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 The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, Revised and Updated Edition :: 0393059278
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| "Outstanding...should be on every home educator's reference bookshelf."—Homeschooling Today This book will instruct you, step by step, on how to give your child an academically rigorous, comprehensive education from preschool through high school. Two veteran home educators outline the classical pattern of education—the trivium—which organizes learning around the maturing capacity of the child's mind: the elementary school "grammar stage," the middle school "logic stage," and the high school "rhetoric stage." Using the trivium as your model, you'll be able to instruct your child in all levels of reading, writing, history, geography, mathematics, science, foreign languages, rhetoric, logic, art, and music, regardless of your own aptitude in those subjects. Newly revised and updated, The Well-Trained Mind includes detailed book lists with complete ordering information; up-to-date listings of resources, publications, and Internet links; and useful contacts. Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
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Author: Guest
It is always disappointing to find that a new edition of a work is worse than the first, the second edition is supposed to be better. It is true, as many people have pointed out, that the authoresses of this book have substituted recommendations of their own books for standard works by others. That, however, is not the worst problem with the book. It is a problem with the method advocated, and it was also the major flaw of the first edition, that it produces superficial knowledge and and a dumb-speaking acquaintance with many subjects, but does not lead to in-depth knowledge of any of the areas studied. The method they advocate might be used by a thinker of the stature of Aristotle, or perhaps Gibbon, at least in his subject area, but to think a homeschool mom, still a little shaky in her English, can teach Latin, Greek, the great books from Berosus to Beowulf, and the entire scope of world history, is pushing it. Of course a speaking acquaintance with the books can be gained, but that is not the same as having a "well-trained" mind. It may not even be a well-stocked mind, but its possessor may acquire in the getting such a good opinion of him or her self that the humility required for real learning becomes impossible.
The chief value of the book is in the lists of materials, but for that you will need the first edition. Why not just work from publishers lists, or the catalogue of the local library? Why not be creative and just pick out some of the famous books -- and particularly the Bible -- that you have heard of all your life, stick with what seems congenial to you and your child, and explore them until you have gained an understanding of that book, or at least until you know what it is able teach you. That will be a great adventure, and you will have had an experience, not with a so-called well-trained mind, but with a great mind.
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Author: Guest
This book presents an excellent framework for a classical education. You can take the thing wholesale, or pick and choose. You are free. I for one, would emphasize a biblical language such as Hebrew or even Greek, over Latin. And I would emphasize a living and strategically useful language over any ancient language. Mastering Spanish or Chinese would serve a child well in life, and having truly acquired one language already, an ancient language would be easier later on, closer to the SAT age. But that's just one example.
Yes this curriculum is challenging. It is not for everyone or for every child. Some children will not learn best this way. Indeed, in the classical period the author refers to, most children were not educated to this extent. Many great leaders and writers in history received this sort of academically rigorous education, however.
The great thing about homeschooling is you choose your philosophy. I like this book because it emphasizes two things I find very important: the ability to logically and coherently express yourself to others (sadly a lost art these days, just from reading writing samples anywhere online or listening to the television), and the foundations of our democratic society in history and philosophy (also largely forgotten.) Of course I also want to make disciples of Christ of my children, and this will feature largely in their everyday lives and in their education. I will likely de-emphasize some of the mythologies because of this, but would still include them, as so there are so many references in literature.
I truly believe that often the old way was better, certainly in training our children's minds.
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Author: Guest
I was shocked to read the advice to throw out phonemic awareness. For a mother of a dyslexic, ADHD child this is the last thing we should do. Citing her immediate circle as evidence this approach works was shocking.
As a professional that works with special needs kids I would strongly recommend parents steer clear of these methods.
I also have to question the logic in learning about men whose lives were morally opposed to our own. So many do not realize that many of the "great" Greek philosophers were so morally depraved that we would never let our children any where near them.
I do not understand the logic in teaching Latin over a modern language, especially French or Spanish. Many have said that Latin is similar to English in grammar, but it is not. French is much more similar and so is Spanish. The chance of using either French or Spanish in our society is so much greater. Why would we choose Latin? Some say because of SATs. I have seen research to support that the learning of any romantic language can help with the score. If you are a Christian you are probably going to be able to witness to a French or Spanish speaker but never one who speaks Latin.
Within our society the usefulness of foreign languages is becoming greater. Especially in America where the Spanish community is growing in leaps and bounds.
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Author: Guest
Since the 1960s, public education has begun to focus on matters other than basic, or classical education. The focus of public education has switched to downplay the content and manner of the classroom, and more on social agendas, be they liberal or conservative. This book reminds the reader of what has been lost in this movement. Not only is the substance of the well educated mind defined, a useful discussion of the dominant style of learning among three basic age groups is delineated. This book provides a helpful reminder of what education can - and should - be. This book is recommended for the parent of a school-aged child who can benefit from the challenge put forth by the classical academy.
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Author: Guest
I chose to homeschool because the expectations at my daughter's school were appallingly low. The idea of homeschooling my daughter was terrifying. This book took me by the hand and gave me a complete, comprehensive program for K - 12. The authors empowered me to make my own decisions about my child's education. They allow for infinite adaptability to each family, each child within that family. If you want your child to learn how to think, to develop a core of knowledge and understanding of the world, then this is the book for you.
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