Last year I implemented a class catechism in my high school level British Literature class at our homeschool co-op. Like a traditional catechism used to teach the doctrines of Christianity in question and answer form, the class catechism is a series of questions and answers taken from the books we read throughout the year. This…
Deadly fights with monsters and dragons, gory details, lavish treasure hoards, legendary weapons, feats of heroic strength, feasting with friends, and luscious wordplay—what’s not to love about Beowulf? This fall the students in my British literature class read Beowulf and then wrote about life lessons for the 21st century from this thousand-year-old poem. They did…
(Choosing passages for a class catechism is like choosing from a box of yummy donuts!) Earlier this spring, I read Josh Gibbs’ book called Something They Will Not Forget: A Handbook for Classical Teachers. Gibbs describes a common and disheartening experience: realizing just how little you remember from a course you took recently or, for…
Despite the huge growth in homeschooling over the last few decades, something about opting out of school still feels a little bit odd or contrarian. Four years ago, when we were first considering homeschooling,* we were mostly motivated by a practical difficulty with transportation at our current school and a sense of curiosity: would the…
It’s the beginning of June, and we are setting our school books aside for a few months to enjoy a break from our regular routine. I’m looking forward to some slow mornings, working on my garden, taking the kids to the pool, and cleaning out a few cupboards and closets. It’s refreshing to clear my…
What could be cozier than a campfire? The glowing coals, the crackling wood, the bright flames, the floating sparks, and the moments of excitement when a child pokes the fire with a stick and knocks a burning log out of the fire ring all contribute to an experience that is both magical and primal. The…
Are you a little sad that Christmas is over? Me too. By the end of 2020, our whole world needed the joy and generosity of the Christmas season so badly, and 2021 still needs the hope of Christmas. I hope my neighbors keep their lights up well into February. Thanks, neighbors! In many Christian churches…
When I was growing up, my family camped frequently. We had a 1960s pop-up tent camper that my grandparents had handed down to us. It had the classic green canvas tent fabric and pull-out beds with orange vinyl mattress tops. As a kid, there was nothing like the cozy feeling of lying on those pull-out…
It’s no secret that Central Ohio is a great place to raise a family, but you may not know that it is also a surprisingly great place for families who enjoy camping and would like to take their kids on overnight backpacking adventures. Here are some of our favorite trails and backcountry campsites. 1. Mohican-Memorial…
This is my second post on an inspiring passage about identity called “The White Stone” in C.S. Lewis’s anthology of George MacDonald readings. As I write this post, tens of thousands of protesters are gathered in cities throughout the country to call for justice and reform after the brutal death of George Floyd at the…