Logic School (6th–8th Grade)
During the [Logic School] years the student’s capacity for formal reasoning develops. So why not stick the peg where it fits? This is the stage when learning facts is not enough. Questioning and arguing is commonplace, and often even a nuisance. Children reaching this age are eager to challenge ideas and exercise their newly developing reasoning abilities. Learning formal logic and the correct methods of reasoning fit in this stage like hand-in-glove. Logic, as a subject, matches the structure of their developing minds. Amazingly, classical and Christian schools have been quite successful in teaching college level logic to eighth graders (including formal syllogisms, fallacies, truth tables, and digital logic)! Strawbridge, Gregg. Classical & Christian Education. Veritas Press, 2002. Third Edition
Logic Curriculum
Logic has a central place in the curriculum in that it is a subject and skill that is applied and used in virtually every other class. For example, students in history, literature, or science classes will be required to think logically about the content they study and to expose any fallacies they detect in texts, presentations, and classmates (respectfully of course). Their writing in these classes will be assessed for their logical sharpness, and examinations will also presuppose and exercise logical skill.
Students study the various types of logic including informal logic, categorical, and symbolic logic. While these designations sound intimidating, they are learned well by adolescent students generally inclined to . . . argue. In addition to logic, students in the Logic School also study traditional subjects like science, history, math, literature, and Latin. Music, art, and physical education are also included in the Logic curriculum.
Logic Culture
Like the Grammar School, the culture of the Logic School will be one of order, peace, courtesy, and enthusiasm. Students in the Logic School, however, will be encouraged to debate and challenge one another in a Socratic, energetic, yet respectful manner. In these classes, students will not always raise their hands to speak, but learn to wait their turn and inject their comments and questions in an appropriate fashion. Debate and discussion guidelines will be given, monitored, and enforced by our Logic teachers.