Homeschooling With The Trivium

This is only a brief overview of our Suggested Course of Study. A more thorough discussion can be found in our Teaching the Trivium book, in our seminar tapes, and on our Homeschooling with the Trivium Email List. Early Knowledge Level Before age ten, the child is...

Seven Undeniable Truths of Homeschooling

We taught our oldest son to read 20 years ago, and since that time we have been doing all the schooling of our children at home. At that time, there were only a few thousand children being homeschooled in the United States. But today that number has swelled to perhaps...

The Transformation of Classical Education

And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 122) What is Classical Education? Is Classical Education reading Homer and Plato, or Caesar...

The Rhetoric Level

The trivium model for child development may be explained in computer terms. Children are: • “Booting up” at the Pre-Grammar level (birth through ~9). • “Keying in” the information at the Grammar level (~10 through 12). • “Processing” at the Logic level (~13 through...

The Logic Level: Ten Things to Do From Ages 13-15

When children reach the logic stage, homeschooling becomes interesting! Early teens are developing into thinking, questioning, reasoning creatures. They are no longer content to know what happened; they want to know why. To put this all in computer terms: children...

The Grammar Level: Ten Things to Do From Ages 10-12

Consider this basic maxim of homeschooling: "There is only so much time in the day." Keep this idea in mind as you decide which of the many subjects your child will study throughout his school-age years. What's the best use of each day's time? In our last article we...

Building a Firm Foundation for Classical Education: The Things to Do Before Age Ten

Some classical educators focus on the classical method and others focus on the classical subjects. Those who focus on the subjects (Latin, logic, etc.) tend to want to get to the academics as early as possible. Those who focus on the method (the trivium) tend to slow...

The Trivium In A Capsule

Logic, Trivium & Classical Education

The Trivium consists of the first three formal subjects of the seven liberal arts: Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. This is the formal Trivium in the classical sense. This formal Trivium is an academic reflection of the more basic Biblical Trivium, the mental capacities...

Trivium & Classical Education

The Reasoning Railroad – Mystery Train (continued)

NOTE: The first installment of The Reasoning Railroad – namely, Chapter 1a: Mystery Train – originally went out on our Blog email list, but due to a programming error, the link did not appear on our front page or on our blog page. We have since posted the link on our...

An Interview with Martin Luther On Classical Education

The Protestant denominations trace their origins back to Martin Luther, the Christian reformer. His reforms touched on many things, not the least of which was education. Here, cast into the form of an interview, and using his own characteristically forceful and...

Why Study Classical Languages?

Why Study Classical Languages? Test scores indicate that students who learn a foreign language have a much stronger grasp of English language skills. Tests also indicate that studying a foreign language sharpens the mind. Classical languages may prove the most...

What Is the Trivium?

The trivium organizes children's education into three Biblical categories. Knowledge is the facts - the dates in history, the data in science and the notes in music. Understanding organizes the facts into logical order - the reasons behind history, the theory of...

Why Classical School at Home?

The Question If parents wanted their children to have a good classical education, wouldn't their best option be a good Classical Christian school? Why would a parent choose homeschooling over a private Classical school? This question is especially timely. Classical...

Outcome-Based Education versus Trivium-Based Education

Part I ANCIENT PERSECUTION OF THE TRIVIUM On December 11, 361 Julian became Emperor of Rome. He immediately set out to restore the worship of the ancient gods. February 4, 362 he proclaimed religious "toleration," and moved to reopen the pagan temples. He had learned...

Three Pillars of Classical Education

The Return to Classical Education How can you prepare your children for the real tests of life? How can you give them a strong Christian education? Many homeschool parents are re-discovering these goals in Classical Education. Consider the following three pillars of...

Definition for Classical Education

Those who incorporate the reading of ancient classical authors, and declare this to be of the very essence of any education which could be styled as Classical, are actually referring to what might better be called a Classical Humanist Education. We do not mean to call...

Homeschools Should Increase, and Classrooms Should Decrease

Selected and Condensed from "Should Christians Prefer a Classroom School?," Chapter Three of Teaching the Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn. Copyright September 2001. All rights reserved. We should all agree that Christian parents are to follow Biblical order by...

