Catalog

2022

HOMESCHOOL
with a friend.
 1997–2022

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS: MESSAGE FROM CEO

Dear Families,

This year, Classical Conversations® is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. As one of
the first graduates from the program, I like to joke that I was the guinea pig of CC. In
twenty-five years, CC has grown from eleven students meeting in my family’s basement
to a global organization helping tens of thousands of families homeschool across the
world. It has always been and continues to be a family business, as one family supports
and encourages the next. Ephesians 4:2 says, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient
with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” (NLT)
Wow! What a great reminder this verse is, as we learn together and do life together. It’s a
wonderful blessing to see local communities embracing and loving each other well.

We have been truly humbled by our international growth. Together with families who join our international
programs, we are translating our curriculum into multiple languages. It is a team effort, as we move into
countries that have not had homeschool curriculum and Christian education available to home-educating
families. Weekly, we hear from these folks who share how your faithfulness to homeschooling positively impacts
their hopes and dreams for their families.

Parents both near and far have shared their appreciation for our Christ-centered curriculum which builds on
how children naturally learn. In the early years, we capitalize on children’s natural inclination to imitate others.
Your child builds a rich vocabulary (“grammar”) by repeating and chanting rhymes and songs. As your child
grows, we help you channel their curiosity into asking questions and investigating the answers to those questions
through dialogue (“dialectic”). Finally, we provide opportunities for your maturing student to become a clear
thinker and problem solver through writing and conversation (“rhetoric”).

You’ve got this, and we’ve got you. In this special anniversary year, we have exciting support improvements rolling
out for parents. The new CC Connected® platform, now included for every U.S. family beginning in the 2022–2023
academic year, will help you reach your full potential as a homeschooling parent and connect you with other like-
minded families.

Classical Conversations practices what we teach. Nearly 70% of our full-time staff currently have or previously
had their children in a community. I am starting my third year as a CC dad, and
this will be our family’s first year with two children
enrolled. I’m truly blown away with
how much my children can learn and
how much confidence learning gives
them. I am blessed by the community
we are in—by the parents, Tutors,
and Directors who pour into
my family’s lives. I could
not imagine homeschooling
without that peer
network for help.

God Bless,

Robert Bortins,
CEO, Homeschool Dad

Pictured is the Bortins family. v

2 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS 50 Essentials THE BENEFITS
52 Challenge Overview • Practicing the classical tools
5 Mission, Vision, We Believe 54 Challenge A
6 Tools of the Trivium 56 Challenge B of learning with other families
7 Examples of the Trivium 58 Challenge I
8 The CC Journey 60 Challenge II • Homeschooling with like-
10 Planning Calendar 62 Challenge III minded friends and families
12 History 64 Challenge IV
14 International 66 National Conference • Reading and writing about
16 Leadership: Licensed Directors 68 National Commencement the great classical
Make a Difference 70 What about College Credit? conversations of history
18 “A Reluctant Leader” | 71 Colleges Attended in 2020
Tyffany Fries 72 Homeschool and Earn THE BLESSINGS
a Masters • Redeeming two educations:
CHRISTIAN: Echo in Celebration
CLASSICAL: Curated Curriculum parent and child
22 We Believe 76 We Believe
24 “We Are Investors” | April Foster 78 Foundations Community • Time for all students to
25 What Is Classical 82 Scribblers at Home express their ideas and
Conversations®? 88 Essentials Community questions among colleagues
26 Core Values 92 Challenge A Community
27 Getting Started Is Easy 96 Challenge B Community • Feasts, fun, friendships, and
28 “Joining Classical 99 Homeschooling through even field trips
Conversations” | David Tran High School with Confidence
30 Join Local Families 100 Challenge I Community THE BEAUTY
for Practicum 104 Challenge II Community • The shared pursuit of truth,
31 Join Global Families on 108 Challenge III Community
Social Media 112 Challenge IV Community goodness, and beauty
32 “Classical Conversations Is
Our Journey” | Laura Kooistra • The tools needed to learn
33 “There Is No Late or Behind” | anything
Sarah Vertner
34 Heart of Assessment • The echo in celebration of
35 What about Testing? knowing God and making
Him known
COMMUNITY:
Homeschool with a Friend RETRIEVE RUGBY ROBERT • $250 GIVEAWAY

38 We Believe Our CEO, Robert Bortins, is secretly playing rugby somewhere
40 Scope and Sequence within this catalog. As much as we respect Robert’s time for
41 Services and Publications recreation, we really need him back to run Classical Conversations.
42 “Beginning to Homeschool” |
Heather Shirley Can you help us find him?
44 Benefits of Community
45 Membership Update Once you locate RUGBY ROBERT, scan this
46 Foundations QR code with your smartphone’s camera or
48 Scribblers at Home visit classicalconversations.com/rugby-robert
for a chance to win $250 to the CC bookstore.
Contest closes June 30, 2022, and the winner
will be contacted the week of July 5, 2022.

No purchase necessary to enter the contest.
Home office employees are not eligible to win.

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/INTRO 3

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS

A Foundations community in North Carolina.

4 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

EDUCATION THAT NOURISHES MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT

MISSION

To know God and to make Him known.

VISION

Classical Conversations® fulfills its mission by curating curriculum,
providing services, and training parents to build flourishing
homeschool communities.

Therefore, our team both practices and is r Encouraging parents to develop the confidence
committed to: to lead Christ’s natural classroom: the family.

r Submitting first our own minds, bodies, and r Challenging entire families to cultivate the art of
spirits to the work of Christ as we join the great wisdom through knowledge and understanding.
classical conversations of history.
r Developing curriculum and services which
r Supporting licensed homeschooling leaders ensure Classical Conversations’ families are
imitating Christ’s work of reconciliation by equipped to conquer any obstacle in their pursuit
serving families pursuing a classical education. of Christ.

Since our inception in 1997, Classical Conversations has used this timeless set of beliefs to guide how we
interact with families and support learning in community.

WE BELIEVE 5. The support of community enhances our ability
1. The purpose of education is to know God and to
to fulfill parental duties.
make Him known.
6. The accountability of community both sharpens
2. God trusts parents with their children, and so
and humbles its members.
should we.
7. Classical education embodies the most
3. Wrestling with truth promotes blessing and virtue
natural tools of learning.
for the whole community.
8. Truth is required to inculcate wisdom,
4. Education is the responsibility of the family, with
knowledge, and understanding.
support from fellow believers.
9. Classical education prepares us to accept the

responsibilities of Christian freedom.

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/MISSION 5

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS: The Tools of the Trivium

The Classical Arts

How do you teach your child to experience and rhetoric prepares you to teach a subject to someone
examine God’s creation? By learning alongside them else, write original essays, or solve problems.
in a community with a common goal. Classical
Conversations® empowers you to guide your child’s GRAMMAR
educational development at every age (and teaches
you, too!). Our Christ-centered curriculum is rooted The first art in learning any subject is to memorize
in the classical model and is in tune with the way the vocabulary. For example, when young children
children naturally learn. learn to read, they memorize the names of the letters
and the sounds they make. Classical educators
We believe education is best experienced together, call this the art of grammar.Young children enjoy
and that’s why community is the bedrock of our memorization and recitation; they love repeating
homeschool program. When you’re part of Classical songs, chanting lists, and pronouncing big words.
Conversations, you belong to an extended family We capitalize on their enjoyment by teaching young
that’s got your back, whether you need help with children the grammar of many subjects and by
math or an extra hand running errands. Thanks to practicing with friends and family.
our decades of expertise, you and your child benefit
from the type of comprehensive education that DIALECTIC
creates bright, observant students who have a lifelong
love of learning. The second art in learning a subject is to sort,
compare, and understand the words and the rules
We’re the homeschool program that helps you that apply to them. For example, when learning to
cultivate an inquisitive, thoughtful child through an analyze literature, we compare and contrast multiple
intentional, community-based approach. Learning ideas. We call this art dialectic because much of the
together with families united in the same mission, work done in this process is accomplished through
you’re equipped with the tools and support to teach questions and conversation.
a Christ-centered, biblical worldview that’s rooted in
the classical model. RHETORIC

Trivium The third art in learning a subject is to share what
you have learned with others. We call this art rhetoric.
A classical education recognizes that we learn This might look like teaching a math problem,
anything by using three distinct arts: grammar, writing a poem, or giving a speech. In all studies,
dialectic, and rhetoric. These arts include the skills students begin to apply the wisdom they have learned
people can use to learn anything. Grammar helps you to their own life experiences. Older teens enjoy being
learn words and basic facts. Dialectic trains you to rhetorical because they long to express themselves
sort, understand, and practice using those facts. And and solve problems creatively.

6 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

EXAMPLES OF THE TRIVIUM

THE 5 CORE HABITS OF GRAMMAR: THE REPETITION THAT BUILDS KNOWLEDGE

FOR PREPARATION FOR MEMORY

NAMING Know the appropriate word. Seagull first, then introduce the black-billed gull.

ATTENDING Differentiate the word from other Seagull with a black bill versus seagull with a red bill.
known ideas.


MEMORIZING Remember the definition to build a Black-billed gull versus red-billed gull.
knowledge base.


EXPRESSING Use the body and senses to share Draw or photograph a black-billed gull and
knowledge. a red-billed gull.


STORYTELLING Use words, specifically written or Explain the differences between the birds to a parent.
spoken, to share knowledge.


THE 5 COMMON TOPICS OF DIALECTIC: THE QUESTIONS THAT DEVELOP UNDERSTANDING

FOR PREPARATION FOR INVENTION

DEFINITION Discover what something is. What is a bird?What is a seagull?

COMPARISON Discover similarities first, then How are birds and seagulls similar? How are they
differences. different?


RELATIONSHIP Discover causes and effects. What causes a bird to fly?What are the effects of
birds flying?


CIRCUMSTANCE Discover what else is happening at When the bird is flying, what is happening below?
the same time in other places. What is happening above?


TESTIMONY Discover what others say. What does Peterson Field Guide tell me about
the bird?


THE 5 CANONS OF RHETORIC: THE ARTIFACT THAT DEMONSTRATES WISDOM

MEMORY The flooding of words and sensory I want to share my birding adventures, so I'll cull
stimuli associated with an idea through my bird list, recordings, maps, and photographs.
memoria
Which birds from which biomes will allow me to
INVENTION The asking of questions through the share my knowledge?
5 Common Topics
inventio I can't share them all, so I'll limit my topics to rare
sea birds.
ARRANGEMENT The sorting of invention into
organized thoughts I'll write an essay exploring its name, features, and
dispositio habitat and sketch an image of the bird.

STYLE The choosing of the best way to I'll practice saying the common and Latin names,
present the thoughts pause to listen to the call, and then limit myself to a
elocutio two-minute description of this bird.

