The Robinson Self-Teaching Curriculum
by Art Robinson
Review by BreakingDawn
I really love literature based but with four kids, two younger ones in the mix, the reading out loud of the pile of books began to become the first thing I'd skip. In my searching to find a way to still use literature based but more self directed, I was drawn to Dr. Robinson and his methods. I had read about it years before but been scared away by what seem to be strict rules, as in no TV and no sugar. I wish I would not have been so quick to judge. I will say that while they worked for Dr. Robinson, it is not an all or nothing with this curriculum.
What is this program all about?
Simply good old fashioned 3 R's. Reading, Writing and Math.
Even though time requirements are laid out, those are not set in stone, as in you don't have to do two hours of math for this to be your program. I've been pleased how customizable this program is. We are doing five days per week of lessons. He does say that math runs smoother once a child knows his/her facts by rote. So we are focusing on that but using Christian Light Education Math as our vehicle to do so. Even though Dr. Robinson has stressed Saxon 54 and up as his math choices, when other math program users have contacted him, he has said that other fantastic math programs are now available and we should use what works. So again if you don't like or want to use Saxon, you don't have to do so. The point is really that whatever math you use with your child be used self directed.
What about printing the books?
If you are scared away by the thought of printing the books (though a good laser printer can be picked up for $100 now). You don't have to do so. They can be read on devices like the Kindle, or other e-readers as well. The free Baldwin project books and Gutenberg books can all be obtained in a just a click. I find having Ereaders a great feature which allows me to save space in our home and is very easy for the kids to take their books anywhere, having access to multiple books at once without needing lots of space.
Do I need the disks?
You can implement this program without the disks. I was well on my way before getting the disks. You can get a very clear picture of what the program is about and how it works from reading on his website. This is no secret as he is very upfront about that there. His bread and butter is not the curriculum so I do not feel disloyal in any way saying it can be done and done well without the disks on hand. However there are things on the disks such as his own math flash cards, vocabulary and phonics flash cards and tests, and he gives a great set of older encyclopedias on the disks. But of course you can make your own tests and cards if you wish to use those. And the yahoo group has some quizzes added. As I've said the CD's are not a must have as we had been doing fine without them for five months. After my initial read over disk one I've not referenced them again.
What appeals to me about this program?
The most attractive part of this curriculum or should I say mindset is that I the parent step back to allow the dc to learn. It is amazing how something so simple and enjoyable as reading great books without breaking it up into subjects can offer a great education. The hardest part for a parent who is used to being all in is to let go I think. I do interact with my dc and they share what they are reading to me. I don't test or quiz them on the reading. I feel pretty good that I can see what my dc glean from simple conversation. I would recommend to anyone interested in this curriculum that they read the yahoo group as many questions I have had have been answered by reading over their files of older posts, folks who have had the same questions as I've had. If you are drawn to using literature based as your learning, but wish to use it on a self directed basis, this is your curriculum.
It is truly as simple as giving your kids great books, and letting them dive in. I think it's one of those hidden treasures.
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