Trivium Pursuit
TRIVIUM PURSUIT 1996 WINTER CATALOG
Call or write for catalog:
Trivium Pursuit, Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn
139 Colorado, Suite 168, Muscatine, Iowa 52773
309-537-3641
THE TRIVIUM
The Latin word "trivium" means "three roads." Ancient and Mediaeval
education was structured around the Trivium -- the three roads of learning --
which consisted of these three subjects:
1) Grammar, or skill in comprehending the facts.
2) Logic, or skill in reasoning out relationships between these
facts.
3) Rhetoric, or skill in wise, effective expression and application
of the facts and their relationships
This same syllabus of learning can be found -- in different words -- as a
refrain throughout the Scriptures, but especially in the Book of Proverbs.
1) Knowledge is the comprehension of facts.
2) Understanding is the reasoning of relationships.
3) Wisdom is the application of learning.
Each child goes through three stages of development:
1) A knowledge or grammar stage (through age 12) where the child
readily soaks up information and memorizes facts.
2) An understanding or logic stage (early teens) where the child
asks questions and pursues reasons.
3) A wisdom or rhetoric stage (later teens) where the child
begins to synthesize what he has learned and
to creatively express and make practical use of it.
Each subject also progresses through these three steps of development:
1) The grammar or knowledge of the subject --
the facts -- the who, what, where and when.
2) The logic or understanding of the subject -- the theory -- the why.
3) The rhetoric or wisdom of the subject -- the practice -- the how.
The learning process naturally falls into this three-step progression. In
computer terms, knowledge is input, understanding is processing and wisdom is
output. Knowledge/Input engages the senses as one brings in information;
Understanding/Processing engages the mind as one discovers and analyzes
relationships; Wisdom/ Output engages the voice, the hands and the feet as one
expresses and applies in meaningful and practical ways the things he has
learned.
Unless other things interrupt the process, the product of modern education
does not properly mature beyond the childish "grammar" level. As such, he
becomes a slave to sensory perceptions and is easily swayed by propaganda.
He cannot discern fact from fallacy or proof from propoganda. He cannot
define a term, analyze an argument, or distinguish between a material and a
final cause. Accurate and intelligent communication breaks down when the
standards and goals of communication are lowered. Fortunately, there are many
things which interrupt the process of modern education, such as the family and
the church. Nevertheless, modern society has sunk far below the standards of
education and communication observed by previous generations.
Modern education has lost sight of its true object: to equip the student
with the tools necessary for continuous learning. Ancient education, with
whatever faults it may have had, nevertheless had this object in view. Modern
education majors on the minors. It teaches children a multiplicity of
subjects, but it fails to teach them how to think! They learn everything
except how to learn! The situation can be compared to teaching a child
mechanically how to play one song very well on a piano by memory, but never
teaching the child how to read musical notations and transfer this to the
piano keyboard. He may play one song very well, but he has no idea how to play
another song. He is totally dependent upon the "teaching system" to learn
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more. Persons today think they must go to school to learn anything and
everything. The self-taught man used to be admired. Today he is discredited.
If the institutional establishment didn't teach you, then you didn't learn.
A craftsman learns to master his tools first. But modern educators have
concluded that the basic tools of Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric are antiquated
and unnecessary. One cannot do adequate work without the proper tools.
Therein lies a large part of the failure of Modern education. If the tools are
acquired at all, it is often incidentally. Where Classical Education focused
upon forging and mastering these tools of self-learning, Modern Education
focuses only upon the material to be learned. And the more "modern" the
education, the less academic the material.
The modern student learns many things -- trivia;
The ancient student learned how to learn -- trivium.
With the tools of the Trivium, the student can teach himself anything.
We believe it is imperative to re-establish the Trivium syllabus of
Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric -- Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom --
as the basis of our curriculum.
Audio tapes from seminars delivered at Homeschool Conferences.