DELIVERY The practicing of presenting the

pronuntiatio best thoughts



NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/TESTIMONY 7

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS: THE CC JOURNEY

To Know God and to Make Him Known

Vision

Classical Conversations® fulfills its mission by curating curriculum, providing services, and training parents to
build flourishing homeschool communities.

kin III IV 1 2gdom of GCEodHNaGnRdEIHSisLrUTigSIhAteoNus:neEssc, ahndoaSllitCnheCRYCsCIeLEBethBilneLgsEbsRFrhaaOlltUCbYieCoNLaEDndded to you.MATTHEW

the

But seek first CC P S 6:33 (NKJV)

CHALL ATIONS

IVExposition Grammar AT

II 3CYCLE HOME
CLASSICAL: CuCrHaAtIteLisLdtheCglory TIALS
Logic GOD Debate
RBS25:2H(NoAKJTmVI)eOsNcShool with a Friend
I 1TOUR

Reasoning Research

B 2ESSEN TOUR
ENGE
urriculum A 3 COMMUNITY:ofGod to TOUR FOUND PROVE
conceal a
matter, kings is search out a matter.
But the glory of to

8 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

EDUCATION THAT NOURISHES MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT

Starting the Classical Conversations Journey

Learn about Attend a Join a
Classical Conversations® Practicum Community

r ClassicalConversations.com r Renew Vision r Weekly Accountability
r Catalog r Practice Classical Tools r Academic Guides
r Outreach Events r Dig into Ideas r Tutor Support
r Open House r Connect Locally r Events

Completing the Classical Conversations Journey

Serve Use Pursue Advanced
Others Services Education

r Help Plan a Capstone Event r Classical Conversations Books r Classical Learning Cohort
r Become a Tutor r CC Connected® r College Credit
r Direct a Program r Homeschool Testing Services r Associate’s/Bachelor’s Degrees
r Invest as a Support r High School Transcripts r MA in Classical Studies
Representative

“
MY HUSBAND AND I SEE A LOT OF CURRICULUM PROVIDERS
BOTH CREATE AND BRING TO MARKET SOME PRETTY MARVELOUS
TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR HOMESCHOOLING PARENTS. MOST ARE
GOOD, SOME EVEN EXCELLENT. I ONLY WISH WE WOULD HAVE HEARD
OF CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS SOONER. THIS COMPANY FALLS
INTO THE ‘EXCELLENT’ CATEGORY.”

GENA SUAREZ | PUBLISHER, THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE® MAGAZINE

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/STORY 9

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS: PLANNING CALENDAR 2022

JANUARY MARCH MAY

Register for the Submit graduate bios for Celebrate
National Conference National Commencement Mother’s Day

Graduating? Register Register for Practicum Attend a local CC
for the National Senior Thesis defense
Commencement Participate in Faces of
History at community Attend a Practicum
Returning family (Northern Hemisphere)
enrollment begins Invite a friend to
Open House Attend a local Classical
Invite a friend to a Conversations
Classical Conversations® Visit the program your graduation event
Outreach Event child will be in next year

Invite your friends to the
Challenge A Science Fair
in your area

FEBRUARY APRIL JUNE

Grab two catalogs from Christ is risen! Celebrate
your Licensed Director and Father’s Day
share one with a friend Attend the National
Conference Join a summer
Register for end-of-grade book club
testing with Homeschool Attend the National
Testing Services Commencement Attend a Practicum
(Northern
Register to attend a state Encourage your Ch. I–IV Hemisphere)
or regional homeschool student to attend Protocol
conference Purchase books for
Celebrate with local next semester
New family Memory Master students
enrollment begins Attend a local
Attend End-of-Year Academic
Valentine’s Day—Watch Program at community Orientation
The Dot and the Line:
A Romance in Lower Attend a local Mock Trial
Mathematics online or debate

Attend a Senior Thesis
defense

Dates are generalized, as they change yearly or are offered many times.

10 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

EDUCATION THAT NOURISHES MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT

JULY SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER

Gather resources from Invite local community Register for
CC Connected® and leaders, pastors, and HomeschoolCounselor.net
prepare for the academic government officials to
year visit your community Register for
AcademicRecords.net
Attend your local parent Register for the PSAT,
orientation(s) SAT, or ACT Attend a Practicum
(Southern Hemisphere)
Homeschool Testing
Services’ online and
in-home spring testing
season ends

Attend a local Academic
Orientation

Attend a Practicum

2022 AUGUST OCTOBER DECEMBER

Challenge programs Ask your Director about Happy Birthday,
begin Memory Master for your Jesus!
Foundations student
Master of Arts in Deadline for second
Classical Studies begins Invite a friend to semester CC Plus
Open House registration
CC Plus program begins
Consider applying to Attend a Christmas
Foundations and become a Director in your performance
Essentials programs community or investigate
begin starting a new community Purchase next
semester resources
Attend a local Academic Register for next year’s from the Classical
Orientation National Conference Conversations online
bookstore

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/CALENDAR 11

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS: HISTORY

THE FUTURE OF CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS
A Classical Conversations mom and child attending

the 2021 National Conference.

12 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM  1997–2022

EDUCATION THAT NOURISHES MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT

Meet the Founder
and Family

An Organization developed the idea of local communities being led by
Built on Family Licensed Directors and Tutors for the three programs:
Foundations, Essentials, and Challenge. Leaders
Classical Conversations® began to receive extensive training and resources to
is an organization built on better serve the Classical Conversations programs in
family. From its origins their local communities.
in the basement of the
Bortinses’ North Carolina 2012
home to more than 45,000
families now enrolled A Changing of the Guard
worldwide, Classical Conversations has always been
and will always be all about family. The Bortins In 2012, Leigh stepped
family values God’s instruction to “train up a child in away from the leadership
the way [they] should go,” Proverbs 22:6 (KJV). of the company she had
created fifteen years earlier.
1984 She appointed Classical
Conversations’ very first
An Idea Takes Form student, her oldest son,
Robert, as the new CEO of Classical Conversations.
Educated to be an aerospace engineer, Leigh Bortins
decided to stay home to raise her sons. When she 2017
couldn’t find a classical, Christian homeschool
curriculum, she decided to develop her own. The Future Is Bright in Classical Conversations’
Twentieth Year
1989
During its twentieth year, more than 105,000
Gets Its Start students from over 43,000 families participated in
Classical Conversations’ programs in almost 2,500
The growing Bortins family moved to Winston-Salem, communities. These communities were led by over
North Carolina, in 1989, when Rob Bortins accepted 15,000 Licensed Directors and Tutors and were
a job with US Airways. located in all fifty states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, and fifteen foreign countries.
1997
TODAY
Challenge Programs Begin
Classical Conversations Is Now Available
Classical Conversations’ Challenge program started around the World
with eleven students and their families in the
basement of the Bortinses’ home. Classical Conversations serves families in fifty-one
countries. Our team of leaders from across the globe
2000 collaborate throughout the year to develop classical
curriculum in five languages. Our academic advisors
Develops into a Business are homeschooling parents who taught themselves
to be experts in a variety of subjects. These lifelong
With the help of friends and family, Leigh developed learners integrate their personal expertise into the
a business plan for her educational model and classical model of Christian education. Classical
entered it into the annual Piedmont Entrepreneurial Conversations International writers are dedicated to
Network’s competition for new businesses. uniting the body of Christ by encouraging families
always to be ready with an answer to why they love
2006 Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

God Blesses with Rapid Growth

As Classical Conversations began to expand
outside the central North Carolina area, Leigh

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/INTRO 13

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS: INTERNATIONAL

Where in the World Is God
Moving Parents’ Hearts?

In the summer of 2019, the Evans family found Contact:
themselves relocated to Okinawa, wondering what [email protected]
type of homeschool support was available. How Visit: ccinternationalonline.com
pleased they were to be embraced and encouraged Brazil: classicalconversations.com.br
at a Classical Conversations® Practicum! Classical Russia: classical-conversations.ru
Conversations International provides support in Canada: canada-cc.ca
transition for military, missionary, and native families United Kingdom: classicalconversations.co.uk
across the globe. Mexico: classicalconversationsmexico.com

Currently, Classical Conversations exists in more
than fifty countries with local leaders building
teams to include translators, academic advisors, web
designers, marketers, and many other positions.
Interested in becoming the next leader in your area?

2005 | CANADA 2016 | RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Classical Conversations began in Canada. Classical Conversations sponsored
the Global Home Education Conference in Rio de
2009 | MILITARY FAMILIES Janeiro, Brazil.
Classical Conversations began to support military
families that were stationed overseas. 2016 | RUSSIA
Classical Conversations was established in Russia.
2011 | MIDDLE EAST
Working with our missionary families, Classical 2018 | BRAZIL
Conversations expanded to the Middle East. Classical Conversations opened in Brazil.

2012 | BERLIN, GERMANY 2018 | RUSSIA
Classical Conversations sponsored the first Global Classical Conversations sponsored the Global Home
Home Education Conference, held in Berlin, Education Conference in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Germany.
2018 | FIVE LANGUAGES
2012 | SINGAPORE A strategy was conceived for translating products
Communities were opened in Singapore. from English into four additional languages. Classical
Conversations expanded to add Spanish, Portuguese,
2013 | EXPANSION Russian, and Mandarin.
Classical Conversations started the first communities
in Asia, Australia, and England. 2019 | SOUTH AMERICA
Classical Conversations started communities in Chile
2014 | MORE EXPANSION and many other South American countries.
Communities were established in Kenya, South
Africa, and Taiwan. 2020 | SEVEN COUNTRIES
Classical Conversations launched fourteen Academic
2015 | GUAM Advisors in seven countries.
Classical Conversations opened its first community
in Guam. 2020 | MEXICO
Communities in Mexico were set in motion.

14 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

EDUCATION THAT NOURISHES MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT

COUNTRIES

Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Belgium

Bolivia
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guam
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
India

Italy
Japan
Kenya
Malaysia
Mexico
Nepal
New Zealand
Peru
Philippines
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Taiwan
Thailand
Uganda
United Kingdom
Venezuela

This list does not include our
closed countries that need
to remain secure for
safety purposes.

NEXT STEPS • CCINTERNATIONALONLINE.COM 15

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS: LEADERSHIP

16 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

EDUCATION THAT NOURISHES MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT

Licensed Directors
Make a Difference

Licensed Directors are homeschool parents who are MUTUAL SUPPORT
trained to lead local learning communities one day a
week. Our Directors come alongside parents by A Licensed Director is never alone in their directing!
modeling the tools of learning and practicing it with They have the opportunity to fellowship, learn from,
our curated curriculum.This builds a rich learning and share ideas with other leaders. They can rely on
community, where parents and their children learn support from their local Support Representative and
alongside each other in a pursuit of truth, goodness, the Academic Support team.They also encourage
and beauty. other parents to homeschool through high school.

