Classical Education and Mentoring - Nonfiction

It has been a while since I've posted, but I have had a FANTASTIC week with my husband on St. Thomas Island, US Virgin Islands.  Sand and sea are great for relaxing and I soaked up some much needed Vitamin D by the bunches.  It was so much fun.  Besides swimming, sunbathing, eating, and enjoying my husband, I had a chance to catch up on some reading. It is somewhat difficult to take notes on a beach while trying to keep a Kindle from becoming too sandy, but apparently it is possible.

I have been interested in making a study of classical education.  I have read things here and there about different interpretations, but I have kind of an eclectic approach in my home.  It has worked for us.  My children have been successful thus far, but there have been some holes that needed filling and some adjustments I'd like to make, as well as expanding my mentoring to some other children.  In the LDS community, Oliver DeMille's approach to classical education has taken on a life of its own.  In his book, "A Thomas Jefferson Education", he outline his vision of classical education and I have watched the way that works in many homes. I read his new book co-authored with Tiffany Earl, "The Student Whisperer".  I wanted to expand my knowledge, however, and decided to read Susan Wise Bauer's latest book, "The Well-Educated Mind: A guide to the Classical Education You Never Had".  I have previously read "The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home" and enjoyed it.  Although I implimented some of her ideas, much of it was a bit daunting when trying to educate a large number of children at once.  It seemed much more adapted for educating one or two children.  I knew that Douglas Wilson was also a respected writer and proponent of classical education, so I bought a couple of his books including "The Case for Classical Christian Education".  And, lastly, I have Leigh A. Bortins "The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education" of which I have not read in its entirety, but what I have perused looks very intriguing. 

The bottom line is, I want to be able to guide my children on a journey that will fulfill their educational requirements while allowing them to pursue their own interests by studying those things that are of most value and interest to them.  I want to be a teacher and a mentor.  These books have given me a beginning to that ideal.  They each have ideas to implement.  While I don't agree with 100% of any of them, I agree with many things, which put together, will fit me and my children's personalities and styles of learning.  I can't wait to get started with what I've learned.

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