The Grammar Stage - Homeschool Update - 02/2008

When we started home school in August of last year, I planned to use the Trivium Method with my two oldest children (then ages 5 and 3). I think we did a fairly good job of it. We were not really strict with any particular curriculum but did, follow the first stage of the trivium on most days.

The following are the 10 things that are suggested for focus, From Birth through Age 10. This period of time they are in what's called the Early Grammar Stage or Knowledge Level.

1. Reading and Writing
I've been really pleased with Kitty's progress with reading and writing. In the last couple of months she has blossomed in her interest of reading and asks all the time, whether she can read her favorite books, along with new books.
The Pupster has amazed me as well. He tells us all the time, the words that he knows how to spell and he's constantly putting together new words (or non-words) with his letter blocks or letter puzzle pieces.

We've used a combination of TATRAS and the McGuffey readers for phonics.

For copywork, they have practiced copying the days of the week, months of the year, their name and birthdate, and memory verses.

2. Oral Narration
This is one of my favorite parts. We've read lots of books and ventured into some of the longer unabridged stories as well. They have most enjoyed the missionary novels which are included in the My Father's World Curriculum. The one we're reading currently, is David Livingstone - who was an amazing missionary to South Africa. It's exciting to hear them narrate the stories back and hear them mention details in the story that I had even forgotten! They also narrate short stories and fables (like Aesop's fables).

3. Memorization
For memorization, we've focused on Greek Alphabet, Catechism, Weekly Memory Verses and Passages, Poetry, and a new mantra that we just came up with. That helps them review rules of the house, conduct when outside the house, in worship service, and instills in them WHO WE ARE AS A FAMILY.

4. Hearing and Listening
For their ages, this goes along with narration, since I read the majority of the stories they have to narrate. They have grown tremendously so far this year, in this area. I remember hearing Laurie Bluedorn say that she allowed her children to have things in their hands while they listened and I thought that was a little weird. I thought it best to have them sit completely still and look at me while I read. But I've been surprised to see them write or play with a block or action figure while I read and were still able to narrate details of the story to me. After I saw that I relaxed. They are now able to sit through entire chapters of books (like the missionary novels).

5. Family Worship
We're growing into this and it's a sweet period of growth. I read recently that you can't expect children to learn proper behavior in worship service, if the only time you train them is IN worship service. We don't have a worship service every morning or evening at home but we are committed to at least having it one evening a week and we're adding on from there. Through this time we're teaching them the meaning of each aspect of service (worship, prayer, communion, offering, and sermon). It also helps them to see Mommy and Daddy enter into God's presence and learn to respect that by being quiet and reflecting on the Lord for themselves.

This is also a time where we can either teach them new principles, review things we've taught them in the past, or review lessons that were taught in worship service by the Pastor.

6. Arts and Crafts
One of the kids' favorite parts of home school and one that has, lately, been freeing for me. Now that they are getting to the point that they can be trusted to work together while I'm not in the room (without causing a big raucous), I can give them washable markers and drawing paper, or kid scissors and construction paper and let them work. This is what I do when I don't have a planned art project for them to do. It's definitely been the case the last couple of days, as my activity level is decreasing. They come up with the most beautiful and imaginative drawings and other creations!

7. Field Trips
We did more of these during the beginning of the year when the weather was nicer. I'm not much for getting out in the cold. They've enjoyed the ones we have taken, though. Including the Zoo, The Wildlife Park, The Science Place, Steinberg Piano, to name a few.

8. Work and Service
I think I could stand to do much better in this area. I've focused on work ethic at home but not so much outside the home. We've taken a few trips to visit relatives who are home bound, and made cards for some of them but we need to up our efforts in this area. Regarding work in the home, I have to hand it to them, that through a few reward systems and us adhering to the advice of "punishing every act of disobedience" they have improved by leaps and bounds in this area!

9. Discipline
Similar to the section on Work and Service, I believe the fact that we are the ones administering the training and discipline for them almost 100% of the time, instead of outside teachers, our children have come a long way!!! If you had seen them a year ago, you might agree. We're still working on it though because I know it's a long term process, just like our own obedience to the Father.

10. Play and Exploration

This area is the most natural for our children, like most. As long as their behavior is under control and the proper tone and expectations have been set for the day, we can allow them lots of free time for this. It's fun to see the things they come up with too! Just a couple of nights ago, they had all their animals lined up and they took them to church. They conducted the church service, discussed behavior with their "children" and The Pupster shared with them the Gospel Message! So so sweet!!!


The next two stages we plan to follow, according to the trivium, are
- The Understanding Level (or Logic Stage) and
- The Wisdom Level (or Rhetoric Stage)

For more information on Teaching the Trivium see the Bluedorn's Website and also below is some information I posted previously from these wise homeschool parents.

Thoughts from the Bluedorns

I took these notes from their audio seminar entitled, A Less Hurried Approach to Homeschooling.

In the early years give your children the following
- Brain-appropriate challenges

Focus on self-management and self-control

Do not focus on force-feeding academics

They need foundational things like:
- Honoring God and parents
- Developing the capacity for language
- Appetite for learning
- Encouraging creativity
- Developing the memory
- Work and service

Academics need to built on a foundation of moral character

Build a larger store of categories of thought

Don't focus too much on academics first

They need to develop:
- proper behavior
- moral outlook
- service for others
- household management chores

Focus on special projects. These promote diligence, perseverance, attention to detail and the like.

Instill a love of learning!

The best quote!
"If you build too hastily on the building, skimping on the foundation, the building may sag and lean and parts may fall, as the foundation sinks or crumbles underneath it."
-- Harvey Bluedorn