Classical Et Cetera

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.

Pride And Prejudice - Dancing Through Classical Theme | Leta Sundet, Tanya Charlton, Martin Cothran

Come visit us at The Great Homeschool Convention this coming April! Pride & Prejudice, an insightful and transformative domestic novel that took the literary world by storm, has become one of the most beloved pieces of classical literature. A beautiful book that fits very nicely into our classical education curriculum, thank you very much. But why is it important? Why did it leave such an impact on the literary world? Why does it ask some of the best questions and provide the most insightful answers on how our social class creates and navigates division. 
That's what we're talking about today. As good a film as one can make, it pales in comparison to the insight and beauty of the novel itself. Join Shane at the table as we take a summary of the themes, questions, answers, and insights from Pride & Prejudice. 
 

Why We Need Strong Female Characters In Fiction | Leta Sundet, Tanya Charlton, Martin Cothran

Great books, need great characters. And a wide swath of classic literature features some incredibly strong female characters that we believe both young girls and young boys should read and enjoy. Join Shane at the table today with guest Leta Sundet to talk about the role strong female protagonists play in classic literature, why these books feature so strongly in our traditional homeschool curriculum, and how the right kind of female leads create better stories and better examples for young readers. We are excited you're here with us, let's jump in!

How to Identify Books That Will Make You Love Reading | Paul Schaeffer, Tanya Charlton, Martin Cothran

We love great books. Great books will make you smarter, great books will change the way your mind works, great books have changed the western world. Today on the podcast, Shane and the gang break down the core elements of great literature that help unlock the pleasure in reading in the long term. For what are great books, if not gateways to greater reading? Today we find out. 

You Asked, We Answered! - Classical Et Cetera Q&A | Paul Schaeffer, Tanya Charlton, Martin Cothran

We've received a ton of questions from viewers of the show and now it's time to answer them! We looked through comments on Classical Et Cetera episodes to find thought provoking questions to answer at the table. Join Paul, Shane, Tanya, and Martin for this special year-end Q&A episode.
If you have additional questions for the group, put them in the comments down below!