TEACHING THE TRIVIUM, Tape 1
I. What is the Trivium?
II. Why teach the Trivium?
One cassette + handout ................... 5.00
TEACHING THE TRIVIUM, Tape 2
III. How to Teach the Trivium!
One cassette + handout ................... 5.00
THE SEVEN UNDENIABLE TRUTHS OF HOMESCHOOLING
One cassette + handout .................... 5.00
TRIVIUM PACKET (1995 Revised & Updated)
Helps for Homeschoolers Teaching the Trivium
1. A Suggested Course of Study for the Classical Approach to Homeschooling.
2. History, Economics, Law, Geography Resources.
3. 75 National Contests Open to Homeschoolers.
4. Comparison of Classical Alphabets (English, Latin, Greek & Hebrew).
5. List of Resources for Homeschooling Parents.
6. Trivium Bibliography.
7. Greek, Latin & Hebrew Resource Bibliography.
.............................................. 3.00
RHETORIC RESOURCE LIST
for Homeschool "Speech & Debate" Activities
.............................................. 4.00
TEACHING THE TRIVIUM A Quarterly Magazine of Classical Christian Education
VOLUME I (Fall 1993 through Summer 1994)..... 9.00
VOLUME II (Fall 1994 through Summer 1995).... 9.00
VOLUME III (Fall 1995 through Summer 1996)... 9.00
WEBSTER'S ELEMENTARY SPELLINGBOOK
1 book, 174 pages, spiral bound............... 8.00
HANDY ENGLISH ENCODER / DECODER
All Phonics & Spelling Rules briefly compiled. Spelling & Phonics Games.
1 book, 50 pages, plastic comb bound .......... 5.00
HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE
An annotated list of over 300 books to read aloud to children.
1 booklet, 36 pages ........................... 4.00
VOCABULARY BRIDGES FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN & GREEK
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This is a 60 page workbook (8 1/2 X 11) which teaches 50 Latin Prefixes
and 60 Latin Roots; 50 Greek Prefixes and 80 Greek Roots. All of the major
Prepositions of Latin and Greek are covered. 2,000 English Vocabulary words
are examined. This workbook is for ages 10 through adult.
1 workbook (60 pages 8 1/2 X 11, plastic bound).. 10.00
ARTES LATINAE
BASIC STARTER KIT....... 93.00
A GREEK ALPHABETARION WORKBOOK
All Greek Grammars are weak on teaching the symbols and sounds of the
Greek Alphabet. Failure to master these will cripple one's progress. The Greek
Alphabetarion Workbook is designed to help both children and adults to master
the Greek Alphabet. This workbook should be used before any Greek Grammar.
The workbook first teaches the Alphabet in alphabetical order, letter by
letter, using a rythmic cadence to aid memorization. Then it teaches the
Alphabet in phonetical order, classifying each letter by sound. It covers all
ancient Greek -- Biblical and Classical. Suitable for all ages.
1 workbook (60 pages, 8 1/2 X 11, plastic bound)........... 10.00
AUDIO TAPE
The workbook covers the eye gate, while the tape covers the ear gate of
learning. This tape teaches a cadenced recitation of the Greek Alphabet and
the correct pronunciation of each Greek letter.
(1 audio tape)............................................ 5.00
COMPUTER DISK
This disk covers the third gate of learning -- the manipulative or "hands-
on" gate. The program reviews the Greek Alphabet and Pronunciation several
ways, and provides a reward of classical music for correct answers to quiz
questions.
(1 disk, 3 1/2 or 5 1/4, requires IBM, CGA, Basic)....... 10.00
GREEK ALPHABET FLASH CARDS .................................. 4.00
28 large cards, show the Greek letter on one side, lists the sounds on the
reverse side.
GREEK ALPHABET BANNER ....................................... 4.00
8 printed cards (8 1/2 x 11) display Greek letters, capital and small.
ATHENS versus SPARTA ........................................ 25.00
This is an educational tool in the form of a game. It teaches the Greek
Alphabet to players ages ten to adult. By playing this game you learn, through
continual practice, the names for all Greek letters, their alphabetical order,
and their major phonetical divisions.
