Time Flat Wasted
If there were a winner for the most frequent comment made by the general public about education, it might be this:
"I got my degree in X, but I haven't once used it since."
And then we nod and bemoan what's wrong with education to bring so many people to that pass, though we never really pinpoint the cause.
There's a cause, all right, and it's unfortunate, but not in the way we might think.
The problem with a statement like this is that it turns education into an object. Education is meant to be used (and used up). A degree is pursued as a means only. What can it give me? When life gives me a lemon, I squeeze it dead. We want to shape and manipulate our education, for the express purpose of monetarily benefiting from it, and if we aren't able to do that, it's basically time flat wasted.
But an education is supposed to shape us. It is supposed to transform us into givers, thinkers, and influencers-of-culture. Far from being a limited set of necessary tools for a limited set of necessary evils, education -- including our specific professional degrees -- gives what is intangible, but what is also universally powerful. And that is an ability to be thankful for our rich heritage of knowledge, perceptive of what needs to be done in the world, well-equipped for those tasks, and brave to jump in the trenches and do them.
Trivium: Rhetoric
Over the past few weeks, we've had a closer look at the classical trivium. Yesterday, you may have seen Kaylyn Wilson's overview here, and I've also mentioned some specifics of the Grammar Stage here and of the Logic Stage here. What could possibly come next?
Why, just so. The Rhetoric Stage.
The Rhetoric Stage is the capstone of the trivium. It is the telos of all prior years of study since Preschool, the goal, the crown and glory of the whole classical-ed show. Until this stage is reached, the Grammar and Logic stages are only incomplete preparation -- valuable in their own right, but weakened and compromised without unification. Rhetoric is a queen with her crown, the picture of unity, strength, and power.
Rhetoric brings true beauty to knowledge. And so rhetoric is wisdom adorned. Far from the byword it is today -- "That's just a buncha rhetoric . . ." -- this stage fixes all knowledge to the standard of God's beauty, and it speaks like he speaks. It writes like he writes, creates like he creates, and loves like he loves. Unless that universal model of beauty is learned, what might happen to knowledge? To a disconnected Grammar and Logic?
Many things, from the silly to the tragic. Sans beauty, brilliantly-educated minds give soporific speeches via monotone PowerPoint. Those that conceived the great cathedrals are gone, and "the architecture of servitude and boredom" (as Russell Kirk once said) produce industrial slums. The "suicide art" of Jackson Pollock and the irreverent and nihilistic "Piss Christ" of Andres Serrano are hailed as masterpieces. The ruling elite see the stunning magic of the infant human form as inventory to be chopped up and sold to the highest bidder. And if there is no beauty, no standard for loveliness, who are we to object? Let our children use their classically-educated minds to find their own truth.
But the earth is full of God's glory, and it is crying unending praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. What is all our knowledge and logic without the living Word? What is beauty without the Glory of Christ? What is love without incarnate Love? We lay all our learning at His feet -- from Grammar to Logic to Rhetoric and beyond -- in recognition that He is the author and finisher of all.
Recitation Harvest
Our first Recitation is coming up on Thursday morning, October 15th, and I'd like to share with you briefly why I'm eager for this special event.
Recitation is fruit. It's a time of harvest. Our children have been serving hard time in the classroom working information into their minds, and now they get to work it out. They've been planting, watering, and growing seeds, and now they get to pick the fruit and hand it to you. And what gardener hasn't felt supreme satisfaction at harvest time? During Recitation, our children are rewarding us, but they are also rewarding themselves.
Of course, this is not their only harvest, not by a long shot. There are many more rows to hoe, much more knowledge and wisdom to gather. But this is still a time of celebration, and one that should not be minimized.
With this in mind, I encourage you all to come and see your children shine. And I encourage you to spread the joy and invite extended family and friends. This outpouring is so important for our kids. Recently in our Twitter feed, you may have read Brian Douglas' article about how "we ought not treat education like a simple input-output situation . . . [because] focusing on order becomes hazardous when it overtakes the joy of experiencing God’s grace." This is spot-on, and it's one of the reasons we want to spread the love and affirmation thick at times like this. Let's show our children that cold hard work is not the end of the story, and that we are mighty proud of their accomplishments and of the young men and women they are growing up to be. This is grace, this is the gospel, and our children need it desperately.
Trivium: The Logic Stage
Last week, I mentioned one of the beauties of the Grammar Stage, which is the ability young kids have to devour information. So we let them. We give it to them. We pack them full of good things.
