Congratulations! Your child can read. He has mastered the first stage of reading: decoding and recoding. Now that he can sound words out, he has even started reading chapter books on his own. Supporting your child in this next big step is a little bit like un-babyproofing the house. Once the baby gate is stowed […]
Literature
“Joy beyond the walls of the world”: Why & How We Teach Lit
We teach literature at CCA because of its unique ability to make a profound impact on a reader. The best stories prepare students for the great, life-long battles they will face as they strive to live righteously. They also give memorable encouragement to persevere in the fight. The Development of the Moral Imagination Preparation for […]
From Great to Okay: What we’ve learned about distance learning
We at Cedar Classical Academy are confident that, right now, mid-pandemic, we continue to offer the best K-6 educational option in Lansing. Now beginning our ninth week of distance learning, we have kept our mission alive. Cedar Classical Academy’s culture has been marked since our founding by parental partnership, high standards, character emphasis, and real […]
Why Read Secular Works? Pt. II | What the pagans have to teach the Christians
In the last article, I began grappling with the persistent and important question of why we, as Christians, should have our students reading secular literature that was produced by pagans and often revolves around mature themes. If you remember, I argued that 1) a student – particularly a classical Christian student – cannot pretend to […]
Why Read Secular Works? Pt. I
“I’m curious as to why my son is reading a book in class that takes the Lord’s name in vain and contains cursing,” read the opening lines of an email from a rhetoric school parent. Thankfully, this email was courteous, genuinely curious, and was the beginning of a fruitful exchange. However, it was the latest […]
“Because we are given more than we are”: Good habits, good stories, and why we need both
“Stewardship.” “Inheritance.” “Heritage.” We keep returning to these words when we talk about classical education. Add up Shakespeare, Euclid, Augustine, and Laura Ingalls Wilder, and it equals a rich inheritance that can help teach us to be human and point us toward our Maker. We don’t have this heritage — these books and disciplines and […]