How to Homeschool Children of Multiple Ages

Photo Credit: Allison@TotusTuusFamily

By Maureen Wittmann

One the struggles homeschoolers often face is teaching children in multiple grades. The hardest part for me in homeschooling multiple children was when they were all little. When I had a 7, 5, 3, and 1 year old. Everyone needed my constant attention and no one was quite ready to work independently.

First, I had to learn to relax a bit. The best advice I ever got was from my friend Becky, which was “Skip kindergarten.” Instead of using a heavy curriculum at that tender age, the children and I played together and read together. We got outside and explored, we got on the floor and built blocks, we cooked together, and read endlessly. These are all things that can be done with babies in tow and littles attached to your leg.

I learned to work around nap times, I read while nursing the baby, and I figured out how to make play educational.

There were times when I had to let go of an orderly house. Like the day when the 3-year old pulled all the books off the book shelves while I helped the 7-year old with a science experiment at the kitchen table.

Another idea that worked at my house was to combine talents with a homeschooling friend. One of you can work with the littles, while the other works with older children.

As your children get older, you’ll find homeschooling multiples gets much easier. First, teach them to work independently. Encourage them to learn and discover on their own. Make sure they see your joy in learning yourself to encourage them.

Figure out what subject works well in your family across the ages. For my family, that was history. We studied history together as a family, while adjusting independent reading and assignments to their grade level.

Finally, have older siblings help younger siblings. For example, I have a daughter who was a big help to me by working with the younger kids in math. Not only did it free up my time, but helped reinforce her own lessons. We learn best by teaching, right? In fact, that daughter recently graduated from college with a degree in mathematics.

Leave a comment if you have other ideas for helping parents working with many children of multiple ages.

The Joy of Reading Aloud

This article originally appeared at Catholic Mom on October 12, 2015.

This is the first of a three-part series by Maureen Wittmann. You can find the other two articles here: The Art of Reading Aloud (how to do it) and The Why of Reading Aloud (the educational benefits).

“My papa is dead!” she kept whispering to herself. “My papa is dead!”

As I read these lines from A Little Princess, my six-year-old daughter Mary and I cried. Our hearts poured out for the Little Princess. In sharing the deep emotions of the story’s heroine, Sara Crewe, my daughter and I grew closer.

That 6-year old child is now a 23-year-old wife and mother. I believe our read-aloud time throughout her childhood helped to shape Mary into the woman she is today. A woman any mother would be proud to call daughter.

Reading books aloud to children for enjoyment creates bonds that will never be broken. By sharing common adventures through stories we come together as a family. I believe children will share their thoughts, their feelings, more naturally if they are accustomed to reading aloud with their parents.

Think about little 6-year-old Mary and me crying together, cuddled on the couch, sharing emotions. As a child grows into adolescence and later into adulthood, it’s important for that child to share her emotions with her parents. It’s important that children are comfortable going to their mom or dad when they are in trouble or when they are feeling strong emotions – fear, sadness, and, yes, joy as well.

When my daughter went through the bumps and hurdles of growing up, I wanted her to be comfortable coming to me to talk about them. This would give me the opportunity to help her and guide her. Just as we cried together when little Sarah Crewe’s papa died, we cried together when real life tragedies entered into our real life. We also laughed together and shared many special, happy moments together.

For more than a decade now, I’ve led middle school and high school book clubs. I’ve also taught high school literature for our local homeschool co-op. Last spring the son of a dear friend sat in on my literature class to see if it’s something he wanted to join the following year.

When I asked what kind of fiction he enjoyed, he let me and the class know that he doesn’t like fiction because “fiction isn’t real.” Aghast, I asked my students if they agreed fiction is not real. The room lit up and everyone was talking at once.

One boy explained, “Fiction is real because it shares real emotion. Sure, when I read Ender’s Game I was aware it’s unlikely the Earth will be attacked by giant alien bugs anytime soon. But there were real problems, and real emotions, and real heroes.”

Another student pointed out that “Maybe bad fiction is fake, but good fiction is real. It’s real because it possesses natural law. It’s real because it reflects the One, True story.”

Yet another student stated, “Good fiction reflects society. Look at Fahrenheit 451 and other dystopias. The first thing fascist governments do is ban fiction and only allow nonfiction. Why is that? I think it’s because fiction is more real than nonfiction. Nonfiction doesn’t stir real emotions.”

That prompted another student to bring up Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which stirred a nation to rise up against slavery. It was a fictional book that brought the horrors of slavery to the forefront of a nation’s brain.

Those students were making real bonds through reading literature. One of the things I love about leading homeschooled students in literature clubs and classes is that most of them come with a deep love for the written word. I believe this is because most of them have been raised on a healthy diet of read-aloud time.

The bonds created through read aloud time are not only for children. My mom, who passed away last year, loved to be read to. In her later years, suffering from failing health, she would ask me to read to her. It was a very special time together. And you know what she wanted me to read to her? Nancy Drew!

I know more than one married couple, including my oldest son and his wife, and another couple with 4 children, who read aloud to one another. I can’t imagine many things that are more romantic. You’re never to old to read to one another.

One of the wonderful things about reading aloud to your child is that you are also, in essence, reading aloud to your future grandchildren, great grandchildren, and so on. Remember my daughter Mary? She is a mother of a beautiful 2-year-old son. She has read to him from Day One. When Richie comes to visit, he goes to the picture books, on his own, and picks out a selection. He’ll then climb onto the easy chair waiting to be read to. Since his sister was born 5 months ago he can be found with a book in hand, reading to her.

