Did I forgot to mention Kate Seredy on the read aloud thread? I have happy memories of reading The Good Master and The Singing Tree.

Because I have been asked so many times I am going to tell you my top 5 [1] Circe 2006 conference cds:

#1. [2] Andrew Kern Welcome. This is a great introduction to Andrew, Circe and the conference. It is inspirational with the ethereal quality that Andrew brings to the table. The minute I heard this lecture I knew I was in the right place. Having said all of that, just remember that I am a global thinker. I am much more comfortable with ideas rather than facts.

#2. Or maybe 1 1/2 Vigen Guroian’s [3] The Business of Reading Great Literature. I am absolutely positive that Vigen is a hobbit. This is not a slick production lecture but it is full of insight. Any of Vigen’s CD’s would be a blessing although if I was on a short leash I would skip the poetry colloquy.

#3. [4] Martin Cothran. I can’t find my Circe notes but all of Martin’s big lectures were wonderful and what is more they were practical. If you like nuts and bolts then Martin is the man.

#4. James Daniels’ [5] Leisure as the Basis of Schooling and [6] What are We Doing to our Boys. It is great fun to listen to James describe his own Arkansas background in What are We Doing to Our Boys.

#5 Tie between James Taylor’s [7] Knowledge from Literature and Laura Berquist’s [8] Last Things First. I loved listening to Dr Taylor and I love his book Poetic Knowledge. I am also a fan of Laura Berquist and consider her books on homeschooling among the most practical around. Laura had a few controversial comments in her lecture. Not all the ClassEd girls I know agreed with Laura but I was somewhat relieved by her relaxed approach.

The problem with this list is that it is based on the lectures that I heard. Patti or others may have other and better recommendations.

Now I would like to say something about Circe and homeschooling. Circe is an institute designed to help classical schools improve and grow. Therefore their focus is on the Christian classical school. Not everything they say or offer fits the homeschooling model. For instance, in the article I linked to yesterday Andrew made the point that we should have teachers who are masters and authorities. I agree with him in principle it is just that I believe our best chance of finding those sorts of teachers is through books. That is what Charlotte Mason taught also. We don’t want to get in between our children and the masters. Most homeschoolers do not have the option of attending a classical Christian school. Even when we do have that option it is often inferior. It ends up being someone else’s mom teaching the kids.

As an aside, it is very important for the homeschooling mom to continue to grow and learn. She must have something flowing through her. She must be excited about learning. I know 50 year old homeschooling moms who have learned Latin on their own. There are seasons of life. There is a time to learn and a time to rest. Late pregnancy is a time to rest. Nursing a newborn is a time to learn. Nursing a toddler is a time to wrestle. God gives us this time. We need to have wisdom in these things.

My own personal philosophy of education is somewhat syncrestic and ever, not changing, but forming.

I applaud the ongoing work of those who are genuinely trying to offer quality schools but for now I believe homeschooling has the advantage over the Christian classical school and I believe that we will continue to have the advantage for many years to come. Even so, I love what Andrew is doing in the classical school movement and I love his definition of classical education and I can’t wait for the 2007 Conference.

Education is the cultivation of wisdom and virtue, and it is accomplished by nourishing the soul on truth, goodness, and beauty. Andrew Kern