Training vs education

I have been searching out more information on science for my kids.  I am certain they are getting a lot of science between the 'recommended books', the random library fun, and the Science Olympiad, the occasional co-op science, and the badge work for scouts.

BUT

I kinda think they should have some more concrete science, maybe a little practice in formal experiments, maybe just an overview of specific 'every other kid is learning this' topics, or I am really not sure.  All that unease has lead me to research a few ideas.

One of which is "The Well Trained Mind".

Following a classical model "The Well Trained Mind" sets out to tell you what to use for every subject and every stage of a child's education.

I find my self alternating between agreeing with the book and wanting to throw it across the room.  Except when I fall asleep trying to get through a page.

First they suggest teaching reading apart from writing.  I can so get behind that.  All of my older three children were able to read long before their motor skills caught up enough to properly form letters (and the boys still are lousy writers).  I saw many times, when I was teaching, children who had reading or comprehension skills far above their writing skills.

But then the book discusses how you should drill the kid from about age 6 on in writing every day.  Err yuck. I tried fighting with my kids over writing, it so isn't the battle I want to pick.

Then it goes into a long 'resource list' of books you can use for teaching.  Useful I am sure, but not in book format, I need an online list that I can look at while checking the library website.  I know I am spoiled with all the modern technology.  No handwritten lists for me!

Most of the chapters seem like that, first a premise I totally agree with, then an order for a lot of seat-work, then a boring list.

So far I have only made it to chapter 17 (remember I keep falling asleep while reading). And already I know I do not quite have a brain up to the 'logic' writing phase!  That and I get annoyed being told 'what to do' all the time.  I prefer parenting/educating books written with a suggestive tone.

The classical premise seems to be that since children's brains grow at relatively steady paces from concrete to abstract, you should divy up 'how' they learn accordingly.  Staring with piles of facts in the early grades, moving to 'logic' in the middle and I don't know what for older students.  I can see that progression in a way, though I disagree that all children will follow the model at the same rate.

The sheer amount of work suggested for each kid every day would get you a rather well trained person, or a horrendous battle each day.  But I am not sure how well educated they would be.  Oh sure it covers, in depth, history science and the like.  But unless you have a kid good at writing, and very good at sitting still, you will have spent an awful lot of time killing their desire to freely seek out knowledge.

I will likely try to check out their books on history and science, I might even look up some logic course for Dude soon, but I doubt I will ever get quite so dedicated to 'training' my kids.