What is a classical education?
In my own feeble words, a classical education provides the information needed for a child to eventually question the information given, then ultimately to express one's opinion of the information. It involves immense amounts of reading and writing. It also uses math and science as vehicles to making sense of the natural orders of creation. It is my belief and hope that a classical education will produce successful leaders who can think independently and logically as well as effectively communicate their thoughts to others.
So, that is my take on it, but the link below gives a thorough explanation of a classical education as they see it.
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/classical-education/
How do we to accomplish this challenge? Probably the same way you do...one day at time! :)
Bubbles:
Math: MCP math (Level F) with lots of real math problems
Language Arts: Grammar (Rod and Staff Progressing with Courage), Greek and Latin Root words (The Learning Works Greek and Latin Roots), Spelling (self created list from words misspelled in the previous week), Vocabulary (words from our History and Science lessons), reading of the Classics with book reports, summaries, dictations, narrations, and memorization of famous speeches and poems as well as Writing Club.
Religion: Baltimore Catechism No. 1, scripture study, and feast days
Logic: Analogies (Teacher Created Resources Analogies for Critical Thinking), Mind Benders Book 3 (Critical Thinking Co.), Map study (CMT Map Study)
Spanish: vocabulary and conjugations (supplemental book by McGraw Hill entitled Basic Spanish) with weekly oral drill with me
Science: Astronomy (Apologia's Exploring Creation with Astronomy)
History: 1730's - present day (Genevieve Foster's George Washington's World, Abraham Lincoln's World, and many, many, many supplemental library books as well as primary sources, map study, and timeline.)
Arts: weekly study of a famous artist or musician, formal drawing lessons, and formal piano lessons
Prez:
Math: MCP math (Level A), lots of math games, and lots of real math problems
Language arts: Phonics Pathways (a reading and a spelling program). He has a lesson and dictation with his own writing, as well as Writing Club.
Religion: Baltimore Catechism No. 1 and feast days.
Logic: Mind Benders
Science: any science library book that correlates with what sister is learning.
History: listens to sister's reading, colors a corresponding picture, does a narration, and map study. (this doesn't happen every lesson--just on the good days)
Arts: weekly study of a famous artist or musician and formal drawing lessons.
Other links to classical education:
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/
http://www.classicalconversations.com/
