The Lower Dialectic School
The Lower Dialectic School serves grades 7 and 8. Meeting weekly, this school intends to gradually train the students toward more independent and thought provoking high school work. Designed to drive the existing homeschool forward, the relationship between the student, parent/teacher and teacher/tutor is unique, challenging and exciting!
During the dialectic years, The Master's Study continues to focus heavily on the elements of humane letters - history, literature, writing- but breaks them apart in order to allow for deeper discussion using the Socratic Circles method. The continued study of Latin allows the development of logical ordered thinking, while speech class brings in introductory debate ideas - a perfect fit for this age! The Dialectic school students travel to all of their classes which include:
- History - History, church history, and elements of the fine arts as they impact history are all studied along with geography.
- Literature and Composition - Literature titles, driven by the historical period of study, are critically analyzed an an introductory level. Students continue to develop writing skills through the Progymnasmata.
- Science - D7 students focus on general science; D8 students study physical science. Physical science students can earn high school credit for this study.
- Latin - Students move into traditional Latin studies including Latin vocabulary, grammatical concepts, derivatives, translation, and Latin culture. Students sit for the National Latin Exam each spring.
- Speech & Drama - Students learn the art of emoting as a step toward public speaking. The class includes on-line debates with classmates as well as public performances twice annually.
- Choir - including music appreciation, and performance elements for 2 public performances annually.
In addition, Lower Dialectic School students participate in the Dialectic Shepherding Program. Shepherds play a mentoring role to younger students, helping with morning opening and attendance as well as taking alternate turns to sit with the younger students during the lunch hour. Following classes, the shepherd teams are in charge of complete tear down, re-set and cleaning of our host facility as they learn and exhibit traits of both stewardship and servanthood. Shepherds also meet once monthly for "Seminar and Service Day" which provides students with a morning of topical dialog followed by an afternoon of service.
Families with up and coming dialectic students might want to review the Dialectic Readiness guidelines to gage their student's readiness.
For a better understanding of the student, parent/teacher and TMS teacher/tutor relationship in the dialectic school, please review the Dialectic School Parent and Student Expectations.