several years. When my youngest reached Challenge age, the "illness" had caused things to change. We are doing a co-op this year.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

CC isn’t the same over zoom!!! 🙃

@dixydarlin56 Жыл бұрын

Great points. We just switched communities to get a better fit for year 4. Thanks for the cautions about how Challenge may not be right for every kid; I've been wondering about several of those points. Now I need to go look at your high school curriculum videos!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

Yep, it just depends on the community often times. Glad I can help!

@faithfullyinfertile 2 жыл бұрын

Ooooo this is going to be good. :) Very interested to hear what you have to say about this. This was excellent!!! Very informative for anyone looking in to CC.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

I think I’m very fair!! You’ll have to let me know if there other cons I left out. 😉

@faithfullyinfertile 2 жыл бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I think you covered literally everything. I agree with everything you said. This is a phenomenal video on CC!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

@@faithfullyinfertile thank you!! You are kind! 🥰

@elizabethmuise8774 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the right Spirit in making this video - I so appreciate it! Some of your concerns about Practicum have been heard and changed!! I graduated all my kids through CC and have stuck around because much of this comes down to training and mentoring from solid leadership. I would like to add that is true in any situation! Church leadership who have been disciples and are accountable and willing to do the same for others are fantastic or in any other organization. This is not a problem unique to CC. We live in a world with imperfect people - Thank you again for sharing!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

I love that you stuck around even after your journey was completed. I always thought when I was there, wouldn’t that be nice is there OG moms would come and be challenge directors to help ease the burden for those still deeply in it and struggling with time management. So how did you “stick around?”

@elizabethmuise8774 Жыл бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I was a Ch 3 Director and and SR. Just an SR, on my 4th yr in this position. I focused much attention on in-home training, encouraging Mamas they can be a Challenge Director with less time once they learn the Classical tools. I was able to be a Challenge Director while homeschooling my 5 kiddos because I had someone invest guiding me through really understanding how to use the Classical Tools to better leverage my time in my home and as a Director. I have many parents now looking forward to stepping into Challenge and currently no longer needed to Direct but can focus on training and encouraging! I also have the privilege that I don’t need to earn more money, even in CA. 😃

@yeomjiwon 2 жыл бұрын

I am starting CC. It is a very good info before I start it. Thank you alot!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome!

@goldenocean8129 2 жыл бұрын

I have been a part of two cc communities. I left the first one, we had many, in my opinion, leaders that I’m not sure were qualified. The second one the leaders were and we’ve never been happier. My oldest son is a devourer of books going into challenge A. My other son may not do challenge A-but essentials has been so great for both of them laying the foundation in writing and grammar. Thank you for your honest review- it’s helpful and objective.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Essentials really is. Great program for most!! I’m still using IEW!

@LehrLife 2 жыл бұрын

I so appreciate your insights. I am facing 2 of my kids going into challenge A and they are not my super academic kids. We love foundations and I tutor and it is fun! Your video was super helpful for me to continue to pray if challenge is a good fit for our kids.

@TheHannaClan 10 ай бұрын

What did you end up deciding to do, and how did it work out?

@katherinemotley9705 Жыл бұрын

Also, great insights in your video. Thank you!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@sarahconyers2573 2 жыл бұрын

My oldest is in Challenge A and this is exactly what I’ve been praying about, I feel like I never see her she’s just doing school work all day. When I ask my kids about maybe next year taking a break from CC they all get very upset (including my Challenge student) and say no way! This is only our second year homeschooling and we’ve been doing CC from the beginning. My younger children love the songs and the community, they’ve made so many great friends. So it’s a catch 22! Can’t wait for part 2 of your video!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

I agree!! It’s tough! My daughters would love to go back for foundations. But after being away from it, it’s hard to go back. But there are things I do miss about it. So I feel your dilemma!

@elizabethmuise8774 Жыл бұрын

I do think there needs to be a deeper understanding of working on the Classical Tools, instead of the misconception that all work must be done in the way the guide shows. Learning to shift the focus on tools, still allows the students to be engaged n community conversations and scale the work to your family’s needs!! Out of 6 kids I had a couple with learning challenges and we still had a wonderful educational and family experience!!

@MariaSantana-hx4bb 13 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing as I was curious. This sounds like it would suck the fun out of homeschooling and our freedom. I appreciate your pros and cons for me to figure that out.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 13 күн бұрын

Glad I can help!!

@Dcan10327 2 жыл бұрын

Very fair assessment. We are blessed to be a part of a very strong God fearing community that has been more important to us than our church in many ways. But we are starting to feel the strain of the requirement for directors to have all of their children enrolled. We would have many parents qualified to help us with the Challenge program if this weren’t the case. Help from older retired CC moms wanting to continue to pour into our community and continuing to direct even with those 2 student classes is one of the ways we have survived. They see it as more of a ministry. Some years it pays off when there’s a large class and some years it’s a sacrifice just to keep things going.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

WHAT A BLESSING on so many levels here!! 1) that you love your community so much and find it strengthening to you. That’s a true gift! 2) that you have retired CC moms who still want to minister!! That is really the ideal way to keep the community going bc they can concentrate on the ministry & the job, and not have to worry about homeschooling. Seriously….what a blessing to your community!! I hear you…yes, I didn’t go too much into the fact there are many qualified moms who even are willing to direct…..except that they don’t have ALL of their kids enrolled in CC. This is a big sticking point and one that is a corporate decision. They could have so many more communities if they allowed this. I had that situation in my own community. We needed a Foundations director. I had 1 mom who was willing. Her last child was in foundations. Her oldest two, however, we’re going to private school. She was a STRONG Christian. She wanted to do it. She had TIME to do it! (I mean really, many of the foundations moms in our community had babies and LOTS of kids!! They were overwhelmed homeschooling their little ones, so though they were qualified, they couldn’t take on the responsibility). So we ended up with No Foundations class. Bc the one who was willing wasn’t allowed. And the only ones who were qualified, were overwhelmed with life. And the reason some moms put their kids in private school….isn’t about not believing in CC. It may have been the science was an issue. Or it may have been, the class size or class composition wasn’t a right fit (ie, the community makes or breaks it). So it’s unfortunate that they’d rather let communities fall apart then budge on the fact that CC isn’t a fit for every situation. It’s like they don’t want that “talking point” to come up in information meetings. Or they don’t want others to start thinking about that…which is ironic since classical education is all about critical thinking. I wish every community had such assets as yours. Especially the veteran moms. That’s seriously amazing! ❤️

@ashtonsmith9305 Жыл бұрын

This will be my 3rd year, with 2 in foundations and a 10 month old. My first 2 years I subbed a few classes, probably 4 total 😂. I will be tutoring this year. I am so glad you gave a tiny glimpse of how much the directors do. I think I can definitely help out a little more. I really liked that you distilled some of the harder aspects of CC without being mean-spirited or spiteful. I’ve seen so much bashing of CC, and it’s felt unwarranted on most of the occasions I came across.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

I agree! So many blame CC for issues that were actually in their own communities that shouldn’t have been happening. I always found that unsettling also. Good luck tutoring this year! 😉

