Classical Christian Education Made Approachable

by Classical Conversations

Classical Christian Education made Approachable

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Parenting, Christian

112 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview and treatise on the basics of classical education and how Classical Conversations has chosen to implement it in a homeschool context. Recommend for anyone interested in classical model homeschooling or CC!

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good little booklet

[Katie Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Inspiring. Excited to pursue this education for my children and myself.

[Emily Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great clear and concise description of what classical Christian education is.

[Robert Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the good ideas are here, but there in an embrionic or initial stage, compared to what they have become in Classical Conversations. Recommend only if you don't have any more recent reading material!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very helpful for what it is - a short introduction to classical education and explanation of Classical Conversations (the homeschooling version).

The book begins by comparing various models of education, eventually highlighting the vast differences between modern public schooling and the classical model. Essentially, the modern model is focused solely on the student himself, its purpose being to prepare him for college (career/money/happiness). This model neglects many things that used to be at the core of western education -

* study of philosophy and pursuit of wisdom, ability to evaluate ideas and their consequences
* acknowledgement of and engagement with transcendent/spiritual reality
* character development
* anything that doesn't seem useful to those writing curriculum this year
* anything that can't be evaluated by tests
* the learner himself, apart from his career track

Proponents of classical education believe that being an educated person requires familiarity with classic books, thinkers, artists, and scientists. The classically trained person will also be able to hear and evaluate ideas and current events in light of history and philosophy. She will be well-read, broadly knowledgeable, and able to exercise discernment. She will be a world citizen versed in history, geography, philosophy and debate. Most importantly, classical education values the formation of virtuous human beings (in contrast to a focus on successful workers).

The absence of this kind of education is palpable in our culture, particularly as people air opinions about politics and morality. Public schooling's ever-strengthening commitment to political correctness is in direct opposition to mature engagement with ideas and their consequences. I don't believe the classical model is the end-all be-all for education, but it does make sense to me as a good option.

[Amanda Parys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very helpful and encouraging if you are interested in a classical, christian education for your kids. It breaks down the beauty and logic behind this style of learning.

“The purpose of a classical education is to raise wise adults.”

“A classical education teaches students to love God by learning about the world as God’s universe, designed by His creative mind , governed by His laws, and sustained by His providential guidance. “

“Classical Christian resists the lure of continual change by restoring a core set of skills and knowledge within the context of educating the whole person-body, mind, and soul-in order to guide the child’s progress from knowledge, to understanding, to wisdom.”

Short, helpful read!

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still mulling over the contents of this book. Obviously, this is a niche topic that will be of interest to only a select few of my followers (if I had to guess). I like homeschooling, I like what my kids learn via Classical Conversations (CC). Do I think my kids legitimately need to learn Latin? Unsure. Do I want to teach history in a non-chronological, facts-memorizing fashion? Honestly, no– I think stories are what make history interesting, and I think that’s true at every age. But I’m still game to come along for the ride and talk about this method with fellow educators.

[Bryan Kuranaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book and could even be considered as a "primer" for the topic of "Classical Christian Education." The author(s) of this book seek to establish the importance of this type of education and root it in the Christian worldview. The reading is easy and very practical. It provides some steps that every family can take as well as examples of the structure of some families educating their children in this way.

[Abmael Filho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Em português é Educação Clássica Cristã: Acessível a todos. ISBN 978-658028002-5

[Lori Cannella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent comparison between modern education and classical education.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of great information, especially for families new to CC, like mine. I will definitely reference this book regularly as we go through this first year. Glad I purchased it.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to learn more about CC. Informative and pretty much to the point. Personal opinion: I don't love the whole concept but I did take away some tidbits and food for thought.

[Erica Gore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short primer on classical education. This is my 3rd or 4th book on the subject, so it was redundant, but if you need a quick, easy to read overview, this is helpful.

[Justin Swanson]

👀Read with eyes

[Brittany Sprague · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good "on ramp" for those trying to understand classical Christian education.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
NF #7
This was a great read on Classical Education. I also loved the Sayers essay in the appendix.

[Mary Spatarel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great primer for anyone who doesn’t know much about classical education.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has the potential to radically change one's perspective of learning and how to teach. I deeply appreciated the introduction, which emohasized that God must be the origin of all true learning, and all true learning must point back to God. This is something I am passionate about!

Another point made early on that I deeply appreciated was that all bodies of knowledge are connected. If they all originate and point back to the same source, this makes sense! It seems a deep disservice to students to compartmentalize leaening, instead of emphasizing how things are connected.

This book proposes the Trivium method of schooling to acxomplish quality education. It was fascinating to learn about this Medieval learning strategy. I would recommend this book, especially to anyone involved in education - educators and parents like.

[Tosh Demsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent and concise overview of the Classical Christian educational model. It contrasts this approach with our modern day educational model and describes both the primary components of the Trivium as well as the rationale behind them that closely matches the abilities and interests of children as they grow and develop. The book is written using an easy-to-understand and compelling style. The easy way to describe the three parts of the Trivium (Grammar, Dialetic, & Rhetoric) is by the progression from knowledge to understanding to wisdom. The Classical Christian model is designed to help students to learn how to learn any subject and for them to see the interconnections between the subjects that are far less mutually exclusive than how they are typically perceived.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A succinct guide to the precepts of Classical Education, why classical education works, and how to implement it in the home. Classical education is based on the Trivium, stages of learning, that lead to knowledge. The stages of learning result in an education that not only provides knowledge, but also provides children with the ability to use knowledge and to communicate that knowledge. Using a Christian approach to classical education allows children to be educated while pointing all knowledge and the ability to gain knowledge to God. Glorifying God while learning about the world is the point of the Classical Christian Education. This small manual gives an overview of how to implement this type of education effectively in the home. An non-intimidating guide.

[Kaytee Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

a succinct little book that outlines the why, the how, and the what of classical Christian education. Street a year of CC, I feel like this would have been a great primer to read when we were still debating the merits of homeschool, and what that might look like for our family. This year I was asked to read it as part of my preparation to be a tutor trainer at practicum, and I'm so glad I did. just wish I had read it sooner!
docking one star because toward the end it mostly felt like an ad for CC, which is basically what it is! kind of like an info meeting in written form.

[Rachel N · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to Classical Christian Education, particularly homeschooling, and particularly Classical Conversations. It's a simple layout, includes charts, and provides lists of additional resources. For those just starting out on their own research of the classical model, this is a great place to start.

[Unabridged_Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fast, quick read to get an overview of how it might work for your family. A great jumping-off point to get your feet in the water fast without feeling like you need to read every book on it out there. There are other books with more detail to follow-up with! "The Core," "Teaching the Trivium," etc...

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good primer on classical Christian education.

[future faith freedom homeschool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information especially if you are exploring alternatives to educating your children. Led to surprisingly good book recommendations.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic overview of the Classical Christian Education model. I want to pass this on to my husband and parents so they can succinctly see what our family is going to he pursuing.

[Brian C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does just what you expect it to - give a quick overview of the why and the what of classical Christian education. I understand with greater clarity why people believe in it and what are its guiding principles. I appreciate being able to get a general handle on it so quickly. Of course, there is much more that one can read on this topic, but I'm just not ready for it!