Are you interested in classical education but not sure how educational philosophy translates into practical application?

What is classical education, anyway? The heart of the classical model is not just about what students learn but how they learn.

The medieval Trivium—grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric—provides a timeless framework for developing knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

Name like Adam. Question like Jesus. Persuade like Paul.

These three simple phrases beautifully summarize the three arts of the Trivium. Students, whether children or parents, grow in these arts by practicing 15 classical education skills.

In this blog, we’ll break down these skills into practical, approachable habits you can implement in your homeschool. Discover how these foundational education skills bridge the gap between theory and practice, helping your children flourish academically, spiritually, and personally.

Name Like Adam: Embracing the Art of Grammar

The first task God gave Adam in the Garden of Eden was to name the animals.

Here is a peek into man’s first lesson: “And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air, and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” (Gen. 2:19).

The task of naming prepared Adam to know the animals and to care for them. As homeschool families, we enter into relationship with God’s Word and His World by naming.

Question Like Jesus: Mastering the Art of Dialectic

When Jesus taught his disciples, He often asked questions to broaden or correct their thinking. The most important question He asked them (the one He is still asking us today) was, “But whom say ye that I am?” (Matt. 16:15).

The disciples, good Jewish men, had lots of information about the Messiah from their memorization of Scripture, but they needed to understand what the prophecies about the Messiah really meant. They needed to be able to correctly answer His question about His identity.

As homeschool families, we broaden and correct our thinking about God’s Word and His World by asking questions.

Persuade Like Paul: Perfecting the Art of Rhetoric

Once the disciples understood who Jesus was (see Luke 24), He promised to send them the Holy Spirit and to send them out into their ministry of sharing the Gospel with the world.

In the Apostle Paul’s ministry, he used the art of rhetoric to reveal Christ to his audience. On Mars Hill, he said, “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To the Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” (Acts 17:23)

As homeschool families, we learn to use the best words to persuade our audiences so that they may know the truth about God’s Word and His World.

Let us dive in and examine the 15 classical education skills of learning tied to the arts of grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric.

The Five Core Habits of Grammar

The art of grammar is the study of language. Language could refer to English, Latin, math, or the sciences, to name just a few.

To become proficient in grammar, we practice the Five Core Habits of Grammar:

• Naming
• Attending
• Memorizing
• Expressing
• Storytelling

Naming: Expanding Vocabulary Through Experiences

Naming allows us to develop vocabulary through interaction. For example, a family might be gathered around the dining room table practicing handwriting when a bird alights on the fountain in the window. The child shouts, “Look, Mommy, a bird!” Mom swivels around in the chair and responds, “Yes. That’s a red-breasted robin.”

Attending: Focusing on Details with Careful Observation

Attending encourages differentiating details through sensory focus. The family could stop and talk about the difference in color between his back feathers and chest feathers. The family could listen to the sounds he is making as he bathes in their fountain.

Memorizing: Strengthening Recall Through Practice

Memorizing assists us in retaining information through repetition. The family might take a few seconds to recall and recite the types of animals: “fish, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, and birds.”

Expressing: Bring Ideas to Life Through Creative Action

Expressing allows us to demonstrate ideas through activity. Our imaginary family could take a few minutes together to sketch a picture of the robin in the fountain.

Storytelling: Sharing Experiences through Narratives

Finally, Storytelling allows us to recount events through narration.

The family might pause to read a story like “The Young Robin Who Was Afraid to Fly” from New World Echoes and discuss times when they were afraid to try something new. Or, one of the children might tell Dad the story of the robin who interrupted handwriting and explain to him how they returned to school.

Learning about these five skills equips parents to build knowledge together.

The Five Common Topics of Dialectic

The art of dialectic is the study of ideas. We move toward proficiency in dialectic by practicing The Five Common Topics.

From Challenge B on, my oldest was very interested in debate. Unfortunately, his zeal extended to matters that were not really up for discussion. When he was about fourteen, he presented me with a very impassioned argument about why putting clean laundry in the dresser was a waste of time. I invited him to practice his thinking skills on this idea.

Definition: Understanding the Meaning Behind Words

I asked him to give me a definition of a dresser. After some thinking, we were able to agree that it is a piece of furniture with drawers designed to store clothes.

Comparison: Exploring Similarities and Differences

Then, I asked him to complete a comparison of his dresser to the floor (which is where the clothes were being stored). After a brief exploration of similarities and differences, we were closer to agreeing that the dresser is better at holding clean clothes than the floor.

Relationship: Connecting Ideas Through Cause and Effect

Next, we proceeded to relationship, which invited us to explore connections with respect to time. I asked him where the clothes had been prior to being on the floor. Answer – in the washer and dryer. I asked him what had been happening on the floor prior to the clothes being placed there. Answer – I walked around on it after playing tennis.

We agreed that the clean clothes did not belong on the not-so-clean floor. Although we were very close to agreeing, we pressed on with our investigation.

Circumstance: Evaluating Possibilities and Limitations

Circumstance allows us to explore possibilities and limitations with respect to place. I asked some questions about whether he could put the clothes away or whether he had any limitations that would prevent him from doing so. We both agreed it was possible.

Testimony: Seeking Wisdom from Credible Sources

Finally, we wrapped up our discussion with Testimony, which allowed us to explore what credible sources have to say about an idea. You can see where this is going…the clothes belong in the dresser because Mother (a very credible source) says so.

Exploring an idea by practicing the Five Common Topics of Dialectic allows us to ask good questions that develop understanding.

The Five Canons of Rhetoric

The art of rhetoric is the study of persuasion. We move toward proficiency in rhetoric by practicing the Five Canons of Rhetoric.

In the summer of 2024, I was invited to speak at the Global Home Education Conference. My assigned topic was “Ways Children Learn,” something I have been exploring for the last two decades. During those two decades, I have also spoken at conferences and Classical Conversations Parent Practicums many, many times.

This event was different, however. Because the conference had participants from around the globe, they wanted to give everyone time to share. I had nine minutes to present the 15 classical education skills that are the basis of this article. If you’re doing the math, that’s close to thirty seconds per skill.

I really needed to practice the rhetorical canons to speak briefly, clearly, and persuasively.

Memory: Recalling Experiences and Stories

First, I practiced Memory to recall experiences of the last twenty years of homeschooling and sketched out several stories that I thought would help the audience understand me quickly.

Invention: Refining and Generating New Ideas

Then, I practiced the Invention of new ideas by refining recent definitions of the fifteen skills and matching the stories to them.

Arrangement: Organizing Ideas with Purpose

Due to the time crunch, Arrangement was especially important as I sorted and organized the ideas, keeping some and discarding others.

Elocution: Adapting Style for Your Audience

Next, it was time to practice Elocution by thinking about my diverse audience and choosing examples and a style that would appeal to their experiences and help them apply the ideas.

Delivery: Presenting with Clarity and Confidence

Finally, it was time to practice Delivery by speaking at the conference. Thanks to my practice of the five canons, I could communicate all 15 ideas to the audience with just seconds to spare. Practicing the Five Canons of Rhetoric allowed me to create and deliver an artifact that increased the wisdom of both myself as a speaker and of my listeners.

Applying the Fifteen Classical Skills of Learning

Over the years that you homeschool your family, you will complete many tasks, from solving math problems to creating a science fair project to writing a senior thesis.

It is comforting to know that homeschool parents can practice these 15 classical education skills and exercise them over and over again while completing the tasks. With time, that practice with the skills will lead to proficiency in the arts.

Good students of God’s Word and His World will learn to:

Name Like Adam, question like Jesus, and persuade like Paul.

These arts will equip us to serve others and worship God with all of our hearts, minds, and souls.

The post 15 Classical Education Skills Homeschool Families Need to Know appeared first on Classical Conversations.

Finding the perfect homeschool room ideas can transform your home into a hub for learning, exploration, and growth. But figuring out how to design a homeschool room that works for both life and school can feel overwhelming.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to refresh your current homeschool room setup, finding the right balance between functionality and comfort is key.

We understand the unique challenges homeschool families face when organizing their spaces. With insights from thousands of experienced homeschool parents, we’ve gathered real-life examples and practical tips to inspire your creativity.

The best part? Every image in this article comes from real families who have designed spaces that support both learning and living. From multipurpose spaces to whole-home learning approaches, let’s get inspired by these homeschool room ideas.

Why and How to Create a Homeschool Room

Why Homeschool Rooms Should Be Different

Families choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons. One major reason is their dissatisfaction with the public education system. So why do so many homeschool families try to recreate mini classrooms inside their homes?

Often, it’s because that’s what we, as parents, know. We grew up with traditional classrooms, and it’s the model we’re most familiar with.

Homeschool spaces don’t need to replicate the public school model, with uncomfortable desks (especially if you were left-handed!) and a lecture-style setup. Homeschool rooms should reflect the flexibility and adaptability of learning together as a family.

