Developing Talents Through Intrinsic Values

A Framework for Lifelong Learning

Intrinsic Values are the internal qualities within the method of study that will assist the student to develop talents. Since each subject enhances a different Intrinsic Value, the students will learn and develop a different talent with each subject studied. Talents are developed and strengthened by frequent practice. For example, the intrinsic value for Language Arts is practicing “academic service.” If a student performs one academic service project during a year’s time, a talent for service is really not firmly established. However, doing 40 academic service projects every year (nearly one per week with the language arts principles), a talent and a love for service cannot fail to be developed.

Serving With Honor

The good education of Youth has been esteemed by wise men in all ages, as the surest foundation of the happiness both of private families and of commonwealths. Almost all governments have therefore made it a principal object of their attention, to establish and endow with proper revenues, such seminaries of learning, as might supply the succeeding age with men qualified to serve the public with honor to themselves, and to their country."

- Benjamin Franklin, 1749

Learning how to apply scriptures to everyday life

Religious Studies

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. " - James 1:22

At Kimber Academy, students of various religious beliefs will have an opportunity to study the scriptures of their choice, to learn how to know scripture and how to apply it throughout their lives. Students will learn how to use the hook-date method of retention, so that the information that they learn may be remembered with greater quantity of information and quality of content. Students are taught specifics on how to apply their knowledge of the scriptural messages, rather than merely learning about them.

Learning to think and self-govern, using correct principles

Mathematics

“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” - Proverbs 2:6

The Kimber Academy Math curriculum is principle-based. The students first read and memorize a principle, are shown examples of its use, and then they create and solve their own math problems. This allows students to progress at their own depth. Since our Math curriculum covers over 300 specific principles, students will soon learn how to use correct principles and govern themselves. This talent of “learning how to self-govern using correct principles” will be of invaluable worth all their lives.

Learning how to lose oneself in academic service

Language Arts

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” - Matthew 16:25

Language Arts is the art of communication. After students learn a Language Arts principle, they refer to the scriptures to see how the Lord used it. Then the students practice the principle by using it in an academic service project. Reading and writing skills are developed as students discover ways to share with others and perfect what they have learned. Students are taught that knowledge is only theirs if they learn to give it away. The more they share their knowledge, the more it is theirs. As students progress through their Language Arts studies, they will have the opportunity to perform over 160 academic service projects over a four-year period. After completing these service projects, students will have developed the talent of “learning how to lose oneself in academic service.”

Learning how to search the scriptures

Science

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” - John 5:39

Each of the Science books directs the student to answer two questions— “How God Created” a particular facet of the creation, and “Why God Created” everything. The HOW question is answered as students research, illustrate, define, and label major vocabulary words from academic reference books from the library, encyclopedias, or internet resources, etc., related to that subject. The WHY question leads the students to study the scriptures of their choice to discover testimony-building answers from God’s revealed word. In this way students develop the talent of “learning how to search the scriptures,” and other reference books to find their answers.

Learning how to ponder in one’s heart God's Dealing with Man

History

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:…For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” - Isaiah 6:8

History is more than facts. History can be defined as a study of “God’s dealings with mankind, and mankind’s dealings with each other.” It is this concept that makes history important and sacred. In the Glenn J. Kimber Academy History program students learn “Hook Dates.” These are significant dates to which are attached specific people and events. Each school day, students have the opportunity to recall the information they previously learned and then they are taught additional material. This develops within the student the ability to mentally assemble vast quantities of information at a given time, thus allowing students to ponder over the subject. As students do this day after day, they develop the talent of “learning how to ponder.”