Well, we are in the middle of summer now and us homeschoolers are thinking about the start of the next school year. Usually around this time I am very busy researching curriculum, buying books, looking through that gigantic Rainbow Resource catalog, and becoming stressed out. How do you choose? How do you know that you’re not leaving something out?

After all that research and purchasing of books, I would spend the next several weeks planning out our lessons for the year…or at least trying. Often times, I would be up to the wee hours of the night since that was the only time I could work in silence…and you know I needed to concentrate with all those important decisions.

Over the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of Classical Conversations. At first, I didn’t really understand how the program would work for us. I knew it would be great, but I had no idea how much help this program would be! It has taken all the guess work and stress out of our homeschool!

We meet once a week with the other families in our CC Community for 24 weeks. During that time, we are able to be introduced to the memory work for the week (in Math, English, History, Geography, Timeline, Latin, and Science). We also spend time doing Science experiments, Fine Arts, Oral Presentations, and Review Games. CC believes that the parent is the ultimate teacher and helps come along side you, as the parent/teacher to equip and support you! The day at CC becomes your springboard for the rest of the week.

The other day, I was talking with some other homeschool moms (and great friends) about the upcoming school year. “So, are you guys all set for school again?” These moms are wonderful homeschool moms with great kids! I knew that, like any good homeschool mom, they would be very busy getting their supplies and curriculum together. We talked about curriculum, resources, and even laughed at how big that Rainbow Resource catalog is!! When they asked me how my plans were coming…and what things I would be getting for next year….I paused and then said, “Great! I don’t have to do anything to get ready!” I almost shocked myself! Wow.. I really don’t have anything to do! That’s incredible!

It’s a wonderful feeling to know that I don’t need anything. That’s the beauty of Classical Conversations! I will say, though, that many people who participate in CC don’t use it as their complete curriculum. They simply use it as a supplement to other things. That’s okay, but if you want to get the most out of CC, then I suggest that you learn all that CC really is! The only thing I add to our CC curriculum is a separate Math curriculum.

I have learned to use CC as my entire curriculum and it’s wonderful.

Let me say that CC does not come with text books for each subject. Many people realize this and then figure that they need to go and purchase text books/resources for each subject! I’m saying that you don’t have to (except for Math). I use CC and the ONLY “text books” I use (if you want to consider it that) are Encyclopedias (History & Science), a Math curriculum (we use Math U See), and books to read (like children’s stories, read alouds, library books, books from my shelf)

That’s it!

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As you can tell, I’m so excited about how simple CC has made my life. I understand that not everyone is part of CC though. But, I have learned a lot about simplifying homeschool while getting the MOST out of your time and efforts!