What sets The Principle Approach method apart? Its education method is the manner of consistent and ordered teaching and learning that produces Christian character and self-government, Christian scholarship and Biblical reasoning for lifelong learning and discipleship.
The notebook method is an essential component to the Principle Approach that governs the teacher and student in their participation in each subject. It establishes a consistent tool and standard of Christian scholarship. The learners are producers as they build their own daily record of a subject, taking ownership of the learning process. The notebook method embraces the four steps of learning: research, reason, relate and record. It aids in the Biblical purposes of education by “enlightening the understanding, correcting the temper, and forming the habits of youth that fit him for usefulness in his future station.” (excerpted from the Webster’s 1828 Dictionarydefinition of education) The notebook method is the product of the student’s creativity and a permanent record of his productivity. It assists parents and teachers in overseeing progress and visually demonstrates the character development, diligence, and responsibility of the student.
Compare the Workbook Method vs the Notebook Method here.
4-R-ing in every subject at every grade level, the student is required to actively participate in his learning by:
1. Researching the subject, word, or study
2. Reasoning through identifying the leading idea and basic principles
3. Relating it to other areas of study and the world around them
4. Recording what he has learned in his notebook using his writing skills and his own ideas, conclusions, and creativity
Each child’s notebook is a reflection of his unique individuality!
Reasoning from recurring Biblical principles and leading ideas— every study draws out a leading idea that relates to one or more of the seven basic principles built on God.s Word. The seven principles are the documented source of America.s Christian founding as identified in The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, Vol. I: Christian Self-Government.
Reflective learning— the student internalizes principles that shape his thinking and behavior.internal to external.
Key word study— using Noah Webster.s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, students study the meanings of words defined whenever possible from the Bible, their original root and etymology, and research the meaning of other words found in the definition. Through this study, students truly understand the word and gain the ability to articulate an idea, acquire mastery of the English language, and learn its application to history and today.
Fine arts and liberal arts emphasis— building the person from the inside out requires the teacher to encourage the student.s creativity, talent, gifts, and inherent skills, seeking each one’s unique purpose in Christ.
The classroom constitution— instills Christian character and conscience by empowering the student to take responsibility for his own learning and the learning environment where he contractually agrees to practice self-government.
Mastery learning— repetition of basic recurring principles at every grade level, continually applying age appropriate methods to enable the student to internalize and understand his subject of study.