Catholic Schoolhouse- a New Resource for Homeschoolers!

Today I just wanted to share this unique (and brand new) Catholic resource for homeschoolers with all of you!  I don't know how many of you have heard of Classical Conversations, but there's a brand new program called Catholic Schoolhouse that is an authentically Catholic alternative to Classical Conversations. It has been tested and developed over the last 3 years, and is now being released to Catholic homeschoolers everywhere for the upcoming school year! This program can help you to organize your own Catholic homeschooling community.  

Catholic Schoolhouse is looking for individuals who can start new chapters of this program, and they can help you organize your Catholic homeschooling group each step along the way! From finding a location and new members, to organizing, and supplying the backbone of your academics for each age group, the Catholic Schoolhouse program can take the guess work out of organizing your own "schoolhouse"! The program is set up for homeschoolers to meet and experience a classroom environment once a week. Each week they also do hands-on art projects and science experiments. I actually took this picture when I had the pleasure of visiting my mother-in-law's chapter last year.

I watched these kids figure out how to light a light bulb
using potatoes and lemons. Pretty cool!

Here's one of their art projects: The Angelus
Isn't this great? (It's based on Millet's The Angelus)

I love that they include Catholic art in their program, but they don't limit themselves to it. Check out this art project they did on Degas! (Degas is one of my favorite painters- especially his ballerinas.  I'm a total sucker for impressionism!). 


My favorite part of this program is that all the elementary-aged children in the program cover the same topics at the same time, but they still meet with their own age group and cover the academics at their own level. This means that your whole family can study the same topics at the same time, which encourages family togetherness.  

Although this program runs much like a co-op, it was developed in an attempt to avoid common problems with the traditional co-op, such as burnout and disorganization. If you're interested in starting up your own Catholic Schoolhouse community, you can find more information about the progarm and their prices on their site. If you'd like to try being a director of your own chapter, you can actually make money running your own division!

The day I visited, they read a play. They even let Lydia join in-
see her in her little purple pants? :-)

 In the classroom, the children are introduced to topics from many subjects including history, science, geography, fine arts, math, language arts, foreign language, and religion. Each week this program has these great visual pages, called their "tour guides", to help children familiarize themselves with the topics. These can be used as a springboard for further study at home, and you can see a sample of the tour guides here.

You can also sample some of their overview sheets here.

If you are participating in a division of Classical Conversations or a similar program, I would encourage you to look into Catholic Schoolhouse. There are other options out there that you can teach your children with confidence, without worrying about each lesson and second guessing the religious perspective of the academics.

Disclaimer: I wasn't paid anything for the "mention" of this newly available program, but my mother-in-law is one of the developers. She consulted with me on many of the art lessons, and I've had a great time bouncing ideas around with her over the past 3 years! I got to observe one of their typical days, and was really impressed- I just knew I wanted to share it with all of you! :-)

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13 comments:

  1. Very cool!! Thanks for sharing!!

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  2. AMDG
    looks great! i've been intrigued with classical conversations. i look forward to leaning more about Catholic Schoolhouse.
    thanks for sharing.
    pax Christi - lena

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  3. Thanks for information Lacy! I too have checked out classical conversations but am intrigued with this option. I am heading there now.

    Blessings,
    Stacy

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  4. Thank you for sharing this! I too have been looking into Classical Conversations but would prefer a Catholic option - I'll definitely check it out!

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  5. Thanks for this link. I need to head over and check it out. I'm visiting from Catholic Mother's Online. I'm a new follower,please stop by and return the favor.

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  6. Hi Lacy,

    Thanks for sharing! Wow! In 2 days you have lead me to 2 things that I have been looking for. I have very interested in Classical Conversations for some time now. There is a local group here, which I have chosen not to do. Catholic Schoolhouse is really what I have been looking for. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. This sounds a lot like Aquanis Learning which started a few years ago by Rosario in Manassas. They are starting a new chapter in my town this coming school year, which I am looking forward to. This will be our first experiece with the classical curriculum. Can't wait!

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  8. I'm so glad to see this sort of program working so well.

    We have been part of a co-op for seven years, and it's been a blessing. My children are now teenagers. After all these years, I have to say that I don't know where we would be without the weekly program for guidance, instruction, and encouragement. I urge all homeschoolers to consider a co-op for their children.

    To have a genuinely Catholic co-op is extra wonderful, and I wish this option would have been available to us. Here's wishing them great success!

    Lacy, I'm linking, to be posted 2/28.

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  9. This is wonderful -- does it go to the 6th grade level?

    Blessings!

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  10. For another Classical curriculum coop, check out Aquinas Learning. It is very orthodox and wonderful! http://www.aquinaslearning.com/

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  11. I added Catholic Schoolhouse to the Catholic Gadget toolbar. :)

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  12. Dear Lacy, Thank you for the wonderful post. I have been spreading the word that Catholic Schoolhouse might be a great Catholic alternative to Classical Conversations!

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Thanks for your comments! They're the icing on my cake ;-)