Become a Licensed Director REDEEMED EDUCATION

Licensed Directors are committed to serving Christ, Directors often report that they have redeemed
homeschooling all of their children through high their own educations while preparing to lead their
school, and learning the classical model of education. programs. Their children benefit from the skills that
Sharing Classical Conversations’ vision to cultivate their parents have gained while directing. Classical
Christian leaders, Licensed Directors commit to education thus redeems the education of two
mentoring homeschooling families. Directors benefit generations at once.
from this calling professionally and personally, too.
Are you interested in joining this team of leaders? PERSONAL REWARD

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP Directing a program has personal rewards, as well.
As Directors run their own business, they gain
Classical Conversations® Licensed Directors love God’s confidence. With support from their leadership
Word and are eager to apply it to their program’s team, Directors develop professional skills like
academics. Licensed Directors grow in their ability to public speaking, advertising, and event planning
integrate God’s Word into conversations that equip while still being at home with their children.
parents and students to know God and to make Him Directors reap many rewards from their investment
known. No one should ever feel excluded from any in Christian leadership.
form of human endeavor; thus, our Challenge Directors
lead conversations in all the seminars offered. We
are committed to cultivating adults who can teach
anything because they are mastering the classical arts.

“ I HAD DOUBTS ABOUT DIRECTING, JUST LIKE I HAD DOUBTS ABOUT MY

ABILITY TO HOMESCHOOL TO BEGIN WITH. BUT CC WALKED ME THROUGH

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, PROVIDING TRAINING AND RESOURCES. NOW

I LOVE MY NEW ROLE.”

MARY | DIRECTOR

BEING A DIRECTOR HAS HELPED ME BECOME A BETTER HOMESCHOOL PARENT.”

JUDY | DIRECTOR

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/DIRECTING 17

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS: BECOME A LICENSED DIRECTOR

A Reluctant Leader

TYFFANY FRIES | Homeschool Mom time, began a conversation about the book Number
the Stars, which the children read in Challenge A. In
Dictionaries define reluctant as “hesitant” or our discussion, she asked me if it was ever acceptable
“unwilling.” Initially, I was both. Several years ago, I for believers to lie, citing an example from the book
was introduced to Classical Conversations® through where individuals lied to protect Jews during World
a homeschool testing site. I was intrigued by the War II. It was a transformative question for
classical method and intrigued by the program. me. It was transformative not just because it raised
Though certain it was a great program, I was equally important moral questions but because it gave me a
certain that leading that program was not for me. glimpse into Challenge A seminars. If Directors were
My area was relatively unfamiliar with Classical discussing these types of questions, I could only
Conversations, and I was firmly convinced that, if imagine the richness of the classes. I wanted to be
God wanted a community in our area, He would find a part of that! My excitement overcame my reluctance,
someone else. But no leaders were coming forward. and I became my community’s Challenge A Director.
I decided I would just do Classical Conversations I then went on to direct Challenge B, I, and II and
“at home,” and it would be good enough. For two will direct Challenge III next year. I even became a
years, I hobbled through Classical Conversations at Support Representative to be able to encourage
home, with a few friends meeting once a month to do others to direct. No more hesitation, unwillingness,
our version of presentations. Throughout this time, or reluctance!
the Lord was solidifying my understanding of both
homeschooling and classical education. HE HAS EQUIPPED ME, PREPARED ME,

To meet other homeschool moms, I joined a co-op, AND SUSTAINED ME IN THESE ROLES.
but it was not at all what I was looking for in my
homeschooling journey. Through God’s sovereignty, My initial objections to directing for Classical
I met a dear friend who had also heard of Classical Conversations were self-focused ones. I was positive
Conversations. I brought her my Foundations that I could not do it. And I was right: I could never
guide to look at and told her that if she directed, I do it on my own. But God could. He has equipped
would tutor. The following fall, we had a brand-new me, prepared me, and sustained me in these roles.
community of forty-eight students and a Challenge A He has brought like-minded people to surround me
class of twelve. I tutored for several years, continuing in building a community of people who know how
to “know” that directing was not for me. Though God to think. The beauty of also becoming a Support
had equipped me for years to become a Director, Representative is that I have had the privilege of
I still was hesitant to accept that role. Ultimately, I visiting other communities and have learned that my
wasn’t even sure I would homeschool long-term. As experience is not unique. Not only are others’ fears
I watched my friends step into leadership positions, similar; the support they receive from communities is
I slowly began to realize that God was giving me that also similar. I have never felt “alone” in this process.
same call. Between tutoring, directing, and leading, I have
always been upheld, supported, encouraged, and
THOUGH GOD HAD EQUIPPED ME FOR challenged by the other leaders God has put in place
throughout Classical Conversations.
YEARS TO BECOME A DIRECTOR, I STILL
God is faithfully sustaining and upholding leaders
WAS HESITANT TO ACCEPT THAT ROLE . . . throughout the country. Becoming a Director has
been one of the most profound experiences of my
When my oldest child was ready to move into life, and I cannot implore others more strongly to
Challenge A, I reluctantly applied to direct. I met step into this life-changing role. Together, let us move
with my Area Representative and my Support from reluctance to enthusiasm!
Representative to ask some questions and interview
for the position. During my interview, my Area
Representative, who had become a close friend by this

18 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

EDUCATION THAT NOURISHES MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT

A Place for
Everyone

One of the biggest joys we get to experience
at Classical Conversations® is seeing how our
classical, Christian communities provide a wide
variety of opportunities for parents to do life
together. Whether you enjoy planning fun events,
teaching teenagers how to think logically, serving
those in need around you, or comforting those
who have suffered loss—there is a place for you.
We believe in the incarnate community that lives
life together and uses their gifts as we see in
1 Corinthians 12. We cry, laugh, learn, struggle,
grow, and accomplish together in ways that reflect
our mission statement, “To know God and to make
Him known.”

WE CRY, LAUGH, LEARN, STRUGGLE,
GROW, AND ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER . . .

Homeschooling with Classical Conversations is more
than an education; it’s living as the larger family of
Christ, locking arms together in raising the next
generation of Christ-followers.

“WHEN I LEFT MY CAREER BEHIND TO
FOCUS ON HOMESCHOOLING, I KNEW
IT WAS THE RIGHT MOVE, BUT I STILL
MISSED SOME THINGS. DIRECTING
FULFILLS THAT NEED BUT STILL
ALLOWS ME TO KEEP MY KIDS AND
THE FAMILIES IN MY COMMUNITY
AS PRIORITY!”
SARAH | HOMESCHOOL MOM | DIRECTOR

c Ginny, her son, and her other two children attend a
community in Southern Pines, North Carolina. She has
been a Tutor for two years.

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/DIRECTING 19

CHRISTIAN: ECHO IN CELEBRATION

“ I LEARNED TO RELAX
AND ENJOY THE GIFTS
(MY CHILDREN) GOD HAD

GIVEN ME. I LEARNED

AND EXPERIENCED THE

PURPOSE OF EDUCATION:

TO KNOW GOD AND TO

MAKE HIM KNOWN.”

—LINDSEY W, CC PARENT

20 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

WE PRACTICE WHAT WE TEACH

Purpose DOXOLOGY Why?

Celebration Exposition Grammar Knowledge

RHETORIC Logic GOD Debate GRAMMAR

Wisdom Reasoning Research Stories

Themes DIALECTIC Understanding

The Catechesis Wheel above reminds us that Doxology (echoing in
celebration) results from the study of God’s Word and His world. He
is the center of all knowledge, so let’s study like we believe it! True
education is the pursuit of truth. And Truth is a Person Whose name
is Jesus Christ. Modern education teaches us to compartmentalize
subjects as though they were individual planets. A classical approach
to education, however, views each subject, or “planet,” in the context
of its galaxy, recognizing the effect one planet’s gravitational pull has
on the orbit of another. One subject can’t be mastered without being
influenced by the other subjects. Each planet is intimately locked to the
sun as each subject of creation is connected to its Creator. Christians
assert that we live in a knowable universe rather than a fragmented
multiverse. Join us as we intentionally learn to teach our children about
God’s world, as well as His Word, as we walk, talk, and lie down.

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,
and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine
house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when
thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

DEUTERONOMY 6:7 (KJV)

c Classical Conversations® community members tackling the obstacle course
during the National Conference.

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/COMMUNITY 21

CHRISTIAN: WE BELIEVE WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER
HOMESCHOOLING?
22 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM
1. We believe the purpose
of education is to know God
and to make Him known.

God has hidden His truth and beauty in every subject.
It is our pleasure as families to discover Him as we
learn. Our studies should prepare us to reason clearly,
speak eloquently, calculate accurately, and write
persuasively so that we have the ability to know God
and to make God known.

Homeschooling frees you to set the course for your
children’s education. Homeschoolers around the
world will tell you that a noble purpose brings joy,
wonder, and delight to the hard work of learning
together.That’s why Classical Conversations® provides
resources and encouragement to help you take the
leap, persevere, and thrive. Imagine designing an
education that prepares your children to know God
and to make Him known!

The world looks different to each of us, as we are
shaped by time, geography, culture, family, and
personal preferences. Classical education is our best
opportunity to see the world from a common point of
view as we immerse ourselves in the timeless arts of
learning and the greatest treasures of human culture.

AM I CAPABLE OF
EDUCATING MY CHILDREN?

2. We believe God trusts
parents with their children,
and so should we.

Children are stamped with the image of their parents.
This physical resemblance* is only one of the ways
we know our children are our responsibility. It is the
parents’ job to model what it means to bear God’s
image, and all other institutions should support
parents in that effort, not supplant them.

*Adoptive and foster families, we see you, too! We praise God for all
the creative ways He cares for His beloved children.

c Challenge I student working on a project in community.

WE PRACTICE WHAT WE TEACH

You are capable of educating your children. In fact, Gain confidence as you and your fourth- to sixth-
you have already been at the task since teaching your grade child enjoy learning language structure and
children to walk and talk.Your children did not learn analysis, writing structure and style, and arithmetic
to walk and talk because you are an expert in the speed and accuracy in our Essentials program.
mechanics of walking and talking but because they
were designed to learn to walk and talk.You were there Sharpen your middle school and high school children’s
to point the way and help them along the path. They ability to reason and defend their beliefs through
watched. They listened. They learned. Children walk facilitated discussions with their peers in our Challenge
and talk because they are God’s image-bearers and programs. They will delve into full-length novels and
have been created to learn. They were designed for it, original documents; participate in science labs,
and they were given parents to help them do it. Mock Trial, formal debates, and presentations;
and receive helpful feedback from parents, fellow
So you’ve already begun the journey of educating students, and Tutors.
your children, and now you may wonder what the
future holds and whether you are up to what may Being part of a community means you have access to
feel like a new task. As your children grow, you can thousands of other experienced homeschool parents
grow right along with them, and you don’t have to do who can guide you through transcripts, testing,
it alone. Through Classical Conversations®, you will college applications, and more.
gather teaching tools and encounter mentors along
the way. Tutors and Licensed Directors in your local
Classical Conversations community will provide
support and accountability on a weekly basis.

