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The Latin-Centered Curriculum | 
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Buy New: $15.60
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Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 439859
Media: Paperback
Pages: 184
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 6 x 0.6
ISBN: 1930953712
Dewey Decimal Number: 371
EAN: 9781930953710
ASIN: 1930953712
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Book Description
Andrew Campbell's new book, The Latin Centered Curriculum, gives teachers and parents an interesting and easy to read guide explaining classical education, how it came about, and who its major exponents are. In addition to a useful scope and sequence for how a Latin-centered classical education can be accomplished in a home or private school, Campbell explains why the central principle behind classical education is the study of Latin and Greek. Campbell provides a short history of the modern classical movement, examines the predominant role of Latin in a classical education, and explains how the other pieces of the classical curriculum fit together. He provides the practical application to Tracy Lee Simmons' statement that a "Classical education is a curriculum grounded upon Greek, Latin, and the study of the civilization from which they arose." In addition to chapters on Latin, Greek, and logic, Campbell covers the various content areas of classical education, such as English Studies, Classical Studies, Christian and Modern Studies, with sections on arithmetic, science, and mathematics. But this is far from a purely theoretical book. In a chapter entitled, "Scope and Sequence," he gives a practical overview of what a Latin-based classical curriculum looks like from Kindergarten to 12th grade. With helpful charts and explanations, this book constitutes a manual for the Christian educator who wants a complete understanding of what is involved in a classical education. The most important section in the book, may well be the chapter titled "Multum non Multa." This is the principle sometimes expressed by the maxim, "Less is more." It is the idea that, rather than throwing multiple subjects at students and burying them under a mountain of unconnected disciplines, educators should instead employ an integrated focus on a few important core disciplines and related subject areas. The best education, Campbell points out, is simple but deep.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
Finally! April 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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 August 26, 2007
9 out of 13 found this review helpful
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? July 5, 2007
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
"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.
 A practical curriculum that can be readily implemented April 10, 2007
2 out of 7 found this review helpful
"The Latin Centered Curriculum: Home Schooler's Guide To A Latin-Centered Classical Education" was specifically written and designed by Andrew A. Campbell (a practicing homeschooler who holds advanced degrees in Germanic Literature and Languages, with a speciality in Medieval Studies) to enable parents and teachers a ready and 'user friendly' manual for providing children with the basic principles of a Latin and Greek oriented classical education. Beginning with a brief history of the modern classical movement, Campbell goes on to examine the predominate role of Latin in a classical western education and how the various parts of a classical curriculum come together into a coherent whole. Covering Latin, Greek, and Logic, Campbell also addresses English studies, classical studies, Christian and modern studies, mathematics and science. More than offering theories of classical education, Campbell provides commentary and an overview of a practical curriculum that can be readily implemented at home or in the classroom. "The Latin Centered Curriculum" is especially appropriate for Christian parents wanting to acquire a substantial understanding of just what is involved with providing their homeschooled child with a classical education. Also very highly recommended from Memoria Press as ideal curriculum materials for the study of Latin and Greek is their "Famous Men of Rome" series ($39.95, for grades 3 and up); their "Famous Men of the Middle Ages" set ($16.95), the "D'Aularies' Greek Myths" series ($45.00, for grades 3 and up); and the comb-bound Horatius at the Bridge Guide" ($14.95). Homeschooling parents who are considered developing a classical education based curriculum for their children would be well advised to visit the Memoria Press website at[...]for a full listing of all their curriculum materials, supplements and online courses.
 Use with caution March 5, 2007
37 out of 65 found this review helpful
This book has some good points to make and helpful resources to list. It also offers badly-needed clarification of what "classical" really means.
On the other hand, there are problems with the curriculum suggestions: 1) overemphasis on mythology and lack of emphasis on religious education, 2) a serious lack in the history recommendations--little Middle Ages and Renaissance coverage, 3) it's clear this is for a school-at-home style, not a true homeschool approach, 4) it does not show an awareness of what is developmentally appropriate for young children.
An aside:
If you want your kids to learn Latin and LOVE IT, then use natural method books such as "Minimus" (Cambridge), Oerberg's "Lingua Latina," or "Ecce Romani." Textbooks (like Henle) are going to mean boredom and frustration.
"Classical education" with an emphasis on pagan culture, methods and authors needs to be carefully considered by serious Christian educators. Where does true wisdom come from? Yes, the Greeks had some share in it, but isn't the full truth found in God's revelation? Why isn't that getting priority????
A reading of St. Augustine's "On Christian Doctrine" would be worthwhile for anyone who wants clarity on the proper Christian approach to classical studies. In my opinion, that approach is NOT found in this book.
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