The Torch
A deep dive into classical education
What Is the Trivium?
Last month, I spoke briefly on the idea of the Trivium, a phrase reserved for the three phases of learning: the Grammar stage, the Logic stage, and the Rhetoric stage. I will reshare Nova Classical Academy’s definition of classical education I shared last month to put the Trivium into context:
Nova Classical uses classical education to teach our students. Classical education uses three stages called the Trivium —grammar, logic, and rhetoric— to train thinkers. We help our students learn facts, connect ideas, and use their learning in new ways. We use virtue instruction to help them make wise and ethical decisions. Students use these skills to improve their lives as well as the lives of others.
As I also mentioned last month, the idea of the Trivium is beautifully distilled from the above statement through these connections:
"learn facts”: grammar stage,
“connect ideas”: logic stage,
“and use their learning in new ways”: rhetoric stage
Even though our school is separated into three “schools”, the School of Grammar (K-5), the School of Logic (6-8), and the School of Rhetoric (9-12), the Trivium works in any subject that one would like to learn. When I am in a middle school math class, I see the Trivium at work in the following sequence:
The instructor presents the day’s lesson on the board with guided notes-- "learn facts”: grammar stage.
Students then practice the new concept from the day’s lesson through a few carefully chosen problems. They then answer questions from the instructor about the connections made from the day’s lesson and the practice problems--“connect ideas”: logic stage.
Finally, students are able to explain to their instructor why they chose a certain method to solve the practice problem. This may be the method they learned that day, or a method that they have learned previously and have more practice in, but they gain fluency in using “their learning in new ways”: rhetoric stage.
Last week, 32 of our staff from Nova Classical Academy attended the Minnesota Classical Education Conference on Thursday, October 17th. At the conference, members of our adult learning community learned facts, connected ideas, and now have the opportunity to use their learning in new ways. Additionally, this was a designated staff work day on our school calendar, so the fact that 32 of our staff prioritized learning on a day when they could be grading speaks volumes about walking the talk of “We Learn not for School but for Life”. Nova Classical is so fortunate to have such an exceptional staff.
May we continue to keep the light of classical education burning bright,
Dr. Missy Johnson
Want to catch up or revisit any Torch issues?
2022-present The Torch
2021-2022 The Torch
As a teacher and student of Latin and Greek, the classical model was a natural choice for me as an educator. I hold the teaching of grammar, logic, rhetoric, and virtues in high regard for learners of all ages and backgrounds. Nova Classical’s community model is inspiring, and I hope to bring thoughtfulness and openness to the Great Conversation.