AM I EQUIPPED TO HOMESCHOOL
THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL?

3. We believe wrestling with
truth promotes blessing
and virtue for the whole
community.

The pursuit of truth requires self-denial, courage, and
perseverance.Your community will be there to help as
you and your student wrestle with hard ideas, words,
and deeds.

We are committed to helping you be a great educator
all the way through high school. That’s why our
programs cover K4 through twelfth grade.

Bring structure and accountability to your home
school as you provide your K4 to sixth-grade children
with a strong grammar education in our Foundations
program. Science experiments, art, music, and even
Latin are just a few of the subjects that you and your
children will experience together.

Challenge I student working on a project in community. v
NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/MISSION 23

CHRISTIAN: MISSION • VISION

We Are Investors!

APRIL FOSTER | Homeschool Mom | Communication Manager

I never thought that I had what it took to homeschool to discover, apply, and master truth. By wielding the
my children. I will never forget telling my extended classical tools of learning, we aren’t just fortifying our
family we were pulling our kids out of school to own intellects; we are unleashing divine purposes into
homeschool them. They all thought it was a mistake. culture and our world.
Secretly, so did I.
For three hours, we wrestled through these questions
As supportive as my husband was, he wasn’t sure it until the analogy became clearer. Kingdom investors
would pay off either—academically or financially. He know they have Heaven’s backing. They’re inventive
couldn’t see how we would survive on one income, and enduring, seeking ideas, resources, and
and I struggled with giving up my salary, my career, relationships to help them overcome trials. They
and the identity that came with it. Still, we traded my fortify themselves with accounts of “Hall of Faith”
income to invest in our children. believers that came before them in Scripture, in
history, and in their own lives. With thanksgiving
Within a few months, the second-guessing began. I felt and humility, they accept lifestyle changes to pursue
defeated, trying to kick-start school after the holidays their mission more capably. Investors adopt the same
and face the monotony of math. Only by God’s grace strategies as physical trainers, finding that strength is
did we survive that year . . . Moving reluctantly into built through repetition and intensity.
our second year, I still wasn’t convinced that I was the
best teacher for my children. Wait—I didn’t think I I have had the honor of tutoring Challenge and
was best, but I thought a stranger was? If I graduated witnessing the harvest of the labors I poured over
successfully from high school, then why couldn’t I my own children and other young adults. After she
walk alongside my kids and graduate again? graduated, a student gave me a framed picture that
read, “Thank you for taking me under your wing
In those early years, I questioned it all. Could I and helping me fly!” She included a heartfelt note,
homeschool through high school? Would I ruin their thanking me for ten years of unwavering support,
chances to attend college or earn scholarships? There especially in the chaos of 2020, her graduating year.
were so many uncertainties. I had to lean deeply into Ironically, that student was Rachel’s daughter. I never
my faith to stay the course. imagined that the investment I made in my family
would extend to others.
One night, I was scrolling through Facebook, when
I stumbled upon a post from a dear friend, Rachel How do you develop the grit to persevere as an
Fendley, who I had homeschooled with for many investor?You must work toward the eternal. When a
years through Classical Conversations®. She wrote, difficult developmental transition comes, investors
“Tonight, I figured out my title. I am an INVESTOR! know it is not the time to change course but to press
Now I finally know how to answer the question, in against difficulty. I find encouragement in G. K.
‘So . . . what do you do?’” Chesterton’s words, “Perhaps God is strong enough
to exult in monotony.” There is power and beauty in
NOW I FINALLY KNOW HOW TO the routine.
ANSWER THE QUESTION,
‘SO . . . WHAT DO YOU DO?’ As we “do it again,” may we invest in our kids as a
farmer sows seeds in a field, working diligently by the
I pondered this title and mulled over its implications. day, trusting a harvest will come. May we learn to
Why would she call herself an investor? What was be as our Father, “exulting in monotony.” Investing
she investing in? I invited Rachel over to my house is not a passive or one-time action but requires daily
to further tease out the concept. In our conversation, deposits to yield a return.
Rachel framed education as a singular pursuit of the
truth. Generation after generation is called by God My perspective on my role and purpose has changed
dramatically. Now, I confidently share my title with
others. I, April Foster, am an investor.

24 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

WE PRACTICE WHAT WE TEACH

What Is Classical
Conversations?

With her dying breath, Rachel named her newborn The best authors have a lot to teach us about the
“Son of My Sorrow.” (Gen. 35:18). Jacob knew that this answers to these questions.
would be a terrible legacy, so he renamed him Benjamin
—“Son of My Right Hand.” What a difference! The beauty of educating through Classical
Conversations is in its simplicity. Contrary to the
Most parents spend hours pondering names for expensive tools of modern education, we really
their children. Names help us to know and love a only need four things to educate our children well:
person or thing. In order to understand our books, paper, pencil, and time. We don’t need flashy
community mission, let us consider the name presentations to convey truth to our students. We do
Classical Conversations®. need good books that are well written and thought-
provoking. We do need time at home for students
What is the meaning of classical? to process their ideas through reading and writing.
We do need time in community to guide students to
We are recovering the ancient model of classical refine their ideas through dialogue. Cultivating this
education and adapting it in our communities and lost art of conversation, we can seek truth together.
homes. We are turning our heads back toward the
ancient wisdom of the trivium (Latin for “three roads”). In our Challenge seminars, you will not see the latest
technology. Instead, you will see relationships forming
Contemporary society says there is no certain know- as students ask and answer important questions,
ledge, no absolute truth. As Christians, we believe the conduct formal debates, give speeches, and complete
opposite. We believe that Truth is the Person of Jesus scientific experiments.
Christ, and we can know Him. We believe that God
has revealed himself to us in His world as well as His In our communities, you also won’t find principals,
Word. We believe that the classical model will help teachers, or grades. We believe that parents hold
families to know God and to make Him known to ultimate responsibility for their children’s education.
the world. Trained Tutors model classical, Christian education
for families and support parents on this journey.You
How will we do this? When our children are small, they won’t find students bouncing from teacher to teacher
are generally good at memorizing information. We for different subjects. Instead, our students stay
choose to work with the child’s natural inclination as together in small groups for an entire day.Tutors thus
we teach them to memorize Scripture (God’s Word) communicate their love for students and their zeal
and facts from academic subjects such as history, for learning.
math, Latin, English grammar, science, and geography
(God’s world). What you will see are engaged parents and students
on a treasure hunt to find exciting truths that God
As our children mature, they learn more through has hidden about himself in math, history, literature,
conversation than recitation.They need good books to science, and, yes, even Latin. What you will see are
contemplate and good conversations with peers and families encouraging one another to work hard and
trusted adults.There are certain books that all people to wrestle with big ideas because they believe that
should read so they can enter the conversations all subjects are God-ordained. What you will see
that began at the dawn of human history. Thinking are parents sharing great ideas and praying for one
humans have always asked: another. What you will see are parents redeeming
their own educations.
r Who is man?
Our timeless conversations become timely as students
r Who is God? apply their reading of classics to the questions we still
have today. The classical conversations spill over into
r What is man’s responsibility to other men? the next generation.

r What is man’s responsibility to God?

r How can we find truth?

r How can we communicate truth to others?

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/MISSION 25

CHRISTIAN: CORE VALUES

GRACE IN SPEECH
• God’s riches at Christ’s expense

• God’s unmerited favor

• God’s provision for change

HUMILITY OF MIND
• Putting others’ needs before

your own

• Not thinking less of yourself, but
thinking of yourself less

• Elevating others

INTEGRITY IN ACTION
• Doing what is right in the face

of adversity

• Doing what is right when no one
is looking

• Doing the courageous thing
when it’s easier to do the
cowardly thing

DILIGENCE IN WORK
• Faithful to the end

• Doing all things as unto the
Lord, in love

• Loyal unto the Lord

EXCELLENCE IN RESULTS
• Worthy of praise

• Worthy of honor

• Worthy of imitation

c Worshippers at the National
Conference last spring in
North Carolina

TITUS 2:7–8

26 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

OUTREACH EVENTS AND OPEN HOUSES

Getting Started
Is Easy!

We offer many ways to learn about

homeschooling with Classical

Conversations.

You may choose to go to an Outreach Event for an
overview of Classical Conversations®, visit an Open
House for a taste of community, or attend a Practicum
for practical homeschooling tips, encouragement, and
discussion of the classical method of education—or
do all three! We also have many online resources to
inspire and guide you in your journey. Once you’ve
been introduced to Classical Conversations and have
a better idea of what we offer, you’re ready to join a
local Classical Conversations community!

OUTREACH EVENTS

When you come to an Outreach Event, you’ll
hear experienced homeschool parents share their
firsthand knowledge of Classical Conversations,
its programs, and homeschooling in community.
You’ll glean wisdom to set and achieve goals for your
child’s education, work through discouragement,
and home educate with confidence.You’ll get your
questions answered, learn about the classical model
of education, and see how Classical Conversations is
unique from other homeschooling options.You don’t
want to miss this!

“ OPEN HOUSES
See Classical Conversations in action by visiting an
Open House at a local Classical Conversations
community.You and your children will get hands-on
experience with community and see what it’s all about!

IT IS HARD TO CHOOSE WHAT I LOVE

BEST BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH

TO LOVE . . . CHRIST-CENTERED,

INTEGRATION OF SUBJECTS,

ACCOUNTABILITY, AND I ABSOLUTELY

LOVE MY COMMUNITY!

