Classical Education

Classical Education

Classical Education. The philosophy of Classical Education is to teach children in ways that naturally complement their stage of development. It is a “back to the basics” approach that has withstood the test of time.

Grammar Stage (Grades K-6)

Students are taught the “grammar” or fundamentals of each subject. Students think concretely and naturally memorize easily. They enjoy absorbing information (math facts, history timelines, grammar rules, Bible verses) through songs, clapping, recitations, and games.

Logic Stage (Grades 7-8)

As students begin to ask “why” and challenge every assumption, the formal study of logic begins. Students will learn to organize, analyze, and critique facts they have been taught. Debates, research, and persuasive writing are all tools used in this stage.

Rhetoric Stage (Grades 9-12)

Rhetoric students have learned the grammar and logic and now must weave these disciplines into attractive speech and writing. Effective and persuasive communication is the goal of this stage.

Below is an excerpt from Doug Wilson’s book , “Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning:”

 

The structure of our curriculum is traditional with a strong emphasis on “the basics.” We understand the basics to be subjects such as mathematics, history, and language studies. Not only are these subjects covered, they are covered in a particular way. For example, in history class the students will not only read their text, they will also read from primary sources. Grammar, logic, and rhetoric will be emphasized in all subjects. By grammar, we mean the fundamental rules of each subject (again, we do not limit grammar to language studies), as well as the basic data that exhibit those rules. In English, a singular noun does not take a plural verb. In logic, A does not equal not A. In history, time is linear, not cyclic. Each subject has its own grammar, which we require the students to learn. This enables the student to learn the subject from the inside out.

The logic of each subject refers to the ordered relationship of that subject’s particulars (grammar). What is the relationship between the Reformation and the colonization of America? What is the relationship between the subject and the object of a sentence? As the students learn the underlying rules or principles of a subject (grammar) along with how the particulars of that subject relate to one another (logic), they are learning to think. They are not simply memorizing fragmented pieces of knowledge.

The last emphasis is rhetoric. We want our students to be able to express clearly everything they learn. As essay in history must be written as clearly as if it were an English paper. An oral presentation in science should be as coherent as possible. It is not enough that the history or science be correct. It must also be expressed well.