Grammar Stage

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In classical education, the kindergarten through fourth grade classes are known as the “grammar stage.” During these years, students develop basic skills such as reading, writing, and math. Of greater importance are the habits of order, cleanliness, self-control, manners and living in community. They are also trained how to sit still, listen, be kind, and obey rules.

 

Another key aspect of the grammar stage of classical education is the emphasis of memorization. New parents are often impressed and surprised with the amount of memorization and the depth of learning that goes on in our classrooms.  We do this because, as Dorothy Sayers points out in her essay “The Lost Tools of Learning,” young children are wired to memorize. Providence students learn large sections of Scripture, classic poems, lists of historical events and their dates, states and capitals, the periodic table of elements, and much more. Why do we do this?

 

First, as children learn to read and write, they begin to rely less on their memory.  If you can make a list, why remember it?  Consequently, they use their memory less and less after the 2nd grade.  As with anything else with our bodies, if you don’t use it, you lose it.  By exercising children’s memory, we are establishing a life-long capacity for them to memorize. 

 

Second, when you memorize at a young age, you retain your memory much better.  Most of us recall the rhymes and chants we learned when we were in grade school.  “I before E,” “I pledge allegiance,”and “She sells sea shells,” are all things we probably can recite off the top of our heads.  Wouldn’t it be great if we had the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution or the 13 th chapter of I Corinthians memorized so that it could roll off the tongue? 

 

Third, before the logic (middle-school) phase, children need to have a collection of facts from which to draw conclusions.  By using their innate ability to memorize at a young age, we get them ready for the logic phase.

 

By the end of fourth grade, Providence students have a solid foundation to continue their education journey into the logic stage. They have developed strong habits of learning and a mastery of core subjects such as math, reading comprehension, and writing. 

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Providence Set-Up:

• Kindergarten homeroom

• 1st & 2nd combined homeroom

• 3rd & 4th combined homeroom

• 5th & 6th combined homeroom

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Subjects Taught​:

• Bible, Literature, Phonics, Spelling, Grammar, Penmanship, Geography, History, Math, Science, Latin, Art, Music, PE