Teaching the Classics - Yay? Nay?

[Janna]

Is it worth the $89 for the DVD's and workbook? Is it something that really changed you, or at least you walked away from feeling more knowledgeable and prepared to teach literature? Do you now fully understand the Socratic method?

I'm trying to determine if this would be a wise purchase for me, or yet another piece of curriculum that I will waste. I really want it to be what I imagine it will, but am afraid it won't be.

Any and all input is much appreciated!

[elegantlion]

You might try doing a search, there have been several threads on this topic lately.

I think it is a worthy investment. I previously knew little about lit analysis, but now I feel empowered. IMO, the DVD's are a necessary purchase, the syllabus alone doesn't give all the details.

[Linda...inOwasso]

I love it! Unlike elegantlion, I think you would be fine with just the workbook ($25) vs. the workbook/dvd combo. The dvd's are in a lecture format and I found them a tad boring.

[Kristine out of lurking]

Is it worth the $89 for the DVD's and workbook? Is it something that really changed you, or at least you walked away from feeling more knowledgeable and prepared to teach literature? Do you now fully understand the Socratic method?


I LOVE TtC; in theory, it's been my favorite curriculum for the past few years. We don't use it very formally though.

I bought the syllabus and a few months later watched the videos with a group of moms (including Beth who used to be on this list). It was great to see how everything pulls together. One of my "wish list" items for school would be the DVDs for myself.

Adam was pretty engaging, very Andrew Pudewa-like (meaning slightly annoying but enjoyable, kwim?). He definitely loves his literature. The DVDs left me feeling like I can reasonably teach my kids about literature, I know what kinds of questions to ask, and I appreciate knowing proper terms ("protagonist," "theme," etc.). I guess I'd done this all on a much smaller scale before.

Many people already CAN do this themselves, and for those people, the curriculum would bring nothing new.

Do I "fully understand" the Socratic method? No, but paying more attention to the questions I ask has helped me across the board become a better hs mom. If I were to choose ONE academic goal for my kids as we hs, it would be for them to be able to THINK. And for me, TtC has been a big encouragement.


In my siggy, I can't remember offhand if it says TtC. My 13yo will be using Lightning Lit, which might seem odd based on my post. But I've just started a part time job, and I'm looking for things that she can use somewhat independently. I'm not expecting LL to be challenging, other than it will assign books that she would probably not otherwise read. And I think our TtC background will be very beneficial in LL for both of us!

[Rosie_0801]

I've been looking at that too, but wondering if it teaches anything I can't learn from the Well Educated Mind. I already have that. I'm pretty dim about metaphors. I've never known if I wasn't taught that sort of stuff properly, or if my brain just doesn't work that way. They usually go right over my head.
:)
Rosie

[Pata]

I've been looking at that too, but wondering if it teaches anything I can't learn from the Well Educated Mind. :)
Rosie

I'd like to know this too.

[Sarah CB]

It definitely covers different info than WEM. I am a huge Adam Andrews fan and I happen to think he is very different than Andrew Pudewa. I make a yearly habit of watching Teaching the Classics and I'm looking forward to watching his Worldview DVDs as well.

English is my thing and I love literary analysis - I learned a lot from watching how Adam teaches lit and I think the DVDs are pretty important. Sure, you could use the syllabus and implement a lot at home, but it's really useful to see Adam teaching and to hear the kind of back-and-forth that can develop.

I love that TTC has freed me from the "novel study" and has made literary analysis very natural. I use what I've learned in TTC when I read bedtime stories to my little ones and while I discuss TOG books with my eldest.

I wrote a post about Adam Andrews on my blog (http://fanningflame.wordpress.com/2007/09/03/camping-with-adam-andrews/) last year after watching TTC for the second year in a row. I've also seen Adam live and he's absolutely fantastic. Plus, his wife has great shoes - definitely a homeschooler :D

[Peela]

Do you have the time/inclination to sit and watch hours of lectures? I tried, and tried, and tried...but I couldn't do it :) So the DVDs have been a waste for me. I may pick up the book, but I feel that having read TWEM and the Socratic questioning in TWTM and understanding more about CM's approach of letting the child engage with books without too much interference- although discussion is encouraged, not imposing your ideas onto the child- I am feeling it is enough. I think it depends how academic you want to get about it. It is yet another curriculum, and probably a very good one, but it is by no means essential.

[Janna]

I showed this to dh and he thought it would be an excellent purchase, so I think we're gonna bite the bullet and buy the DVD/workbook set. I am looking forward to it!

Thanks for all your help in making this determination!

[Sue in St Pete]

Do you have the time/inclination to sit and watch hours of lectures? I tried, and tried, and tried...but I couldn't do it :)
Thank you for this, Peela. I tried to rep you, but it says I need to spread it around first. As much as I hear good things about TtC and how entertaining the DVDs are, I have a strong suspicion that I won't sit and watch them.

[Pata]

Thanks Peela, I have a feeling that I would have problems sitting and watching it. I tried to rep you also, but I wouldn't let me.

[Janna]

Don't worry, I've repped her for you and Sue!