Comets Launch Month of Reading with Classics Showdown

To launch the month of February, the Lower School at Hillcrest Academy is initiating a battle of the classics. Eight classic stories are in a bracket that pits story against story in a student-ranked competition. This push away from modern stories to classics benefits students in powerful ways, starting with a classic approach to learning and building into a strong discipleship model to form virtues and character qualities that glorify God and equip students to serve the community.

In an era dominated by digital distractions and fleeting trends, the classical approach to education stands as a beacon of enduring wisdom and depth. Central to this educational model is the rich tradition of classic stories and fairy tales, which, far from being mere entertainment, are tools for character formation and moral development in young learners. There are profound benefits of integrating classic literature into the early stages of education, highlighting how tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Rumpelstiltskin contribute to the cultivation of the seven classical virtues, laying a robust foundation for a life of discernment, wisdom, and virtue.

The Classical Approach: A Foundation for Excellence

The classical education model, rooted in the rich soil of ancient Greece and Rome, emphasizes the cultivation of the mind and character through engagement with the best of what has been thought and said. This model, structured around the Trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, goes beyond mere knowledge. It seeks to shape the soul, instilling the capacity for critical thinking, eloquent expression, and ethical discernment in young minds.

The Power of Stories: Windows to the Soul

The timeless narratives of classic stories and fairy tales are at the heart of the classical curriculum. These narratives, passed down through generations, are captivating and full of profound moral lessons. They serve as mirrors reflecting universal human experiences and open doors to worlds of wisdom, courage, and virtue.

The Seven Classical Virtues: A Blueprint for Character

The classical model naturally nurtures the seven classical virtues, which are as follows:

Prudence: The ability to discern the appropriate course of action. Tales like Little Red Riding Hood teach caution and the importance of foresight.

Justice: Understanding and committing to what is right and fair. Through narratives, children learn the importance of fairness and the consequences of injustice.

Temperance: Mastery over one's desires and impulses. Stories often depict the pitfalls of unchecked desires and the virtue of restraint.

Courage: The strength to face challenges and stand for what is right. Heroes and heroines in fairy tales often embody the essence of bravery and resilience.

Faith: Trust in something greater than oneself. Many classic tales underscore the significance of faith, hope, and perseverance.

Hope: The optimistic expectation of good, even in adversity. Stories imbue children with the sense that good ultimately triumphs over evil.

Charity: Selfless love and concern for others. Fairy tales are replete with examples of kindness, generosity, and compassion.

Classic Tales as Moral Compasses

Specific tales serve as rich soil for the cultivation of these virtues. For instance, Little Red Riding Hood offers lessons on the importance of prudence and the dangers of naivety, while Rumpelstiltskin teaches about the perils of greed and the value of resourcefulness and integrity.

As the Lower School embarks on its battle of the classics this month, it will form a grounding for the language of learning and character. This fun experience is not merely an academic endeavor but a unique strategy for character formation. The timeless tales students will read this month are far from being outdated. They are as relevant today as ever, guiding stars in young minds' moral development. By reintroducing these narratives into grade school children's lives, we teach them to read and live virtuously, wisely, and well, looking to classic tales and linking the truths to the deeper reality expressed in Scripture.