“The Toolshed,” online community… is it worth it?
Shortly after I purchased the beta version of TCT in the summer 2024, I realized she was creating her own online community. Having been a part of Autumn Kern’s The Commonplace for two years, I was hesitant to join, or add another subscription. I joined the free version and then Amanda graciously gifted me a year subscription to the Toolshed. Something she has offered to do to any mother-teacher in need!
The Toolshed is an online forum started by Amanda Faus, the author of The Children’s Tradition. It is a group on Circle, which I like.
There are nearly 200 members in the paid portion of the site and it is growing daily. Amanda is currently leading a bookclub on Poetic Education by James Taylor, which I have not been able to attend. However, I do plan to take advantage of this at some point. Amanda also plans to launch a 20-part video training series in April 2025 which I believe will be worth its weight in gold. Topics will range from Shakespere, to Latin, to tips on combining grades.
The website is organized into the following sections, which fit the curriculum nicely. There are many “tags” within each section which makes it easy to search or sort. For example, I searched the word “Reading” and easily found posts about reading lessons. The “tag” “Home Management” is another example, where one can easily read all of the home management posts.
The Conversation includes:
The Philsophy: An area to talk about poetic education and broader questions on philosphy. There have been some rich discussions here. I want to note that Amanda often personally responds to MANY posts and gives thoughtful, intentional, and rich research-backed answers to people’s questions and concerns. I have learned a lot throug her humility and wisdom.
The Hearth: About home life and rhythms, this area has a special place in my heart.
Knowledge of God: This includes discussion about prayer, Scripture, psalm singing, etc. There are families from protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox churches in the Toolshed and I’ve really appreciated the diversity of perspectives. One note is that if you are coming from a Protestant background, the conversations around chants, saints, or even the termology around Benedictus or other “morning and evening prayers” may seem foreign. These are coming from other members within The Toolshed and not Amanda herself. I’ve found many of these ideas and suggestions to be helpful, since Theology is one area of TCT that is easy to customize and I plan to continue to adapt to our family’s faith journey. There is no requirement to utilize Saints, Benedictus, or chants in your TCT homeschool. Though many families in a liturgical tradition like ourselves, are choosing to incorporate this!
Knowledge of Man: A lively section covering things like folk songs, gymnastics, drawing, reading and writing lessons, and more.
Knowledge of the Universe: This section covers ideas on nature study, stargazing, and artithmetic. Stargazing is newer for our family, and I love hearing the real-life stories of this!
Timetables and Lessons: A practical section, of course. Other members have shared helpful resources like what their Solfa or Folk Dance schedule is for the year (thank you, Arielle!) or what their daily timetable with littles looks like. This section is fun and practical.
Good Books: I have used this section the least, but I know will be a rich resocurce when I’m in a place to grow our home-library. This is a place to discuss books beyond John Senior’s 1000 Good Books.
Tutorials & Co Ops: Amanda has provided the lesson plans for how she implements their Tutorial days in Murrita, California. This includes things not in the curriculum, like Row Row Row your boat in Latin and other practical resources that would be easy to implement given her framework. Families are also connecting with other like-minded families in their state, and I’m sure this area will only grow over the years.
Upper Years: A place to specifically talk about TCT in the upper grades, there have been some helpful discussion points like older students who struggle to read, and info on Plutarch and Shakespere or other topics for older students.
Is The Toolshed necessary to implement The Children’s Tradition?
Absolutely not. Especially in the full spring version, which I have seen, Amanda has gone to great lengths to offer detailed and rich explanations to topics that maybe otherwise you would have questions about. Things like Narrations, The Early Years, Reading Lessons, Why Latin, and more.
What is The Toolshed Not? This is not a gossip Facebook group, or a place to get all your questions answered. You see, You have to do the work. That is part fo the philosophy. You have been given the riches through the philosphy and curriculum, now you have to take them and implement them.
Is the free version helpful? Amanda has a free version of The Toolshed set up with a Welcome area. You could definitely use this space to ask a question or introduce yourself. However, most of the riches are in the paid version and I did feel quite quickly like I wanted the paid version.
Will I continue my Toolshed membership? Yes, I will. For $100 a year or $12/month I think this is an invaluable resource and will make any homeschool year feel more successful. If nothing more than to feel the comrodery of likeminded individuals. I personally really have appreciated the live term-review calls, and already feel like I am becoming friends with mothers who I have never met! In 2025-2026 I plan to take the Poetic Education course, watch Amanda’s 20 video series, and continue to learn from the myriah of mothers in the Toolshed. There is one dad, too! So for me and our homeschool, this is completely worth it.
I get no affiliation for promoting The Toolshed, and truly just wanted to write my honest review of what has been helpful to help you decide if you need it or not. If you’re on the fence, I suggest trying a month for $12, and makign the decision for yourself!
Blessings on your homeschool!
Kate
