Why would we spend an entire year on the War for Independence (or what many call the "American Revolution")? Wouldn't that simply be overkill? Good question. I suspect the line of thought implied in this question results from habit — a certain kind of academic habit in which we are used to thinking that the goal of a history (or, more commonly today, "social science") class is coverage. A very quick look at any typical
Harvard, Homeschooling, and Educational Autonomy Not long ago, I came across an article announcing that "there's a new path to Harvard and it's not in the classroom." Chris Weller's article spotlights not only the growing trend of homeschooling as an educational alternative in America — he cites a statistic showing that the population of homeschooled students grew by 61.8% between 2003-2012 — but also that leading colleges and universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
The following is one of the earliest and one of the most famous Christmas sermons in Christian history. John Chrysostom - or John the "Golden Mouthed" - lived during the latter half of the fourth century A.D. and has been regarded by Christians ever since as one of the greatest preachers that Christ has given to his Church. In Chrysostom's sermon, we find nothing of the commercialism and bland "thankfulness for the holiday season" that
25 Nov 2015
Earlier this semester in a Great Conversation 3 class, we discussed the common assumption that the Pilgrims founded America so that everyone could worship as they please. Something of this assumed religious pluralism seems even to color how many understand the first Thanksgiving. Natives and British settlers side by side, setting aside religious and cultural differences, simply to "be thankful." However, when we read William Bradford's journal, now known as Of Plymouth Plantation, we find
The Selfie and the Send: The Two Rhetorics We Teach Caleb stands in front of his webcam wearing a crazy t-shirt depicting an orange moose climbing up the topside of a triangle (some kind of visual pun, which I could figure out if I remembered my geometry). Bright green headphones are clamped to his head and he is ready to begin his speech. Because he is comfortable in this setting, Caleb stands in the framed
What excites you most about being part of the WHA faculty? I am thankful to be a part of a school that embraces Truth and actively promotes academic excellence as part of our pursuit of Truth. I love the classical model of education which seeks richness and depth in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. I also love science, and desire to teach in an environment where a robust science education points students to our creator rather
As Martin Luther approached the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31st, 1517, he did not expect anything remarkable to occur. Knowing something of what has transpired since that momentous event, I find this fact about Luther fascinating and worth some reflection. Not long before posted his "Ninety-five Theses," Luther had already written and posted a different set of theses (ninety-seven) to be debated in an academic setting. There was nothing unusual
I have several children under the age of ten, and I often find myself teaching them what classical educators have called the Trivium: the arts of language, reasoning, and expression. To cite one example, my five-year old daughter and I were on our way out to milk the cow the other night when she noticed how the clouds were moving quickly past the moon. But to her it was not the clouds moving but rather
One of the oldest proverbial sayings in the English language is, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” If there are any of you out there that still insist on calculating math solutions with a slide rule (or who even remember what a slide rule is!), you know what I mean. As the march of time presses on, I tend to resist change, especially for change for change’s sake. If something has worked well
Wilson Hill Academy is proud of our AP® students who took AP Exams in May. Overall we had 29 enrolled in AP classes (Biology, Calculus AB, Chemistry, and Latin). The students and teachers who pioneered these courses at WHA deserve a special round of applause for their efforts and results: Class Instructor Tested/Total 5’s 4’s 3’s Biology Owens, M 8 of 13 0 3 2 Calculus Stublen, A