Academics:

 

Curriculum Goals

 

At the core of the grammar curriculum is Arithmetic, Bible and History, Classical Languages (Greek and Latin), and English. Emphasis is on mastery of the material by memorization and a fundamental understanding of how the subjects relate both to Christ and His Word and to one another. God has given us Truth in the form of the written word and commanded us to preach and teach all nations. Education must emphasize reading and writing to prepare students to fulfill Christ’s command as well as to contribute positively to our society. Therefore, courses promote mastery of the symbols and rules of arithmetic and language and its expression in verbal and written form.

In Arithmetic, emphasis in the early grades is placed on 1) math facts and 2) manipulation of these facts. Mastery of math facts involves extensive practice in both repetition and speed. Applying these facts to real world problems of time and measurements is equally stressed. Students are also shown the connection of mathematics to history primarily by biographical study of great mathematicians. In the Dialectic and Rhetoric stages, intermediate and then progressively advanced mathematics are introduced. >/p>

Bible, History and Literature are taught together chronologically (up to the second grade) to emphasize Christ’s dominion over historical events, to relate Biblical events to the eras in which they took place, and to help students see the redemptive plan of God working its way from ancient through modern times. Memorization of Scripture and the historic summaries of sound Christian teachings is accomplished by memorization of Bible passages in English and Latin and/or Greek, by recitation in song or chant, and by catechism instruction. Catechisms are simple summaries of primary teaching of Scripture in the form of brief question and answer sessions. In the dialectic stage, students begin their systematic reading of the Great Books of Western Civilization as part of their history and literature studies. In the rhetoric stage, students are ready for omnibus studies.

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