I was recently asked to recommend good courses or books to study world history from a Christian and biblical perspective. What I’ve read/studied and can recommend without reservation are: Consequences of Ideas – R.C. Sproul A history of western philosophy and ideas. Ideas drive actions and history is the result. Highly recommended as an overview and roadmap to how we… Read more »
Consequences of Ideas, by R.C. Sproul, is an overview of philosophy from the pre-Socratics through the 20th century. The book is 14 chapters. An accompanying video series of 35 different messages is available as well as a study guide for the video series. We use all three resources in our study. We start with reading the book chapter, possibly writing… Read more »
Here's a short essay from Grace, our 9th grade daughter. It's based on reading in the first several chapters of George Marsden's biography on Jonathan Edwards that she is reading and studying for U.S. History to start the year. I assigned her an essay on Edward's formative years as he wrestled with the dominant philosophies of his day. We had… Read more »
Get the Washington’s Rules webwidget for your blog or website Read the 110 rules here and you may wish to order a copy for your library: 1. Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present. 2. When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body not usually discovered…. Read more »
Highlights in the life of Washington 1732 – Born in Virginia on February 22 1745 – Formal education ends at age 15. He did not attend college but read and studied on his own throughout his lifetime. 1752 – Inherits Mount Vernon; Receives commission as Major in the Virginia militia at age 21. 1758 – As peace returns to Virginia,… Read more »
I haven’t read Real Education: Four Simple Truths for Bringing America’s Schools Back to Reality yet, but just saw this review article at ISI. The review is compelling – here are a few excerpts: Our educational romantics assume that everyone is equally teachable, that every child would succeed at equal, developmentally correct speed, if only there were more money, better… Read more »
Here’s a good interview with John Hollander, an accomplished poet and professor, for those interested in understanding and teaching the poets and poetry. Excerpt: Q: In terms of educational practice, what ways can a teacher, perhaps an elementary school or high school teacher, make good poetry exciting and accessible? John Hollander: First of all, the teacher has to know and… Read more »
We used the Geography course from Bob Jones in 9th and 10th grade. Make sure and get a recent edition that includes all the changes in Europe and Asia from 1989 and on. We work on a chapter a week, on average. At this pace, the book can be completed in a school year. Though aimed at schools, we found… Read more »
Typically, a college interview pertains to the prospective student answering questions of the college staff or faculty. The student is eager to be accepted and wishes to excel in the interview. However, a more important interview would actually be a series of interviews between the student's parents and each professor that will teach the student. If the college is effective,… Read more »
Here's one of Grace's essays from her reading of The Law by Frederic Bastiat. Bastiat here exposes the motive of all promoters of the State. This motive too often lies hidden, undiscovered, perhaps, even by the promoter himself, but here it is revealed. The true purpose of the State is to mold and shape men into a machine, thereby exalting… Read more »
