Introduction to Classical Education
What classical education is, and why anyone would want to return to this style of teaching and learning.
Ancient Egyptian painted limestone from 1340 BC of Imeneminet and his wife, Tahka. On display with the Egyptian Antiquities Collection, Louvre Museum in Paris. Courtesy of Carol Gerten’s Fine Art Museum.
What exactly is the trivium, and how do you do it? Find out about the three laws of learning, the connection between learning and the trivium, and the three stages of the trivium -- grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. Understand the difference between the stages of the trivium and the classical subjects, and if your interest has been piqued, then more information about the historic and modern applications of the trivium to the classical model of education can also be found here.
Pottery excavated from tombs at Jericho, spanning a period of 2,000 years. Courtesy of the excellent Ancient Near Eastern Art Collection at the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University in Georgia.
Besides a more in-depth overview of the grammar stage, read articles by experienced homeschooling mothers and other experts regarding the practical application of classical education in each of the subjects in the grammar stage, excellent information on preparing younger children for a great books education by Wes Callihan of Schola Classical Tutorials, and access convenient links to grammar stage curriculum and scope and sequence.
The famous bull-leaping fresco from the east wing of the palace at Knossos on Crete, seat of Minoan Civilization. 15th century BC. Courtesy of the Image Gallery of the Knossos excavation, Iraklion Archaeological Museum on Crete.
The Dialectic Stage: Grades 7-9
Besides a more in-depth overview of the dialectic stage, read articles by experienced homeschooling mothers and other experts regarding the practical application of classical education in each of the subjects in the dialectic stage, and access convenient links to dialectic stage curriculum and scope and sequence.
Babylonian glazed molded brick lion decorating the Processional Avenue north of the Ishtar Gate in Babylon; from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 BC). Housed at the Oriental Institute Museum, University of Chicago.
The Rhetoric Stage: Grades 10-12
Besides a more in-depth overview of the rhetoric stage, read articles by experienced homeschooling mothers and other experts regarding the practical application of classical education in each of the subjects in the rhetoric stage, and access convenient links to rhetoric stage curriculum and scope and sequence.
Greek black-figure ware drinking cup from the Archaic period, mid 6th century BC. Courtesy of the excellent Classical Art Collection at the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University in Georgia.
Encouragement and considerations addressing the specific needs of homeschoolers educating classically, from everything to whether “classical homeschooling” is an oxymoron to beating homeschool burnout. Make your way to CCH’s Discussion Board to get ideas and encouragement from other classically homeschooling moms.
Roman mosaic of street musicians by Dioscuris of Samos, 1st century AD. Originally from Cicero’s villa; on display in Naples, Italy. Courtesy of Images From History.
Classical Curriculum & Online Catalog
Specific curriculum suggestions for applying the trivium, sorted by subject or trivium stage, and linked to CCH’s online catalog in association with Barnes&Noble.com. A new section of extensive curriculum reviews is also available, as well as CCH’s scope and sequence for every grade from K-12.
This painting, titled “Christ and the Abbot Mena,” is Egyptian Coptic from the Monastery of Baouît (6th-7th century AD). On display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Courtesy of Carol Gerten’s Fine Art Museum.
Classical Christian Homeschooling FAQ
The answers to Classical Christian Homeschooling’s most frequently asked questions, from getting started in classical homeschooling to scheduling to the biblical foundation of the theory. If you have a question for Christine Miller, please visit this page first.
The Book of Kells, the richly decorated manuscript of the four gospels, is one of the masterpieces of Western art. It is believed to be the work of Irish monks at the scriptorium of Iona about 800 AD. Courtesy of Trinity College Dublin.
Classical Christian Education Links
There are many resources on the Internet for information which further explains the concept of Christian and classical education, liberal education, the trivium, or the seven liberal arts, expounds on why a return to classical education is needed in our day, examines the history of education in Western Civilization, and documents the failure of modern educationalism. Also linked are pages which offer catalogs, curricula, and services for helping families educate classically, support for classical educators, such as e-mail lists, discussion boards, and newsletters, and aids for teaching the subjects according to the trivium. This is also the place to find the Classical Christian Education Support Loop, home of the 1000 Good Books List, Latin Curriculum Reviews, and more.