@themreedpeople1615 Жыл бұрын

So, you hit the nail on the head with your cons. I love the CC program, but yes burn out it real. I am a Challenge 1 Director and I can say it is A lOT of work. It is my first year as well directing. I also only have 3 students in my class. If they don't do the work discussion can be difficult some weeks. Other than these few things, I still love CC and what it stands for. I am apart of a wonderful community and if I ever left I would miss them so much. I homeschooled without being apart of a community and my kids did so much better when we were apart of a community. I have been tinkering with the thought of not doing it but I have no idea what I would even do to replace it. The one thing I miss about not being apart of a community is the flexibility of our schedule. So lots of things to think and pray about.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

Yep! I miss the community aspect, especially when I hear about, from one of my friends who joined a new community, all the fun moms nights outs and group activities they do. That’s what i wanted! But I don’t miss the work and lack of flexibility. It’s a tough decision!! But….if you pray over, no matter which way you go, though you’ll be missing on “something,” you’ll be gaining something new and hopefully you’ll be at peace and feel confident in your decision. On an interesting side note: One of my friends, who was also a former SR, her community wanted something different for their high schoolers. They were so unified, they all agreed to keep the foundations program, but they didn’t do the challenge program for their high school kids. They created what they wanted. Then they had choice. And I think it’s working out. I’m sure that would be difficult to gather consensus on, but it happened. Another of my friends, liked the classical model, but they wanted to run their community differently so they created a new classical co-op, NOT CC. That fell apart after a few years. So if you do stray, you’d better be really unified so it doesn’t fall apart.

@matthewcaruso4956 2 жыл бұрын

Amean sista!!! So true about how a bad community can ruin your experience. Our's merged with another, making the challenge 1 environment really toxic. We did get really sweet revenge when we destroyed them in a debate after they told us that they felt bad for us because we had to go against them. Also homeschoolers tend to not be very good with people relationships so that cause some holes in the class

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

I’m so sorry!! 🥲

@Tspaulding80 Жыл бұрын

Community has been a huge issue for me since I started homeschooling. Being military doesn’t help either. Although there are homeschoolers, I find there are “cliques” within the groups. Even homeschoolers that we have met through church were very stand-off-ish. I feel really bad for my girls because I want them to build relationships, myself included, but it has just been so difficult for us. I often times feel very isolated. I’ve even considered CC but after reviewing I didn’t really think it would be a good fit. Thank you for your insight!!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

Oh, I’m so sorry! Communities are all different. There are MANY CC communities that have healthy and thriving relationships. I understand your desire. I feel like I’ve been consistently looking for a “community” since I’ve started homeschooling and even now, 8 years later, though I know more people, we have not built any super strong friendships….the kind where you want to spend your free time together. It definitely gets lonely. When I start to feel sorry for myself, I’m always reminded of how lonely Jesus was. In his last hours, he was alone in the garden with no support. And on the cross, he was completely alone, forsaken, in a way that we’ll never have to be. So when I begin to feel lonely, he reminds me 1) he understands. 2) he’s my friend. He never leaves me. 3) and then he asks me, “am I enough?” We may go through this life never fully finding the community we long for, but for me I just think, this is my trial because perhaps I’m looking for others to fulfill something that only the Lord can fulfill. And I pray for contentment for the circumstances that I have no control over. ❤️ I can still ask for community and I do. But I pray that I’ll be content if all I have is Jesus. I feel for you!!! ❤️

@mangopuppybaby Жыл бұрын

We are military too. Cc has been a good fit bc when we moved we were able to jump into another community and it provided consistency for my children.

@faithbelleg7465 4 ай бұрын

⁠same here. We were in a thriving CC community. Had real friends. Loved going. Moved. Joined local, thriving CC community and we just don’t really fit in. Everyone is nice but they already have their besties. Guess we’re not like minded enough. We’re sad & lonely until we remind each other to focus on Jesus. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@SevenInAll 2 жыл бұрын

This was very interesting! I have pretty much zero co-op experience--I think especially with living overseas, local homeschooling community in general has been largely non-existent. I know Classical Conversations is it's own specific thing, and I have heard that different families have very, very different experiences with it.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I’ve heard of some communities that sound amazing! And other communities that are not so amazing.

@Ekloos83 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your pros and cons. We have been using CC for 7 years and been in 2 communities for a total of 6 years. My husband and I are trying to decide if Challenge is going to be the right fit for our oldest next year. My biggest concern is what you addressed about the program not being very flexible if parents decide to drop some of the things not working for them, which would definitely be us. My daughter is daunted by the coming workload and so am I. I’m also concerned about the possible requirements of using CC’s new Math Map curriculum. If it is required, then that reduces homeschool freedom and flexibility even more within CC. I’ve enjoyed Foundations and even Essentials, now that we have the hang of it, but I’m uncertain what we will do going forward. Thank you again for your video.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 7 ай бұрын

You’re very welcome!! It’s a lot to consider! And I can say from the CC perspective, when I was in leadership, they really encouraged directors to consider NOT allowing families to join CH if they weren’t committed to all the subjects. Bc I think I mentioned (or alluded to). If half the class of 4, doesn’t do Latin. And then 1 is sick. The entire 45 minutes of “dynamic Latin discussion” isn’t what it’s supposed to be. It’s between 1 student and 1 director while the other 2 students sit there. So they really DONT want you to pick and choose only parts of Cc. And it makes sense from the perspective of the families who want it all!! I don’t know what the solution is unless they totally reformat and transform how they do challenge. I dont know anything about the new math curriculum. So they are going away from everybody just choosing their own? That’s tough too. Not everyone will be on the same level. I will say the workload is more in CH A. But if you’re child ENJOYed memory work and committing things to memory and can study in their own, it’s doable. It’s probably 5-6 hours a day tops. It’s just a lot of heads down, be diligent work. Latin would be the biggest challenge and requires diligence. Studying the cartography terms and practicing drawing the maps is just dilligence. You might not have to do that go the same level EVERY DAY! The biggest leap is from CH B to CH 1 they say. Good Luck on your decision!!! 😉

@katherinemotley9705 Жыл бұрын

I love Classical Conversations! I love the material. However, after being a part of community for three years in both Foundations and Essentials, we continued on our own (my two granddaughters). My frustration with community was Moms who didn't have their kids do the work (no memory masters except my girls and maybe 2 others out of 30 to 40 kids). Essentials work not done by many. Kids who ran around the church and some even destructive with Mom just sitting there on her phone or visiting with other moms. After 3 years, I felt it was more of a wasted teaching day so we continued for 3 more years on our own and then the girls entered a Christian Jr. High/High School and are doing great. I loved doing presentations and all the IEW writing. Andrew is fantastic at teaching writing skills. So pros on curriculum and some cons on community though we loved art, science projects, and field trips. I did volunteer and filled information tutors who couldn't make it. All in all, I loved it. I am now teaching two more granddaughters who started last year at Kindergarten and first grade so I am looking at 4 to 5 more years of Foundations and Essentials. ❤

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

That’s too bad. Sounds like your director needed to make expectations more clear. They don’t have to admit just anybody into community. So if people are just using it for social time and not participating, that’s an issue that the director could discuss with the SR to determine how to admit people through the family interview For example, in order to join our community you are committed to A, B, C or else you may not be admitted the following year. We had discussions like that in our own communities bc it is frustrating to the families who want the academic experience as well as the community.

@melaniebergshoeff4424 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve missed your videos!!! I’ve been stalking your page for a new one 🤣😂

@melaniebergshoeff4424 2 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate this video and the detail bc CC isn’t readily available near me so to find or join one I would have to travel at least an hour each way. Helps me really evaluate if that’s the best use of time and money in our homeschool

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

You are so sweet!! Thank you!! Yes! There is a lot to consider with CC! I’m glad this was helpful for you!

