For centuries, education and learning have been foundational pillars for growth and success in any society. It’s understandable, then, that parents want to provide the best education possible for their families, even if that means going beyond the traditional public school route.
Though it is not seen as often in today’s schools, one of the most effective methods of education is the classically-inspired education. With an emphasis on grammar, logic, and rhetoric, this method is designed to teach your children how best to learn and think, not just in school but for the rest of their lives. Is the classically-inspired education method right for your children? Here’s everything you need to know:
What Does “Classically-Inspired” Education Mean?
Looking beyond just facts, the classical style of education wants to spark critical thinking and analysis of the subjects being taught. These are necessary skills that are applied beyond the realm of education. How does this impact the students and their lives? How can what they are being taught be applied to the world at large?
The classically-inspired approach teaches students how to learn and think by using academic vocabulary and formal systems of grammar. There is a focus on the humanities, on classic art and literature, and on advanced language studies. More than that, classrooms teaching the classical style emphasize the importance of a Socratic discussion of open-ended questions to encourage the search for deeper meaning in studies.
This method is a rigorous education model designed to be enjoyable for children, with each phase meant to complement how a student learns best at each age. It can be challenging, but it is a worthwhile endeavor that prepares your children for success in any field of their choosing.
How Is It Taught?
Above all else, classically-inspired education teaches students how to learn. By examining the arts and learning a deeper level of spoken and written language, students are being taught skills that can be applied beyond the classroom.
The specific subject matter taught in a classically-inspired education may vary by school, but generally apply the same model of teaching: the Trivium. The trivium is the study of verbal and written arts. Subjects of grammar, logic, and rhetoric are taught, and sometimes Latin is taught as well.
- Grammar: The first phase is for elementary students, where memorization is emphasized and students learn the foundational information in subjects of English, math, science, and history.
- Logic: The second phase is for middle school students beginning to think critically about the information they’ve memorized, searching for deeper meaning and learning to make statements and arguments about what they’ve learned.
- Rhetoric: The third phase is for high school students learning how to communicate their viewpoints to the world. They’ve learned the facts and how to develop proper arguments, but in this phase they are taught how to best communicate those arguments with their peers to spark debate and discussion.
Beyond this, students also learn within the Quadrivium model. Quadrivium is the study of mathematical arts, including subjects of arithmetic, astronomy, geometry, and even music.
Why Is This Method Right For My Student?
Classically-inspired teaching is a tradition of education that has been taught for hundreds of years, but its popularity in the modern classroom has lessened over time. Many of today’s schools abandoned the classical style approach when the progressive education style was introduced in the late 19th century, designed more to prepare students for the professional world.
But education is meant to serve as more than just a means of obtaining a job. Without education, we cannot understand the world around us. Classically-inspired learning goes beyond just memorizing facts to pass a test and move onto the next subject. It is about creating an understanding that students can apply in almost every aspect of life: how to question, analyze, interpret, and discuss.
Where Can I Find A School With Classically-Inspired Education?
The primary outlets for classically-inspired education models are charter schools, which have more freedom in determining the best teaching methods for their students. For families in South Carolina, the South Carolina Preparatory Academy provides a high-quality, classically-inspired education from the comforts of your own home.
With help from experts in the field, SCPA has developed a classically-inspired curriculum to ensure student success at the highest level. SCPA is an online, tuition-free charter school that empowers students to take control of their education and ultimately their futures. Reach out today to get enrolled.
