The Seven Laws of Teaching

The Seven Laws

Gregory distills effective teaching into seven principles:

1. The Law of the Teacher — The teacher must know what they teach
2. The Law of the Learner — The learner must attend with interest
3. The Law of the Language — Instruction must use language the learner can understand
4. The Law of the Lesson — New learning must connect to what the student already knows
5. The Law of the Teaching Process — The teacher stimulates the learner's own mind
6. The Law of the Learning Process — The learner must reproduce the truth in their own understanding
7. The Law of Review — Testing and review confirm and complete learning

Timeless Principles for Any Teacher

These laws aren't tied to any particular educational philosophy — they describe how teaching and learning actually work. Classical, Charlotte Mason, or conventional teachers all benefit from understanding them.

The book is short, clear, and immediately applicable. Many classical schools include it in their new teacher orientation.

Why Classical Schools Still Use It

In an age of educational fads, Gregory's laws endure because they're grounded in reality. Good teaching always involves a knowledgeable teacher, an engaged learner, clear communication, and meaningful review.

At Saints Classical Academy, these principles complement our classical curriculum — the what we teach is shaped by the Trivium; the how is shaped by laws like these.