@HomeSweetHomeschoolLife 2 жыл бұрын

We run in to some of these cons in our co-op. We don’t do Classical Conversations, but it is still frustrating when people don’t contribute or come prepared.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Yep!! Every community has this issue. Even churches! 😉 reminds me of the Bible verse Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Unity is definitely more pleasant!!! 😃

@hisdarlingewelamb 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your helpful, kind, objective thoughts. I have home-schooled for 20 years, been a part of CC for 2 years and tutored 1 year. I see all of the positives and potential issues you mentioned. My youngest son and I have been blessed to be a part of 2 healthy CC groups (we had to transfer for Challenge A as our first group was only through Foundations) and have had an Awesome experience in both groups. The positive peer pressure has been beautiful and the independence and personal ownership my son has taken for his education is astounding. I am so very thankful for our group and pray and seek to do my part so that it continues to grow and thrive.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! I love hearing that people love their communities! That’s what makes CC so attractive! ❤️

@BrookeFernandezsub Жыл бұрын

I agree so far I have nothing but amazing things to say about cc!!! We are doing year 2 and I now have 2 kids in foundations

@haelieheard2870 2 жыл бұрын

I love the way you handled this. I have many of those thoughts. Been in CC with and without a community for 7 years. Foundations tutor 1 year. Challenge 2 Director 1st half of this year until my job and other life things became too much of a burden to do it all well. Kids are still in CC and I still go with them but just as a parent. Very relieved actually. But yes I think through these things every year. Much of why we have done it without a community was cost related though the cost is worth it and all the paid staff very well deserve the pay. And the cost is far less than private school. Thank you for your thoughts.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! The community’s strength is partially based on the ability to let leaders have a year off when they need it. It’s so much work and as you said, everybody has lives and burdens outside of community. And sometimes, you need rest!! The cost is a lot. But it’s all relative to what you want and what you’re willing to give, right? The cost is either with money, or with your time (as a leader!) so you really have to believe it’s worth it and it’s the best approach either way.

@haelieheard2870 2 жыл бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan yes! Completely agree!

@moonspun4evr 2 жыл бұрын

How can you do it without a community? In order to even get materials (curriculum) I had to pay for the application fee and registration fee and tuition. So how can you do it without community? Why would I pay "tuition " when I'm just doing it at home? I can't see how I can even get my hands on materials without paying first.

@haelieheard2870 2 жыл бұрын

@@moonspun4evr when I do it without a community I don’t pay tuition. You can buy things like the Foundations Guide from the CC Bookstore even without being enrolled. As far as Essentials Guide and Challenge Guides, I obtained those different ways. Our first 2 years in CC was unique in that we were moving to the Middle East and starting CC (F&E) there with no community available. However, they have an International CC Director and as I was connected with that person he had me use his name as my CC Director for purchasing the Essentials Guide. Now, the Challenge Guides for the year and a half we did that without a community (Ch A & 1st Semester of B), we were in the US but couldn’t afford community. I honestly found those guides (previous year versions) on eBay and a homeschool resale classifieds type of website. It’s not supposed to be possible but it completely is. 🤷‍♀️

@RockSimmer-gal4God 2 жыл бұрын

We are looking at either CC or co op when we move. We definitely believe God is in the Center so we want a Christian community!!! I’m helping my oldest son with Lagan and Greek roots and it’s helping him more than I thought it could!!! I’m a big believer in kids learning languages. No flexibility would put me off CC!!! Having dyslexic kids I have to lighten the load in some subjects and I end up making the load more for others. I’m probably going to choose a co op instead!!!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

You CAN lighten the load in CC. It just makes a difference more of the class is small. So if you have the potential for a bigger class, it helps. If you were seriously considering CC, maybe should you go visit a community first. Observe the classes your child MIGHT be attending and see how it is. Our community members probably never had a kid who did EVER SINGLE assignment. It was just a struggle for the classes if there were only 2-4 students.

@klaraleehicks5342 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome information

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@rachelbarreto2997 2 жыл бұрын

We are looking at getting started with CC for my 6yo and will-be-4yo next year and I do like what I have seen so far so I'm coming from a positive, optimistic point of view. Since Foundations and Essentials were created pretty much to prepare students for Challenge, if we were to wind up not being able to participate for the Challenge years would we feel like we had wasted all that time, money, and effort? I can't guarantee that there will be any CC community at all around us when we get to that stage or if the communities will have Challenge at all or they have it but it's just too small to work well, etc... It makes me hesitate to spend so many years building up to that stage to potentially not be able to do it or need to quit because of some of the cons you shared.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Not at all!!! It would not be a waste of time at all! You’ll get so much from the experience in terms of the community days….memorization that will stick for a long, long time! I love the memory work and how often it still comes up! And the presentations that are done each community day are one of the things I miss! Essentials is an excellent program that utilizes Institute for Excellence in Writing which is still possibly my all time favorite writing curriculum. It’s such a GOOD way to learn the process of writing. Now the other side of essentials is the grammar. That’s the side that I wish I would’ve done differently. You have three years of the same program. And if you take advantage and try to memorize most of the charts they explain, it will help a lot in terms of understanding the English language. If you don’t memorize them, you won’t be behind. :) but if you DO….you’ll be ahead. That’s my opinion. I’m glad you’re optimistic and hope you have a great community experience!

@April-mk7xu 2 жыл бұрын

We have been with CC throughout our entire homeschool journey. After 10 years I can still say that we LOVE it! Having said that, yes, it is indeed imperfect. I feel like many of your cons are legitimate. Students not coming prepared to challenge classes is HUGE and discouraging to those who are doing the work. Class size issues is why we are having to split communities because I refused to have my kid in a class of two, and then there was no room for my one other kid in the foundations classes. So frustrating. Community size limitations are a major con for me. But we're still here. We are willing to make the sacrifice for a wonderful program. As far as not being able to choose the curriculum, I feel that's a bit misleading. Classical Conversations IS the curriculum. That is what you are choosing when you choose to join Classical Conversations. There are other co-ops where you can find community if you need more fine tuned control. I believe there also really needs to be more dialogue about the work load in challenge. Young moms are so accustomed to being done by lunchtime, overdoing the extracurriculars, etc, that I think they forget that their students are getting older and it follows that should be expecting more from them.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Right. CC is the curriculum. That was my point. Yet there are so many families who don’t want to do the Latin and just don’t come prepared bc they’d rather learn Spanish or French. Or maybe some other part of the curriculum just isn’t working, that’s my point. It’s not really customizable to YOUR child if something isn’t working. You can’t customize CC and say, “we’re joining for Logic, Science, and Literature and are going to bow out of the rest.” They used to allow that for CH 4…part time enrollment, but they don’t anymore. You pay for it all. And EVEN IF you don’t want to do it all, technically, the director doesn’t have to enroll you. You sign agreements and the directors can make the rules for their classes and if kids don’t come prepared, the next director could even deny enrollment there. I had these very discussions with my team of directors when I was SR. The workload, for me, wasn’t about being done by noon. My son takes all day to get his work done now. But CC iS indeed known for being a rigorous program with a lot of work. The sheer amount of novels they read testifies to that. Some children can handle the extra workload in a timely manner. Some cannot. For 7th grade, it was a lot more time and it a lot of time consuming memorizing. Spending more time on that isn’t for everybody and that’s ok. Also regarding you having to split communities….that doesn’t have to be so. Exceptions can be made. The directors has to go through SR. And the SR can escalate to the Area Rep depending on the circumstances surrounding it. I suppose, if there was an existing class, class size may not be enough for the exception bc otherwise that class would continue to be handicapped. I’m glad you love it. I have many friends who still do and I’d recommend the program to anybody as I said.

