In our classical Christian home school, Scripture takes priority over all other subjects or activities. Why is that? Are we “Bible-thumpers” who learn Scripture so that they can correct others? No, we want to drink deeply of Scripture because we find that the Lord regularly reveals His character through His Word, and we want to know Him better! We also find that He uses regular time in His Word to transform our minds and hearts so that we look and act more like Jesus.

The Protestant Reformers knew this truth, and if you’ve ever heard the Latin term “sola Scriptura” which means “by Scripture alone,” you are probably familiar with the assertions that (1) the Bible authenticates and interprets itself, (2) the Bible is clear to the average reader, and (3) the Bible is sufficient to be the final authority for Christian doctrine. You may recall that the Protestant Reformers were pushing against the idea that experts (ordained clergy) were necessary to reveal and interpret God’s Word; they also opposed the idea that man’s traditions could determine doctrine.

Anyway, in our home school, Scripture takes priority in our list of 7 essential elements, and we consider it central to all learning. God’s Word is the lens through which we see the Lord, ourselves, and the world. Thankfully, David takes his responsibility from Deuteronomy 6 seriously and joyfully. He would never delegate this privilege to another. There is nothing my husband enjoys more than being in the Word! Every morning before the kids do any other homeschooling assignments, we gather around kitchen table and read the Word together over breakfast. We take turns selecting the book we read, and everyone is expected to read out loud. David doesn’t tell us what the text means; rather, he asks leading questions so that we come to understanding in community, and it’s amazing how the Lord does give us fresh insights that we may not have had if reading alone. We cherish our daily time together at table in the Word, and it keeps us all on the same path. It also shapes our worldview so that when we encounter ideas in our classical education we can evaluate them for truth and meaning.

Additionally, when the kids were around 12 years old, we felt it was time to introduce them to their own private quiet time with the Lord. They each retired their precious picture Bible to the closet and received a “real grownup” Bible. We shepherded them in making time with their Lord the first priority of their morning so that when they came to table, they were already in conversation with Him. The format for quiet time is flexible: we encourage reading of Scripture, prayer, journaling, taking a solo walk, or just getting away to a quiet spot for retreat time. The important condition is allowing your spirit to grow still so you can listen to His Spirit speak.

If your husband is not already leading the family in daily Scripture time, I’d encourage you to begin praying that the Lord would whisper His will to your husband. Don’t nag him about it…wait on the Lord to convict and provide the desire to guide your children (and you) in understanding and applying the Word. I’ll be writing more posts in the future about Scripture since it is such a critical component of our home schooling. Look for the next post on our belief that both Mom and Dad need to be involved to provide the richest classical Christian home education experience!

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Learn more about the 7 essential elements of a classical Christian homeschool.  Don’t forget to rate this article by clicking on the stars above the headline.  Thanks!

As with any renaissance, the new generation tinkers with the old ideas, and in the case of classical Christian home schooling, the new generation is adjusting for contemporary needs. In fact, the renewal movement is still so young that some of the authors advocating the classical model are issuing revised editions as they tweak the model in response to reader suggestions. In our family’s own extensive tinkering, we have settled on seven fundamental characteristics of classical Christian homeschooling. We believe each element is consistent with the historical model. Here is our list of essentials:

1. Scripture is at the center of all learning and illuminates meaning.
2. Both Dad and Mom are active participants.
3. The integrated study of classical literature and western world history leads to understanding of culture and values.
4. Critical thinking skills are built through Socratic Dialogue and subjects like latin, logic, debate, math, and science.
5. Written and oral rhetoric teaches effective organizational and communication skills.
6. Rigorous content and flexible schedules prepare for undergraduate studies.
7. Leadership skills are developed by regular practice through service to community and family.

I’ll examine each of the essential elements like the centrality of Scripture in future posts. When you combine all the elements over time, you’ll soon discover that you are living in a time of extreme importance…you might even catch your breath sometimes when it dawns on you that you are raising your own classical Christian scholars who are being equipped spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally to lead their generation all because your family decided to join the renewal movement and embrace a classical Christian home education!

The classical Christian education model of medieval Europe migrated to the American Colonies after the Protestant Reformation, and the majority of our Founding Fathers received this type of education. However, around the turn of the 20th Century, European Enlightenment thinking was applied to the challenges of educating a growing immigrant population, and the classical Christian education model was eliminated from public schools.

