If you are like the average person, you easily forget what you’ve just read. But not if you “commonplace”. Commonplacing is a practice of antiquity that was particularly popular in the Renaissance and the nineteenth century. And many classical schools are reviving the practice and reaping the benefits. Chris Browne, Humanities Instructor at the Ambrose School, explains how to record and categorize ideas, scripture and quotes in a commonplace book at school or at home. Special guests, high school students Kristen Stanciu and Rivers Nordquist, stop by to offer their experience and the value of commonplacing in their educational journey. The beauty is that anyone can – and should – commonplace!

How do we know when we’ve overstepped technology in the classical educational environment? Don’t we need to raise “real world” ready kids? Martin Cothran argues that today’s schools – and parents – are actually raising “Windows” ready kids, to the detriment of their ability to focus. Listen in to hear about the latest technological trends in education and how to respond in the classroom and the home.

Dr. Mark Phillips has been on a lifelong journey to the science classroom. From Vanderbilt to Oxford, from comedy clubs with Steve Martin to Classical Christian Education, he has pursued God’s calling. Listen in to hear him describe the two scientific discoveries that he believes should be taught to every student in classical Christian schools. You also don’t want to miss his amazing conversion story!

Jeremy Tate explains how the Classic Learning Test (CLT) counters the SAT and ACT as a better resource to assess your student for college, and well as new tests for the high school and middle school years. Standardized tests are a necessary hoop to jump through on the way to college but have changed since their beginnings. Colleges are having to adapt to the changing landscape and more and more are recognizing the CLT as a valuable tool. Listen in to hear how your child can benefit!

Adolescence can be one of the most difficult and challenging seasons of our lives, whether you are a middle schooler, a parent, or teacher of middle schoolers. And sometimes all three collide. But with a measure of grace and some practical tips in your pocket, those in-between years can be redeemed, treasured and used for good. Nathan Jordan is a longtime educator of middle schoolers. He reminds us that our children’s fluctuating emotions are actually developmentally normal! So take a deep breath and listen in…

Alexander the Great considered stories his most prized possession and Jesus deemed stories worthy of the secrets of the Kingdom of God. Storytelling is more than something we do around a campfire… it is what drives how we learn and engage the world. But when the average American spends upwards to 84 hours a week in front of a screen, how can educators and parents combat this? Aaron Ames shares the science behind our two brain hemispheres as well as what you can do as a parent or teacher to capture the imagination…through storytelling.

The headlines tell stories of persecution of Christians in China. As we pray for them, how do we help our students in the United States and elsewhere meet and overcome the challenges right where they are in the classical Christian classroom and in the world? Our guest today, “John Smith”, speaking under his alias name, shares stories from the field and how the lessons in China can inspire parents, teachers and students. You will be encouraged by John Smith’s faith and vision for us regardless of what part of the world you are in…

How do children with learning challenges fare in classical Christian schools? And how should CCE schools respond to the special needs of children and families? Leslie Collins has worked within special education for years, both in public and private schools, and her response may surprise you. Learn about the framework and infrastructure that she recommends for CCE schools to meet these needs and how all children benefit when their peers may learn differently. It’s not easy but it is possible!

Don’t miss today’s special BCL Backside where Davies, Kelly and Leslie discuss meeting the needs of children who have been adopted and how Leslie’s eyes were opened to their special needs.

One of the critical issues of our time is the disconnect between the humanities and sciences in both secondary schools and in higher education. Lack of crossover hurts both, says Dr. Mitch Stokes, Senior Fellow of Philosophy at New St. Andrews, engineer, and author. In fact, most people don’t realize that western thought and civilization grew up around people responding to the math and sciences! Dr. Stokes gives practical advice to administrators and teachers from the top down who want to understand and pass on both of these disciplines to students. Sometimes opening your eyes is the first step to realizing what goes together…like bow ties and jackets.

Have you heard the wise saying, “You cannot teach what you do not have”? Yet, in this busy world, we often get distracted and end up running on fumes as we respond to the urgent more than the important. George Grant encourages parents and educators to heed the moments, delight in what we teach and pass that mindset on to our children and students. Most importantly, he shares his own method for putting “first things first” which involves his Keystones Scripture memory system based on the example of the great 19th century theologian Thomas Chalmers.