I finely got the book "Teaching the Trivium" by the Bluedorns.  Now I get why everyone thinks so highly of them!  Wow! 

I do have to tell you that I probably would not have gotten this book at this point in my life if it hadn't been for the influence of friends.  One had it and was willing to lend it (ending w/me having to have my own copy 'cause it's so good!) and the other who hasn't been homeschooling as long as I, who got it and was going to read it first.  No way THAT was going to happen without me!  :)

If you are now expecting a full out review, here it is:  get it, and read it quick!  There you have it!

If you really want to know my thoughts on what I read, here are just a couple (so as not to bog you down and wear out my computer, at the same time!):

I have been very confused with the hype and whispers regarding "classical" education.  Most homeschoolers are the worst!  To me, classical was not really a good thing--it was incorporating humanistic history and well...filth.  I've struggled with my shock of trying to re-program my brain to understand that this couldn't possibly mean what dear homeschoolers were talking about, and yet Charlotte Mason type stuff seemed to point that way.  Greek mythology (totally contrary to Biblical understanding, among others--eeeww!)  Then I read this book.  Hello!!!  Teaching the Trivium is teaching classical style from a Biblical perspective.  Got it! Finally...

I never understood the whole grammar, dialectic, rhetoric thing.  As they re-define it using Biblical terms:  knowledge, wisdom and understanding, I get it finally (of course my horrid ps education translates this elementary, middle school, and high school--though not accurately---bad, bad Mommy!)  And their use of scripture--a LOT of scripture--was very exciting to me.  It was as though the Bible was the text and answers, and they were filling in the questions.  Hey wait...isn't that what we are supposed to be doing with ALL our studies??!!

A couple of details immediately popped out to me.  One is that we really need to focus more on character (Bible) and discipline (hello?) before age 10.  In the companion seminar (downloadable from their website for free) she asked certain questions that went something like this:  Are you pleased with the discipline of your children?  Do they respond the first time they are asked?  Etc.  Sorry I don't remember them all.  Then she went on to say, that if you can answer no to any one of these questions (as I would to both the above), you have more work to do in this area.

Time does run out.  The mold 'em age is generally before age 10.  The big plus, plus, plus for us is the no TV thing for the past year and a half.  Now we need to curb the videos!  The attitude and response to requests needs a bit of fine tuning and the understanding of responsibility needs to be put more into practice.  I'm sure I'll think of more later!

Another thing that flat out hit me was the selection of books to read.  I've often gone by (and thought I was doing SO great with it) the notion that anything old, or well-written, with no crud, bad attitudes, etc., was worthwhile.  For instance, the Hardy Boys.  I've collected these for my son and I've thought them to be classics. Well, I'm not so sure now that an abundance of these does anything for his thinking, reasoning, and understanding of Biblical things (HIStory!).  Maybe in moderation.  But then, we're at that point where son enjoys reading and is selecting his own books.  I'm seeing more a need to limit his selection. 

They also introduced the idea of teaching the classical languages: Latin, Greek and Hebrew.  Before I would have run screaming from the room, with my hair on fire and my fingers in my ears, and with much weeping and gnashing of teeth!  Now I get it and I'm EXCITED about it!!!  You heard me right!  Me, who attempted to teach my kindergartner a worthless language like French, that he would more than likely never use and is just yucky, want's to teach Latin, Greek and Hebrew (and learn them myself!).  Of course, not all at once!

Lastly (for now!), I was a bit surprised (and I'm still not quite so sure how I feel) about not teaching subjects (other than grammar--phonics, reading--and the Bible) before age 10.  They say children can't handle the info and it's a waste of time because it will have to be re-taught, or is better taught when they are of a stronger age for understanding.  I believe they are talking about things like science, geography, and MATH! 

They shared on the tape that their son, whom they started with math at age 5, struggled with it till 10, then got it all right away.  Now, my son started at 5 and has had times of struggle, but he's definately getting it and benefiting from it, so I don't know about that.  Also, he really loves history.  Then there's science--we're near to finishing Astronomy and he has enjoyed it and done well, but whethen he's really retained all he should is questionable.  I figured we definately would do it again sometime.  So does that mean we wasted our time?  They seem to say yes, only because there are other things that our time would be better spent doing.  Like art and music.

I'm sooooo arts and crafts deficient.  I don't enjoy the mess and I try to control things too much.   I would love for them to have music lessons, but they are expensive (though I can teach piano, I don't enjoy it and haven't made it a priority--sorry Dad!).  Oh boy!  Re-thinking my teaching plans is hard! 

I do agree with just about everything they say.  A lot of it (like the logic stuff) went right over my ps pee-brain, but I have hopes that with further reading I can rectify that. 

Sometimes all this homeschooling stuff is overwhelming, but mostly it's just amazing!  God always gives us what we need, when we need it, including introducing new concepts and ideas about how and what we teach!  I'm listening and praying--taking the initiative and leaving the results to God!

Oh, and I'm not completely done with the book yet.  More to come!