This video is a great example of why I recently told my friend "I trust the people at MP to educate my kids." With so many homeschooling options, it can be frustrating to decide which program will help me create the best education for my children. And because education and parenting are hard, I second guess myself. However, these topical discussions, including the "what are you reading?" segments, help me keep my eye on the goal line. Someday I hope my educated kids can be sitting at a table, like yours, having thoughtful discussions like this.

Great conversation! I teach history at a homeschool Co Op. They are by no means classical, but I have applied a lot of the philosophy of classical education in the way I teach.

I thought it was super interesting when they discussed Steinbeck. I had a wonderful set of teachers for my K-8 education, and our middle school English teacher loved Steinbeck. We read several of his books in 7th-8th grade, and I remember them being really impactful.

I am aware of the critic you mentioned, and I appreciate you all addressing this question.

- Books We're Reading - Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Monsignor Quixote by Graham Greene The Return of Don Quixote by G.K. Chesterton Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis Various Novels by Rafael Sabatini Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini The Once and Future King by T.H. White Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck The Pearl by John Steinbeck The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

One way to look at it is in the "great conversation" there has always been plenty of room for disagreement and sharpening each other with vigorous discussion. Hopefully we can keep it logical, respectful, and constructive.

The problem with 2,500 years of great material to read is deciding when to add more material. When and how does the conversation change from "You need to read ALL of Augustine" to "You must read these three works, and all of Dante" to "This of Augustine, this of Dante, this of Jane Austen, and this of Lewis."

Ok, in regards to Don Quixote, in the first part, do you think the payoff of the emphasized "when the story is interrupted, there it ends" is in the wineskin/giant fight scene?

@memoriapress

Жыл бұрын

Hey B.J. Thanks for reaching out! The book club is getting together Wednesday night and will pose your question and let you know what we think!

@Roland96351

Жыл бұрын

Ok, to clarify, chapters 33-36 the story of the ill-advised curiosity seems to roughly parallel the lives of Dorothea, Don Fernando, Cardenio, and Lucinda. The fictional story ends in tragedy, but where it was interrupted by DQ killing the "giant" is where the story of the four above mentioned is changed from the disaster it seemed to be headed for. The change is otherwise unaccountable in my thinking. I was curious what your thoughts were.

@memoriapress

Жыл бұрын

@@Roland96351 In our conversation last night we all agreed with your sentiment that it seems Cervantes is highlighting that theme of stories ought not be interrupted as they will change if they are. But the focus of the work as we seemed to understand it was the place of fiction. What is its role? Does it bring something reality doesn't offer? Is it meant to be followed literally? While offering themes like that, it is a very funny and enjoyable work.

I think what MP can’t say is, “Classical Conversations” isn’t really the model of what classical education is or can be. But feel free to chime in if I’m wrong. CC was a great gateway for us. We were new to homeschooling and new to even the thought of classical education. The more I lean into this the less I see CC as a rich or complete program. Glad to have stumbled upon MP. I wouldn’t have understood MP if I hadn’t stumbled into something so marketed to new homeschoolers first, to be honest.

@julimarshall1304

Жыл бұрын

My caution with that thought is that lots of people enroll with CC, but do vastly different things with it. You get out of it what you put into it. If you choose to educate classically within it, that’s what you’ll get out of it. If you choose to maintain modern educational practices within its curriculum, that’s what you’ll get out of it. It’s why painting with a broad brush should be cautioned in my humble opinion.

@shawnazlab711

Жыл бұрын

@@julimarshall1304 This is a very good and important point. I have homeschooled 5 children with CC and graduated 2. And I fill in all the gaps (where they program gives parents their own freedom and flexibility) with Memoria Press curriculum. I really love Classical education and am always learning. CC opens doors to those who never would think they could or would classically educate.

Yes, you are a company. The business end is evident.