An Explanation Part 1: The Image of God

What is Classical Christian Education?  Well... I'm glad you asked.  But, be forewarned, it gets a little complicated. Because it is a movement which has grown organically, there are different branches to the root ideas.  The roots, in themselves aren't very complicated.  In its interpretation and actual daily layout, things get creatively differentiated.  The big thing to understand is it isn't a curriculum, but a way of choosing and using tools to equip someone to think well and love learning. 

Different experts, teachers, and authors each put emphasis on certain aspects.  I'm going to attempt to explain the foundations of Classical Christian Education that Classical Christian Educators agree on.  As I said before, the interpretations change within different schools of thought.  So, here is my personal take (in Italics) on my interpretation of that thought.  And, here's what that looks like in my classroom.

Classical Christian Education begins by seeing the child as an individual 
CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.

God has created us to be learners.  He made the world and everything in it.  He has created ways for us to be in a relationship with Him.  He reveals Himself through the ways we are to love Him: heart, mind, soul, and strength.  He created us to be learners and has helped us by giving us the five senses, the Bible, wise men and women of old, the Fruit of the Spirit, and a curious mind.

The classroom should be fun!  I limit busy work and instead, ask students to engage their body and mind with whatever we are learning.  I want students to see something from several angles, which means I teach holistically.  When we talk about a number, like the number 8, we talk about "octo" in Latin.  Then, we look at octopuses, the clock, cents, Roman Numerals, the homophone, "ate".  We create it with clay and then our body.  We make stop signs and play running games with them. We do this all on the eighth day of school.  And, we might just listen to the Beatles sing and then discuss the idiom, "Eight Days a Week".

It sounds like a lot - but rather than a list, it's a calm conversation...It's what I call, spiraling! ... making connections with the student's wealth of knowledge already obtained and adding to it.


This is the first part of a five part series explaining Classical Christian Education.  To go to part two, click here.


Looking for more musings on Classical Education?  Click here.



Comments

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