Teaching the Trivium: Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style

One of the most comprehensive books available on the homeschooling classical education model, the Bluedorns offer a workable plan for every age and subject based on the trivium of grammar, logic and rhetoric. Beginning with who should control eduction--parents or the state--and the basics of classical education, we are treated to both principles and practical advice. Chapters on teaching languages, literature, approaches to homeschooling, extensive suggestions for various age levels, Scripture, and preparation for adulthood provides the information one would need to make an informed decision about classical education. 635 pages, softcover.

The Bluedorns have a family vision. They are pro-homeschool and believe that "the family is at the heart of God’s plan for restoring Christian culture." Their high ideals of teaching by way of the classical model of the trivium require careful study, yet they make this style of education sound so doable, so appealing, even homey.

All three stages of the trivium (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) are explained. Then the Bluedorns answer "how-to-do-it" questions they have received over the years, relating their experience with their own children. Their interpretation of classical education shares similarities with the Charlotte Mason philosophy. For instance, good books and narration are essential to both. Although the Bluedorns (who first met in college Greek class) encourage us to make the teaching of Greek and Latin a priority in the elementary grades, they are not, on the whole, advocates for early formal academics. On the contrary, they suggest we delay teaching "formal" math and are in favor of "informal" math and English grammar until the age of 10, which is in keeping with Miss Mason’s advice.

If you’re like me and teaching Greek and Latin is not your preference, you won’t want to miss the other riches the Bluedorns have to offer. You will glean useful ideas for teaching a range of other subjects to children of all ages. 637 pages, softcover from Trivium Pursuit.

—Karen

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Reviewed by Dena Wood (Waitsburg, WA), March 06, 2007

As a former Valedictorian with a relatively positive public school experience people are often surprised to learn of my choice to homeschool, especially since my faith was not a factor when I made that decision. My reasons hinged on the fact that, though I got excellent grades, I knew and understood very little that I could apply practically. I was skilled at memorization and test-taking, making me a “success”. Harvey & Laurie Bluedorn’s Teaching the Trivium focuses on this very concern. “How can you give your children the tools they need to teach themselves? Long ago students were first taught how to learn. Today, students are taught an encyclopedia of subjects – trivia – but they are not taught the basic skills of learning: to discover, to reason, and to apply. They are not taught the Trivium.” ~Bluedorn Teaching the Trivium is 640 pages explaining the “whys” as well as the “hows” of educating your child Classically without compromising your Christian principles. You’ll find schedules, courses of study, principles for teaching literature and much more. If you desire to raise Godly children who are able to teach themselves anything: to discover, to reason , to apply – then this book is a must-read. Whether you’re sold on Classical Education or not you’ll find much to consider and apply.

Reviewed by Kris (Forest Lake, Minnesota), February 22, 2006

What the Bluedorn’s have spent years researching and perfecting, we simply receive as a blessing from the Lord! Teaching the Trivium did not bring me complexity and stress but FREEDOM! Freedom to take ownership of teaching my children! Freedom and confidence because it is bathed in scripture! And we can always be confident in the Word of God. Like a cool glass of water on a hot summer day – Teaching the Trivium gets to the reality and practicality of Christ-centered Classical Education. It will nourish your tired researching soul and fill you with joy as you are bathed in scripture and guided through the process of teaching your children. Teaching the Trivium is first and most importantly a Christ-centered approach to teaching our children at home. Second it reveals the importance of the classical approach of learning. Finally it encourages you through a laid back approach of teaching to: keep the critical subjects at the forefront. As if this is not enough for all of us who are buried under piles of dead end research, Teaching the Trivium also discerns what the appropriate age is to train our wonderful children. By the end of the first several chapters you will be able to delight in the adventure of homeschooling. I am reminded each time I pick up Teaching the Trivium how the Lord has for years brought pioneers like the Bluedorns ahead of us to pave the way and pass on their delight in training and instructing. Our life has been so blessed in this short while we have had access to the Bluedorn’s material. We have recommended it to every one we know, so we wanted to take this opportunity to recommend it to everyone else!

Reviewed by Jill (Kansas), February 11, 2006

I’m so pleased to find Christian authors who have intelligent minds and use them without relying on a lot of Christian lingo to get their point across. The Bluedorns believe that educating our children is a mandate of God. They spend an entire chapter of this expounding, arguing and providing proof for this argument. That chapter alone is worth the price of the book. I found it so thought provoking that I often read portions aloud to my husband and we had many interesting discussions based on this. The Bluedorns continue with a systematic approach for teaching our children in a manner that glorifies and honors God. They show us how to teach our children to not only love God with their whole heart and soul but also with their whole MIND. There are chapters devoted to helping parents to use the Trivium with other methods such as Charlotte Mason as well as a discussion of some methods that do not fit well with the Trivium such as Unschooling. These chapters contain discussions and explanations of each method. This would be very valuable for those approaching educating their child for the first time as they investigate what method they will use. Part two of the book is titled “The Practical Trivium” and contains valuable, hands on information for how to teach your child. All areas of study and ages are covered. Finally lists of specific resources and where you can obtain them are given. This is the part that I turn to again and again. The information here is extensive and exhaustive. The explanations and reasons are clear and easy to understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone who home educates their child. The information is intelligent and thought provoking. You will come away well educated on the subject of homeschooling in addition to having valuable tools for carrying out homeschooling.

