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Teaching the Trivium: Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style
How can you give your children the tools they need to teach themselves? Long ago students were first taught how to learn. Today, students are taught an encyclopedia of subjects but they are not taught the basic skills of learning: to discover, to reason, and to apply. They are not taught the trivium.
Can you homeschool in a classical style without compromising your Christian principles? Classical education must be sifted through the critical screen of the Scriptures to be transformed into a Biblical model.
Can you homeschool in a classical style without buckling under the burden? There is only so much time in the day. For every subject, and for every age, we have a workable plan which leaves you free to breathe. You can continue to use other approaches to homeschooling within the framework of classical education.
Some of the distinctives of Teaching the Trivium include:
--an emphasis on reading aloud to your children
--studying logic from ages ten through high school, rather than using it as a one or two year supplement
--ancient literature from a Christian perspective -- is it really necessary to read Homer?
--choices in language study, with an emphasis on Biblical Greek
--why INFORMAL math or grammar before age ten may be a better choice
--how to give your children the tools they need to teach themselves
--how to homeschool in a classical style without buckling under the burden
--a workable plan for every subject and for every age which avoids homeschool burnout -- there is only so much time in the day
--how to continue using other approaches to homeschooling within the framework of classical education
--homeschooling is not alternative education -- homeschooling was here first
Can you homeschool in a classical style without compromising your Christian principles? Classical education must be sifted through the critical screen of the Scriptures to be transformed into a Biblical model.
Can you homeschool in a classical style without buckling under the burden? There is only so much time in the day. For every subject, and for every age, we have a workable plan which leaves you free to breathe. You can continue to use other approaches to homeschooling within the framework of classical education.
Some of the distinctives of Teaching the Trivium include:
--an emphasis on reading aloud to your children
--studying logic from ages ten through high school, rather than using it as a one or two year supplement
--ancient literature from a Christian perspective -- is it really necessary to read Homer?
--choices in language study, with an emphasis on Biblical Greek
--why INFORMAL math or grammar before age ten may be a better choice
--how to give your children the tools they need to teach themselves
--how to homeschool in a classical style without buckling under the burden
--a workable plan for every subject and for every age which avoids homeschool burnout -- there is only so much time in the day
--how to continue using other approaches to homeschooling within the framework of classical education
--homeschooling is not alternative education -- homeschooling was here first
637 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2001
49 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 2, 2025
A fabulous read. I was moved to a heightened emotional state by the winsomeness with which Bluedorn presents his nuanced philosophy of education (co-ed schooling has produced our emotionally fornicatory dating culture), gentle suggestions (dads, not moms, should teach logic), and well-supported conclusions (a scripture verse cherry-picked at peak freshness for nearly every point). There are many praises to sing regarding Bluedorn, but chief among them is the humility with which he presents the truth. A must read for anyone who wants to homeschool their children according to the eternal truth of Bluedorn's opinions.
October 23, 2011
I disliked the rhetoric and tone of the authors' writing in this book so much I eventually just gave up. I gave it a couple hundred pages, but just was too frustrated with their tone and style to keep plowing on. There may be some good advice in the midst of their arguments, but I strongly disagree with their take on why we homeschool and what God's Word commands regarding education. The tone of condescension and attitude of knowing the one right way to think about education, for me, invalidates the more practical content of the book. I think the practical benefits of advice on homeschooling could be gleaned from other sources without encouraging the sort of self-righteous homeschooling they seem to support. Perhaps they do not mean to communicate in the way I took their writing, but it was a complete turn-off for me.
April 7, 2013
This is a good reference for Classical Homeschool Education. I must be honest: it was a bit overwhelming for me, but helpful in clarifying that I am probably not going to follow this method of education in our homeschool. It is great to have a place to go if we wish to start learning Greek in our homeschool or following a more rigorous memorization schedule.
