The Classical Difference

The Harkness Method is a teaching and learning method involving students seated in a large, oval shape in order to discuss ideas in an encouraging, open-minded environment with only occasional or minimal teacher intervention.

The Harkness method of teaching is a kind of socratic, discussion-based approach, mainly used in high school classes. The method is content-focused and teacher-led, but student-centered; that is, the students carry the load of discussing (and learning how to ask) the questions raised by the content they are studying in class, whether this is Milton’s Paradise Lost, a topic in ancient history, or a problem in mathematics. Students discuss arranged in an oval and all are expected to be able to articulate their understanding, and to ask questions both of the text and of each other. There is no hiding in a Harkness discussion-careful preparation and a thoughtful search for truth are critical. Ideally, these discussion s occur around an oval-shaped table where all students can see and interact with each other. Since the architecture of a place (and a classroom is no exception) significantly impacts what goes on it in, we have purchased some of these tables for our humanities classrooms, and hope to add more as we’re able. As McLuhan pointed out, the medium is the message. A seminar-style seating arrangement encourages engagement and participation, in contrast to the standardized rows of students focused on the front which is typical in many classrooms.

Veritas doesn’t approach Harkness discussions as a kind of free-for-all sharing time. Rather, teachers guide students to discuss carefully and thoughtfully, applying both their content knowledge and their biblical worldview to the problems raised. But the bulk of the work in the discussion is placed squarely where it should be: on the students.

Student Self-Education and Harkness Discussions

 At Veritas, we seek to challenge children individually at all levels and teach them how to learn by using the centuries-old and well-proven classical method.

By adopting an updated version of the Trivium, the name given to the first three of these Seven Liberal Arts, the teachers at Veritas are better able to pass on the invaluable tools of learning that built the foundation of education throughout this amazing period of history.

The three parts of the Trivium are:

• Grammar – memorizing the basic facts of a subject
• Logic – understanding the relationship of those facts to each other; and
• Rhetoric – knowing how to effectively communicate this knowledge to others

At Veritas, we seek to challenge children individually at all levels and teach them how to learn by using the centuries-old and well-proven classical method.

Much of Western Civilization – our culture, laws, history, and language – has been built on the heritage of the ancient Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans. For an education to have depth, certain aspects of this heritage need to be studied, understood, and appreciated.

Early Christians developed the classical teaching method, which revolved around what were called the Seven Liberal Arts. This method was utilized through the Middle Ages and into the early 1900s, proving to be remarkably successful.

By adopting an updated version of the Trivium, the name given to the first three of these Seven Liberal Arts, the teachers at Veritas are better able to pass on the invaluable tools of learning that built the foundation of education throughout this amazing period of history.

The Trivium Model is applied to every academic subject through various teaching techniques and activities carefully related to a child’s age and stage of development.

To learn more about what we mean by classical and Christian education at Veritas, browse through the following articles:

Education is Not Neutral: Why Christian Children Need Classical Christian Schooling

Teaching with the End in Mind

Classical Education and Leadership

The Portrait of a Graduate is our description of the virtues and character traits we desire to see in our graduating seniors. These traits guide our work with students from kindergarten on up as we seek to move them toward wisdom, virtue and godliness. As a teaching staff, we consciously keep these goals in mind both in and outside the classroom.

A Veritas graduate will:

reason precisely and articulate persuasively, who are capable of evaluating their range of experience in the light of the Scripture, and who do so with eagerness and in joyful submission to God. This is shown as they:

• demonstrate godly discernment in all their dealings with the world
• speak and write persuasively and wisely in any situation
• submit joyfully and eagerly to the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all things

possess all these characteristics with humility and gratitude so that they may proceed in to the world to the glory of God, as they:

• serve others actively in humility
• persevere in difficult settings
• initiate respectful dialog with those in authority

are socially graceful and spiritually gracious, and who:

• put others at ease, and are themselves at ease, in all social situations
• know what it means to receive grace and to be gracious to others

are equipped with a love for the elements of a classical education, desiring to grow in understanding and yet fully realizing the limitations and foolishness of the wisdom of the world. They will:

• choose classical, Christian education for their own children
• spend some of their leisure time actively pursuing the Liberal Arts and attending to the fine arts
• use logical reasoning to draw valid conclusions, recognize invalid reasoning, and make wise decisions
• show in their speech and writing a mastery of the core knowledge of the Liberal Arts

know and love the Lord Jesus Christ and can distinguish real religion from religion in form only, as they:

• practice their Christian faith in thought, word, and deed
• honor Christ by leading in their communities through their individual callings