WHAT IS THE PRINCIPLE APPROACH?
“America's historic Christian method of biblical reasoning which makes the Truths of God's Word the basis of every subject in the school curriculum.”
ROSALIE J. SLATER
The education method during America's Colonial and founding periods can be termed "American Biblical Classical" in that every aspect of learning was based on biblical truth, while at the same time drawing from the best of classical education.
To teach effectively, one must first learn. The Principle Approach method requires the teacher and student to research, reason, relate and record as they study a subject, producing a record of their own learning.
Because students "learn how to learn" through the methods of this approach, they become lifelong learners. Not dependent upon others for education, these students, if necessary, could teach themselves.
Most schools of education challenge their aspiring teachers to be a living curriculum in the classroom. Principle Approach methodology holds the greatest potential for realizing this goal, as the teacher models a love of learning.
Students are taught to communicate skillfully through written and oral communication at every grade level. Participation in public speaking opportunities are encouraged.
The Principle Approach emphasizes God's purposes in the lives of men and nations, identifying the events of history as well as their underlying causes. God is the ultimate Director and Disposer of all things.
The Principle Approach's tutorial emphasis uses a variety of formative and summative evaluation techniques aimed at identifying gaps and weak areas of understanding on the student's pathway of mastery.
The Principle Approach employs biblical principles to inform each school subject by giving context and meaning. Teachers and students approach a subject by first studying the Word of God and deducing principles.
Teaching students the art of Christian self-government is a major concern of every teacher in the Principle Approach classroom. Because of this emphasis on seeing government as first internal and causal, students learn self-discipline.
In the development of a biblical worldview it is essential to define words biblically and with precision. Noah Webster's masterful work is a tool for accomplishing this. His first American Dictionary of the English Language is a standard reference.
With the Principle Approach, the distinctive role of the teacher as a master of his or her subject is emphasized. Beginning with the Bible, other primary sources, and the best secondary sources, teachers become scholars.
All programs have some kind of emphasis on the development of the child's character. The Principle Approach uniquely integrates character development with academic excellence through biblical principles.
One of the greatest challenges of all educators is the number of individual lives with which they oversee. The Principle Approach maintains a tutorial emphasis that honors the individual student.
The Bible itself is the primary source of all learning, and is taught in a systematic and age-appropriate way throughout the years, thus giving students a comprehensive understanding of the people, places, and principles of Scripture.
MANY OTHER TOOLS TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE THE READER
- The T Chart is used to compare and contrast internal and external aspects of a subject being studied.
- Key charts highlight significant issues that are being studied (e.g., key individual, key document, key institution, key event).
- Timelines offer a view of the whole of a subject as well as the individual parts and how they are interrelated.
- Sketching provides a creative way to record something that is being examined or viewed.
- Hands-on opportunities offer creative ways to analyze and synthesize ideas, allowing students to express their learning in unexpected, novel ways.
- Employment of the fine and performing areas in the learning process to enrich the soul.
- Special days culminate a unit of study in a way that highlights the individuality of the students and brings closure to a unit of study with celebration and joy for a job well done.