Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't Undermine Children's Ability;Ivy Education At Home!!
Review: I am an African American and not a Christian. I am a homeschooler and want the best most rigorous education that fits my child's pace of development. I found this book to be EXTREMELY helpful. Although the book does not go into sports or any where near the contributions of African Americans (VERY DISAPPOINTING!!) The philosopy and style of the guidance presented here is a good foundation for curriculum development. I looked carefully for the principles and values espoused and did not find the book lacking in these areas. Sports are not high on my list of concerns. My child's socialization, etiquette, character, health and fitness are of concern. If this can be achieved in a particular sport, so be it, or it may be accomplished elsewhere. The book's author hardly considers any African American author or books about African-Americans, except under European rule or brief mention of the culture of Africans. Unfortunately this is to be expected(of course not always accepted but in this case the information,for me, outweighs the narrow cultural perspective of the author)living in America. African-Americans must provide our children with the best works from our people as well. I did not evaluate this book based off of diversity. I approached this book from where the author stood (middle class White-American). From this perspective I think she did a good job presenting the principles and values through her cultural and academic experience. As a side note, I think it is irrevelant whether or not she mentions her other children. Although her distinct mention of the others and purposeful focus on only one begs for questioning. However, as parents we have the responsibility to determine whether or not information we read is relevant to us and our family, not whether the author gives an adequate depiction of her entire family. Logic, Reasoning, Writing, Communication, Math, Science, Understanding, Creativity are all important for ANY child to develop. Unfortunately this is the only homeschooling book I've ever read to go into depth on these issues. It is also the rare homeschooling book that doesn't assume that all homeschoolers are Christians. I have respect for the author providing information regarding Christian texts ( I have no problem reading these either). But, I also tremendously respect her offering alternatives and nonsectarian materials to those who do not particularly want to indoctrinate our children in the Christian faith, but who believe in right principles and values nonetheless.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Feelings
Review: My wife and I experimented with this method in homeschooling one of our children. There is much to appreciate in Bauer's approach. I like the idea of tying everything to history: scientific advances make more sense when viewed within their historic context. However I would caution against following it too closely. She is a bit of a perfectionist, and not all of us may be blessed with the sort of wunderkind who takes to learning with the gusto that a strict interpretation of this method requires. Also: take a careful look at the resources that she recommends before you buy them. She recommends Douglas J. Wilson and his publishing house for books on logic and Latin. She warns that Wilson is "very Presbyterian"; as a Presbyterian I am offended by this. Very nuts is more like it. He preaches returning to an Old Testament patriarchy (I am not talking about the typical evangelical complimentarian belief here)and has some curious ideas about slavery in the Old South. These ideas may not be front and center in the specific books that Bauer recommends, but you are supporting them by supporting Canon Press. I am a bit upset by this because I bought The Well Trained Mind because it was published by Norton and because it seemed to distance itself in tone and in content from the usual fundamentalist homeschooling material. Wilson, however, makes James Dobson look like Gloria Steinham. So, by all means, use as a resource, but don't think that you have to follow it to the letter, and be careful with Bauer's recommendations.
Rating:
Summary: I was hoping for more
Review: I read the original version of "The Well Trained Mind" checked out from a local library several years ago and was very impressed. As my children are nearing school age, I decided to buy the book intending to use it as a resource to suppliment their education. The revised edition disapointed me. Though I appreciated more up to date resources and ordering information, the authors omitted many resources that they recommended in the first edition that are still available in favor of their own books. I found that a great disservice to a very loyal readership. It significantly lowered my opinion of the author's character and credibility. Though I still plan on using the method presented, I don't think I will be buying any more of their material.
