classical education at Harvest
For some time now the elders of Harvest Bible Church have been seriously contemplating how to further equip families in our church to raise their children as disciples for the Lord. The foundational importance of a thoroughly biblical, sacred worldview coupled with the increasingly secular and anti-Christ ideologies of our culture have weighed heavily on our elders. We know this has been a great concern for you as well.
As we think strategically about long-term discipleship, our elders have been envisioning the possibility of opening a Classical Christian Elementary School as a ministry of Harvest Bible Church. This type of school would be unique to our region and is attractive not only for its time-tested pedagogical approach but more importantly for its ability to help shape the worldview of our children and further advance our mission of making disciples for God’s glory.
We will not be launching a school for this upcoming school year; however, we would like to offer, starting this fall, several individual classes geared toward elementary aged children in our church. Our hope is that these classes would be an ideal support to parents who are planning to homeschool their children this fall.
Tell Me more about these classes
Vetted Ministry Partners from Harvest, including some of our ministry staff, would teach in their area of expertise a weekly class in-person at Harvest. Most of these classes would be taught using the classical education approach and would be geared toward one or more of the grade levels 1-8 and would focus on subject matter such as: Civics, Science, History, Health & Physical Education, Literacy, Art, Shop, Home Economics, etc.
Interested families would register their children one semester at a time (September to January; February to June) for weekly instruction on Thursday afternoons between 1:30-3:00 PM at the church. Payment would be at a monthly rate of $45 per student per class (depending on the class there may be incidental materials fees).
What is classical Education?
Classical Christian Education is the cultivation of wisdom and virtue by nourishing the soul on truth, goodness and beauty, so that, in Christ, the student is better able to know, glorify and enjoy God.
It is not simply a different curriculum; it is a different approach to education on the whole that helps a child learn how to think and what to do. It is:
Sacred in worldview
Believing that God is the creator of all knowledge and that the world can only be rightly understood within the framework of a Christian worldview.
Integrated in Approach
Meaning that knowledge in different fields is interrelated and best retained when understood as such. For example, a study of a period in history would be combined with a study of works written in that period.
logocentric in methodology
Meaning that study is "language focused; learning is accomplished through words, written and spoken, rather than through images." This develops the mind to work systematically and comprehensively.
Appropriate to Development
The process of training the mind follows the natural development of the child as well as the natural process of learning any new material. This is outlined in the trivium explained below.
The trivium
The trivium is a three-part process of training the mind. Each stage is closely aligned with the natural development and interests of the child as they grow.
The Grammar Stage
(K-Grade 4)
– Cultivating the skill of interpreting symbols (letters)
– Teachers use singing, chanting, repetition of facts
– Early training in language, behaviour, character, and basic skills
– Memorization of facts is fun and exciting for young children
The LOGIC Stage
(Grade 5-9)
– At this age, students are naturally asking “Why?” and pushing back against ideas presented.
– Students are challenged to think more abstractly, debate, analyze, persuade and discuss.
– Lessons are interactive, dynamic and ask students to apply what was learned in the Grammar stage.
The Rhetoric Stage
(Grade 10-12)
– Students take their foundational skills (Grammar), coupled with their ability to think and reason (Logic) and begin to solve difficult problems in the community around them.
– Students now can launch their worldview as fully informed and educated people with a purpose for the Lord.
Additional Resources
Interested in reading more comprehensively about Classical Christian Education? Here are some helpful resources to get started:
The Case for Classical Christian Education Book by Douglas Wilson
What is Classical Education? Article by Susan Wise Bauer
What is Classical Education? Article by CiRCE INSTITUTE
What is Classical Christian Education Article by Association of Classical Christian Schools
CLASSES OFFERED FALL 2020
Classes will run once weekly on Thursdays from 1:30-3:00 PM from September 17, 2020 to January 28, 2021 with a 2 week break for Christmas.
Grade 1-2 Woodcraft and Building Techniques
In this class students will be introduced to the art of woodworking while developing complementary skills of basic mathematics, physics, and wood science.
Grade 3-4 Ancient History – Creation to Christ
In this class students will study and interact with the major events of world history from Creation until the time of Christ, with a view to better understanding God’s redemptive work in the ancient world.
Grade 4-5 The Arts of Literacy
In this class students will work through novels and short stories in order to develop in the arts of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Grade 6-8 The Duties and Privileges of Canadian Citizenship
In this class students will study the foundational documents, structure of government, and the duties of a Christian in relationship to Canadian society.