"What curriculum are you using?"

[Mommy22alyns]

If you don't use a total boxed curriculum (and I would guess a lot here do not), how do you answer this question? I need to become more articulate in my response. It doesn't look so good that I am homeschooling my child but get tongue-tied in trying to explain a classical education. :001_huh: It's a lot easier for me to type it out than answer in person!

[Mama Lynx]

It depends on who's asking. To a non-homeschooler, I'd answer "We pull from many different sources, not from any one set curriculum" or "I design my own."

To a homeschooler, I'd say, "We do classical education, based on TWTM (or LCC, or whatever)."

[Julie Herbster]

"We're eclectic!" (Like Mama Lynx, I wouldn't talk about "classical education" except to homeschoolers...unless someone was really interested and pressed me further than just the original question.)

[Shelly in IL]

"I research and pick the best curricula from all that is available. I guess you would say we are eclectic!" And give a great big smile.

[Trivium Academy]

"Products that fit my children's learning style and our academic goals."

If they are a homeschooler, I say a mix of classical and Charlotte Mason with more emphasis on the Charlotte Mason.

[Lisa at Home]

Then they get a 60 second explanation of the Well Trained Mind.

It's a cookie for those who love education, and punishment to those who just can't mind their own business.:D

~Lisa

[SusanG]

I just tell them we use a variety of different materials based on what works best for them. That has always been good enough for people. Sometimes people will ask me how I figure out what to use, and I tell them it's a combination of lots of internet research and trial and error with trying out various things.

[Jenny in Florida]

I say something like, "We're loosely following the classical model outlined in a book called The Well-Trained Mind. But I do a lot of tweaking and adjusting to fit my kids' needs."

Other homeschoolers usually know what I'm talking about, and it sounds just jargon-y enough to satisfy folks who don't have a clue that I know what I'm talking about.

[elegantlion]

Then they get a 60 second explanation of the Well Trained Mind.

It's a cookie for those who love education, and punishment to those who just can't mind their own business.:D

~Lisa

I'm going to remember that one. :lol:

[Pencil Pusher]

I just say that we're following WTM, treating it like it's Abeka or something.

Anybody who's hs'ing or knows about it asks more questions. Otherwise, that's usually enough.

[sweetbaby]

We are definitely eclectic.

[Tammyla]

:lol::lol::lol:

Then they get a 60 second explanation of the Well Trained Mind.

It's a cookie for those who love education, and punishment to those who just can't mind their own business.:D

~Lisa

[GailV]

The new people who moved in up the street are home schoolers. And when the daughter came over the other afternoon she said, "We use Abeka; what do you use?" And I just stood there with my mouth sort of hanging open, trying to decide, "Do I list it all? Analyticalgrammarkeytomathserieslightninglitblahbl ah? Or do I just say something vague like 'eclectic'?"

I finally said, "Oh, we use Well Trained Mind," even though we don't really follow it. I figure we get points for using so many Peace Hill Press products, though, so I shouldn't get smote for sort of lying, because it wasn't exactly a lie. It was just sort of inaccurate.

[Kelli in TN]

Then they get a 60 second explanation of the Well Trained Mind.

It's a cookie for those who love education, and punishment to those who just can't mind their own business.:D

~Lisa

This is my approach as well. If it was asked with any sort of tone then they get a much longer explanation, I can prattle on until they want to pull their hair out!! Of course I do this in a friendly passive-aggressive way. I am all about passive-aggressive!!!!!:lol:

If is is a sincere question then it usually leads to an interesting conversation.

[Ellie]

If you don't use a total boxed curriculum (and I would guess a lot here do not), how do you answer this question? I need to become more articulate in my response. It doesn't look so good that I am homeschooling my child but get tongue-tied in trying to explain a classical education. :001_huh: It's a lot easier for me to type it out than answer in person!

And then when they look at me blankly, I say, "OH! You wanted to know what *publishers* I was using! I use materials from different publishers, depending on what we're doing."

You can't buy "curriculum" in a box. You can buy a box of books, but *curriculum* means "the subjects offered by an institution of education."

See, I know y'all aren't getting it, either :D as most of us misuse the word "curriculum," so I know non-homeschoolers won't...but it's fun messing with their minds.:lol:

[mcconnellboys]

I say that I create my own from a variety of materials. If they really want to know more, then I can expound....

[dalynnrmc]

I usually say, whether I'm talking to a homeschooler or not, something along the lines of:

"We use an eclectic means to accomplish our classically minded goals."

