Our church had a potluck lunch on Sunday. There were so many options. Our plates were sagging under the weight halfway through the line! I have seven children ranging in age from 10 months to seventeen. It is not easy to prepare a meal that everyone enjoys, so they love potluck Sundays. Everyone will find something they like, with the variety that can be found on the heavy-laden church tables.
Today, homeschooling families have a smorgasbord of options to customize learning at home. While I am grateful to have these choices, as a busy mom, I appreciate items that help me narrow my focus.
How to Access the Learning Center
The Foundations Learning Center in CC Connected is my go-to place as a Foundations parent and Tutor. All members of Classical Conversations programs have access to the Learning Center in CC Connected. Find out how to navigate the CC Connected portal:
Once you’re logged into CC Connected, click Learning Center in the navigation panel under your name. You will have options for every program in which your family is enrolled. You will want to spend some time in the Welcome tab to learn about some of the benefits of being a CC Connected member.
As you click through the different tabs in the Learning Center, you will notice that the information is divided into weeks. You can choose from the variety of resources in each week or filter by category or type of file you would like.
Favorite Foundations Resources
As a Foundations Tutor and parent to four students in the program, I have a few favorites that are my go-to staples.
Memory Work Audio
All the memory work audio can be found in the Learning Center. I appreciate having quick access to official songs for history, Latin, and arithmetic. You can find the files in each week or filter the file type to audio. These files can be downloaded directly and added to a playlist or easily accessed on the CC Connected Lite app. We listen to the songs in the car when we need to do school on the go.
Videos
Sometimes, I need a bit of extra help leading my foundation-aged children at home. The weekly videos are excellent tools for propelling me forward when my creativity is lacking. You can find them in each week or filter the file type to video.
- Videos from the Echoes Books: These short videos are perfect for settling the children while I complete an extra task or need to step away for just a minute. The readings of fables and poems are delightful for all of us.
- Foundations @ Home: If we miss community day, this is my go-to resource for stick-in-the-sand ideas for introducing the memory work at home.
- Hands-on Science videos: My children always want to discuss the Hands-on Science. Watching the Hands-on Science videos help me to understand the projects and have discussion ideas ready!
Curriculum Complements
There are so many resources to complement the Foundations program on CC Connected that our family does not need to purchase additional curricula to supplement. I find the history and science resources to be a valuable addition to our educational options.
- The weekly Sandbox ezines hold a plethora of encouraging articles and helpful resources. My personal favorites are the Morning Time Plans, 30 Minutes Play Everyday activities, and Cultivating Curiosity history and science projects. You can find the Sandbox ezine in each week or by searching “Sandbox.”
- Morning Time plans: options for read aloud, hymn studies, and scripture readings.
- 30 Minutes of Play Every Day: ideas to practice the memory work at home.
- Cultivating Curiosity: offers hands-on projects to complement the history and science sentences.
- The Scribblers Learning Center offers science and history discussions for the family that align with the memory work each week. While Scribblers’ focus is usually 4-8 years old, I find the Our Story and Take a Look activities work well with various ages in my home.
Foundations Tools at the Learning Center
The Learning Center in CC Connected offers many great resources to assist in homeschooling Foundations-aged children. Consider it a buffet of options. You may not want to choose everything at once, but after sampling the options, like me, you are sure to find your favorites also.
If you’re already a member of Classical Conversations, log in to CC Connected and explore the wealth of resources available, including the Learning Center and discussion forums, for additional support.
Curious about how Classical Conversations can enrich your homeschooling experience? Learn more about joining a community and how CC Connected can support your family on your education journey.
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