Classical Conversations New Tampa Information Meeting

Classical Conversations New Tampa

We're going where AGAIN?!?

As a Support Manager with Classical Conversations one of the privileges that come with my job is to visit the campuses that I oversee.

Two weeks ago we had the last day of our first quarter before break. I was able to spend that day in the Challenge I class on my campus (roughly equivalent to 9th grade). What a change of pace from the stage of life we're in at my home right now! It was a lot of fun for me to be with them.

 

It wasn't until the next morning that I told my kids, "Get dressed! We're going to CC again."

We visited three other campuses during that week (you know, our "break") and I love the opportunity my kids get to change their environment & integrate in with other students they've never even met before. Considering their ages they're really quite graceful when it comes to the whole thing.

We visited our newest campus - 2 students & the director is the tutor. It's such a sweet little group! Visiting so many campuses really lets me see the beauty of CC in all of it's forms, large & small.

 

 

 The next day we went to another campus, the same one that has hosted our practicum for the past two years.

 

Jackson didn't enjoy Challenge I debate but I did!

 

A few days later we visited a campus close to home & they're in their second year. It was fun to see how the Foundations program has grown & as I visited the classes I was able to catch Kate & Clay giving their presentations.

 

 

One of the best things I heard all week was at my last campus visit. I was talking to a mom that I know from gymnastics - she initially heard about homeschooling from me & came to visit my campuses a few years ago but didn't sign up until this Fall. Now that they're a a quarter of the way into their year she told me she keeps thinking, "Why didn't I sign up for this when Jessica first told me about it??"

I love hearing that the program is such a blessing & encouragement to these families, just as it is for me!


We were tired at the end of the week but we also had fun, too! While each campus changes year to year there's enough familiarity from previous visits to become more comfortable at the campuses & to have some familiar faces to greet. It's such a blessing spending time with all of these sweet families!

Why Classical Conversations Works For Us

The other day the kids pulled out some blocks while waiting for breakfast. Kate said, "I'm building the Eiffel Tower!"

I remembered that I have a little fold out book about the Eiffel tower, as well as a small replica that was brought back for me from Paris.

On a whim, I decided to do a quick study with the kids on the Eiffel tower. We discussed some of it's history, location, materials used to make it, weight, size, etc.

 

At lunch time, we revisited the Eiffel Tower with some flashcards I have from the Target dollar spot. One set is on landmarks around the world & another contains flags of different countries.

As I was reading about the history of the Eiffel Tower again & telling the kids that it was built to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution in 1789, Kate yelled out, "I KNOW THAT!!!"

She then quoted to me about the French Revolution beginning in 1789, storming the Bastille, the reign of terror & aristocrats. 

This past year we had a history sentence that we memorized about the very topic. I just loved seeing how it added depth to our studies! It also corresponded with geography that we had memorized as well as mathematical conversions.

 also really love the flexibility that the classical conversations program provides. First, it's mission "To know God & make Him known" is at the forefront of the program & next is that it makes it easy to follow a classical method of learning while also providing a community of support & accountability.

Something that is also REALLY important to me is that I can keep curriculum flexibility. Classical Conversations is an excellent skeleton on which to build your curriculum. Our Eiffel Tower study was a prime example! We were able to include history, geography, science & math just from a simple statement my five-year-old made in the morning, without stressing out because I deviated from set school lessons. How great that the kids can all learn this together & each go to greater depths with the material depending on their own capabilities?? I love that we're not bound by set grade curriculum so that each child is learning something completely different - rather, the same material is made more difficult as the child gets older.

We finished up our impromptu addition to our school day by each of the kids replicating the French flag.

 

 Even I had fun with this study!

 

Our day at Classical Conversations

I absolutely love my Classical Conversations community. Growing up homeschooled I can truly say, "This isn't your mamas' co-op!" (actually, it's not a co-op, it's an academic support group)

I try to get the kids & I out the door between 7:15-7:30 so that we can make it to our facility by 8:15. As director I just like to make sure I'm there a little early to get things situated.

This week we had a theme of "crazy hair" so I didn't leave that early. I was too busy making sure our hair was crazy.

My attempt at crazy hair didn't go so well. I ended up just looking like I had bad 80's hair PLUS I accidentally covered up most of the gold. I used two of the halloween clearance colored hair spray - one was gold & one was green sparkles!

After the tutors have set-up their rooms for the day I meet with them for a time of prayer. Here are some of my wonderful tutors! Special shout-out to Terri, who fully embraced the crazy hair!

After tutor prayer the entire campus gathers for morning assembly: prayer, pledge & (family) presentation. The lovely Karlyn leads morning assembly for me each week.

Jackson with his surrogate Aunt Jenn

Because this was our last week meeting before Winter break we called up everyone with a birthday in November/December. That's grandpa in the middle. He is the grandfather of one of my tutors' husbands & lives with their family so he joins us on campus each week. He's about to turn 97! He's also a hoot & everyone LOVES Grandpa!

Pledge to the Bible

Pledge to the flag

The Lee family was the first to present this week. Mrs. Lees sister just came into town from Korea & joined us for the day - they hadn't seen each other in 13 years!

The Leslie family was next to present & all but two of their immediate family members were there. Mrs. Leslie is also our awesome Challenge B tutor!

Masters 1 class going over science for the week. This week we learned about the zodiac constellations.

Inserting lights to show the constellations.

Masters 2 class with their completed constellations

Jackson was pretty bored with it all. He can still sleep just about anywhere & is often seen passed out in my arms

I stopped in for a quick visit with Challenge A

Voice of the Martyrs came in for a special presentation with the Challenge A & B classes

Journeyman class playing a tic tac toe review game

Jackson, always popular

Also, quite the ladies' man

The abecedarian class going over the tin whistle in fine arts - Grandpa looks pretty excited to be there!

The last day of the quarter is always pizza day!!! My favorite day - it's always so nice not to worry about packing lunch!

There was also a bake sale going on during lunch to help raise money for Challenge B mock trial. I may've overindulged in some really delicious goodies!

In the afternoon the 4th-6th graders attend Essentials, a grammar/writing/math program. With this being the last week of the quarter the students were able to redeem their stamps in the "store." They bought everything out!

Lisa & Laurie explaining the store to the class. These are two phenomenal Essentials tutors. Seriously, I don't know what I would do without them!

I didn't get to visit Challenge I this week & I also forgot to get any pictures of our adorable tots class!

As we were wrapping up at the end of the day some of the kids were admiring the ball python that one of the Challenge students brought to campus.

Typically I leave CC around 4 & then we pick up pizza on our way home. I've declared CC nights "pj night" - we get pizza, put on our pjs & watch a movie!

This week we changed things up & went to one of the CC families' homes for dinner.

Clay & his buddy, Asher

Dinner with friends. They just moved into this house 3 weeks ago & are still unpacking - that's what I call hospitality!

The adults ate dinner by candlelight

After dinner the kids went for a swim. Because, even though it's November, we ARE in Florida. Highs in the 80's this week!

We arrived home around 9:30 after a long full day. I always feel so refreshed after our community day & spending time being uplifted by so many Godly women. I'm incredibly thankful for all of them!