He is Born!

Classical Education: Books, Resources and More!

This is by no means a definitive list.

Books
 *Personal Favorite

 I have not read all of these books, so discretion is advised.


Nonfiction
Beauty In Word: Rethinking the Foundations of Education by Stratford Caldecott

The Case for Classical Christian Education by Douglas Wilson. This author is anti-Catholic, but he does have one chapter that I really like: "The Seven Laws of Learning." Read it from the library.

Christianity and Culture by T. S. Eliot

The Classics and the Man of Letters by T. S. Eliot

Climbing Parnassus: A New Apologia for Greek and Latin  by Tracy Lee Simmons

*Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum by Laura M. Bequist

The Devil Knows Latin Why America Needs the Classical Tradition by E. Christian Kopff

The Great Tradition: Classic Readings on What it Means to be an Educated Human Being
by Richard Gamble. This is written by a Protestant so some chapters can clearly be skipped. But there are a few that are worthwhile reading. It includes C. S. Lewis, Dorothy Sayers, and Christopher Dawson.

The Intellectual Life:Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods by A. G. Sertillanges

The Latin Centered Curriculum: A Home Educators Guide to Classical Education  by Andrew A Campbell

Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper

Norms and Nobility: A Treatise on Education by David V. Hicks

Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child by Cheryl Swope

Socratic Logic: A Logic Text Using Socratic Method, Platonic Questions and Aristotelian Principles
by Peter Kreeft

A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-First Century by Oliver DeMille

The Trivium: The Liberal Artos of Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric by Sister Miriam Joseph

Who Killed Homer? The Demise of Classical Education and the Recovery of Greek Wisdom by Victor Davis Hanson

Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer. I hesitate to include this book on the list because I don't think the program is realistic and some of the books used are anti-Catholic. But it has contributed to a resurgence of interest in classical education.



Fiction
 North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Although it is a work of fiction throughout the book the topic of a classical education or what is a good education is touched on again and again.

Essays
Why Classical Education? Essay on education at Escondido Tutorial Service.

The Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy Sayers

Classical Christian Homeschooling More essays on classical education.

Programs/Schools
* Mother of Divine Grace School
There are also some excellent essays on classical education.



 Additional Curricula


 Catholic Schoolhouse

Classically Catholic Memory


Connecting With History

 Memoria Press

Nada te Turbe -- A Virtual Choir of Carmelites

Nada Te Turbe -- A Virtual Choir of Carmelites

Let Nothing Disturb You

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

-- St. Teresa of Avila

Raising a Lifelong Reader

 

On Saturday July 26, 2014 I gave a talk at the IHM Homeschool Conference in Naperville, IL. The topic was Raising a Lifelong Reader.  As soon as I am able, I will be posting answers to the questions raised at the conference. Thanks for your patience and understanding. God Bless, Elizabeth

Latin Made Easy with Quizlet

Well, Latin is never easy, but quizlet definitely makes it easier.

How to study those Latin words, or any foreign language for that matter? Quizlet! You can review other flashcards, quizzes, etc. that others have created or make your own.

Why Do We Homeschool? Catholic Mom

"Why do we homeschool?” Often when we begin homeschooling there is something that prompted us to begin. It may have been a child struggling with school, a negative socializing experience, or any number of issues. Once the mom begins, she may feel conflicted that her children will miss out on some great academic experience. She may moan, “I wish I had a real science lab” or “I could never have an interesting literature discussion like I did in my British Literature class.” So why are we doing “that”? Why are we homeschooling? Because we want to educate the whole child; we want to educate the child for eternity.
 
On occasion my twin nephews, who are six years old, will burst into song, “Father, I adore you.” And I lay my life before you. How I love you.” In a public school setting, I guarantee the teacher would not appreciate or encourage such a song. But in the home, this is a beautiful testament of my nephews’ childlike faith.

Too often we focus on the academics and overlook the whole child, building the character of the child, considering all aspects of the person. In his Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente, Blessed John Paul II described Christ as one who “labored with human hands, thought with a human mind, acted with a human will, and loved with a human heart” (par. #4). We need to ask ourselves when we educate ourselves and our children, “Do we labor with Christ’s hands, think with Christ’s mind, act with Christ’s will, and love with Christ’s heart.” We sometimes become so consumed with educating our children’s mind, we overlook shaping their wills, teaching self-control of their drives and passions, training their hands, and nourishing their hearts and souls.

Because the child is a whole, integrated person, we cannot always compartmentalize when we will be educating their minds, their hearts, or their hands. While showing my daughters how to crochet, we might have a discussion on a topic that would form their character or is related to their academics. In practicing her violin or playing the piano, my daughter develops any number of virtues, such as perseverance, attention to detail, and listening to the soul.  When I ask a young child, “Please bring me a diaper or wash cloth” or another simple task; I am testing his will and encouraging his obedience. In the home, education is life.

What are we educating? The whole child.

The rest of the article was published on April 15, 2014 at Catholic Mom.com

Previously published on July 22, 2013 at Catholic Lane

You Don't Know You're Beautiful

While assembling Legos, my seven-year-old nephew has been known to break out singing, “You don’t know you’re beautiful,” the words to the popular song by One Direction.  Of course, he doesn’t fully understand the meaning of the words. But, more importantly, do we comprehend that this simple statement, “You don’t know you’re beautiful,” applies to us, also?  Do we recognize to the depths of our beings that we are truly beautiful?

If we are beautiful, what makes us so? Is it charm, attractive appearance, the latest fashions? One of the most beautiful people to have left her lasting imprint is Blessed Mother Teresa. Now to look at her, you might wonder, “How could this shriveled, bent over, unassuming, little woman be considered beautiful?” She certainly is not physically attractive. Yet if we look into her eyes, we see a luminous beauty that radiates outward.

What is that beauty she radiates? Is it something unique to her? Is it something we wish to possess? While we dimly reflect this beauty at times, it is a beauty we are all capable of possessing; a beauty that comes from our human nature that we are all created in the image and likeness of God (CCC 41, CCC 1700).  And in a very particular way, we possess this beauty when we are baptized, having Christ live within us (CCC 1, CCC 1997).

Naturally, this has many ramifications. It is personified in the picture of Pope Francis kissing the severely disfigured man. It is how we treat one another. And how do we treat one another? Do others know we are Christians by our words and actions (John 13:35)?

When I would really like to repartee unkind word for unkind word, do I pause to reconsider? Sure that person gets under my skin, irritates me to no end, drives me bonkers, doesn’t know what he is talking about. . .! (Ahh, you can feel the temperature rising!) I should say, “I allow that person to get under my skin.” Do I want to engage in the same low base name calling that too often people engage in in the comment section on some websites and blogs? It makes someone pause to wonder if people understand civility. Unfortunately, it is too easy to hide under a pseudonym and not take responsibility for one’s words. Unable to intelligently discuss or argue the issues and facts, they attack one another’s dignity.

Choosing my words carefully when responding to another’s comments is just one of many opportunities for me to practice the art of charity to others. There is that person who cut me off while driving. Without question, I have a few choice words I would like to use. What about disciplining the child who refuses to cooperate and sasses back? When I am running behind and feeling the pressure of getting to an appointment on time, he brazenly announces, “I don’t want to get my shoes on?” I could get angry and read him the riot act or stay cool and let him suffer the consequences of his choices.

Beauty creams, tummy tucks, and sparkling diamonds promise women a dazzling beauty, but for a true beauty that radiates from the inside out, we can heed the words of Blessed Mother Teresa, “Do something beautiful for God.” This may translate into thinking about how our words reflect our minds, hearts, and souls.

Read the rest on Catholic Exchange, Feb. 26, 2014