Not only does reading aloud improve your children’s lives but also future generations. They know intuitively that they should read to their children. You’re passing the torch.

You can also help your child grow spiritually through reading aloud. It gives you the opportunity to discuss moral dilemmas presented in the story and to ask your children open-ended questions about the characters and their actions. This opens up the lines of communication between parent and child.

Jesus taught us through story, through parables, 46 parables in fact. Jesus used images and characters taken from everyday life to illustrate his message to us. His stories appeal to young and old, poor and rich, educated and uneducated alike. They move our hearts.

Just as my literature students shared, good stories stir our hearts. They create emotions that move us to action. They reflect the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. Jesus didn’t just tell us, “Be kind to others”, he told us the parable of the Good Samaritan. He didn’t just tell us, “Share the Good News”, he told us the parable of the Lamp Under the Basket. He didn’t just tell us, “If you lose faith, I’ll still watch over you and I’ll rejoice when you find it again”, he told us the parable of the Lost Sheep.

I encourage you, if you don’t already, make read-aloud time a regular event in your home.

What the Rest of Us Can Learn from Unschoolers

Originally published at Catholic Mom May 11, 2015

By Maureen Wittmann

No matter our “homeschool style,” most of us center our homeschool on our children. Our common goal is to graduate children who are prepared for the world in their hearts, minds, and souls.

In a child-centered education, your child’s learning style, special interests, and academic and physical capabilities are all taken into consideration. Even a parent using a strict scope and sequence with her children can make adjustments for individual children who do not exactly fit the mold of a homeschool program.

Unschoolers take child-centered education one step further and provide a “child-led” education. A child-led education can include a structured environment; however, it will wait for a child to express a desire to learn specific subjects. An unschooling parent will involve her child directly in making decisions on how to go about learning a subject once an interested has been established.

Unschooling does not mean non-schooling. It means being actively engaged in your child’s interests and needs. It means being in tune with her learning style and capabilities. It means making sure she has all the necessary resources when she does express an interest in specific “subjects.”

All of the unschooled students I’ve had the pleasure to meet are knowledgeable and well-adjusted young men and women. Because they took ownership of their education at a young age, they continue to have the desire to grow and learn into their adult years.

Even if a child-led education is not for your family, even if you follow the strictest of school programs, there is still a lot you can glean from the unschool movement.

Here is my Top-10 List of what the rest of us can learn from unschoolers:

Find joy in learning. Learning should never be drudgery. We want to encourage children to learn on their own, years after they graduate and leave the nest. Emotions are contagious. If your children see your joy when you learn new things, they’ll copy it. Make sure you find your own joy in teaching your children new lessons.

Apply learned material to real life. Make sure your children see how their lessons relate to the world outside of the classroom. Studying should never be about “passing the test.” It should be about preparing for life beyond school.

Look for intrinsic motivation. Ask yourself what motivates your child to learn. Perhaps it is studying favorite topics, private reading time, online classes, collaborating on projects with friends, or sharing his progress publicly. Let’s use the latter as an example: practicing piano requires dedication and hard work. However, playing a concert for your family, ending with much applause, can be great fun as well as a great motivator.

Figure out your child’s learning style and focus on it. Every child learns differently, even within the same family. If one child is a hands-on learner and another is a visual learner, you may need to provide those children with different resources.

The world is your classroom. Homeschooling doesn’t mean education only takes place in your home. Get outside, discover all the opportunities your community offers, take day trips, embark on educational vacations, go on adventures. Something as simple as a side trip to a construction site can be educational. Get up and get moving.

Strewing. This is a popular unschooling term. Strewing simply means leaving material of interest around for children to discover. Strewing may include books, toys, science kits, and more. For example, if you have a reluctant reader who is deeply interested in the Middle Ages, you may leave fun books about the era next to her favorite chair. Or if you have a child who loves science, you may leave interesting rock specimens on the bathroom counter. Change out the strewed items from time to time.

Teach your children how to find learning resources. When a child shows a special interest, show him how to learn more. Make him an integral part of the process. For example, if you have a child interested in computer programming you can begin by doing research online, talking to friends in the field, and visiting a computer programming business. Then decide upon the best course of action to learn programming. This may include an apprenticeship, online course, or community college.

Promote curiosity. Ask questions of your children. Be patient in answering their questions. (The only dumb question is the question unasked.) If you don’t know an answer, let them see the spark in your eye when you say, “Let’s look for the answer together” or “I can’t wait to see how this turns out”.

Learn beside your children. In a school setting parents are, for the most part, removed from the learning process. Sometimes we see this in homeschooling too. In using a program, we may forgo studying the lessons ourselves. In a co-op or online class we may ask a teacher to take full responsibility for our child’s progress. We still need to be actively engaged in those situations. There is nothing wrong with seeking outside sources, especially in subjects we are not comfortable teaching ourselves or when a child prefers to self teach. However, we should still express an interest, learn beside them, ask questions, and follow up to make sure our children are getting the most out of their course of study.

Have fun! It’s perfectly okay to have fun in your homeschool. Yes, learning is hard work but there is no reason it can’t be fun too.