HOMESCHOOL GREEK A Thorough Self-Teaching Grammar of Biblical Greek
This is the first comprehensive self-teaching Greek course for students ages
12 through senior citizen. This grammar does not assume the student already
thoroughly understands English grammar. Instead, it introduces English
grammatical concepts, then compares or contrasts them with Greek grammar,
then teaches the Greek grammar.
20 Lessons (85 Learning Segments & 7 Comprehensive Tests). Minimum
time to complete: two semesters for students under 16; one semester for students
over 16. Comprehensive Final Exam & Certificate of Completion available.
VOLUME I: MOSTLY NOUNS & SUCH
250 pages, 8 1/2 x 11, plastic ring bound................. 25.00
Accompanying Audio Tape of Pronunciations (Optional)....... 5.00
THE ALPHABET FOR BIBLICAL HEBREW
Written in calligraphy and illustrated by Johannah Bluedorn. Suitable for
young children through adult. 50 pages, 4¬ X 5« heavy card stock,
plastic comb bound, with folded Hebrew Alphabet chart. ........ 4.00
LOGIC MATERIALS
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BUILDING THINKING SKILLS
This a workbook series which introduces children of ages 9 through 15 to
the study of logic.
Book 2 (296 pages, ages 9-10)............ 22.95
Book 3 Figural (259 pages, ages 11-12)... 22.95
Teacher's Manual for Book 3 Figural..... 18.95
Book 3 Verbal (350 pages, ages 12-15).... 22.95
Teacher's Manual for Book 3 Verbal...... 18.95
CRITICAL THINKING
This is a course in both informal and formal logic for ages 13 and up.
Book 1 (ages 13 and up).................. 14.95
Teacher's Manual for Book 1 ............ 8.95
Book 2 (follows completion of Book 1)... 19.95
Teacher's Manual for Book 2 ........... 10.95
CRITICAL THINKING IN U.S. HISTORY
These materials prompt students (ages 13 & up) to analyze differing
viewpoints of historical events.
Book 1, Colonies to Constitution......... 18.95
Teacher's Guide for Book 1.............. 15.95
Book 2, New Republic to Civil War........ 18.95
Teacher's Guide for Book 2.............. 15.95
Book 3, Reconstruction to Progressivism.. 18.95
Teacher's Guide for Book 3.............. 15.95
Book 4, Spanish Am. War to Vietnam War... 18.95
Teacher's Guide for Book 4.............. 15.95
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS
GOD'S BUILDING:An Exposition of 1 Corinthians 3:10-17... 4.00
The Biblical Evidence for HOUSE ASSEMBLIES .............. 4.00
In New Testament times and for several centuries thereafter, Christians
gathered only in private homes. This is a topical compilation of verses with
commentary, meant to encourage house assemblies.
Appendices on the Lord's Supper, Membership, and Incorporation.
WOMEN'S ROLE IN THE GATHERED ASSEMBLY ........... 2.00
An Exposition of 1Cor. 14:34,35; 1Tim. 2:11-15 and 1Cor. 11:2-16.
BIBLICAL PSALMS TAPE ............................. only 3.00
This tape offers a way to memorize & sing the King James Version Psalms.
BIBLE STUDY BOOK MARKERS ...................... 2.00
5 cards, 4 1/4 X 11, printed both sides on "parchment" paper.
Each card divides a section of Scripture into 52 weeks of readings:
THAT FOR WHICH OUR FATHERS FOUGHT
Complete documents, original resources for study: Magna Carta (1215);
Mayflower Compact (1620); Declaration of Rights of the Continental Congress
(1774); Virginia Bill of Rights (June 1776); Declaration of Independence (July
1776); Constitution of the U.S.A. (1789); Bill of Rights (1791) & further
Amendments; Star Spangled Banner -- all four stanzas (1814) ............. 4.00
THAT OF WHICH OUR FATHERS SPOKE .... 4.00
More resources: Patrick Henry's "Liberty or Death" Speech; Washington's
Thanksgiving Proclamation & Farewell Address; Selected quotes 1750 to 1830
(Washington, Madison, Jefferson, Monroe, Franklin, Adams, etc.) and more.
