NEWTON, North Carolina (January 23, 2014) –
Classical Conversations is a nationwide education movement with a solid mission: To know God and to make Him known. Using a unique model of combining classical learning methods with a Biblical worldview, the Newton, North Carolina chapter of the organization is working hard to educate an army of young men and women with the foundational knowledge they need to excel in today’s world. On Tuesday, February 18, the Newton community is hosting a celebration event called “Excellence in Education” at Grace Reformed Church.

This is an opportunity for politicians, pastors, and local community leaders to learn more about the Classical education model and to support the homeschooling community while watching firsthand as students showcase the skills they are learning during the 2013-2014 school year.

The event will begin at 11:00 AM with an assembly where students will demonstrate memory work, the foundation of their education. Students ranging from preschool to middle school age will recite historical timelines, history facts, Latin conjugations, and scripture memory as well as drawing maps of the world from memory. A local pastor will conclude with a prayer for education excellence in our region. Following the assembly, leaders are invited to stay for lunch provided by the families in the Newton Classical Conversations community.

This is a wonderful opportunity for curious leaders to learn more about classical education methods and homeschooling. The Classical Conversations program uses a systematic approach to learning where parents train parents to implement home-centered education well.

In a statement from the national organization, Classical Conversations sums up its purpose by saying, “We believe parents are their children’s primary teachers not because parents know everything but because each child is uniquely (and wonderfully!) made and because the people who know and love a child best are the ones most motivated to help that child succeed. We empower and support parents not only through our Classical Conversations communities across the country but also through our specially designed CC Connected online community, Parent Practicums, and academic retreats. All of these services ultimately equip parents to educate their children with the classical tools of learning and a Biblical worldview so that they might impact the world for God’s glory.”

The Newton chapter of Classical Conversations currently includes 25 families and around 50 students. Each Tuesday, these students meet with their peers while trained tutors present new learning material for the week. Parents attend these classes as well and then follow up with additional learning activities at home to reinforce the new memory work. At the end of each school year, students are given an opportunity to qualify as a “Memory Master” by correctly reciting all of the information they have learned during the school year.

During the 2013-2014 school year, students will master 161 historical events and people in chronological order, 24 history sentences to add depth to the history timeline, and learn to name the 44 U.S. presidents. Students will also learn to name and identify 100 locations and geographic features from around the world with map skills and study 24 science facts including biomes, planets, laws of motion, and laws of thermodynamics. They also master Latin verb endings of the first conjugation and English grammar facts including pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

In Mathematics, students memorize multiplication tables up to 15x15, common squares and cubes, as well as basic geometry formulas and unit conversions. In the Fine Arts studies, students will have exposure to drawing techniques, music theory, and tin whistle. They will study six famous artists, conduct 24 science experiments and projects, and give 24 oral presentations. Finally, students will memorize Ephesians 6 in the Bible, giving them 24 verses of Biblical training. This is all happening in one school year!

To learn more about Classical Conversations or to RSVP to attend the Excellence Education Event, email local community director Monica Gardner at [email protected]. Interested families can also visit http://classicalconversations.com to learn more about this method of homeschooling. Local leaders and the media are invited to attend the February 18 event to hear more about classical education and to conduct interviews with local families that are already participating in this program.