The Classical Conversations Blog - Post Page 63

May 10, 2016

Could your child enter Harvard in 1869? What the entrance exam to Harvard College tells us about classical education in America

Harvard College adopted the following words, based on their mission statement, as part of their “Rules and Precepts” in 1646: Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal...

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May 06, 2016

Classical Education and Latin

Just as in life, there are no shortcuts in Latin. When I first began diving deep into Latin with my son, I thought it was going to be easy. After all, I had studied Spanish in high school and college; I could carry on a conversation pretty well and...

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May 03, 2016

Western Michigan girl wins $10,000 national math championship

Nassau, Bahamas—To the uninitiated ear, the answers sound like gibberish—faster than an auctioneer. But Sophia D., 13, of Allendale, Michigan, not only knows exactly what she’s saying, she’s also performing dozens of math equations in her head to get those answers. All in 60 seconds. Sophia can perform these...

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May 02, 2016

Tracing Memory

Scattered pieces of tracing paper graced our home much like the misplaced or missing socks were also doing. My girl had traced the lines of many a princess. This wiggly little one could magically sit, all dolled up, under the spell of paper and pen. Looking back at tracings from...

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Apr 28, 2016

Hunting Echoes

I have a confession to make: I do not like change. Change is like breaking in a new pair of slippers—every time I slip them on and take a step, the soles of my feet remind me that all is not familiar; however, new slippers and change are inevitable....

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Apr 25, 2016

Homeschool Testing Services extends Stanford-10 Achievement Test through spring 2017

Homeschool Testing Services extends Stanford-10 Achievement Test through spring 2017 SUMMARY: A top nationally-normed achievement test remains available at least one more year through leading nationwide provider, Homeschool Testing Services. West End, North Carolina—The reliable Stanford-10 Achievement Test will remain available for end-of-grade testing by homeschool families in Spring...

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Apr 19, 2016

Know Your Story and Embrace the Journey

My grandfather is one of my heroes.  Sergeant Julius Oser of U.S. Army 2nd Armored Division received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart after enlisting in the Army during the height of World War II. He was a quiet, humble, hardworking man with a deep love...

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Apr 14, 2016

The Old Testament Prophets and the Nature of Rhetoric in Plato’s Gorgias

Christian scholars and educators understand that Truth is universal and transcendent. As such, we should not be surprised to find traces of Truth in pagan cultures. One interesting example is how Socrates recognized the prophetic nature of rhetoric. His conception of rhetoric is remarkably similar to what one finds...

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Apr 12, 2016

Carpe Opportunity

I have been teaching Latin now for almost twenty years. Often the parents of my students will lament to me that they did not learn Latin, or any other language, when they were young. I will often ask them a simple question: “Why not start now?” The quick answer...

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Apr 08, 2016

History, Government, and Economics, Oh My!

“As with government and economics, history helps students understand what it means to be human, and it informs their identity as a member of a particular history. Furthermore, it demands that they ask certain questions and make certain judgements” (Leigh Bortins, The Conversation, p. 159). Last week I saw Cleopatra walking...

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Apr 06, 2016

A Commencement Address to Foundations Families

Plutarch famously said, “The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in the felicity of lighting on good education.” Now we, as Christians, know that our faith is also essential, but this famous quote is not without merit. Throughout this speech I hope to explain how my...

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Mar 31, 2016

Holding On

“Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.” – C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity I don’t know about you, but my moods too often dictate the state of schooling in my house. Right around this time every year,...

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