Building Cathedrals

What you do every day is valuable. When you change out that 4th load of laundry, clean up the house at night when everyone else is in bed, nurse that precious baby while cooking dinner, kiss that boo boo and preside over school work--you're making a huge difference.

My mom stayed home with us for the first 18 years of my life. Then she went to work for six years, to put me through college and help support the others while my dad went to seminary. She recently kept her aging mother for 3 grueling years of constant supervision. You don't find that in a box on the shelf at Wal-Mart. That kind of self sacrifice and love is precious and inspiring.

As Classical moms we follow a philosophy of modeling. When I was brand new to CC and my oldest was in 2nd grade I marveled at the women who were teaching high schoolers (still do) and thought that the Masters class looked worlds away. I watched every week as Laurie Stegall sat in the hallway during Foundations and worked advanced math problems to prepare for teaching Challenge III (high school juniors). I watched Pam Agresti spend her summer learning Latin so she could teach it in the fall. I also watched her send her oldest on to college. I talked on the phone to Cynthia Zielny who was reading Shakespeare by the pool on her vacation. Guess what she's teaching in Challenge I (Freshmen) this year? The list goes on and on. Now I have a child in the Masters class and we're staring down Challenge pretty soon. I'm so grateful for those who have gone before me and are modeling how it's done.

We have little eyes watching us and some big eyes too. We may feel invisible at times, but the rewards are huge. I still call my mom every once in a while and tell her how blessed I am to have her and how blown away I still am by her many sacrifices. I probably ought to pick up the phone and call some of my homeschooling friends who are blazing the trail for me too.

Be encouraged and blessed, my precious friends, as you nurture real life in those around you. Remember that we just plant seeds and water: God makes it grow.

Thank you, Laurie, for passing along this video clip. It is, indeed, inspiring. Build away, Ladies!

Classical Education Links

Want to know more about the Classical Model of education? Follow these helpful links:

This essay by Dorthy Sayers, called The Lost Tools of Learning touched off the modern revival of the Classical model. Ms. Sayers was a member of the Inklings, a writing and philosophy group that included members like JRR Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. She was a brilliant writer and an engaging mind. This essay is well worth wading through. Just keep a dictionary handy for some advanced vocabulary.

You may have read Douglas Wilson's Book The Lost Tools of Learning. Here is an article by the author called Two Questions.

While this piece is not specifically for just those who follow the Classical Model, it is for every home schooler. R.C. Sproul, Jr. wrote this wonderful article about families reading together, called In Praise of the Obvious. I hope you enjoy it and are encouraged to begin, continue, or revive the wonderful habit.

Welcome to the Blog

Welcome to your online connection for our Classical Conversations Community. This site will serve as a place to keep everyone up to date on information and will be a point of connection with tutors. Wondering if classes will be canceled for a snow day? Check the blog. Need to double check class assignments? Just a click away.

Click on the links to the left and they will take you to your program's page. Tutors will post weekly updates, letting you know what went on in class, any assignments, etc.

If you are concerned that you will forget to check during the week just subscribe to applicable pages. All you have to do is go to the page you want to subscribe to and enter your email address. When you do this, every time there is a new post it will be sent to your email inbox. You have to subscribe to each page that you want to receive. I would suggest subscribing to this page and to any class page that correlates to classes that your children are in.

A Few Guidelines:
1. When you leave comments, please do not assume that the tutor or director will get the comment in a timely manner. Though most check email often, they may or may not see your comment before the next class. If it's important please email or call your tutor.

2. All comments should be directed to tutors. Students should not use this platform as a chatboard.

3. Please protect our families by not posting sensitive information like phone numbers, home addresses, or email addresses.