What really "sticks to the ribs" of our children in the learning feast that school should be?
No matter how exciting our lessons, how well-planned or executed, no matter how innovative or hands-on, how scholarly or inspired—reality is that children remember best what they themselves "produce."
Both teachers and students appreciate colorful, well-designed curriculum with high interest and appropriate expectations.
However, the lesson that is teacher-produced has a short-term effect and very little staying value in the mind (let alone the heart) of the child.
On the other hand, the lesson that engages the student and requires his response achieves a longer-term effect. The degree to which the student is engaged determines the total impact on his life and heart.
The mark of Principle Approach® curriculum is that it causes the student to produce his own learning through the notebook method and "4-R’ing" the subject. The student handles the subject first hand:
• Defining the vocabulary
• Searching out the principles and leading ideas
• Identifying the subject on the Chain of Christianity®
• Relating the new understanding to a larger structure of truth—
a Biblical worldview.
All Christian education aims to form character and scholarship worthy of Christ.
Principle Approach curriculum places the burden of learning upon the student, challenging his reason, causing him to research and relate, and thus impacting his life through the formation of Christian character.
As a result, the Principle Approach student is able to articulate the subject out of his own thinking.
A recent visitor to one of our schools asked students who had just presented a series of orations and other presentations why they didn't appear nervous before a group of adults. The students replied nearly in unison, "Because we've been doing this since kindergarten!" Their quick response verified their experience in a Principle Approach curriculum that impacts character thus producing leaders.
The most obvious mark of the leader is the ability to speak confidently, even persuasively, and out of his own conviction before others.
This should be the ultimate curriculum test: resulting in a student who has the character and skill to fulfill the great commission—discipling the nations for Christ.
No matter how exciting our lessons, how well-planned or executed, no matter how innovative or hands-on, how scholarly or inspired—reality is that children remember best what they themselves "produce."
Both teachers and students appreciate colorful, well-designed curriculum with high interest and appropriate expectations.
However, the lesson that is teacher-produced has a short-term effect and very little staying value in the mind (let alone the heart) of the child.
On the other hand, the lesson that engages the student and requires his response achieves a longer-term effect. The degree to which the student is engaged determines the total impact on his life and heart.
The mark of Principle Approach® curriculum is that it causes the student to produce his own learning through the notebook method and "4-R’ing" the subject. The student handles the subject first hand:
• Defining the vocabulary
• Searching out the principles and leading ideas
• Identifying the subject on the Chain of Christianity®
• Relating the new understanding to a larger structure of truth—
a Biblical worldview.
All Christian education aims to form character and scholarship worthy of Christ.
Principle Approach curriculum places the burden of learning upon the student, challenging his reason, causing him to research and relate, and thus impacting his life through the formation of Christian character.
As a result, the Principle Approach student is able to articulate the subject out of his own thinking.
A recent visitor to one of our schools asked students who had just presented a series of orations and other presentations why they didn't appear nervous before a group of adults. The students replied nearly in unison, "Because we've been doing this since kindergarten!" Their quick response verified their experience in a Principle Approach curriculum that impacts character thus producing leaders.
The most obvious mark of the leader is the ability to speak confidently, even persuasively, and out of his own conviction before others.
This should be the ultimate curriculum test: resulting in a student who has the character and skill to fulfill the great commission—discipling the nations for Christ.
Very interesting material, if I might say so........
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