Middle School

The Dialectic stage (grades 7-9). At this stage in a child’s development, Miss Sayers observed that children tend to be argumentative and questioning. This stage emphasizes formal Logic coinciding with Algebra and Geometry and seeks to steer their energy to argue truthfully.

Miss Sayers observed,

Wherever the matter for Dialectic is found, it is, of course, highly important that attention should be focused upon the beauty and economy of a fine demonstration or a well-turned argument, lest veneration should wholly die. Criticism must not be merely destructive; though at the same time both teacher and pupils must be ready to detect fallacy, slipshod reasoning, ambiguity, irrelevance, and redundancy, and to pounce upon them like rats. This is the moment when precise-writing may be usefully undertaken; together with such exercises as the writing of an essay, and the reduction of it, when written, by 25 or 50 percent . . . The pupils should be encouraged to go and forage for their own information, and so guided towards the proper use of libraries and books for reference, and shown how to tell which sources are authoritative and which are not. (writer’s emphasis)

We will use Saxon math for seventh grade and Jacobs’ Algebra and Geometry texts. Students will continue to develop their writing skills through IEW. In the Logic school we will use the Omnibus curriculum is an integrated text that teaches history, literature and theology chronologically. In addition, Omnibus emphasizes the art and music contributions of each historic era. The natural sciences are typical: general, physical (with Newton’s Principia) and Biology.

Also relevant to the logic stage is the completion of Latin and the introduction of Greek (9th grade). Students will take two years of logic, and one year of computer science and applications.

Grade 7 8 9
Science Exploring Creation with General Science Exploring Creation with Physical Science; The Principia (Newton) Exploring Creation with Biology
Math Elementary Algebra (Jacobs) Geometry (Jacobs); Thirteen Books of Euclid’s Elements Algebra 2
Grammar & Composition IEW Writing Intensive (Group C); Elements of Style; Vocabulary from Classical Roots B The Lively Art of Writing; Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace; Vocabulary from Classical Roots C Our Mother Tongue (Wilson); IEW Advanced Communication Vocabulary from Classical Roots D
Omnibus
(2 blocks)		 Omnibus I: Biblical and Classical Civilizations Omnibus II: Church Fathers - Reformation Omnibus III: Reformation - Present
Linguistics Cambridge Latin B Latin Readings Greek I
Logic Logic I Logic II Computer Science

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