An introductory and systematic course in formal logic that presents the concepts and methodology in a clear, concise, and organized way. If the course presentation and layout is a reflection of a very logical mind, and Martin Cothran wrote and laid out the course, then Martin Cothran has a very logical mind. While this may or may not be true, it is, nonetheless, a valid argument. Written specifically for the home school environment, and for use by a teacher with no previous experience in formal logic, it seems a good candidate for a self-instructional course (provided you can offer help as needed). You will want to read the author's notes in the front, as he suggests an alternate route through the book if students have trouble with the abstract concepts presented in the first three chapters. The author's targeted grade level is high school, but it may be used with "advanced" 7th and 8th graders or adults as well. If you are using the classical approach with your children, they will probably be ready for this course in junior high. Two levels of the course are available. Book I contains 14 chapters plus an introduction in the course, each with short, daily lessons. The introduction provides an excellent background of logic as a methodology and science, and defines key concepts used in logic. It is really part of the course, not just a preface. The mental and verbal aspects of Terms (chapters 1-3), Propositions (chapters 4-9), and Syllogisms (chapters 10-14). Each chapter is logically laid out for a clear presentation and to aid student understanding. An introduction presents the topic of the chapter. Helpful sidebars highlight important definitions and concepts to remember. Diagrams provide a visual illustration of concepts. Following this are four daily exercise sets. You will probably want your child to look at the exercise instructions first, as they also contain the reading plan for each day. See Book II for more details.