Four Approaches to the Study of Ancient Literature

The purpose of this article is to help Christians to develop their own Biblical approach to evaluating literature. We cannot describe every possible approach, but we will briefly describe three common approaches to the study of classical literature, then we will...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2005-Part 3

From: Kari L. Shivvers Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2005 Dear Laurie and Harvey, This short article was sent down our homeschooling loop a few days ago, and I thought it was one interesting way to handle the socialization fallacy. Thank you for the additional information that...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2005-Part 2

From: Tanya Preble Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 When I first told my daughters ages 14 & 16 that they were going to study logic you should have heard the groans! We are just starting Lesson 13 in The Fallacy Detective and I'm not hearing any more groans from them. I...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2005-Part 1

Review by MidwestBookReview.com The Story of Mr. Pippin by Johannah Bluedorn The Story of Mr. Pippin is a heartwarming picturebook about the relationship between a young girl and Mr. Pippin, an orphan raccoon that she rescued. The foods he ate and the time he shared...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2004-Part 3

From: Don Potter Subject: Ruth in Hebrew Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2004 Dear Harvey, I just published Dr. Louis Tyler's recording of the Hebrew text of Ruth. This will be great for home school parents teaching their children to read Hebrew. Bible College and Seminary students...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2004-Part 2

Peace After a Storm by John Newton When darkness long has veil'd my mind, And smiling day once more appears; Then, my Redeemer, then I find The folly of my doubts and fears. Straight I upbraid my wand'ring heart, And blush that I should ever be Thus prone to act so...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2004-Part 1

Preventing Rudeness in Homeschooled Children by Barbara Frank (used with permission) My family has gotten to know a lot of great kids over the course of our 14 years of homeschooling. We've found homeschooled kids to be generally pleasant, smart, and independent. ...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2003-Part 3

Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2003 From: Joan O. Ham >>We have a rule in our home...if a game is all luck and no strategy, it doesn't come home. As you can imagine, we own just a select few, high-quality games and we are in need of some variety without sacrificing quality....

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2003-Part 2

From: Clay Lin Subject: Homeschool Greek Dear Mr. Bluedorn, I have just received Homeschool Greek and I am delighted to find out it is as good, if not much better, as advertised. Thank you very much for publishing such a great material for studying biblical Greek, I...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2003-Part 1

Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 From: Pilgrim South Subject: Re: history curriculums Dear Bluedorns, Thanks for all the info on the history curriculums that will work with your upcoming book! If you had to choose one, which would it be for an older child (14)? Thanks so much...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2002-Part 3

Date: Sun, 28 Jul 2002 Subject: children bonding with others From: adorehymn >> she would realize that children with this particular sort of disability have a TERRIBLE time bonding with anyone but immediate family. I agree that one of the difficulties with these...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2002-Part 2

Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 From:(amy meyer) city: Royersford state: Pa message: Laurie, Once again, thank you for being so gracious in allowing me to ask you so many questions this past weekend in Indiana. Now that I have been home, I have contacted HSLDA and several...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2002-Part 1

Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2001 Harry Potter I have been reading with curiosity all the post on Harry Potter. Christian telling mature adult parents (other Christians) what is right and wrong! What foolishness we enter into. Ground that is not ours to interpret. What is liberty...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2001-Part 3

From: "momof5" Subject: Music and art appreciation? Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2001 Question #1: Is it not necessary to teach art and music appreciation on the early grammar stage? If not, why not and if so, how? We love and listen to much classical music and love to look at...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2001-Part 2

Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2001 From: (gisela dunn) Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bluedorn: If you can answer this question I would be so thankful. If it is answered in your new book, don't bother, because I am planning to buy it. Here is my questions: I would like to teach a classical...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2001-Part 1

From: "Heather & Rusty" Subject: delaying the instruction of mathematics Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 Dear Bluedorns, I am writing to get some thoughts from you on the delaying of math instruction. I have your set of 8 pamphlets on the Trivium so you may even be able to...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2000-Part 2

Here is our response to a letter from a subscriber asking about the amount of contact homeschooling families have with grandparents and other close relatives: Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were surrounded by our own aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, parents,...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 2000-Part 1

Date: Sun, 26 Dec From: Katherine Craig I have been thinking about this (following your recommendations more closely) and asked my children today (dd's ages 7 and 8) what they would think if we set aside math and spelling instruction for the month of January and I...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 1999

Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 From: Wayne S Walker Dear friends, Last month we began a discussion of the pros and cons of a "classical education." That discussion will continue this month. To make sure that we understand what we are talking about, let us first define a...