Just like a classical homeschool education moves beyond the limitations of a standard curriculum, homeschool spaces can embrace creativity and comfort.

How to Design an Evolving Homeschool Space

How many times have our children come out of their room with high-water pants or stuffed into a favorite sweater that they seem to have outgrown overnight?

Children are constantly growing and changing, and your homeschool space should evolve alongside them. To create an effective learning environment, focus on spaces that mature as our children’s activities and our family’s needs and goals change.

Take stock of what each of your children needs most in their educational spaces.

• Does one child need a quiet area with minimal distractions?
• Should there be a central gathering space for collaborative learning?
• Are supplies and resources easily accessible to promote curiosity in learning?

The key is to design spaces that align with your children’s current activities while remaining flexible enough to adjust as their needs and interests change.

Take a moment to imagine: What would the ideal homeschool space look like for your family?

Benefits of a Dedicated Homeschool Room

If you have space in your home, a dedicated homeschool room offers many benefits. Homeschool rooms can be customized for specific storage needs and allow your children to have an allocated place for their supplies.

Beyond organization, a dedicated homeschool room offers a sense of structure while remaining flexible enough to grow with your children.

Practical Ideas for Different Ages

The design of your homeschool room will naturally evolve as your children grow. Here are some practical ways to utilize your spaces according to your children’s age:

For Young Learners

• Use bonus rooms or basements for play and creativity in your homeschool routine.
• Incorporate areas for pretend play, art corners, and cozy reading nooks to inspire engagement and imagination for little learners.

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For Older Students

• Create separate spaces for independent work, such as bedrooms or designated study areas for high school students.
• Include features like command centers for parents, computer stations for research, and areas for reference materials to support independent learning.

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A dedicated homeschool room can be a valuable resource, offering structure, organization, and adaptability for children of all ages.

Small Spaces, Big Potential

Not having a dedicated homeschool room doesn’t mean you can’t have a functional multipurpose space. Blending school and life takes a little intentionality and organization to make it work.

Maximize the use of shared spaces:

Family rooms and dens lend themselves to relaxed learning and discussions. Couches are perfect for family read-aloud times, and stretching out on the floor makes memory work more fun.

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Dining rooms and kitchen tables are best for schoolwork and hands-on projects. They are also great places for parents to assist with individual and group work.

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Blending Form and Function

Whether you have a room set apart just for homeschooling or multipurpose spaces, the key is blending functionality with aesthetics to create inviting spaces that merge school and home.

• Decorate your spaces with beautiful art that is both educational and attractive.
• Incorporate practical elements like ample storage solutions and adaptable furniture that grow with your children.

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Real-Life Homeschool Spaces

As much as we’d like to live in an HGTV-designed home, real life and real homeschool don’t always look pretty. Doing life and school in the same place 24/7 can get messy, and when children are little (ok, let’s be real, when they are big, too), things get broken.

Embrace functionality over perfection. Accept that mismatched furniture, tight spaces, or uncoordinated colors are part of the journey.

This might be the opportunity to embrace humility, contentment, and reliance on the Lord to cherish the children instead of the chic aesthetics of your home.

Homeschooling is about creating a nurturing environment, not chasing a Pinterest-worthy space.

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Key Components for a Functional Space

A well-planned homeschool room can make your days run more smoothly. As you think about your homeschool curriculum and schedule, take time to plan out your homeschool room, too.

Here are 3 key components for a functional space:

Work Surfaces: Desks, tables, or computer stations that fit your children’s needs. Make sure young children have seating that allows them to practice good handwriting. Older students who use the computer for typing papers and research need a surface that promotes good posture.

Organizational Pieces: Supplies, bins, baskets, and digital tools. Keep supplies that will be used daily or weekly within easy reach, but store less-frequently used materials in closets or on higher shelves.

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Storage Spaces: Closets, shelves, and cupboards. You can get pretty creative when it comes to storage spaces.

• Linen closets can become reading nooks or supplies closets
• an entertainment center can be converted into a budding home library
• a collection of beautiful baskets can be elegantly displayed while sneakily concealing art supplies.

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The Homeschool House Approach

If we fully embrace the approach to lifelong learning, why just relegate one room to homeschooling? Take a holistic approach to learning and create an educational environment throughout your home.

Think beyond a single room:

• Kitchen: Conduct science experiments or art projects.
• Dining Area: Use this space for writing assignments and family discussions.
• Living Room: Set up cozy corners for independent or read-aloud time.
• Bedrooms: Encourage exploration of hobbies and quiet study.
• Backyards, Balcony Gardens, or City Parks: Provide opportunities for nature studies, gardening, and hands-on activities.

By integrating learning spaces throughout your home, you’ll create an environment that supports curiosity and growth in every corner.

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Conclusion: Embrace the Flexibility and Joy of Homeschool Spaces

Designing a homeschool space is a journey that celebrates flexibility and creativity.

Whether you have a dedicated room, use multipurpose spaces, or turn your entire home into a learning environment, the key is to create a setup that fits your family’s unique needs.

Remember, homeschooling isn’t about perfection—it’s about cultivating a space where learning and growth can thrive, even amidst the beautiful messiness of real life.

If you’re looking for more support in your homeschool journey, explore how Classical Conversations empowers parents to educate their children with confidence.

Want to see even more homeschool room ideas?? Check out our YouTube playlist with tons of 360° videos from homeschool families just like you.

Discover more practical homeschool helps and resources:

• How to Homeschool Multiple Ages
• What to Know About Homeschooling: 10 Tips
• The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling for Beginners

The post Homeschool Room Ideas: Practical, Fun, and Focused on Learning appeared first on Classical Conversations.

If the words “science fair” fill you with dread, you’re not alone. Many homeschool parents feel uncertain about guiding their child through a science fair project. But what if this challenge could become an incredible learning opportunity for both you and your student?

As a homeschool mom who once dreaded science fairs, Jennifer Courtney, Chief Academic Officer at Classical Conversations Multimedia, offers practical tips and lessons from the Challenge A guide to help you transform science fair anxiety into a meaningful learning experience.

Whether you’re intimidated by the experiments, unsure how to guide your child, or hesitant about stepping outside your comfort zone, Jennifer encourages parents that participating in science fair is worth the effort and deeply rewarding too.

Discover how to make your science fair experience not just manageable but memorable and how you and your child can grow in knowledge, perseverance, and curiosity.

Overcoming Science Fair Fears

Imagine this: an episode of “The Twilight Zone.” The main character: a parent who did a horrible job on her junior high science fair project.

Fast-forward to the present day. The plot: the parent is now trapped in an endless cycle of producing science fair projects until she finally gets it right.

In all seriousness, I must confess that I approached the Challenge A science fair project with a mixture of fear and dread. By the time I reached my son’s age, it had already been decided that I was a literature and languages person, not a science person.

Even though I found science texts interesting, and I made good grades, by age 13, I already wholeheartedly believed in the airtight categories of science people, math people, English people, art people, and so on. Therefore, I did not try very hard to come up with a great project; after all, no one expected me to—not even me.

Read How Classical Education Integrates All Subjects

I was determined that my son would have a completely different science fair experience. I just was not sure that I was equipped to give it to him. Still, I started off by expecting great things of both of us.

I am happy to report that he completed his project successfully and that we both learned a lot along the way. If you are like me, there are certain homeschool experiences that you fear and dread and may avoid altogether.

I hope the lessons we learned through our experience will encourage you to branch out of your comfort zone.

Lesson #1: Pick a Science Fair Topic that Interests Your Child

My son suggested we look for a chemistry-related project since I was teaching chemistry in Challenge III at the time. Brilliant!

After some quick Internet research, we found what seemed to be the perfect project for a 13-year-old boy who plays a lot of tennis. We decided to build a colorimeter to test the blue dye in sports drinks like Gatorade.

Even though we had some rough patches throughout this project, he remained interested in the main question because it was relevant to his life. He drank a lot of sports drinks.

Lesson #2: Pick a Science Fair Project Your Child Can Complete Mostly on His Own but that is Still Challenging

Here is where we fell down just a bit. The project we chose was labeled ‘average’ in its difficulty level. I later realized that the label on the Sciencebuddies website was intended for a much older student.

The first task for our project was to use a breadboard to build an electric circuit that would focus an LED light on a photocell. Then, we would place tiny containers of colored liquid between the light and the cell and use an electrical meter to read how the dye in the liquid interfered with the transmission of the light. All of this depended on correctly wiring the circuit and getting our LED to light up.

Uh-oh! This presented trouble of a kind that mom and dad could not solve since neither of us knew anything about building electrical circuits. However, we did know about how to find answers when we were stuck.

