Classical Et Cetera

Should We Teach Speech In A Classical Christian Education Curriculum?

As homeschooling and classical education continue to gain popularity, it's important to delineate the significant difference between The Rhetoric Stage and whatever speech and debate program is being taught in public schools. In today's episode, Shane Saxon and the team at Memoria Press discuss why we don't have a speech program in our classical Christian education curriculum and why we would rather focus our efforts on developing students through the stages of Logic, Composition, and Rhetoric. We also talk about some the criticism that a homeschool or classical classroom might face when they don't teach traditional speech and debate. Join us as we explore these questions and more, diving into the key principles and benefits of teaching Rhetoric in a classical Christian education curriculum. Whether you're a homeschooling parent, classical educator, or simply interested in learning more about this important topic, this video is for you. What are you waiting for? Let's get started.

Books Under 200 Pages You Should Read In Your Life | *Spoiler Warning* | Wendell Berry’s ”Fidelity” | Paul Schaeffer, Tanya Charlton, Martin Cothran

**SPOILER WARNING** Fidelity New books you should read! Today the table is diving into a wonderful book by Wendell Berry; a short book, under 200 pages, that we think everyone should read at least once. We especially love recommending short books that won't break your schedule in half. "Fidelity", written in 1992 is a must read for fans of classical literature and its one of the best stories that you can maybe read in a day. The life and times of Port Williams, Kentucky is a wonderful exploration into the nuances of faithful community. Give it a read! 

Academic & Essay Writing And How Classical Education Helps | Paul Schaeffer, Tanya Charlton, Martin Cothran

Memoria Press doesn't offer a speech program, and today the table talks about why. Well, great rhetoric begins with great writing. And that's why our curriculum puts such a strong focus on the skills mastered through grammar and logic. Join Shane at the table today as Classical Et Cetera dives into what makes great writing! 
If you're struggling with academic writing or essay writing, classical education might be the solution you're looking for. In this video, we explore how studying grammar, logic, and rhetoric in classical education can improve your writing skills and help you write well-crafted essays.
From developing a strong thesis statement to structuring your essay effectively and using evidence to support your arguments, we share tips and strategies for writing in classical education. Whether you're a student looking to ace your next essay or an educator seeking to enhance your students' writing skills, this video is a must-watch.
So join us and discover how classical education can help you master academic and essay writing. Don't forget to check out our essay writing tips and strategies and subscribe for more helpful content!

Managing Big Questions: Using The Socratic Dialectic Method | Paul Schaeffer, Tanya Charlton, Martin Cothran

In this video, we explore how to manage big questions using the Socratic dialectic method in classroom conversations. As educators, we know that facilitating meaningful discussions about complex topics is essential for student learning and development. However, implementing effective classroom management in these conversations can be challenging, especially when dealing with big questions that have multiple perspectives and no easy answers. Even more so, the skills and techniques teachers need in establishing the rules for class dialogue can pose significant problems. In this video, we will discuss how to use the Socratic dialectic method, a powerful questioning technique, to help students engage with big questions in a constructive and productive way and improve the ways students engage with difficult material. We'll cover the basics of the method and provide practical tips for using it in the classroom and how we can take steps to reform our education system using this method. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, this video will provide you with valuable insights and strategies for managing big questions and conversations in your classroom. So, join us for this informative and engaging discussion, and learn how to facilitate meaningful conversations that promote critical thinking and understanding. 

Tools For Better Class Discussions: What Is Socratic Questioning in the Classroom? | Paul Schaeffer, Tanya Charlton, Martin Cothran

The journey to a healthy Socratic Conversation is a long one and not to be rushed when used in a teaching environment. But when a classroom is equipped for healthy questioning, dialogue, and debate, classroom learning can drastically shift from passive receptivity to engaged and proactive critical thinking. So when is the right time to use the Socratic method in school and homeschool environments? And when can you be sure that students are ready to use what they think and know to engage in healthy dialectic of what is true, good, and beautiful? Today on Classical Et Cetera, we discuss how classical education works to push students towards discussion based learning as an outcome, not as its central construct.

Chekhov: The Ultimate Bet | Paul Schaeffer, Tanya Charlton, Martin Cothran

Anton Chekhov penned "The Bet" in 1889, a curious short story about the nature of knowledge, wisdom, and community. Today, Classical Et Cetera will spend some time opening the pages of this clever little story and provide a summary of their thoughts and big takeaways. By Russian and English standards this book is one you should definitely look into. Check out our other articles and podcast episodes on classical education, Memoria Press curriculum, and so much more!

Martin Cothran: Christianity is The Perfect Myth | The Classical Hero’s Journey Explained | Paul Schaeffer, Tanya Charlton, Martin Cothran

In the Winter 2023 edition of The Classical Teacher, Martin Cothran wrote an article, The Culmination of the Classical Hero. An article that unpacks The Hero's Journey and explained how this story structure grounded more than just Star Wars, video games, and modern storytelling. It connects to something deeper. The Monomyth. A term coined by Joseph Campbell in his book, A Hero With a Thousand Faces, the monomyth is a narrative structure drawn from the traditional myth and legend of cultures from around the world. But when we think of Christianity, we see drawn in the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, a mythic structure fulfilled. A truth so deep and perfect, the rest of the world's myths had to follow. Join Shane Saxon at the table today as we unpack the Monomyth in another episode of Classical Et Cetera. 

How To Use Your Free Time Effectively : How Do You Spend Your Time Usefully? | Tom Sculthorpe, Paul Schaeffer, Martin Cothran

What is the difference between fun and leisure? It starts with the idea that there is a better way to spend your free time. Classical education promotes using the extra time in our days wisely and productively with activities that move our time from fun into leisure. So how do you that? Shane sits down with the Classical et Cetera table to discuss this very topic, along with ways in which a school and homeschool environment could benefit from a better use of free time at home.