Oliver DeMille started a movement in education almost two
decades ago. He named his philosophy the
Leadership Education Model or Thomas Jefferson Education. Five years ago, he spoke at a seminar I
attended. He challenged us as we left, to
go home and read classics books, find like-minded people, and get together
regularly to discuss our thoughts.
Plunging into the unknown, I started a book group called “Mothers Who
Know” that meets once a month.
Studying the classics regularly brings you face-to-face with
the greatest minds in history. This
process will change and inspire you to become better. If I am going to mentor my children in the
classics, I need to know them intimately myself. For instance, when I studied Les Miserables
this last fall I read the book, watched the movie, listened to the CD of the
musical driving around town, attended a live performance of the musical, and
discussed it with my book group. My
children now have a great love of Les Mis, because I exemplified a real love
of this story.
Studying great classic works can be hard work. If the home is filled with distracting media,
it may be difficult or impossible to study.
Thus, my family has opted to not have a television or any video games in
our home for the last four years. Our
children are allowed to be “bored” on purpose.
They have to find their own fun.
Without distracting media in our home, I am able to fill that space with
great things. Memorizing and reciting
poetry, studying the Suzuki method for violin, Spelling to Write and Read, Latin, The Life of Fred
math series, gardening, swimming, reading and listening to classical stories
for children, canning, raising pet chickens, and serving others in our community keeps us plenty
busy.
The Thomas Jefferson Education model does not offer a
specific curriculum. It is a philosophy and a way of life. DeMille identifies different phases that
children go through as they develop.
Each of the phases has specific goals that help our children to become
the best individuals they can be. Young
children need to learn a set of core values.
Older children should establish a wonderful love of learning with different
strategies of how to approach studying classics. Teen and young adults dig deep
into great works and learn to keep commitments as scholars. Through succumbing to a mentor and exposure
to the classics, children can’t help but become not only GOOD, but GREAT!