Once they reach the Logic Phase (5th - 8th grades), however, they're ready for more. They've naturally, by God's good design, begun to question things and to consider, much more intelligently, what's right and what's wrong. And usually, they think that they are right, and everyone else is wrong, and they don't mind telling you why. You could also call the Logic Phase the "Catch-You-Out-and-Smirk-About-It" phase.
While this developmental stage can be quite annoying, it's also normal, and very important. Children at this stage have just begun to debate issues, and to say what they think, and if they do not know the rules involved, things can get troublesome, and disastrous later on. They need tools to know how to think, and how to structure their thoughts. They need to know why a belief is wrong, not just the fact that it's wrong. And they need to know where love fits into the equation.
So how does this work for us at home? Just like we load on the information for our Grammar-Phase students, we load on the arguments for our Logic-Phasers. We don't discourage them from arguing; we encourage them, but using the right tools. And one of the first tools of argument for kids to learn is to obey authority right away without delay. We are all under authority (even parents), and this truth is the foundation to all logic exercises. There is no argument, just obedience. Otherwise, we are teaching them anarchist autonomy. Another tool is to learn to question and criticize at times that are not connected to obedience or rebellion. For instance, it isn't a good time for your son Bobby "The Bullhead" to suddenly get interested in arguments for or against corporal discipline in the home at just the moment when he's gotten caught telling a whopper. It is a good time to discuss those issues with him when you're watching the news together, and a story is aired about school violence.
But perhaps the most important tool of logic, behind them all, to learn is how certain arguments aren't meant to be "won." The point is to win hearts and souls. Or in other words, to learn that there is a deeper right than being right. Which is great preparation for the beauty of the final Trivium phase: Rhetoric.
On Getting Fat (the right way)
One of the best ways for us to fail at anything is to treat it as a savior. We well-evolved Homo sapiens like to invest ourselves, body and soul, in the latest fad diets; every four years, we think that if the American people would just vote right, for that guy, we'd fix our nation's problems; and perhaps most often, we look for the perfect school for our kids. Insert child into building, dust off hands, and wait for a morally-upright Ivy-leaguer to pop out 12 years later. He'll probably be President some day. Perfect school, perfect kid. Nothing else I need to do.
Except not. Or put another way, nothing Homo sapient about it.
Classical Christian education did not die on the cross for our sins, and we shouldn't act like it has. Make no mistake, of course -- classical Christian education, of all the current educational models, is among the most brilliant, rich, time-tested, and culturally relevant. But a vending machine it ain't.
So what is the key to a successful school? A successful student? An interested, independent self-learner? As I mentioned at our recent Parent Info Night, the keys are twofold. First, there must be a reliance on Christ in all things, at school and in the home; and second, learning and excellence must be modeled in the home.
I'd like to briefly touch on what this second part looks like. In other words, how do we show our kids how? By jumping in, getting our hands dirty, and just doing it. Like this:
Develop copiousness. This is an overflow of knowledge (like a Thanksgiving cornucopia, which spills out gourds, squash, and fruit). Over a lifetime, you feed your mind just as regularly as you feed your body -- and soon, that knowledge (now wisdom) can't help but brim over. In other words, it's getting fat -- the right way.
Read good books. Usually, good books are the ones we don't want to read, because they're hard to get into. But stick with it. Peruse book lists you trust, or use the book lists on Augustine's website, and work your way through them.
Read lots of books. David Noebel, founder of Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs, has said that it's important to read a book a week. Of course, that's not even close to possible for many of us, but it's still worth pursuing. And just like muscular exercise, the more you read, the faster you get.
Read the Bible. Being steeped in Scripture is important for our sanctification, but also because Scripture is the most influential set of writings in history -- for literature, poetry, history, philosophy, culture, and theology.
Read aloud. Despite what it might seem, your kids will love this. They also need this. Many of the ancients would have been perplexed by our modern practice of reading silently. Words are inherently meant to be spoken -- and stories are brought into full richness and personality for children when they hear Mom and Pop tell them.
Listen to good music. Immerse yourselves, and your children, in the classical-music tradition. Pour on the folk songs, blues, jazz, and other genres you like. There's no lack of variety and richness. But there are standards to be set. What is God like? What is his world like? Mindless boom-box drivel, or Top-40 hits glorifying sex, greed, and death? Our kids are listening.