A friend of mine loaned this book to me, mainly recommending the eleventh chapter: "The Early Knowledge Level: Ten Things to do Before Age Ten." This was a helpful list, and we are doing most of these things already, but here is the list they work from:
1. Reading & Writing
2. Oral Narration
3. Memorization
4. Hearing & Listening
5. Family Worship
6. Arts & Crafts
7. Field Trips & the Library
8. Work & Service
9. Discipline
10. Play & Exploration
I particularly appreciated this passage which gives a lovely picture of some of those idyllic homeschool moments:
In Chapter Ten, the authors give a very helpful overview of several of the main homeschooling philosophies. I didn't agree with the way they wrote off Unschooling as "unbiblical," but everyone has their own opinions.
In general, this book has a more socially conservative Christian bent. My sense is that the authors tend to withdraw and protect themselves from "the world" rather than engaging with it bringing with them the transformative power of Christ in culture.
A friend of mine loaned this book to me, mainly recommending the eleventh chapter: "The Early Knowledge Level: Ten Things to do Before Age Ten." This was a helpful list, and we are doing most of these things already, but here is the list they work from:
1. Reading & Writing
2. Oral Narration
3. Memorization
4. Hearing & Listening
5. Family Worship
6. Arts & Crafts
7. Field Trips & the Library
8. Work & Service
9. Discipline
10. Play & Exploration
I particularly appreciated this passage which gives a lovely picture of some of those idyllic homeschool moments:
"Reading aloud is my (Laurie's) favorite part of Homeschooling. how many others have had this experience: I am sitting on the couch (a chair would never do) reading a good book, such as Men of Iron by Howard Pyle. One child sits on my right, and one child sits on my left, and one child sits on the back of the couch behind my neck, and one child sits on my lap. The fifth child must make do. Everyone must be situated, just so, in order to see all of the pictures — which must but examine minutely before the page is turned. This is one of the ways God taught me patience. Let them look at the pictures and ask their questions. We will eventually find out if Miles wins the joust. My oldest daughter, Johannah, painted this cozy scene for us, collaging photos from long ago putting us all into one memorable picture. I was wearing braids and sitting on that old brown couch which long ago met the rubbish pile after much good use. If I could have just an hour of that time again, right now, I would gladly read Corduroy fifteen times in a row and not complain."
In Chapter Ten, the authors give a very helpful overview of several of the main homeschooling philosophies. I didn't agree with the way they wrote off Unschooling as "unbiblical," but everyone has their own opinions.
In general, this book has a more socially conservative Christian bent. My sense is that the authors tend to withdraw and protect themselves from "the world" rather than engaging with it bringing with them the transformative power of Christ in culture.
November 28, 2018
This book is rich! The tone is informative with a hint of sass, bold, honest, and consistent. I have been encouraged, challenged, and inspired in our home education after reading!
May 18, 2020
While I don’t agree with every single thing in this book and I think at times the tone about secondary issues is a little too harsh, it has a lot of wisdom, encouragement, and help for homeschoolers. Be prepared to not agree with everything and even to be offended by tone at times, but do listen to their wisdom and you have something to gain here.
May 2, 2017
A publicação desse livro chegou em boa hora, uma vez que um número cada vez maior de famílias tem aderido ao Homeschooling no Brasil. O casal Bluedorn, aqui nesse primeiro volume, nos oferece os fundamentos teóricos e teológicos do Trivium. Não é nenhuma obra definitiva sobre o assunto, mas certamente é um ótimo guia para as famílias cristãs que optarem por assumir a educação total de seus filhos.
Leitura altamente recomendada!
Leitura altamente recomendada!
May 25, 2007
Okay, so I have wanted to give my kids the best education and have been reading since Zoe was born on how to do so. I started in a lot of theory, Montisorri, Piaget, the Moores, Charlotte Mason, some Plato and Aristotle. It was good to get a grip on what education is and how children learn. What I found: children learn best in home or home like environments, with one teacher through many years, with one on one tutoring, and with challenges as they develop to the next stage - but not before, led me to chose homeschooling.
This book, is the how to. What to pick up each day and do. They emphasize to read aloud to 0-9 year olds 2 hours or more a day, to teach them to read with Phonics, and to expose them to the elements of foreign languages. Also, the focus on discipline, chores, and service. So, that is what we are doing. I highly recommend chapter 11-15 for the practical. I did not agree with everything they wrote in chapters 1-2 on theology, having come to different conclusions. But, I love their heart and passion for parents being equipped to teach their children and keep their children in the home. A great read!
