2021 Take Aways (Sodalitas, Memoria College or Pre-Conference, and Teacher Training)

[pickandgrin]

I arrived back home today and wanted to start a thread to encourage those who were able to attend any portion of this week's trainings (in person or virtually!) to share our take-aways from the week. Here are a few of my favorites:

I noted a theme of humility in many of the talks and saw humility modeled by the speakers and teachers during and outside of their presentations. And joy; there was so much joy in being together and sharing in such good work.

N.B. These are not exact quotes but are what I have in my notes. My apologies to the speakers if I misquote you here!

• The Timeless is Timely. - Joseph Pearce
• Classical Christian education leaves space for God's providence - Leigh Lowe (A broad liberal arts foundation prepares a human for whatever call(s) come their way.)
• It matters what we find beautiful. In Classical Christian education we often do really well with Goodness and Truth; let's do better with beauty. - Kyle Janke
• The method of Classical Christian Education is the imitation of great things. -Martin Cothran
• Now I look upon homeschoolers and see that upon them possibly rests the future. I see "warriors holding the line." -Tracy Lee Simmons (this was an awesome moment!)
• Rhetoric becomes a study of the whole person. - Paul Scheaffer
• Eloquence requires both effort and imagination. - Shane Saxon
• Knowing how to read long, complicated Latin sentences prepares the student to read long, complicated English sentences. -Dan Scheffler (Leigh Lowe said in her talk her oldest son has already noticed this in reference to reading Shakespeare!)
• Just as phonics helps younger students learn to decode letters and sounds to read English, so also Classical Composition, especially at the upper levels, helps the student learn to decode older and more elevated English. This is the style the authors used to organize their thoughts and arguments. We learn to "read" them by understanding the patterns in their arrangement. -Abigail Johnson
• Also regarding Classical Composition and reading: Recognition delights the soul! - Abigail Johnson (this after Kyle Janke pointed out an individual sculpture of Pythagoras hunched over his work within the massive scope of Chartres Cathedral during the Divine Comedy session.) To experience this yourself:
  • Step one: google "Chartres Cathedral"
  • Step two, Google "Pythagoras Chartres Cathedral"
• College is coming, are we ready? If your child is doing the Memoria Press curriculum, then the answer is YES. - Angel Pregont

Lastly, we do indeed learn by imitation, and I am thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful models along this journey.

[DiannaKennedy]

I have a deadline, so I am popping in here because I am THRILLED that this post made it out of moderation limbo.

I have to review my notes, which are limited, but one quote that made me want to stand up and cheer was from Beorn

"You don't need a special degree to be a homeschooling dad."

For all you dads lurking out there, that panel had to be one of my favorites. Unscripted and real, it could have easily gone on for another hour. It made my heart sing to hear men talk about how they support homeschooling, either directly or in those quiet, unsung hero kinds of ways.

And because I like to talk in pictures ---- the only shot I grabbed from this panel.



I'll hop back in later today. I'm excited to read other responses!

[pickandgrin]

Love this, DiannaKennedy
I can't wait to listen to the recording. It was concurrent to my one and only responsibility of the week!

[smithamykat]

I have a deadline, so I am popping in here because I am THRILLED that this post made it out of moderation limbo.

I have to review my notes, which are limited, but one quote that made me want to stand up and cheer was from Beorn

"You don't need a special degree to be a homeschooling dad."

For all you dads lurking out there, that panel had to be one of my favorites. Unscripted and real, it could have easily gone on for another hour. It made my heart sing to hear men talk about how they support homeschooling, either directly or in those quiet, unsung hero kinds of ways.

And because I like to talk in pictures ---- the only shot I grabbed from this panel.



I'll hop back in later today. I'm excited to read other responses!

I loved this panel too, although I'm a homeschooling mom, not a dad :-) Each day after his work, my husband would ask what was good at the conference (I attended virtually), and I did my best to paraphrase some of the things mentioned by these dads: stretching your kids or encouraging them to do things they're not yet comfortable with, reading aloud, supporting your wife if she is the primary educator and giving her breaks...because her job is hard!! He wanted to know if he does that enough for me ❤

[jen1134]

Honestly, I'm still processing! The word "effort" kept coming up in various sessions and I've been reflecting on what that should like this year: where to focus our efforts, how to cultivate a spirit of diligence, and how to maintain it.

Some other takeaways:

• Homeschooling is an opportunity to live every day devoted. — Carrie McGraw
• When a child struggles in Latin, it's usually a sign they haven't mastered the Grammar Questions. -- Ruth Schwartz
• Spread cumulative recitations and drills over the week instead of trying to do all of it everyday — said by multiple people in multiple sessions!
• Reading is an ongoing action; we're dwelling in books. — Jessica
• Favorable conditions never come. We must do the best we can. — CS Lewis quoted in Jessica's session
• When you read one great book, it coaches you on how to read the others. — Jessica (again!)
• Regarding Classical Composition as a set of exercises: most athletes will never have to lift a 250lb person off their chest, but they all do benchpresses. We're building muscle memory. — Shane Saxon
• Reading does not equal Comprehension, and Comprehension does not equal Contemplation. — Leigh Lowe
• Be discerning. Even HLS only does the best they can. — Tanya Charlton
• We often lack the humility to stay engaged with those who struggle day to day....Christ gives us hope beyond ourselves. — Cheryl Swope

[DiannaKennedy]

So, I pulled out my notebook to look at my notes, and they aren't that detailed. 😆

I think I was busy soaking it in.


