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time4tea
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| Posted: March 31 2008 at 2:50pm | IP Logged
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I have been looking at using CHC for ds who will be in 8th next year. Can anyone tell me their impressions of the curriculum if they have used it, seriously looked at using it, or know someone who has experience with it? Basically, I need lesson plans. I have tried MODG syllabi and they have never worked out for us any time we have tried them. I have used CHC in the lower grades before, and with some minor tweaking they worked well. My biggest concern regarding 8th grade is this: is it challenging enough? I recently received the new CHC catalog and (I think it was Theresa Johnson) there was a short article written about NOT adding to the CHC program of study. I somehow cannot imagine NOT adding to the 8th grade curriculum, as it is listed in their catalog. Is is just me or do the rest of you add to CHC?
Thanks in advance for helping! I'm sorry if my post was as clear as mud!
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Blessings to you!
~Tea
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ALmom
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| Posted: April 01 2008 at 4:42am | IP Logged
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I found it very difficult to use CHC in the middle years - but maybe that is just me. I cannot say what it was completely, but some of it is that in the middle year plans, you don't really have plans, but various general things to build on. I think it was way too generic for me. MODG was another I had a similiar difficulty with - too generic in the plans, things like read this, write a paper (but no specifics about paper topics, discussion points, etc.) I like detail as long as I'm free to change or modify and neither CHC or MODG had enough detail for me, though we certainly found many valuable things and ideas in the middle school plans. I use some of CHC ideas but just did not find the plan as a whole nearly as helpful as the elementary level plans. Starting in 4th, I transition to Kolbe plans (cause I like having plans to modify) but use some of CHC stuff as it seems helpful to each of mine. I do like CHC sense of balance in the academic department and I am glad I have their middle school plans as a reference source. I also appreciate the sweetness, the sensitivity to preserving innocence and the sense that Catholicism permeates everything. I never have to worry about content being too adult or touching on areas where we don't want to go yet with CHC. Kolbe can be overwhelming and unrealistic in the quantity of work in a day - but I find it easier to delete/modify from the more specific plans than to try and create a plan from the really generic CHC guide. I know Kolbe is permeated with a Catholic point of view, but I do have to be more discerning myself on what is or is not appropriate for my child to read, etc. The Catholicism informs the view but the connection isn't quite as directly drawn in Kolbe.
I didn't want to post here, knowing there are others who have found CHC much more to their liking in the older grades. I was kind of hoping one of those folks would respond. I also really do like CHC as a company and would not want to discourage anyone from using them but since you asked about someone who seriously looked at it - well we did try to use it with my olders and it just didn't work real well for us. I am a detailed plan freak so if you like a more loosely structured plan, you might find it easier to use than I did.
Janet
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time4tea
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| Posted: April 01 2008 at 8:41am | IP Logged
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Janet,
I appreciate your perspective on this. I had tried CHC 7th with my oldest a couple of years ago, and I had basically the same experience that you describe (and have also had a similar experience with MODG, btw.!). I wasn't sure though, if it was just the particular dc I was working with at the time, or if it was the material we were using. I, too, have found through trial and error that I really DO need a lesson plan to work off of, even if I do go back and tweak the plans somewhat. Interestingly, I also have the same opinion of Kolbe - Catholic, yes, but having to watch a little more for what is right for my particular dc within the scope of what Kolbe offers/recommends. What do you in a situation like this? I don't want to invest in materials and then be disappointed and have to switch mid-stream. The other concern I have about CHC 8th is that it seems, well (please, no one take offense here, as it is not intended!), "light" for an 8th grader getting ready for high school. Is that just me overthinking things??I don't want him to be overwhelmed, but I also don't want high school work to be a total shock for him later, either.
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~Tea
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JennyMaine
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| Posted: April 11 2008 at 7:52am | IP Logged
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Tea -
I've been trying to decide if we will continue with some Seton subjects or turn to all CHC for 8th grade for my daughter.
I don't think CHC materials are light at all for the junior high years. Can you share what about the program seems light to you?
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--JennyMaine, Mom to Catherine (17) and Sam (15) "The countenance is a reflection of the soul. You should always have a calm and serene countenance." -- Therese of Lisieux
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ALmom
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| Posted: April 11 2008 at 12:30pm | IP Logged
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Tea, perhaps it is a matter of seeing what you are looking for. I needed a lot of help with paper topics, how to give a specific assignment  (that was my
children's biggest complaint about our school) and didn't need so much in terms of math. I needed science
help and I knew the book that CHC uses for science was one I couldn't understand so pretty hard to teach from it. I'm reconsidering it when my science fan gets there, but we'll see. I used some of the reading comprehension from CHC which in the 7th and 8th had way more paper topic ideas than you would think from looking at the outside. But this wasn't in the middle school plans exclusively, but in the Stories of the Saints. Now, when you look at them in the catelogue or when they come in and you first see them, it looks like the typical twaddly workbook. It wasn't, my daughter developed her love of writing and some good research skills following one of those books.
When I have a bit more time, I'll try to go through my middle school plans and look at what I did pull out of them. I know I'm glad I have them, but it may be simply that I am a freak for plans, and collect them like other folks collect jewelry or stamps or.... I'm not sure I use the Kolbe plans any more than CHC. What ends up happening is that I pick what I like from or know my children need from CHC, Kolbe, MODG and then a few things thrown in from my own or other sources. I get Kolbe plans because I sign up with them in upper grades to review papers - more for their consultant services than for anything else.
Janet
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: CHC for 8th, anyone?
