Latin-Centered Education: A Classical Education

I read this article today in defense of a Latin-centered, classical education.  I've ready many, many articles like it, so this isn't new knowledge for me; it only further confirms my belief that this is the way to go in education.

Now, just because it is called a Latin-Centered education does not mean that we do not have a Christ-centered or scripture-centered education.  Our "main book," like TJed talks about, is the scriptures.  We are not taking turns reading from The Odyssey after we say our Latin prayers in the morning.  That is ridiculous.  Thomas Jefferson received a classical education, as did most of the Founding Fathers.  The linked article lists the top most influential people of all time: they ALL received a classical, Latin-centered education. 

I did NOT receive a classical education; I didn't even receive a decent education.  I've never studied Latin.  I  don't know Greek or Roman history, nor have I ever read a single truly classical book in my life.  Savannah's third grade grammar was difficult for me.  I've got some serious self-education to do if I am going to give my children a classical education.

My own education begins with Latin.  I thought I might work through a English grammar book first, but I am going to trust the Latin experts and first learn Latin.  I purchased First Form Latin from Memoria Press.  It has a DVD teacher.  I'm filling in my own student workbook and checking my answers in the teacher's manual.  It is hard.  It has a steep learning curve for me. 

I'm convinced there is nothing more important than to be a knowledgable teacher of Latin, then of Greek and Roman history, then of the classics, then of math, then of writing, then of science (which will probably be the one subject I farm out).  That is my order of priority.  I can't be a good teacher of everything, but I must be a good teacher of Latin.