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Classical education is so named because it draws on an approach to education that is tried and true and can be traced back through history. It takes advantage of a child’s natural development. This approach focuses on the methodology known as the Trivium. It is age-appropriate at each of the three levels as described in the Trivium Chart below. Younger students have the ability to learn songs, rhymes and recite facts with relative ease, so they are taught lots of facts with various tools of memorization. As children begin to think more independently, they are often inclined to be argumentative. This is common in the preteen and early teen years. At this time, in addition to being taught facts, they are also encouraged to question, reason and analyze. Logic classes help students understand the fundamentals of a good argument. These skills are put into practice in the classroom as students participate in debates, oral presentations and classroom discussions. In the upper grades, students have an increased ability to learn effective communication skills. During this period of time, all students learn the fundamentals of rhetoric, the art of communicating well. Rhetoric classes equip students to communicate their beliefs beautifully and persuasively.
Classical education is also defined by the curriculum choices. Besides the obvious additions to the curriculum of logic and rhetoric classes, Latin and Greek are also core classes. There is a heavy emphasis on literature and history. Although these two subjects are taught as separate classes, the curriculum is synchronized. For example, students learn modern history at the same time they learn modern literature.
Learn more >> Myths About Classical Education
"The Lost Tools of Learning", an essay by Dorothy Sayers
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Douglas Wilson
Repairing the Ruins by Douglas Wilson
Seven Laws of Teaching by John Milton Gregory
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| Grammar | Grades 1-6 | Teach each student the fundamental rules or principles of each subject. | | Logic | Grades 6-9 | Teach each student how the fundamental rules or principles of a subject relate to each other. | | Rhetoric | Grades 9-12 | Teach each student to communicate truth clearly and persuasively through class participation, written assignments, speeches and debates. |
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