Sing. (Yikes.) Let me rephrase that: Sing out of tune. It may take some getting used to, and some pride-swallowing, but what better way to build family culture than to sing as a family? Everybody loves it when someone else is singing -- so why not be that someone-else for your kids? Hymns, folk-songs, and praise -- just let 'er rip.
Write. While "of the making of books there is no end" (Eccl. 12:12), the world could use a lot more of the right kinds of reading material. So keep a journal. Start a blog. Write little stories for your kids. Send letters to the editor. It isn't dumb -- but of course it isn't glamorous. We are people of the Book, and like the Holy Spirit, we should also write about what is good and true.
Memorize things. Scripture, poetry, and good quotes are the best choices. This habit, over a lifetime, will become a joy and consolation to you, in both the difficult and beautiful moments of life. It is never a waste of time; exactly the opposite. Plus, we make our kids do it.
Plod. You've just read a seemingly impractical set of to-do's. "Nice -- but yeah right." No problem, this is life. Plod. Take your time. Nobody is judging, nobody is watching. Go nice and slow, a few minutes a day snatched here and there. Get comfy with feeling inadequate and not understanding books and ideas. Our children feel the same way in school. But over time, when we look back, we're a fair piece down the road from where we started. We are growing, and we are thankful.
Grace and Peace, Nate Ahern
Trivium: The Grammar Stage at Home
One of the beauties of the Grammar Stage of the Trivium is that you can essentially upload information onto your kids' hard drive. Select a file, choose a destination folder, and click OK. Their super-powered child-brain will process all relevant data with remarkable ease.
Now lest someone claim that Augustine Classical Academy believes that children are cyborgs, let me officially say that this is a metaphor. Children are definitely human, delightfully so, but we still admire how they can soak up information like a machine. (See, now I'm mixing a metaphor.)
What does this mean for us as parents? Because God created young children in this stage with a special taste for information, we should give it to them. Better phrased, we should serve it up for them by the forklift-pallet. No holding back. On a daily basis, we should be giving them stories, stories, and more stories. We should give them music, audiobooks, coloring books, castle cut-outs, dates, flags, capitals, countries, presidents, constellation charts, historical character sketches, myths and legends, math facts, bug collections, ant farms, stamp collections, and flower presses. This is their brain-food, and they need lots of it to survive.
But there's an important key. We can't overthink it.
Here's how. First, while routines are important for kids, a proper education in the Grammar Phase, particularly at home, is an immersion. Anytime, anywhere, for however long or short a period. The Information-Feasts are organic, part of the natural aroma of your home. More often than not, music is playing in the background -- so what if nobody is "listening"? Your dinner table is constantly a mess because of all the coloring, crafts, and model-building. Books are everywhere, and falling apart, because your kids are constantly reading them. Your home and your activities are not always organized, not by a long shot -- but they are always rich and constant.
Second, don't worry about explaining everything to kids at this stage. While good, honest questions should be answered as best we can, we shouldn't take it upon ourselves to explain too much. For instance, when we teach our 5-year-olds about Columbus, we might chant, "In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue." But it wouldn't be very smart to begin a lecture on Columbus' mistreatment of the Native Americans and how his legacy has influenced race relations today. Perhaps a valid point, but not for the poor kid, not now. You've only confused him, and now he can't remember the rhyme.
"The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings." Well, young children are, and the Grammar Phase is a wonderful period. Done right, with shared educational strategies between school and home, our students will be well-equipped for their next tool-in-the-belt, their next Stage: reason.
How to Show Our Kids How
One of the best ways for us to fail at anything is to treat it as a savior. We well-evolved Homo sapiens like to invest ourselves, body and soul, in the latest fad diets; every four years, we think that if the American people would just vote right, for that guy, we'd fix our nation's problems; and perhaps most often, we look for the perfect school for our kids. Insert child into building, dust off hands, and wait for a morally-upright Ivy-leaguer to pop out 12 years later. He'll probably be President some day. Perfect school, perfect kid. Nothing else I need to do. Except not. Or put another way, nothing Homo sapient about it.
Classical Christian education did not die on the cross for our sins, and we shouldn't act like it has. Make no mistake, of course -- classical Christian education, of all the current educational models, is among the most brilliant, rich, time-tested, and culturally relevant. But a vending machine it ain't.
