Classical Mamas Read - The Well Trained Mind Ch. 17-18

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Welcome back to Classical Mamas Read!  I'm excited to be back here with you today to discuss chapters 17 and 18 of The Well Trained Mind.  If 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.

Today we are going to be talking about Logic stage English and Science.  While I highlight the main points in the chapters, and bring up questions as well as things that are interesting to me, I can't recommend to you enough to get the book for yourself.  It is over 800 pages and is filled with details and recommendations that I cannot even begin to touch on here!

Ch. 17 - Thinking Straight: Spelling, Grammar, Reading, and Writing (logic stage)

 

• In the logic stage, students shift from simply absorbing facts to having to analyze them.

• Similarly, instead of just memorizing the rules, they will start to see how language fits together.

Grammar Stage -----> Logic Stage

Spelling -----> Word Study

Grammar -----> How parts of speech are put together

Reading -----> The why and the how of the story

Writing -----> Longer writing, essays, and good stories

• Spelling

•  Begin teaching them the roots of words.

• Grammar

• Learn to diagram

 

Diagramming prevents the child from simply parroting back rules that she doesn't fully understand.   (pg. 340)

The study of grammar has as its goal the creation of a clear, persuasive, forceful, fully equipped speaker and writer.   (pg. 340)

What grammar resources and curriculum do you use to teach your logic stage student?

• Align your students extra reading with what they are learning in history.

• Create narration pages and book reports.

•  Increase the reading of primary sources.

• Read the book yourself so you can discuss it with your child.

• Have your child memorize a few poems or passages from their reading each year.

Do you use a separate writing program?  If so, what is it?

Ch. 18 - Making Deductions: Science (logic stage)

• The logic student takes their grammar stage science discoveries to the next level.

{Your goal in the logic stage} is to teach the young student to think critically about doing science. (pg. 383)

• You will guide your child in the scientific method:

1.  State the question.
2. Form a hypothesis.
3. Test the hypothesis through experimentation.
4. Draw conclusions.

• After the experiment, your child should record their findings and then read more about them.

• They recommend spending an hour and a half on science two days a week.

• Day 1: Reading about the topic, experimentation, and recording the results.
• Day 2: Making a report, recording dates, and making a sketch.

• They recommend keeping all of this info in a notebook (look in the book for much more detail about this). 

•  Don't forget to take field trips!

Do you follow a certain curriculum for science?

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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).