The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education

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Item #:	022747
ISBN:	9780230100350
Grades:	AD

Product Description:

Perhaps you think you know what “classical” education is all about. It doesn’t take much “googling” to come up with the trivium and a few key authors. However, Leigh Bortins proves that there can be many ways to skin the proverbial cat. In this highly readable book she tells us what is wrong with American education, what our model and ideals should be and then, subject-by-subject she outlines a plan. It’s a workable plan, not necessarily easy to implement (it will take diligence and consistency) but definitely do-able. One can easily see both the potential of her methodology and the means by which it is accomplished.

Classical Conversations (the community-based, one-day-a-week, classical homeschooling option the author co-founded) is attracting homeschoolers eager to implement her ideas. In this book she tells us how to incorporate classical study into daily routines involving the entire family. The goal is a strong foundation so the focus of the early elementary years is fact acquisition (aka memorization) but done so by incorporating mnemonic devices, chants/songs, and consistency for both parents and children.

Maybe you need to be convinced that this is the direction you want to go. Maybe you need a road map to help take you there. Maybe you just want to know that others are following a similar path. It’s in here! 238 pgs, pb. ~ Janice

Publisher Description:

In the past, correct spelling, the multiplication tables, the names of the state capitals and the American presidents were basics that all children were taught in school. Today, many children graduate without this essential knowledge. Most curricula today follow a haphazard sampling of topics with a focus on political correctness instead of teaching students how to study. Leigh Bortins, a leading figure in the homeschooling community, is having none of it. She believes that there are core areas of knowledge that are essential to master. Without knowing the multiplication tables, children can't advance to algebra. Without mastery of grammar, students will have difficulty expressing themselves. Without these essential building blocks of knowledge, students may remember information but they will never possess a broad and deep understanding of how the world works. In The Core, Bortins gives parents the tools and methodology to implement a rigorous, thorough, and broad curriculum based on the classical model, including:

Rote memorization to cement knowledge
Systematic learning of geography, historical facts, and timelines
Reading the great books and seminal historical documents instead of adaptations and abridged editions
Rigorous training in math and the natural sciences

Category Description for Classical Acts & Facts Cards:

The Acts and Facts cards are 5”x 8” laminated light cardstock with rounded corners. The front of each card has a full-color depiction, while the back features written information. Each card, regardless of topic, has some iconic features. These include a small world map that shows the location and a timeline that illustrates the time period of the card’s feature. Each card also has notations showing the link to the Foundations Guide. Cards are in cycle-related sets for Artists/Composers, History, and Science.

Category Description for Classical Conversations™ Curriculum Resources:

Classical Conversations™ is an international organization with local communities and memberships, weaving a classical educational methodology with a Christian worldview. Their well-organized PK-12 scope and sequence is divided into three Cycles with three basic age/grade focus levels (Foundations, Essentials, and Challenge) each covering the same historical/geographical periods in any given year. While not their main instructional materials (Guides), we carry these reference, review, and reinforcement products that can be used by those in Classical Conversations™ as well as anyone who wants a useful tool in a particular subject.

Primary Subject

Home School Helps

Grade

ISBN

9780230100350

Author

Leigh A. Bortins

Format

Softcover Book

Brand Name

Macmillan

Weight

0.5 (lbs.)

Dimensions

8.5" x 5.5" x 0.5"

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Why did you choose this?

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I purchased The Conversation thinking I could start classical education with my older kids. Now I understand I need to go back and start with The Core. I'm also reading Liberal Arts Tradition: Philosophy of Christian Classical Education, but appreciate the encouragement and vignettes in Leigh Bortins' book. It's useful even though we don't participate in Classical Conversations. I borrowed this book from a Christian library and decided to buy a copy since there are great nuggets to revisit.

User on Apr 27, 2022

It was a decent price and goes with our curriculum.

Myra G on Oct 18, 2015

User on Apr 27, 2022

I'm starting to homeschool with no homeschool background. I'm hoping this will be a good resource for me on the endeavor.

Brittany L on Mar 31, 2017

It was a decent price and goes with our curriculum.

Myra G on Oct 18, 2015

I'm starting to homeschool with no homeschool background. I'm hoping this will be a good resource for me on the endeavor.

Brittany L on Mar 31, 2017

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I purchased this book for two reasons: 1 I was looking for a basic overview of classical education for a parent's resource group I facilitate 2 I wanted to find out what all the hype was about in regard to Leigh Bortins and her "Classical Conversations" curriculumIn her book "The Core " Leigh Bortins the CEO of "Classical Conversations" and host of the internet radio show "Leigh! at Lunch" gives you at "tool box" approach to classical educationIn the first part of "The Core" she gives her articulation of "What's Wrong with Education Today? Why We Need Classical Education and How Classical Education Can Help You" In the second part of her book she takes the basic elements of classical education: reading writing math geography history science and fine arts and gives you a "tool box" approach of how to implement the philosophy of classical education The "tool box" approach allows you to take a tool from the box read the description of the tool and learn how the tool fits into the method why it is important to the method and how to use the tool The book is simplistic in presentation but effective in application The book also contains chapters on "Schedules and Resources for Classical Education and How Classical Education Gives Us Skills We Needs as Adults" The author presents her material from a "Christian" perspectiveThe only negative comment I have about the book is the author's ongoing advertisement for her curriculum "Classical Conversations" I found the advertisements to be more of a distraction than a contribution to the context of the book itselfI would encourage any parent who is seriously pursuing classical education to read Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer's classic "The Well Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home" "The Well Trained Mind" is a comprehensive overview and resource for providing your child with a classical education at home