The nature of man is such that he will continue to search for meaning, but for most Americans, the historically proven classical Christian education method has been removed from their reach. One tragedy of this turn of events is that the majority of Americans don’t even know what they are missing, and history generally teaches ignorance leads to a repetition of past mistakes. Another even graver tragedy for our culture lies in the fact that the classical Christian education regularly generated national leaders. Will we soon find our nation in bondage because we have abandoned the tried and true principles of the past? Thankfully, a renewal movement is beginning within the Christian home schooling community as a few brave families venture into classical Christian home schooling which is, to them, a new frontier, but in fact, is as old as antiquity.

The contemporary classical Christian home schooling model was born in antiquity. Nearly 3500 years ago, Yahweh (The Great “I Am” of Exodus 3:14) chose a special people, Israel, and commanded the fathers to teach their children His Law in both morning and evening, whether they were at home or away. Torah was their primary text of study. As they memorized, recited, narrated, and discussed His Word, they interpreted meaning and applied His Word to their lives. Memorization, recitation, narration, discussion, interpretation, and application (tools of the modern classical Christian home education model) originated in ancient Mesopotamia.

Soon thereafter, the Greek and Roman civilizations arose, and like their predecessors, the Hebrews, they too searched for meaning and purpose in life. They wrote epics, philosophies, histories, and legislation that still impacts us today. The Greeks borrowed the Hebrew method of inductive reasoning (observe, interpret, and apply) which Plato immortalized in the dialogues of the philosopher Socrates. The Romans read the Greek classics and organized education into 7 Liberal Arts.

After the resurrection of Jesus and the birth of His Church, medieval Europeans rediscovered these Hebrew, Greek, and Latin classics and began studying them in depth. They organized their education into two phases: the trivium and the quadrivium. Christian texts were added to the ancient classics as the search for meaning and purpose continued. The 7 Liberal Arts were studied, and around 1300 A.D. three advanced areas of study were added: theology, law, and medicine. It was this “new and improved” classical Christian education paradigm that was carried by colonists across a vast ocean to a young nation, and it is on the shoulders of these past giants that we now gratefully stand.

Someone asked me what I like most about Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing program for home school students. Here are my thoughts regarding the beginning DVD course, Teaching Writing with Structure and Style.

Key Word Outlines

Pudewa teaches a method where you take a passage of text and select the key words from the passage, narrate the passage back from the key word outline (without looking), then draft your own passage from the outline. For a one paragraph passage, you are allowed 3 key words for each sentence. So a 3 sentence paragraph on cats might look like this:

1. cats, animal, kingdom
2. tiger, puma, lion
3. feline, mammal, curious

It’s a great tool that solves the common dilemma of “I don’t know what to write.” Just read the text, select key words, organize them in an outline, and write.

Stylistic Techniques

He also teaches (over time) a brimming toolbox of stylistic techniques that, when added to the draft composition, provide flair and a polished final copy. For example, he teaches 6 different ways to open a sentence, 6 ways to dress up a sentence (ex. strong verb, quality adjective), and more. Once your son has mastered the basic key word outline and is writing his own rendition of the original text, he would then begin to add the stylistic dress ups.

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Those are just two of the features of Pudewa’s program that I have found helpful. He also teaches a GREAT persuasive essay model that moves your reader from their position to your position without immediately turning them off to the topic. If there is any drawback to the IEW option, however, it is the cost. His beginning course is very expensive (the teacher/student package is $229) although you will use it for several years as you continue to layer on more advanced techniques. It might be good to find a friend who wants to go in with you on the initial cost or share it in a co-op teaching environment. Additionally, you’ll probably want to buy future products down the road like the High School Essay Intensive. Anyway, I’m one of those homeschooling moms who’ve spent alot of money on products that didn’t work, but this is one that I can wholeheartedly say works. Hope this helps!

After two grueling but productive days at the Indiana Home Educators Convention six years ago, I wearily hauled my rolling suitcase, burdened with books, through the crowded Exhibition Hall. Mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausted, I unexpectedly stumbled upon the booth for The Institute for Excellence in Writing. My bleary eyes were drawn to a spiral notebook brimming with student examples. As I began to peruse the impressive material, a profound realization dawned: I must have this writing curriculum! Armed with my mighty VISA card, I purchased the TWSS - Teaching Writing with Structure and Style - a teacher’s manual and DVDs that have altered the attitude and ability of my family towards composition. Since that day, I have happily returned to IEW for more materials, and I have never been disappointed. Thank you, Andrew, for reminding me of the basic components of excellent writing and giving me the stylistic tools to write a paragraph teeming with dress ups, sentence openers, decorations, triples, and advanced dress ups.

 

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