Best of Homeschooling with the Trivium Newsletter Year 1998

From: Damian Arthur Date: Thu, 2 Apr 1998 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bluedorn, Greetings from Australia! Have been doing some "research" online and have come across some very interesting information from yours and similar sites. We are parents who intend to home-school our...

Classical Q & A — Part Three

Our relatives are not supportive of our homeschooling and are always criticizing us. How much contact should we have with them? Mary Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were surrounded by our own parents, and grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters? And what...

Classical Q & A — Part Two

Question: What is the goal of the Trivium? Answer: The goal of the Trivium is to give the student the necessary tools or skills which make him free from his teacher so that he can learn by himself. Thats why the Trivium tools are called the Liberal or liberating Arts....

Classical Q & A

Question: Our oldest son (in fifth grade) has been anxious about public school from the time he started kindergarten, so now we are thinking about homeschooling him. Our youngest son (in third grade) loves school and is at the top of his class, so we're leaving him...

Practical Articles

Interview with Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn

TOS: For those of our readers who don't know you very well, you have been homeschooling for several years. In fact, you had some unique experiences during your early years of homeschooling. What was life like for homeschoolers in Iowa in the 1970s? In a word: Jail!...

Interview with Johannah Bluedorn

Welcome to TOS magazine! I am sure you have heard this before, but your illustrations remind me of Tasha Tudor's. Were you in any way influenced by her artwork? I remember reading A is for Annabelle, which is one of Tasha Tudor's most popular books, when I was 7 years...

What Makes a Book Good

We do not want only to develop a love for reading in our children. We want to develop a love for reading good literature. We won’t develop an appetite for good food by feasting on junk food – and we carry that analogy over to literature. So how do we know what books...

Contests in Your Curriculum

Contests are an educational experience especially suited for homeschooled students. What can contests do for your child academically? Consider: Contests are great motivators. Envision a typical Homeschool assignment. Mom asks Henry to write a composition on What...

The Trivium and Charlotte Mason

Are the Classical Approach and the Charlotte Mason Approach two homeschool approaches so opposite from each other that they cannot be reconciled? Or is it possible to use a combination of these two approaches? Lets look at each of these approaches separately and see...

A Comparison of Different Methods and Approaches to Homeschooling

In Conjunction with The Trivium Matrix We will compare some of the different methods and approaches to Homeschooling with which many of us are already familiar. Before doing so, let us review the Trivium Model of Child Development. Children pass through several...

Research on the Teaching of Math

Formal Arithmetic at Age Ten, Hurried or Delayed? Provincialism is the word which we use to describe an opinion which is narrow and self-centered in perspective. Because the common practice in our culture in our day is to begin formal instruction in arithmetic as...

On Early Academics

I. Our Opinion of Unschooling How Misunderstandings Arise Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following . . . . Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, "Lord, and what shall this man do?" Jesus saith unto him, "If I will that he tarry till I come,...

Ten Things to Do with Your Child Before Age Ten

Introductory Remarks The goal of Classical Education is to give students the tools with which to learn on their own — to liberate them from the drudgery of task-performance and to make them independent scholars. In previous chapters we have: Explained how the trivium...

Greek

The Comparative Critical Greek New Testament

The King James Version Versus Modern English Versions

The Text and Margins of Robinson and Pierpont (2005) Com[ared to the Text and Margins of Hodges and Farstad

Greek Pronunciation Systems Over the years, several persons have written to us regarding how the many different systems of pronunciation which can be found in various Greek grammars may or may not differ from the pronunciation system used in our A Greek Alphabetarion:...

Three Levels to Mastering Greek

Three Levels to Mastering Greek Learn to read and pronounce the Greek Alphabet, then to pronounce Greek words. When a child can do this in English, he can begin to do this in Greek. After this is developed, a Greek-English Interlinear Bible may be useful in developing...

Why Study Greek?

