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Classical Education at DCS |
The Trivium
 In her now famous 1947 essay, "The Lost Tools of Learning", British author Dorothy Sayers reintroduced the world to the centuries-old model of education composed of the Trivium and the Quadrivium. In arguing for a return to this method, she stated:
"Is it not the great defect of our education today that although we often succeed in teaching our pupils subjects, we fail lamentably on the whole in teaching them how to think? They learn everything except the art of learning."
Dominion Christian School joins a growing number of Classical Christian schools that have chosen to teach students according to the Trivium model. The goal of this method is that students will learn not just subjects, but will master the "tools of learning" to enable them to become independent learners and thinkers infused with a love of learning and a love for God and all the order and beauty of His creation.
The three stages of the Trivium (grammar, logic and rhetoric) applied in grades K-12 give students the basic tools of learning to enable them to undertake the more specialized study of subjects in the Quadrivium (the approximate equivalent of college and University-level studies). These stages roughly parallel the three main stages of childhood development.
In the Grammar stage (ages 6-11), the student focuses on learning the fundamental building blocks of the basic disciplines, e.g., reading, writing, math, history, geography, science, art and music. This stage takes advantage of the young child’s tremendous capacity to observe and memorize large amounts of basic information. The study of Latin is introduced at this stage (3rd grade).
In the Logic phase (ages 12-14), the child’s greater reasoning abilities lead him or her to make more sophisticated logical connections among facts. Formal logic is taught during this stage so that the student learns how to analyze data and arguments, distinguish fact from fallacy and, generally, to think according to sound rules of logic.
In the Rhetoric stage (ages 14-18), when students are naturally inclined toward independent thinking, students learn to express their knowledge by learning how to prepare articulate, persuasive, and cogent oral and written presentations.
With the completion of the Trivium, students will have mastered the real tools of learning -- fundamental building blocks, analytical skills, mental discipline, oral presentation and writing skills, and a Biblical framework. They will be enthusiastic independent learners, able to tackle virtually any new area of study competently and from a distinctly Biblical and Christian world view.
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