Friday, August 23, 2013

Classical Mamas Read - The Well Trained Mind Ch. 15-16

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Welcome back to Classical Mamas Read!  I'm excited to be back here with you today to discuss chapters 15 and 16 of The Well Trained MindIf you want to take a look back at our previous discussions, click the picture above to take you to a list of each chapter we have talked about.

Reading about the logic stage has been very interesting to me.  It's helping me see some of the reasons behind what we are doing now in the grammar stage.  Have those of you with young children read the logic and rhetoric chapters in this book, or did you stop at the end of the grammar stage section?

Here are some of the quotes and ideas that I found interesting and helpful from the two chapters I read for this week.  As always, the book has numerous suggestions for resources, scheduling, etc. that you are going to want to check out for yourself!


Ch. 15 - The Language of Reason: Math (Logic Stage)


During the logic stage, the study of math goes from arithmetic (mathematical operations such as adding, subtracting, dividing, multiplying, and so on) to mathematics (understanding how numbers relate and why). (pg.252)

  • Along with this transition, comes the transition from the mental mode to the symbolic mode.  Remember in the grammar stage, students begin at the manipulative mode (actually moving objects around to solve problems) and move into the mental mode (being able to picture the objects instead of having to touch them).  The dialectic stage is when they transition into the symbolic mode, which is being able to use abstract numbers and symbols without having to picture them.

  • This transition is usually completed in the 5th-6th grades.

  • The authors are pretty adamant about not letting your children use calculators until this transition is complete.


When do you (or will you) let your children begin using calculators?



  • They recommend including practical, everyday math into your studies.


 What are some of your favorite ways to make math applicable for your logic stage student? 



  • 7th-8th grade is when students will begin upper level math such as algebra and geometry.  The authors suggest that upper level math is good for all students, even those not pursuing mathematical fields.  Here are some of the reasons:
 
    • learning to work with unknowns
    • developing analyzing skills
    • strengthening logic skills
    • In a nut shell, it helps students become better THINKERS, which is helpful in all areas of life.


What do you think about higher math for your children who probably won't go into math related fields?



Ch. 16 - Why 1492?  History and Geography (Logic Stage)


  • In the logic stage, students move from merely memorizing events and hearing relatively isolated stories, to connecting the dots between them. 
 
  • They begin to ask questions to discover what the causes and effects are that string history events into one long story.
 
  •  If it isn't already, the logic stage is when history should really become the backbone that ties all of your other subjects together.
 
  • Assemble a history notebook:
    • Time Line (to see how all events relate to one another)
    • Outline (look past the rhetoric and get to the main point of the text)
    • Evaluating Primary Sources (instead of relying on reading other people's evaluations of events)
    • Organize all the information

How does your logic stage time line look different than your grammar stage time line?


Do you add on to your previous timeline or start a new one?

Do you have a family time line, or does each of your children have their own to add to?


  • The Outline - this is the logic stage counterpart to grammar stage narration, the information is just more complex.
 
    • 5th grade - Write a summary sentence for each paragraph (label with Roman numerals)
 
    • 6th grade - Add supporting points under each summary sentence (A and B under the Roman numerals)
 
    • 7th grade - Add sub points under the supporting points (1 and 2 under each A and B)
 
    • 8th grade - same as 7th

  • Don't forget to tie geography into history!

What does your logic stage history look like?  What resources do you use and what do you expect from your child?


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If you don't have the book already, you can look for it at your library or get it on amazon. (The Well Trained Mind)

If you are behind, feel free to still comment on the previous discussions.  If you want to be emailed when someone makes a comment, make sure to click "Subscribe by Email" right under the comment box (right hand side), so you won't miss out on any discussion!


Classical Mamas Read Link-Up


Did you write about these chapters on your blog?  Have you been reading and blogging about another book (for you, not a children's book)?  Do you have a book club going on at your blog (once again, not for a children's book)?  I'd love for you link up here so we can all be encouraged by each other and maybe find another great book to read!

I think I'm going to keep this link-up ongoing since there aren't going to be a huge number of posts and then anyone new will be able to be encouraged by the other book reading ideas and discussions.  If the number of posts gets too large, I will fix it.

Please note, all posts must be on topic (about a book you are reading) and appropriate (think family friendly).


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