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The Public School Educational Paradigm on Steroids

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The Well-Trained Mind (TWTM) is a detailed "how-to" manual for a popular reinterpretation of classical home schooling. I say reinterpretation because the authors base their recommendations on three chronological stages of child development that they correlate to the first three skills of the ancient classical trivium. They call grades 1-4 the grammar stage, grades 5-8 the logic stage, and grades 9-12 the rhetoric stage. The ancient classical model did not follow these artificial gradations, but our culture generally expects the child to spend at least 12 years being formally educated, so TWTM has adapted the standard 12 year paradigm to fulfill the intentions of the classical model.

Specific curricula and tasks are offered for each stage by subject. For instance, the authors recommend Saxon Math 2: An Incremental Development (Workbook and Fact Cards)for the 2nd grade student which is comparable to what many 2nd graders in public school do for math. One of the authors has written her own four volume history series for use during the grammar stage:

Ancient history: The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Revised Edition (Story ... the World: History for the Classical Child),

Medieval history: The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 2: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance, Revised Edition ... the World: History for the Classical Child),

Early modern history: The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 3: Early Modern Times, and

Modern history: The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 4: The Modern Age: From Victoria's Empire to the End of the USSR.

If you are looking for a comprehensive construction of a rigorous and systematic home school academic plan for the elementary and secondary years with classic languages (Latin) and formal logic tacked on, TWTM might be for you. TWTM is basically a 12 year public school paradigm with classic content tacked on which makes for an intense home education!

Excellent, excellent book!

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One of the most thorough books I have seen on how to do Classical Homeschool. This is such a practical book, the curriculum recommendations are great, thorough but not overwhelming. I currently teach at a Classical Homeschool Co-op program and gained some insight into my kids from this, as well as great ideas for my own, who are preschool age. Also, for those of you who are not looking to homeschool from a distinctly Christian perspective, this book is written for everyone.

Just what I needed.

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I have been interested in the classical method of homeschooling since I started 2 years ago. This is THE book for me. The descriptions are very detailed and fairly easy to follow. The list for reading are great. I only wish my local library had more of them. The only thing I would change about the book is that the listings for materiels needed are after each subject instead of grouped at the end of each section.

Overwhelming

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I think this book tries to overwhelm someone trying to teach their child. I can't imagine a child being happy being taught so rigorously and will be isolated and overstressed with such intense hours of school. (A lot of public and private schools have the same problem) I don't trust the advice of teaching about all religions at such young ages. They need to be grounded in their own culture and religion first. I'd get a simpler construct of a classical education or you'll go nuts. Also, read John Taylor Gatto for guidance.

The Well-Trained Mind

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I am a certified teacher with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. This book is an excellent reference book for teaching using the classical education method. The resources in this book are invaluable! From schedules, to internet links, to subject studies, and clear definitions; this book has it all. I borrowed it from the library at first. Then when I read it, I decided to buy it so I can refer back to it. I found the "How to do it" sections fantastic (especially the advice given on working with babies and toddlers). It's organized well and in a easy to read format.