Academy for Classical Education (ACE) sixth graders who take part in “The Well-Trained Mind” elective learn to bridge the classical gap between grammar and junior high school. The hands-on 
projects created by students in elective classes serve as a “museum” for students throughout the school to help them learn about the Ancient World and its connection to today.
Through history, students in the class explore the Ancient World’s development and contribution to all the parts of a people’s culture that continue to influence and impact the modern world today. They learn about the ancient roots of their written language, how ancient laws influence the judicial courts of today, and they see how ancient literature, art, and music influence their daily lives. Students practice 
annotation and note-taking skills to assist comprehension. They also conduct research on topics related to their studies. Students then share their findings through projects that have them emulate the ancient people whose accomplishments serve as our inspiration. Like the Classical Core curriculum, the Well-Trained Mind curriculum is based on the 4-year history cycle. This course focuses specifically on year one of that cycle, the Ancient World.
Projects in the class include: Prehistoric Peoples: A Museum; Tombs of the Pharaoh: A Museum (pictured above and to the left); A Taste of India: Multi-Media Project and Art of China: Chinese Dragons/Chinese Lanterns.
The class is taught by Amber Molnar (pictured above left). Ms. Molnar is the 6th grade department chair for ACE, teaches two classes of gifted 6th grade English and 4 classes of The Well-Trained Mind.
