Teaching Method Resources
The Classical Learning Method
Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum by Laura Berquist
Teaching the Trivium, Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style by Havery & Larie Bluedorn
The Trivium: the Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric by Sister Miriam Joseph, C.S.C.
The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise
The Classical Learning Method
The Classical Learning Method is perhaps the oldest method around. We liken it to a very scholarly Liberal Arts education. It is based on the trivium and the quadrivium dating back a few thousand of years to education in ancient Greece and Rome and later the Middle Ages.
In the Primary Education level (6-18), often referred to as the Trivium because it covers the three big topics of grammar, log, and rhetoric, children often learn through the Socratic method which consists of a series of questions and answer discussions between teacher and learner.
In the Secondary Education level (18+), often called that Quadrivium (four ways), the subjects of astronomy, arithmetic, music, and geometry are covered with history interwoven as a unifying thread amongst all subjects ever learned.
In the modern sense of the Classical Method, many homeschooling families focus on the trivium stages and chose to develop lessons around the Christian faith.
Grammar Stage (6 to 10)
Focuses include reading, writing, spelling, study of latin and development of the skills of observation, listening, and memorization.
Dialectic Stage (10-12)
Focuses on allowing independent thought and developing the skills of discussion, debate, drawing conclusions that can be backed up with factual information.
Rhetoric Stage (by 15)
Refines the skills of written and oral language use.
"The sole true end of education is simply this: to teach men how to learn for themselves; and whatever instruction fails to do this is effort spent in vain."
-Dorothy Sayers (1893-1957), The Lost Tools of Learning
Our Classical Resources
Our Learning Flashcards for Homeschoolers
Some of our Resource Tools that complement the Classical Method of education
Surf to learn about the Classical Learning Method
New Classical Christian Homeschooling Website
Special
Features of this Method
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Educational stages coincide with mental development stages
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Creates independent self-learners
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Encourages life-long learning
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Has produced some of the greatest thinkers in history
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Teaches thinking, speaking, and written language skills
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Encourages critical thinking
Weaknesses
of this Method
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Limited selection of prepared curriculum available
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More serious minded approach which requires both teacher and learner by be scholarly
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Gives much emphasis to ancient cultures and disciplines
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Can be energy consuming for parents as they may be required to interact quite a bit in the Socratic learning process
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Encourages the learning of ancient languages such as Latin, Greek or Hebrew. This would be in addition to learning of modern languages that one may desire to learn.