“The History Rotation”
by Scott Phillips, J.D.
The third and final stage or component of the Trivium that distinguishes classical education from other models is the integration of the curriculum on a very specific historical cycle. Beginning in the first grade students start a four-year cycle of history that they will address three separate times during their primary and secondary education.
The first period is the “Ancients” which covers the beginning of man to 500 A.D. and is studied in 1st, 5th, and 9th grades. The second is the “Medieval” time period, which goes from 500 to approximately 1200 A.D. and is covered in the 2nd, 6th, and 10th grades. The third is the “Renaissance,” 1300 – 1800 A.D., which is studied in 3rd, 7th, and 11th grades. The fourth and final time period is “Modernity,” 1800 A.D. – present, and is studied in 4th, 8th, and 12th grades.
All subjects including literature, science, art, geography, and math, when applicable, are studied in alignment with the historical period of that grade. For instance, in first grade students are learning about the history of Greece. So, the curriculum integrates the reading of Greek literature with studying the geography of Greece, and encompasses math, astronomy, and art, centered around that time period.
The integration of subject matter in this way allows for students to connect the various disciplines horizontally as well as vertically as they move up from one grade to another. This integration, along with the strong emphasis on language arts and the understanding of the Trivium or the manner in which children develop, is what sets classical education apart from all others and why Temecula Preparatory School has been so successful. This is why we continue to pursue other campuses. Parents want the best education possible for their children and we believe we can provide that.
Scott Phillips, J.D. is the CEO and Headmaster for Heritage Classical Charter Schools/Temecula Preparatory School. Twitter: @ https://twitter.com/Scott_HCCS