This book, is the how to. What to pick up each day and do. They emphasize to read aloud to 0-9 year olds 2 hours or more a day, to teach them to read with Phonics, and to expose them to the elements of foreign languages. Also, the focus on discipline, chores, and service. So, that is what we are doing. I highly recommend chapter 11-15 for the practical. I did not agree with everything they wrote in chapters 1-2 on theology, having come to different conclusions. But, I love their heart and passion for parents being equipped to teach their children and keep their children in the home. A great read!
October 3, 2019
This book is a must-read -- I repeat, a MUST-READ -- for any parent of school-age children (whether or not they teach their children at home), as well as classroom educators. It's lengthy, but accessible. I actually had a difficult time putting the book down!
For the home-educating parent, the Bluedorns present a philosophy of classical education that needs to be considered. If nothing else, you will be given an intact system with which to agree or disagree; to accept wholeheartedly or adapt to the needs of your individual family. At the very least, it will encourage you in your endeavor to instill a biblical worldview to your children.
For the parent who has entrusted others with the education of their children, the Bluedorns present the case that, whenever possible, the parents are the ones with the God-given stewardship to raise their children for His service and purposes. I grant there may be exceptions, but as a general rule, the parents are the most equipped to educate their own kids.
And, for the classroom educator, I know many of you are frustrated with the current state of the government-run education system. This book looks back to a time when education wasn't co-opted by administrative tasks, standardized testing, and social engineering. Perhaps you won't be able to change the system, but you can certainly be encouraged to adapt *your* style to set kids up for successes down the road.
The Bluedorns present a cornucopia of resources and recommended curriculum. Throughout the book, they answer commonly heard objections to home education, as well as answer questions they have received through the years about their approach. I highly, highly recommend. This will end up being one of my favorite books of the year.
For the home-educating parent, the Bluedorns present a philosophy of classical education that needs to be considered. If nothing else, you will be given an intact system with which to agree or disagree; to accept wholeheartedly or adapt to the needs of your individual family. At the very least, it will encourage you in your endeavor to instill a biblical worldview to your children.
For the parent who has entrusted others with the education of their children, the Bluedorns present the case that, whenever possible, the parents are the ones with the God-given stewardship to raise their children for His service and purposes. I grant there may be exceptions, but as a general rule, the parents are the most equipped to educate their own kids.
And, for the classroom educator, I know many of you are frustrated with the current state of the government-run education system. This book looks back to a time when education wasn't co-opted by administrative tasks, standardized testing, and social engineering. Perhaps you won't be able to change the system, but you can certainly be encouraged to adapt *your* style to set kids up for successes down the road.
The Bluedorns present a cornucopia of resources and recommended curriculum. Throughout the book, they answer commonly heard objections to home education, as well as answer questions they have received through the years about their approach. I highly, highly recommend. This will end up being one of my favorite books of the year.
January 25, 2021
A great book to get a parent started on classical homeschooling. This book not only got us started in classical Christian homeschooling, but sparked my interest for learning Biblical Greek. My favorite section is where the author recommends 10 things to do for each age group that school year.
July 23, 2008
I did not expect to enjoy this book. I am not at all interested in The Well Trained Mind (okay...I'm interested in having a well-trained mind, just not in teaching by the very structured "classical method" to which they subscribe).
But, I was utterly surprised and delighted by this book. I loved it. I am purchasing my own copy because I NEED to highlight many, many things! It was encouraging and inspiring. I even contacted the author with a further question and was invited to call her to discuss the matter. I very much appreciated that. I would classify this book as a must read.
But, I was utterly surprised and delighted by this book. I loved it. I am purchasing my own copy because I NEED to highlight many, many things! It was encouraging and inspiring. I even contacted the author with a further question and was invited to call her to discuss the matter. I very much appreciated that. I would classify this book as a must read.
February 25, 2014
I gave this book a chance and was so tired of hearing his condescending tone that I quit. His content seemed to circle around and around before getting to his point. I disagree with his application of God's Word as to why he believes in homeschooling. I have arrived at his same conclusion; we love God, we classically homeschool because it is best for our family. I do not believe that everyone needs to homeschool to be obedient to God. There are better, more encouraging, less self-righteous books out there that can give you anything this book offers.
