Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum: Guide to Catholic Home Education

By Laura M. Berquist

Book Overview

Home educator Laura Berquist presents a modern curriculum based on the time-tested philosophy of the classical Trivium�grammar, logic and rhetoric. She has given homeschoolers a valuable tool for putting together a liberal arts curriculum that feeds the soul, as well as the intellect. Her approach, covering grades K - 12, is detailed and practical, and it is adaptable by parents and teachers to any situation.

This third revised edition includes a much expanded section for a high school curriculum, and an updated list of resources for all grades.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0898706602
• ISBN13: 9780898706604
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Ignatius Press
• Length: 269 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

This is what homeschooling is about!

Generally, we choose non fiction books that present perspectives similar to those we already hold. This was the case for me when I bought Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum. I knew that the author was a respected educator, with a solid Catholic background. What I didn't know at the time was just what "classical curriculum" entailed. This was one of those books that opened my mind. At first, reading her recommendations to focus on classical material made me uneasy. It didn't seem relevant to modern education. As I continued through the book, however, two things struck me: first, that classical education is far more relevant than my first instinct had told me. Second, Berquist's ideas are helpful in much more substantial ways than curriculum suggestions. More than simply a reading list or a pre-designed curriculum, the book offers guidelines and ideas for how to develop your own educational approach. Whether or not you use her classical material recommendations, her ideas can give you solid assistance in planning a syllabus and schedule that conforms to your family's abilities, scheduling needs, and educational objectives. The "classical" suggestions are the bonus.Whether or not you plan to use a mostly classical approach, this book is worth reading and re-reading at curriculum planning time.

Truly outstanding advice

Although the bulk of the text is devoted to curriculum suggestions, which can be easily found elsewhere, the resource lists will be very helpful to any homeschool family, Catholic or not. Yet it is the introduction that I found most helpful in solidifying my concept of the philosophy of Classical Education in general, and homeschooling in particular. One caution however. The book includes an article on what NOT to do in an appendix at the end. This really should have followed immediately after the introduction since the advice is very important. I am sure that some readers will inadvertently miss this treasure, and that is a shame.

A great resource for those interested in classical eduaction

Laura Berquist's Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum is a great resource for homeschooling families interested in classical education. Laura describes in detail what classical education is and its many benefits. She then sets up a pratical plan for implementing this method, giving grade by grade (K-12) suggestions for subject matter and curriculum. Although this book is written from a Catholic perspective, all faiths can benefit from the practical information given.

An easy to follow guide with an extensive list of resources

After making the decision to homeschool my children, it was time to decide WHAT to teach my children and what MATERIALS to use. I found myself adrift in a sea of glossy textbook catalogs and contradicting recommendations from other homeschooling parents. Then Ms. Berquist's simplistic title caught my eye. She offers a method of teaching that makes perfect sense to me, and she breaks down the formidable task of home education into grade-by-grade, subject-by-subject guidelines. In addition, she has compiled an impressive list of educational resources. As I read, I found myself flipping back to the list of suppliers to make yet another note of a "must-have" book. An added bonus is that I feel confident that her recommendations are "Catholic-friendly," since many homeschool suppliers offer Christian materials that are biased against or not in accord with Catholic teaching.Her book is the perfect tool for someone like me, who wants to home educate but doesn't know how or where to start.