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Primer

The Great Conversation

$1,685

Curriculum

TGC Primer is a world view primer for building a biblical world view, and an introductory course to The Great Conversation program at Schola.

TGC Primer students (grades 8-9) will focus on

  • Building the Biblical World View (first quarter),
  • Examining Literature From a Biblical World View (second quarter),
  • Speaking the Biblical World View Into the Culture (third quarter),
  • The Founding of a Nation Based Upon the Biblical World View (fourth quarter).

In addition to the World View studies, students receive writing instruction, master an overview of Western Civilization, read supplementary works of literature, and study rhetorical devices, informal fallacies, and public speaking.

Home Studies

  • The average student should plan to spend approximately three hours per day (including class time) to complete the reading assignments, answer the discussion questions in the syllabus, and complete the history and rhetoric assignments.
  • Regular progress reports will be sent to parents.

Credits

  • 1 Credit - English
  • 1 Credit - History
  • 1 Credit - Bible/Apologetics

Prerequisites

  • Students in ninth grade and strong readers in eighth grade can successfully enter TGC Primer.
  • Although not required, TGC Prep with Composition class at Schola provides excellent preparation for TGC Primer.

Texts & Materials

Notes for Sourcing Books:
  • Most of the links below are from Christianbook, which is a great alternative to Amazon. Sign up for emails to receive free shipping offers.
  • The Starting Points Syllabus and Worldview Editions of Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde are available from Cornerstone Curriculum. Use the discount code "schola15" for a 15% discount. Families who have previously purchased a Worldviews of the Western World (WVWW) Syllabus may receive an additional 20% discount when purchasing another WVWW Syllabus. Choose "Additional Syllabus" option when ordering online. Free shipping for orders over $200.
  • If a specific edition is noted, be sure to get that exact edition. For books without a specified edition, any edition will do.
  • + These books are consumable or used in class. Siblings taking TGC Primer should each have their own copy.
  • * These books are used in subsequent years of TGC.

Texts

Optional Summer Review

    • 4th edition 2006 or later
    • This overview of the clash and contrast between Greek philosophy and Hebrew wisdom and their role in shaping Western Christianity provides an excellent introduction to the themes introduced in TGC Primer and unpacked in subsequent years of TGC.
    • 2nd edition
    • ISBN: 978-1947644557
    • This "Refresher Grammar" book contains 49 short lessons that will help your student to review English grammar in preparation for TGC Primer.

Curriculum

First semester

Second semester

  • Street Smarts, Gregory Koukl
    • ISBN: 978-0-3101-13913-3
  • Of Plymouth Plantation, William Bradford
    • Must be this Dover edition
    • ISBN: 978-0486452609
  • The Mayflower Papers, Nathaniel Philbrick & Thomas Philbrick
    • ISBN: 978-014310498-8
    • This book is readily available on Amazon for just a few cents plus shipping

Materials

  • A binder, paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, and a red pen.
  • Access to a computer, internet, email, and a printer, as well as ink and paper. Be sure your computer has Adobe Reader.
  • We encourage each family to subscribe to and discuss together World Magazine or listen together to the podcast The World and Everything in It from the World News Group.