LORA, HOMESCHOOL MOM

c Attendees at the National Conference gathering new
resources for their homeschool journey.
NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/CALENDAR 27

CHRISTIAN: FATHERHOOD

28 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

WE PRACTICE WHAT WE TEACH

Joining Classical Conversations

DAVID TRAN | Homeschool Dad | Chief Marketing Officer She asked other Classical Conversations moms what
they were doing at home and which programs they
A Dad’s Perspective recommended. With their expertise and wisdom, she
landed on the perfect one for our son. There were
When my bride, Ginny, and I started thinking about days when Ginny felt she wasn’t good enough, like
what type of education would be the best fit for our she couldn’t “keep up,” and like she was failing. Our
family, we decided that homeschooling matched our CC community made her feel supported, let her
lifestyle. We had three important goals in mind: (1) know she was not alone, and encouraged her. Ginny
to be the leading influencers in our children’s lives, learned that you do not have to homeschool alone. 
(2) to allow them to have an excellent education
with a biblical worldview, and (3) to have more It was encouraging to see how the CC community
flexibility to experience the world. The hard truths was life-giving for Ginny and our kids. I saw
were that we did not know where to start and that Ginny’s transformation as she gained confidence in
we had persistent and nagging fears of failing our homeschooling. This change spilled over into other
kids. Neither of us was homeschooled, so we had no aspects of life, such as her starting an at-home bakery.
experience.   Banks gained confidence in public speaking, giving a
presentation about his Legos, and learned a song that
Here were some of the questions we wrestled with: allowed him to memorize over one hundred historical
events. (If you are in CC, you know what song, and
Ginny: “Am I smart enough to teach my kids? Do I it is now playing in your head. It’s that song that’s on
have what it takes? Do I have the capacity?” repeat even when you turn off the device.) I gained
confidence knowing that we had a plan that would
David: “Are our kids going to be socially weird?” work for our family through high school graduation
and college credit.
We definitely didn’t want to be in this boat by ourselves.
Because we didn’t know what options were available, I GAINED CONFIDENCE KNOWING
we began to research. We quickly discovered the
hundreds of available homeschooling options and THAT WE HAD A PLAN. . . .
rapidly became overwhelmed. After much online
research, we naturally started talking to our close As I experienced Classical Conversations more as
friends and church family. During these conversations, a dad, I concluded that the training moms receive
we kept hearing mention of Classical Conversations® from the program and the relationships developed
(CC), a community-based homeschool program. in the CC communities set up our families to have
their best foot forward. Our children communicate
Fast-forward a couple of years, and we have now their thoughts articulately, become critical thinkers,
finished our second year of CC with our eldest son, and hopefully build a strong foundation in their
Banks, who is six years old. faith as adults. My bride received a community of
like-minded moms learning and growing together.
WE HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT It’s incredible to see my kids thriving, using a
classical education model, and Ginny found a great
OURSELVES, HOMESCHOOLING, AND group of friends to live life through our homeschool
journey. As we continue to grow in our classical,
THE IMPORTANCE OF A CHRISTIAN Christian community, I can echo the Scriptures: “I
have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk
HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY. in truth,” (3 John 4, KJV).

Ginny’s experience with the weekly community
calmed almost every one of her initial fears. She
was able to learn and grow from other seasoned
moms. Initially, I remember her being stressed about
which reading program to use. What did she do?

c David and his son at a Classical Conversations event.

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/DADSGUIDE 29

CHRISTIAN: PRACTICUM

Join Local Families
for Practicum

Classical Conversations® Invests in Parent FELLOWSHIP
Training and Equipping Attending Practicum with local homeschoolers offers
valuable insights and practical tips that lead you to
Practicum events are hosted around the globe each become a confident home educator. This parent
year. Practicums inspire and equip parents who are conference offers tools, training, and practice that
eager to become confident “everyday educators.” The introduce you to the classical model of education.
encouragement of community, the insights of other Plus, you’ll meet other parents at various stages of the
“lead-learners,” and the hands-on practice all build homeschooling journey.
assurance and skills—for learning and for teaching!
You’ll come away inspired and empowered to
THE CLASSICAL MODEL apply what you’ve learned.You’ll find a time of
encouragement, fellowship, and refreshment at
Together, we’ll explore what the classical model can Practicum. It’s part prayer meeting, part pep rally,
do: integrate ideas, develop relationships, and build and part how-to workshop!
connections. And we’ll discover how the classical
model helps us reclaim our educations while helping “ PRACTICUM WAS HELPFUL
us prepare our children for a lifetime of independent TO REFRESH THE JOY OF
learning.
CC AND REALIGN MY
BASIC TOOLS
PURPOSE AND GOALS
We will practice some basic tools of learning and
discover how to use them at home with our children, OF HOMESCHOOLING.
making home-centered education satisfying and
effective.We’ll share ideas for motivating learners, ALOHALANI | CC TUTOR
for tailoring lessons, and for learning alongside our kids.
# THISISFORALLPARENTS ”
INTEGRATED IDEAS
KERRI | CC MOM
Learning together at Practicum whets our appetites
for wrestling with big ideas, trying new methods, and
finding joy on the journey. The excitement builds
as we learn together, finding new ways to think, to
remember information, and to integrate ideas for
deeper understanding.

PRACTICUM 2022

Drawing Out the Truth:The Art of Inquiry
Participate in science discussions and activities that highlight the
wonder all around us, and discover new ways to preserve curiosity and
build skills of scientific discovery with your child.

To find a Practicum event near you, visit classicalconversations.com/practicum

30 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

WE PRACTICE WHAT WE TEACH

JOIN GLOBAL FAMILIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

“ CLASSICAL

CONVERSATIONS®

ENCOURAGEMENT SUPPORTS ME
AND SUPPORT NOT ONLY IN

MY COMMUNITY
BUT ALSO

ONLINE.

I LOVE THE

HELPFUL ANSWERS RESOURCES,
AND UPDATES TIPS,

PRACTICAL WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT,
CONVERSATIONS
AND GENERAL

HELPFUL INFO

CC OFFERS

THROUGH
SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT’S SO

TIPS AND ACCESSIBLE
INSPIRATION TO HAVE THAT

KIND OF
SUPPORT
RIGHT FROM
MY PHONE!”

BECKY, CC MOM

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/INTRO 31

CHRISTIAN: FOR I AM PERSUADED...

Classical Conversations Is Our Journey

LAURA KOOISTRA | Homeschool Mom | Challenge Director

It is not false humility to say I came to homeschooling parents in the education of their children and offers me
flawed, carrying secret doubts and limited under- the benefit of partnering with trained Tutors. There
standing. Despite this, I had boldly homeschooled, is support from Classical Conversations’ home office
and now, eleven years into the journey, I had a overseeing the integrity of the program and delivery
problem. I had a vision for the teacher I wanted to of the product.
be and the kind of students I was hoping to graduate
from our home. But here I was, in the middle of our With children aged two to eighteen in the home, I saw
homeschool path, and I was pretty sure I was lost. how homeschool would be doable from kindergarten
to college credit. Classical Conversations would
I hoped to teach virtue and illuminate the true, good, provide me with a guide for each of my students. I
and beautiful things of life. I longed to inspire my registered my children in our local CC community.
children to read and write well and enjoy the wealth
of culture and ideas that have withstood the tests of I REMEMBER THE MOMENT I SAW
time and history. I hoped to train them to relate well
in real time and experience life with fellow humans. IT ALL “CLICK.”
I wanted them to love God, their neighbor, and
establish biblical understanding and personal faith. After our first year, my family attended the End-of-
Year Celebration. Our whole Classical Conversations
Perhaps I should have expected that a recent move, community gathered to showcase students’ accomplish-
a lifestyle change, a large family with a significant ments. My husband, who had watched my lather, rinse,
spread of ages, and the daily demands of ordinary and repeat with switching to the next “it” curriculum,
life would leave us short of my goals. If my children’s beamed with conviction and satisfaction.
homeschooling had ended then, they would have
described their teacher and their experience as Our youngest daughter, for whom school can be
scattered, battling distractions, and frustrating. difficult, easily joined her friends in showcasing
facts she’d memorized that year. My older children
WITH CHILDREN AGED TWO TO displayed effortless camaraderie with friends while
EIGHTEEN IN THE HOME, I SAW drawing a world map from memory or dressing up as
HOW HOMESCHOOL WOULD BE Leif Erikson to share a portion of a paper. Our eldest
DOABLE FROM KINDERGARTEN TO daughter shared a memorized bit of a virtuous speech
COLLEGE CREDIT. with passion and ownership.With our eyes, ears, and
hearts, we experienced integrated homeschool goals
Do you know what nearly every homeschool mother and experiences. My husband leaned towards me and
does in those circumstances? She turns systems on declared, “CC is our journey. We don’t need to
their head. She might search for a new curriculum keep looking.”
or program. Maybe she’ll create spreadsheets to
compare products or plaster a notebook with post-it Classical Conversations changed my life. It unified
notes full of revisions. I did all that, yet my efforts felt our home school around classical ideals, Christian
fruitless. And now that I had upended things (again), principles, and the richness of community. Homeschool
our days were fractured. has become entirely doable as CC guides me every
step of the way. I still have growth areas, and the
One option in all my “systems review” that captured days aren’t always smooth. But the accountability,
and held my attention was Classical Conversations® responsibilities, and freedoms I’ve found with Classical
(CC). CC offers an integrated curriculum rooted Conversations liberate me to calmly, confidently,
in virtue, classical learning tools, and biblical truth. and with clarity homeschool my children. We share
Classical Conversations affirms the primary role of unity of purpose, and I am empowered and equipped
to teach skills, virtues, and what is true, good,
and beautiful.

32 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

LEARNING DIFFERENCES

There Is No Late or Behind

SARAH VERTNER | Homeschool Mom audiobooks. For my struggling writer, I stayed by her
side, serving as her scribe and editor. My Challenge I
When my oldest son, Noah, didn’t take to reading student, who was new to Latin, worked on Latin with
at four, five, six, or seven, I was really grateful that his sister in Challenge A (mostly orally, of course.)
we could homeschool. He could focus on learning
in other ways. He was never labeled as “slow” or I WAS PRETTY SURE . . . ALL OF MY KIDS
“remedial.” He learned differently, but he learned a
lot. Anyone who met him could tell because he would HAD SOME FORM OF DYSLEXIA.
talk about everything and anything. I remember
thinking, “He might be a different kid if he had been When Noah turned seventeen and the eye doctor
labeled for not being able to read.” He never knew he suggested that we evaluate him for dyslexia, I wasn’t
was different. Thank God for homeschooling. sure if there was much point. I must have already
known that he was severely dyslexic. The official
But that wasn’t the end of it. He didn’t write very diagnosis came while he was researching and writing
well either. He needed so much help. I was an a twenty-page senior thesis on communism and the
overwhelmed mom with six kids, ranging from twelve Vietnam War. In all those years of Challenge, the
years old to three-year-old twins. I needed help! We Directors and other families never treated my son
tried charters, online public school, eighth grade at differently from the students who earned full-ride
the middle school down the road—and he seemed to scholarships to college. He was celebrated for his
be all right. He was a confident and smart kid, and work every week, and he celebrated their work.
it seemed like his struggles with reading and writing
weren’t noticed at school. He earned straight As, and As I watched Noah graduate, I looked at my twins,
the teachers loved having him in class. sitting next to me on the pew. They were seven years
old and not showing signs of reading anytime soon
Meanwhile, a friend introduced us to Classical either. I was pretty sure at this point that all of my
Conversations®, and in January, we joined with kids had some form of dyslexia. But this time, I
the younger five for Foundations and Essentials. wasn’t worried. I had seen Noah become a master
Essentials was the first language arts program that I with the tools of learning. He had learned how to
tried that made sense to me. My nine-year-old, Zak, learn. In Challenge IV, he had studied theology,
taught me what a preposition was, which was amazing philosophy, ancient literature, and the Bible, and he
because I had never learned grammar in my own had wrestled with his own worldview. It didn’t matter
sixteen years of formal education. I loved what they if he read the books with his eyes or his ears. It didn’t
were learning and that God was at the center of it. All matter if he wrote with a pen or a speech-to-text tool
the while, Noah was doing well in eighth grade down on a computer.
the street—checking the boxes.
Because of my experience as a homeschool parent
He came home at the end of the year with straight and a CC Director, now I can see that each child has
As, but it was obvious that he wasn’t really learning unique giftings that the Lord has placed in them for
anything. As I was preparing to send Hannah into the distinct purpose of seeing those gifts shared with
Challenge A the next fall, I felt like the Lord was the world. Even some of the most learning-challenged
telling me that this was for Noah, too. So instead kids still have something to share. The classical
of ninth grade at the local school, he started in method provides superior training and preparation
Challenge I, never having learned the Foundations to nurture each child’s abilities. There is no late
memory work: not the timeline, Latin declensions, or behind.We work the grammar until we get the
not even a single history sentence. grammar.We practice the dialectic, until they become
rhetoricians right before our eyes.
Classical Conversations had given me the relief
of knowing that someone else had done all of the
planning work but I was still the teacher. I could
look at the assignments and decide how that fit my
children best. For my auditory learner, we used