@abbasgirl7777 Жыл бұрын

I have to say, I agree... For us, the whole point to homeschooling was to get OUT of the public system that is heavily focused on what to think instead of HOW to think... Our "extracurriculars" are just as much a part of education as the "school"... We don't differentiate. We want free thinkers, entrepreneurs, world lovers and changers... I really have to revisit why I looked into a classical education in the first place now, because I'm seeing red flags at this point. We desperately want to find our community, but I'm fairly sure CC would be a tragedy for us. Workload, grinding, and achievement are not important to us. Those are old western standards that proved unsuccessful for humans. I'm glad I'm watching these vids...

@andreaaguila1 2 жыл бұрын

All points are complety true. 11. It is Very true

@2307sab Жыл бұрын

I love the pros and cons that you listed and I totally agree! I am lucky that I am in a strong community. Can I point out another con? I feel like math is also lacking in CC since all kids are at different levels and different curriculum so it’s tough to discuss math. We have to pay extra to get math tutoring somewhere else. I don’t even understand why they bother to say they have a math strand. CC should perhaps just leave that out and not waste students’ time.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

That’s true. And it’s torture for some directors to even try to learn the 3rd and 4th year math to facilitate something that not all the students may be ready for. We had a math tutor willing to come our classes to teach the upper class man and CC only wants directors to hire somebody for that 1 strand for only 1 year. They say it prevents the director from being able to facilitate and integrate if they don’t learn it themselves. 🤔 I don’t think it was good for anybody. Math isn’t literature. If the director doesn’t remember anything after algebra 1, teaching pre-calculus isn’t a matter of just studying for an hour a week. They e got a lot of catch up to do. Anyway-agreed!

@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing about your daughter. I had my son, 4, signed up and ready to go, but a few months before I pulled him. He just doesn’t pay attention in group settings. He’s doing wonderfully at home, one-on-one with me. I have one additional question, do you think it’s worth getting the memory work CDs and doing that on your own at home with the kiddos if you’re not going to do CC possibly ever, lol? My son is brilliant but easily distracted and too energetic to sit still for long periods. Oh, and we’re currently doing The Good & The Beautiful Kindergarten and loving it. 🤗

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

I LOvE the memory work! Totally worth it if you will stick to it. And there’s an app also with another way to practice it. The app is better for the geography bc the CDs just list the geographic locations but you can’t obviously see them. The memory work for math has helped my 2nd grader so much. She already knows how to multiply before we even got to that in math so when we DId get there, she was whizzing through those lessons. There’s also lots of KZfaq videos that aid some of the memory work with hand motions etc. so I totally recommend the memory work even if you never join a community. 😉

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Also….for the memory work. The timeline song is daunting at first. But if you stick with it and just learn the 6 events per week, it’s learnable. My children easily learned it within their first year but we also played it in our car constantly. Playing the memory work in the car was the EASIEST way to learn it bc every errand, we could practice. So I recommend getting what can play in the car (CD or MP3….it is available on ITunes, etc) Back to the timeline song….it’s like a 15 minute song. But my youngest, when she was 4 and 5, requested to play it every car trip! Lol! 😆 (You can also find hand motions for the timeline song on KZfaq. That makes it fun also!)

@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras 2 жыл бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan That sounds awesome! Yes, I’m using one video to help us do our verse in ASL while we recite it. Our kiddos love Signing Time, so I’ve been incorporating ASL into our current memory verse and character quality work. For the app, is all the memory work available on the app for purchase, or I have to purchase separately on iTunes?

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

@@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras all of the memory work for 1 cycle is a n the app. So there are separate apps for each of the 3 cycles. But the updates are free. And then you could purchase the timeline song n iTunes. For iTunes, I think you’d have to pay for each CD separately. For each cycle, there are 3 CDs. CD 1 is week by week. So week 1 memory work for history, geography, math, etc. then week 2. CD 2 is by subject: so all history memeory week for week 1-24. Then all science for week 1-24 (this is helpful for memory masters or if you just want to practice 1 subject) CD3 is the timeline song. All of the CDs also have extra content on them like the Presidents song. Or cycle 1 also has the prepositions song. I think one of the CDs has the orchestra song. These are not in the app. But you could purchase them separately from iTunes, I think. I hope that helps b

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

@@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras I also demonstrated the app in a couple other videos. I know I show it in my “essential school supplies” video. And I think I showed it again in my “create your own history curriculum” video. If you wanted to see it.

@misfithomemaker3683 2 жыл бұрын

I didn't really know what CC was, it's not for us at all for multiple reasons. It sounds completely overwhelming for an introverted person like myself and child who is ADHD.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

For aDHD, my daughter loved the foundations program and she has ADHD. For an introverted mama….that’s hard to say. :) but yes, it can be an exhausting day!

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 жыл бұрын

I was a foundations tutor, foundations director, and challenge A tutor and the hardest of those jobs was challenge director. And in challenge, it is a drop off program. I rarely had parents attend and parents who were there were in class with their younger kids. For me foundations director was far easier even with a large campus.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Challenge directors have so much asked of them! (I left out so many little things about CC like what you pointed out, challenge was drop off. I forgot about that aspect, but that’s another con that some communities face also. Some challenge parents drop off and leave if they don’t have younger kids. And so they’re even more disconnected from the community, both in contributing and also relationally with other community members.

@3CarnivoreHousehold Жыл бұрын

I was sad to leave CC after 3 years but my kids couldn’t have handled Challenge being that both had dyslexia and there was so much reading. My son didn’t want to do a 4th year of CC. The tutors were amazing - one brought in pictures for every set of words since he couldn’t read. I wish there was a Challenge light for the less academic kids or the ones with learning challenges.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

That’s definitely “the rub” with CC. It is what it is. And it’s difficult to get the group discussion if it’s something else. 😕

@lisahepworth7462 2 жыл бұрын

YES! I hear you regarding the consuming vs. contributing mentality. That was one of the things I emphasized the one year I directed a CC community because I hadn't seen a lot of parent participation the previous year, which had been my first. Paying money toward a program can keep people accountable as far as attendance, but I think it also gives the impression that they are "buying" a service and therefore can bow out as far as personal participation. I run a completely volunteer-based nonprofit co-op now (still classically-focused), and I make sure that incoming people know we are all in the group to serve one another and to work together to help run this machine!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Good luck with your new co-op!! I think any co-op struggles some with this. I had a friend who left CC with a bunch of people to start their own classical co-op. They did require payment, but all the tutors were paid the same even though she was the one who ended up teaching Latin. Her co-op fell apart bc nobody else ever wanted to teach Latin and she felt it wasn’t fair bc she had a lot more work each week and prep to learn it than others who were tutoring other subjects with much less prep. So even “volunteer” communities, I imagine, you could have people burn out if you force the same people to carry the bulk of the load every year. I think a strong co-op is sharing the load. Including rotating who has the most work each year. Otherwise, no matter how you do it, there will be givers and takers.

