Virtuous Learning
Education
by Gregory Thornquest
As a class we will analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of societies throughout the world from the 5th Century to the Middle Ages. Through the intentional annotation and dissecting of primary source documents as well as credible historians students will develop logical and critical analyzing and thinking skills. This is not just a listen and regurgitate what the teacher tells you History class. It’s a virtuous learning environment designed to be constructive not destructive. While using the "Harkness Method” students will continually be working on communication skills of discussion, listening, and the proper way to navigate a difference of opinion through logical debate. Using this pedagogy of teaching, they will study the time period from the fall of Western Rome to the Crusades with the intent of learning the story of history and how philosophies are weaved throughout that story. Some topics within this timeline that will be studied are the Byzantine Empire, Muslim Empire, feudalism, Crusades, etc.
Grade/Age: 6th–8th
Dates: January 29, 2024 – June 3, 2024
Monday and Wednesday
Time: 9:40 A.M. to 10:40 A.M. & 10:50 A.M to 11:50 A.M.
$700 a semester or four payments of $175
Middle School World History
As a class we will analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of societies throughout the world from the 5th Century to the Middle Ages. Through the intentional annotation and dissecting of primary source documents as well as credible historians students will develop logical and critical analyzing and thinking skills. This is not just a listen and regurgitate what the teacher tells you History class. It’s a virtuous learning environment designed to be constructive not destructive. While using the "Harkness Method” students will continually be working on communication skills of discussion, listening, and the proper way to navigate a difference of opinion through logical debate. Using this pedagogy of teaching, they will study the time period from the fall of Western Rome to the Crusades with the intent of learning the story of history and how philosophies are weaved throughout that story. Some topics within this timeline that will be studied are the Byzantine Empire, Muslim Empire, feudalism, Crusades, etc.
Grade/Age: 9th–12th
Dates: January 29, 2024 – June 3, 2024
Monday and Wednesday
Time: 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M.
$740 a semester or four payments of $185
High School World History
High School Government
This is an in depth study of the historical inspiration, painstaking process, and glorious development of American Governmental institutions and the Constitution of the United States of America. Through the research and study of primary source documents, class discussions, projects, and other resources students will learn the difficulties and successes of America's "Great Experiment".
Grade/Age: 9th–12th
Dates: September 11, 2024 – January 22, 2025
Monday and Wednesday
Time: 12:35P.M. to 1:35 P.M.
$740 a semester or four payments of $185
Students will be taught to master fundamental economic concepts. They will receive a better understanding of operations and institutions within economic systems as they study the basic economic principles of micro- and macroeconomics, international economics, comparative economic systems, measurement, and methods. This graded core class fulfills the 12th grade high school requirement.
Grade/Age: 9th–12th
Dates: January 27, 2024 – June 2, 2025
Time: 12:35 P.M. to 1:35 P.M.
$740 a semester or four payments of $185
High School Economics
Middle School U.S. History
As a class we will analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of early American institutions. Through intentional annotation and dissecting the actual words and characters of people from history students will develop logical and critical thinking skills. This is not just a listen and regurgitate what the teacher tells you History class. It’s a virtuous learning environment designed to be constructive not destructive. While using the "Harkness Method” students will continually be working on communication skills of discussion, listening, and the proper way to navigate a difference of opinion through logical debate. Using this pedagogy of teaching, over the school year and two semesters, they will study America’s history from the beginning colonies all the way to the Cold War and Ronald Reagan’s Presidency. Some topics that will be studied are the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, slavery, Native American relations, formation of political parties, the Civil War, American Industrialization, the Civil Rights Movement, and the growth of Communism.
Grade/Age: 6th–8th
Dates: January 27, 2024 – June 2, 2025
Time: 9:40 A.M. to 10:40 A.M. & 10:50 A.M. to 11:50 A.M.
$700 a semester or four payments of $175
Middle School English
Students will learn how to annotate and study an assortment of different kinds of literature.