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/UNIQUE 33

CHRISTIAN: THE HEART OF ASSESSMENT

Blue Books and the
Heart of Assessment

Homeschool parents desire to give their children a It is also not enough for our students to learn about
better education than the one they received. However, science, Latin, math, history, and literature as
we often fall back on the same methods that were separate subjects. Instead, we want our students to
used in our educations—particularly in the area of see the big ideas that transcend these subjects. We
assessment. Instead, let us pause and think about a want them to learn to think in an integrated way.
true education and how our assessment can serve
our purposes. The word “education” comes from the At this point, we have established two important
Latin verb educere, which literally translates “to lead goals for assessment: 1) explore and assess a student’s
out of.” What are we leading them out of? In classical, understanding, and 2) help students think about
Christian education, we are leading students out of God’s world in an integrated way. Now, we need a
darkness, out of error. We want our assessment to new methodology for assessment.
serve our mentorship and discipleship of students.
In the past, students took essay exams that were
HOW CAN WE USE ASSESSMENT TO LEAD called “blue books” in honor of the blue paper covers.
This method allowed students to express their ideas
OUR STUDENTS OUT OF ERROR? and teachers to evaluate that expression. In the
Challenge program, we are beginning to recover this
Most of us had the experience of cramming for a lost form of assessment.
test and promptly forgetting everything we learned.
In contemporary society, we have embraced the For example, a Challenge III blue book might
multiple-choice test (typically with bubbles that can integrate history, literature, and philosophy as follows:
be colored in). We have accepted the notion that we “Define man. Compare/contrast your definition
can efficiently and blindly sum up a mass of students with those of three of the philosophers we have
in this way. However, those kinds of assessments studied this year. How did Shakespeare define man?
separate school from real life. If a student memorizes Give examples from two of our plays. How did the
biology terms solely for the purposes of passing a test Founding Fathers define man? How did this affect
to temporarily please a teacher or parent, what have the framing of the Constitution?”
they really learned about biology? Instead, what if our
goal for the study of biology is to encourage students STUDENTS CANNOT CRAM FOR THIS KIND
to revel in the amazing details of Creation and to
consider what they mean? What if we encouraged OF ASSESSMENT.
high school students to go beyond the important
memorization of organ systems? What if they learned Instead, they are encouraged to reflect on the
about the Creator by understanding how those discussions they have had together for an entire
systems work together? semester across various subjects. They are encouraged
to reflect upon how their studies in different areas
IN CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS®, WE WANT have all contributed to a better
understanding of humankind.
TO GUIDE STUDENTS FROM KNOWLEDGE, They are encouraged to weigh
the ideas of thinkers who
TO UNDERSTANDING, TO WISDOM. have gone before them. As
they reflect and add their
It is not enough for our high school students to own thoughts, they have
simply memorize organs in order to pass a biology truly entered the classical
test. We want them to think about how those systems conversations.
reflect the mind of the Maker. It is not enough for our
students to learn how to construct syllogisms in logic
or even to memorize the rules of validity. We want
them to be able to engage our culture by recognizing
the unsound arguments of others and presenting
sound arguments of their own.

34 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

WE PRACTICE WHAT WE TEACH

What about
Testing?

We know those who homeschool have to think
about annual testing. Many states require some
kind of end-of-grade testing, and we’re here to help
you with your testing needs.

TESTING CAN BE STRESSFUL, BUT IT
DOESN’T HAVE TO BE.

In 2021, a father from Tennessee called Homeschool
Testing Services for help in navigating testing for
his son who was on the autism spectrum. He was
concerned that end-of-grade testing would aggravate
his son’s learning disability and would disrupt the
progress they had made.

By using Homeschool Testing Services, the father was
able to test his son over two weeks, introducing it into
their daily lesson work. Though his son wrestled with
the format of a standardized test, he was able to meet
his state requirement as a homeschooling family.

With relief and gratitude, the father and mother said,
“Thank you again, so much, for finding a solution to
our testing dilemma. This makes a real difference in
the life of our little boy, and for that my wife and I are
extremely grateful to you.”

Homeschool Testing Services takes the stress out
of planning your annual testing. We offer at-home
testing options for K–12, as well as some innovative
partnerships for college entrance exams, like the
Classical Learning Test (CLT).

“THANK YOU AGAIN . . . FOR FINDING A
SOLUTION TO OUR TESTING DILEMMA.”

Our convenient and flexible K–12 at-home service
has served tens of thousands of families in meeting
their testing needs.

To learn more about our testing services and
other kinds of assessment for Christian,
classical educators, visit the link listed in the
“Next Steps” below.

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/HTS 35

COMMUNITY: HOMESCHOOL WITH A FRIEND

“ MY WIFE AND I THOUGHT HOMESCHOOLING WAS THE IMPOSSIBLE
TASK. WE REALIZED ALONG THE WAY THAT WE WERE ALREADY
HOMESCHOOLING AND HAD TAUGHT OUR KIDS TO FEED AND
DRESS THEMSELVES AND NAME THEIR HEADS, SHOULDERS, KNEES,
AND TOES. WE JUST NEEDED TO LEARN SOME PRACTICAL TOOLS
FOR TEACHING THEM TO READ, WRITE, AND DO ARITHMETIC.
WE REALIZED WE JUST NEEDED TO TEACH THEM HOW TO LEARN.”
DAVID, HOMESCHOOL DAD

36 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

LEARN TOGETHER, DO LIFE TOGETHER

Classical Conversations® believes in parents because God believes in
parents. We want to share the responsibilities of parenting with one
another as we learn to know God and to make Him known. Classical
Conversations facilitates a partnership with parents, students, and
Tutors. We meet once a week as a team to practice the classical arts
within a Christian community. Tutors are homeschoolers dedicated to
helping both parents and students sharpen their classical skills. Parents
are supportive of both Tutors and students because we value the work
it takes to form an academic community. Students respect Tutors as
an extension of their parents’ authority and leadership. Thus, Tutors,
parents, and students learn together in a supportive three-fold cord.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the
honour of kings is to search out a matter.

PROVERBS 25:2 (KJV)

c Foundations students exploring God’s creation during a nature walk.
NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/COMMUNITY 37

COMMUNITY: WE BELIEVE

BUT AM I THE BEST
EDUCATOR FOR MY CHILD?

4. We believe education is
the responsibility of the
family, with support from
fellow believers.

We raise our sons and daughters to become brothers
and sisters in Christ. Parents have the divinely
appointed duty to love and train their children in the
way they should go, embodying Christ’s love in all
things and in every circumstance. Just as we commit
to studying God’s Word as a family throughout our
lives—we should commit to studying God’s world as
a family.

The good news is you are already halfway there! As a
parent, you have been influencing your child from
their arrival. Classical Conversations® believes that you
are the very best educator for your children. We
believe this so strongly that we offer a host of parent
equipping services.

c Challenge students participating in sports activities
during the 2021 National Conference.

x Challenge B student participating in community.

38 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

LEARN TOGETHER, DO LIFE TOGETHER

WHY SHOULD I JOIN CAN CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS
CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS? MEET MY FAMILY’S UNIQUE
CIRCUMSTANCES?
5. We believe the support
of community enhances 6. We believe the
our ability to fulfill accountability of
parental duties. community both
sharpens and humbles
The classical education community—along with our its members.
church, our neighbors, and our extended family—is
central to our families’ interests and well-being. We The classical education community allows us to
need their example and encouragement to help us strengthen clear thinking skills while learning to love
enjoy our responsibilities as parents. our neighbor. For harmonious community, we must
put others before ourselves, just as we practice at
Classical Conversations® communities meet one home with our family.
day per week.You’ll find the perfect balance of
accountability and flexibility to help achieve your At Classical Conversations, we eagerly celebrate the
family’s goals.You remain the primary educator, differences that can make educating our children
tailoring assignments at home to challenge your and loving others both a real challenge and a real
children in areas of strength or to support them in opportunity. With humility and help from others,
areas of struggle. the timeless arts of human learning found in the
Christian, classical tradition can be adapted to your
You were designed to be your child’s unique circumstances.
primary teacher.
What if my child has special needs?
In the early years, you attend the weekly Community
Day with your children. The Tutor leads the group Students with dysgraphia, dyslexia, vision problems,
and models teaching techniques you can use at various processing disorders, or Asperger syndrome
home. When students begin to attend community on benefit from an education that teaches them how to
their own, Licensed Directors stay in close contact govern themselves well and how to love God and
throughout the year, and you are always welcome to others well. Classical Conversations allows you to
sit in on the seminars. tailor your children’s work to their personal needs
while participating in a supportive community.
One classically-trained Tutor guides students through
all subjects, modeling the skills to be learned and What about sports and other
demonstrating the integration and unity of all commitments?
subjects within a Christ-centered worldview.
With Classical Conversations, students who seriously
We provide a complete curriculum, so you can home- pursue sports or arts find the perfect balance of
school your middle and high school students without accountability and flexibility to help them achieve
worrying about gaps in their transcripts. We also make their goals.Year after year, Classical Conversations
college credit available through our CC Plus program. students report that this flexible schedule allows them
to participate in sports, music, or Bible study.
Communities around the world use the same materials
in the same sequence. Whether it is an upward career
decision, a job relocation, or a part of military life—
moving is stressful. As a Classical Conversations family,
you will have one less thing to worry about­­­in your
child’s education.With communities all over the United
States and in over fifty countries, chances are good
that there will be a community where you are headed.