So, as a family, we decided to head to RadioShack (a store for folks who liked to build their own radios and electrical projects) to get some help (by this time, we had roped in Grandpa to work on the project, too). This trip and two others taught us the next important lesson.

Lesson #3: Relish Learning Something New Even if it Proves Harder than You Thought

After we tried researching online documents and videos that would help us repair our circuit, it became clear that we needed to take the old-fashioned approach—find real-life experts.

Learning from people interested in your topic is one way to find answers when we are stuck. During our multiple trips to RadioShack, we spent time with an employee who was working on a degree in electrical engineering and a customer who was working to patent a new microchip for street racers.

These two young men spent a good deal of time showing my son how to repair his circuit. More importantly, they explained how each component in the circuit works. They showed him how to read engineering diagrams of electrical circuits.

Not only did we receive an impromptu class from these electrical hobbyists, but my son, Ben, received a healthy dose of enthusiasm for wiring electrical circuits. He brought home several project guides and planned to expand on his newfound knowledge by building a doorbell and an alarm for his room.

Lesson #4: Carefully Complete Your Science Fair Experiment and Record Your Results Using the Scientific Method

Our Challenge A Tutor bought each student a composition book for their research notebook. Ben carefully recorded his materials, hypothesis, definitions, procedures, and results. This step taught him important study skills for college-level labs.

He learned each step of the scientific method and then learned to carefully record each step of his project. Finally, his dad spent a few evenings teaching him how to create graphs in Microsoft Excel for display on his board.

Embracing the Science Fair Journey: Lessons for Lifelong Learning

Looking back, we are so proud of Ben for his persistence and diligence. We are thrilled by our newfound knowledge of electricity, chemistry, and graphing. Familiarity truly breeds curiosity!

Today, Ben is experimenting with electrical circuits and creating graphs on his computer just for fun. This journey wasn’t just about completing a project. It was about nurturing a love of learning and perseverance that will last a lifetime.

If you’re about to embark on your own Challenge A science fair adventure, know that the process is worth it. From tackling new challenges to discovering unexpected passions, both you and your child can grow in incredible ways.

To learn more about how the Classical Conversations Challenge A program makes science fair an enriching experience, explore these blog posts and podcasts:

• Your Guide to a Successful Homeschool Science Fair
• What is Challenge A?
• Help Me Help My Student-Science Fair

Discover how our Challenge programs can help cultivate curiosity, confidence, and academic growth in your homeschool.

Classical Conversations Challenge Programs

The post How to Approach a Science Fair Project with Confidence appeared first on Classical Conversations.

My Confession: Navigating CC Connected with a Co-Pilot

Discover how CC Connected Challenge features can simplify finding resources and training for you and your Challenge student.  Navigating CC Connected can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re searching for specific Challenge-level information.

You want to find the tools to support your student’s learning and equip you as their guide. Yet, with so much available on the platform, it’s easy to feel lost or unsure where to start.

I have a confession. I have a terrible sense of direction. Anytime I plan to go somewhere new, I always give myself extra time since I know I will get lost. Even when using a GPS, I miss a turn or make a wrong turn. It has become a joke in our family and with my children’s friends.

I need the person in the passenger seat to tell me when and where to turn with every trip we make. Thankfully, my oldest child is an excellent co-pilot these days.

Our trip today is touring Challenge in CC Connected. I’ll be your co-pilot as we drive through the Learning Center and the other significant features so you can confidently locate the resources you need for both you and your student. I will tell you when and where to turn so you can find your way around and take the guesswork out of navigating this invaluable tool.

–Check out more Helpful Tips for New Challenge Families

Exploring the Learning Center in CC Connected

Our first stop is the Learning Center. When you log into CC Connected, look to the left of your screen and click on the Learning Center.

From there, you will look to the top of your screen to see the program levels your students are enrolled in. Today, we will focus on the Learning Center related to the Challenge program.

Weekly Resources for Challenge Students

Click on the Challenge tab and you will see a page that is divided into weeks. Each week is filled with resources that support what the students are studying for that week.

Some resources are PDFs, a few are eBooks, and others are videos. Don’t forget to stop at “Semester 1, First Things.” This is a can’t-miss destination since it has many worthwhile resources to help support your entire Challenge journey from A-IV.

Featured Favorites: Challenge Guide and Math Map Companion

Every week has something unique to offer, so be sure to make this stop a frequent visit.

Week 7 is particularly unique as it houses the full version of the Challenge Guide eBook and The Math Map Companion.

Classical Conversations members who have fully paid tuition and fees have unlimited access to resources for Week 7 and beyond in the Learning Center.

Using the Search Bar and Filters to Find Challenge Resources

Our next stop on this tour is the search bar. This is the place to go if you want to find all the resources for one project or strand.

For example, if you have a Challenge A student, you know the Science Fair is the capstone event. To find all the resources for Science Fair, type ‘Science Fair’ into the search bar and hit enter on your keyboard. Everything related to the Science Fair will appear in the search results.

Filter Learning Center files by strand or file type. For example, view only videos for the Reasoning strand by applying those filters.

Connecting with Others in the CC Connected Forum

Our third stop is to the Forums. On the left side of your screen, click on Forum. This directly links to an entire community of other CC parents, tutors, and Academic Advisors.

The forum is organized by levels, allowing you to connect with parents of students in the same Challenge level.

Introducing the Transcripts Feature in CC Connected

The final stop on our tour is the newest feature of CC Connected: Transcripts.

To the left of your screen, you will find the tab to open the transcript feature. From here, you can create a transcript for your student, which will auto-populate using the Challenge curriculum, edit the transcript, and request it to be sent to Parchment.

Visit the Transcript Help Doc and FAQs to learn more about this exciting feature.

Conclusion: Your CC Connected Challenge Journey

CC Connected is an invaluable tool for families in the Challenge program.

For parents seeking resources for the Challenge programs, this offers everything you need to support both your student and yourself as their guide—from weekly resources and comprehensive guides to forums and transcript tools.

By exploring features like the Learning Center, forums, and transcript creator, you can confidently navigate the Challenge years and make the most of all that Classical Conversations has to offer.

Ready to learn more? Be sure to check out the other blogs in this series to discover how CC Connected can enhance your experience across all program levels.

• How to Get the Most Out of CC Connected: A Beginner’s Guide
• From Questions to Connection: A Journey Through the CC Connected Forum
• Finding Your Favorites in the Foundations Learning Center
• Touring CC Connected: “Essentials” You’ll Want for the Trip
• 4 Easy Steps to Make a Homeschool Transcript

The post How CC Connected Enhances the Challenge Experience appeared first on Classical Conversations.

As a parent, you’ve worked hard to prepare your high schooler for life’s challenges. Now, as college approaches, you may wonder: Is my child ready? and What is college really good for?

The transition from K-12 to college is a critical time when young adults take responsibility for their lives and solidify their values. Without intentionality and purpose, this phase can feel overwhelming. A classical Christian college helps students build on their K-12 foundation, refining their worldview and integrating faith, relationships, and meaningful work.

Let’s explore how college can help your young adult step confidently into their next chapter.

No One Can Do Your Believing for You

We wake up every single day faced with the existential conundrum of how we will live our lives—no one can live it for you. The weight of this reality drives parents to work hard to educate their children. And it drives students to take their education seriously.

What Is College Good For?

American culture is obsessed with efficiencies and various forms of social and economic advancement. College education has for decades been a central instrument used to get ahead of the competition. This mindset has placed a greater and greater focus on maximizing “Return on Investment” (ROI).

The Right Time to Take on Life’s Complexities

Though the good use of college has become eclipsed by an American hankering for materialistic comfort and consumeristic advantage, is there a better use for college? I will answer that question below.

But first, allow me to remind us of what loving parents already know about the process of growing up. In The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom recounts an exchange with her father in which she asks a question, the answer to which he says she is not yet ready to hear.

Father says “Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger, you can bear it. For now, you must trust me to carry it for you.”[1] I cite this father-daughter exchange to underscore a key point: if it is true that human beings mature with age, then there is a right time and place at which to take on the great complexities of life.

In K-12, much of the heavy lifting is done by parents, elders, and trusted loved ones who nurture and shelter children as they grow. Children trust their parents to guide them in good ways, and parents do the great labor of giving their children good things.

But no one, no matter how well-loved or educated, remains a child. We each must take up the life God has given us and decide how we will live. And it is at the beginning of this juncture that young adults enter their college years.

Why Is College Important for Early Adulthood?

This critical period from ages 18-25 is known as early adulthood. Researchers have identified some features of this developmental phase, including:

1. Moving into adult relationships with parents.
2. Seeing peer groups as less important as determinants of behavior.
3. Most importantly, completing their values framework.

Completing a values framework means deciding what you ultimately value and how you will live out those values. It is to make solid and concrete what has been relatively fluid.

