Classical Homeschool
The arguments get volleyed back and forth between those in
favor of classical homeschool and
justification for it (and subsequent strategies) and those
against. Those against homeschooling assert that it does not
live up to the “comprehensive”, consistent, and contiguous
education formal schooling can provide. Conversely, the group
in favor of classical homeschool measures and practices and
against public education these days might speak to the
president’s “failed” plan (the No Child Left Behind plan), and
how, reportedly no state will have a “highly qualified” teacher
in every single core class in every single school. They are
disappointed in the educational system, despite efforts on the
part of the Department of Education to call said schools on the
carpet.
Okay, but let’s make a distinction here: classical homeschool and
homeschool by serendipity or wishes alone are different
creatures. To just yank a kid from public institutions and
decide—though one has less than a college education or
training—to “teach” at home may not stand up to the
requirements of a well-rounded academic experience. Classical
homeschool, however, if done by the rigors of the definition of
the phrase, does provide the reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic
schema—also called the Trivium, a construct or pattern
including grammar and for the first years, logistics and
scientific study in the interim years, and language expression,
rhetoric, in the later stage years. Also in classical
homeschool methodology, or as important in the use of classical
educational methods, is the manner of delivery of lessons. In a
more inductive, Aristotelian or Sophoclean form, “teachers”
lead in, but do not tell learners WHAT to
think; rather they show learners HOW to
think…for themselves. (This brings back the anti-homeschoolers,
in general, who bristle at the notion of individuals of a
certain religion conditioning/brainwashing their children in
the likes of so many Ruby Ridge clan members.)
But given the quality assistance and superior educational
tools, texts, and supplies, just as many non-fanatical folk
create successful classical homeschool programs, combining
their faith, their ingenuity, and their intelligent and loving
treatment of their children (or, now, their students). There
are informative help-sites, such as HE & OS—A
Libertarian-leaning Edu-blog (cobranchi.com);
there are learning and teaching strategy seminars, articles,
books, plans, and programs to enhance solo home efforts, and
there are, as there will always be high standards and stellar
results at public school levels and will always be as
representative of positive classical homeschool results, the
success stories of those who were home-schooled. If you saw the
filmic reportage of the latest National Spelling Bee, for
instance, you witnessed how one family, in preparing their
young son for finals, brought in several tutors in several
languages, so the son might understand the origin of the words
he was spelling. This is what works for some in public, some in
private, some already exceptionally bright kids. What
works for you and yours?
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