So what is the key to a successful school? A successful student? An interested, independent self-learner? As I mentioned at our recent Parent Info Night, the keys are twofold. First, there must be a reliance on Christ in all things, at school and in the home; and second, learning and excellence must be modeled in the home.
I'd like to briefly touch on what this second part looks like. In other words, how do we show our kids how? By jumping in, getting our hands dirty, and just doing it. Like this:
Develop copiousness. This is an overflow of knowledge (like a Thanksgiving cornucopia, which spills out gourds, squash, and fruit). Over a lifetime, you feed your mind just as regularly as you feed your body -- and soon, that knowledge (now wisdom) can't help but brim over.
Read good books. Usually, good books are the ones we don't want to read, because they're hard to get into. But stick with it. Peruse book lists you trust, or use the book lists on Augustine's website, and work your way through them.
Read lots of books. David Noebel, founder of Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs, has said that it's important to read a book a week. Of course, that's not even close to possible for many of us, but it's still worth pursuing. And just like muscular exercise, the more you read, the faster you get.
Read the Bible. Being steeped in Scripture is important for our sanctification, but also because Scripture is the most influential set of writings in history -- for literature, poetry, history, philosophy, culture, and theology.
Read aloud. Despite what it might seem, your kids will love this. They also need this. Many of the ancients would have been perplexed by our modern practice of reading silently. Words are inherently meant to be spoken -- and stories are brought into full richness and personality for children when they hear Mom and Pop tell them.
Listen to good music. Immerse yourselves, and your children, in the classical-music tradition. Pour on the folk songs, blues, jazz, and other genres you like. There's no lack of variety and richness. But there are standards to be set. What is God like? What is his world like? Mindless boom-box drivel, or Top-40 hits glorifying sex, greed, and death? Our kids are listening.
Sing. (Yikes.) Let me rephrase that: Sing out of tune. It may take some getting used to, and some pride-swallowing, but what better way to build family culture than to sing as a family? Everybody loves it when someone else is singing -- so why not be that someone-else for your kids? Hymns, folk-songs, and praise -- just let 'er rip.
Write. While "of the making of books there is no end" (Eccl. 12:12), the world could use a lot more of the right kinds of reading material. So keep a journal. Start a blog. Write little stories for your kids. Send letters to the editor. It isn't dumb -- but of course it isn't glamorous. We are people of the Book, and like the Holy Spirit, we should also write about what is good and true.
Memorize things. Scripture, poetry, and good quotes are the best choices. This habit, over a lifetime, will become a joy and consolation to you, in both the difficult and beautiful moments of life. It is never a waste of time; exactly the opposite. Plus, we make our kids do it.
Plod. You've just read a seemingly impractical set of to-do's. "Nice -- but yeah right." No problem, this is life. Plod. Take your time. Nobody is judging, nobody is watching. Go nice and slow, a few minutes a day snatched here and there. Get comfy with feeling inadequate and not understanding books and ideas. Our children feel the same way in school. But over time, when we look back, we're a fair piece down the road from where we started. We are growing, and we are thankful.
Grace and Peace, Nate Ahern
Gorgons and Shining Shields
"All the men in history who have really done anything with the future," said Chesterton, "have had their eyes fixed upon the past."
An odd image. And Chesterton knew it: "Man is a misshapen monster, with his feet set forward and his face turned back. Tomorrow is the Gorgon; a man must only see it mirrored in the shining shield of yesterday. If he sees it directly he is turned to stone."
Now that I've confused everyone nicely, I'd like to point out what a beautiful truth this actually is, and how applicable to us. Chesterton compares the Future -- "Tomorrow" -- to the Gorgon, a foul and terrible monster from ancient Greece. As the story went, whoever looked at it would be immediately turned to stone. And as for killing it? Impossible.
That's until the hero Perseus came along, who carried a sword and a bright shield. As he approached the Gorgon, he held this shield over his shoulder, looking straight into it as he moved forward (thus averting his gaze from the monster), and killed it by looking at its reflection in the shield.
Here's Chesterton's point: Tomorrow turns us to stone, just like the Gorgon. The Future, stared at with fear and worry, disconnected from the Past and its stories of triumph, overcomes us completely. To build, to accomplish, and to grow, we need eyes ravenous for the truths and wisdom of the Past. We live in the Present and for the Future -- but our tools of trade are already at hand, and they are old and strong. Alone, the Future tempts us to fear. The Past is full of comfort, wise old men, and happily-ever-afters.
