Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #76897 in Books
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 184 pages

Customer Reviews

Finally!
I've been frustrated with the current definitions of 'classical education' for some time. Many have latched on to Dorothy Sayers' essay and its innovative redefinitions of medieval subject areas as phases of learning. The author of this book does a good job explaining the true definitions of classical education and applying this framework to a modern classroom (or homeschool classroom) setting. He also provides a sample schedule from Kindergarten up through 12th grade (so, yes, this book is useful to teachers of younger children as well).

I do not agree with some of his recommendations. For example, like another reviewer, I prefer the _Minimus_ series to Prima Latina and Latina Christiana. Likewise, Campbell suggests Rod and Staff for math, while I prefer Saxon. His specific textbook recommendations, however, are not a fatal flaw. One can use Campbell's suggestions and sample schedule as a guide and then adjust and adapt as necessary.

I highly recommend this book for people interested in a more traditional classical curriculum.

Latin still on the periphery
It is a worthy effort. It relies heavily on Climbing Parnassus, which is a wonderful book, the best apology for the study of Latin and Greek.

Mr. Campbell's failure I think is to really make Latin the center of the curriculum. I have grave reservations for Latina Christiana. More importantly, I have a stern caution regarding Henle's Latin. Students will achieve great success at mastering the grammar of Latin, but will hit a road block if they ever try to read Latin texts. They will not acquire the idiom of Latin, the knack for the language.

Mr. Campbell would do well to look at Sayer's other essay in which she deplored the fact that she studied Latin 20 years but never mastered it. THat is what will happen to those who use Henle.

I recommend speaking Latin and the Oerberg approach. Younger kids need a more natural approach. Anyone serious about making Latin the center of the curriculum really, should read Newman's essay on Elementary Education in "Idea of a University". It is the finest piece Newman ever wrote (or at least out of the three books of his I've read). Newman's essay is online. Caveat: some sections are in Latin, and it is worth reading many times over many years. Also one should look very carefully at Sayer's other essay, especially the reference to Augustine at the end (concerning how and why he never learned Greek). Finally, one should carefully consider Oerberg's Latin books. Kids love then and will learn the idiom (as well as the grammar). Moreover, there is almost no "memorization" of Latin to English words. My 6th grade students are delighted (and much less frustrated than with other texts).

That said, I do admire Campbell's attempt. I would give it more stars but for the cautions named above. Keeping these in mind, I highly recommend it to any homeschoolers intereested in "classical" education.

Et tu?
"A Latin Centered Curriculum is a gift to the learner, to the educator and to everyone in-between. The large stroke ideas have universal appeal and benefit, i.e. the quantum leaps in vocabulary, the spike in SAT scores. The details may be less appealing to some who look for a less structured approach to education. None-the-less, in the "take what you like" buffet A Latin Centered Curriculum has universal appeal. For those who are prepared to work A Latin Centered Curriculum will be at home on your bookshelf.