What does science look like for the classical educator? {Episode 25}

Normally when one thinks of classical education for homeschool, they equate it with literature, Latin, and history rich studies. Science is often seen as an afterthought or as a weak, book-centered addition to typically rigorous curriculum plan.

In this episode of the Tips for Homeschool Science Show, I am going to share with you all what I believe solid science plan should look like for the classical educator!

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The Highlights

What is classical education?

Classical education, in a nutshell, is an educational model that focuses on teaching the students to think critically as well as training them to be familiar with how to learn.

In each stage, you are teaching to the student’s strengths and working on building the skills that will become assets in the next stage.

How does homeschool science fit into the classical education model?

Science is taught like any other subject in the classical education model.

• In the grammar stage, you are working on sharing basic information.
• In the logic stage, you are building on the foundation by asking why things are the way they are.
• In the rhetoric stage, you are analyzing what you know and learning how to apply it to what you don’t know.

For science, The Well-Trained Mind suggests that you do this by following a four-year cycle, with each year focusing on a different field of science.

Then you rinse and repeat, digging deeper into each discipline as you progress through the stages. 

What does a rigorous science curriculum look like?

At its core, a rigorous science curriculum needs to contain the three keys to teaching science.

On top of that, a rigorous science education will start early and build upon itself throughout the years.

How does classical science fit the bill?

You focus on the different skills of the subject that are appropriate for each stage while seeking to build their knowledge base at each level.

• In the grammar stage, you are working on sharing the basics of science.
• In the logic stage, you are building on that foundation by asking why things are the way they are.
• In the rhetoric stage, you are analyzing the principles you know and learning how to apply them to an unknown situation.

At each stage, you are including both hands-on applications, knowledge-building facts, and keeping a record of what the student is learning.

As classical homeschoolers, we can attune the foundational components to create a rigorous science education plan for our students.

Classical science does not follow the typical state standards in order. That said, if you complete the cycle, you will cover all the same topics plus a bit more.

Additional Resources

To learn more about science in classical education, check out the following:

• Classical science curriculum for the grammar stage student
• Classical science curriculum for the logic stage student
• Classical science curriculum for the rhetoric stage student
• The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education
• The Three Keys to Teaching Science

Want to make teaching classical science easy? We offer a full line of science programs for the classical educator!