In childhood, we hold within us what we have learned from others. How children live out what they have learned takes shape from the boundaries set by trusted authorities. Remove those boundaries from a child, and the fluidity of what was learned may spill in any direction.

By contrast, in early adulthood, individuals themselves must decide what their own boundaries will be, and it is those boundaries—freely chosen in the absence of watchful authorities—that will give shape to their lives and characters.

Early adulthood is the most formative time in a human being’s life because it is here, not earlier, that a person is ready to understand and commit to a worldview. The concrete is poured in K-12, but it hardens between ages 18 and 25.

Is College Worth It for Building a Life Framework?

If you doubt me, ask yourself how many major decisions you made between the ages of 18 and 25. Our ideas and commitments about relationships, faith, and vocation coalesce during early adulthood. The question is, will we have good tools for shoring up this framework?

So, why is college important? The benefit of college is to build a whole life in which meaningful work, healthy relationships, and committed faith harmonize. College done well presents an opportunity to invest formative years in gaining skills to practice and refine one’s values framework. Spending four years during early adulthood ironing out what matters most will serve a person for a lifetime.

Should I Go to College After Classical Homeschool Education?

Our culture is quite unaware of the significance of the early adulthood and assumes, rather, that a high school graduate is fully formed and ready to take on the world. You may be chuckling at the previous sentence (unless perhaps you just graduated).

That is exactly the assumption many people hold when they are helping their child think about college. The “been-there-done-that” mentality in classical education heaps a great cost upon students—the cost of their education and, more so, the cost of their personal development.

I have been teaching in higher education since 2006 in all kinds of institutions, and I have worked with thousands of people in early adulthood. I’ve seen a lot of students change over the years. I can say confidently that college will change a young adult. The question is: will the change be good?

Benefits of Going to College for Personal Development

I encourage those who have been blessed with classical homeschool education K-12 to continue in a classical Christian college so that they can spend their precious early adulthood striving to complete the good work begun by their parents, mentors, and community.

Those who have done classical education K-12 absolutely graduate with a strong foundation. But you can’t live on a foundation—you must build a dwelling, a place to live.

It is during early adulthood, during the college years, that this dwelling takes shape. Whether one lives a life worth living depends on how well that dwelling is built. And classical education at the college level helps a student practice with the finest tools humanity has ever developed.

Want to know more about classical Christian education? Explore the possibilities at Gutenberg College.

Here are some more resources to help you and your student plan for college:

• Why and How to Choose a Christian College
• Top 5 Skills College Students Need to Thrive
• 4 Easy Steps to Make a Homeschool Transcript

[1] Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place, 35th anniversary ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen Books, 2006), 42.

Growth and Development, Ages 18 and Over-What Parents Need to Know. https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/resources/health-information/parents-17/ Accessed December 18, 2024.

The post Why Is College Important? Solidifying Values and Foundations appeared first on Classical Conversations.

Because of the decay in the quality of public education over the years, parents have very appropriately lost trust in what public education provides including standardized testing. You know there is a place for virtue in your child’s education; you know that education should challenge your children’s ability to think while supporting their personal growth.

With the rejection of progressive education and a return to classical education, significant good has come. However, the education world has also seen a bit of a loss. In attempts to leave behind all things public education, some parents have also left behind an impactful tool for their children’s education: standardized testing.

Let me explain what I mean.

Classical Education and Feedback

There is a reason you chose classical education. You wanted a comprehensive education that aligns with how children naturally learn and fosters a lifelong love of learning. You wanted your children to learn how to think, not just what to think. What a beautiful thing!

Good education is a constant feedback loop between the student and the educator. The student demonstrates what they understand and what they don’t, and the educator adjusts accordingly. This is why community and conversation are so valuable in a child’s learning environment.

Occasionally, it is necessary to take a step back from the day-to-day and check in on progress, comprehension, and mastery. Quality standardized testing can provide this feedback for your education.

Standardized Testing 101

Standardized testing is a method of assessment in which all students answer the same questions and are graded according to the same standards. This provides an objective comparison point for students from diverse educational backgrounds.

For homeschoolers, standardized testing is a wonderful tool! Educating outside the standardized public school system makes it challenging to find a way to assess students that accounts for variation. Standardized tests are designed to provide an external measure to better understand your child’s progress, comprehension, and mastery.

What Makes It Quality?

Since standardized testing provides a standard method of assessing through an external measure, both the method and the measure matter!

1. Method

• Content
  Take the example of CLT assessments. CLT assessments draw their exam content from the Great Books tradition, using passages from quality authors to assess reading comprehension and language arts. Familiar content ensures relevance to your child’s education.
• Format
  If your child is used to learning at home, an at-home exam is ideal. If they’re accustomed to working on a computer, an online exam may be preferable. Aligning the testing environment with the learning environment minimizes anxiety and supports better recall.

2. Measure

Classical education emphasizes reasoning and logic skills. Choose an exam that tests these areas. For example, CLT exams include analogy and logic questions, which were removed from many other standardized exams.

Some homeschooling families prefer exams focused on foundational skills like language arts and mathematics, avoiding subjects like science or civics that are often tied to specific curricula.

Using Standardized Testing to Support Your Education

The analytics you receive after testing are the primary reason for assessments (outside of fulfilling state requirements). Choose an exam that provides in-depth and comprehensive analytics.

Analytics should show:

• Academic strengths
• Areas for improvement

For example, CLT analytics include:

• Improvement Domains: Highlight gaps in learning.
• Top Domains: Identify strengths, helping you explore potential interests.

Analytics offer insights into details, such as whether a child struggles with vocabulary, comprehension, or understanding analogies.

Remember the Goal

Whenever you test your child, remember:

• Results are not the arbiter of your child’s value.
• Analytics are tools to help you better understand your student’s progress and mastery.

Craft your child’s education using tools like standardized testing to make it the very best for their unique journey!

Exclusive Offer

CC Members: Log in to your CC Connected account for 25% off any CLT exam! Find CC-specific resources on CLT’s CC landing page.

Non-CC Members: Visit CLT’s main website at CLTexam.com

The post Standardized Testing: A Helpful Tool for Classical Educators appeared first on Classical Conversations.

In today’s economic climate, where inflation has significantly impacted the cost of living, education savings for college may feel like an uphill battle. Rising costs often push families to prioritize immediate financial needs over long-term goals, leaving education savings on the back burner.

However, without adequate savings, many families are left to rely heavily on government aid and student loans, which can result in burdensome repayment plans that limit a graduate’s future financial freedom.

As the saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. Regardless of economic conditions or the age of the student, there are actionable steps to prepare for the costs of college or trade school.

With discipline, thoughtful planning, and the right tools, families can reduce their reliance on loans and set their children on the path to financial independence after graduation.

The process requires a long-term perspective, as even small missteps can derail progress toward education goals. Just as a minor navigational error can lead to being far off course over time, a lack of discipline or using inefficient savings tools can leave a family short of their goal.

Success in education financial planning requires commitment and the right strategies.

Key Concepts for Education Savings

1. The Power of Compounding

The earlier you begin saving, the greater the impact of compounding interest. Compounding allows your savings to generate earnings, producing additional earnings over time. For example, saving $100 a month at a 4% annual return over 18 years can grow to over $30,000, including nearly $9,000 in earned interest. This illustrates the importance of consistent saving—every dollar saved today reduces the amount that may need to be borrowed later.

2. Financial Freedom Post-Graduation

Minimizing student loan debt provides students with the flexibility to focus on major life goals after graduation, such as purchasing a home, starting a family, or investing in retirement savings. Families prioritizing college investments can provide their children with a significant head start toward financial independence and stability.

Leveraging Low-Risk, High-Yield Deposit Products

Savings accounts often pay more interest than checking accounts, and many financial institutions even offer high-yield savings accounts. Savings accounts are good for holding emergency funds that could be needed on short notice, but the volatility in interest paid can make them a poor long-term option. A better tool for reaching long-term financial goals is a term share certificate, also known as a certificate of deposit (CD).

What sets term share certificates apart from typical savings accounts is their ability to offer secure and predictable savings growth without exposing funds to market volatility.
You earn a guaranteed interest rate by committing to a specific investment period or “term”—typically anywhere from 3 months up to 5 years. This makes term share certificates particularly useful for long-term goals like college savings.

Benefits of Term Share Certificates

• Guaranteed Growth: With a fixed interest rate, you know exactly how much your savings will grow by the end of the term.
• Flexible Terms: Choose term lengths ranging from a few months to several years to align with your financial timeline.
• Low Risk: Unlike investments tied to the stock market, term share certificates provide steady, predictable growth without the risk of market fluctuations.
• Encourages Discipline: Funds in a term share certificate are typically locked until the term ends, promoting disciplined saving habits.