Reviewed by Rachel Thomson (Ontario, Canada), October 10, 2005

According to Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn, Trivium is the way God created us to learn. Claiming that "If we ever learned anything, then we learned it by the Trivium method--whether we knew it or not," the Bluedorns lay down detailed theories and plans for deliberately teaching by the Trivium, the ancient method by which mankind learns to learn. Though it is emphasised that Trivium is not a list of subjects but a way of learning, the book does give a great deal of time to classical subjects such as formal logic, ancient languages, and literature. Various educational practices are resurrected from the past and reintroduced to homeschooling families: copywork and narration, oratory and debate. The book features plenty of practical helps and curriculum recommendations, making every subject accessible. Because of the great volume of information in this book, I recommend that parents make good use of the detailed Table of Contents. "Teaching the Trivium,"is anything but an objective look at a system of learning. It is heavily infused with the Bluedorns' worldview, which makes it a valuable resource for anyone wondering how homeschooling fits into Scriptural commands, how to tackle subjects from a strongly Christian perspective, or how classical education, generally thought of as pagan in origin, can be reconciled with the gospel (quite easily, the book claims--Trivium was God's idea, not man's, and we were created to learn by it). Whether or not readers agree with every point in the book, they will find themselves challenged and their understanding of education enriched.

Reviewed by K. Davis (Rochester, N.Y.), September 12, 2005

How do you evaluate the success of your home school? Is it by awards, SAT scores, college acceptance, scholarships, or winning the local spelling bee or art contest? Sure, those are measurements of success, but beyond those tangible rewards, it’s seeing first hand the fruits of your labor; watching your children take what you’ve taught them and run with it. It’s seeing them use the tools they need to teach themselves. They discover. They reason. They apply. That’s the trivium. Teaching the Trivium is an outstanding resource that explains what Christian homeschooling in a classical approach is, and models how it’s done. Using her 20 years of experience, Laurie Bluedorn’s own successful, talented (now adult) children are testimony to the success of her use of this approach to homeschool education, and serve as encouraging role models for those of us with growing children. Part one of the book explains what classical education is; giving a good argument for why home is better than a classical classroom setting, and provides the what is/how to of teaching grammar, logic and rhetoric. Part two explores the practical trivium, breaking the application into the developmental stages of your child up to college age. You’ll find everything you need to teach the trivium, such as suggested schedules, course of studies, and a great chapter on principles for the study of literature. The appendix has very helpful articles including a comparison of ancient alphabets, and the history and research on the teaching of math. Whether you’re new to the classical style of teaching, or have been doing it from the start, there is something for every homeschooling family in Teaching the Trivium. This phenomenal resource is one of those books you will be reading and re-reading over and over again. Don’t wait for it to show up at a used curriculum sale-I can’t imagine anyone parting with it.

Reviewed by Clara (Miami), May 03, 2005

I consider Teaching The Trivium one of the few “must have” books regarding home education. The Bluedorns have done an excellent job of providing a work that is not only a “great read” but a practical resource to return to throughout the years. Teaching The Trivium is written in an approachable and engaging style. My favorite sections are when the Bluedorns address questions sent to them from various home educators collected over the years. I often read questions that had never occurred to me to ask. Within the pages of Teaching The Trivium the novice will find a godly and fruitful definition of education to consider. The veteran will find ample biblical insights to ponder as well as encouragement to press in.

Reviewed by Kelly (Warrensburg, Missouri), February 04, 2005

If there were 10 stars I would give them to this book. As a homeschool graduate myself and a homeschooling parent of 4 (so far) I have been so blessed by this book! In a nutshell, if you are searching for high-standards for your homeschool but want it to be Biblically based at the same time... this is the method for you. Woven in it's pages is a wealth of information from when to begin to teach phonics to choosing a foreign language and Greek/Latin study. NOT the typical "classical-education-snob" book either. This book has ended my search for a balanced, high standard, biblical guide for our homeschool.

Reviewed by N. Findley (Washington), January 06, 2005

I love this book! I have read through it several times and still learn things each time I read it! It encourages me not to be persuaded by popular methods of educating. It contains a lot of helpful information.

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