Unschooling advocate Sandra Dodd describes a typical “unschool” day as “the best ever Saturday … the day people dream about when they are stuck in school.” She also says that unschooling is about creating and maintaining an environment in which natural learning takes place and flourishes. I believe that is something all of us can accomplish no matter our homeschool style.

Top Ten: How to Email or Message Your Online Teacher

by Maureen Wittmann

I once received an email from a student that read:

im having trouble in my class

The subject bar read:

help

I'm sure you can figure out rather quickly why I was discouraged by this email. Even overlooking the lack of sentence structure, I was unable to help the student due to the scarcity of information given to me. I didn't know her name, the name of her course, nor the fine details of her problem. It turned out she was having difficulty using her microphone in her live online class. It was an easy fix and I had her up and running once I was given the necessary details of her problem.

We live in a world, consumed by texting and instant messaging, that has forgotten the importance of proper punctuation, grammar, form, and courtesy. I'm confronted by this fact far too often in my regular email communications.

It is understandable why this student's email was lacking many of the important elements required for effective communication. She was young -- a middle school student -- and this was her first online course. At Homeschool Connections, we require a certain level of etiquette in student correspondence, but this was the first day of classes and she had not yet been taught.

The Top-Ten List below will give you everything you need to learn the conventions of email etiquette and effective online communication. Whether you're a middle school student or college student, or somewhere in between, whether you're in a school, co-op, or taking an online class, the following guidelines will help you craft professional emails that give you the results you want and need when communicating with your teacher. This format should also be used when messaging your teacher (Moodle, in the case of Homeschool Connections students).

NOTE: These are general tips. You may have a teacher who has set specific guidelines for you to follow when emailing. If so, follow your teacher's instructions.

First, let's start with a basic template for emailing your teacher. This can be used or modified for any classroom situation. I've numbered each element, which corresponds to the Top-Ten List below.

(1) TO: Should this email go to the teacher or someone else?

(2) DATE: Make sure your emails are timely.

(3) SUBJECT BAR: School Name, Course Name, and Brief Summary of Problem.

(4) Dear Professor Last-Name,

(5) Meaningful nicety. A sentence or two that connects you to the teacher in a personal way.

(6) I’m in your Complete Course Name that meets on This Day at This Time. (7) This is the question I have or the help I need. I’ve looked at the Moodle course page, at my notes from class, and I reviewed the recorded class. (8) I think This Is The Answer, but I’m still not sure. Can you please help me? This is the Action I would like you to take.

(9) Another meaningful nicety expressing your gratitude for the instructor's help.

(10) Sincerely, Respectfully, God bless, or similar sign-off,
Student Full Name (first and last)


(1) Make sure you are contacting the right person. All questions about course content and student performance should be directed to the teacher. Teachers should respond within 24 hours, with the exception of weekends, holy days, and breaks. Questions about technical problems should be directed to administration. For HSC students technical problems are sent to info@homeschoolconnections.com.

(2) Your Emails Should Be Timely. Send your questions sooner than later. Teachers most likely will not be able to answer questions about an assignment if you send the email the day before the assignment is due. Be responsible by working on your assignments many days before their due date.

(3) The Subject Bar Should Be Clear and Detailed. This is a courtesy for your teacher that will also help you get a faster and clearer response. It is likely your teacher teaches more than one course and may even teach for more than one school or program. For a Homeschool Connections student, the subject bar should look something like this: HSC U.S. Contemporary History -- Question Week One Homework.

(4) Don't Skip the Salutation. Use "Dear". It shows respect and helps set a polite tone. Use Mr., Miss, Mrs. or Dr. If you are unsure of your teacher's title, you can't go wrong with Professor, even if it's technically not their title. 

(5) Start with an Introductory Nicety. It never hurts to start your email with a sentence along the lines of “I am enjoying your course,” or “I hope this email finds you well." It shows that you see your teacher as a person.  It doesn’t really matter exactly what you say in this opening sentence, it’s the polite opening that counts. Again, we're setting the tone for the rest of the email, as well as for your professional relationship with your teacher.

(6) State the Full Name of the Course with the Day and Time. Again, your teacher most likely teaches several courses. They may even teach the exact same course multiple times on different days and at different times. For example, instead of "I'm in your writing course" type "I am in your Fiction Writing 1: Plot and Structure course that meets on Thursdays at 11:00 AM Eastern."

If you would like a speedy response, this is a key component to your email. It is also a courtesy for your teacher who has other students to help (you are just one of many). Making your teacher's life easier is always a good thing.

(7) Address Your Problem Clearly and Don't Waste Your Teacher's Time. This is the whole reason you’re sending the email, so make it concise and to the point. Be courteous and clearly state what it is you need from your teacher without making excuses or giving excessive detail. Make sure you have exhausted all other avenues in seeking an answer to your question before emailing your teacher. For example, did you check your notes, review the syllabus, and pay attention in the class?

Teachers receive far too many emails from students seeking information that has already been communicated by the teacher in class or on the course page (syllabus). Finding the answer on your own will help you be a better student now and in the future.

(8) Propose, and Clearly State, Your Desired Solution to the Problem. Let your teacher see that you thoughtfully considered your problem and it's solution before deciding to write an email. State the solution clearly that you are seeking from the teacher. 

(9) Leave with a Closing Nicety.  For example. you can write, “If you could let me know at your earliest convenience, I’d really appreciate it.” Or, "Thank you for your help in this matter. Please let me know if you need further information from me." Again, a polite tone is always helpful and builds a good, effective relationship with your teacher.

