| What Is Classical Education? Classical education is | | | | understood by others. It develops a true sense of |
| based on the Trivium. The Trivium in Latin means "the | | | | accomplishment. The classical method encourages |
| three fold way". The Trivium can be broken down like | | | | children to do what they naturally enjoy, during each |
| this: K-6 grade, students like to memorize, grades 7-8, | | | | particular phase of their life. In your own home school |
| students are argument orientated and in grades 9-12, | | | | you might have two definitions for classical education |
| students become independent thinker and | | | | according to how you perceive it. The first definition |
| communicators. Children at this age are particularly | | | | could be this: Classical education is rigorous; |
| concerned with their appearance to others and | | | | language-history based and uses the educational |
| classical education teaches them rhetoric, the art of | | | | stages of the Trivium as an organizing principle. The |
| speaking, and writing. Young children in grades K-6 are | | | | second definition could be this: Classical education |
| very good at memorizing. They love to repeat songs, | | | | focuses on classical languages, literature, history, art, |
| rhymes, and chants. Sometimes they will even make | | | | and music and uses the Trivium as its organizing |
| up their own. The "grammar" phase corresponds with | | | | principle. Classical education "experts" would probably |
| this natural tendency by teaching the facts. Children in | | | | argue with me about the music part, but my children |
| grades 7-8 start questioning and arguing. The "logic" | | | | love music, so I put that in there too and don't forget to |
| phase teaches children how to argue well, based on | | | | add math! If you have not tried classical education, give |
| facts that have been learned. Children in grades 9-12 | | | | it a try. You could do a little at a time until you get used |
| become independent thinkers and communicators. | | | | to it. You might find that you either love it, hate it, or |
| They are also very concerned with how others | | | | you just want to do a little bit of it, like I do in our home |
| perceive them. This phase is called the "Rhetoric" | | | | school. Just remember to keep it fun, be flexible, and |
| phase. They are taught in this phase how to convey | | | | keep your mind open to different ways of thinking and |
| their thoughts so that they are well received and | | | | learning. |