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In continuing my series on approaches to
homeschooling, I would like to introduce the classical approach.
The core of Classical Education is the trivium,
which simply put is a teaching model that seeks to tailor the
curriculum subject matter to a child’s cognitive development.
The trivium emphasizes concrete thinking and memorization of the facts
of the subjects in grade school; analytical thinking and understanding
of the subjects in middle school; and abstract thinking and
articulation of the subjects in high school. Subjects unique to
Classical Education which help accomplish the goals of the trivium are
Grammar, the science of language usage; Logic, the science of right
thinking; and Rhetoric, the science of verbal and written expression.
Classical Christian Education is further characterized by a rich
exposure to the history, art, and culture of Western Civilization,
including its languages (Latin and Greek), its philosophy and
literature (the Great Books of Western Civilization and the Christian
tradition), and the development of a Biblical worldview with Theology
in its proper place as the Queen of the Sciences.
~~from Christine Miller's site
http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/
Sources
to learn more about Classical Education:
Teaching
the Trivium, Christian Homeschooling in a Classical
Style
by Harvey & Laurie
Bluedorn
Buy Now!
I have read this book and it is EXCELLENT. One of
my favorite aspects of this book is that it is packed with Scripture to
support the classical philosophy & approach. Below is a review
by Christine Miller of
http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/. Her review sums up my
view of this terrific source:
Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.00 until you
have this book. If you can only get one book on this page, make it this
one. The Bluedorns have done an excellent job explaining the Biblical
foundation of homeschooling, of Christian education, and how to apply
the Trivium to a uniquely Biblical, Christian education at home.
“Long ago, students were first taught how to learn. Today,
students are taught an encyclopedia of subjects -- trivia -- but they
are not taught the basic skills of learning: to discover, to reason,
and to apply. They are not taught the Trivium. Because we are
Christians, we do not want to pursue non-Christian goals. Classical
Education must be sifted through the critical screen of the Scriptures
to be transformed into the Biblical model.” The Biblical
model is thoroughly explained and applied throughout the book. Packed
with Scripture, guides for teaching discovering (grammar), reasoning
(dialectic), and applying (rhetoric), and many, many practical
how-to’s and helps of all kinds, with an out of this world
appendix of resources, this is the Well-Trained Mind for those that
want their children to have a uniquely and thoroughly Christian
education and grounding in a Biblical worldview (that’s all
of us, right?). It is inspiring, encouraging, and hopeful -- the
Bluedorns have lived this life with five children, the youngest of
which is 17.
Well Trained Mind, by Susan Wise Bauer and
Jesse Wise
I have audio tapes of Susan and Jesse speaking
about their view on classical education. The Well Trained Mind is a
great handbook in walking you through all the stages of classical
education, as well as extensive resource lists. Please know that their
publisher asked them to give suggestions for every subject area they
discussed. Both Susan and Jesse do not believe you should do everything
they have listed, every grade level in school. You do need to pick and
choose what is best for your family. Below is a review by Christine
Miller:
http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/
This book by a mother and daughter provides much
practical advice for pursuing a classical education at home, as Mrs.
Wise has successfully homeschooled her daughter using classical
education, who earned a perfect score on her GRE. The book is based on
Mrs. Bauer’s experience teaching university-level English,
and her mother’s experience homeschooling classically, and
what each of them believes they did right, as well as what they would
change if they were to do it all over again. Their thoughtful graded
plan to give your children the gift of a well-trained mind is included.
Cautions with this book: it takes a secular view of classical
education, and although a brief section on religious education is
included, Biblical admonition or building a Biblical worldview is not
the underpinning of learning language, logic, or expression -- the
trivium. Caution number two: Genesis is divorced from both history and
science, and therefore from the foundational place it serves to
Christian doctrine and moral living.
Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum,
by Laura Berquist
Mrs. Berquist has homeschooled her children for
15 years and gives suggestions, with experience in her book. She
follows Dorothy Sayers guidelines of grammar, dialectic and rhetoric
stages as she outlines suggestions in all subject areas. Protestants
should also find much practical help in this “treasure for
Catholic parents.”
Seven Laws of Teaching, by John Milton Gregory
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning, by Douglas Wilson
Repairing the Ruins, by Douglas Wilson
Classical Education and the Home School, by Douglas Wilson, Wesley
Callihan and Douglas Jones
http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/ This is one of my most
favorite websites!!! Christine Miller continues to add to this terrific
source in educating your children classically from a Christian
perspective. Her website has a link to her publishing house, Nothing
New Press
Fallacy
Detective, by Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn
Thinking
Toolbox, by Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn
CLASSICAL
CURRICULUM and WEBSITES
I forgot to include some classical curriculum
suggestions and some websites. These are listed below:
CLASSICAL CURRICULUM SUGGESTIONS:
Mott Media
Veritas Press
http://www.veritaspress.com/
Trivium Pursuit
http://www.triviumpursuit.com/index.htm
Canon Press
http://www.canonpress.org/
Memoria Press
http://www.memoriapress.com/
Critical Thinking
Audio Memory
Cumberland House
Rummy Roots
Greenleaf Press
Learning Wrap Ups
English from Roots Up
Logos Curricula
http://www.logosschool.com/
Gileskirk
http://www.gileskirk.com/
Jim Stobaugh
http://forsuchatimeasthis.com/
Excellence in Writing
http://www.writing-edu.com/index.phtml
CLASSICAL WEBSITES:
Classical Homeschooling
http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/
Trivium Pursuit
http://www.triviumpursuit.com/index.htm
Well Trained Mind
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/
Christian Logic
http://www.christianlogic.com/
Forest of Rhetoric
http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/
Circe Ministries
http://www.circeministries.com/
Laura Berquist
http://www.motherofdivinegrace.org/
Logos School
http://www.logosschool.com/
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