The Latin Centered Curriculum
by Andrew A. Campbell
Review by Martha Robinson
The Latin Centered Curriculum by Andrew A. Campbell. Paperback, 181 pages, $17.95. Available from Memoria Press, HomeschoolChristian.com's Christian Book Distributor's link or from our Amazon affiliate link.
The Latin Centered Curriculum offers a very different perspective from the classical home education books on the market. Beginning with a brief history of education, Andrew Campbell continues with justification for his proposed method, and a grade-specific plan for implementing a Latin-based curriculum with the goal of achieving wisdom in students.
In his discussion of "neo-classical" methods proposed by familiar authors such as Bauer, Bluedorn, and Wilson; Mr. Campbell points out that rather than adapting the classical education of the past to contemporary needs, the new approaches have actually redefined "classical" to be something completely different. Mr. Campbell recommends returning to true classical education, attaining fluency in Latin and Greek, and emphasizing the history and wisdom of ancient civilizations.
The biggest place where Mr. Campbell's method differs from current classical education and from Charlotte Mason approaches is his principle of multum non multa, meaning "not many things, but much." He proposes to reduce the number of subjects covered, but to cover them in more depth. For example, he eliminates reading and English curricula, and in their place, offers a few selected pieces of classic literature and Latin. "Classical studies," "Modern studies," and "Christian studies" combine to replace a world history curriculum. In the case of some subjects, he comments that he feels they do not have relevance in gaining wisdom in a classical education setting, but concedes that they need to be done for students to score well on standardized tests.
The majority of the book is devoted to specific recommendations for curricula and instructions for implementing this approach at home. Kindergarten through twelfth grade are detailed.
The book ends with several appendices. Family reading recommendations, history suggestions for Canadians, and two fascinating essays for Christian parents and non-Christian parents are included.
Recommendation: The Latin Centered Curriculum is a valuable addition to the classical homeschooling book market. The method proposed by Mr. Campbell is sure to cause sighs of relief among parents who have tried to keep up the astounding pace of subjects recommended by other authors. While rigorous, the Latin-centered curriculum is feasible even for parents without a classical background. For the parent who knows that classical is the way to go, but has been frustrated trying to implement it, The Latin Centered Curriculum will be a blessing.
Other HomeschoolChristian resources related to this review:
HomeschoolChristian.com's Classical Homeschooling Section with resources, links, and ideas for implementing the Christian Trivium
Latin Curriculum Comparison Chart
Interview with Cheryl Lowe of Memoria Press
Review of Introduction to Classical Studies
Review of Latina Christiana
Review of A Thomas Jefferson Education, Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-First Century by Oliver Van DeMille
Review of A Thomas Jefferson Education: Supplemental Materials by Oliver and Rachel Van DeMille
Review of Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum by Laura Berquist
Review of Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning and Classical Education and the Home School by Douglas Wilson
Review of Teaching the Trivium by the Bluedorns
Review of The Trivium, The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric by Sister Miriam Joseph, C.S.C., Ph.D.
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