Incorporating term share certificates into an education savings plan can help bridge the financial gap between savings and education costs. The interest earned on contributions accelerates the growth of your savings, reducing the overall amount that might otherwise need to be borrowed.

Practical Tips to Enhance Education Savings

Building an education savings plan can seem daunting, but with the right strategies, it becomes manageable. Consider these practical tips to help you make steady progress toward your goal:

1. Start Early and Save Consistently

The sooner you begin saving, the more time your money has to grow. Even modest monthly contributions can add up significantly over time. Automating your savings through payroll deductions or recurring transfers makes it easier to stay on track and develop a habit of consistent saving.

2. Maximize Windfalls

Unexpected financial boosts, such as tax refunds, bonuses, or raises, can provide an excellent opportunity to increase education savings. Even small lifestyle adjustments like reducing dining-out expenses or cutting back on subscriptions can free up additional funds to contribute to your savings plan.

3. Incorporate Tools Like Term Share Certificates

Term share certificates are an excellent addition to any savings strategy, providing guaranteed growth and structured savings. They offer peace of mind by locking in returns and eliminating the uncertainty that comes with other types of investments.

Creating a Path to Success

Saving for higher education doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By starting early, saving consistently, and using tools like term share certificates, families can reduce the financial burden of college and open doors to greater opportunities for their children. Careful planning not only minimizes the need for student loans but also provides flexibility and peace of mind as graduation approaches.

Remember, every step taken today brings you closer to your goal. By prioritizing education savings now, you’re investing in a brighter future—not just for your child, but for your entire family.

Want some help planning for your child’s education savings? America’s Christian Credit Union offers financial insight aid you in achieving your goals for planning for the future.

*Disclosures: Calculations are for educational purposes only and may vary based on individual circumstances. Loan repayment estimates assume interest accrues during school and a six-month grace period.

The post Education Savings Made Simple: Start Early, Save More appeared first on Classical Conversations.

What should I do for my children’s education next year? What homeschool methods should I use? Where do I start?

Many parents evaluate their educational choices for their children throughout the year. Parents who are already homeschooling pull out their catalogs and pore over them, searching for the perfect curriculum. Parents who have not yet homeschooled but have seriously considered it begin asking questions again about what is best for their children.

Here are three simple steps to help you decide on homeschooling methods that fit your family:

Step 1: Deciding to Homeschool

Years ago, when my husband and I began to contemplate homeschooling our firstborn, I quickly realized that this decision has many layers. The decision to homeschool required one level of research and identifying goals.

Here’s how we approached it:

• Research: We interviewed homeschool families, observed their daily routines, and read insightful books.
• Family Goals: We valued time spent learning together as a family and prioritized instilling in our children the ability to understand and defend their faith.

We were charmed by the bright, inquisitive homeschool children we met, making the initial leap surprisingly easy.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Homeschool Methods

Deciding on the method was more challenging. I found myself confronted by a dazzling and bewildering array of endless curricula, methods, and choices.

Here’s how I focused my search:

1. Seek Recommendations: On a friend’s advice, I read Mary Pride’s The Big Book of Home Learning and Cathy Duffy’s 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum. These books helped me:
   • Understand educational philosophies like unschooling, unit studies, Charlotte Mason, and classical education.
   • Identify my children’s learning styles and align them with suitable curricula. These resources include surveys that can help you refine your philosophy and goals and match them to your learning styles and curriculum.

2. Explore Specific Methods: I was drawn to Charlotte Mason and classical education.
   • I read Charlotte Mason’s treatises and The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, which laid out rigorous lesson plans from infancy to high school.
   • My husband and I discussed these ideas and found that classical homeschooling methods aligned with our vision.

Step 3: Attending a Homeschool Convention

Homeschool conventions are great for exploring resources and homeschooling ideas, and connecting with the community, but they can be overwhelming. This is definitely a dangerous place for a book lover like me.

Here’s my advice:

• Don’t Shop on Day One: Attend workshops to refine your ideas before purchasing anything. I attended workshops on different educational paths to solidify and refine my own choices. Keep your checkbook at home on Day .
• Stay Focused: Stick to your educational goals to avoid impulse buys.

Lessons Learned Over the Years

Over the last two decades, I have learned some very valuable lessons about curriculum and the dazzling array of choices available to us.

1. Keep It Simple:
   • Teach basics like reading, writing, and arithmetic with simple tools. Remember, for generations, one-room schoolhouses taught reading through simple phonics readers and the Bible
   • Flashcards and regular practice are more effective than flashy curricula.
   • Children need frequent practice with letters, sounds, and reading aloud. Use a weekly list of 15–20 words for spelling, focusing on rules, daily copying, and an end-of-week review.

2. Keep It Inexpensive:
   • Choose user-friendly materials that don’t require extensive prep time. With excessive games, incentives, and preparation, the odds are high that you won’t continue to use it daily.
   • High cost doesn’t always mean better results. Use the Stick in the Sand approach.

3. Keep It Consistent:
   • Children thrive on routines and clear expectations. Establishing a daily routine helps your child become an increasingly independent learner. They will quickly understand exactly what is expected of them in each subject.
   • The curriculum is secondary to the instructor. Focus on your persistence, patience, and joy as the instructor.

Setting Goals for Your Homeschool

Having a clearly established plan helps us sift through the curriculum choices and well-meaning advice. We can keep our eye on what works best for our children.

Each year, my husband and I create goals in three categories:

• Spiritual Goals: Encourage faith-based learning and personal growth.
• Responsibility Goals: Introduce new chores or responsibilities.
• Academic Goals: Set specific targets for learning and development.

Having a written plan helps us stay focused and make informed decisions for our homeschool journey.

Here are some resources to help you get started:

Bauer, Susan Wise. The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1999.

Bortins, Leigh A. The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.

Duffy, Cathy. 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child’s Learning Style. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2005.

Pride, Mary. The Big Book of Home Learning: Getting Started. Alpha & Omega Publishers, 2000.

Whelchel, Lisa. So You’re Thinking About Homeschooling: 15 Families Show How You Can Do It. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2003.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Homeschool Methods

Starting your homeschooling journey may feel overwhelming, but remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect. By keeping things simple, choosing homeschooling methods that work for your family, and establishing clear goals, you can create a fulfilling learning experience for your children.

Homeschooling is as much about nurturing relationships and character as it is about academics. Take it one step at a time—decide to homeschool, explore different homeschool styles, and focus on routines that bring joy and consistency to your home.

If you’re curious about classical Christian education and how it integrates faith and academics, consider exploring Classical Conversations.

For more guidance, check out our blog post, Classical Christian Curriculum: A Comprehensive Guide to Learning. It’s a great next step to learn how this approach could transform your homeschool experience.

You’ve got this! Homeschooling is a journey, and you don’t have to do it alone.

The post Discover the Best Homeschool Methods for Your Family appeared first on Classical Conversations.

The second semester of homeschooling can feel like an uphill climb. January brings cold days, long nights, and the post-holiday slump, making the excitement of August feel like a distant memory. That’s why a mid-year assessment is so valuable. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on your family’s progress by identifying what went well. This is also a time to ask what we can improve, recalibrate your goals, and renew your motivation to finish the year strong!

At Classical Conversations, we hold to core values that guide our homeschool journeys:

• grace in speech
• humility of mind
• integrity in action
• diligence in work
• excellence in results

A mid-year assessment helps bring these principles to life in your homeschool by celebrating victories, addressing challenges with compassion, and setting a fresh vision for growth.

This blog will guide you step-by-step through conducting a meaningful mid-year assessment so you can embrace the second semester with clarity, confidence, and hope.

Reflect on the first semester’s achievements with Humility of Mind

As you look back on the first semester, it’s important to celebrate all the achievements that took place! Take time to count the victories in your student’s academic goals and personal growth. When we reflect on progress, it builds confidence and encourages continued effort in our students.

Looking back at the plans you created at the beginning of the academic year is important. Which milestones were reached? Did your students improve in the skills they were working on? How well did they retain the material they studied? Highlighting these accomplishments helps both you and your students see tangible progress.

An essential part of reflecting on the first semester’s achievements in a mid-year assessment is helping your students recognize their own progress and discuss their achievements and challenges. By developing your students’ self-assessment skills, you help them foster ownership of their learning and motivate them to set manageable goals in the future.

Reflection isn’t just about academics—it’s also an opportunity to reminisce about fun family experiences and character growth. This is a great opportunity to complement the areas where you see the Lord working in your children’s lives, such as acts of service, habits of gratitude, or attitudes of mercy.

As we cheerlead our students’ good works and pat ourselves on the back for a job well done so far, it’s vital to have humility of mind and refocus our praise back to the Lord, who graciously orchestrated these beautiful accomplishments. Gratitude keeps us grounded and reminds us of the greater purpose behind our homeschool journey.