Let's go back to the top, to those who "do something with the future." Augustine Classical Academy is small and strong, but it must grow. The future is bright for our school, but there are many rows to hoe, many jobs to fill, and much money to be raised. ACA is uniquely poised for the future, and this necessarily means we are entering an important and sobering time of growth. Our gifts, like the proverbial talents, must be cared for and multiplied.
Now more than ever, we have an excellent facility, high-quality teachers, a growing staff, and a ripening set of programs and curricula. Our administrative systems and business structure continue to improve. We have made Lakewood our home and are well-positioned to put down influential roots in the community. And most important, we boast an academic program that aims to change hearts and minds for God's glory, and for our culture.
As members in this wonderful opportunity, I'd like to encourage us all to consider how we can tangibly promote the growth of Augustine Classical Academy for the sake of our children, and for future students.
Pray for ACA daily. Pray specifically that God would bless us financially, and that all gifts would be used for his glory.
Consider how you can uniquely give to ACA, whether through personal service or other donations.
Reflect on who you might share ACA's classical Christian vision with. We love our friends, and our friends will want to listen to what we love.
Pray that God will transform our school culture, the city of Lakewood, and the world at large through robust, Christ-centered education.
Thank you for loving your children, and for loving ACA. As ever, I am thankful to partner with you as we confidently apply God's faithfulness in the past to our plans for the future. The Lord is building this house, and we will not labor in vain.
Grace and Peace, Nate Ahern
Beyond School Culture
One of our goals as a classical Christian school is to create a culture. What does this mean? It means (first negatively) that we are not trying to manufacture straight-A students, package them up, and ship them off to the Ivies. Instead it means (positively) that we are building a community of like-minded families centered around the Gospel, and therefore centered around the rich conversation of ideas, art, events, and people that the pageant of world history has provided for us. This is not (again negatively) to be a culture of "school days" and "classrooms"; it is to be a culture of families who are interested in stuff that is true and beautiful, all the way down, side-to-side, every day of the week. What is learned in school is taught in the home (and vice-versa), whatever is learned is respected, and all knowledge is understood to be God's knowledge. Our goal is to create a culture where we teach truth diligently to our children, where we talk of it when we sit on the back porch, when we hike the foothills, when we rest, and when we wake up (Deut. 6:7). In short, we never don't. If this happens, the good grades and fulfilling careers are just going to come. Being comes before doing, and we want to get who we are right.
With that in mind, I'd like to encourage all of you to help your children develop a sense of unity between school and home. This is a fundamental aspect of culture-creation. Do they see one set of standards inside their classrooms and another at home? To bless your children tangibly throughout this school year, focus on four key points:
Be a daily rock of support for your children, overflowing with physical affection. (They need it.)
In front of your children, support their teachers as experts with authority -- particularly in times of difficulty or conflict.
Require your children to do hard things. (This is a beautiful and crucial part of preparing for independence.)
Be interested (really) in what your children are learning.
We worship a God of ultimate love and endless gifts. But whom the Lord loves, he disciplines (Prov. 3:12). A wonderful and sobering balance! Let's love our children and our students as God loves us -- no less -- and give constant thanks to him for his good gifts.
Grace and Peace, Nate Ahern
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
Back in my cross-country coaching days, I liked to tell the joke about how, while most people say, "Time heals all wounds," runners say, "Time wounds all heels."
So there's that. But my real point is that it seems reasonable to divide people into a couple basic categories: those who ripen with time and change (usually gathering wisdom), and those who wither and dry up as time goes on (usually turning into cynics). Can we apply this to education? And how!
Put another way, I like to beat dead horses (metaphorically), and my current dead horse is this: life is full of rich change, also known as sanctification, and it's one of our biggest jobs as parents and educators to fill our kids to bursting with the joy of it. I've said this several times and in several ways last year, and I don't want us to forget it as we enter each new school year: despite the reality of God-given trials, life is glorious, life is rich, and that's why we send our kids to school. We want them to love God's world so that they can transform God's world. Not wither up, or be chronically heel-wounded.
Consider this a hearty welcome to the school season. As you hustle through uniform options, supplies purchases, and transportation arrangements, let's remember why we're here. For our kids. For "a long obedience in the same direction," and for teaching them the rewards of hard work and cheerfulness.
Hearty blessings on your year ahead, and may we faithfully encourage our children to strive for excellence as they live for the glory of God and the good of all people.
Grace and Peace, Nate Ahern