(10) Your Sign Off Should Be Professional, Complete with Your Full Name. Always close with something along the lines of Sincerely or Respectfully. Since we are a Catholic program, "God bless" or "In Christ" is also appropriate. Finally, sign your full name. There are likely other students on the teacher's roster with the same or similar first name as yours. Therefore, always sign with both your first and last name.

I have one last, very important, note for you. Whenever messaging or emailing a teacher always use formal grammar and punctuation. Do NOT write as though you are texting. Use full sentences, capital letters, proper punctuation, etc. Never use slang. Your teacher is a professional and it is expected that students will be professional in their correspondence.

Finally, we should address Follow-Up emails. Generally, teachers respond to emails within 24 hours, not counting holidays, vacations, and weekends. Therefore, you should wait at least that long before sending a second email. If your teacher hasn’t responded to your email in a reasonable amount of time, you can send a gentle reminder.

I recommend formatting the follow-up using the same elements listed above, but simply changing the content to “I am following up to my previous email.” Make sure to use a polite tone and never be accusatory. It could be that the teacher sent a response and it was lost in cyber space or it landed in your spam folder. It's also possible the teacher had extenuating circumstances beyond his control that kept him from answering in a timely fashion.

I have given you a lot to consider here, including many small details. I want to stress that those small details count. Learning how to craft effective, professional emails is a skill you can take with you into the world and the work place after graduation. A courteous and thoughtfully-constructed request is more likely to receive the kind of response you desire. It's always a good idea to give others the same respect that you would like for yourself.

In conclusion, here is a sample email using the above components:

HSC, Narnia for Young Adults, Need Week 6 Homework Assignment.

Dear Professor Smith,

I thoroughly enjoyed today's lecture on The Last Battle. I now have a new appreciation for C. S. Lewis and his fiction works.

I’m in your Narnia for Young Adults course that meets on Thursdays at 4:00 PM Eastern. I'm having trouble locating the assignment for Week Six. I’ve looked at the Moodle course page and I do not see it there. I reviewed my notes from class and I reviewed today's recorded class where you mentioned at the end there would be an assignment posted. It appears that the assignment has not been uploaded yet, but I could be missing it. Can you please help me and let me know if there is in fact an assignment and if it will be uploaded later?

I appreciate your help in this matter. and look forward to hearing back from you. Thank you.

Respectfully,
Joseph Phillips

If you would like to learn even more about crafting professional correspondence, Homeschool Connections offers a Professional Business Writing course. Email us at info@homeschoolconnections.com for more details.

10 Books to Read Instead of Watching Political Commercials

By Maureen Wittmann

The current political climate is, well, how do I put this? Um, not so civil.

I've been a political junkie since my teen years. My twenties were spent as an activist. My husband was the Republican candidate for U. S. Congress in Missouri's First District in our thirties. I thrived on political debate through my forties. But this year is different. I've been avoiding political discussions as much as possible. I've even vowed to keep political posts off my personal Facebook page.

When my mom was in her sixties and seventies she made the conscious decision not to follow the news anymore. To just live her life and do her best to serve God in her little corner of the world. I scolded her and couldn't understand that drop-out attitude. I felt strongly that we all need to be involved in politics in some fashion. Today, I'm wondering if, as usual, she was right, and I was wrong.

No, I'm not planning on completely dropping out of the news cycle. However, I don't want to be bombarded with nonstop political television ads and I certainly don't want to spend my valuable time watching cat fights online. Or worse, participating in them.

So, what is one to do when ignoring television and social media? What else? Curl up with a good book. Perhaps with a box of chocolates and a glass of wine too. That's my plan at least.

If you'd like to join me, here are few titles that may help get the two of us through to November 8th. I tried to choose a wide variety of genres. Most have little in common with the others. That's how I like to read -- a little bit of everything, jumping from one genre to the next. Some are light, fun reads and others are quite serious. Some are short, easy reads and others are quite lengthy. However, there is one common thread (IMO) -- each is a read that will prayerfully give you hope for this world and the next.

Click on the book title for reviews and ordering information. FYI -- these are affiliate links. If you purchase a book, I get a little love from Amazon so I can buy even more books and hide away even longer from reality. (I have a feeling I may want to do that even more after this election is over.) If you have a book that you think should be on this list, please share with us in the comments (and why!).

Beautiful Mercy: Experiencing God's Unconditional Love So We Can Share It With Others
Let's start our reading with a little mercy. Given to me by a priest friend, this reader is from Dynamic Catholic to celebrate the Year of Mercy. It's a compilation of short, engaging stories from several great Catholic authors including, but not limited to, Archbishop Chaput, Scott Hahn, Lisa Hendy, Jennifer Fulwhiler, Fr. Larry Richards, all brought together by Matthew Kelly. Inspirational advice that also gives us the practical tools we need to live a life of mercy. I suggest buying it used as there is an abundance of copies so you can get it for as little as a penny plus shipping and handling.

Jack Claymore For President by Dwayne Pugh
Okay, I know the point is to ignore politics. But, remember, I'm a recovering junkie. Besides, this really is not a political book. It's just a plain, fun, romantic comedy. In fact, it is the inspiration for the blog post in the first place. The whole time I was reading Jack Claymore for President I was thinking to myself, "I wish someone would make this into a movie." It's self published, written by a friend of a friend. It's not highbrow literature, but I don't care, I really enjoyed it. And, hey, if you order the Kindle version, it's only $2.99!