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/INTRO 39

COMMUNITY: SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

ENGLISH LATIN SCIENCE HISTORY ART AND MUSIC ARITHMETIC

FOUNDATIONS COMMUNITY PROGRAM: ages 4 to 12 (page 78 curated curriculum)

Parts of Speech Nouns, Verbs, Biology, Timeline, Drawing, Music Multiplication
Astronomy, History, Theory, Artists, and Laws
and Vocabulary Anatomy, Physics, and Geography and Composers
and Chemistry




SCRIBBLERS AT HOME PROGRAM: ages 4 to 8 (page 84 curated curriculum)

Spelling and Songs and Nature Walks Read-Alouds Coloring and Counting and
Phonics Stories Handwriting Games
and Drawing

ESSENTIALS COMMUNITY PROGRAM: ages 9 to 12 (page 88 curated curriculum)

Grammar and Structure History-Based Calculating and
of Language Writing Games

EXPOSITION GRAMMAR RESEARCH DEBATE REASONING LOGIC

CHALLENGE A COMMUNITY PROGRAM: ages 12 and up (page 92 curated curriculum)

Newbery Latin A Natural Science Cartography Analogies Arithmetic
and Anatomy and Reasoning
Literature

CHALLENGE B COMMUNITY PROGRAM: ages 13 and up (page 96 curated curriculum)

Newbery Latin B History of American Informal and Pre-Algebra
Astronomy and Biographies and Formal Logic
Literature and
Origins Mock Trial
Short Stories

CHALLENGE I COMMUNITY PROGRAM: ages 14 and up (page 100 curated curriculum)

American Latin 1 Physical American Traditional Algebra

Literature Science Government and Logic and

Economics Drama

CHALLENGE II COMMUNITY PROGRAM: ages 15 and up (page 104 curated curriculum)

British Latin 2* Biology Western Traditional Algebra and
Geometry*
Literature* Cultural Logic 2 and

History* Socratic Dialogue

CHALLENGE III COMMUNITY PROGRAM: ages 16 and up (page 108 curated curriculum)

Poetry and Caesar and Chemistry* American Music Theory* Pre-Calculus A*
Shakespeare* History* and Philosophy
Cicero

Translations*

CHALLENGE IV COMMUNITY PROGRAM: ages 17 and up (page 112 curated curriculum)

Ancient Virgil and Various Physics World History* Theology* Pre-Calculus B*
Literature* Translations

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS DEGREES:

Homeschooling parents may work on their AA, BA, or MA using our community-based, curated curriculum.
*Students may choose to earn college credit using our community-based, curated curriculum.
Space is limited. Learn more on page 73.

40 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

SERVICES AND PUBLICATIONS LOOKING FOR FREE RESOURCES TO
CONTINUE YOUR OWN EDUCATION?
WANT TO CHALLENGE YOUR KIDS WITH Book Club
NATIONAL COMPETITIONS? classicalconversations.com/book-club
National Memory Master
classicalconversations.com/NMM CC Blog
classicalconversations.com/blog
LOOKING FOR RESOURCES TO FRESHEN
UP YOUR HOME SCHOOL? CC Podcast
The Sandbox and Onward E-zines classicalconversations.libsyn.com
classicalconversations.com/connected
CC Videos
WANT YOUR HIGH SCHOOLER TO youtube.com/user/ClassicalConv
EARN COLLEGE CREDIT?
CC Plus Practicum
classicalconversationsplus.com ccpracticum.com

WANT TO GRADUATE WITH FRIENDS WANT TO FURTHER YOUR SKILLS
FROM AROUND THE WORLD? AS A DIRECTOR?
National Commencement Classical Learning Cohort
classicalconversations.com/commencement classicalconversations.com/cohort-interest

NEED HELP WITH COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, WANT TO SHOWCASE YOUR COMMUNITY
TRANSCRIPTS, OR TESTING? TO LOCAL LEADERS?
Homeschool Counselor Excellence in Education
homeschoolcounselor.net classicalconversations.com/eie

Homeschool Testing Services WANT TO KEEP UP WITH CC NEWS?
classicalconversations.com/HTS Parent Newsletter
classicalconversations.com/newsletter
WANT TO EARN YOUR OWN DEGREE
WHILE HOMESCHOOLING?
Undergraduate and MA Program
classicalconversationsplus.com

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/COMMUNITY 41

COMMUNITY: BEGINNING TO HOMESCHOOL

Beginning to Homeschool

HEATHER SHIRLEY | Challenge Director | Homeschool Mom | Chief Academic Officer

“All the same, I should like it all plain and clear,” Latin endings, and more about the structure of my
said [Bilbo] obstinately, putting on his business own language. And perhaps most beautiful of all (and
manner (usually reserved for people who tried to rather by accident), because I was engaged in all of
borrow money off him), and doing his best to appear these domains of knowledge with my children, I was
wise and prudent and professional and live up to beginning to see incredible order and purpose, which
Gandalf’s recommendation. “Also I should like created wonder and excitement in our learning. The
to know about risks, out-of-pocket expenses, time memory work recitations provided a welcome mat to
required and remuneration, and so forth”—by which a broader and more integrated view of knowledge and
he meant: “What am I going to get out of it? and am I learning. My children were growing and learning, and
going to come back alive?” so was I—and so was our wonder.
—The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
“You’ll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs,
That’s how I felt when I began my homeschooling and a good many other things, Bilbo Baggins, before
journey. I wanted some upfront guarantees, too. I we reach our journey’s end.” —Gandalf
had my list of things that I was rather adamant that
I needed, never mind the list of things I didn’t know A few essentials . . .
that I was going to need. So with my list of things that
I thought I needed and a list of things that I didn’t Next, since I needed a few essentials if I hoped to
know I needed, the journey began. Our family set educate my children through high school, I agreed to
out to homeschool using this thing called a classical, tutor Essentials, learning alongside my children there,
Christian model. too. We learned more about the structure and style of
writing. And we learned how to take apart sentences
Where does one begin? In my case, I was able to begin and think on words, phrases, clauses, and their roles
when mine were littlest and youngest. We resembled and relationships to the whole sentence. We learned
hobbits in feature and stature. My three children about declarative, imperative, interrogative, and
were seven, five, and four. Their outer stature, small exclamatory sentences and their purposes. We
and unimpressive; my inner stature, small and drilled the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
unimpressive. I resolved: I will learn with my children. division skills that would be essential for success in
As they grow, I will grow. I will journey with them. higher math. But perhaps the greatest lesson I learned
out of Essentials was the importance of asking good
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he questions. These essentials moved me from the
shall lift you up.” —James 4:10 (KJV) welcome mat, through the doorway, and into the foyer
of learning. Knowledge was giving birth to under-
A firm foundation . . . standing. Our wonder and joy in learning continued
to grow.
I needed a firm foundation from whence to begin, so
it seemed most fitting to tutor Foundations and learn A welcomed challenge . . .
alongside my children. We drilled memory work
together each week. We grew in the scientific method, Finally, I was facing homeschooling a child in high
walking young minds through science experiments. school. This was the season of schooling with the
We learned the tin whistle and, with it, a little most fears, fears that almost kept me from starting
about scales, rhythm, notes, and some foundational and, at times, continuing on the journey. But I was
language of music theory. We listened to masterpieces a different person than when I began my journey
of music. We beheld masterpieces of art, and the so many years ago. A transformation had taken
students and I enjoyed imitating their techniques.Yes, place. And I had a new question, one that I had not
I tutored all of these endeavors, which required me to foreseen at the beginning of the journey. High school
humble myself and learn with the least of these and to would surely be a challenge. But now my question
become like them. I was learning geography, history, was: so why not tutor it?

42 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

LEARN TOGETHER, DO LIFE TOGETHER

z Challenge II Tutor and students during Challege II biology. Ask, seek, and trust . . .

Armed with a working timeline and map in my Many of the things I thought I needed at the beginning
memory, memory work from every domain of science, of the journey proved not to be so necessary. Some
experiments, a little music theory, exposure to artists concerns ended up being provided for in ways I could
and composers, language structure, memorized Latin not have foreseen. And there were still other things that
endings, writing structure and style, sentence parsing, I had no idea I would need. All of these, like the manna
arithmetic facts, and good questions, I was ready from heaven in Scripture or the train ticket analogy
to have more conversations—good conversations— in Corrie ten Boom’s Hiding Place, were provided just
and so were my kids! Knowledge, understanding, when they were needed, and not a moment before.
and wisdom had been moving us from the welcome
mat, through the doorway, through the foyer, and “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding
into the living room—soon entirely transforming abundantly above all that we ask or think, according
our living room. Our home is now filled with good to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in
conversations and thoughtful dialogues about the the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world
true, noble, and good (Philippians 4:8); how to without end. Amen.” —Ephesians 3:20–21
consider and love others (Philippians 2); and how to
love the Lord (Matthew 22:37). These conversations Are you new to the homeschooling journey? Do you
manifest themselves as we cook, work, and wash; have young children? Then begin. Enter in. Some of
read, write, and measure; and sit, walk, and stand. the best preparation you have for your most pressing
questions about high school is hidden in learning,
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that growing, and maybe even tutoring a program, as you
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it walk alongside your children.
shall be given him.” —James 1:5 (KJV)

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/ALLDONE 43

COMMUNITY: ADVANTAGES OF MEMBERSHIP

Benefits of
Community

Have you ever thought about homeschooling?You’re Our communities help you homeschool
not alone. After seeing many years of steady increase, with confidence.
the number of homeschooling families actually
doubled in 2020. Classical Conversations® offers the support of a
community near you. Families with students ages
44 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM
pre-K to twelfth grade gather one day a week
to study together. Trained parents serve as
Tutors to lead you and your children through
oral presentations, science experiments, and
fine arts projects. Families in the Foundations
program (K4 through sixth grade) study
math, science, history, grammar for Latin and
English, and geography through fun songs and
interactive games.

Families in the Essentials program (grades
4–6) study English grammar, writing, and
arithmetic. Families with children in the
Challenge program (grades 7–12) study all
of their core subjects together: math, Latin,
literature, writing, history, debate, science,
philosophy, logic, and theology.

Why are so many making the choice
to homeschool with us?

ADVANTAGES OF COMMUNITY
MEMBERSHIP
Becoming a member of a licensed community
has benefits like . . .

r Weekly presentations from the youngest
learners to the oldest.

r Weekly hands-on science and fine art
projects.

r Our Licensed Directors and Tutors receive
annual academic program training.

r We offer free learning events where parents
can practice the classical tools of learning.

r Our curated curriculum offers original
source documents and classical literature.

r Our communities offer a weekly support
network, so you can homeschool for yourself
but not by yourself.

c Homeschooling moms connecting on their local
Community Day.

LEARN TOGETHER, DO LIFE TOGETHER What’s Included?

