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Are you looking for a voice of experience in the classical Christian homeschooling world? Pioneers in the Christian homeschooling movement, the Bluedorns began homeschooling in 1980 when their oldest son was five. They admit to making wrong turns in their quest to implement the Trivium at home, and we are the beneficiaries of their experiences as expressed in the new book, Teaching The Trivium. With the overriding themes of bonding to family (rather than peers) and following the Lord's calling, the Bluedorns make a strong case for both homeschooling and the classical Christian approach. Teaching the Trivium is actually an expanded version of eight booklets that the Bluedorns wrote on the Trivium. They have included information from their seminars, feedback from other homeschoolers, research, and many opinions based upon their twenty-plus years of experience in homeschooling. The book may be divided loosely into four sections that are detailed below. |
I. The introductory section
The Bluedorns begin by explaining
the difference between a "classical" education and a "classical
Christian" education, a point that is particularly important with the increasing
popularity of the classical approach. While cautioning that families should
not try to recreate the classroom at home, they highlight why families should
follow the Trivium methodology: academic achievement, creation of a self-teaching
student, and the Biblical basis of learning. In the second chapter the Bluedorns
offer the question, "Who should control education: parents or the state?"
They explain in an impressive and most persuasive style why government schools
conflict with Biblical principles and Christian values. "Classroom schools"
are then compared to homeschooling with homeschooling being the most favorable
for a host of reasons including the artificial environment of age segregated
groups, inappropriate behavior caused by gender mixing and a variety of values
among the students, and the bonding to peers and teachers rather than family.
The introductory section is completed with an explanation of the Trivium, using
an analogy, that I found distressing, comparing the child's stages in the Trivium
to a computer, and a comparison with outcome-based education.
II. The argument section
The next several chapters of Teaching
the Trivium are arguments for teaching classical languages (Latin, Greek,
and Hebrew), logic, and rhetoric. The Bluedorns are proponents of reading the
Scriptures in the original languages so this is the major thrust of their argument
for fluency in classical languages. The next chapters discuss when and how to
study classic and historical literature from a Christian point of view. This
section ends with a discourse on how different methods such as Charlotte Mason,
unit study, and principle approach fit in with the Trivium. The Bluedorns make
it very clear that they reject the notion of unschooling.
III. The "how-to" section
Here the Bluedorns offer helpful,
original ideas for implementation of the Trivium using both purchased and home-grown
curricula and sample schedules for families with children of all ages. This
section is very valuable to families struggling to implement classical Christian
education.
A. The "early knowledge" level (birth to age 10) is described first.
The Bluedorns suggest that this period should not be one of academic focus;
but rather, parents should focus on helping a child's character develop through
diligent work habits, service to others, and honoring God and parents. Activities
suggested for this period include reading aloud for two hours per day, use of
narration, copy book, and memorization, keeping notebooks for history and English,
developing expertise in phonics, learning the Greek alphabet, participating
in arts and crafts, field trips, and play time. Family Bible study is prescribed
for all levels.
B. The "later knowledge" level (ages 10 to twelve) is the time to
begin formal studies in the Bluedorn's methodology. The history notebook should
be expanded to include maps, timelines, and outlines. English language activities
from the "early knowledge" level should continue with the addition
of spelling, grammar, and composition in the form of dictation, letters, and
a journal. Latin studies should begin at this time and Greek readings from an
interlinear book should be introduced. A formal math program and introductory
logic (Building Thinking Skills) should also start in this level. The Bluedorns
suggest that art, music, and science should be pursued based upon the child's
interests. Family Bible study and reading aloud of good quality literature continue.
C. The "understanding" level (ages 13 to 15), corresponding to the
logic stage, is next. This is the time for great expansion in the parents' minds
as well as the child's. Activities from previous stages, such as family worship,
notebook activities, and reading aloud, continue while others are added. Greek,
algebra, geometry, and logic in the form of "critical thinking" are
some of the new subjects. The Bluedorns recommend combining history and literature
at this point and studying history chronologically from primary sources whenever
possible. Composition skills should be honed with work in outlining, written
narration, summaries, essays, and creative writing. The Bluedorns highly recommend
speech and debate as great mind exercisers and urge families to spend a minimum
of seven hours per week on this. With the idea that contests are great motivators,
they suggest that students should enter science fairs, debate contests, and
writing contests. Formal music lessons may begin during this time if the child
is interested.
D. The "understanding" level is followed by the "wisdom"
level for young adults ages 16 to 18. The "wisdom" level is the time
to be creative and to apply the facts and theories learned earlier. History,
literature, reading aloud, Bible study, and Greek continue. The Bluedorns suggest
specific resources for study of rhetoric and more in-depth logic. Trigonometry,
pre-calculus, and calculus are recommended with engineering or computer science
as potential alternatives if the student does not wish to go so far with math.
Biology, chemistry, and possibly physics should be studied with emphasis on
entry into more contests. The Bluedorns stress the importance of preparing all
children for marriage during this stage. The girls must be ready for managing
a home and the boys for making a living.
E. In the final part of this section, the "finishing" level, the Bluedorns
philosophize about principles for setting goals and making decisions about future
life. They discuss whether college is really needed to reach these goals and
offer alternatives such as college at home or an apprenticeship. The Bluedorns
offer hope for the future as our homeschooled children grow up with a new vision
for education, family values, and nurturing of Christian children.
IV. The appendix
A wealth of support material is included in the appendix. Dorothy Sayers' "The Lost Tools of Learning" is reproduced in its totality. Backup material for some of the hypotheses offered in the book appear here as well as far ranging articles about ancient alphabets, which Bible translation is the best, and what contests are open to homeschoolers. Other articles offer pointers on public speaking and give suggestions on how to start a debate club.
Recommendation: With
the phenomenal increase in interest in the classical approach, families are
searching for the one method that is right. Teaching the Trivium offers
valuable insight into one of the many ways to implement classical Christian
education at home successfully. Bringing their strong emphasis on scriptural
truth from a Reformed perspective, the Bluedorns emphasize a focus on the individual
child's development cycle as well as flexibility for larger families and non-school
situations that demand the family's attention. They do not offer a "one
size fits all" path to classical education. Each family may use a variety
of materials implemented in a more relaxed way to achieve the result of thinking
adults who have a firm grasp on their faith.
The Bluedorns' methodology seeks to prepare the child for the role each will
play in adult life. The Bluedorns question the value of college and suggest
that young men should find a way to support their families while working from
home in entrepreneurial enterprises. They view the Trivium as a way to develop
a well-trained soul AND mind. The Bluedorns' opinions are firmly expressed and
they use all the logic and rhetoric skills that they have learned to persuade
you to agree with their points of view. Even if you do not agree with the Bluedorns'
theological perspective or revolutionary methodology, you will finish this thought
provoking book with many new ideas, an increased view of the importance of religious
studies throughout the curriculum, and a positive, hopeful view of a future
new generation of Christian homeschoolers.
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