A Song for Nagasaki by Fr. Paul Glynn
This is a beautiful story that reminds us of the goodness that exists in the world and in individual human beings. A Song for Nagasaki is the true story of Takashi Nagai, hero of Nagasaki. Nagai was a pioneer in radiology research who had put his career at risk when he converted to the Catholic faith. When the A-bomb was dropped at the end of World War II, he searched the rubble for survivors and to help save their lives. He knowingly did this at great risk to himself. Due to over exposure of radiation, he contracted leukemia. His final years were spent bringing physical and spiritual help to the people of Japan. This is a story that will raise your heart and give you hope.

The Awakening of Miss Prim: A Novel by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera
I have not read this book yet, but it comes highly recommended by Joseph Pearce (Homeschool Connections literature professor) so it's sitting on my reading table waiting for me at this moment. It's not light reading, but challenging reading. What better way to ignore politics than to be caught up in a deep, intellectual yet moving romance novel? From Prof. Pearce, "The Awakening of Miss Prim, takes the reader out of the messy world in which he finds himself and places him in a charmed world of elevated culture and simple pleasures."

Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger by Gary Michuta
I love apologetics and I love Gary Michuta, so it's about time I get around to reading his magnum opus. A prominent Catholic author once told me that Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger is the best book on the topic of the Deuterocanonical books. It's well documented and scholarly, so I suspect it may be a little dry for some people but, personally, I love that kind of stuff. It's a terrific opportunity to truly understand why Catholics have "extra books" in their Bibles, in addition to being a distraction from the incivility of the presidential campaigns.

The Hidden Power of Kindness: A Practical Handbook for Souls Who Dare to Transform the World, One Deed at a Time by Father Lawrence Lovasik
This book has been on my shelf collecting dust for a good number years. It came highly recommended by several friends and it's about time I brush it off and read it. I think focusing on kindness is especially needed during this tumultuous political climate. Perhaps it is even more important with the rise of social media, where kindness ofttimes appears to be completely forgotten. We can change the world with a little kindness, one person at a time.

A Girl of Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter
When I asked online for a book suggestion, a friend wrote, "Really enjoyed A Girl of Limberlost ... It was just happy to read and took me away from all the stress!" So, I went immediately to Amazon to read the reviews. I was hooked and put it on my Kindle, adding it to my "Ignoring Politics" folder. In a nutshell, it's set in 1909 and our heroine is Eleanor, a poor, abused, yet fiercely determined, young woman who just wants to go to school. As one reviewer wrote, "a Midwestern Cinderella story, but with no glass slipper and plenty of moths".

Rapunzel Let Down by Regina Doman
One reason Rapunzel Let Down makes this list its that it is a story surrounding the son of a U.S. senator. Also, because it shows how ugly the world can be and, yet, there is also beauty and hope. It is important to note that Rapunzel is also known as Regina Doman's "controversial novel". It is part of her Fairy Tale Novels series. Other books in the series were written with teens in mind. However, Repunzel is written for adults and certainly not for children. Please be forewarned, it contains a good share of sensitive topics: teen sex; abuse; rape; homosexuality; and more. However, these topics are viewed through a Catholic lens and are resolved before the book's end. It's a cautionary tale, based on the original Grimm's Fairy Tale (not the watered-down, safe version of today), that shows clearly the very serious consequences of sin. To top that all off it is a captivating read and a page turner.

The Woman Who Was Chesterton by Nancy Carpentier Brown
Another biography. This one is on the wife of G. K. Chesterton. Nancy Brown, noted Chestertonian, worked tirelessly researching Frances's life, including traveling to England to visit the Chesterton home, so she could share with the rest of us the beautiful love story of the Chestertons. I think to really know Gilbert, we need to also know Frances. She was Gilbert's biggest fan and she did everything she could to support him in his vocation as a writer, from tying his shoes to taking dictation for him. In turn, Gilbert had great love and respect for his wife. The Chestertons are a good example for the rest of us. I'm about a third of the way done with this one and looking forward to jumping back into it.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Let's finish up this Top Ten with a classic. You can't go wrong with Jane Austen when looking for a book to curl up with and escape the real world for a while. Pride and Prejudice, a romantic comedy written two centuries ago still delights, perhaps because it's the ultimate happily-ever-after story.  Some things are timeless. Even in a world consumed by technology, human nature hasn't changed all that much since 1813. I think this time around, I'll listen to it on audio. PS When you're done with Pride and Prejudice, don't stop -- pick up Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Miss Austin's other books.


Five More Books
Because I have such a hard time whittling down lists (which is why I have fourteen bookshelves in my house!), here are five more titles for you ... just in case you want to keep reading after November 8th.

The Rosary: Keeping Company With Jesus and Mary by Karen Edmisten
When I received this little book in the mail I thought to myself, "Sigh. Yet another book on the rosary." I know that sounds terrible, but in my defense I do have a whole shelf full of rosary books. It was a sigh wasted -- I love this book, a short, easy read. Mrs. Edmisten not only taught me about the history and the beauty of the rosary but she touched some deep emotions. I found myself at moments, when Karen talks of her fallen past and staunch atheism, with tears welling up in my eyes.

