TCS Houston employs a Classical educational curriculum. Our course syllabi, class lesson plans, and student assignments reflect this approach. This equips students and prepares them for a lifetime of learning.
Distinctives of the Classical Model at Trinity Classical School
There are six key aspects to how we implement the Classical model at TCS. These are each described in more detail below. 1. We teach each subject using three tools of learning: Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. 2. We teach lessons that combine multiple subjects within each grade level. This is also called "vertical integration." 3. We feature a logical progression of course material and subjects as a student moves up grade levels. This is also called "horizontal integration." 4. We offer Latin and Greek beginning in First Grade. 5. We use a range of distinctly Classical teaching methods in both the on-campus and at-home classrooms. 6. We use Classically-focused content for our reading, texts, and enrichment materials.
We teach each subject using three tools of learning: Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric.
We place emphasis on mastering these tools of learning, not only the traditional subjects. These three tools correspond to the student's natural stages of development so they work "with the grain" to effectively educate the student. The phases of learning used in the classical model at TCS are as follows:
- Grammar. The basic facts or particulars which must be known about the subject. Emphasis is on mastery and memorization of basic facts and figures at an age where children naturally enjoy and absorb information. Examples of this phase could include memorizing the 70 basic phonograms, solving math facts and story problems, memorizing a Grammar of History timeline, studying vocabulary and spelling, and learning Latin. This phase is emphasized in Grades Pre-K through 4.
- Logic. The rules by which those particulars are ordered or governed. Emphasis is on teaching logic at a point where children naturally like to argue anyway, helping them to do so in a well-trained fashion. Examples this phase could include writing to support a thesis, learning algebra and mathematical logic, performing critical analysis of literature, and applying the scientific method. This phase is emphasized in Grades 5 through 8.
- Rhetoric. The expression, synthesis, and application of a subject's grammar and logic. Emphasis is on clarity of expression, at the point where young adults are seeking to define and express themselves. Examples of this phase could include public speaking, and composing in-depth essays. This phase is emphasized in Grades 9 through 12.
Summary of the Three Phases
| |
Grammar Phase |
Logic (Dialectic) Phase |
Rhetoric Phase |
| Grades in this phase |
PreK to 4th |
5th to 8th |
9th to 12th |
| Student's developmental stage. See the Lost Tools of Learning |
Poll-Parrot: children naturally enjoy and absorb information. |
Pert: students enjoy argumentation and finding opposing points of view. |
Poetic: young adults seek to define and express themselves. |
| Emphasis for mastery |
Basic facts and figures. |
Logic and argumentation. |
Clarity of written and verbal expression. |
| Focus of the phase |
The fundamentals of each subject. |
The rules by which the fundamentals are ordered and governed. |
The expression, synthesis, and application of the fundamental grammar and logic. |
We teach lessons that combine multiple subjects within each grade level. Curriculum is aligned vertically within each grade which means that l essons are interrelated and assignments can span more than one subject. For example, as students learn about ancient Egypt, aspects of that culture would relate to a classroom's study of language, history, and science.
We feature a logical progression of course material and subjects as a student moves up grade levels. Currculum is horizontally aligned between grade levels which means that a s students progress from year to year, there is a natural flow and continuity to their studies.
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In Math, students build on material they have learned and review frequently to ensure mastery.
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In Science, the progression is as follows:
Life Science ► Astronomy and Earth Science ► Chemistry ► Physics.
This follows the historical order in which these disciplines were first thoroughly explored and understood.
-
In History, the progression is as follows:
Ancient History ► Medieval History ► Explorers and European History ► Modern History.
This follows the timeline from Creation to the present day. This four-year cycle in History begins in Grade 1 and repeats three times until graduation in Grade 12. Each successive study is in greater depth and builds on the Grammar-Logic-Rhetoric progression.
Illustrative topics, by phase
| |
Grammar Phase |
Logic (Dialectic) Phase |
Rhetoric Phase |
| Math |
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, time, the calendar, money, fractions |
algebra, geometry, logic |
trigonometry, differential and integral calculus, linear algebra |
| Science |
identification, categorization, understanding the primary systems in each discipline |
experimentation, exploration, hypotheses |
investigation, explanation |
| History |
Grammar of History Timeline, geography, historical characters |
constitutional history, contrasting viewpoints, historical motivations |
analysis, global context, original documents |
| Language Arts |
phonograms, English grammar and vocabulary, Latin grammar and vocabulary, spelling, reading for comprehension, handwriting, poetry, memory work, reading for fluency and comprehension, oral recitation |
creating and defending an argument, debate, linguistic syntax, literary analysis, history of language |
literature appreciation, essays, study of other languages, classic literature, public speaking |
We offer Latin beginning in Second Grade
TCS offers Latin as an elective beginning in Second Grade. This serves to accomplish the following:
- Students more quickly acquire advanced English and technical vocabularies.
