The Trivium

The Heart of the Classical Approach

The goal of education in ancient and medieval times was to teach children how to think and learn for themselves. They were given the tools of learning and then taught how to apply those tools of learning to any subject they encountered. In contrast, modern education generally tends to teach "subjects" or "skills."

The Ancient and Medieval school curriculum taught three basic tools of learning:

Grammar: The fundamental rules and core knowledge of each subject.

Logic: The ordered and logical relationship of particulars in each subject.

Rhetoric:  How the grammar and logic of each subject may be clearly communicated.

These three basic tools of learning (Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric) were called the Trivium. The Trivium is the heart of classical education. These tools of learning, not mere "subjects", were forged and mastered. Subjects were the material upon which one practiced and developed these tools of learning.

The Trivium is nothing more than a proven and very practical approach to education that works. It is an instructional model that (1) is a common sense way of looking at subjects, (2) approaches the study of subjects in a way that naturally fits with how we learn, and (3) tailors curriculum content to a child’s cognitive development.

1. The Trivium is a Common Sense Way of Looking at Subjects
It is a common sense way of looking at subjects because it breaks subjects down into concrete facts and rules, abstract comprehension and reasoning, and application and expression. Every subject can be broken down into its Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric. The Grammar of a subject is its basic facts and fundamental rules. The Grammar of Math includes the numbering system and basic Math facts. The Grammar of History is names, dates and places (e.g. The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 in Philadelphia by John Hancock and others.). The Grammar of English includes phonics, vocabulary and spelling rules.

The Logic of a subject is the comprehension of how its facts fit together logically. The Logic of Math is Algebra and Geometry. The Logic of History is understanding the how and why of names, dates, and places including understanding reasons for wars, migrations, cultural movements and political revolutions (e.g. How did the French Revolution influence the American Revolution?). The Logic of English includes understanding the parts of speech and the proper construction of sentences and compositions.

The Rhetoric of a subject is its articulation, expression and application. The Rhetoric of Math includes the application of mathematical study to accounting or engineering (e.g. Calculus). The Rhetoric of History includes developing and effectively communicating views about political science and cultural trends. The Rhetoric of English includes writing effective essays, debating techniques, and public speaking.

2. The Trivium approaches the study of subjects in a way that fits naturally with how we learn.
It goes "with the grain" of how humans learn any new subject material. If you decided to learn about baking bread (or molecular biology or electrical engineering for that matter) you would first learn the "grammar" of bread baking. You may not consciously think about the grammar, but you would initially learn the basic facts and rules of bread baking –the kinds of flours, measuring ingredients, varieties of breads, types of bread machines, etc.

Your learning process would continue into the "logic" phase. You would learn about how different flours produce different breads, how certain ingredients produce certain results in your final product and how proper mixing, kneading and baking each effect how the bread tastes. You would begin to "comprehend" bread baking.

Finally, after having mastered the grammar and the logic, you would progress to learning how to articulate and express what you know about bread baking. You might develop a presentation about "The Benefits of Whole Wheat Flours" for your ladies group or you might learn how to persuasively discuss your views about particular bread machines with other bread connoisseurs. In other words, you would be in the "rhetoric" stage of your learning. You would be learning skill in communication, articulation and application as it relates to bread baking.

3. The Trivium tailors curriculum content to a child’s cognitive development.
The Trivium tailors curriculum content to a child’s cognitive development by utilizing methods and subject matter that are appropriate to the age of the student. Children in Grammar school (K – 6th grade) tend to think in concrete terms and have an amazing ability for memorizing loads of facts. Children in the Logic phase (Junior High age) are naturally developing reasoning and analytical thinking abilities. As they mature to high school age (Rhetoric school), they are able to think in very abstract terms and have greater interests in being creative, expressing themselves, and communicating their ideas. The classical method plays to these age-related tendencies. Memorization and concrete facts are stressed in Grammar school. Analytical thinking, logical reasoning and comprehension are emphasized in Logic school. In the Rhetoric stage the focus is on articulation and expression through writing and speaking. We can say that the classical method also goes "with the grain" of how children develop cognitively.

Other Elements of Classical Christian Education
With the Trivium as its framework, classical Christian education is also characterized by rich exposure to the history, literature and culture of Western Civilization. Students are immersed in the "Great Books" of our Christian tradition and Western cultural heritage. In the Logic and Rhetoric phase students read fewer "textbooks" and more original source documents and literary works, especially in history and literature. The languages of Western Civilization, especially Latin, are at the core of their academic studies. The development of a thoroughly Biblical worldview is an underlying aim of every lesson and class.

In Conclusion . . .
The Trivium is a tried and tested approach to learning. It is not another educational fad that is here today and gone tomorrow. It is a proven approach to learning that in many ways is none other than the progression of knowledge (grammar), understanding (logic), and wisdom (rhetoric) found throughout the Scriptures (especially Proverbs), but here applied to academics. The Classical method will equip our children with the necessary tools to master whatever subject they encounter in life, and more importantly, to tackle the great issues of life to the glory of God.