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The CLASSICAL APPROACH Classical learning is called "classical" because future leaders have been trained in its methods for centuries. In fact, some parts of the classical curriculum have been around for millennia. The very great value of this method is that it provides a rigorous education suited to basic human nature and tested over centuries, rather than one developed from the theories of educational faddists The students learn the grammar of each subject (that subject's "particulars"). They then learn dialectic, or the relationships of these particulars to one another, and then go on to learn rhetoric. (SEE Trivium column below!) That is, they learn how to express what they have gained in an effective and coherent fashion. The purpose of following this pattern is not to teach the student everything there is to know, but rather to get the child in a habit of knowing how to learn new material own their own. The student is not so much taught what to think, he is shown how to think The three stages of the Trivium match the developmental stages of growing children quite nicely. Another significant part of the value of classical instruction is that it teaches students the rigors of logical analysis. This requires training in logic and the apologetics of Christian worldview thinking. Classical education supplies this in a way not seen elsewhere. Third, the student learns that our culture and civilization is an outgrowth of the classical, medieval, and reformation world. Modern students must learn that our culture was not purchased for them by their parents at the mall. Like other methods, reading old books that are considered true classics, the student is protected against false ideas of modernity. Should every child master Latin, logic, and literature? No. A classical education is not suitable or desirable for everyone. When the apostle Paul teaches about the functioning of the body, he insists that not everyone should be a teacher. At the same time, he insists that teaching is most necessary. In other words, some people must learn to teach and lead (at this, classical education excels), but it is wrong-headed to insist that everyone must go to the amount of effort required of leaders. My notes here: The above was condensed from several articles on the classical approach. I believe we all desire our children to have a love of learning and know how to seek out knowledge on their own. While we all might not need a classical education, it is worthy of setting it as a goal. Classics and other books read with this curriculum are not necessarily living books as Charlotte Mason would explain. I know that I personally am still learning on a daily basis and only wish I could cram all that information in. But like many of you, my brain stops working after 4pm. Again, please take what you can from this method and apply it as you see fit within your homeschool. There are many good things to be incorporated here. Accelerated learners would do well with a method such as this. CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOLING ALL THROUGH THE AGES Also check The TRIVIUM Method here on the Home Crusader site. Click here to go back to Home Crusaders webpages copyrighted by Leslie Schauer©1997. |