@lisahepworth7462 2 жыл бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Absolutely! We are very intentional about avoiding burnout by making sure all parents share teaching responsibilities throughout the year. We don't charge tuition and everybody shares/rotates duties. Two other ladies and I form the board of directors for our organization, and so the three of us share in the planning/administrative/business aspect of the group, and then we delegate/assign duties to the other parents from week to week. We are very conscious about not over-assigning anyone. So far it's worked well. But yes, it's definitely a very delicate balance.

@americanmom359 Жыл бұрын

The research strand over the 4 high school years covers physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics. I'm curious to know what additional high school science courses colleges are requiring on a transcript these days.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

I commented before this, thinking your comment was on another video where I brought up issues with high school science. 😂 (Gather Round) so if you see that in an email…..don’t be confused. Ok…CC…lol! I just know what several moms have said. So I’m not sure. Maybe it has something to do with the labs??

@llowery1276 4 ай бұрын

Me and my 3 girls went to check out our local one the other day. We all really liked it, and my oldest daughter who is high-school aged, loved how they discuss in class, etc. My con is I am already overwhelmed by the costs of just the application fee alone. The director told me I would have to pay 145.00 , 4 times, because my youngest would be in foundations and essentials. So doing that and my other two girls would come out to 580.00 just for the application fee. So Im kind of overwhelmed by that.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 4 ай бұрын

Yeah…the sticker shock is real. But you could be matter and offset those costs. Did you ask about small jobs you could do? Being a tutor isn’t too bad at all. I actually loved being an Essentials tutor. It’s when I took on all the other, more time consuming jobs that put me over the edge. But being a tutor is a great option. They train you!!! And then the director is supposed to have regular meetings with tutors as well to make sure you have everything you need.

@emacarey6910 2 ай бұрын

I seriously think your video helped me make up my mind. We did CC for my Eldest in Kindergarten and it was not the right fit for her age. And now she’s 12. We toured CC earlier this month for the Challenge A program. I thought she would like it but now I see that it’s probably not the right fit for her. The work load may be too much. I saw another video similar to this one and it seems that my creative kid might have some issues paying attention and will definitely not care for Latin. I do want her to contribute to discussion and she might be the kid who doesn’t do enough of the work.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 ай бұрын

Did you visit a CH class? Not to throw a wrench in what you’ve just decided. But I recently mentioned to my kids about CC and my son (who would benCH 3 now) said he wished we would’ve rejoined. He never spoke up and I’m still not sure if he could’ve handled all the reading. But some communicates will help you tailor the workload down….the question is always the community and who is the director. Sigh…it’s so hard bc CC is a great program. And the discussion and debate for the kids is so good for them! That’s what my son missed! 😕

@thisslightlysweetlife3402 Жыл бұрын

I currently direct Challenge B and my son is in Challenge II. My son wants desperately to be independent but the course work is HARD so I have to learn alongside him so that I can know if he knows what he’s doing and is actually learning. Because of this I am deep into Ch II material as well as Ch B material so my brain is fried. And you are correct, Latin is terrible. I have 12 Ch B kids and I’d say 2 of them are faithfully trying to learn Latin, maybe 4 of them listen and try to contribute in community. It can be utter chaos because the others are totally bored.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

I can’t even imagine trying to direct and also keep up on your child’s course work!! CC is so rigorous. I enjoyed dabbling in Latin when my son was in CH A, but I didn’t dabble much past the few weeks. I have such admiration for the mothers who’ve jumped into directing! It’s a lot to wrap your mind around no matter how you look at it.

@IftheShewfits Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this! We did CC for 4 years and *loved* it, although I was not unaware of some of its shortcomings. One thing I hear over and over again from CC bashers: it's illegal for churches to host CC because CC is a for-profit business and they risk losing their tax-exempt status. I don't know tax law but it seems unlikely that hosting CC is actually illegal, otherwise it would have been shut down by now. But can you speak to that? I'd love to understand this criticism more.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

I can’t really speak to that except that every area and tax law is different. So what might be true for one area may not be true for another. And people like to broad brush things all the time. CC has legal teams review these things and churches can host whoever they want. I mean we have churches here that host kinder music classes. Those aren’t for profit. So anyway-some people just want to cause trouble and point fingers. That’s my opinion. 😉

@genistacarroll1773 5 ай бұрын

I get what you’re saying about tutors & agree, however why do tutors & directors get full access to CC connected materials but parents in the community DON’T?

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 5 ай бұрын

Parents can get access, it just costs them. Much like the how it costs tutors and directors time to lead the community. Tutors and directors have to go through required training, not to mention required meetings throughout the year. Not to mention their classroom responsibilities. Parents probably only see a small portion of what tutors and directors actually do. Their hourly rate for the time they put in is peanuts. I mean, who wouldn’t want to just show and have somebody else lead all day? I would like that. But that’s not how community works. Somebody has to do the work. And even though they get paid a little, it’s still a lot to take on. Most people take it on bc they have to pay for their own children’s tuition or because they have to so their community doesn’t fall apart. The ones who are doing the brunt of the work, why shouldn’t they get some perks?

@triciamberry Жыл бұрын

A lot of the things you mentioned as cons are the very things that have held me back from joining. I have a friend that is a passionate CC lover- they had a great experience. (One year) and a wonderful community and then had to move and there is a huge waitlist for cc in her area of Idaho. For me; it did seem a lot more expensive than the other more traditional co-op I chose in the end. I loved that our co-op offered more extracurricular things like cooking classes, PE, art, and theatre while still offering some of the core classes (like high school sciences with apologia) that I don’t need to stress over. I am very eclectic, and struggle with the paradigm of such a focus on memorizing. Yes, it’s impressive- but I just adore literature based learning- and it would be difficult for me I think to not constantly want to dive in deeper and provide the context. My two older girls are already in the challenge age (without having done foundations) so that makes me nervous. If it was just my 7 year old twins, I think I might consider it more heavily starting them earlier on? But truly, I don’t love the idea of being locked into a specific curriculum through high school. I love being able to adapt and shift and make adjustments. My daughter took Latin this year (as a 7th grader) and she hated it. 🤪 I’m trying to encourage her to stick with it; I reiterated that it really is such a mother language. I may just have her start Spanish 1 however in 8th grade for highschool credit. I already use IEW, and we love that- but am considering different curricula for the highschool years. The pressure of thinking about highschool transcripts sure puts a different spin on planning for future years. Anyways- I think there are likely pluses and minuses for all co-ops/ cc etc- and it probably does seems on each community. I love the freedom my co-op affords- and am thankful for it filling in the gaps that I’m not interested or can’t fill on my own. ❤

@amberc.2840 6 ай бұрын

I know that this video is OLD and I have watched many of your newer videos, so I hope you see this!!😄 We are in the "should we continue with Challenge A next year" dilemma right now. We've only done CC for my youngest since there is a bigger age gap between him and my other kiddos, so it has been so good for him socially/community-wise. Has your oldest son felt the void of not having community after leaving CC? What opportunities did you set up for your son for community? ((We are very involved in our church, but I'm just so worried about him having a community since his oldest siblings are graduating and in upper high school.))

