The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education [Paperback]

Leigh A. Bortins (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 8, 2010

In the past, correct spelling, the multiplication tables, the names of the state capitals and the American presidents were basics that all children were taught in school. Today, many children graduate without this essential knowledge. Most curricula today follow a haphazard sampling of topics with a focus on  political correctness instead of teaching students how to study. Leigh Bortins, a leading figure in the homeschooling community, is having none of it. She believes that there are core areas of knowledge that are essential to master. Without knowing the multiplication tables, children can’t advance to algebra. Without mastery of grammar, students will have difficulty expressing themselves. Without these essential building blocks of knowledge, students may remember information but they will never possess a broad and deep understanding of how the world works. In this book, Bortins gives parents the tools and methodology to implement a rigorous, thorough, and broad curriculum based on the classical model, including:

• Rote memorization to cement knowledge

• Systematic learning of geography, historical facts, and timelines

• Reading the great books and seminal historical documents
   instead of adaptations and abridged editions

• Rigorous training in math and the natural sciences

http://www.classicalconversations.com/

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Core provides an altogether practical curriculum, a handy reference work for busy parents who want their children to enter adulthood fully-equipped with the knowledge and skills possessed by responsible citizens, discerning consumers, and ethical selves."
--Mark Bauerlein, author of The Dumbest Generation

 

"In a time when many parents are rediscovering the classical methods of education, whether at home or in the classroom, it is heartening to see more and more educators studying, applying, and refining these methods. This book by Leigh Bortins is admirable part of that project, and I commend it to you."
--Douglas Wilson, author of The Case for Classical Christian Education

 

“Shifting American education from the factory model to a classical model is the goal advanced by Classical Conversations founder and President Leigh Bortins.  The public school bar for educational achievement has dropped so low that it takes time for parents to discover how much more potential their children have outside government's educational straightjacket. The Core brings a wealth of practical experience developing classical skills and content for thousands of families engaged in home-centered education nationwide.”
--Gregory Rehmke, Program Consultant for Foundation for Economic Education

“Leigh shows a breadth of knowledge and awareness that will be very helpful. Since I believe our future as a nation depends on the willingness of the home schooling mom to exercise and live with her freedom, this book could make a serious contribution to our national well-being.”
--Andrew Kern, President, Circe Institute

 

“If you have children of your own – of any age – and you long for a way to be certain they will prosper in life, you will love this book.  If you deal with children in an educational situation, this book will motivate you to think differently about how they might best learn.  And, if you just simply care about the children around you, you will find this book personally inspiring and you will want to share it.”
--from the Foreword by Becky Dunlop, The Heritage Foundation

About the Author

Leigh A. Bortins is the founder and CEO of Classical Conversations, Inc., whose enrollment is 20,000. She hosts a weekly radio show, Leigh! for Lunch and lectures widely about the importance of home education at nationwide conferences and seminars. She lives in West End, NC.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; 1 edition (June 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 023010035X
• ISBN-13: 978-0230100350
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Homeschooling

More About the Author

Leigh Bortins is a nationally acclaimed educator, perhaps best known for her ability to demystify the fundamental tools of learning. As a teacher, author and commentator, Leigh is credited with helping to launch the "home-centered learning" education movement.



After earning a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, Leigh worked in the aerospace industry before beginning her work as an educator. In teaching study skills for almost 20 years to children and adults, she has written several books including The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Home-Centered Education, Echo in Celebration: A Call to Home-Centered Education, The Foundations Program: A Classical Curriculum (a teaching guide), and The Essentials of English Language Guide (a teaching guide for language arts from the classical perspective). She has authored complete K-12 curriculum guides for program directors, teachers, and tutors all across the country.


Leigh is the founder and CEO of Classical Conversations Inc., an organization that models classical, home-centered education to empower learners of all ages. She trains facilitators dedicated to duplicating her methods, and is thereby transforming education and improving the quality of family and community life. Classical Conversations is nearly doubling in size and scope each year.


Leigh has completed the Doctoral program in Global Education at the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary near Boston, where she developed relationships with educators in India and Africa. She enjoys speaking to policy organizations interested in promoting private education as well as homeschooling organizations. On her radio show, Leigh at Lunch!, Leigh engages thought leaders from across the country in conversations on education. Her blog, 1SmartMama, provides opportunities for those interested in classical education to speak out on current events as well as encourage every parent that they are smart enough to homeschool their children.


