| about the book |
| An educated mind is, as it were, composed of all the minds of preceding ages. -- Bernard Le Bovier Fontenelle (1657-1757) Inaction saps the vigor of the mind. -- Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519) |
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| Copyright 2005 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
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| Deep Thoughts for Homeschoolers |
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| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Classical Education for Homeschoolers by Julie Shepherd Knapp, Copyright 2006 Classical Education is an approach to homeschooling that is based on the book, The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer which was, in turn, based on The Lost Tools of Learning, by Dorothy Sayers. The recommendations in these books assume a Christian world-view, but the approach can be adapted to a secular humanist world-view by substituting secular materials, where preferred. "The Well-trained Mind" (TWTM) presents a philosophy of learning which maintains that children's abilities mature in prescribed stages that correspond to a "trivium" drawn from the Middle Ages - grammar, logic, and rhetoric. The Grammar Stage (K - 6th) focuses on memorization and general "gathering" of knowledge in each subject, The Logic Stage (7th - 8th) focuses on a child's developing abilities to understand the abstract, see cause and effect, use formal logic, analysis and criticism. The Rhetoric Stage (9th - 12th) is when students concentrate on using their knowledge and reason to express their thoughts in clear, eloquent writing and speech. TWTM contains a complete list of resources (mostly books) to use for each homeschool year. History and science use "real books" not textbooks, and spiral thru 4 years of study. TWTM is an intensive, strenuous curriculum with lots of memorization, reading and writing (including a notebook for each subject). Latin is taught, beginning in 3rd grade. Children must be reading fluently prior to 1st grade. For more ideas and guidance visit the Well-Trained Mind Website Here is a good "primer" on Classical Education, Understanding Classical Education, by Foundations Academy in Boise, Idaho Why study more than just math and language arts? This article explains the advantages of a broader curriculum - "The purpose of a Liberal Arts Education" by Robert Harris, Virtual Salt, March 14, 1991 Aztecs vs. Greeks: Those with superior intelligence need to learn to be wise by Charles Murray from WSJ.com Curriculum Options and Other Resources: The curricula listed below are generally based on the ideals of "classical education". Tapestry of Grace - (K-12) Christian-focused, a Classical Education that centers around a literature- based, spiraling, chronological study of history... provides weekly goals, and has lessons for all learning levels (grades) combined in the same four guidebooks, emphasizes discussion and writing, does not include math, grammar, high school science, or foreign language The Noah Plan - (K-12) Christian-focused, described as an "American" Classical Education approach and curriculum, easily adapts to unit studies, can be used to teach different grade-levels at same time, teaches French starting in K, includes online support forums and mentors and an optional online academy directed at teaching parents how to teach the curriculum. Sonlight Curriculum- (preK-12) Evangelical Christian-focused, literature-based liberal arts curriculum that discusses other beliefs in their "world studies" units, some use Sonlight as the foundation for a "lower-stress" approach to classical education, provides "Instructor's Guides" to implement daily lessons (minimizes parent prep time), complete and partial curriculum packages available, language arts includes copy-work and dictation, offers a choice of three math curriculum options, science consists of pre-packaged science kits, an advanced reader option is available, doesn't require hands-on projects and activities, no quizzes or tests, 80% of the materials are reusable with other students, samples of curriculum and guides available online Online Support WellTrainedMind Discussion -- online Christian-focused support Well Trained Mind Secular -- online secular support group Catholic Well trained Minds -- online Catholic-focused support group Classical Lite -- online support for those taking a more relaxed approach to The Well Trained Mind (and Charlotte Mason) Classical Conversations -- a combination support community and online school, classes are organized and conducted locally, to encourage student interaction, public speaking and debate, offers parent support and retreats |
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