To know God and to make Him known

CC Lingo

BECOMING THE LEAD LEARNER BEGINS WITH GRAMMAR

Whenever we learn something new, we start with the grammar of the subject.

A group of parents listening to a Practicum

CC: Classical Conversations

An acronym for Classical Conversations®: a group of homeschoolers supporting other homeschoolers with a mission to know God and to make Him known.

CC Plus

Concurrent enrollment Challenge courses designed to earn both high school and college credits. Offered through partnerships with colleges around the country. CC Plus also provides associate, bachelors or master degree opportunities for parents, as well. LEARN MORE HERE.

CCMM: Classical Conversations Multi-Media

The Multi-Media team of Classical Conversations which creates, edits, compiles, and publishes curriculum for Classical Conversations programs.

Challenge

The Challenge programs are for students who are twelve years of age and up. These programs focus on the art of grammar, the art of dialectic, and the art of rhetoric. Students participate in six seminars spanning subjects like math, Latin, literature, history, science, reasoning, and more while practicing research, essay writing, conversation, presentations, speeches, discussion leadership, and debate. Each seminar strand is facilitated by a licensed Challenge Director.

Challenge Director

A licensed lead learner for Challenges A—IV who facilitates group discussions and activities and provides weekly accountability and support for homeschooling families in six specific seminar strands.

Classical Education

A time-tested philosophy and pedagogy of education that mentors students in learning and cultivating knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. This method of learning embodies the trivium, using the timeless arts and tools of learning in pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty.

The classical learning model gradually shapes how children think and learn by building on how they naturally develop. We begin in the early years with 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 his or her curiosity toward asking questions and investigating through dialogue (“dialectic”). Finally, we provide opportunities for your maturing student to become a critical thinker and problem solver through writing and conversation (“rhetoric”).

Essentials

A dialectic-focused program for children ages nine to eleven, accompanied by a parent. This program guides students in English grammar, writing, and math drills, meeting weekly for twenty-four weeks with a contracted Tutor.

Exposition

A writing or speech which conveys information specific to a topic and is organized in paragraph form.

Five Canons of Rhetoric
The artifact that demonstrates wisdom.

An intentional thought path for developing an idea into a written or oral artifact. It makes for a powerful tool for lifelong learning as it moves through these stages:

  • Invention: The asking of questions through the 5 common topics
  • Arrangement: The sorting of invention into organized thoughts
  • Memory: The flooding of words and sensory stimuli associated with an idea
  • Elocution: The choosing of the best way to present the thoughts
  • Delivery: The practicing of presenting the best thoughts

Five Common Topics of Dialectic
The questions that develop understanding.

A tool of learning that leads us to deepen our understanding by asking good questions. The five topics common to all subjects are definition:

  • Definition: Discover what something is.
  • Comparison: Discover similarities first, then differences.
  • Relationship: Discover causes and effects.
  • Circumstance: Discover what else is happening at the same time in other places.
  • Testimony/Authority: Discover what others say.

Five Core Habits of Grammar
The repetition that builds knowledge.

Tools of learning easily remembered as NAMES these activities help us gain knowledge by using our senses and imaginations.

  • Naming: Know the appropriate word.
  • Attending: Differentiate the word from other known ideas.
  • Memorizing: Remember the definition to build a knowledge base.
  • Expressing: Use the body and senses to share knowledge.
  • Storytelling: Use words, specifically written or spoken, to share knowledge.

Foundations

A grammar-focused program for children ages four and up (accompanied by a parent) that models memorization and classical learning in a fun, interactive environment. Foundations meets weekly for twenty-four weeks.

Foundations Director

A committed parent who has the skills to organize science experiments and art projects, the heart to nurture and lead parents and Tutors, and the passion to impart a love for learning.

Grammar

The words, people, events, and timeline we encounter whenever we begin learning something new. The foundational language and words for a specific course of study.

IEW

An acronym for the Institute for Excellence in Writing, an organization founded by Andrew Pudewa that produces the excellent writing program Teaching Writing: Structure & Style and its accompanying support books, which are used in the Essentials program.

LTW

An acronym for The Lost Tools of Writing, a writing program for youth that also helps parents. LTW teaches good writing practices by employing the Five Canons of Rhetoric to help students organize, refine, and polish their thoughts.

Parents

The best stewards, advocates, and educators for their children.

Practicum

  • A course of study which involves practice of the studied theory
  • A conference on classical, Christian homeschooling hosted by Classical Conversations in which local leaders encourage parents in learning and practicing tools of learning with other like-minded homeschooling parents
  • An equipping event which models and applies classical tools of learning to make homeschooling doable

Trivium

The Latin word for “three ways,” which refers to the three ways knowledge is acquired through the art of grammar, the art of dialectic, and the art of rhetoric. The trivium is the heart of the classical model and is the model for natural learning and development.

Art of Grammar

The first art in learning any subject is to memorize the vocabulary. For example, when you learn to read, you memorize the names of the letters and the sounds they make. Classical educators call this the “art of grammar.” Young children enjoy this art; they love repeating songs, changing rhymes, and pronouncing big words. We capitalize on their enjoyment by teaching young children the grammar of many subjects, using songs and activities and practicing with friends and family.

Art of Dialectic

The second art in learning a subject is to sort, compare, and understand the words and rules that apply to them. For example, when learning to analyze literature, compare and contrast multiple ideas. We call this art “dialectic” because much of the work done in this process is accomplished through questions. Children generally enjoy this art most between the ages of ten and thirteen.

Art of Rhetoric

The third art in learning a subject is to use what you have learned to solve a problem, affect change, become a leader, write an original paper or speech, persuade someone, or lead a discussion. In history, this would be the time to focus on the themes and context of what you have read and apply the lessons learned to one’s own life experience. Older teens usually enjoy this process because they long to express themselves and be creative problem solvers.

Tutors

Homeschooling parents who are willing to be the lead learners of a group of homeschooled students. Foundations and Essentials Tutors are supported by their Foundations/ Essentials (F/E) Director; Challenge Directors serve as both Directors and Tutors. A Tutor is both guide and mentor. In Classical Conversations, parents are the “teachers,” the ones with ultimate responsibility, and Tutors lead group activities and offer support and accountability to the parent-teacher.

Thank You for Your Support