A New Update to Your Access to CC Connected includes a robust online
Community Membership resource library to complement the program level(s)
your family is enrolled in. This means printable
There’s a new online tool for your home school, one activities, e-publications, video tutorials, podcasts,
with a familiar name—CC Connected®. The new audio files, Classical Conversations e-books, and—
CC Connected is designed to be a mobile-friendly, believe it or not—the current year’s Foundations,
searchable platform with digital and practical resources Essentials, and Challenge guides in digital form, so
and online forums to help you best homeschool your you have a backup when your printed version is out of
children wherever and whenever. What’s more, you reach. Also, all of the content is conveniently ordered
are granted access simply by becoming a member of by week and aligns closely with each program’s guide.
your local Classical Conversations® community. It is all organized into one place, and accessible on
your phone!
Why Mobile?
Going for a long road trip? Listen to poetry read-aloud,
We understand that sometimes life just happens— introducing your littlest learners to rhyme and rhythm
books go missing or are forgotten on trips, toddlers as you drive. Struggling to help your child with their
tear out pages from program guides, and students Latin or math exercises? Watch helpful, step-by-step
need help with difficult math exercises. Also, despite video tutorials on each subject and more. Finding
its name, homeschooling often occurs in places other the Challenge end-of-year projects to be quite . . .
than the home—in local parks, on long road trips, or challenging? Search for help with each project,
at Grandma’s house. from Science Fair and Mock Trial to debate and
senior thesis.
So, mobile just makes sense.You can still access
CC Connected from your desktop, but your In addition, community members can also engage
smartphone and tablet are where it really shines. in our mobile-friendly discussion forums, sharing
Whether you’re homeschooling in the doctor’s waiting homeshooling ideas and at-home tips. We are excited
room or in your car, you can view and listen to almost to offer these additional resources and conversations
everything you need to homeschool directly from the spaces to help parents homeschool with confidence.
CC Connected mobile site.

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/INTRO 45

COMMUNITY: FOUNDATIONS (ages 4 to 12)

Great Education Starts
with a Firm Foundation

THE PARTNERSHIP Using creative activities, games, and lots of enthusiasm,
Foundations Tutors make memorization fun. Tutors
The Foundations program establishes a three-way use many techniques to teach subjects. Examples
partnership that preserves all the advantages that led include: tracing maps and identifying locations, singing
parents to homeschool in the first place. to teach Latin, mnemonics to build a foundation with
science, singing and rebuses to learn history, visual pegs
THE PROGRAM to teach our timeline, and movements to learn English
grammar. Don’t let the fun fool you, though. Students
Foundations is a program for parents and their are gleaning a large amount of information from many
children, ages four to twelve. Parents and Tutors use different academic subjects. The facts they memorize
Foundations Curriculum to outline a comprehensive establish a set of knowledge “pegs” on which they will
core of grammar (memory work) for history, science, “hang” the details of higher learning in later years.
English, Latin, geography, and math. Children will
encounter these facts again later in subsequent WHAT IS A CYCLE?
Classical Conversations® programs. This curriculum
clearly leads parents week by week through a classical The material presented in Foundations is divided into
education at home. three cycles—one cycle per year, for three years.
Children who begin Foundations in K4 will complete
THE COMMUNITY each cycle at least twice, developing greater under-
standing and mastery through repetition. However,
Foundations programs meet once a week for two children at any age will benefit from learning the
semesters of twelve weeks each. Parents and their memory work, even if they only complete one cycle.
children gather in a group assembly and then separate Since cycles aren’t related to a particular grade
into groups of up to eight students for an academically level, families may begin any cycle at any time. Sixth
charged half-day. Parents participate in community graders cover the same grammar as kindergarteners
to learn how to teach classically at home. Children and are encouraged to cover the material in greater
have the benefit of practicing and learning together depth at home.
with their peers. Students love the engagement, and
parents value the support and encouragement of
other like-minded families in the community.

Cycle 1 MEMORY MASTER FACTS Cycle 3 AT HOME
IN COMMUNITY Cycle 2


Families gather for an Math Multiplication Tables, Conversions, Geometric Formulas, Algebraic Laws Families are
encouraged to
opening assembly Translate John 1:1–7 review the memory
sbmefaolrleerdgivroiduinpgs.into Latin N(DoeucnleEnnsdioinngss) (CVeornbjuEgnadtiinognss) work daily and
Sgrtaumdemnatsr ilneacronrenew S cience Biology, Ea rth Science EcologPyh, Ayssitcrso nomy, Anatomy, Chemistry, study more about
psurebvjeiocutss,lyrelevaierwned E nglish Prepositio ns, Verbs ProCnoonujnusn,cAtdiovnesr bs, Origins these topics,
as interested.
Participles, Irregular Parents choose
Verb Tenses, Clauses a complete math
curriculum and a
grammar, participate Timeline Creation to Modern World phonics/reading
in hands-on fine program that
suits them.
arts and science, History & World: Historical World: United States:
Empires, Peoples, Pre-Reformation Discovery to
and practice Geography Current Events
and Countries to Modern
presentation s kills.

Bible Exodus 20:1–17 Genesis 1:1–27 John 1:1–7

46 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

LEARN TOGETHER, DO LIFE TOGETHER

A 2021 National Memory Master finalist being asked questions during the championship. z

Explore National Memory Master

Trevor’s parents were amazed by everything he had learned after several years of the Foundations
program. He astounded them with the ease at which he learned a 161-point timeline; the forty-six
presidents; seventy-two paragraphs about world history; seventy-two lists of science facts; the times
tables up to 15 x 15; algebraic laws; geometric formulas; metric conversions; Latin and English
grammar rules; and geography naming states, countries, capitals, and mountain ranges. They were in
awe of the maps he drew from memory. They knew he needed a challenge.
Competing in National Memory Master offered just the challenge they were looking for.The
competition gave Trevor a chance to fine-tune his skills and compete against other students from
around the country. For extra excitement, the contest winner would earn $10,000!
Are you looking for a challenge for your amazing kid? Check out National Memory Master, and let
the fun and hard work begin!

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/FOUNDATIONS 47

COMMUNITY: FOUNDATIONS • SCRIBBLERS AT HOME (ages 4 to 8)

Play Sparks
Curiosity

THE PARTNERSHIP
Classical Conversations®
provides curriculum for parents
of young children to build on the
Foundations memory work and
incorporate language arts and math
at home. Our Scribblers at Home
resources include printed books,
tutorials, printables, and activities on
CC Connected®.

THE PROGRAM
The Foundations community program
is for students ages 4–12. The
Scribblers at Home resources are for
students ages 4–8 and can be used
the other four days of the week until
children are old enough to join an
Essentials community. It is not a
community or tuition-based program
because children learn best through play.
Scribblers resources give parents practical
tools and support for fostering a love of
learning in their youngest children while
also providing hands-on activities to keep
them engaged as parents teach their older
children. Although families have the
flexibility to choose books that fit their
own learning styles and interests, these
recommended resources help hone fine
motor skills, develop basic literacy, reinforce
Foundations memory work, and teach
children about truth, goodness, and beauty.

AT HOME
Scribblers consists of products and
resources that provide teaching ideas for
engaging little ones in learning through
play. The resources offered through
Scribblers at Home are intended to spark
curiosity and a sense of wonder in young
children while instilling in them a love
for the true, the good, and the beautiful.

48 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM

LEARN TOGETHER, DO LIFE TOGETHER

Scribblers at Home is a great opportunity to take your littles on a field trip. z

Attend a Practicum Every Year

Paul and Elizabeth wanted to make sure that they could become better educators for their children.
They wanted to be equipped to homeschool their children through high school, but they needed
help. They also found themselves growing weary and losing their inspiration by the end of each year.
Their friends who were teachers had annual conferences, but they didn’t know if such a thing existed
for homeschool parents. Then, they found Practicum. They spent time with other parents, renewing
their vision and gaining new skills.
You can be like Paul and Elizabeth! Every year, these economical one-day conferences help you
invest in your own education.You can learn more about classical tools for each age group of your
children and dive into a subject area like math, Latin, English grammar, writing, science, and more.
See page 30 for more information on these parent learning events in your area.

NEXT STEPS • CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM/SCRIBBLERS 49

COMMUNITY: FOUNDATIONS • ESSENTIALS (ages 9 to 12)

Words, Numbers, and Sentences
Are Essential to Language Development

THE PARTNERSHIP prepared to tackle foreign languages, essays, and
pre-algebra confidently when these essential (yet often
Parents and their students meet once a week with neglected) skills are mastered.
a Tutor for the two-hour Essentials program after
Foundations. Parents, the true students in the room, THE ESSENTIALS OF LANGUAGE
will be equipped to teach their children grammar
and writing at home. Tutors, trained in the program’s The Essentials program is a two-hour program made
materials, facilitate community time by modeling the up of three components: English grammar studies,
exercises that parents will practice with their students math speed drill games, and writing instruction.
at home. Student and parent participation are critical Essentials Curriculum, Fifth Edition, provides instruction
components of this unique partnership! for grammar studies, taking students far beyond
what they would practice on a worksheet. Mixing
THE PROGRAM strategic memorization of vocabulary, grammar
rules, and lists with a series of analytical tasks, the
The Essentials program is a bridge between the Essentials language program teaches families how to
grammar and dialectic arts that prepares students analyze sentence construction thoughtfully. This helps
for the Challenge program. This fun, robust program students advance with strong language construction
guides parents of children ages nine to twelve through and usage skills, both written and oral.
the foundational principles of language structure
and analysis, the structure and style of writing, and While in the Essentials writing program, students
arithmetic speed and accuracy. write history-based paragraphs each week at home.
They develop outlining and note-taking skills and are
THE COMMUNITY taught many writing techniques, such as using strong
verbs and quality adjectives to dress up their writing.
The community dynamic in Essentials is comparable
to the one-room schoolhouse, with all children and In the math drills portion of the afternoon, students
parents doing the same thing, regardless of age. play Number Knockout with dice and cards to
Children will enjoy parsing and diagramming sentences increase their speed in addition, subtraction,
while learning the correct usage of words through multiplication, division, roots, and exponents, in
sentence and paragraph building. Students will preparation for higher math. These games encourage
glean information from their peers and wrestle with creativity with number combinations and are loads of
concepts through parent and Tutor-led dialectic fun as students work to beat their personal best score.
discussion. This encouraging environment allows
students to be servants to each other without focusing
on age, grade, or ability levels. Students emerge

IN COMMUNITY STUDENTS WILL LEARN AT HOME

Gram ma r LaLE negs(ssu4esan5ogtniemaOClisnuvEuretrnreivgcsliu)ies lwuhm , Basic capitalization and punctuation; phonograms; Essentials English
sentence structures, patterns, and purposes; Language Curriculum,

eight parts of speech and specific classifications Weekly Lesson
for verbs, nouns, and pronouns; sentence
diagramming; and more!

Writ ing IE W(4U5 nmitinOuvteersv) iew Dmioffdeerlesn; ttewc rhintiinqguesstrtuoctpuorleisshuasinnygwIEriWtingwrsittyilneg. Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)
History-Based Writing Lessons
Assignment

M ath Arithmetic Drills and Greater speed and accuracy in mental arithmetic as Saxon Math
Games (30 minutes) students prepare for success in algebra and beyond.

50 CLASSICALCONVERSATIONS.COM