I have recently been reading a bit here and there about some of the various types of education methods. It seems that the idea of "classical" education is popular with Homeschoolers, as evidenced by the popularity of"The Well Trained Mind". A few quick questions regarding what I have found on websites and I would love others' comments. Is Charlotte Mason methodology considered "classical"? Are any hear anti-classical because they consider it to clash with their Christian world view. Are any versed in the arguments against classical education philosophy. Do you see a correlation among differences between classical versus what many call "Hebrew" educational philosophy, and humamism/psychology versus Biblical morality/accountability.
We started reading "The Well-Trained Mind" a while back. After one chapter, we stopped. DH and I were reading it aloud. We BOTH had the exact same impression. It was as if the authors considered human knowledge a god. I know many here really like the book, and I know there's some good in it, but it is NOT for me and my family. This became even more apparant when she wrote "Story of the World". She claims to be a Christian, but her book was intentionally written from a non-Christian world view to appeal to more people. I'm told that many of her writings of Biblical events are distorted. That would imply to me that her emphasis is on worldly knowledge, rather than Godly wisdom. Charlotte Mason is NOT considered "classical", but many (including myself!) have found them highly compatible. Many of my Christian friends DO use a classical approach, at least to some extent. So there's nothing wrong with looking at it seriously and gleaning the good from it. As far as the "hebrew" educational philosophy, a friend once told me that it is the OPPOSITE of the Greek. The Greek model (which is what most schools are based on) teaches knowledge. Facts are taught FIRST. Once you learn the facts, you are expected to gain UNDERSTANDING of them. Then, through all this understanding, you will be WISE. In Proverbs, it says we must seek WISDOM first. From wisdom, we get UNDERSTANDING, and from that comes our KNOWLEDGE.
We are using the Greek philosophy of education not the Hebrew. There are difference between the Greek and the Hebrew. Ancient Greek Education prepared individuals to serve the state while Ancient Hebrew education prepared individuals to serve God. The Greeks focused on teaching students to trust the state. The focus is on self-esteem, emotional adjustment and development of the external body. The results in becoming self-centered and the love of knowledge---knowledge being all powerful. While the Hebrews taught children to be lifelong learners and to be self motivated. The children are taught to discover the talants and gifts God has given them and to use those to the best of their ability. The focus is on spritual things. This results in being God-centered and having strong family ties, high morals and a love for learning. So in the end, the Greek method develops a sense of lawlessness or "to each his own" while the Hebrew develops lawfulness or "love one another." Consider the verses Isaiah 30:9 and 1 Peter 2:13-14, as relating, one to the Greek and one to the Hebrew. The bible actually speaks against the Greek philosophies, Job 11:7, Colossians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 1:26-28 and 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. Modern educational systems use the Greek method. So, keeping all that in mind...then choose a "philosophy" by which to teach. Be careful as to not get into a method of education that teaches gaining wisdom in the wrong order, as Jackie describes. Sorry for such a long post...I just got done studying this myself!
Ava Rose, I think you mean you use the Hebrew methods, not Greek, right? Jackie and Ava Rose answered these well. I agree with what they said, and can really add no more.
I recommend getting Teaching the Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn. It is about teaching the Classical "method" in a Hebrew/Christian way and we found it to be VERY helpful.
I read parts of WTM, and at the time it did not grab me enough to keep reading. I had it out from the library on more than one occasion and kept finding myself into other books more. I had the same impression as others about the emphasis on "human" knowledge. I agree that all kids need to read and understand some of classic literature if for no other reason than the fact that so much of our communication relies upon references to the classics, as with Oedipus. I do not, however, find that "classic" literature has value above and beyond other literature, (except for perhaps historical reference,) simply because it is Teacher, Professor and ALA approved. On several occasions I was unable to get into the ideas in WTM and have wondered if I was the only homeschooler who did not. I probably apply some of them anyway because they are common sense and we stumbled upon them as we found what works for us. LOL I cannot see the value of my student learning Latin over Spanish, for example, when we are surrounded by Spanish speakers.
I'm not Marylyn, but, I read it Jackie. I'd have to agree with your "report" on it, but I did find some of the stuff helpful. I use some of the ideas I gleaned from the book, but in our way to fit our family. To tell the truth, it was so highly regarded by some, that I TRIED to get into it and try the things she said, before my own common and Godly sense took over! But now, as I said, we do what fits our lifestyle, what we would probably end up doing anyway. We don't do Latin (though I did try it), because it's not seeming that practical for us. My kids are taking languages that they're interested in: ds15-German, ds13-Greek, dd9-playing with Spanish, though not doing it a lot at this point in time. I do think that because of her research on what homeschoolers are using and what works, she has a good grasp on some of the good curriculum, so I've tried some of her suggestions.
Here are several sites on the basic types for you to explore. http://www.hsiz.org/resources.asp?resourceCatID=349,350
so, classical is like reading writing rithmathic and in a schedule and such? and then there are non traditional ways? I guess my question is -- is traditional classical?
No, traditional and classical are not the same. Classical education definition from classical-homeschooling.org The core of Classical Education is the trivium, which simply put is a teaching model that seeks to tailor the curriculum subject matter to a child’s cognitive development. The trivium emphasizes concrete thinking and memorization of the facts of the subjects in grade school; analytical thinking and understanding of the subjects in middle school; and abstract thinking and articulation of the subjects in high school. Subjects unique to Classical Education which help accomplish the goals of the trivium are Grammar, the science of language usage; Logic, the science of right thinking; and Rhetoric, the science of verbal and written expression. Classical Christian Education is further characterized by a rich exposure to the history, art, and culture of Western Civilization, including its languages (Latin and Greek), its philosophy and literature (the Great Books of Western Civilization and the Christian tradition), and the development of a Biblical worldview with Theology in its proper place as the Queen of the Sciences.
My opinion of WTM was the same as what you said, Jackie.. They seemed to make a god out of knowledge for its own sake. Classical is not the same as traditional, like TXthreestep said. The premise is that everyone goes through different stages as they grow. Little kids can learn lots of facts, but they think very concretely - everything is black or white, if you know what I mean. That is the Grammar/Knowledge stage. At about 10 or 11, they can start analyzing things better and can start thinking about why... That is the Logic/Wisdom stage. At 15 or 16 they can start applying what they have learned, and that is the Rhetoric/Understanding stage. If you go look at www.tapestryofgrace.com they have a whole curriculum based around the Classical method.
Understand that my pproblem is with WTM, not necessisarily with the Classical method. I've got many Christian friends that use it, and it doesn't conflict with their beliefs. I do think there's a lot of good in it!
