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What Is A Classical Model Of
Christian Education?
There are three main considerations in developing a classical model for Christian Education.  Primarily, it is a method of education that is distinctly Christian. It is education that is rooted in biblical truth and looks at all of life through the lens of Scripture. The absolute sovereignty of God is acknowledged and the intent is that every thought is brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding."
Thus, God's goal for a Christian student is to grow in knowledge, then understanding and ultimately wisdom.

Secondly, Classical Christian Education needs to address the developmental stages of the child. Dorothy Sayers, in her book, The Lost Tools of Learning, labels these stages as Poll-Parrot, Pert and Poetic.  These are described below.  Each cognitive and emotional stage must be considered throughout the education of the child.

Finally, Classical Christian Education needs to draw on proven teaching methods that address the developmental age of the child.  The methodology employed is based on what is known as the Trivium, which comprises three aspects or stages- the Grammar Stage; the Logic or Dialectic Stage; and the Rhetoric Stage. This model provides for a curriculum design that corresponds to the cognitive and emotional stages of children. Over the course of a student's educational experience the learning moves beyond the assimilation of facts to the  cultivation of wisdom while teaching truth, values, decision making and critical thinking.

Below is a chart describing Classical Christian Education, and how its methods relate to Christian goals and the developmental stages of the child.

Grade of Child

Christian Goal

Development Stage

 Classical Learning Stage/ Methods

Pre-K - 3rd

Knowledge

Early Poll-Parrot - Young children:

  • are excited about learning.  
  • enjoy games, stories, songs, and hands on projects.
  • want to touch, taste, feel and smell.
  • have a short attention span and are both imaginative and creative. 

Beginning Grammar-Teachers will use:

  • guided exploration and discovery.
  • extensive use of the kinesthetic/ tactile approach (movement and touch).singing, playing games, chants, and reciting.
  • painting, coloring, drawing, and building to leverage their creativity and imagination.
  • short term project building.
  • verbal expression through show and tell, drama and the retelling of stories.

3rd - 6th

Knowledge

Poll - Parrot - Young children:

  • love to memorize bits of information.
  • store up facts and share what they know.
  • appreciate order. 
  •  love to explain and figure out ideas.
  • learn through their senses.

Grammar - Teachers will provide opportunities for:

  •  hands-on work.
  •  making collections.
  •  building displays and models.
  • recitation, memorization, drill, and games. 
  •  learning the skill of doing a research project with written and oral presentations.
  • guided discovery, exploration, movement, music, and drama.
  • field trips.

6th  - 9th

Understanding

Pert - Pre-teen and teen agers:

  • become more argumentative and questioning.
  • begin to ask and discuss, Why? How? 
  •  need to understand as well as know. 
  •  need to be taught how to question, judge, critique and debate.

Logic or Dialectic - Teachers will make extensive use of:

  • time lines, charts, and visual materials to organize people, events, ideas, and experiences.
  • debate and persuasive reporting/ writing.
  • evaluation and critique within the framework of specified guidelines.
  • research projects and oral and written presentations as a larger part of the learning process.
  • drama, re-enactments and role playing to learn as well as communicate their learning.
  • guest speakers and field trips.
  • formal logic, introduced by Grade 7.

9th  - 12th

Wisdom

Poetic - Mid to late teens agers:

  • are more vocal and expressive.
  • become more concerned with current events, justice, and fairness.
  • begin to acquire responsibility and independence.
  •  develop individual interests and goals.

Rhetoric - Teachers will:

  • use speeches, debates, and written papers.
  • provide opportunity for guided research in major areas, having as a goal the synthesis of ideas and subjects.
  • include study and analysis of world views using discussions and written papers.
  • ncorporate  in-depth field trips, including overnighters.
  • provide opportunities for students to tutor, mentor and organize activities for younger students.