Rating: 
Summary: Elementary homeschooler (grammar stage)
Review: We have been using TWTM for a 18 months and am very pleased. We tried unschooling, Charlotte Mason, secular curriculum and I researched countless others without satisfaction. Nothing could answer the childrens' inquisitiveness AND preserved my sanity until we found TWTM. TWTM is not curriculum but a "how to" guide - how to tackle classical education, use wholesome books instead of textbooks, how to tutor and maintain state regulations and much more. The children leap into subjects I never knew existed at their age: literature, science, art, music - they enjoy all of these things at a young age (7, 5 & 3) while learning the 3 R's. We modified the program to meet our particular learning needs and substitute books when appropriate. While we accelerate in several subjects, other subjects are taught concurrently for their chronological age. The same approach can be used successfully for remedial or disabled learners. We obtain most of our learning materials from a metropolitian library and from on-line resources, saving money and time. As the teacher, I am challenged to learn. I find enrichment stimulating and pleasant as I continue to work outside the home while pursuing home education. Lessons take little time to prepare and usually consists of reviewing library books for repetition and key points.
Rating:
Summary: There is also a website!
Review: I've been homeschooling for 7 years. When my oldest was readyfor 4th grade I began to worry. Until then I'd subscribed to a mostlyunschooling philosophy since I was only teaching one very young,highly motivated child who loved to read. She seemed to learn almostin spite of anything I did. Still, I would have occasional panicattacks and research curriculum packages and publishers. I boppedaround a lot trying to find a good fit. Then 4th grade loomed. Isuddenly had 2 homeschoolers, one just learning to read and write, theother beginning to (consciously and unconsciously) ask for morestructure. I needed to get organized!! This book was recommended ona list I belong to...people either loved it or hated it depending onhow much unschooling meant to them. So I gave it a shot and I mustsay The Well Trained Mind has made me excited about homeschooling allover again! I now have 3 active homeschoolers, my oldest in 7thgrade. I don't follow the schedules to the letter. The authors neversuggest you do. But this book has given me the confidence andresource lists to discover I can not only provide an adequateeducation for multiple children and age levels...I can provide animpressively superior education! Someone mentioned the extensivebooklist suggested (again, not required). Many of these books (orcomparable ones) can be found at the local library or on curriculumswap websites...
Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Disappointment
Review: This new "updated" edition is really identical to the original, except now the author is hawking her own newly published books in place of the ones she recommended (by other authors) in the first edition. This is an understandable (and brilliant) marketing technique, however she completely removed any reference to the originally recommended authors and I personally find her books lacking in substance. Especially the "Story of the World" series in which I was expecting a Christian worldview. The Well-Trained Mind is quite specific on her meticulous (but not complex) recordkeeping system so it is a good reference to have on hand (as opposed to borrowing from the library) if you have decided to follow a similar program. Classical education in and of itself is a wonderfully thorough education that has been around for centuries and is certainly not the brainchild of Mrs.Wise Bauer (or her mother), however, she does an excellent job of giving a clear and workable model for those of us who may find the task of educating our children in this manner a bit daunting. Overall the book is worth its price if you plan to follow the program she outlines (I consider the original edition superior). For those of you who are not yet convinced about classical education, this book is best checked out at your local library first. Also, anyone looking for a more exciting phonics and reading program than WTM recommends (either edition, I found all the options a bit dry) check out the Phonics Museum at www.veritaspress.com. It is muti-sensory, wonderfully engaging, thourough and very different from the other programs out there, as well as being visually beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Guide and Resource
Review: Book Review: The Well Trained Mind, A Guide to Classical Education at Home, by Jesse Wise. I enjoyed this book for it's curriculum guidelines for homeschooling using the classical style of home education. Written by a homeschooling parent and her adult homeschooled daughter, this book lays out the principles of the Trivium, the three-part process of training the mind. She says that this is diametrically opposed to the principles of unschooling, because here, the parent "supplies the mind with facts and thinking skills." This gives a clue as to the approach. It's not child-led. It's very structured. Although I had a little trouble with the idea of teaching very formal academics to a younger child, I liked the progressive nature of the Trivium, I liked the clear structure of the curriculum, and the extensive resource lists, and I liked the emphasis on classical works. The trivium, as she states, is language-based and not image based, so there is very little hands-on and art and music mentioned. I think the problem with this approach is if you have a child with another type of learning style. There is a lot of reading and writing. It may not work well with all kids. I also note that there is little if any discussion on how to teach multiple children, or where to start if you don't do this from the beginning, and a lack of discussion in building loving family relationships. It sounds like 12 years of academics with little time for much else. I think if you use this book, you need to soften the process with good relationship