A glimpse inside Hillsdale College's network of classical schools across the country.
This post is a follow-up to my recent post: The Case for Mini Whiteboards. If you have not read that post, I recommend you do so, as it lays out an argument in favor of the use of mini whiteboards in the classical classroom. This post will discuss the procedures, routines, and general advice that will allow you, the teacher, to get the most out of mini whiteboards in your classroom. …
Every classroom should have a set of mini whiteboards.
In the first part of this two-part blog post, I will make a case for why that statement is true. In the second part, I will give some practical guidelines for using mini whiteboards in the classroom.
One of the constant struggles of teaching can be boiled down to a simple question: “Are my students actually learning?”…
When we study the framing of the Constitution in 4th grade, I highlight with my students how important it is that they understand the function of our government. Indeed, we discuss how, sadly, many Americans have not been equipped to really know the system outlined in this foundational document. Understanding the Constitution is an important conversation to have. Even at the simpler level in which we discuss it in my 4th grade classroom, it can be difficult for the students to grasp.…
One of the benefits of being an educator is witnessing the students’ progress. Effective parent communication is one way to help foster that growth, helping to create an environment of support for the student. Communicating well allows parents to stay informed about their child’s advancements and allows them to support you as their child’s educator.
Communication can come in many forms, and implementing an array will help ensure its effectiveness.…
Over the course of 25 years, I have stumbled into teaching in a variety of settings: homeschooling, traditional public schools, private schools, and charter schools. I am profoundly grateful for each of these experiences. Education is an incredibly formative thing. There is a very real sense in which we become what we behold; and whether we are the teacher or the student, the atmosphere, the content, and the missions that drive our educational settings play a powerful role in our own lives and, of course, in the lives of the students we teach. …
When talking with teachers who are new to classical education, I am often asked about planning a lesson “classically.” In response I suggest that a classical lesson is distinct from all other lessons in that it possesses elements of the classical Trivium: Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric.
If the ingredients of a lesson contain three features: deciding what to teach, organizing materials and activities, and bringing the lesson to life, then the Trivium is most readily applicable in the organization of the lesson.…
The ice is broken, and you worry that your Latin instruction, held afloat solely by your enthusiasm and love for the language, is sinking. Here are three practical tips for teaching and building confidence in your Latin lessons:
1. Keep Moving
When planning and executing your lessons, maintain a quick pace. Don’t get bogged down in any one concept at a given time.…
In my first year of graduate school, I encountered an idea that completely changed the way that I managed my classroom.
This idea seems problematic, especially in the context of classical education. As teachers, we are aiming to cultivate excellent moral character in our students. Assumedly, part of this excellence should include an understanding of manners and the ability to ask for things respectfully.…