THE BEREAN CURRICULUM

The Grammar Curriculum
During the first or Grammar Stage, kindergarten through the sixth grade, the lower division student studies the facts of each subject. In this period, we focus on "the basics," the fundamental teachings of the Bible, phonetic reading, the foundatons of mathematics, writing and other language studies. The student studies history, science, art and music, including the assimilation and memorization of the essential facts of each discipline such as dates, times, and places. Physical education also is a part of each student's week. The student begins the study of Latin in third grade, because of its great value in building English vocabulary, in developing precision in grammar and syntax, in accessing the modern foreign languages, and in stimulating cultural literacy. We continue Latin study throughout the grammar and dialectic years. (See the bottom of this page for further information on the study of Latin.)

The Dialectic Curriculum
During the second or Dialectic Stage, the middle division student expands on the knowledge acquired during the grammar school years. At this level the student studies the ordered relationship of facts and truths. Because students at this age love to question and argue, they are taught to do so properly. In this stage we introduce the study of logic and debate. The dialectic student gains a thorough chronological understanding of literature and history, including church history and art history. The student surveys both the Old and New Testaments and learns the advantages and perils of interpreting the Bible as literature. In math the student covers algebra and geometry while science begins with general studies and ends their ninth grade year with biology. The student also becomes grounded in worldview studies. The dialectic student continues to study Latin. The student who has completed both grammar and dialectic Latin can read many of the Latin classics and is familiar with the Latin text of Virgil's Aeneid.