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The Classical Conversations Blog - Post Page 97

Discover Posts on Homeschooling and Classical, Christian Education

Mar 22, 2013

Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales

Our world isn’t clear regarding the differences between fables, myths, and fairy tales. We tend to lump them together into anthologies based on the characteristics they have in common: all of them contain fantastical elements, magic, talking animals, and so on, and all of them seem to focus on...

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Mar 21, 2013

Add a Bit of Silliness to Your Poetry Class

ā€œThis is just a bit of silliness, really,ā€ says thirteen-year-old Peter Llewelyn Davies as a disclaimer to his first attempt at writing a play, in the 2004 filmĀ Finding Neverland. ā€œI should hope so,ā€ replies his mentor, playwright J.M. Barrie. ā€œGo on.ā€ Even though Peter is still a child, he...

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Mar 16, 2013

Reflections on Tutor Humility [by a Recovering Engineer]

What is the most important attribute of a classical, Christian tutor? Mastery of academic material, expertise in classical pedagogy, and the expression of natural charm or charisma in the classroom characterize a desirable tutor to some parents. Extraordinary biblical knowledge, administrative excellence, and clear communication skills define a highly...

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Mar 15, 2013

Music: An Essential Liberal Art

Is music a liberal art? Liberal education is under attack today, just as it has been during economic downturns in the past. Yet some of the most strident voices calling for a ā€œbottom-lineā€ evaluation of the liberal arts also espouse ā€œtraditional values.ā€ For some reason, they don’t understand the...

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Mar 14, 2013

ā€œAmerican Cultureā€ Is an Oxymoron

I suggested to my wife that ā€œAmerican cultureā€ is an oxymoron. I was contemplating making a list of thought provoking oxymorons; ā€œmodern educationā€ and ā€œliberal enlightenmentā€ would be on the list. Deanna disagreed with my claim that there is no such thing as American culture, so I had to...

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Mar 13, 2013

What Every College Should Know about Homeschoolers

In addition to the work I perform forĀ www.homeschoolcounselor.com, I also provide consulting for college admissions departments. One of the more common questions I am asked by admissions leaders is, ā€œHow can we be more successful in matriculating homeschoolers?ā€ Pardon my cynicism, but when I hear this question, I feel...

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Mar 12, 2013

The Human/Technology Experiment

The incandescent light bulb changed our world. Society embraced the new invention. As we adapted, darkness no longer stopped the show. Now people can work and play any time, day or night. It is hard for us to imagine that the setting of the sun would significantly alter most...

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Mar 11, 2013

National Latin Exam Musings

As I sit down to write this article, my mind keeps returning to the remembrance that it is March and it is time for the National Latin Exam. I love the exam, and I love the fact that it measures my students against students from around the world (even...

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Mar 08, 2013

What Do Employers Want Our Kids to Know?

Have you ever been to Monticello? If so, were you amazed that Thomas Jefferson, our third president and founder of the University of Virginia, was his own architect? Did you know that America’s first president (under the Articles of Confederation) Peyton Randolph could write in two languages at the...

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