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 6 ай бұрын

My oldest son doesn’t mind being at home as much as my girls. But we did join a different co-op in 2021 which he enjoyed. We didn’t do it again in 2022 but he began working out at the gym with his cousins and uncle. My girls and I joined another co-op this year but son wasn’t interested. At this point, he’s also working. And as you said, we too, are active in our church and he has several teen friends from there. So I think just listen to the cues of your child. If there are other co-ops in your area, maybe there’s one where you can get community without all of the limits that CC has. For example, I mentioned that I joined a co-op this year JUST FOR MY DAUGHTERS. It’s only every week and morn only. So it gives them an outlet but isn’t too stressful for me. Next year. I’m thinking about joining that one AND another one for my daughter, that’s more academic to give her some accountability. However this co-op is also not as strict as CC in that I. Can pick and choose what classes she takes. We don’t have to do them all!!! And my son may be taking a career specific class through a local career center we have. That would be every afternoon! But it’s specific to what he’s interested in. It’s free!! And he. An earn dual credit for it. Also free!! (It’s an amazing program!) So there may be more options than you know out there! Kids can also get community through extracurricular sports and leagues. Hope that helps!

@amberc.2840 6 ай бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Thanks for your informative response. I'm just so torn on what to do. I need to research other co-op alternatives in my area! // In researching Challenge A a lot this past week, I'm just not sure if it's what I want academically. It feels so boxed in. Yet, I love the idea of him participating in debates and science fair and getting practice at public speaking. Ahhhh! -- I will be sitting in on a Ch A day tomorrow, so maybe that will help me get a better feel for how it would be. 🙂

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 6 ай бұрын

@@amberc.2840 it really is a tough decision bc there are so many positives from the way they do it if it works for you!

@nwilson942 2 жыл бұрын

Is there a Latin program you could suggest for non-classical homeschoolers?? We would love to learn but don’t know where to start. 😊

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Yes!! For middle school or high school, we use Compass Classroom’s Latin. The teacher is funny and he does all the teaching! I am an affiliate with Compass Classroom because we also do their history for high school. They have so many wonderful programs if you want some video instruction. affiliates.compassclassroom.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=585 For younger kids, elementary age: I’ve dabbled in Song School Latin. We’ve never totally embraced it yet, but I know a lot of CC families who supplemented their elementary kids learning with this and said it prepped them very well for the challenge years. amzn.to/3rkvROH

@krystalgonzales1109 4 ай бұрын

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Thank you for your insight! With this Latin 1 and 2 program... I see it meets 1 foreign language hs credit then you supplement the other hours with lingua Latina. So, if I'm teaching an 8th, 6th and 2nd grader... do we simply repeat this same program every year? My older two have had a solid two years of Latin under their belts. How so you keep challenging them?

@krystalgonzales1109 4 ай бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlanI'm trying to plan homeschool next year solely at home after four years of foundations, essentials and last two years at a private Logos classical school. 😊 Just so you know where I'm at. Lol

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 4 ай бұрын

@@krystalgonzales1109 my son thought this course was challenging so it’s all we did. I guess you could look into classical academic press for further instruction. 😉

@vancollier 2 жыл бұрын

We left CC halfway through my son's challenge 2 year. Even after we left, my son continued to teach himself Latin in order to finish the dual enrollment class he was in through CC. He did great! So gifted at learning Latin! The difficult part for us is that the director didn't necessarily know how to teach each of the 6 subjects, and by his 10th grade year, I did not know how to guide him if his director left things out. I was a challenge a director two different years and really loved it! However, I knew my youngest would struggle with all the memorization necessary in challenge a. Also, we left foundations/essentials with my youngest after her second time through cycle 1, because that would've been her 3rd time through cycle 2, and I, personally, couldn't do a third year of essentials with her. I like LTW so much more than IEW for 6th grade and up, and didn't want my 6th grader doing IEW again. We are now at a university model classical school that has actual teachers and meets two days a week. I get to teach math, while others teach the subjects they enjoy. So much better for the higher level subjects to be taught by people who actually know and understand them!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

The university model sounds like a great option. I wish we had something like that in our area. It’s so hard in challenge years bc it’s a lot for the directors to learn if they’re also still homeschooling children. But as you said. If they don’t, it makes the student/parent learning more difficult. I almost feel like the sweet spot for directors is if they’re on their last children (they don’t have too many younger ones). If their kids are more independent, the director can figure out their role. It’s such a conundrum. Glad you found something that works!

@chaeliackerman1394 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for this info! Does CC teach the kids Christian apologetics? If not, do you have a curriculum you recommend?

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 4 ай бұрын

I don’t think CC gets into apologetics although it does read some CS Lewis books like screwtap letters in the challenge years. Some of the student discussion may lead there. However, the director would only facilitate discussion, not TEACH. Masterbooks has some great apologetics courses. Also Apologia has a “Who is God” series that is very good as well. For BibLe studies, that have a specific focus (like sibling BibLe studies) we’ve also used “Not Consumed” studies. And these studies are generally 15-25 lessons so depending on how frequently you use them…. You can check out Not Consumed here: store.notconsumed.com/?aff=199 And for other ideas we’ve done for teaching our kids Biblical discernment, I do have a playlist of videos here: kzfaq.info/sun/PLSGIl3wBXjD_uzzsPhZ15OUGLqzfumlgY&si=tyXigT5UtlW6gK38

@chaeliackerman1394 4 ай бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Thank you so much for this response! I appreciate your help!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 4 ай бұрын

@@chaeliackerman1394 you’re welcome!! 😁

@oscarvazquez245 6 ай бұрын

I want to start with a 6, 4, 2 year old and Im worried because I'm an introvert and a Dad, so I feel i have 2 strikes against me already because you make it sound like its a moms group, also I dont know how engaged I can be so I may hinder my childrens growth. Do you have any advice or input for me also I live in NOVA

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 6 ай бұрын

The community I was in actually had several dads who were the homeschoolers. It’s not typical, but dads can do it too! The moms were very welcoming! You as dad may not have the same kind of experience as the Moms, but the dads even still tutored and served in the community in various ways. So the only way to know for sure if it’s for you is to visit a community that you might join. If you have several within driving distance, visit several. Or ask the SR…maybe she has an idea of a community where dads are more involved so you can have some commraderies. In any case, Dads will be involved in some way! Homeschooling is a family affair. And my husband knew all the other dads through other extracurricular activities that the communities organized. I hope that helps!

@daniellethomas7365 2 жыл бұрын

Are you still using the classical model and a classical curriculum?

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

I’m more of an eclectic homeschooler. We still refer to many CC foundations songs. I facilitate lots of discussion with my kids. My high schooler is still doing Latin. So I wouldn’t say we have stuck to classical. But there are aspects of it that we do embrace.

@daniellethomas7365 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for answering.

@L--C 2 жыл бұрын

We left CC after 4 years too. I wish I had left it sooner. All the negatives just outweighed the good of having people to be in a community with. The leader having to have all students enrolled rule killed my old community. So many high quality tutors had to drop out and they were very upset.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Yep! That rule actually comes from corporate. So the local leadership doesn’t have much say unless they break the rules.

@L--C 2 жыл бұрын

I understand their reasoning behind it but in my experience it just pushed good high quality tutors out of homeschooling. It undermines one of the points of homeschooling which is tailoring each child’s education to them. It just rubs me wrong.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

@@L--C I do not disagree. It’s very unfortunate, especially when the leaders who aren’t qualified are actually very passionate about CC….just not for that “ONE child!”

@SRose-vp6ew 2 жыл бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Well if the local owns their own business they would have say, wouldn't they? How would that be legal?