May 29, 2009
I love this book and reference back to it all the time. There is so much good and inspirational information here.
July 19, 2018
A good resource for some basics in classical homeschooling if you can laugh through the attitude of ego that comes through the writing.
November 6, 2020
Excellent resource. I wish I would have found it sooner! It is in my top 2 favorite homeschooling books!
January 16, 2022
DNF. I could not get past the judgmental tone wrapped up in everything they said. I also think they ascribed meaning to certain Scripture to support their argument rather than letting God’s Word speak for itself. Maybe I would have a different opinion had I read more than 75 pages, but that is all I could take. Life is too short to read books that aren’t enjoyable or useful. And this one did not appear to be either for me.
October 10, 2023
Really helpful ideas. Some things I didn’t like, such as the imperious attitude of the authors. But in general, I have a better understanding of the purposes and methods of Classical Education and I have an idea of where to start, and where we should be going. The thing I most appreciated was that education is not divorced from a child’s training in godliness. In fact, Christian education and “instruction in righteousness” has to be our primary focus before other subjects.
September 24, 2024
2.5 rounded up. Read with discernment. Lots of practical tips I found helpful, a picked out pieces of encouragement on the "why" behind homeschool. I am, however, not sold on teaching the Trivium exclusively and also not preparing daughters for careers, yikes. Quite a few problematic bits I had to just bear with.
August 8, 2021
Someone recommended it to me. The first half is embarrassingly bad. The author's view of literature is 100% moralism. I was skimming after about 50 pages. The tips on how to organize a homeschool curriculum in later chapters might be helpful, but I couldn't go on.
July 27, 2023
Fascinatingly dogmatic view of education. As a schoolteacher I can't agree with this noncompromising view of the necessity and of homeschooling as the only way for the Christians, but the book raises a lot of good questions and discussions.
July 2, 2024
Fascinating look at one man's ideas on education, once you get past the occasional ego flights. :)
August 13, 2024
Awesome homeschool resource if you are at all interested in classical and biblical education.
July 17, 2025
Some very interesting ideas…
October 20, 2023
Not the right book for me on this subject. I should have gotten The Latin-Centered Curriculum. It was between those two books for my next pick and unfortunately, I bought this beast. ($28 doorstop) This book was way too Protestant-ey. For every concept or assertion, the author inserted numerous Scripture quotes making it hard to read and didn't really "prove" anything. This just got in the way. Also, his viewpoints were too rigid for me - I prefer the Catholic take on Classical Education. We appreciate and lift up the glimmers of truth, however oblique or partial, in pre-Christian cultures. The fullness of truth is of course in Catholicism but other times and cultures have contributed to, and made possible, Christendom as we know it today. Here is a Bible quote that can help illustrate this point - and here this is actually helpful because I will accompany the quote with interpretation from the Church Fathers that relates it specifically to the concept in question -- An odd detail which is mentioned twice in the book of Exodus, is that, as the Israelites quit the country of their enslavement, they take extensive amounts of jewelry of silver and gold from their former taskmasters, for "the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians". The Church Fathers read this curious episode as an anticipation of the manner in which the Christian tradition will draw to itself all that is precious in the cultures that it evangelizes. Thus, the silver and gold of Egypt might be construed as representing, for example, the philosophy and art of Greece, the legal structure of Rome, and the mathematical speculation of Islam. Through God's grace, cultures once alien or even hostile to Christianity end up offering their treasures to the Church. (Bishop Barron - The Great Story of Israel)
This Protestant author does not understand this, so he is not only dismissive of pre-Christian culture study but also suspicious of it. I don't think that's helpful or healthy. His is a cramped space. As Christians, we can look at and read and love all that is true, good, and beautiful. There are a couple of beautiful quotes in the book and I do appreciate the author's journey with his own children and his persuasive points on the primacy of learning Greek.
