In a previous article, I argued that classical schools, like their progressive counterparts, “pile it on” or have too many periods and teach too many subjects. In this article, I argue that classical schools also “cut up” the classical curriculum into too many sections, resulting in more diffusion and fragmentation than we should countenance. Why do we have so many “subjects”? We have lost our ideal for what unifies and harmonizes education and human life.
Your introduction of the idea of a fragmented curriculum is new to me. However, that dispersion is exactly what presents the huge challenge to teaching several "subjects" in one presentation. We are so accustomed to separating the each effort. When several come together in one effort it is exciting, and amazing. But it requires much dedicated thought in creating the lessons. It is a huge challenge, but fulfilling for student and teacher when it comes together. I look forward to additional articles by you!
Thanks Dr. Perrin! Life is already integrated. What a stellar observation! It would be interesting to write curriculum based upon the people of history and try to enter their world from all areas of study. I have seen this with music, literature, and art for younger students but not with those areas plus science, math etc. I have used Classical Academic Press, Classical Conversations, Beautiful Feet, and taught music at The Cincinnati Classical Academy (Hillsdale Charter) for a school year. I think the hardest part of education is finding teachers who are passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated to the work who will lead the charge. My favorite moments in education were tackling Euclid’s Elements with my 7th grade son and studying Marco Polos original writings with my 3rd grade son. Though I loved my students and my work teaching music history, theory and performance at the charter school, the school environment was not positive for my son so we are back to homeschooling. I am trying to plot out a wholistic approach for my youngest who is now a fifth grader. Thank you for your work! You continue to be an inspiration in our homeschooling and I am grateful for your contributions to classical education.
Thanks Dr. Perrin. Have you heard of Acton Academies? They aren't explicitly classical, but are doing innovative things when it comes to not segregating topics and students into periods and grades.
Your introduction of the idea of a fragmented curriculum is new to me. However, that dispersion is exactly what presents the huge challenge to teaching several "subjects" in one presentation. We are so accustomed to separating the each effort. When several come together in one effort it is exciting, and amazing. But it requires much dedicated thought in creating the lessons. It is a huge challenge, but fulfilling for student and teacher when it comes together. I look forward to additional articles by you!
Thanks Dr. Perrin! Life is already integrated. What a stellar observation! It would be interesting to write curriculum based upon the people of history and try to enter their world from all areas of study. I have seen this with music, literature, and art for younger students but not with those areas plus science, math etc. I have used Classical Academic Press, Classical Conversations, Beautiful Feet, and taught music at The Cincinnati Classical Academy (Hillsdale Charter) for a school year. I think the hardest part of education is finding teachers who are passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated to the work who will lead the charge. My favorite moments in education were tackling Euclid’s Elements with my 7th grade son and studying Marco Polos original writings with my 3rd grade son. Though I loved my students and my work teaching music history, theory and performance at the charter school, the school environment was not positive for my son so we are back to homeschooling. I am trying to plot out a wholistic approach for my youngest who is now a fifth grader. Thank you for your work! You continue to be an inspiration in our homeschooling and I am grateful for your contributions to classical education.
Thanks Dr. Perrin. Have you heard of Acton Academies? They aren't explicitly classical, but are doing innovative things when it comes to not segregating topics and students into periods and grades.
Looking forward to your next stack!