Posted in A lifetime of learning
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The Classical Approach This revival of ancient Greek teaching methods and the medieval scholastic curriculum is often attributed to the writing of Dorothy Sayers' essay entitled "The Lost Tools of Learning". All subjects are taught concurrently, but are divided into phases corresponding to the classical Trivium. The Classical Approach encompasses the three formal subjects of the Trivium: Grammar (Latin and Greek). The student is taught to carefully observe and memorize details. Logic (also called Dialectic) (informal fallacies and formal symbolic logic) is the next phase. In this the student is taught the rules of logic and reasoning, to explore the hows and whys of nature and history, learn the proofs of geometry, to become a discriminating reader and learn to think carefully when writing and speaking. The final stage is the Rhetoric. This is composition, oratory and debate. Expression and presentation of the knowledge obtained and evaluated in the first two phases is developed. These are the three formal tools which students then use to teach themselves. The formal Classical Trivium is introduced at different levels. Formal grammar is introducted at about age 10, formal logic at about age 13, formal rhetoric at about age 16. As you may be aware, the traditional Classical Approach has its roots in Greek philosophy, a world view not in agreement with Christianity. It has been adapted to suit the Christian worldview quite successfully. The Bluedorn family have written and published extensively on this approach. The earlier versus later formal academics debate. There are some who believe we should introduce every child to formal-academic classroom-structured instruction from as early an age as possible, certainly by four years of age. They believe time is wasted if we wait. They believe the early years are academically very important. Others believe we should delay formal academic instruction until eight to ten years of age. Research indicated that if we start formal academics too early it causes developmental problems. Stress is placed on the child's systems which are not yet fully developed, such as vision, hearing, nerves and coordination. Early years are better spent in reading to children, doing fun projects, learning household management chores, doing service to others, training in proper behaviour and importantly, character development. If we lay a good foundation of self-discipline and moral character, the academic instruction of later years will be more productive. The Extensive Reading method. In this method, basic reading and writing and math skills are taught separately. Other subjects are studied by reading well chosen books that cover all areas of knowledge in a clear and interesting way. For young children, the parent reads aloud and the child narrates back what he had heard. A discussion of principles revealed in the reading follows. Both the Charlotte Mason and Christian Classical styles employ elements of this method. Programed courses. Programed courses arrange information in a sequence of very small units which are easily mastered. The student makes a response after each and receives immediate feedback about his answer. In the past, such courses were available in books or in teaching machines. Now programed learning is available in computer programs as well. Such courses allow for structured independent study. There are many available such as Switched on Schoolhouse, EDUSS Maths and English software (Australia) and countless others. Unshooling or Natural Learning method. The unschooling approach is child-centered, rather than teacher directed. Advocates believe that children can be trusted to direct their own learning and they do not require any study that the child doesn't choose. However, parents do provide a rich environment of books, experiences and resources for facilitating learning and respond to their children's questions and interests. Parents who accept God's commands to teach and train their children and the children to hear and obey their parents' instruction (Deut 6 & Proverbs 7:1-3) would need to adapt this method by supporting children's interest in the context of other instruction which the parent's greater wisdom deems is necessary. The Montessori Method. Employs sensory-rich environments and hands-on experiental techniques. It teaches that young people learn best when engaged in purposeful activity rather than being force fed information. The method draws upon an understanding of children's cognitive growth and development and respects individuality and fulfills the needs of the "whole child". It nurtures children to become self motivated, independent and life-long learners. This method is practiced worldwide through Montessori Schools and homeschools. The Eclectic Method. I have this one in large type because this is the one I use! One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was "if it's not working, change it. God can work miracles even through our worst mistakes and He will bless our efforts, however bumbling, if we are truly seeking to train up our children to love and honour Him." |
The eclectic method is very simply what the word means. In home education terms, it means a gathering together of different elements from several methods of teaching to individualise a learning program for the student. It takes into account the methods which work best for the family and the students gifts and interests. There is no one electic method because for every person using it, there are different combinations of teaching and learning methods in use. Some might choose, the textbooks method for math, living books approach for history, unit studies for Geography, natural learning for other subjects.... There is one style of eclectic learning which has been named "Leadership Education" and I will write about this in a separate category because this is the method I am currently pursuing for our own homeschool. It combines elements of Charlotte Mason, Christian classical, Unit studies and interest directed education and really teaches the student how to think for themselves and discern with a Biblical worldview. You'll have to read more on that in the other category. As I learn and apply what it means to our family, I'll share it here on this blog.Posted in A lifetime of learning
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There are a multitude of learning styles or methods of teaching out there. The school room uses almost exclusively, the "Scope and Sequence" method. I'm going to outline that, plus some others. The Scope and Sequence is the most common method employed in the classroom. Teacher directed study in which every child must learn an encyclopedia of information, divided over the 12 years of formal schooling. Every child should perform roughly the same as their peer group. In a classroom setting, this assumes that the child must be adapted to the programme, not the programme to the child. Because parents are the teachers, we can adapt the programme to suit our child. Textbooks and worktexts use this method. Some Christian textbook and workbook publishers include A beka, Bob Jones, Rod and Staff, Accelerated Christian Education (ACE or ACA in Australia), Alpha and Omega, Christian Light Publications. The Waldorf Steiner method also employes text books in the higher school years. The Habilual Method Seeks to instill the habits of self-discipline in children through daily routine, concentration, truthfulness, self-control, co-operation and unselfishness. Children should be exposed to the best sources of knowledge, and be required to narrate the material back in order to develop attention, concentration, and understanding. The Charlotte Mason philosophy best characterises this method. Other styles also employ elements of the 'habiltual method' eg: Classical studies, unit studies etc. The Environmental Method (John Holt) seeks to provide an unstructured and unguided environment of books and resources. Parents 1) provide a model of interest in learning 2) involve their children in their own adult experiences 3) surround them with a rich environment of resources 4) make themselves available to answer questions and suggest things to help the children explore their own interests. The thematic and interest-directed unit study approach Studying a particular topic or theme - examining it from the perspecitves of science, art, mathematics, language and literature. All subjects are blended together around a common theme. There are many different types of unit studies. Studies created around personal character eg: Konos, Advanced Training Institute, studies created around scientific interests eg: Alta Vista. Studies created around history eg: Weaver and many others. Studies created around Christianity or christian principles, character etc eg: Heart of Wisdom. Many parents enjoy creating their own unit studies to suit the needs & interests of their children. A specialized form of the unit study is the Interest Directed Approach (Greg Harris) All subjects are centered around the child's interest. If a child has an interest in guns, then design studies in the history of guns, the physics and chemistry of guns, the mathematics of guns, the language and literature of guns etc. I'll put some more in my next post. |