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The Classical Model

Overview
TCS Houston employs a Classical educational curriculum. Our course syllabi, class lesson plans, and student assignments reflect this approach which equips students and prepares them for a lifetime of learning. 


Distinctives of the Classical Model at Trinity Classical School
Each subject is taught 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 PreK 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. 


Curriculum is aligned vertically within each grade.
Lessons 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.

Currculum is horizontally aligned between grade levels.
As students progress from year to year, there is a natural progression and continuity to their studies. 
  • In Math, students build on material they have learned and review frequently to ensure mastery. 
  • 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


Latin is available beginning in Grade 1 
TCS offers Latin as an elective beginning in Grade 1. 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.

Additional Reading
The following resources provide an introduction to the principles of Classical Education:

Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning: An Approach to Distinctively Christian Education
by Douglas Wilson

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