Assessment matters
Chris Tovani has written a book on assessment called So What do They Really Know? In the promotion, the publisher excites the reader with these words: Her recommendations are realistic and practical; she understands that what isn’t manageable isn’t sustainable. What do you think of this claim? Is it true? Is it true enough? What makes [...]
Downton Abbey, Herodotus and Truth
It all began with a conversation, an article in The Atlantic, and Downton Abbey. At Christmas, James, a history education major, and I were discussing history and like Pilate we asked, “What is truth?” Can we know the truth of history by stating dates and facts? Is it possible that when we have assembled our [...]
The Most Evil Tool of Satan Since the Creation of Woman
Blogs are dangerous for many reasons, but approached purposefully and prudently we can find some that offer wisdom and draw us into a worthy communion of reflection. For example, much has been said lately about the savagery of God in His instructions to the Israelites to conduct genocide. One of the better, more thoughtful responses [...]
Boyhood at Risk (Part One)
I lay on my back, starring at the sky with my feet above me on the hill. My bike flew overhead – that much I knew – but where it landed was a mystery. The ditch crept up on me, as tends to happen on unfamiliar roads, while I was trying my best to keep [...]
Aesop Got It Wrong!
In the fable “The Tortoise and the Hare” Aesop teaches us that steady, persistent hard work is better than natural talent, overconfidence, and a poor work ethic. That part is true. But the “slow and steady” moral of the fable has its limits. Parents and teachers looking for slow, steady incremental improvement in their students [...]
One Easy Way to Destroy a School (or Community, or Life)
If I wanted to destroy an effective school, I would weasel my way into the headmaster position and then change nothing, not the curriculum, not the teacher development plan, not the pedagogy, not even the grievance policy, except for one thing, and everybody would think it was quite impressive and professional. If I wanted to [...]
The Classical Curriculum
I don’t think I’ve posted this on this blog before, but if I have please pardon me. I wrote this over at the wonderful WTM board when someone asked about whether CiRCE has a curriculum. Here’s my cheeky and useless answer: Our curriculum is the seven liberal arts plus drawing, painting, and sculpture. Does that [...]
Dream Small
I had a farm once. A horse. Some chickens. A big giant garden full of bees, butterflies, and beetles. I read Tasha Tudor and Gladys Taber to recognize my life. I was living large. Then one day I raised my hand and said, “I give up” and walked away from that farm. I made my [...]
The Primary Purpose of a Woman
There are a few popular Christian books published in recent years which encourage women to think of themselves as helpmeets and to find joy in domesticity. I applaud the efforts of these books even while I think they are fundamentally flawed because they fail to recognize that the Industrial Revolution has altered the domestic landscape [...]
Reaching for the Moon
“Where my moon?” he asks, one hand raised slightly, palm up. His other hand grips a freeze pop wrapped in a paper towel that serves no purpose for a two-year-old boy. The syrup soaks his hands and face. “Keep looking, Ian. Did you check higher up?” So far, his eyes have scanned only as high [...]