I took a lot of notes in Shane Saxon's Classical Composition overview, mostly but most of them were nuts and bolts tips.

One thing I did jot down was "What's the purpose of CC?"

We're exercising the muscles that create variety and clarity. This builds flexibility that you can call on later, in any situation.

After listening to this talk and sitting through Abigail Johnson's intensive on Wednesday, I've decided that I need to go through CC myself. Currently, my descriptions would be labeled as "adjective stacking". ( Hat tip to Abigail Johnson)

Leigh Lowe's plenary was amazing, and not simply because she referenced her love for the Great British Baking Show.

Some of my takeaways there:
*Literature is a cumulative subject --- like a climbing wall instead of a ladder.
If we miss Homer, we miss everything that has referenced Homer since then.

*It is dangerous to be cavalier about what your children are reading.

It occured to me that I'm able to pull more out of what my children are reading, because I've read these selections MORE THAN ONCE. I used to think it was because I was older, wiser, more experienced. Nope. The first pass through, you're doing the groundwork. Each time back around, you're traveling a more well worn path and you can see and think about the surrounding beauty.

She also mentioned that MP begins their literature with a focus on home first. I always knew I loved the selections, but it never occurred to me WHY. With a focus on home and family, we're creating a foundation and a soft place to land. Later, adding in adventure and struggle encourages our children to branch out, knowing that home is always there. (Dulce Donum, anyone? )

She also referenced Great Gatsby at least three times, so maybe I'll have to give it another try. 😆

With College is Coming, sweet Angel reminded us that classical education is still important after the 12th grade. The goal is moral excellence.

I LOVE hearing from different attendees with different perspectives. It's funny how you can listen to the same presentation and take away entirely different things.

Chime in, everyone. These snippets and reflections are always wonderful.

[Beorn]

I loved this panel too, although I'm a homeschooling mom, not a dad :-) Each day after his work, my husband would ask what was good at the conference (I attended virtually), and I did my best to paraphrase some of the things mentioned by these dads: stretching your kids or encouraging them to do things they're not yet comfortable with, reading aloud, supporting your wife if she is the primary educator and giving her breaks...because her job is hard!! He wanted to know if he does that enough for me ❤

You are absolutely allowed to be a homeschool Mom and love the panel. You all are doing the bulk of carrying the load. I am so glad to hear it was a blessing to you. Thank you for sharing that, smithamykat. Thank you for all your help DiannaKennedy. We should have gotten a better picture together.

[Beorn]

Quick thoughts and takeaways (not enough time to write them all down right now) from the previous week:

It was way too short.

I should have stayed all week.

In person is much, much better than attending virtually.

I will take virtual though if that's the best that I can do.

Tracy Lee Simmons plenary "What is Civilization?" should be the next little black booklet that MP prints in that series of great booklets. Closely followed by the printing of Martin Cothran's plenary "Civilization and Its Fashionable Enemies".

At about the 20' mark of Mr. Simmons plenary video was maybe the best two minutes of any talk that I have heard at any homeschool conference ever.

The plenaries this year were outstanding. They were last year too. Worth every penny.

There were not enough people at the conferences. More people need to hear and be inspired by this.

I need to make time to apply to and take classes with Memoria College. Stat.

Memoria College is so blessed to have Drs. Dan Sheffler, Joseph Pearce and Vigen Guorian and others on board. It is not just Mr. Cothran, though that would be good too. Good to great.

Reminder: Apply to Memoria College.

I wish I could take classes with Jon Christiansen. I wish I could synthesize large swaths of information and present materials as well as he does.

I want to be @cindyinindy

I really wish I could have gone to the Reading Hard Books breakout by pickandgrin. Someone made a mistake in scheduling.

Martin's Book Club was mind-blowing. How could I possibly not have known about the book "The Children's Story" by Clavell before?

It is so much fun to meet new like-minded people from all over. It energizes me. It makes me a better person. We are not alone on an island.

Mr. and Mrs. Lowe and every staff member of MP are such a blessing to all of us. They are so giving. They treat us so well. And they bless us, each interaction we have In Louisville.

I wish I could have heard more of the talk given by @shanes

I really, really cannot wait for the recordings to be made available.

My children are absolutely blessed to be able to use MP curriculum.

I am absolutely blessed to be able to go through MP curriculum with my children.

There is way more that can be added to this list but time prevents it, for now.

[Carrie MP]

I hope no one minds me jumping in here, but I must share my own quote, spoken to Tanya and Ryan in a wrap-up meeting on Thursday; "You need to know that this experience was spiritual food to me."

Thus, to everyone out there that I got to meet for the first time, my moments spent with you were an honor and blessing. To those I did not get to meet or spend at least a few moments with, come back next year (bring a few more friends!) and make sure I get to meet you.

To the dedicated moms on the Steering Committee (Dianna, Christine, Melanie, Rose, Jen) - you blessed so many.

To our virtual friends - well, we had some hiccups. Thank you for your grace and patience. We've made great notes for a smoother experience next year.

To the spouses or family members that made this trip or time at home on the computer possible for you - thank you!

To the incredible MP staff - you stop at nothing to take care of our own.

To everyone on the Forum and FB - keep connecting, keep serving each other, keep building our community so we can - together - save Western Civilization.

God bless!

[pickandgrin]

Thank you for sharing, Carrie MP ! Yes indeed, it was rich spiritual food.