Intro to Classical Studies

[Canada_Mom]

I would like to order the Introduction to Classical Studies set for my daughter who is starting grade 1 in the fall. Is this appropriate material for her? She's a very bright 6 year old who is currently doing math and reading at a grade 2 level. I can't find what age this is appropriate to start at and would really appreciate some help!!

[jeremiah213]

We usually recommend Christian Studies for 3rd through 6th grade. It seems that even a very bright 1st grader might have trouble with this material. However, I always make our grade recommendations subservient to a parent's knowledge of their child. You know what she can do and what is too much. Memoria Press has a 60 day return policy, so I would recommend purchasing the first book and seeing how it goes.

Hope this helps
glen

[Canada_Mom]

If the Christian Studies is recommended for grade three and up, is there anything for use with my daughter in grade 1? Should I begin with Story of the World and then move to Memoria press for grade 3?? Thanks for the advice!

[crblomquist]

I think that the copybooks are meant to be used for grade 1 as a combination handwriting workbook, poetry memorization program, writing skills book, and Bible instruction. It is light and fairly easy, and they give you a lesson plan structure to follow at the beginning of the book. You could just do this (and really, it's all MP has for this level), or you could add in SOTW. I did SOTW, vol. 1 with my 1st grader and she did fine. However, if I had it to do over again, I would wait until 2nd grade. Without pictures and being such a long book, it could have waited. If you do SOTW, be sure to buy the activity book. It could even be used by itself; it's great! By the way, I agree with the recommendation to wait until 3rd grade for Intro to Classical Studies. I think it's WAY too hard for a 1st grader. The myths and Bible books might be okay, but FMOR was even a challenge for my 3rd grader (who is of normal intelligence). I would definitely wait until 3rd or 4th grade before you begin.

[jeremiah213]

crblomquist

As a HSer is it not traditional that one must always claim one's child to possess an above average to superior intelligence? I am teasing of course, honestly what I've found is that most students do possess an above average intelligence in at least one or two areas it's just the individual attention that students get from their parents allow these areas to blossom whereas at PSs or crowded/large learning environments they don't often get that chance. Thanks for the posting!

[crblomquist]

I would agree with you, perhaps, in another case, but I feel that FMOR would bore even a bright 1st grader to tears. First, the language is very advanced for a 1st grader; my 3rd grader just managed to grasp it--I think. I want my children to be able to focus on the content, not be overwhelmed with the language. Second, it takes some maturity and life experience to understand the events in this history, such as the raping of the Sabine women (I think I'm remembering that okay) and other murders and treacherous acts. A parent might well adapt many subjects to a younger audience, such as the Bible and myths, but I don't see how that's really possible with FMOR and still cover the material well. I also don't see the value, either, at this young age. If I do the program with my 3rd daughter, I will probably not begin until 4th grade.

[jeremiah213]

My goodness...yes I completely agree with you. My apologies I got on the intelligence rabbit trail and forgot where the original comment was heading. I think we are in agreement about when FMR is appropriate. Thanks for posting so much to the forum.

[martin]

I don't know that the history is any more inherently difficult than the myths, and certainly, it seems to me, no more difficult than the Bible. But I agree that there is no great need to do this kind of material before the 3rd or 4th grade.

We will be posting my workshop at the recent CiRCE Institute Conference on "Tranquillity in the Classroom" on our website here shortly, and one of my points is that we are in too great a hurry to cram things into the curriculum. We also tend to want to teach things as early as possible, when the child would get more out of them if, rather than rushing them, we postponed them.

[crblomquist]

I think it's the war and political stuff that is too over the head of children that age. It's over mine, even now! The Bible definitely has some of that, too, but it is not the same thing. The stories have more of a human interest element to them than Roman history. I agree with the rest of your post, though. I started out with this "hurry, hurry" feeling, and then after I studied the ideas of other people regarding education, I found myself asking myself why I was in such a hurry. You are only a child once in your life for about 12 years, more or less; you have your whole life to study deep thoughts and important issues and events. I have been trying to get more into the mindset that learning is a permanent part of one's life from birth onward and out of the mindset that we go to school for 16 years and then we're done and onto real life. With the permanent learning mindset, there is no rush--not that we should dilly-dally and not challenge ourselves, either, of course!

[martin]

You must have a girl. Stories about war are never above the heads of boys!

Thanks.