The Dawn Treader

First off, a disclaimer.  I believe in granting liberty to parents on education choices.  They need to do what's right for their family and in keeping with their family's mission.  I don't believe parents are sinning if their education decisions look different than mine.

Second off, I need to clarify something.  We have four kids.  Two are in a classical Christian school (one taking afternoon classes only).  Two are in our homeschool and part of a Classical Conversations group. 

Both wifey and I teach in our homeschool.  For curriculum, we blend a bunch of stuff together.  I teach Saxon math (mixed with a little Math U See).  I teach Logic from the Wilson and Nance textbook.  Wifey teaches  Shurley grammar.  We teach history using Veritas Press cards and Susan Wise Bauer's Story of the World.  We use some of Sonlight's science books (Holzman in particular).  We also use Sonlight books to supplement our study of history.  They have great historical narratives (the readers and read alouds).  In short, we borrow from all over and blend it together.

Sonlight worked well for us for years.  We love their emphasis on literature.  The workload in Sonlight, however, was too much for us.  We couldn't keep up.  And my wife likes Shurley grammar better than whatever Sonlight used.

Last year we decided to put our big toe in the water and try shifting to the classical model (trivium).   It was not so much a rejection of Sonlight as it was a shift toward a different education philosophy.  We kept our two youngest in the homeschool and became part of the Classical Conversations movement (an association that meets once a week).  We put our two oldest in a classical Christian private school.

Why did we do it?

We sensed it was time to make a change given our own workload, our children's learning styles, a good option in terms of a private school, and a shift in thinking toward the classical approach.  We were influenced by family, friends, and by reading Dorothy Sayers and talking to others who went before us in this movement.

We were not disappointed.

Check out the second testimonial on this page.  It was written by someone we know.  Our journey and experience pretty much mirror hers.

The older two have done well in private school but it has been a huge adjustment for them and us.  The first year was hard.  This year has been easier.

Our journey in education has always been a year to year thing.  We revisit our decision each year ... reflect, talk, pray ... and decide what to do for the next year.  Example, after last year, we decided to send one of the older children for afternoon classes only at the private school.  That child stays home in the morning (a middle schooler)  For now, we plan on sticking with the classical model ... both in our homeschool and in our private school choice.

We still think Sonlight is a great curriculum.  Hope that helps!  Thanks for asking.