As an educational philosophy the Classical approach has proven effective for 2500 years. It is based on the “liberal arts,” which included:
humanities, the realm of ideas — grammar, dialectic, rhetoric
The trivium is comparable to the Biblical “knowledge, understanding, and wisdom” (see Proverbs).
sciences, the physical world — originally arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music
“Natural Philosophy” became Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences from the 1600s.
First, history. If we do not know from whence we have come, we cannot be wise to choose whither we shall go. God constantly reminds His people to remember His works of old. At the grammar stage we learn the who-what and then the when-where of history. At the dialectic and rhetoric stages we learn the why-and-how of history, piecing it together and applying it to our present circumstances. The crucial question in all the study of history is, “What was God doing here?” Each week all the classes will cover the same history lesson, but in a manner appropriate to the children&rsquos; different ages.
Stage by stage, there are particular means of learning any content:
Students at the elementary stage are capable of learning a great deal of information. Memory songs and chants are helpful. This includes math, science, and geography, but at TCS we focus on English and Latin. Why Latin?
| Language Advantage | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| all students | 505 | 505 | 505 | 505 | 506 | 504 | 507 | 508 | 508 | 503 |
| students of Spanish | 581 | 583 | 590 | 589 | 583 | 581 | 575 | 575 | 573 | 577 |
| students of German | 624 | 617 | 623 | 621 | 625 | 622 | 626 | 627 | 637 | 632 |
| students of Hebrew | 629 | 634 | 636 | 623 | 628 | 629 | 628 | 630 | 620 | 623 |
| students of French | 623 | 627 | 632 | 636 | 633 | 637 | 683 | 642 | 643 | 637 |
| students of Latin | 647 | 651 | 662 | 665 | 665 | 666 | 672 | 674 | 681 | 672 |
Although this is usually introduced in university, it is do-able in junior high. Students at this stage make connections in what they are learning, find fallacies, and learn sound (both valid and true) reasoning. We will study Logic with the senior group.
This includes the convincing and appealing presentation of ideas in any discipline. High school students can learn to express their thoughts well. The progymnasmata are “preliminary exercises” in writing and presenting fourteen types of speeches. Check it in Wikipedia, and follow the links. We will begin the progymnasmata with middle school, but complete the whole program in the senior group.
The Timothy Centre for Scholarship is offering a basic classical education one morning per week (Tuesdays) to students from Christian homeschooling families. Students are registered on the understanding that their families are serious about these courses, and that homework will be required. The morning will consist of a gathering for Chapel (8:45), and
We will provide (for a fee) books, workbooks, and answer keys. Parents know their children best; they may decide what written work is appropriate to assign in history and literature, and mark it at home. The reading in history and literature must be complete for a student to be able to participate in class. Written exercises must be done in composition, progymnasmata and Latin. Since few parents have a background in Latin, they may wish to audit Latin in order to help with their children’s work. Parents will mark exercises, but the instructor will mark translations.
In the tradition of the Quadrivium, applied arts will be offered in the afternoon, as interest and the availability of teachers allow. We are considering the following. In any given trimester, there will be time for two out of three:
Students are expected to come in uniform. Wearing uniform is an expression of community, and has been shown to have a positive influence on student behaviour. Uniform may be good navy skirts or trousers (no blue jeans) and a Timothy Centre golf shirt (navy or white). Some used uniform is available on consignment.
Optional: Also available are tartan kilts for older girls or tunics for younger girls, and tartan ties suitable for wearing with dress white shirts. For colder weather there are crested vests and sweaters.
To register for this program each family is expected to confess their Christian faith by signing the Nicene Creed. Family registration will cost $100, and is non-refundable. Those who register before August 7, 2009, will receive a $50 credit for uniforms.
Tuition per student:
Materials will be extra. A photocopier is available for homeschool use at a reasonable charge.
If there is sufficient interest, some physical education events (swimming, gymnastics, fencing, curling, volleyball, etc.) may be arranged for another day.