MamaByrd.....

[Capt_Uhura]

Hi,

I posted to you under the "what curriculum has worked for you" or similar title but I was afraid it was getting buried.

Are you using both the DVD and student book of Teaching the Classics? Have you purchased any of the book guides from Teaching the Classics? I've been impatiently waiting for the DVD and student book to come up on the For Sale board but I keep missing it by mere minutes lol. I'm thinking of just getting the Student syllabus for now and see how it goes. I also love De-constructing Penguins. I would like to get a book discussion group going in our co-op.

Thanks!
Capt_Uhura

[Capt_Uhura]

bumping in case you missed it.

[runningirl71]

I know I am not Mamabyrd, but I have TtC syllabus and dvd. I hope you don't mind me answering! For me, the DVD is needed in order to get the most out of the program. The syllabus is incomplete in explaining how to use the program. There are some sheets written out that Mr. Andrews uses, but the syllabus is definitely not a teacher's manual. I watched the dvds and took notes.

Also, Mr. Andrews takes you step by step through some short stories and poems and then you fill out a story chart. I would not have been able to teach this method with confidence if I had not gone through the DVD course. I could have muddled through and tried to figure it out, but the syllabus is not comprehensive.

I have not used any of the book guides as I'm doing this with a 5th grader and we are just touching on literature analysis this year. Ttc coupled with Deconstructing Penguins (which I, too, have read) plus questions for analysis out of TWTM makes a pretty good program, imo! :)

[Mamabyrd]

I think it is possible to use just the TTC book. I also have IEW TWSS and while I think that would be impossible to implement using just the syllabus, the Teaching the Classics book is a tad more self explanatory. However, I would really recommend getting the DVDs if at all possible. It certainly made me feel more comfortable using the program.

I have not used any of the book guides but I might in the future. I love that TTC can be used with any book or short story of my choosing. It goes with Deconstructing Penguins quite nicely! My kids love the literature portion of our home school this year!

[Mamabyrd]

I found this in the Rainbow Resource Catalog (and website) concerning TTC:

<<<At times the lectures follow the workbook text almost word for word which, of course, prompts the question of whether you actually need to make the expensive purchase of the videos. Although the author says emphatically that both are important, I think almost anyone would benefit from picking up and using the workbook by itself. Nevertheless, the lectures repeatedly show you how to apply the workbook-described elements to literature. It’s a classic case of the advantages of multi-sensory learning along with the value of application and examples.>>>
http://rainbowresource.com/product/Teaching+the+Classics+Workbook+Only/035999/1228502649-1739538

[Capt_Uhura]

thank you both for your thoughts!!! I'll keep mining the For Sale boards and see if the DVD comes up for sale. If not, perhaps if DH gets a good bonus, I'll splurge on the DVD!

Wish me luck!

Capt_Uhura

[runningirl71]

Yes, maybe you could snag it from the for sale board! I hope so. I did buy mine new and I think it was well worth the cost. I know it is pricey. But, I make up my own curriculum year after year and this is a resource I will use all the way through high school. It has enough structure to it but also enough flexibility for me to lead a discussion the way I want to. When Dd enters high school, I think I'll have her go through the course herself as well.

Hope you find it!:)