Left to Tell by Immaculate Ilibagiza
I was privileged to hear the author, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, give a talk many years ago. A talk that left me changed forever. This is a story of hope, healing, and great forgiveness. It is hard to read at times as the atrocities committed against fellow human beings is beyond the greatest horror you could imagine. It is not for the faint of heart, so be forewarned. Immaculate witnessed her own brother brutally murdered, lost most of her family and friends to the genocide, and yet forgave. A lesson for the rest of us.

Dracula by Bram Stoker
This title is a complete departure from the rest of the books listed here. I am not a horror fan, yet Dracula is one of my favorite books. If you haven't read it, give it a try. You'll be struck by the underlying Catholic themes. The teens in my high school reading group chose it last year as one of their selections and they picked up on the Catholic imagery too. For example, Dracula (evil) cannot enter your home unless you invite him in. Of course, he needs to trick you into the invitation. Like sin, he is disguised in a welcoming, attractive package and you only recognize him for what he truly is after it's too late. But you can fight him back with strong determination and divine help.

The Way of a Pilgrim
An online friend recommended this book to me. It's a story about a Russian pilgrim and is about silent prayer in the Orthodox Christian tradition, namely, the "ceaseless" prayer or the so-called Jesus prayer. I've read a number of positive reviews in the Catholic press and I'd love to learn more about Eastern traditions, so The Way of a Pilgrim is going on my to-read pile.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
I listened to this book via Audible over the summer as I traveled to and from conferences. While a it contains an underlying story of redemption, hope, and the potential of strength in the human spirit, it is also a troubling story. It contains graphic violence that was difficult for me to digest. It is the true story of Louis Zamperini, a young thug turned Olympic track star and then later a World War II airman, castaway, and POW. I recently learned there is a young adult version that does not go as deep into the brutal details of Louis's physical abuse as a captive - that may be an easier version for the sensitive of heart to read. Yet, like Left to Tell, this is also a story of great forgiveness. How Louis survived the POW camps, much less came to forgive his captors is inspiring.

So, there you have it.  Ten Fifteen books to pick and choose from to get you through the political season and beyond. Of course, also remember to pray. Pray and fast.
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Why Teach Formal Logic in Your Homeschool?

Note: Dr. Gotcher offers several outstanding logic and literature courses through Homeschool Connections' Unlimited Access program. 

This article is an excerpt from the book Why Should I Learn This. To order click here:
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Why Should I Learn Formal Logic?
Robert F. Gotcher, Ph.D.

Introduction
My seven-year old and his friend from next door are really into knights and dragons and other medieval “stuff.” They are always making shields and swords and playing with their zillions of medieval Playmobils. So imagine how surprised I was when my son came up to me and asked, “Know what my favorite weapon is?  LOGIC!” Would that more people would avail themselves of this weapon!

We hear all kinds of arguments on the radio and on the internet. For instance, we might hear the following: “Carl, who says he’s a Republican, voted for the bill I don’t like. Democrats supported the same bill. Carl must be a RINO, a closet Democrat.” While it may be true that Carl has sympathies with the Democrats, his vote does not demonstrate it. He may have a completely different reason for voting for the bill.  Such “arguments” are rhetorically effective in no small part because our society has ceased to study and understand the rules of basic logic. This has been noted by many observers. As Fr. John Zuhlsdorf points out, for instance, in discussing the divisions in the Church since Vatican II, “The division is made more complicated by the fact that many Catholics a) don’t know their Faith and b) can’t reason well anymore” (http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/04/fr-scalon-on-the-unfinished-business-of-vatican-ii/, emphasis mine). Fewer and fewer people are able to take up the core weapon of good reasoning: logic.

What is Logic?
What is logic? Logic, simply put, is the art of thinking accurately. It is the systematic use of reason to discover new truths from old ones. There are several types of logic: formal, material, and symbolic. The type we are discussing is the classic formal logic of Aristotle.  The heart of formal logic is the deductive inference, which is the act by which the mind establishes a connection between premises and a conclusion. The double value of formal logic is that it brings about new truths and certainty. If the premises in an argument are true and you follow the rules of logic, the conclusion must be true. The tasks of formal logic are the construction and detection of valid syllogism (formal arguments) and the detection of formal and informal fallacies (false reasoning). A formal fallacy fails to follow the rules of formal logic; an informal fallacy argues falsely by some form of distraction or distortion.

The three parts of logic are understanding, judgments, and arguments. Understanding is the ability to know what a thing is, its essence or nature—to have and create clear concepts. Since a concept is neither true nor false, we need to put them together in propositions or statements that make judgments. To make a judgment is to affirm or deny a certain relationship between two things. A judgment is either true or false. Argumentation is the process by which we come with certainty to new truths from already established truths or judgments.

Let us look at a couple of examples. First, what if someone says, “Since there was so much anti-Irish prejudice in Boston in the 19th century, when Paddy was denied a job by Wadsworth Kensington III, it must have been because he was Irish!” The fallacy in this argument is a formal one; it is called “the undistributed middle term,” as can be seen more clearly if the statement is made into a formal syllogism and illustrated by a diagram.

Some Boston Irishmen were persons who were denied work because they were Irish.
Paddy was one of the (some) Boston Irishman.
Paddy was a person who was denied work because he was Irish.
The use of “some” in a statement makes a term undistributed. Here is an illustration of the argument:

As we can see, Paddy may or may not be among those denied a job because they are Irish unless ALL Irishmen were denied jobs because they were Irish.