Leigh's emphasis on the time-tested enjoyment of learning and the fundamentals of education and critical thinking skills grew out of her own experiences in homeschooling her four boys with her husband Robert. They live near Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Content, a little overwhelming... June 14, 2010

By Just Another Homeschooler

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a home schooling mother of two and am following the classical model with my very young kids. We are actively involved in a Classical Conversations community and I absolutely love the program and hope to continue with it throughout our home schooling journey.

Leigh Bortins presents a very clear and persuasive argument for classical education, siting many examples and studies. She then goes step by step though different subject matter, explaining how the model can be implemented. She has an obvious passion for classical education that comes though in this book.

She speaks frequently of her own family, which I found helpful, for the most part. However, I came away from this book feeling rather overwhelmed. When I finished this book, my gut reaction was "Wow, I don't know if I can really do this." Whereas when I read Susan Wise Bauer's The Well-Trained Mind my reaction was "Wow, I think I can do this!"

I do recommend this book to anyone who would like to further their research on Classical Education. If you're just starting to look into it, however, I think Bauer's book is the best "jumping off" point.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An easy to implement guide to classical education August 22, 2010

By DJC

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'd like to give a little background that I hope will aid in my book review. I am embarking on my 7th year of homeschooling. I have tried to classically educate my children since the beginning. After reading Susan Wise Bauer's "The Well-Trained Mind" I was excited, but thoroughly overwhelmed at how to implement all of her wonderful ideas. I struggled for 4 years on my own, and always felt as though I never accomplished all that "TWTM" laid out. At the end of each year I felt I had failed because we did not complete all that we "should have".

Then I was introduced to Classical Conversations. What a breath of fresh air! My children thrived. Our homeschool accomplished more, my children learned more, they enjoyed it more, and it required less effort on my part. THIS was what I had been struggling for four years to achieve.

This summer I read The Core. I believe this book can help many families who want to see their children truly educated, whether in the home, or in a brick and mortar school. For new homescholers, or those new to the idea of classical education, she explains classical education well and utilizes a common sense approach. The book is laid out by subject matter and shows how to encourage your children to truly learn. She also provides ideas that families who aren't homeschooling can use in their children's education.

As a veteran homeschooler, I was encouraged. This book reminded me to focus on the best things and not get distracted with good things. As a mom of multiple chidren, she encouraged me how to truly do a "one room schoolhouse", thereby simplifying my life. She has also graciously given us a glimpse into her own homeschool by laying out what has worked within her family.... I appreciate that and am confident that I can implement something similar in our family. Read more ›

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK! July 30, 2010

By R. Summerville

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am new to homeschooling, I did kindergarten with my son last year and have been so stressed about the coming year. My daughter will start kindergarten (not too stressed about that) and my son will move to 1st grade. I wanted to be able to give him a strong base but had no idea how. Like so many, I knew my education (though I did very well) was lacking and didn't trust today's school districts to do better. The Core is amazing. I read The Well Trained Mind last year and it gave me a good starting point, but The Core breaks it down and makes a classical education feel manageable! I'm much less stressed about the coming school year and feel really confident that my kids are going to get the best education possible - and I'm going to learn a lot in the process!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful book! July 12, 2010

By Emily

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Leigh Bortins provides an organized guide to laying the foundations of classical education. The first part of the book contrasts the pitfalls of modern education and the benefits of a classical education. The second part of the book consists of a chapter dedicated to each of the core subjects: reading, writing, math, geography, history, science, and fine arts.

The author writes to equip and encourage parents in their quest of a quality classical education. This book is easy to read and is full of invaluable information. I will most likely read the entire book again at some point, but I can see myself looking back at particular chapters as a sort of a refresher down the road. Any parent could benefit from this book. After reading it, I am even more excited about the upcoming school year!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Classical Education is within MY grasp! November 13, 2011

By K. Ann Koch

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm delighted with this book. It presents classical education as something I, who am lacking somewhat in that department, can actually achieve with and for my children. I like how positive this author is and how she is not strictly a home school educator but encourages parents who have made other choices to explore the classical model as their way of being more involved with their children's educations. After all, most of us have children because we want to spend time raising them and being involved with them.

I particularly enjoyed the information on educational expectations when the classical approach was the norm, and educational expectations today. Very much gives a perspective on why a return to the classical model is a good idea!

I home schooled my older, now college age, children and this book inspires me to reach for a little more for the next child I'll have the privilege to educate myself.

I purchased several books that were recommended to me on the classical model, but this one seems the most accessible for a broad range of parents, not only home school parents.