The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education

In the past, correct spelling, the multiplication tables, the names of the state capitals and the American presidents were basics that all children were taught in school. Today, many children graduate without this essential knowledge. Most curricula today follow a haphazard sampling of topics with a focus on political correctness instead of teaching students how to study. Leigh Bortins, a leading figure in the homeschooling community, is having none of it. She believes that there are core areas of knowledge that are essential to master. Without knowing the multiplication tables, children can't advance to algebra. Without mastery of grammar, students will have difficulty expressing themselves. Without these essential building blocks of knowledge, students may remember information but they will never possess a broad and deep understanding of how the world works. In The Core , Bortins gives parents the tools and methodology to implement a rigorous, thorough, and broad curriculum based on the classical model, including: - Rote memorization to cement knowledge - Systematic learning of geography, historical facts, and timelines - Reading the great books and seminal historical documents instead of adaptations and abridged editions - Rigorous training in math and the natural sciences In the past, correct spelling, the multiplication tables, the names of the state capitals and the American presidents were basics that all children were taught in school. Today, many children graduate without this essential knowledge. Most curricula today follow a haphazard sampling of topics with a focus on political correctness instead of teaching students how to study. The author, a leading figure in the homeschooling community, is having none of it. She believes that there are core areas of knowledge that are essential to master. Without knowing the multiplication tables, children can't advance to algebra. Without mastery of grammar, students will have difficulty expressing themselves. Without these essential building blocks of knowledge, students may remember information but they will never possess a broad and deep understanding of how the world works. In this book, she gives parents the tools and methodology to implement a rigorous, thorough, and broad curriculum based on the classical model, including: (1) Rote memorization to cement knowledge; (2)Systematic learning of geography, historical facts, and timelines; (3) Reading the great books and seminal historical documents instead of adaptations and abridged editions; and (4) Rigorous training in math and the natural sciences. This book is divided into two sections. Section I: The Classical Model, contains: (1) What's Wrong with Education Today?; (2) Why We Need Classical Education; and (3) How Classical Education Can Help You. Section ii: The Core of a Grammatical Education, contains: (1) Reading; (2) Writing; (3) Math; (4) Geography; (5) History; (6) Science; (7) Fine Arts; (8) Schedules and Resources for Classical Education; and (9) Epilogue: How the Classics Give Us Skills We Need as Adults

In the past, correct spelling, the multiplication tables, the names of the state capitals and the American presidents were basics that all children were taught in school. Today, many children graduate without this essential knowledge. Most curricula today follow a haphazard sampling of topics with a focus on  political correctness instead of teaching students how to study. Leigh Bortins, a leading figure in the homeschooling community, is having none of it. She believes that there are core areas of knowledge that are essential to master. Without knowing the multiplication tables, children can’t advance to algebra. Without mastery of grammar, students will have difficulty expressing themselves. Without these essential building blocks of knowledge, students may remember information but they will never possess a broad and deep understanding of how the world works. In this book, Bortins gives parents the tools and methodology to implement a rigorous, thorough, and broad curriculum based on the classical model, including:

• Rote memorization to cement knowledge

• Systematic learning of geography, historical facts, and timelines

• Reading the great books and seminal historical documents

   instead of adaptations and abridged editions

• Rigorous training in math and the natural sciences

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"Children are natural learners, and building a core foundation at an early age is critical to their success both educationally and in life. Yet academic excellence is lacking in many school systems throughout the country. In this book, education expert and author Leigh A. bortins incoroprates the best ideas from the ancients and gives parents the tools to revive classical learning"--Page 4 of cover