Take stock of areas for improvement with Grace in Speech

It can be easy to look at the beautiful plans and goals we set out in August and be discouraged with ourselves and disappointed with our children because we got so off track or didn’t achieve what we planned.

Why do we often look back and only see the failures? It’s because we love our family and we want to do the best job for them. Blessings can come from addressing the ‘failures,’ though. It’s important to ask ourselves: What can we learn from the shortcomings of the first semester?

In our mid-year assessments, we should address the academic areas that need improvement by considering these reflective questions:

• How do my students learn best?
  • You are your child’s best teacher, so tailor your instruction accordingly to best meet each student’s needs. Some students excel by reading independently, while others need auditory support or hands-on activities to synthesize ideas and retain information.
• Have I set reasonable goals for each student individually?
  • We must aim to find the sweet spot between setting high standards for our students and not crushing their love of learning.
• What outside circumstances have impacted my student’s progress?
  • Life happens. We painstakingly set plans for the perfect year, and then things out of our control throw us a curveball. Identifying these details, such as illness, unexpected events, or family needs, helps us adapt with compassion and resilience. Remind yourself and your student that learning is not a destination but a journey.

Possibly the most important strategy for a mid-year homeschool assessment is fostering a growth mindset in your students. The goal isn’t to criticize but to adjust and grow.  We want to assess without shame but do not ignore the problems. With grace in speech, we can ask how we can adapt our learning to grow and improve in the new year.

Pray for God to meet you and your students where we are and lead your family in learning and life. Having this grace-filled attitude reflected in our words for our own internal dialogue and for our children to hear will help us remember that homeschooling is heart training and pursuing a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Set expectations for hard work and reliance on the Lord through Integrity in Action

When math lessons take longer than expected or reading progress feels slow, it’s natural to wonder: Is my child falling behind? It’s such an all-too-common trap we fall into.

But how do we define “behind”? When we start to look around and compare ourselves, our children, and our homeschool, we lose the perspective and purpose of why we homeschool.

Instead, focus on God’s faithfulness. He is working in the hearts and minds of our children. Each of our students is on a unique and individual learning journey, and they need a loving mentor and coach (that’s us!) because they need accountability, not just in academics, but in life skills and character development.

Through the integrity of our actions, we can set meaningful expectations by:

• Establishing clear and achievable goals
  • As part of your mid-year assessment, be honest about what worked—and what didn’t—in the first semester. Were your expectations realistic? Did you follow through on assignments? Adjust goals to balance challenges with encouragement.

• Seeking additional resources
  • Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Tools like CC Connected can equip you with new strategies. Connect with friends on community days or attend a Parent Practicum to invest in classical education and pedagogy.

Ultimately, our expectations should align with God’s promises for our children. We hold plans loosely, praying for His guidance as we shepherd our children. True success is not just in academics but in nurturing our children’s hearts for the Lord.

Organize your homeschool with Diligence in Work

The new year is a natural time to refresh and reorganize. Once the Christmas decorations are put away, the house often feels clean and ready for new routines. Use this fresh start to create a smoother, calmer transition into a reliably hectic second semester.

Here are some practical steps to organize your homeschool:

• Evaluate your organizational systems
  • Does each student have a clear way to keep track of their work? Consider using bins, binders, or online folders to help them develop organizational skills.

• Plan meal prep

• • Between homeschooling and extracurricular activities, meal prep can save time and money and reduce stress.
• Reassess daily routines
  • Are there small changes that could improve efficiency and peace? Starting the day with a devotional or including children in daily chores can create a rhythm that benefits the whole family.

Balance is key. Prioritize what’s most important for your family, whether it’s academics, sports, or shared activities. For some people, sports are life, and they are willing to go the extra mile (literally) to provide this experience for their children. But for others, finding one activity everyone can do together might be the best fit.

Build in time for nature walks, acts of service, or connection with your church community—these experiences are valuable learning times that don’t fit a ‘classroom’ mold but create well-rounded children.

Consistency in planning and record-keeping is another way to stay diligent. CC Connected offers its members the online Transcripts tool that simplifies record keeping. Take time now to organize the first semester’s records and set up a system for tracking progress throughout the second semester. When May arrives, you’ll be thankful for your efforts.

Plan to finish the academic year strong with Excellence in Results

Second semester is the final push. From our chilly January vantage point, the spring semester may seem like a long road ahead, but the end of the year will arrive in a flash. So plan now to finish strong with excellence in results.

We collect the wins from first semester and show students their hard work and progress. Next, work together to identify areas for improvement to help them move forward and grow in the second semester.

Two ways to ensure your homeschool can finish strong with excellence in results are:

• Time management
• Creating small habits to achieve big goals

Identifying ways to improve in these areas for both ourselves and our students will create practices that will yield great results in the second semester.

Excellence in results does not always mean an A+ on a report card; it’s about nurturing beautiful souls, strengthening relationships, and deepening faith. As CC mom Brittany Lewis eloquently says, assessing our students is like “hunting for God’s fingerprints on the world.”

Encourage your students to pursue academic excellence while also developing lifelong learning skills and a heart for the Lord. With intentionality, prayer, and practical strategies, your family can end the year with not just academic success but eternal impact.

Conclusion: From Mid-Year Assessment to End-of-Year Excellence

Homeschooling is a journey filled with both challenges and blessings, and the mid-year assessment is a chance to reflect, recalibrate, and refocus. As you look back on the first semester, celebrate the wins—both big and small—and give yourself grace for the areas that didn’t go as planned.

Approach the second semester with high expectations tempered with empathy and wisdom. Set clear goals, encourage your students, and remember that success is not measured solely by grades but by the character and perseverance cultivated along the way. With prayer, intentional planning, and reliance on the Lord, you can guide your homeschool toward a strong and fruitful finish.

If you’d like to hear more tips about Assessing for the New Year with guest Brittany Lewis, join the Everyday Educators podcast to be encouraged.

It’s never too late to join a Classical Conversations community—whether at the start of the year or midway through—where you’ll find support and fellowship to help you and your family thrive.

The second semester offers a fresh opportunity to celebrate learning as an act of worship. Embrace this season with confidence and purpose, finishing the academic year with grace, diligence, and excellence!

The post Reflect and Refocus: Powerful Mid-Year Assessment Strategies for Homeschool Families appeared first on Classical Conversations.

For families new to homeschooling or the Essentials program in Classical Conversations, planning can feel like preparing for a trip to an unfamiliar destination. With so much to consider, exploring the CC Connected Essentials resources can help simplify your journey by providing valuable resources and guidance. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices and tools available, but knowing where to start can make all the difference.

Like planning a family vacation, navigating the Essentials program requires some groundwork. If you’re like my husband when planning for a trip, you might find yourself researching, asking questions, and figuring out the best way to get the most out of each learning experience.

Thankfully, just as with any journey, experienced guides are available to help. Your Director, Tutor, and seasoned parents are invaluable for providing insights and answering questions. You will also find excellent articles in the Essentials of the English Language Curriculum, Fifth Edition.

The Essentials Learning Center on CC Connected also offers extensive resources like videos, eZines, and curriculum guides to help you feel confident and prepared. Over time, you’ll grow more familiar with the resources, developing your own favorite “destinations” to return to each year.

Whether you’re new or returning, the Essentials program feels like a cherished vacation spot. You’ll learn to maximize each experience. This guide walks you through the Essentials Learning Center. Discover tools to support your family on this journey.

Getting Started with CC Connected

Find out how to set up your account here: https://classicalconversations.com/blog/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-cc-connected/

Log into CC Connected and click on the Learning Center in the left column under your name. Explore options for every program your family is enrolled in, and visit the Welcome tab to discover the many benefits of being a CC Connected member.

Exploring the Essentials Program in the Learning Center

As you click through the different tabs in the Learning Center, you will notice that the information is divided into weeks. For Essentials, there are resources for each of the twenty-four weeks of the program. You can choose from the variety of resources each week or filter by category or type of file you would like.

Recommended Resources for New Users

Some great options for your first tour are the Parent Packets for Number Knockout and Faces of History, as well as the curriculum eBooks. You will find most of these in Week 7, or they are easily searchable using the search feature. Make sure to click the heart to quickly return using the favorites tab.

Essential Videos for English Grammar Charts

Along with printed files, you will find helpful videos. The Why and What and How chart videos explain the daily charts used in Essentials English grammar. There are also videos for the charts introduced in each lesson. These are a sampling of the options available in the Essentials Learning Center. You will find these videos by looking in the week that it is introduced or by filtering the category to English grammar and the Type to video.

Expanding Your Knowledge with Onward Ezines

Becoming more familiar with the Essentials program and the Learning Center might lead you to browse other options. One of the favorite destinations for seasoned travelers is the Onward Ezines. In the weekly Ezines, you will find helpful articles, weekly planning tools, and advanced sentences for experienced students.