We think Greek is a foreign language written in a foreign alphabet. Yet we speak and write Greek every day without realizing it. Our Alphabet comes from Greek. Our Vocabulary is filled with Greek. Much can be said of the broad understanding of language and culture...

Pronunciation audio file for Greek Alphabetarion now free

Greek, Languages

The pronunciation audio file for the book A Greek Alphabetarion: A Primer for Teaching How to Read, Write & Pronounce Ancient & Biblical Greek by Harvey Bluedorn is now free to all. You can download it here.

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Exegetical Translation of the Bible (XT)

James 4:1-10 Exegetical Translation (XT)

Philippians 4:4-9 Exegetical Translation (XT)

Philippians 2:1-30 Exegetical Translation (XT)

John 1:9-10 Exegetical Translation (XT)

John 1:6-8 Exegetical Translation (XT)

John 1:4-5 Exegetical Translation (XT)

John 1:1-3 Exegetical Translation (XT)

A Brief (and Incomplete) Introduction to this Exegetical Translation (XT)

Logic, Trivium & Classical Education

Logic

The Reasoning Railroad – Mystery Train (continued)

NOTE: The first installment of The Reasoning Railroad – namely, Chapter 1a: Mystery Train – originally went out on our Blog email list, but due to a programming error, the link did not appear on our front page or on our blog page. We have since posted the link on our...

The Reasoning Railroad — Mystery Train

Logic

Adult Introduction We all know intrinsically how to reason – it is part of our created being. Nevertheless, the powers of reason, like other innate abilities, can be strengthened and refined through exercise and instruction. Our purpose here is to teach formal...

Learning Logic at Home

Inductive and Deductive Bible Studies

The labels inductive and deductive may be applied to several things, including methods of reasoning and methods of studying. A deductive approach moves from the rule to the example, and an inductive approach moves from the example to the rule. I will first...

Two Methods of Reasoning

An Introduction to Inductive and Deductive Logic Fixing Flawed Thinking We often suppose that the other guy's thinking is flawed, without even considering whether the real problem is actually with our own thinking. We tend to elevate our limited observations and our...

Formal and Informal Fallacies

Logical Fallacies A fallacy is a defect in an argument which misleads the mind. The defect may be intentional or unintentional. If the defect is intentional, we sometimes call it a sophism. One's understanding of fallacies may be used for good, in order to avoid or...

Logic — A Suggested Course of Study

I am preparing to teach an introduction to logic course to my seventh graders this fall, and all four of them are excited about it. I have never taught logic, and all that I have learned came from Martin Cothran’s Traditional Logic. I’m trying to go through...

Logic Comes in Two Flavors

Why Study Logic?

Why Study Logic? Perhaps the most important thing to give your child to prepare him to confront this world is a firm grasp of logical thinking skills. Without this refined skill — the ability to reason correctly — his thinking is not firmly anchored, but is "tossed to...

What is Logic, and Is It Dangerous?

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Artículos en Español

Descripciones de los Libros de Trivium Pursuit y Christian Logic – Traducido por Perla Adams

Teaching the Trivium: Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn Como le puede dar a sus hijos las herramientas que ellos necesitan para aprender por si mismos? Tiempo atrás a los estudiantes primero se les enseñaba a aprender. Hoy, a...

Sobre la Alabanza Familiar: Hechos Bíblicos, Fundamentos Bíblicos, y Sugerencias Prácticas – Traducido por Perla Adams

Introduction Pregunta por los Antiguos Senderos Jeremías 6:16 Así dijo el Señor: Paraos en los caminos, y mirad, y preguntad por las sendas antiguas, cual sea el buen camino, y andad por él, y hallaréis descanso para vuestra alma. Mas dijeron: No andaremos allí. La...

¿Por que Estudiar Griego? – Traducido por Perla Adams

Nosotros pensamos que Griego es un lenguaje extranjero escrito en un alfabeto extranjero. Sin embargo hablamos y escribimos Griego todos los días sin darnos cuenta. Nuestro Alfabeto viene del griego. Nuestro vocabulario esta lleno de griego. Mucho puede ser dicho...

