Classical Education doesn’t just mean studying the classics. Homeschoolers have adopted this philosophy of education to give their children a well-rounded knowledge base. Here’s the breakdown:
- Originally used in ancient Greece, and in Europe during the Middle Ages
- Based on the Trivium – a three-stage development theory that includes taking in knowledge, making connections from the facts acquired, and presenting opinions on the subject matter
- Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric are key components of the Classical Method
- Latin, the Socratic Method, and “Real” books (the great books of western civilization) are frequent players
Fans of Classical homeschooling tend to like structure and seek to evaluate their student’s learning based on national/state academic standards. They value education that focuses on the written word, and strive to develop good study habits early in a child’s life.
A typical teaching session finds the parent closely involved in the child’s learning activity, and utilizes book discussion, dictation, and the reaching of academic goals.
This rigorous curriculum generally produces an analytical approach to literature and history, heavy on debate and intellectual argument. The arts can suffer in the area of “appreciation” over “experience”, but for the serious student who wants to have a broader world view, Classical is the way to go.
More about the Classical Method -
A to Z Home’s Cool (additional links)
Looking for other Homeschool methods?
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