Formal logic also tells us that if we add “only” to the word “some,” it modifies the opposition between statements. For instance, there is a difference between the three statements “All pro-lifers are violent.” “Some pro-lifers are violent,” and “Only some pro-lifers are violent.” Only the last one necessarily includes the contradictory statement “Some pro-lifers are not violent.” If you are discussing pro-life violence, you will want to include the “only” in your argument!

What Good Is Logic? 
1. Logic’s most important value is that it can help us acquire and verify the truth. When properly used, it gives certainty. Logic, and especially dialectic (a discipline of argumentation that uses logic), is associated with debate, and therefore with winning an argument. Peter Kreeft points out, however, that the value of logic is not in winning an argument, but in knowing the truth. The weapon is used primarily against falsehood, not persons (Peter Kreeft, Socratic Logic, (South Bend, IN: St. Augustine’s Press, 2005), p. 348).

2. Logic helps us study philosophy, one of the essential activities of the human mind. Traditional formal logic is the logic of the perennial philosophy of the great thinkers, which is consistent with the Catholic world view. Traditional logic is grounded in a belief that things are real, that the world has meaning and order, that our ideas of things correspond to reality, and that we can communicate real truths to each other, even if imperfectly. Modern forms of philosophy and logic deny that we can know the truth about reality. Symbolic logic, which is the dominant form of logic taught for the past century, is mathematical logic. Its only mental act is calculation. “The very nature of reason itself is understood differently by the new symbolic logic than it was by the traditional Aristotelian logic…” (Kreeft, p. 22). Symbolic logic when applied to anything beyond mathematics leads to relativistic ethics and the denial of a divinely established order in the universe.

3. Logic can help us discover some of the fallacies in our own reason and that of others. For instance, a recent Facebook post said the following: “You mean to tell me humans have energy resources such as solar power, hydroelectricity, biofuels, wind power, and geothermal energy and they kill each other over oil?” The presumption is that if we relied on other sources of energy besides oil there would be less war. This presumes that human beings wouldn’t find reasons to fight wars of solar power, hydroelectricity and biofuels. Making this into a series of formal syllogisms allows us to identify this assumption and thus call it into question.

4. Logic helps us avoid being taken in by emotionally charged rhetoric such as jargon, slogans, cant, and sound bites. The emphasis on feelings and de-emphasis on proper, logical thinking has left many Americans prey to advertisers and demagogues. Training in formal logic can help a reader or listener see the truth and falsehood of emotionally charged statements made on the editorial page, on talk radio shows, in history books, in bull sessions, and in advertisements, so he can make proper judgments about important matters.

5. Finally and most importantly, traditional formal logic can help us know and share Christ better. It is more than a coincidence that Christ is called the Logos in the Gospel of St. John. “In the beginning was the Word [Logos], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1, RSV). The order in the universe reflects the Word himself because “all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made” (Jn 1:3) and “for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible” (Col. 1:16). Any tool that can help us discern more clearly the traces of the Logos in the universe, what St. Justin Martyr called the logoi spermatikoi or “seeds of the Word” (Second Apology Ch. 8), can help us understand Christ better. When we understand Christ better as He can be known in the universe and in human nature, we can help others see Him as well. Logic becomes a tool of evangelization.

Conclusion
In a world in which so many people seem to deny the most basic truths about God, man, nature, and morality, the most powerful weapon for the truth is the Word of God as interpreted by the teachings of the Catholic Church. Yet, understanding and defending those teachings can best be done with a mind armed with the tool of natural human reason sharpened by traditional, formal logic. With logic we can gain clearer understanding of both natural and supernatural truths and thus lead others to the Truth. And, as we know, “the truth will make you free” (Jn. 8:32).

Homeschool Connections offers four courses in formal logic, Introduction to Logic, Classical Syllogistic Logic, Advanced Logic, and Fallacies and Paradoxes. Additionally, Homeschool Connections’ apologetics courses, taught by Gary Michuta, introduce formal logic to students to help them learn and defend their Catholic faith.

Top-5 List: Why Study Philosophy

The Five Top Reason to Study Philosophy
by Jean Rioux

Philosophy is inevitable.
If you do not philosophize carefully and intentionally, you’re likely to pick up whatever conclusions suggest themselves to you. Most commonly, these will come from whomever you happen to associate with or what is in vogue in the culture or community in which you live.

Philosophy has a real impact upon life. 
Not all philosophizing works itself out in patterns of living, but much of it does. In fact, the world is still grappling with the consequences of some very bad philosophizing from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Philosophy is able to bring reason to bear upon matters of Faith. 
Most intellectual endeavors do not concern themselves with the Faith. In particular, the human and natural sciences use methods which require us to remain silent on the most important matters of our lives. Not so philosophy. Philosophers have been asking and answering questions about human freedom, the immortality of the soul, and God since they first began thinking about them over 2500 years ago.

Philosophizing ennobles us.
One of the most insidious philosophical ideas from the last century is the notion that human reason is only there to serve our human needs. This has the effect of reducing us to our lower functions, whether animal or even merely living. In fact, the exercise of reason in its highest form, contemplating God and the world He made, is among the best things we can do with our time. This is philosophy at its very best.

Philosophizing in high school prepares one for college-level classes.
Many students will end up taking philosophy classes as part of their undergraduate education. If they are fortunate enough to be taking sound classes, an early exposure to philosophical thought will serve them in good stead. If they are unfortunate enough to be taking poorly-done classes, philosophizing well in high school will help them to see those flaws and to correct them.

