Parent Practicums...

This year, I have learned more about the classical model as I studied for my Doctorate, attended meetings with other classical educators, met with CC Training Teams, and began investigating brain processes. I am at the grammar stage in so many subjects, but I am excited to share what I am learning with you this summer at the Parent Practicums. I have been privileged to spend many days this winter training the other Practicum speakers, so we can do our best to promote good academic habits while understanding how humans learn. This group of men and women dedicated to the classical model are just as excited and equipped to encourage parents as I am. I value their time and efforts and am sure you will leave your Practicum as inspired as ever.

We have a brand new topic this year. Each morning, we will begin with a session sharing what we have learned this year about the classical model. Then the Speaker will lead you through Understanding Math: From Counting to Calculus as he or she helps you to discover the foundational language of math. None of us, including me, are an expert in this arena. We need your help as we discover together how to reduce the language of math to basic grammatical concepts that will equip teachers and students to examine math problems for fundamental ideas. To me, this is as exciting as being in on the ground floor of the genome project or even our own Essentials program. It has taken the CC team many years to figure out how to teach the basic structure of all written languages. Now we want to begin the same process for math.

I know that if I can understand the basic design of math, and (this is the most important part) learn how to share it with young students, I will become a better math teacher. More importantly, I will be able to show myself approved unto God when I am able to have an answer for the math and science community when they ask me to defend why I believe we live in a world of order and not chaos.

So I am excited to learn from the parents at our 2008 Summer Practicums. The Lord will give us tools for learning math so we can give Him the glory. What patterns will we discover? Will seven be significant? Will the Holy Spirit manifest His strength in teaching math? How do symbols and words relate? Why is math perceived as being difficult? I can’t wait to see you again and find out what you have to teach me!

- Leigh Bortins, Founder of Classical Conversations

Did you attend one of our 2008 Parent Practicums? Tell us about it! Tell us: What was your topic - classical model, language, mathematics? What inspired you? What did you find most helpful? Click on the COMMENTS link to post your experience.