Loading ...January 20th, 2008Why The Well-Trained Mind Will Drive You Crazy!
The Well-Trained Mind
Overly ambitious, TWTM feels a lot like traditional school with harder subjects. Twelve years of math…twelve years of science…twelve years of grammar…argh! Add the “classical” subjects that I never had as a student (logic, latin, and rhetoric), and all of a sudden, “classical” home schooling felt like a huge task. At first, I tried to do everything they recommended, but over the years, I began to eliminate as many of their ideas as I embraced because they didn’t work for our kids, or they were just too tedious. I spent way too much money in the first few years purchasing various curricula that enslaved us (Abeka Grammar, Canon Press Logic II), and I felt such a burden because I was trying to follow TWTM and always fell short! I have talked to so many moms who were excited about classical homeschooling only to give up in frustration. Today, I use The Well-Trained Mind as a resource and not as a blueprint; read more about their educational philosophy.
Perhaps you are one of those parents who was initially excited about the concept of classical education, but somewhere along the way you lost your drive. Maybe you felt discouraged or wondered how you would get it all done! If so, you’ll want to read this entire series. Through no fault of your own you have been operating under a false understanding of a classical Christian education which positioned you and your children for failure. Now please don’t think I am suggesting that the leaders of the renewal movement are intentionally conspiring to deceive; that is NOT what I am saying. I am merely suggesting that the current classical education renewal movement is operating under a faulty premise because the historical trivium was never meant to be taught the way we do it today. In the next post, I’ll give a little background on the current classical education renewal movement so we’re all on the same page.
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January 21st, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Seems to me that you can argue about trying to much without assailing the author by name. The authors of TWTM themselves say that they adapt from what was mentioned in the book, working with the needs of each student. They are way more flexible, sometimes, than those who judge them for overprogramming. The truth is that it’s way easier to try & use someone else’s paradigm than to work out our own, which takes more time and courage, but which is almost always better all around. We need to be challenged, and I think TWTM does that well, and then we need to be realistic, and we have to do that ourselves with prayer and consultation.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Thank you for writing that post! I am a mom who homeschooled the last four of my eleven children, and although I love Latin, I do NOT love the strenuous schedule proposed by the Bauers. My children grew up to be happy, well adjusted, and coincidentally successful. We worked half the day and played half. I believe that a lot of learning takes place when the kids are relaxing swimming in the pool, laying on the grass, playing games with each other, and helping mom cook or do a project for someone less fortunate. Not everything can be learned in books!
Just to prove my point, my four are military officers (Annapolis), astrophysicists, and a mom homeschooling her two little girls successfully. (The others are success stories too, but not homeschooled.) I do workshops on “What is Classical Christian Education?” at conventions, and I try to steer the parents away from overworking their children. I try to appeal to them, as an experienced mom, not a mother of a few children for whom the final result is not in, but one who has run the race. (But I still love Latin!)
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Laurel,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. My words were strong, but that’s because I feel passionately about the subject. In no way did I intend to assail either Jessie or Susan…I regularly enjoy Susan’s blog, and I love to listen to her interviews. She is an incredibly intelligent and engaging woman, and I applaud her for her herculean effort to resurrect the classical home schooling method. If she were to speak at my state convention, I would be there in a heartbeat like her other groupies because she is a fascinating woman of “like-mind.” That said, I also think that as a famous author, she has probably weathered many criticisms of a harsher tone than mine, and I hope that she relishes the conversation whether critical or complimentary.
I really appreciate your feedback, Laurel, and I look forward to continuing the dialogue!
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Mary,
It’s always so encouraging to hear from moms who have successfully completed the task…well done! Intuitively, I think we all know that much learning occurs while we are playing or allowed to discover things on our own, but it’s so hard to shake off that nagging public school paradigm that requires structure and formal subjects. At least for me, there’s this looming “what if?” which I have to intentionally resist. I think Laurel’s right when she suggests that we have to trust that the Lord will lead through prayer and the wise counsel of friends and family who’ve walked in our shoes.
Thanks for sharing your wise counsel!
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Thank you, Diane. I did emphasize academics in our homeschooling, obviously; it is the stress that is often put upon children with which I disagree. Moms email me often about feeling guilty that their children have not read all the Great Books. There is a lifetime to read everything that you want to read, not just childhood. Childhood passes so quickly. My children remember the times we played and had fun together… family gatherings. Those are the stuff which make success stories, and lots of love.
February 5th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Mary,
I agree completely! We are SO privileged to stay home and love our kids while they learn about life. I wouldn’t trade the fun and friendships that we have fostered for anything!
March 8th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Diane, I appreciate your post as well. Personally speaking, I have had the very same experience with TWTM, and I always say the same thing you’ve said “I keep it as a resource”.
That said, I was overjoyed to discover the book by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn, Teaching the Trivium, which does two things much better than TWTM, in my opinion:
1. Lays out a much less hurried approach to homeschooling children under age 10 (the rigour doesn’t begin until the age at which the child is developmentally ready to handle quite a bit more without “burnout”. There is a free audio download on their website (www.triviumpursuit.com)in which they lay out the course of study they recommend and the research in child development that supports it. The title of the download is in fact called “A Less Hurried Approach to Home Schooling”. And I can promise you, it is truly a classical education.
2. Teaching the Trivium puts the bible at the heart of your curriculum instead of tacking it on as “Religious Studies” as TWTM does. The paradigm is so fundamentally different, you would be amazed!
I hope I don’t sound like I’m running a commercial for the Bluedorns…I don’t know them personally and I have nothing personal to gain by recommending their book–the good news is they have many free audio downloads/printable downloads on their website so you can check out their whole philosophy and method of classical education and decide for yourself without even spending a penny! I know several people who were getting frustrated with TWTM and almost gave up on a home classical education for their children, until they heard or read the Bluedorn materials and are now so relieved and excited about the educational experience they are having with their children! The main difference is giving your child the right kind of work for the right stage they’re in developmentally.
Anyway, I was glad to come across your blog and look forward to reading more of your observations.
Sincrely,
Sara