Literature is filled with creativity, universal truths, and philosophies of the era they are written in. Within the writings studied in this class we will dissect primary source documents, novels, poetry, and other works of literature in our search for virtue. Through this study students will be given insight into the ideas of the time they were written in, scaffolding upon their understanding of the events of history. As we unpack some of the most monumental works of the English language students will learn the importance of words and how ideas have consequences. They will also develop their own writing skills with the intent and expectation to use their gifts to influence the philosophies of their own era.
Grade/Age: 6th–8th
Dates: January 29, 2024 – June 3, 2024
Monday and Wednesday
Time: 12:35 P.M. to 1:35 P.M.
$700 a semester or four payments of $175
High School U.S. History
As a class we will analyze the development of the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of American institutions. Students will understand how philosophies have consequences and how the philosophies of the Enlightenment Period influenced the creation of the United States. Through intentional annotation and the dissection of primary source documents from history students will develop logical and critical thinking skills. This is not just a listen and regurgitate what the teacher tells you History class. It’s a virtuous learning environment designed to be constructive not destructive. While using the "Harkness Method” students will continually be working on communication skills of discussion, listening, and the proper way to navigate a difference of opinion through logical debate. Using this pedagogy of teaching, over the school year and two semesters, they will study America’s history from the beginning European colonies to the post September 11 policies of today.
Grade/Age: 9th–12th
Dates: January 27, 2024 – June 2, 2025
Time: 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M.
$760 a semester or four payments of $190
Students will learn how to annotate and study an assortment of different kinds of literature.
Literature is filled with creativity, universal truths, and philosophies of the era they are written in. Within the writings studied in this class we will dissect primary source documents, novels, poetry, and other works of literature in our search for virtue. Through this study students will be given insight into the ideas of the time they were written in, scaffolding upon their understanding of the events of history. As we unpack some of the most monumental works of the English language students will learn the importance of words and how ideas have consequences. They will also develop their own writing skills with the intent and expectation to use their gifts to influence the philosophies of their own era.
Grade/Age: 9th–12th
Dates: January 27, 2024 – June 2, 2025
Monday and Wednesday
Time: 1:45 P.M. to 2:45 P.M.
$740 a semester or four payments of $185
High School English
World Geography
Our world is amazing! Within it and its cultures we can find so many unique differences, but also so many more similarities. In this class we will explore the world learning the physical and topographical geography of different lands and the cultures of those areas. This journey will take the class into a study of these cultures’ history, language, traditions, landmarks, and of course to fully immerse ourselves we will have to taste some of it as well. For those that are excited about discovering our amazing world I look forward to having you join our adventure. No passport needed.
Grade/Age: 7th–12th
Dates: September 2023 – June 2024
$350 a semester
Virtues
JUSTICE
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"
-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
COURAGE
"Courage is the first virtue that makes all other virtues possible."
-Aristotle
LOVE
"Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all."
-G.K. Chesterton
ABOUT V.L.
For years I’ve been drawn to the word “virtuous”. I don’t know when, why, or how but I knew I loved the word and its meaning. I wasn’t sure how it would come to fruition but it was tattooed on my heart and I was going to do something virtuous with my life. I even had my daughter paint me a picture because I was so drawn to it. As years passed by I would play around with designing branding using the word "virtuous" without even having a path for it. And then it happened. Pieces that had been being placed in my life for years all came together at once! With over 20 years of teaching experience in grades 2nd through 12th, teaching curriculum in History to English to Science to Logic to Math etc., and spending over a decade in a Classical School where I developed curriculum around the Harkness pedagogy, the border of my virtuous puzzle became complete and I could now start to make out the picture that was to be built. And so Virtuous Learning was born.
Virtuous Learning strives to produce an education that helps to create life long learners and people of virtue. Through critical analysis and contextual logic students will develop the academic and communicative skills necessary to be a positive member of any community or environment they are in. Just as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.” Virtuous Learning’s desire is to create students that will be light within the dark places.
CONTACT V.L.
Serving:
San Diego
and
Riverside County