Keep Returning to Trusted Resources in the Learning Center

Just like visiting a favorite vacation destination over and over, I hope that you will find the Essentials Learning Center to be a place that you visit many times. In the beginning, you will find resources that help you understand and plan. Eventually, you will find your favorites and revisit them often.

CC Connected Equipping Series

Getting Started: How to Get the Most Out of CC Connected: A Beginner’s Guide

Forums: From Questions to Connection: A Journey Through the CC Connected Forum

Learning Center: Finding Your Favorites in the Foundations Learning Center

If you’re already a member of Classical Conversations, log in to CC Connected and explore the wealth of resources available, including the Learning Center and discussion forums, for additional support.

Curious about how Classical Conversations can enrich your homeschooling experience? Learn more about joining a community and how CC Connected can support your family on your education journey.

The post Touring CC Connected: “Essentials” You’ll Want For the Trip appeared first on Classical Conversations.

A Journey Inspired by C.S. Lewis’ Magical Worlds

The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis, Digory and Polly mistakenly enter a portal of magical worlds by simply touching a set of yellow rings. Immediately, they are transported to a wooded platform that serves as a holding gateway.

As they jump in and out of various portals, they travel between these mysterious worlds before realizing the gateway is a map of sorts, leading to specific places. They meet new people, hear unfamiliar perspectives, and experience teamwork.

While the Forum on CC Connected doesn’t come with a set of rings or transport you to a magical world, it does provide a place for

• community,
• connection, and
• contributions

All you must do is be willing to dive in and explore.

Community: Connecting with Like-Minded Parents

What if there was a way to connect with like-minded parents whose children were studying and learning the same material as your family? Would you want to know what works or doesn’t work for them and how they balance life, school, and family?

The CC Connected Forum allows you to instantly join a community of members from all over the world! Community is much more than the people you do life with. It’s also a feeling of fellowship with others. Our online platform unites individuals from different backgrounds, leading to various viewpoints and solutions to questions.

How to Get Started

1. Log into your CC Connected account.
2. Click on “Forums” on the left-hand side.

A page will open with the Forums relevant to the program levels you are enrolled in. It will look like this:

3. Select the relevant program level to enter the corresponding forum.
4. Engage by:

– Commenting on posts.

– Asking questions (click the green “+” button).

– Replying to existing discussions.

You will quickly begin to recognize names and can engage in conversation under any post by hitting reply. Classical Conversations is known for numerous classical Christian communities worldwide. It’s fascinating to see in real-time, families across the globe studying the same material and glorifying how God is being made known worldwide.

Geographical boundaries are dropped, and relationships are built through community with homeschool families, both domestic and international. Your student could have a pen pal from another state or country! The CC Connected Forum allows you to increase your homeschool community right from the comfort of your own home.

Connection: Exclusive Support for CC Members

Nowadays, you can find online platforms to connect with anyone, from anywhere, about any topic. That includes homeschooling with Classical Conversations. So, why would someone choose to use the CC Connected Forum instead of other platforms? The answer is simply classical pedagogy.

Only the CC Connected Forum is exclusive to our members and Academic Support Team, meaning you get the most up-to-date and accurate information on utilizing the curriculum.

You will find proactive posts from the Academic Advisors that address upcoming, relevant information and will likely answer questions before you know you have them. There’s no one better to answer your questions than our support team, who work directly with the curriculum and can reach out to the development team for clarification.

Not only that, but by replying, you can join conversations that interest you by responding thoughtfully and contributing by answering questions. You are also encouraged to provide options that have worked well for you.

It’s a safe place to ask for help or get clarification. Consistent involvement helps you build connections, so be sure to check back often.

Contributions: Sharing Resources with the Community

Finding and Using Resources in the Forum

While the CC curriculum is self-contained and curated, and adding things isn’t necessary for following a classical education, many users love having all the extras. How lucky are we to have parents blessed with creativity, ingenuity, and a willingness to share their files!

The CC Connected Forum provides a place for parents to pass on their original, noncopyrighted resources When searching on the Forum, think of it as any other social media platform.

Use specific tags to find resources effectively:

• Keep words together, e.g., “policydebate” instead of “policy debate.”
• Examples: handsonscience, debateguides.

Here are some examples of tags:

How to Share Your Own Resources

If you are one of our creative geniuses, you can upload your documents for others to use by following the same steps for asking a question. Please be sure that all uploaded documents are original and don’t break any copyright laws. Our Academic team does their best to stay on top of this, but we ask for your cooperation as well.

Just click the green + sign in the bottom right corner of the Shared Resources page.

Conclusion: Open New Worlds in the CC Connected Forum

Just as Digory and Polly spent time hopping in and out of various worlds, learning more and more as their adventure continued, spending time in the CC Connected Forums will open new worlds, new conversations, and new relationships for you, too.

The Academic Support Team and members from all over the world are here waiting to connect with you. See you soon!

Just getting started with CC Connected? Find out how to navigate the CC Connected portal:

How to Get the Most Out of CC Connected

If you’re already a member of Classical Conversations, log in to CC Connected and explore the wealth of resources available, including the Learning Center.

Curious about how Classical Conversations can enrich your homeschooling experience? Learn more about joining a community and how CC Connected can support your family on your education journey.

Find a Community Near You

The post From Questions to Connection: A Journey Through the CC Connected Forum appeared first on Classical Conversations.

Homeschooling multiple children of different ages can often feel like trying to conduct a complex symphony with no sheet music in sight. Each child has their own tune, their own tempo, and trying to harmonize subjects, learning styles, and schedules can quickly feel like an overwhelming cacophony. You may wonder if you’re hitting the right notes or if the whole performance is falling apart.

I get it. As a homeschool parent, I’ve been in your shoes, trying to balance everything and make it sound right. At one point, I was homeschooling kids in all three of the Classical Conversations programs: Foundations, Essentials, and Challenge! Imagine jumping from the simple rhythms of teaching phonics to the intricate chords of pre-calculus—it’s enough to make your head spin.

But here’s the good news: homeschooling multiple children need not feel like you’re conducting separate solos. In her book The Core, Leigh Bortins offers a model rooted in the one-room schoolhouse—a timeless approach that brings children together in shared learning, much like instruments in a carefully arranged composition.

So, let’s take a deep breath, pick up the baton, and work together to transform your homeschool from a disorganized jumble of sounds into a harmonious melody.

Here are 10 tips to help you orchestrate your homeschool so that every child, no matter their age or learning style, is part of the same symphony.

1. Use a Curriculum that Spans Multiple Ages

The best home school curriculum for families with multiple ages and grades is one that allows everyone to enjoy the same subject together but at their own level. This creates a more cohesive learning experience while still meeting each child where they are academically.

In today’s world, we have a wealth of learning resources at our disposal! The Lord has not left us without a plethora of information to explore and discover His creation.

Homeschool families can go outside, study nature, and investigate the world around them. Encourage your children to pursue subjects they’re passionate about and allow children to develop the skills of learning through hobbies and interests they are passionate about. Utilize the resources available to you, from newspapers and podcasts to internet services and BOOKS.

Books, in particular, are invaluable tools for developing language skills, eloquence, and literacy.

A multi-age homeschool curriculum should incorporate books that challenge students to think critically, wrestle with morals and truth, and explore timeless themes.

A classical curriculum should span across all ages, allowing each child to engage with the same material at their own level. Like different sections of an orchestra playing the same piece, each child can learn the same skills but at their own pace and complexity, creating a unified learning experience that benefits the entire family.

2. Create a Schedule

When homeschooling multiple grades, it’s important to create a flexible schedule. While you want to maintain a daily routine to keep everyone productive, leave room for adjustments, celebrations, or unexpected learning moments.

Start your day with a Morning Time together. This sweet time can happen in cozy spots like around the couch or cuddled in bed. Use this time for activities that everyone can enjoy, such as:

• Devotional, Scripture reading, and memorization

• Read Aloud books

• Memory work review

• Art or music appreciation

Next, practice the one-room schoolhouse principle of learning the same topics at different levels. For example, start a math discussion at the table—older students can engage more deeply while younger ones absorb the basics. For language, introduce a common topic and then focus on advanced work with older students while younger ones have free play.

When it’s time for one-on-one teaching, begin with the youngest learners in the morning when their attention is freshest. Older students can work independently and check in later in the day for more detailed instruction.

As students take ownership of their own education, they will do more of their work independently. Schedule daily check-ins with each student to make sure they really understand the skills needed to complete the work.

As students grow, they’ll take more responsibility for their learning. That doesn’t mean they don’t need help! Regular check-ins are essential to ensure they understand key concepts and are making progress.

Remember that learning doesn’t just happen between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Just like a melody that lingers in the air long after the music stops, some of the most meaningful learning moments, especially with teens, can happen during quiet evening conversations before bed. As your children get older, prepare yourself for these fruitful late-night conversations.