- Students master the structure and interpretation of an inflected language, which secondarily improves math problem-solving skills.
- Students establish a foundation for study in other Romance Languages such as French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, or Romanian.
TCS also offers an Introduction to Greek Language and Culture in First Grade. Student learn the Greek alphabet, songs with Greek vocabulary, and memorize a scripture verse in Greek.
We use a variety of Classical methods in both the on-campus and at-home classrooms.
Classical methods used in the Grammar Stage - Chants & Rhymes. Students learn the parts of speech and their functions with Shurley English jingles. Students learn the major events of world history by chanting a timeline with hand motions that spans from creation to the modern day.
- Songs & Hymns. Students enjoy singing hymns such as All Creatures of Our God and King and Rock of Ages at Morning Assembly. Students in Song School Greek (First Grade) and Song School Latin (Second Grade) learn songs which teach vocabulary and the alphabets for each language.
- Memorization. Students learn all the sounds associated with the 70 basic English phonograms. Students memorize a collection of poems as part of "Linguistic Development Through Poetry Memorization," a curriculum developed by Andrew Pudewa. Students memorize scripture which is recited at Morning Assembly. Students learn a poem in science which explains the properties of matter. Students use flash cards to learn math facts.
- Presentations and public speaking. Students regularly make presentations and perform recitations in front of their classmates. Our end-of-semester celebration offers students a chance to share what they have learned with their families.
- Role-play. Kindergarten students studying early American history dress for the first Thanksgiving feast and compose a paragraph telling about their character. First Grade students dress as a character from Ancient times and present their persona to their class. Second grade students, studying medieval times and the Renaisance, dress as someone from that period and also create a family crest which reflects their family values.
Classical methods used in the Logic Stage - Formal Logic instruction. Through a course in logic, students learn about deductive and inductive reasoning, fallacies, and argumentation.
- Oral Argumentation. Students learn to present and defend their positions in a face-to-face setting.
- Disputatio. Students formulate questions for their fellow students, and then these questions are used in a round-robin style contest to discover which students have mastered the material.
- Progymnasmata. Students begin to learn the various styles of rhetorical speaking in preparation for their Gymnasmata (see below). This includes exercises in Fable, Narrative, Refutation, Confirmation, Comparison, Impersonation, Description, and Thesis.
Classical methods used in the Rhetoric Stage - Gymnasmata. Students create and perform of complete set of practice orations.
- Public speaking. Students continue to present to their teachers and classmates, incorporating more advanced topics and arguments.
- Extemporaneous speaking. Students have the opportunity to formulate a coherent and well-organized speech about a topic given to them spontaneously.
- Socratic Discussion / Harkness Table. Students are called upon in class are expected to be able to engage with the subject material, express a viewpoint, and be able to offer constructive input to the class discussion.
- Senior Thesis. Each senior student chooses a topic and crafts a thesis incorporating the learning of his or her time at TCS. The thesis is defended orally in front of a panel of judges.
We use Classical content for our reading, texts, and enrichment materials.
The materials chosen for all our classes are well-crafted, purposeful, and timeless; they are not simply what is flashiest, newest, or most heavily promoted by a publisher. Our Language Arts, History, and Reading curricula are based on authors who have written books and texts that are praiseworthy, stimulating, and proven. Our Fine Arts curriculum focuses on artists whose works have endured and have been shown to be excellent and worthy of study.
Additional ReadingThe following resources provide an introduction to the principles of Classical Education:
Wisdom and Eloquence: A Christian Paradigm for Classical Learning by Robert Littlejohn and Charles T. Evans
An Introduction to Classical Education: A Guide for Parents, by Dr. Christopher Perrin
"The Lost Tools of Learning," a six page essay on the value of Classical education by Dorothy Sayers
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning: An Approach to Distinctively Christian Education,
by Douglas Wilson
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