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

@@SRose-vp6ew franchises have rules in order to use their name. CC corporate provided all the national marketing and training, online support through their website and CC connected. It’s like a franchise. And in order to be called “classical conversations,” these are the guidelines you agree to. That’s one of the issues with many people, they want the CC name. They want some of the CC rules, and then they want to change it to make it their own, and get upset if they can’t. CC would say, you don’t have to have all your children enrolled, you just simply can’t qualify to be a leader, and that’s ok. Somebody can else step up and do it. And that’s how the community is supposed to work. It should be full of qualified leaders, ideally.

@joyfullyhomeschoolingboys 4 ай бұрын

This is a hesitation of mine with thinking about teacher. Never knew about all the kids having to be enrolled. The not being able to choose their curriculum is definitely a con for me.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 4 ай бұрын

You don’t have to have all your kids enrolled to be a tutor. Just to be a director.

@sarahwebb6554 Жыл бұрын

I appreciate your opinions, but I believe it's unfair to state that there is no room tailoring in the Challenge years. My oldest is in Challenge and I have definitely tailored his work load. I simply tell his director which part of the assignments I had him complete, or what other assignment I gave him instead. This isn't a regular occurrence, because it is important for him to join in the class conversation, but it is an option. I personally know three other families who tailor their Challenge students' curriculum/work load due to individual challenges.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

I understand what you’re saying and I didn’t actually say you couldn’t tailor. And we had students do that also. What my point was ….if everybody tailors or does different assignments, then that hinders the discussion on community day This is why I also said it was a double edged sword. And being in leadership, I can tell you this was a discussion with directors all the way up to the top. Directors found this challenging to navigate bc it made their job facilitating discussion difficult at times (if it was tegulsrly happening and also depending on how many students were in the class (another point I made). This topic was being discussed that if students didn’t regularly do the CC curriculum, then they may not be admitted into the class into future semesters. That’s up to the director. And it depends on how the director felt if too many students were not the doing the assignments on a regular basis. But every once in awhile…..not a regular basis is not an issue.

@carlamahlberg1854 4 ай бұрын

Can someone join Challenge A if they have never done classical conversations?

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 4 ай бұрын

Absolutely!!

@ellenoconnell5333 Жыл бұрын

Why isn't Bible memorization taught in review during weekly meetings?

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

It’s not technically part of the program.

@ellenoconnell5333 Жыл бұрын

@Our HOMEschool Plan I'm trying to understand why it's not if they are Christ centered. This is our 2nd year in CC and I was disappointed last year when it was omitted 😞

@ellenoconnell5333 Жыл бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan thank you for taking the time to respond and for sharing your experience!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

@@ellenoconnell5333 I’m not sure why. They’ve changed some things through the years. They leave it up to the director and suggest a devotion before every community day during the morning assemblies (I can’t remember what that time was called 😉) one community in my area joins early and sings worship songs together. And while that community loves that, some people may not be able to worship together bc they have different convictions on what worship should be if that makes sense. I had a friend who absolutely loves the Lord, but she was glad we didn’t get into the worship bc where she came from in Texas, the Christian atmosphere down there is very Pentecostal and charismatic and she was not at all. And so what they did on their community days made her u comfortable. Community day isn’t supposed to be church. And some communities in years past began heading that way. (Some to very divisive places) and so I wonder if that’s one reason that CC pulled back on some of their suggestions. They do want it Christ centered. But they don’t want it to turn into church and doctrinal things that could end up dividing people with certain beliefs.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

@@ellenoconnell5333 no problem! 😉

@aiward77 11 ай бұрын

We have always used a Charlotte Mason style approach to homeschooling but as our oldest just turned 10, I’m looking at classical education as well. We did a trial community day at a local Classical Conversations school last week and I found the Essentials class to be overwhelming for myself and my son (I was an English Lit major in college). Both of my children liked Foundations (we also have a 7 year old). Another concern I have are all of the KZfaq videos knocking CC for not being more God centered. The timelines don’t even talk about Jesus and I heard a huge focus is on Greek Gods and mythology. I know people either love or hate CC, but I just want to talk to someone who can tell me what they like and don’t like about it. One extra detail- we do a full day homeschool tutorial twice per week (with only Math for take home curriculum). We would really have only two full days to work on our CC. Am I biting off more than I can chew? I’m so torn. Sorry for the long rant!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 11 ай бұрын

Hmmm…I think whether or not it’s “God-centered” probably depends on you and your community. CC does include Jesus in the timeline. As history sentences though, there’s only so much you can cover in 24 weeks and 3 cycles. So they cover bits of church history in cycle 1 & 2. But there’s A LOT of world history to cover. And everything in foundations is to prepare them for challenge discussion. Those bits of memory work will be referred to again. (Jim & Elizabeth Elliott, for example…they’re in the timeline song and Elizabeth Elliotts book is read in challenge). Challenge is where the deeper discussion and integration happens. Foundations is bits of memory work. There is reference to Greek god and Roman gods in ONE history sentence that I can remember. And I’m sure that’s bc in challenge they read Homers Odyssey and Iliad. Like I say on the video, the community’s people have a HUGE impact on the experience. Hope that helps!!

@adriennebassett7486 9 ай бұрын

Jesus is most DEFINITELY on the timeline along with all major events of the Bible.

@rb7454 Жыл бұрын

What kind of income can a qualified leader earn teaching a group?

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

It’s all based on how many students. Foundations and essentials Tutors get a percentage of tuition for their classes (usually no more than 8 students.) the foundations director gets a percent of all the students in foundations and essentials (up to 48 students per foundations community - unless they’ve changed it) Challenge directors receive a much higher percentage of their students tuition (which is also a lot more $ in tuition) and challenge directors can have up to 12 students. I’m not comfortable answering the actual numbers here, because I don’t know if things may have changed. But if you Inquire with your SR or another director in your community (or at an info mtg if you’re looking into joining a community) I’m sure they’d be happy to discuss the opportunities with you.

@Dreblueskies Жыл бұрын

This program sounds great but I am extremely introverted and it seems like one must be a bit too engaged on the parents end with the other kids/parents.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

I’ve found that a lot of homeschool parents are introverted. But if you mean like, you don’t want to talk to people, then perhaps! 😉 the reason most people join is for community/to meet other homeschool parents. But a co-op definitely requires ALL to pitch in and help. It’s not a drop off program. 😉 you could always go and visit and see how it goes! They often have open houses so you could see how it works!

@Fernandomilkys 2 жыл бұрын

ugh now I am scared... do I do this or not.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Every community is different. Don’t be scared. 😉

@Fernandomilkys 2 жыл бұрын

Your videos are so helpful. Btw

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

@@Fernandomilkys thank you!! I’m glad!

@threearrows2248 Жыл бұрын

We love it!

@cmhardy3 Жыл бұрын

My takeaway when I see people ask the question of whether to do CC is that your community matters greatly. And I don't mean specific CC communities, but your actual living community. So rather than asking, should I do CC? ask how your family can best work within the community in which you already live. If someone in your community has seen fit to serve their community by starting a CC group (or any type of group), you need to consider whether those people and what they are doing fits in with what you are doing in your family. This seems like a balanced look at CC and how it works, and you need to look at where you are and what your local community is like in general, and then specifically the CC group you are looking at. CC is not a magic bullet. Your people matter. Who do you want to do school and life with? If they are at a CC group and the philosophy works for your family, go for it!

