From the Desk of the Headmaster
Once a month, our newsletter will have a longer reflection from a member of our staff. This month, let's peer into the desk of our Headmaster:
Well into our second week of school, I have been happy to see elements of our method coming life. Within classical education, there is the tradition of the seven Liberal Arts which are so named because they help us to become free and liberated. I have been talking about three in particular with the students this week. The Trivium is made up of the arts of Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. In Debate class, the students discussed what we mean by “art” in this case. Logic is not usually taught in an art class, after all. We must mean by "art" some sort of craft or skill, a habit formed that helps us do things better. These liberal arts are skills intended to help us come ultimately to wisdom and help us to love God and neighbor better.
I have seen these being taught and practiced in many ways within just our first seven days of classes. Practice in the art of Grammar is unavoidable here. In Latin, students distinguished between very close Latin words, appellere and appellare. Discussing the Nordic Myths, I overheard students distinguish between words like fame, popularity, renown, glory. In Socratic discussion, they have practiced speaking well and precisely – making distinctions whenever possible. In this art, students learn to use words carefully. They practice using the right structure to express ideas. “I’m sorry” and “I apologize” often mean the same thing but which should you say at a funeral? To avoid blunders in these situations, we have our pupils practice picking proper predicates.
The ability to think logically is something that everyone has to some degree. But to make it an art, it takes practice and training. Students need to support their claims with evidence in the text. Throughout their class conversations, they will continually practice forming cogent thoughts with premises and conclusions. Through their logic class, they will learn to see if their premises in fact lead to their conclusions. By repetition and practice, we are working to help students form the art of Logic. Like learning an instrument, it is difficult at first, but with proper practice comes proficiency.
Rhetoric is the art of persuasion. It is through this art that students learn to make arguments that resonate. It is through this art that students learn to dress the logical truths and right beliefs in fitting attire. Our students are learning to speak well. They are paying attention to what causes us to come to truth and faith. In reading the Scriptures, they hear Christ use metaphor and St. Paul powerfully call to action. Homer has them feel the orations of Achilles. The music of the psalms moves them to assent. It is often not enough to lay a fact, a piece of evidence, or an argument before another mind. The students must find a common starting point and a convincing way to communicate their case to the other classmates. It is our duty as knowers and Christians to help others see what we see. We can do this through the persuasive practice of putting beautifully what is proper and right.
Please keep us in your prayers.
In Christ,
Nathaniel Beckman
|
