On the radio program Sunday, Greg hosted two guests who are headmasters of local classical Christian schools. The philosophy and vision of this kind of education is inspired by Dorothy L. Sayers' (one of the Inklings and author) essay "The Lost Tools of Learning." She describes a method of educating children that takes into account three development levels and building their knowledge as their progress like building blocks, from one stage to the next developing their understanding and thinking. And it's amazing how children can learn using this method.
What became clear listening to the headmasters is that the goal is to educate clear-thinking Christian students, which is STR's goal focused on adults. Imagine what children raised to think and communicate clearly can do for God's Kingdom.
You can listen to the interview.
The guests were Liz Caddow from Trinity Classical Academy and Devin Smith from Beacon Hill Classical Academy.
You can find out more about this model of education The Association of Classic and Christian Schools, and from Douglas Wilson's book The Case for Classical and Christian Schools.
I am listening to the podcast now.
I WANT TO GO TO A SCHOOL LIKE THIS! Man alive, it all sounds amazing. If I had children I would move heaven and earth to get them to one of these schools.
Posted by: Mo | May 03, 2011 at 03:21 PM
Disclaimer: I haven't heard the podcast nor read the book.
I'm sure these schools are great but they are also invariably expensive. And I'm not going to buy that a school can build faith and character in my kids better than I as a Dad can.
Posted by: kpolo | May 04, 2011 at 08:49 AM
@Kpolo Agreed, We are a home schooling family following a classical trivium method at a fraction of the cost of sending one's child to a classical school. (Nevermind the cost if there isn't one near you) There are so many resources nowadays for home schools to implement the classical method. I am sure the schools do turn out some well equipped members of His kingdom and don't mean to disrespect them. However, it is important that people realize that you can train your children via the trivium without moving heaven and earth. And the family bond you create from homeschooling is an immeasurable addition to the academic benefits of classical schooling.
A simple Google search will turn up more information than one could use in a lifetime but these are some resources that can help home schoolers who want to educate their children in the classical style:
Teaching the Trivium - Bluedorn
http://www.triviumpursuit.com/
The Well Trained Mind - Bauer
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/
http://www.veritaspress.com/
Posted by: Shelz | May 07, 2011 at 07:47 AM