I was both surprised and delighted recently when Shari told me that she would like to start giving the kids a classical education next year. Shari has a master’s degree in education and has been homeschooling our kids for the last year (yes, in a camper for the last couple months).
I had read about traditional education in some of the books I had read in the not too distant past (“How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization” for one). It had interested me, but I had not realized that such a classical education was feasible today or that Shari would even consider such a thing. It turns out that there is a movement attempting to resurrect the classical methods. These methods include the study of Latin, grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric as core subject areas.
What astounds me is that while I started this blog to talk about food traditions, it has expanded to include much more. It seems that this culture has consistently sought to strip the nourishing elements not just from our diet, but from every part of our lives. This tendency comes from a lack of humility and a complete disrespect for the giants upon whose shoulders we stand.
The path that began as a search for a healthy diet has turned into a life’s journey for me. As I began to understand tradition more and more it began to seep into other parts of my life. It moved me to study my Christain faith and depart protestantism for the rich and nourishing tradition of Catholicism and Orthodoxy. It is now moving my family to leave behind the broken system of education we have today in favor the traditions of our past.
Wow, this is so profound, how the search for Truth in one area of your life has led you to the Truth in other areas, as well. Isn’t it wild where God takes us?
It’s interesting how those paths (traditional foods, traditional religion, traditional education) intersect, isn’t it? Accepting the wisdom of the past feels like leaving our adolescent modern culture behind. But in a good way.
I’m just getting started on the homeschooling path (my oldest is four), and considering classical education for my boys. Please keep updating! Besides, once you live in a real house, you might start posting bread recipes again.
So are you still in the ‘considering’ stage, are you in RCIA, or did you join the Church at Easter?
Sharon,
Actually I haven’t joined anything yet and I’m actually attending an Eastern Orthodox Church. My family hasn’t joined me in that and continues attending a protestant church.
I’m torn between Catholicism and Orthodoxy and I haven’t found a clear answer as to which path I should follow. They are so very similar. At this point my heart is pulling me toward the east but I haven’t yet ruled out the west.
I think what the east has is what I most lack.
Brian, best of luck in finding what you seek. It’s a hard journey for anyone to make.
Brian,
I stumbled across your blog through Kelly the Kitchen Kop, while looking for crispy nut ideas, and found this post on traditional education. I just finished my 7th year teaching in a classical school. While I am going to be taking a break from teaching for at least the next school year, I’ve been doing some consulting with parents who are transitioning to full or part-time homeschooling using classical methodology and curriculum. If I can be of any use to your family, please let me know.
Brian,
Wow. So funny. I have so missed your blog. You were part of my early journey in Nourishing Traditions. But for the last 6 years I have been homeschooling my children using the classical method. I am looking forward to hearing about your journey. There are many wonderful resources available to your family.
Kim