@evelynsierra5775 2 жыл бұрын

I never hear of this, do I live over a rock.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

😂 well, usually there are people in your area who you’d hear about this from. They’ve also been mentioned on podcasts and advertise in homeschool and Christian magazines. 🤷‍♀️ 😜

@kels4754 6 ай бұрын

I am very overwhelmed by CC.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 6 ай бұрын

I’m sorry! 😢

@4HizGlory37 Жыл бұрын

We did CC for a few years, but I felt in my spirit something was not quite right..... I believe it is because it is very subtily presented, Roman Catholicism. If you look at the information cards, it does not say anything negative about the RCC. They never address the Albigenses or the Waldenses, how they were slaughtered by the RCC. Catechism, that is a RCC doctrine and term. That was taught in the Challenge classes. History is written by the victors. Study into history, dig deep and everything has been compromised, unfortunately, even the A beka curriculum. Community is nice to have but at what price?

@racheljones1663 Жыл бұрын

Saying that being a challenge tutor or director is too much is kind of silly to me. I started homeschooling because of the pandemic and I had to keep on working also as a preschool teacher 25 hours a week and study and prepare on how to be Director when I had never been to Classical Conversations before and then the next year I was also an essentials tutor which I knew nothing about and I went to trainings monthly to work on that at someone else’s house. I was watching KZfaq videos researching and I would’ve done it all for free because it’s such a good program. And it’s great for the kids. Don’t do the stuff for the money. Though I am doing it to supplement and Counteracted at the cost. So saying it takes 10 to 12 hours a week is not that much. I think a lot of homeschool moms have it too easy. I’ve been a teacher for 15 years and I know that it takes a lot of extra planning outside of work hours and I was just par for the course

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

Some people can take on extra work. Some cannot. You have to be careful about judging other moms like that. How many kids do you have? Many in our community had 6-8 kids. There was one mom who had 12. How many of your children are babies or toddlers? Homeschooling with those ages is a whole other set of responsibilities. And there were MANY in our communities with challenge age children who still had babies. Do you live on a farm where the chores are much more than just living in a house? Do your kids have learning disabilities? Disabilities that require a lot of extra doctor or therapy appts? And how do you know these directors don’t have other jobs as well like you? I can say, I know some did. One of our directors had a job that required her to work another 20h/wk...oh...and she's also one that has 6 kids, and one in particular with a learning disability that required appts. to tend to. Some may be from small churches, where the volunteer load for their church is MANY more hours than those who attend large churches. Some may have family issues, a marriage falling apart, or issues that require extra counseling. Some have husbands who travel frequently and leave their wives to handle ALL OF IT for extended lengths of time. Some homeschool moms having dying parents, or ill parents who need A LOT of extra attention, and some have their own medical issues to deal with that take a lot of extra time. So it wasn’t just the extra 10-12 hours a week for prepping. You just don’t know. Some people are machines and very organized and can handle a lot on their plate. Others may already have more on their plate than you know. So please be kind and understand that you do not know everything that is going on in every homeschool moms life to say they have it easy. Humility, my friend. Bring a tutor isn’t a big deal. Bring a challenge director is a whole other ballgame. Some can handle it. And some cannot add another responsibility onto their plate without sacrificing something more important.

@threearrows2248 Жыл бұрын

You're making it sound like CC is crazy expensive. The entire year, which pays for ALL the supplies, the rent for the space (and I live in a very expensive city), and the tutors, etc., for 2 kids is less than it was for one month of preschool. It's really pretty minimal.

@threearrows2248 Жыл бұрын

I'm comparing this to co-ops which have classes, and at $5-$10/class, say 3 or 4 classes a week (which is less than you get at CC), for 9 months a year -- pretty comparable. And CC is so much more rich and rewarding than a random class taught by a teacher who may or may not be prepared or qualified.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

You mention 2 kids. Many families in my community had 5-7 kids. Quite a different check. But regardless, CC is expensive compared to just homeschooling your kids alone (free except for curriculum). And our other co-ops here are less expensive. It all depends on your own perspective. If money isn’t an issue for you, it’s not expensive. If money is tight, it’s a lot. Our community had application fee, tuition fee, supply fee, and also a facility fee. So all of those things are not included in just the cost of tuition. The cost of homeschooling your kids already requires curriculum. Co-ops are not required to homeschool. I think that’s where most people are coming from. It’s a significant extra expense, if you choose this route. So that’s why some moms want to tutor…..to alleviate the costs. They can’t afford it otherwise…especially if they are one of the larger families.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan Жыл бұрын

Your also not considering the cost of living as part of your equation. You live in an expensive city, therefore your cost of living is already high. You’re used it laying higher prices. The cost of CC is the same across the nation (with exception that CA has more fees). So the cost may not be a big deal to somebody living in the Chicago suburbs as it may be a big deal to somebody living in rural Alabama. Median incomes vary A LOT across the country.

@rebeccahuber8286 6 ай бұрын

For my three kids to be in the challenge program next year will cost more than a year of college at the private Christian college I attended. For a one income family, it is an expensive option.

@threearrows2248 6 ай бұрын

@@rebeccahuber8286 Comparing it with tuition at a college that's less than half as much as most normally priced elementary private schools is a little strange and makes it sound way more than it is. If it's a lot for you, I get it, education is an expense. CC isn't free. It's less than $1400 here in Miami for each kid for all Challenge years. Considering how much curriculum that covers, the science projects it purchases, the fact you're using a facility, and essentially hiring a private tutor once a week for almost a full school year, it's actually not insane at all. If your fees are astronomically higher, I'm sorry. I'll have 4 kids in CC in a few years. I hope we can still afford it then, because it's very much worth it.

@wonderwomanmomma4112 2 жыл бұрын

I am at a crossroad. I just received my essentials materials. It seems soo above my 9 year old’s head. That would be my biggest gripe. There doesn’t seem to be an appropriate bridge for certain ages. Also I am having to pay for my 4 yr old and my 9 yr old to do programs that I am not sure they are ready for. That is a lot of money. Why can’t we engage the child where they are?

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

Are you a tutor?? You shouldn’t HAVE to enroll your 4 yr old or your 9 year old child n the programs you don’t want. So you should be able to do just foundations for your 9 year old if that’s what want. With this one caveat- technically, the director can set the rules for the community. So they can give priority to families who enroll at n everything over you. But if your community isn’t full, usually it’s not a problem.

@wonderwomanmomma4112 2 жыл бұрын

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Thank you for responding. :) I do have the option of postponing my 9 yr old but he is in the same boat as the others moving into essentials. He is a smart kid. I had a little bit of a melt down with the essential curriculum. It has gotten more advanced. My friend who has children in Challenge showed me her essentials book and I wouldn't have reacted the same way if we had the same material. Unfortunately, they require 4 yr olds to be in a class if they are on campus. The costs have gone up and I have never been 100% sold. It is too expensive to give CC the benefit of the doubt. Thank you for your videos. They really resonate with me. :)

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 жыл бұрын

@@wonderwomanmomma4112 oh boy!! I’m curious now how it’s changed…..

@firecrackerninja08 2 жыл бұрын

I did foundations for 6 years (grades 1-6) and essentials for 2. As a young for my grade (July birthday) 4th grader I tried essentials and we dropped after 3 weeks. I wasn't quite ready and the tutor didn't work well with my personality. I started essentials a year later and did much better. If you think your child needs a year to mature and become more ready, absolutely give them that year.