3. Structure Your Days for Success

As both parent and teacher of multiple ages and grades, it’s crucial to set realistic goals for each of your children. Cooperative learning is a great way to layer learning within your one-room schoolhouse. Everyone can profit from reviewing memory work together and I love seeing my Memory Master Challenge students singing history sentences with my youngest.

Just like in the teacher of the one-room schoolhouse of long ago, incorporate whole-group learning sessions before breaking off into smaller groups or individual work. Younger students will naturally soak up what the older ones are discussing, much like when your toddler suddenly starts singing the Timeline song after hearing an older sibling repeat it.

Older students can reinforce their own understanding by explaining concepts to younger siblings. Just like a musician practicing scales—repeating foundational concepts strengthens their skills and mastery. Encouraging this interaction is not stepping away from your responsibility as a teacher; it’s allowing your older children the opportunity to practice the art of rhetoric, the highest form of understanding.

As your children share ideas and support one another, they build a culture of deep thinking, cooperation, and strong familial bonds.

4. Chores for the Whole Family

Being together all day inevitably leads to a well-loved home—and sometimes a messy one! Creating a chore list or a home blessing routine will bring peace to your home and help you stay sane amidst the busyness.

There are plenty of age-appropriate chore lists available online, making it easy to assign tasks that each child can manage. This benefits your family in several ways. First, it fosters a sense of pride in the home. This is a space we value and cherish because it is where we get to live and learn together. Second, learning to maintain a home is a practical skill that serves our children for life. And lastly, we want our children to know the value of hard work and accomplishment.

One small benefit of having multiple ages of children is allocating the chores. Older children are able to help younger children complete their tasks, and younger children see their older siblings taking on household responsibilities.

One advantage of having children of different ages is the ability to share responsibilities. Older children can guide younger ones in completing their chores, and the younger kids, in turn, see their older siblings taking on these important tasks. Many (little) hands make light work, creating harmony. Each family member’s contribution—big or small—helps maintain balance in the home.

Another practical tip for homeschooling with multiple ages is to meal plan. Having a plan reduces grocery trips, is budget-friendly, and helps you organize your day effectively.

Enlist children, especially older siblings, to help make meals. You can also meal prep to stock up on freezer meals or crock pot dinners that will save time in the kitchen.

5. Develop Habits for Lifelong Learning

It’s essential to cultivate habits that instill a lifelong love of knowledge in your family. Reading is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to expand your children’s horizons. Quality books across diverse topics serve as memory pegs, enabling them to connect new information like notes in a beautiful melody.

Implement family read-aloud times to create a sense of shared identity and execute the art of listening and presentation skills. Work up to having a one-hour family read-aloud time together and introduce a broad spectrum of genres and styles.

Implement family read-aloud times to foster a sense of shared identity and improve listening and presentation skills. Start with a modest goal and gradually work your way up to a one-hour family reading session, exploring various genres and styles.

In tandem with reading aloud, carving out quiet time for individual reading is another important habit for homeschool families of multiple ages. When my children were younger, we enjoyed ‘Books on Bed’ time. During the baby’s afternoon nap, the rest of the family would retreat to their rooms for some peaceful reading. This hour allowed us to recharge and return with fresh ideas, ready for lively discussions.

Speaking of breaks, incorporating scheduled times to pause from structured learning is not only important but can lead to greater productivity and richer conversations. Remember, learning doesn’t just happen within a set ‘school’ time. Some of the most beautiful learning moments often emerge during spontaneous activities, whether it’s baking cookies or enjoying a quiet walk together. Lean into these breaks that can add depth to your family’s educational journey.

6. Organize the Chaos to Calm

When you are homeschooling multiple grades and ages, staying organized is key to creating a calm learning environment. Ensuring that each student receives one-on-one time with mom or dad can reduce learning anxiety for children because they know there will consistently be an adult who will connect and model for them in learning.

As you plan your homeschool year and its flow, consider which topics can be combined for group learning and which need to be tailored to individual students based on their age and ability. This thoughtful planning helps create a cohesive experience for everyone.

Take a close look at your home’s layout and how you organize your learning materials. Does each child have a designated box or cubby for their books and supplies? Are there binders or shelves for storing their work? Find an organization system that works for you, but don’t be afraid to adjust as kids grow and transition from crayons and glue sticks to laptops and Shakespeare books.

Keeping records can become overwhelming, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the legal requirements in your state. Resources like CC Connected provide handy tools for record-keeping, such as the Transcript tool, which makes it easier to track your children’s progress from kindergarten to commencement.

7. Create Balance and Prioritize What’s Important

One of the biggest challenges of homeschooling multiple ages is maintaining a balance in life. Between housework, school, jobs, and extracurriculars, it’s easy to become a slave to the demands of the schedule, and the tempo of life can quickly get out of hand.

Some families thrive when everyone is involved in different sports and activities. For others, choosing a single activity that all family members can participate in is more manageable. When my children were younger, we all played the same sport for a season, like soccer, which simplified our schedule and allowed us to enjoy the shared experiences.

Remember to keep the bigger picture in mind and prioritize building relationships through church and service activities. Also, don’t forget that playtime isn’t just for the younger kids—everyone benefits from a balance of structured time and free time to play, relax, and recharge. Maintaining this balance helps ensure that both learning and life stay enjoyable for the whole family.

8. Collaborate to Conquer

Don’t let Instagram or other social media fool you. Homeschooling multiple ages (and just homeschooling in general) isn’t done alone. You need help to get it all done.

One of the most important things to do when starting your homeschool journey is to find your people. Build a community in which you can invest and feel supported. These are the people you look up to, have similar values with, and are willing to walk alongside you in your homeschooling journey.

As you develop relationships with other homeschooling families, pool your resources and work together to succeed. Set up playdates, or use your unique giftings to teach various ages. For example, one parent can use a fun Scribblers activity with younger students while another works with older students on a book discussion or science experiment.

Classical Conversations invites parents to join in a Christ-centered community of families who want their children to know God and make Him known. You can further immerse yourself in the learning process by becoming a Tutor or Director, gaining extra knowledge of the curriculum and classical pedagogy.

If you reach a point where more tailored expertise is needed, don’t hesitate to bring in a tutor or helper. Homeschooling is a continuous learning journey—for both parents and children. Feeling uncertain in a particular area of your children’s education can be discouraging, but it’s also a powerful opportunity to see how God shapes us as educators while we nurture our children’s growth.

9. Look for Joy

As a homeschool educator, it’s important to ask yourself, “What do I want for my children’s education?” Your first thought might be to have excellent grades or get into a great college, but consider shifting your perspective toward a celebration of learning.

Homeschooling is about spending time together, building unity around shared ideas, a love for the Lord, and creating moments filled with laughter. Leigh Bortins, founder of Classical Conversations, describes this as the “comedy show” of homeschooling—the lasting joy of family learning and growing together.

Take time to appreciate the unique gifts and talents that each of your children displays. Homeschooling provides the opportunity to strengthen one another while pursuing the Lord, turning education into an experience that is rich in both knowledge and joy.

10. Focus on Your Child’s Heart

In the end, we need to remember to keep an eternal focus. The academic lifespan of your children is brief and fleeting and while we strive to give them the best opportunities for success, it’s easy to get caught up in checking all the boxes.

But we must not lose sight of the ultimate goal—raising “beautiful humans who worship God,” as Denise McLain, a CC mom of six girls, so wisely put it. In the midst of teaching Latin declensions and multiplication facts, we can’t afford to neglect our children’s hearts in the pursuit of academic achievement.

So remember the true purpose of homeschooling this herd of children: to nurture truth, beauty, and goodness within our children and guide their hearts toward a deep love for the Lord. It’s not just about academics—it’s about shaping their hearts for eternity.

The Beauty of Homeschooling Multiple Ages

Homeschooling multiple ages can be challenging, but with thoughtful planning and flexibility, you can create a unified, joyful learning experience. By organizing your day, collaborating with others, and balancing structure with free time, your children can grow together, even at different academic levels, while nurturing their hearts and unique gifts.

Remember, you’re not conducting the orchestra alone—find a supportive community and embrace help when needed. Homeschooling is about more than lessons; it’s about raising children who love the Lord and one another. With the right support and mindset, this journey can not only be possible but can also become your family’s magnum opus, filled with joy and meaningful connections.

Don’t miss out on our Everyday Educator’s podcast, Juggling Act: Managing Multiple Students, where you can listen to experienced CC moms give helpful tips on how to make homeschooling multiple ages work.

Want to find out more about our classical Christian communities? Let’s walk together on this journey of learning.

The post How to Homeschool Multiple Ages: 10 Helpful Tips appeared first on Classical Conversations.