Because extenuating circumstances delayed my writing for a few weeks, this post on Practical Books for Educating Classically is long overdue; so, to those who mentioned they were waiting for it to drop, I offer my sincerest apologies and gratitude for your patience.
The final list of books in my top 50 books on Classical Christian Education (which ended up being more than 50) focuses on the practice of implementing and administering a classical education. If you’d like to read the previous posts in this series, you can find them here.
Two books I have already mentioned are worth highlighting here again because they not only address the philosophy of CCE, but some practical how-tos are manifest from the unpacking of the philosophy under consideration.
The first of these is A Lively Kind of Learning: Mastering the Seminar Method written by Jeannette DeCelles-Zwerneman and published by Cana Academy. As I mentioned previously, it is a practical philosophy. Socratic discussions are the heartbeat of a Classical Christian Education and this little book is a delightful, clear, and substantive guide for successfully leading convivial classroom discussions. It really should have a home in the library of every CCE educator.
The second of these is Festive School by Father Nathan Carr. This book not only reminds us that school should be rooted in Christian joy, it provides examples of how to root the academic rhythms of educational life in the beautiful festivities of Christianity: rituals, liturgy, prayer, worship, love, relationships, and celebrations, etc.
The third practical book is short but insightful. It is titled, Something They Will Not Forget, written by Joshua Gibbs. In this Handbook for Classical Teachers, Gibbs outlines his plan to teach students using catechisms. The book supplies a theory of memorization, as well as sample catechisms and instruction for writing and assessing your own catechisms for the classroom.
The fourth practical book is titled, Study Smart by John Seel. It is didactic in nature and largely directed toward a high school, and perhaps college, audience who need help developing better study habits. Nevertheless, it is a solid resource for teachers and parents who also need resources for supporting and guiding struggling students under their care toward better study habits.
The fifth practical book is actually three books by Mortimer J. Adler, or at least that is the way I am choosing to recommend them to you. I am recommending these three in this manner because although the can each be read as stand alone works, I really think there is value in seeing the entire conversation in one corpus. The first is The Paideia Proposal, followed by Paideia Problems and Possibilities, and concludes with The Paideia Program.
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