Classical Education Inc.
a Texas based 501c3 non-profit corporation.
a Texas based 501c3 non-profit corporation.
The term "Classical Homeschool" might be a bit confusing, especially if you’re new to the method. I know it threw me off when I first heard about it. Like me, you might have thought "classical" meant something more closely related to regular public school, with a set schedule, books for each and every curriculum, and scheduled breaks.
The foundation of a Classical Homeschool education is known as the trivium. In a nutshell, that means that the core content of the subject matter is based on each child's own cognitive development. There are three main areas of emphasis in Classical Homeschool:
Concrete Thinking (Grammar Stage): This is the emphasis while your child is in the grade school phase (first through fifth-grade levels). It revolves around memorizing facts for each subject matter being taught. This creates a focus that revolves around the tools necessary for perfecting a subject matter. It is specifically tailored for this age level when memorization of material is most easily introduced and accepted. This stage also makes use of repetition which can be utilized through song, poetry, and rhyme.
Analytical Thinking (Logic Stage): The middle school phase finds this mode of thinking works best and focuses on a more analytical way of thinking. In this phase, a deeper understanding of the subject matter is the key feature as children are coming into an age where questions and argumentative thinking (think ‘debate’, not ‘argument’) are beginning to emerge. It is a stage that leads to a deeper understanding of information as a goal. In this stage, debate is often used as a means of learning, because it causes children to focus on stating the known facts, converting them into persuasive elements, discerning fact from fallacy, and learning and thinking quickly.
Abstract Thinking: In the high school phase, we focus deeper still in thinking and articulation of the subject matter. In other words, at this point, a student should be able to understand the subject matter being taught and be able to explain it as a means of ‘proving’ a complete grasp. The shift becomes apparent as students capitalize on analyzing and synthesizing information to develop a reasoned opinion. This phase magnifies influential abilities through the furtherance of debate and cognizance. However, it is at this point that debate takes on more intelligence and capacity for civility.
Grammar teaches the mechanics of language to the student. This is the step where the student "comes to terms," defining the objects and information perceived by the five senses. Hence, the Law of Identity: a tree is a tree, and not a cat.
Logic (also dialectic) is the "mechanics" of thought and of analysis, the process of identifying fallacious arguments and statements and so systematically removing contradictions, thereby producing factual knowledge that can be trusted.
Rhetoric is the application of language in order to instruct and to persuade the listener and the reader. It is the knowledge (grammar) now understood (logic) and being transmitted outwards as wisdom (rhetoric).
If you are interested in some of the resources that Classical Education Inc. has to offer please contact us and let us know. If you live in the Fort Worth Texas area and you are interested in on site classical educational groups that meet in person we can also help provide you some resources. Home schooling in Fort Worth Texas or anywhere you live can be a challenge and a support systems and a support network might be just the thing you need to give you that additional motivation. Remember that home schooling is a journey that has the potential to yeild great returns.
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