Sobre la Enseñanza Temprana de Asignaturas Académicas – Traducido por Perla Adams

I. Nuestra Opinión sobre No-Escolarización Como se Origina el Malentendido Volviéndose Pedro, vio que lo seguía el discípulo a quien amaba Jesús,…Cuando Pedro lo vio, dijo a Jesús: Señor, y ¿qué de este?, Jesús le dijo: Si quiero que el quede hasta que yo vuelva, ¿que...

Entrevista con Harvey y Laurie Bluedorn – Traducido por Perla Adams

TOS: Para nosotros, lectores quienes no te conocemos muy bien, ustedes han estado educando en casa por varios años, De hecho, ustedes tienen una única experiencia durante lo primeros años de educación en casa, ¿ Cómo era la vida para los educadores en casa en Iowa en...

La Defensa Logica de la Fe – Traducido por Perla Adams

La Transformación de la Educación Clásica – Traducido por Perla Adams

No os conforméis a este mundo, sino transformaos por medio de la renovación de vuestro entendimiento, para que comprobéis la buena voluntad de Dios, agradable y perfecta. (Romanos 12:2) ¿Que es Educación Clásica? ¿Es Educación Clásica leer a Homero y Platón, o Cesar y...

Siete Verdades Innegables de la Educación en Casa – Traducido por Perla Adams

Enseñamos a nuestro hijo mayor a leer hace 20 años y desde ese tiempo hemos hecho toda la escolarización de nuestros hijos en casa. En ese tiempo, había solo unos pocos miles de niños siendo educados en casa en los Estados Unidos, pero hoy el número es quizás de unos...

Diez Cosas Para Hacer Con su Niño(a) Antes De La Edad De Diez Años – Traducido por Perla Adams

Por Harvey y Laurie Bluedorn. Derechos de Autor 1998. Todos los derechos reservados. Traducido por Luz Hunton – 2003 Este artículo ha sido expandido e impreso en nuestro libro, Enseñando el Trivium (Teaching the Trivium). (Por favor referirse a nuestro artículo “¿Qué...

¿Qué es el Trivium? – Traducido por Perla Adams

¿Qué es el Trivium? La palabra Latina “Trivium” significa “tres caminos o rutas” La educación antigua y medieval era estructurada alrededor del Trivium - los tres caminos - el cual consistía de las siguientes materias: Gramática o la habilidad de comprender hechos....

Curso del Estudio Sugerido – Traducido por Perla Adams

Diez Cosas Para Hacer Entre Las Edades De Diez A Doce Años 1. Alabanza Familiar Estudio Biblico Familiar por la mañana y por la noche, usando preguntas del nivel de Conocimiento; memorización. 2. Literatura y Lectura en voz alta Continue leyendo en voz alta dos horas...

Artigos em Português

Sete Verdades Inegáveis Sobre a Educação em Casa – Tradução para o português Juliana Starling

Ensinamos nosso filho mais velho a ler há 20 anos, e desde aquele tempo temos feito toda a escolarização dos nossos filhos em casa. Naquele tempo, havia apenas poucos milhares de crianças sendo educados em casa nos Estados Unidos. Mas hoje esse número aumentou...

O Nível Lógico – Tradução para o português Allan Ribeiro

Quando as crianças atingem o estágio lógico, o ensino em casa torna-se interessante! Crianças que acabaram de se tornar adolescentes estão se tornando criaturas pensantes, questionadoras e racionais. Elas não ficam mais satisfeitas em saber o que aconteceu; elas...

O Nível Gramática – Tradução para o português Allan Ribeiro

Considere este axioma básico do ensino em casa: "O dia só tem 24 horas". Mantenha esta idéia em mente quando você estiver decidindo quais dos muitos assuntos que o seu filho irá estudar nos seus anos de escolaridade. Qual a melhor maneira de usar o tempo a cada dia?...

A Transformação da Educação Clássica – Tradução para o português Allan Ribeiro

E não vos conformeis a este mundo, mas transformai-vos pela renovação da vossa mente, para que experimenteis qual seja a boa, agradável, e perfeita vontade de Deus. (Romans 12.2) O Que é Educação Clássica? Educação Clássica é ler Homero e Platão, ou César e Cícero?...

Dez coisas para fazer com os seus filhos antes que eles completem 10 anos – Tradução para o português Allan Ribeiro