The Core

Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education

By: Leigh A. Bortins

Narrated by: Laura Bos

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

In the past, correct spelling, the multiplication tables, the names of the state capitals and the American presidents were basics that all children were taught in school. Today, many children graduate without this essential knowledge. Most curricula today follow a haphazard sampling of topics with a focus on political correctness instead of teaching students how to study.

Leigh Bortins, a leading figure in the homeschooling community, is having none of it. She believes that there are core areas of knowledge that are essential to master. Without knowing the multiplication tables, children can't advance to algebra. Without mastery of grammar, students will have difficulty expressing themselves. Without these essential building blocks of knowledge, students may remember information but they will never possess a broad and deep understanding of how the world works.

In this book, Bortins gives parents the tools and methodology to implement a rigorous, thorough, and broad curriculum based on the classical model, including:

• Rote memorization to cement knowledge
• Systematic learning of geography, historical facts, and timelines
• Reading the great books and seminal historical documents instead of adaptations and abridged editions
• Rigorous training in math and the natural sciences

©2010 Palgrave Macmillan (P)2014 Leigh A. Bortins

Awesome

This is an amazing book that has practical advice! This a turn key for classical education

Must-Read for Classical Educators

Everyone must read this. Leigh Bortins shares everything we need to know to get started educating our kids, even if we don’t homeschool! I love her ideas and inclusive perspective.

Very helpful to a new homeschooling family

I found this book incredibly helpful. While we are following the Classical Conventions curriculum, I believe this would be helpful to a homeschooling family in any curriculum.

Must read for CC Foundations parents!

If you are a Foundations parent, I strongly urge you to listen and read The Core! It thoroughly explains the Foundations program and the reasons why Leigh Bortins designed the program the way she did. So many questions (I never asked) were answered by this book! Don't wait to read it! This audiobook is a huge blessing for a busy mom like me!

Must Listen

The classical model explained through encouraging words with wisdom, grace, excitement and hope. Must read (it listen) for all parents.

LOVe this book!

Thank you Leigh for continuing to remind us of the purpose of education and with the tools you consistently equip us with as their primary, most influential teachers!

Great, Practical Application

Would you listen to The Core again? Why?

Listening to this book once a year while my children are under 10 will be a must! The book is jam-packed with tools I can use in our homeschool over and over again. Even as a 5th year Foundations Tutor in Classical Conversations, I learn something new every time I hear/read The Core.

How could the performance have been better?

I personally wish the narrator would have been a little more mature. The sing-song tone she uses throughout the book can drive me batty - especially in the first few chapters. Once I get about mid-way through the audiobook, my ears sort of learn to deal with it and get past the distraction of her style in order to absorb the content.

What did you learn from The Core that you would use in your daily life?

The tips in the later chapters when she starts breaking things down subject by subject are invaluable. Reading, Geography, Spelling, Math, you name it - Leigh Bortins is simple, practical, and thorough.

Any additional comments?

Hoping they will soon have The Question and The Conversation available on Audio as well. Although I hope they choose a different narrator for those.

A must read!!

Complete how to on classical eduction! Practical and empowering. I left this book with a plan and confidence to educate my children.

Overview of CC

This book was great to help me as a father understand the classical model my wife is wanting to take our children through!

Awesome and informative.

Great read, though I had a hard time getting into it. But, I'm so thankful I did. Very Informative and encouraging.