Curriculum | CMA
Knowledge needs to be learned. These subjects are our focus.
To understand our educational approach please read the sections
How we teach the Trivium
To teach the Trivium some content must be used. The State of Illinois, which we are governed by, states by law (which makes me question who has control over my children in the USA) the following
"Illinois requires you to provide an “adequate course of instruction” to your child covering the following branches of education:
- Language arts
- Math
- Biological and physical sciences
- Social sciences
- Fine arts
- Physical development and health
The State Board of Education treats biological and physical science as one combined branch of instruction, and physical development and health as another combined branch."
So what does this mean for our family? We teach what you see below.
History
History is the result of choices humans have made throughout time. Good, bad and indifferent are judgements not facts made about history. Many stories about history exist and extracting the truth out of these stories is difficult. Our family studies it from many different angles. We read, we discuss, we travel then repeat. History has one truth and many opinions, finding the truth is our goal.
English
This should be called communication. This section is a collection of many different disciplines into one. Reading, writing, spelling, literature, grammar and speaking are just some of these. Each skill is broken into smaller more understandable pieces. Communication in any language is not natural it must be learned.
"NON SCHOLAE SED
VITAE DISCIMUS"
Latin
Latin is a foundation of our society. 90% of our two syllable words have Greek or Latin origin. Many highly skilled fields, for instance, law, medicine, and science use Latin terms. Latin is an inflected language and helps with all Romance Languages. Studying Latin expands knowledge and understanding of our own language. The grammar is very strict, ordered and follows rules, latin teaches the importance of these concepts.
Latin is a highly organized language and like math sharpens and expands the mind. It creates mental alertness to help with problem solving. Translating Latin develops concept based thinking. Latin introduces great thinkers like Cicero, Plato, and Aristotle to a child's mind. Latin shows a child history holds important knowledge worth learning and learning it will increase the tools available to provide happiness in life.
Arithmetic & Mathematics
Arithmetic is the study of numbers, vocabulary, shapes and measurement, the grammar of Math. Mathematics is the language of thought. It teaches pure method. Arithmetic teaches the child to know facts and problem solve wrong answers. Mathematics teach higher level thinking.
Science
Science is observing our universe with the 5 senses, measuring and understanding it through laws. This is a child's first chance to apply their newly learned tools to understand nature and the world they live in. Math, English, Latin, History and Logic will all be used to understand the laws of science. A child learns, by testing facts, Nature's Laws and Cause and Effect. Through this study they come to know that our world is knowable and understandable. This is another building block of self confidence and self esteem.
Logic
Logic is the science of thinking. And I wish it were that simple. This is not the same as the second phase of the Trivium and yet is an integral part of it. Logic is learning to think and trusting ones own thoughts. It cannot be taught. Ideas can be presented but to be learned a child must go through the thinking process. It is broken into Formal and Informal Logic. I still do a tremendous amount of reading on this subject working out different ways to present this subject. At an elementary age math and science can be used to teach logic skills. As a child develops into their middle elementary and high school age, Formal and Informal Logic can be introduced.