Note: Dr. Jean Rioux teaches live, interactive Philosophy courses for Homeschool Connections. See Homeschool Connections Registration and click on Subject / Philosophy. He also offers several outstanding philosophy and logic courses through our Unlimited Access program. 

Suggested Book: Why Should I Learn This. To learn more or order click here:

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Why Should My Homeschooled Child Learn Philosophy in High School?

Note: Dr. Rioux is teaching ST. THOMAS ON THE HUMAN PERSON for Homeschool Connections in the Fall 2016 semester. Dr. Rioux also offers several outstanding philosophy and logic courses through our Unlimited Access program. 

This article is an excerpt from the book Why Should I Learn This. To order click here:

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Why Should I Learn Philosophy? 

Jean Rioux, Ph.D. 

Aristotle once observed that philosophy is inevitable. Absent a conscious and deliberate reflection upon the larger questions in life, one will invariably come to some sort of conclusion about them. A sound conclusion? Nothing guarantees that, and much harm has come from bad philosophizing. The point is that unless we take it upon ourselves to philosophize well, we will definitely end up doing it poorly. 

This same sentiment is echoed by Pope St. John Paul II in his encyclical, Fides et Ratio1. He notes that we cannot avoid coming to the world with questions; we are natural wonderers. Some of these questions have only a small impact upon our loves and our lives if they remain unanswered. Others, however, end up defining who we are and how we live. Is there a God? Is there a life following the present one? How ought I to live? What does being fully and authentically human require of me? This is a perilous prospect. If the Pope is right, then we will all confront such questions at some point; how we answer them determines whether we shall be happy or not, good folk or bad, hopeful or despairing, pious or impious. 

Granted that these are questions we all must face, why do we need to study philosophy to address them? Why can’t we take our answers from the society in which we live? 

The first thing to note is that society’s answers did not themselves spring from the void. They are the inevitable result of philosophical principles defended and embraced by thinkers of the past. Some (for example, don’t do unto others as you would not have them do unto you) are nearly universal and have stood the test of time. Others (for example, we can know an action is good by observing its outcomes) are highly questionable, though many people live by them. It takes discernment to distinguish among them, and there we are, philosophizing. 

Another, and obvious, problem is that the there is not just one such norm; societies and their guiding principles vary from here to there and from then to now. Whose answers will you choose to guide you? To answer that question itself requires thoughtful reflection, and there we are again, philosophizing. 

Further, some norms and values, when measured against the standard for life set out by the Christian faith, run counter to Christian hopes and beliefs; indeed, they often flat out contradict one another. Apart from separating the wheat from the chaff through philosophizing, surely part of an authentic Christian life includes helping those who have followed the wayward paths set out for them by the world, and this begins with an understanding of the origins of such views. And there we are, again, philosophizing. 

Aristotle’s point, then, is pretty clear: either one will end up unconsciously embracing faulty philosophical principles (given our fallen nature—of which Aristotle seems to have had some faint inkling—this seems to be the default), or one must rise to a deliberate consideration of these same questions, working them out, as St. Thomas More was to have said, “in the tangle of his mind.”2 

On the other hand, beyond reason, we hold, there’s faith. Surely it provides sound answers to all these foundational questions. What need is there for philosophy? 

Faith is a sure guide. And there are many whose simple faith leads them with sure steps to a blessed life here and in the life to come. 

Still, as Pope St. John Paul II is sometimes quoted, following the ages-old tradition of the Church, faith seeks to understand, and with such knowledge comes a deeper love—for God and for neighbor. There is a good reason why the Catholic Church educates its priests, not only in theology but in philosophy. Its greatest theologians, St. Augustine, St. Anselm, and St. Thomas Aquinas were also students of philosophy and philosophers themselves. If a properly philosophical account of God, our neighbor, and one’s self is the inevitable framework with which the human person comes to a life of faith, then not just any philosophy will do. Some philosophical views present principles or conclusions which conflict with authentic faith, and a life lived by two different, conflicting sets of guidelines ends up neither here nor there. 

For all these reasons, then, one ought to study philosophy. It is, without a doubt, the most ancient of human studies. It is also time well spent, and most closely fitted to us as rational beings, made in the image of an omniscient God. 

About the Author 

Dr. Jean Rioux received his BA from Thomas Aquinas College, and the commencement speaker was Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. Jean received both his MA in Philosophy and Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He is currently the Philosophy Chair at Benedictine College in Kansas, where he received the Distinguished Educator of the Year award. Additionally, he teaches philosophy to high school students for Homeschool Connections. Jean has published books on logic and natural philosophy, including Nature, the Soul, and God: An Introduction to Natural Philosophy. His articles have appeared in The Thomist, Aquinas Review, Review of Metaphysics, and International Philosophical Quarterly. 

Dr. Rioux offers several philosophy and logic courses at Homeschool Connections including Ethics, Paradoxes and Fallacies, What Do Philosophers Do and How Do They Do It, Introduction to Early Modern Philosophy, and more. Dr. Rioux has a gift of making philosophy understandable and enjoyable to the average teenager, and his classes provide an excellent foundation for college and beyond.  

Dr. Rioux lives in northeast Kansas with his wife, Maria, and their eight unmarried children. One married daughter lives just a half mile from their renovated farmhouse. The Riouxs have been developing their own curriculum and educating their children at home for over twenty-five years.