Homeschoolers know that eclectic means I use some of this and some of that, and sometimes ask me specifically what I use for one subject or another. Sometimes they ask about classical education, most of the time they are familiar with it but it overwhelmed them and they want to know how we implement it.

Non-homeschoolers generally smile and nod. ;)

[Pamela H in Texas]

I just tell people we pick and choose in the ways we feel best for each child. I only go more indepth if they ask. If it's obvious they are asking so as to decide for their own children, I tell them, "there are so many great ______ (literature, math, grammar) programs; it really depends on the child. What were you thinking was best for Amy?"

[summer]

If you do not want to say a lot, then just sayy a variety of things. If it is another homeschooler though, she may want all the details. Give her what she wants if you have time. I will say "Variety of things, Singapore Math, BJU English, Spelling Workout, that sort of thing" and is she wants more details then I share what I have time for. When I ask this question, I really am fishing around for a curriculum I want to hear more about. Since I know if someone is using things I am not interested in I wouldd rather not keep discussing it, I never assume the person wants to know more about what I am using nor do I ever assume they are not familiar with what I am using. They might very well hate what I am using and I don't want to force what I like on someone any more than I want them to force it on me..or force opinions, etc.

I really do not know any homeschoolers who use all 1 publisher for anything. Those that do usually give up homeschooling pretty quickly so there just are not many around.

[charlotteb]

I say "We use a little bit of everything!" Most non-homeschooling people wouldn't have a clue what I'm talking about if I started naming curriculum anyway. LOL

[lovemyboys]

Then they get a 60 second explanation of the Well Trained Mind.

It's a cookie for those who love education, and punishment to those who just can't mind their own business.:D

~Lisa

"We follow a philosophy, not a curriculum."

That's a lovely way to say it.

[Mrs Mungo]

To homeschoolers I say we loosely follow TWTM. Non-homeschoolers get a mini lecture on TWTM.

[kalanamak]

It depends on who's asking. To a non-homeschooler, I'd answer "We pull from many different sources, not from any one set curriculum" or "I design my own."

To a homeschooler, I'd say, "We do classical education, based on TWTM (or LCC, or whatever)."

To a non-HSer I say "math from Singapore, phonics and 19th century readers and right now we are mummifying a fish and moving out of the ice age and into Mesopotamia. My son loves the epic of Gilgamesh." I either get silence and change the subject, or I get "that's great". There are lots of people at work who are unhappy with schools but feel unable to move out of that mindset.

To a HSer I say I'm a secular neo-classical type with an emphasis on science. I've gotten a lot more blank looks from them, and if I ask in return I get "it varies". Perhaps they are burnt out. Perhaps they think classical types are nuts. The local newsletter used to feature a homeschooler every month. I recall one that I had met. She said "Phonics are a waste of time; don't do anything like a school does; teach skills, like knitting and woodworking and the rest will fall into place." Oh well, I thought...hope your kids cope well with the college your hubby went to to be able to support a SAHM. But hush-mah-mouth, I wouldn't say anything.

[Maria/ME]

In the past I would say "I create my own...we're eclectic." and other homeschoolers "get" that.

Non homeschoolers are different. For those that really and sincerely are interested, I say "There are SO many resources out there, we choose not to use a boxed curriculum but create our own based on my daughters needs."

For those that are NOT so sincere and trying to make a point or criticism I say "Well which methodologies are you familiar with...so we can have the same point of reference." Chances are they haven't really done any homework and so that kind of makes them get quiet... in fact, I use this method on many annoying questions...the "I could NEVER homeschool..." (implication: I shouldn't be either)
"Really? Have you researched it?"

Ah, but I digress into a pet peeve.....some great answers here!

[BarbaraL in OK]

My elevator speech about our homeschooling used to be, "We are following 'an old-fashioned model,' doing Singapore math, composition and phonics, Latin, history, and projects."

By "old-fashioned model" I mean writing exercises used from the Greeks to the 19th century (the progymnasmata leading to rhetoric), and Latin as the heart of learning grammar, logical thinking, and a different language that will lead to reading the "real deal" works in Latin. Heheh.

Nowadays maybe I could say, "We are following 'an old-fashioned model,' doing arithmetic and algebra, composition, Latin, history and literature, piano, and projects." Hmm.

Lately I sort of automatically respond with, "Singapore Math, a 1930s latin text (Latin Book One) and another Latin program from England (Minimus), some standard piano books, we're currently studying the middle ages, and the boys read lots of related books and literature. Um, what did you want to know?"