This Protestant author does not understand this, so he is not only dismissive of pre-Christian culture study but also suspicious of it. I don't think that's helpful or healthy. His is a cramped space. As Christians, we can look at and read and love all that is true, good, and beautiful. There are a couple of beautiful quotes in the book and I do appreciate the author's journey with his own children and his persuasive points on the primacy of learning Greek.
August 31, 2010
I checked this book out on inter-Library loan so I only had 3 weeks to read it, no renewing, and I'm very sad that I have to take it back today after only making it through about half of the 600+ pages. It is similar in principles and methodology to Thomas Jefferson Education, although a bit more structured. The thing I really love is that it has a HUGE focus on Christian teaching, i.e. teaching the Bible, Christian principles, and emphasising the relationship between GOD and everything around us that we are learning. It also focuses on good family values.
Other areas of focus are classical languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew), teaching logic, high-quality literature, and history.
The authors have a website, triviumpursuit.com, that has quite a bit of information from the book on it.
Other areas of focus are classical languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew), teaching logic, high-quality literature, and history.
The authors have a website, triviumpursuit.com, that has quite a bit of information from the book on it.
February 15, 2009
After much searching, this book outlines exactly how I want our School to be run. I also loved The Thomas Jefferson approch, and Charlotte Mason principles. This book puts the two together, which is exactly what I was studying on how to do. There is structure, for "lax learning lacks learning". There is also freedom to study the afternoon away in any way we choose.
Basically, leaning happens in stages, as the child matures. More is expected the older they get, though not enough to stifle them. They are given keys to know 'how' to learn, instead of 'what' to learn. I love it. This is our 5th year homeschooling, and our 2 year of implementing this way of learning. It is perfect for us.
-Elisa Wadsworth
Basically, leaning happens in stages, as the child matures. More is expected the older they get, though not enough to stifle them. They are given keys to know 'how' to learn, instead of 'what' to learn. I love it. This is our 5th year homeschooling, and our 2 year of implementing this way of learning. It is perfect for us.
-Elisa Wadsworth
July 15, 2013
There's a lot of helpful stuff in here and I hope to own this book eventually if we do end up homeschooling outside of a university model school. I think there is a lot of wisdom in waiting until your child is 8 or 10 before diving hard core into real school work and using those earlier years to just really really work on character issues and self discipline. I also think that school can be used as a tool in those areas too. But yeah. The Bluedorns make things a little too clear cut, when they're not actually, but it is still nice to just see things laid out in such good order and to use that as a springboard.
September 4, 2015
While somewhat helpful in regards to classical education, the author's tone was incredibly condescending. As a Christian woman, I believe God calls each of His children to various paths, and the decision to homeschool is no different. The author is under the delusion that he knows the will of God for all parents and all children everywhere. He believes that homeschooling is not only superior, but the only educational path with Divine approval. How obnoxious! And incorrect! Frankly, many children are better off NOT homeschooling and to argue otherwise is naive and nonsensical.
I'd skip this book entirely and check out The Well Trained Mind.
I'd skip this book entirely and check out The Well Trained Mind.
October 7, 2009
I have read through this book, sans the appendices once and re-read seperate chapters a few times. I like the straightforwardness style of writing and how the book is organized. The Appendices have an overwhelming amount of extra information and resources for home education in the Classical model - with Jesus as the center.
This book has helped me to organize myself, organize my time and is still helping me design how I educate my children. I will continue to read from it, as it is organized by age/stages of learning...
This book has helped me to organize myself, organize my time and is still helping me design how I educate my children. I will continue to read from it, as it is organized by age/stages of learning...
March 13, 2013
It's a hard read. At least it was for me. As someone who recently began seriously contemplating homeschooling my child, it was not a good first book to start with. It felt overwhelming and I was being given too much information at once. So just that warning, and why I gave it four stars.
Nonetheless, it gave a good sense of why one should homeschool as a Christian parent. I also loved the examples of texts and daily schedules it gave. It THOROUGHLY explained the Trivium. The information I could glean from this book was practical.
Nonetheless, it gave a good sense of why one should homeschool as a Christian parent. I also loved the examples of texts and daily schedules it gave. It THOROUGHLY explained the Trivium. The information I could glean from this book was practical.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews