I am not a machine, and neither are my children. That is one of the reasons I took them off the conveyor-belt-style education of public school. It is too easy, however, to slip into conveyor-belt education at home by taking the view that if all the blanks in the...
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Of all the intellectual tools I have been given over the years, there are two that stand out as exceedingly valuable for me. Both of these were bequeathed to me by my parents through the example they set for me; they never taught me these things directly, but I...
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Thirds are difficult in Latin. Third declension is troublesome, third conjugation is perilous, and third declension adjectives are downright inconvenient. Just when you think you have a handle on Latin—after first and second declension nouns, verbs and adjectives—third comes along and provides a jolt to your system. You start...
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The season is upon us during which shopping, traveling, and eating out will almost be necessities. People will line up to get the newest gadget or deal. Clerks and waiters will be hired to keep up with the rush; they have no experience and they will receive little training....
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“I look down at the pen, this pen I keep wielding, one writing her way all the way to one thousand. This pen: this is nothing less than the driving of nails. Nails driving out my habits of discontent and driving in my habit of eucharisteo….Because the habit of...
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I believe there is no greater feeling of wholeness than the feeling of belonging. We can truly thrive when we find a community in which we can be ourselves and know that we will be loved. Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree provides a metaphor for us: Linus saw Charlie Brown’s...
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Those of you who participate in Social Media will have seen “days of joy” and “gratitude journal” posts recently. I have enjoyed these posts as I count blessings with my friends who live as far away as Japan. As I was reading aloud to my children and contemplating the...
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This essay is more of a quick expression of my philosophical thought against the governmental educational system than a thorough, well laid out argument. Yet, I believe it will be worth your time and mine. First, I would like to define and describe academic integrity as we have it...
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Evan P was homeschooled with his brothers in suburban Cincinnati. He loved being homeschooled because of how close he was—and is—with his family. He was homeschooled through fifth grade, after which he was enrolled in a private Christian school which incorporated the classical model of instruction. “We got to...
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This article is based on a recent interview: Leigh! @ Lunch with Andrew Pudewa. In the interview, Andrew Pudewa and I discussed many things, but the following information really stood out as good, practical thoughts about language arts, spelling, handwriting, and the human brain. I want to know why a...
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In Philippians 4:11–13 (NIV), the Apostle Paul explains: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned...
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Lo! now the direful monster, whose skin clings To his strong bones, strides o’er the groaning rocks: He withers all in silence, and in his hand Unclothes the earth, and freezes up frail life. —William Blake, “To Winter” The first semester of the school year is winding down, the...
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