The date of this Byzantine carved ivory of the crucifixion is uncertain, but probably 11th- 13th century. Its home is the Mount Athos Monastery of Dionysiou in Greece. Courtesy of the Byzantine Images Gallery at Byzantine Studies on the Internet.
Okay, so these links have little to do with classical education. Or do they? They are my personal favorites, from art to zoos, for serious study or goofing around: archaeology, art, and cultural links; books and literature links, including the best places on the Internet for finding and buying used books; Christianity and Biblical studies links, which includes my favorite link in the whole favorite links section: Answers in Genesis; home and family links; homeschooling and education links, including CCH’s “Why We Homeschool” Site of the Month; liberty and constitutional republican (with a small “r”) government links; news and politics links (the 2000 election made me much more aware of what is going on in Washington); research and information links; and links just for fun.
Illuminated manuscripts are the hand-copied and illustrated books of the middle ages, meticulously crafted in monastery scriptoriums before the invention of the printing press in the mid-fifteenth century. The image of knights on horseback is courtesy of the Lycos Image Gallery.
An annotated listing of all the sites that maintain a link to Classical Christian Homeschooling, that we are aware of. Please notify us if we have missed anyone, with the name of the site and the URL. We would like this listing to be as complete as possible.
“Creation of the Heavens” by Michelangelo (Italian, 1475-1564), Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome. Michelangelo’s works were the crowning artistic achievement of the Italian Renaissance. Courtesy of Carol Gerten’s Fine Art Museum.
Classical Christian Homeschooling is currently adding to our incomplete site. Please stop back from time to time; this page includes notifications of our most recent additions.
"Italian Landscape with the Ruins of a Roman Bridge and Aqueduct" by Jan Asselijn (Dutch, 1610-1652); the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. The Renaissance was not limited to Italy; in the north it was decidedly different in character and influence. Courtesy of Carol Gerten’s Fine Art Museum.
CCH’s sponsor, information about the webpage construction, the awards CCH has been given, permissions and links information, who Christine Miller is, the statement of faith to which Christine adheres, Christine’s other web projects, and how best to contact CCH.
“The Risen Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalen” by Rembrandt (Dutch, 1606-1669), the Royal Collection of Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace, London. Rembrandt’s contrast of light and darkness characterized the intense struggle on both sides of the Reformation.
Search the entire CCH website (including the CE Loop pages and History on the Internet) by keyword or phrase, refine searches, even search the entire web. The CCH search engine is powered by Google.
Early maps, such as this one depicting recent discoveries in the Western Hemisphere, brought the disciplines of mathematics, navigation, geography, and artistry together in the science of cartography. Courtesy of the Lycos Image Gallery.
The images decorating this Contents page have told the story of Western Civilization through its art, and are also themselves a gateway to further historical study. This index page is a convenient way to access all of them.
“The Music Lesson” by Jan Vermeer (Dutch, 1632-1675), Royal Collection of Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace, London. The seventeenth century begins the era of the modern world, which has seen vast upheavals in every sphere of human endeavor, including artistic style. Courtesy of Carol Gerten’s Fine Art Museum.
Even though the original Classical Christian Education Support Loop is no longer taking new members, their webpage includes many helps of interest to homeschoolers and classical educators: Reading and Literature, the 1000 Good Books List, Learning Latin, and more.
Nothing New Press is the publishing arm of Classical Christian Homeschooling, which seeks to produce and bring back into publication materials which help parents homeschool well, that emphasize the history of Western Civilization and a biblical worldview. Here you will find information about All Through the Ages History Through Literature Guide, and the reprints of H. A. Guerber’s excellent historical narratives, plus much more.
A collection of links to excellent history sites on the Internet, sorted by historical era and other criteria.
Classical Christian Homeschooling appears courtesy of Escondido Tutorial Service.
You will find more help and information about classical education there.
Classical Christian Homeschooling: Classical Education at Home
Site designed and maintained by Christine Miller / This page last revised August 2003
Contents of Classical Christian Homeschooling: Classical Education at Home
http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/contents.html
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