building and family skills. The principle is this: The first years, grades 1 through 4 are the "grammar" stage where the mind is supplied with facts and images (rules of grammar, math facts, phonics, poems, songs, stories in literature and history). And I was glad to see that these four years were just an introduction to facts, not a deep delving. Then, the"logic" stages, in grades 5-8 where the child is given tools to logically organize those facts (including learning outlining, paragraph constructions, organizing skills and analysis) , and the third stage is the "rhetoric" stage, grades 9-12 where the child is equipped to express conclusions forcefully. The other part of this process is the repetition ever four years. The first ,5,th and 9 th grades study the Ancient times (4000 B.C - 400 AD) and the grades 2, 6, 10 study the Medieval and Early Renaissance (400 AD - 1600 AD) , and the grades 3, 7, 11 study the Late Renaissance and Early Modern (1600-1850)and the Modern to Present times is studied in grades 4, 8, 12. The science is divided also this way: The first time period is Biology and Human body and Classification (Ancients), the second is Earth Science and Astronomy (Medieval times), the third time is Chemistry (Late Renaissance), and the Modern times studies physics and computer science. History is studied with the same four time periods, as is the literature. Everything in a whole year follows the time period. After four years, you repeat the cycle, but with more emphasis on analysis and logic and creativity. A couple of other things she says: she believes that peer socialization should not take such a precedence in children's lives. That family and neighbors should come first. She doesn't believe in dating in high school. She does throw her personal ethics in here a lot. She also says that children can learn to do more than we think. We can challenge them. She has a lot to say about the literataure and movies that most educators let our kids use for academics. She has a section on testing, transcripts, lists of resources, how to use certain books and resources, complete step by step ideas on developing notebooks, how to prepare the mind to think. I think this book is very good, BUT, like other homeschooling books, it could make you feel inadequate as a homeschooling parent. ON the other hand, if you need some guidance on classical studies, and want someone to lay out a good curriculum for you complete with resources, this is a good book to own.
Rating:
Summary: Homeschooling for the rest of us
Review: The Well Trained MInd describes a system of home education reminiscent of old-fashioned tutor systems drawing on classical literature and subject matter, including the early study of logic and Latin for 'building the mind.' It will appeal to parents (and students) already interested in an early, firm start in math and reading and its practical ordering of subject areas with precise resource recommendations. It may offend parents concerned about 'the hurried child' syndrome and who would rather 'let kids be kids' a little longer. It is possible that the success the authors describe with themselves and others is due to other factors not carefully studied, such as high motivation and high intelligence. (In fact, the other two children in the family are not described much; it may be that they turned out like Susan (the daughter, product of this program) & the authors are merely protecting their privacy. Still, as a reader, I wondered how the siblings turned out.) It may offend parents concerned about overly-coercive 'programming' of the young child into a highly academic, studious life. Although the Wises certainly tout the importance of early attention to art and music, there is some risk here of over-emphasis on the three R's. Its greatest appeal is perhaps its emphasis on drawing on the whole cycle of human history, from the dawn of Man to the present. Devotees of Ed Hirsch ('Cultural Literacy') will highly appreciate the emphasis on keystones of human culture. Children who successfully follow this program would indeed turn out firmly grounded in 'culture.' Because this is a home education program, families of different backgrounds might choose to emphasize different cultures as focal points although such resources could be harder to find. The central focus of the Wises' program is identifiably Western European but perhaps one must forgive them this unfortunate necessity--is it bias? That could be argued elsewhere. They point out that it is a family's job to incorporate the subject matter of faith and religion & otherwise shy away from prescribing in this area except to include it in the schedule. I appreciated this ecumenical view. Parents timid about homeschooling will appreciate the explicit timeframe described in terms of age; school grade; and daily, weekly, yearly overviews. But one could easily feel intimidated by the caliber of the academics--you'll be looking for a Latin tutor, music teachers, etc., as needed. The program itself appeals to me personally; I was already doing similar activities with my children. However, we follow a more 'Attachment Parenting' lifestyle. So we will not follow the Wises' recommendation of using cribs and naptimes to secure home-education time. We will take a more relaxed approach while incorporating some of their ideas. The danger is always that some parents will go whole-hog without being willing to reject unsuitable portions. I hope readers will be critical and astute, choose what they need, and tailor the Wises' recommendations to fit their family, not vice-versa. One more caveat: I was raised in a very similar fashion to this strict 'classical' approach. Although I welcome the idea of seeing more young adults turn out highly educated in history, logic, and language skills, it is an awkward fit with today's society that fosters quite different values. To choose this program or homeschooling at all, parents need to be responsible about supporting their children through some awkward years of figuring out how to fit in with a world (i.e., beyond college) that has run amok with very different values and ideas.
