Students in the Logic School are taught to be truth seekers motivated by a love for God, His Word, and His creation. They learn to think deeply, reason well, analyze sources, and see connections that provide a broader context for each area of study.
Students in 6th–8th grades naturally begin to question, challenge, and argue about the truth and value of ideas and pursuits. This is known as the “logic stage,” and it is necessary that students in this stage are not simply taught what to think but how to think. Starting with the foundation of memorization, recitation, and comprehension from the grammar stage, logic students begin cultivating the skills of analysis and critical thinking.
Literature
Students read whole pieces of excellent and time-tested literature. These pieces are beautiful, entertaining, and a deep well of truth and beauty. Students use literature to study the styles and techniques of excellent authors. They also discuss how the patterns in literature reflect truths about God, mankind, history, and the redemption story.
Writing
Classical writing instruction focuses on learning first through imitation. Students read excellent pieces of literature and poetry as well as informational and persuasive writing and study how authors use structure and style to communicate beautifully and effectively. Writing helps to shape student thinking, and it is integrated into all areas of study. While our students in 7th and 8th grades do learn to use a computer to write a final draft of their essays, we emphasize outlining and writing by hand as often as possible.
Logic
Students learn through all subjects how to think deeply about truth. Through their writing, they learn to generate, analyze, develop, and present arguments that are clear and supported by evidence. Students take an introductory logic course that provides them with the skills to establish the validity of an argument and apply their logic skills in and out of the classroom.
Math
Math is the language that reveals the logical order of the world that God has created. It reflects God’s eternal, orderly, and unchanging nature. Students sharpen their reasoning skills as they shore up their foundational studies in 6th grade and move on to Pre-Algebra in 7th grade and Algebra I in 8th grade.
Science
While the usefulness of scientific knowledge is a wonderful blessing from the Lord, classical education focuses first on the joy of knowledge for its own sake. The science classroom cultivates enthusiasm and wonder by studying the amazing things God has revealed and those things which are beyond human comprehension or explanation. Our curriculum emphasizes the study of fundamental content as well as the scientific process through lab experiments and historical studies. Students in the Logic School finish up their general science studies in 6th grade and then move on to Life Science in 7th grade and Physical Science in 8th grade.
History
History is taught through stories, primary sources, timelines of important dates, and the labeling of maps. Students also learn to ask, ponder, and discuss important questions about the actions and motivations of the past. They are inspired through the study of history to live virtuous lives that honor the Lord through goodness, service, and hard work. Students take Modern U.S. History in 6th grade, Ancient History in 7th grade, and Geography in 8th grade.
Latin
Many of the foundational writings of Western civilization were written in Latin, and learning Latin opens the door to reading these great works in the original language. So, while Latin forms a student’s mind to reason well, builds English grammar and vocabulary, aids in learning other languages, and often leads to higher SAT scores, the primary purpose of our program is to build foundational skills and cultivate a love for Latin that will lead students into future study.
Bible
Scripture and a biblical worldview are part of every class taught at Riverbend Academy. In addition, students take a half-year Bible class in each grade in upper school. As 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” We hold to these truths, and our Bible classes seek to teach the knowledge of the Scripture and foster a lifelong love and hunger for God’s Word. Students study Acts and the Epistles in 6th grade, Old Testament Survey I in 7th grade, and Old Testament Survey II in 8th grade.