tara
02-23-2009, 05:40 PM
Sam is taking some online classes with the Lukeion Project this semester, and so far he is really enjoying them. It's a two-person operation (a homeschooling couple) who only teach subjects in which they are 'experts.' The classes are all related to classics and ancient history, and are all real-time (live) online.
They offer short month-long workshop classes (that meet four times) and also semester-long classes that are typical of college prep high school classes in terms of workload and expectations. Right now, Sam is taking one workshop class (Art of Roman Warfare) and a semester-long class (Classical Mythology Through Literature).
I'm a bit anxious to see how Sam does with the research paper required by the literature class, but otherwise he is up for the challenge of reading the primary sources on the syllabus, and is keeping up just fine. He does not have to divulge his age unless he wants to, but we know from the pre- and post-class chat room that most of the other students are in the 14-17yo range.
During the class, he interacts with the teacher using a chat box, which he/she can then use to respond, a la, "Sam just asked if the person ion the vase is holding a gorgon's head," or the teacher can respond privately/directly to Sam via the personal chat box.
Cost is fair. Month-long workshops are about $50 and semester-long courses are more like $250 (+ books).
I hope to encourage Sam to take Latin I next fall through Lukeion.
One more note for those only interested in secular resources: I know that the teachers are both Christian, but haven't found that Sam's classes are slanted in that regard, so far. There is a month-long workshop called "The Crucifixion Week" that has this as the description: "We explore the day by day events in the final week before the crucifixion and look at the interplay between culture, religion, law, Roman and Jew. Find out how Jesus was clearly in charge every moment and knew exactly what he was doing. A fascinating study that will enrich your historical and spiritual understanding. Great tool for those in the ministry." Obviously this class has a certain bias, but again, I haven't seen that in the classes Sam is taking.
The Lukeion Project (http://www.lukeion.org/)
Tara
They offer short month-long workshop classes (that meet four times) and also semester-long classes that are typical of college prep high school classes in terms of workload and expectations. Right now, Sam is taking one workshop class (Art of Roman Warfare) and a semester-long class (Classical Mythology Through Literature).
I'm a bit anxious to see how Sam does with the research paper required by the literature class, but otherwise he is up for the challenge of reading the primary sources on the syllabus, and is keeping up just fine. He does not have to divulge his age unless he wants to, but we know from the pre- and post-class chat room that most of the other students are in the 14-17yo range.
During the class, he interacts with the teacher using a chat box, which he/she can then use to respond, a la, "Sam just asked if the person ion the vase is holding a gorgon's head," or the teacher can respond privately/directly to Sam via the personal chat box.
Cost is fair. Month-long workshops are about $50 and semester-long courses are more like $250 (+ books).
I hope to encourage Sam to take Latin I next fall through Lukeion.
One more note for those only interested in secular resources: I know that the teachers are both Christian, but haven't found that Sam's classes are slanted in that regard, so far. There is a month-long workshop called "The Crucifixion Week" that has this as the description: "We explore the day by day events in the final week before the crucifixion and look at the interplay between culture, religion, law, Roman and Jew. Find out how Jesus was clearly in charge every moment and knew exactly what he was doing. A fascinating study that will enrich your historical and spiritual understanding. Great tool for those in the ministry." Obviously this class has a certain bias, but again, I haven't seen that in the classes Sam is taking.
The Lukeion Project (http://www.lukeion.org/)
Tara