Rating:
Summary: One blueprint for achieving academic excellence
Review: My family long ago adopted a "so many books, so little time" approach to learning. If you and your family are also stimulated by great books, the lessons of history, the wonders of science, and the magic of learning another language, then you will discover treasures in this volume, to say nothing of superb recommendations for mastering a program of academic excellence. Jessie Wise has assembled THE reference book for people who choose to blend the best of family-centered, home-based learning with a rigorous quest for academic excellence. Her own experience is obviously Christian in perspective, but, where appropriate, she presents excellent alternatives for secular homeschoolers in her year-by-year approach to classical education, including books, schedules, and resources. So stop wandering the library, bookstores, teacher supply stores, and Internet. Save yourself time and money by referring to the meticulously researched resource lists presented in The Well-Trained Mind. (Note that movements exist within movements, and homeschooling is no exception. Unschoolers, school-at-homers, unit study devotees, John Holt fans - the list goes on and on, and the dissension among the ranks grows louder (and nastier) as each submovement asserts its preferences and points its finger at the shortcomings of the others. But while Wise's book is decidedly not one for those who subscribe to pure child-led learning and unschooling, she does not denigrate the choices these homeschoolers make.)
Rating:
Summary: A good resource
Review: I like this book as a resource but would not use it, or encourage anyone to use it, as a strict guide for homeschooling. Having homeschooled for several years now while also learning about the Classical Method, I would say that this is a variation at best. In the true Classical Method the ages are different. The Grammar stage lasts much longer than this book allows. Therefore, too much seems to be placed on the child too early. My son is nearly at the age this book considers to be the Logic stage and he (and most of his friends) is no where near that level. He is not an idiot he is simply still in the grammar stage. This stage should last until well into what we in America call Middle School. The Well-Trained Mind, unfortunately, starts it much too early.
Their reason for this is their insistence on going through the eras of history three times. This is unnecessary. While your child may be interested in the study of Ancient Egypt and may pick it up again in High School, there is no reason why he must go through it three times. There is too much involved in history and this method brushes over a lot.
The other problem is the rigidity of it. I was surprised (to use a mild word) to see that they actually give a daily schedule of when to do your work. This is a rarity in the homeschooling community for good reason. One of the joys of homeschooling is NOT being tied to a schedule. I have known too many mothers who have become discouraged due to this. They have small children and they cannot seem to get it all done in the time frame that The Well-Trained Mind recommends.
Before swallowing this as THE true classical method, do some other reading. Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Doug Wilson is an excellent resource into what a good classical education entails. You can do a search on the internet for Dorothy Sayers essay "The Lost Tools of Learning" and read, for free, what is a better age recommendation for each stage. There are many other sites if you simply do a search for Classical Education or Classical Christian Education. All of these will give you more insight into the method.
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