St. Nectarios of Pentapoulas
Pray to God for us!
Pray to God for us!
A Philosophy of Interest:
Recently heard in conversation with two educators: In the big picture, focus on Reading and Math. All other subjects should coincide with this and fit in around it.
On the Merits of a Classical Education ·
Antiochian Diocese of Wichita Parish Life Conference
Notes from Hierodeacon Benedict’s Talk on Education 6/7/13
Notes based on the principles
for the start-up of Christ the Savior Academy
in Wichita, Kansas
Vision of Education: A Classical School Model
Saving education based on leading the child to a discerning mature adulthood
The Philosophy is based on the following premise:
We are spiritual beings and as such the goal is to train mind, body and soul for inheritance
of the Kingdom of God. All that is taught works for the common vision.
Mission: To teach the student to recognize unchanging truths that lead to higher education and a future vocation demonstrated by faithful
living that leads to an Eternal goal, based on belief in God and man as His Creation, thereby developing what is lacking and meeting the
needs of the individual in a life in accord with Jesus Christ. Ie: To be good and to be virtuous. All flows from this precept versus working within the framework of (modern) Culture.
Much wisdom is to be found into going to something old.
The current thought in education stems from the fact that we are considered Economic beings. A pragmatic approach, this teaches the
child that the main purpose in life is to make money. Money becomes the measure of success.
Looking back in history the Greeks defined the individual as political beings. The middle ages produced religious beings.
Our children should be taught more than this because education should be preparation for living, rather than using the current model that trains
a child for a life that fits into the current Culture. The vision takes a child into a preparation for living a life that strives for moral, intellectual and
spiritual wholeness. Many children taught in the current model of Culture never grow up. An unexamined life is not worth living. In the vision
of the Classical School Model the adult lives a life of work and leisure versus a life of work and entertainment. (See Leisure the Basis of Culture, Josef Pieper) Pop Culture reflects the values of the current society in which a life model is one of work and entertainment. This model militates against right belief and creates a society in which wisdom is not even mentioned. The very words virtue and wisdom do not sell. (re: The Merchants of Cool, (Amazon review) Today's teenagers have money and independence, their lives the object of obsessive focus by corporate America. FrontLine explores the culture of today's teenagers and how they view themselves and their parents. Teenage tastes, attitudes, and aspirations are endlessly sampled by adolescence. https://sites.google.com/site/uturnshparents/culture/mooks-and-midriffs
In the Classical Model literature is viewed as the bearer of culture. Wisdom and virtue produce maturity and mature adults. When there is too much liberty
(esp moral liberty) then old men begin to act like adolescents, and fathers imitate the lifestyles of their sons; An integral part of adolescence is moving from the small world of the family to the greater world, where parents become less important
and peers more important.
Socrates says that the beauty of reason has a greater potential to move the practitioner inward. Man is a being that can turn upward. If the student learns what beauty is, what is good and true, what is love then he will begin to see his own place in the world.
Man is the only creature that has a will and is able to reason. An animal does not have will power in conjunction with reason. Shaping thought and character which is born from will and reason by the best of thoughts and beliefs found in art and literature creates an upward
pull resulting in a vision of nobility.
It is a design that creates the five maturities:
Physical - biological adulthood; this is inevitable;
Emotional - ability not to be ruled by our feelings, but to rule them;
Intellectual - to be able to really think, and to discern between true and false ideas;
Moral - to know our values and to live according to them;
Spiritual - to know God and love Him.
Development of these needs makes a satisfied, intelligent, humane and discerning individual.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Antiochian Diocese of Wichita Parish Life Conference
Notes from Hierodeacon Benedict’s Talk on Education 6/7/13
Notes based on the principles
for the start-up of Christ the Savior Academy
in Wichita, Kansas
Vision of Education: A Classical School Model
Saving education based on leading the child to a discerning mature adulthood
The Philosophy is based on the following premise:
We are spiritual beings and as such the goal is to train mind, body and soul for inheritance
of the Kingdom of God. All that is taught works for the common vision.
Mission: To teach the student to recognize unchanging truths that lead to higher education and a future vocation demonstrated by faithful
living that leads to an Eternal goal, based on belief in God and man as His Creation, thereby developing what is lacking and meeting the
needs of the individual in a life in accord with Jesus Christ. Ie: To be good and to be virtuous. All flows from this precept versus working within the framework of (modern) Culture.
Much wisdom is to be found into going to something old.
The current thought in education stems from the fact that we are considered Economic beings. A pragmatic approach, this teaches the
child that the main purpose in life is to make money. Money becomes the measure of success.
Looking back in history the Greeks defined the individual as political beings. The middle ages produced religious beings.
Our children should be taught more than this because education should be preparation for living, rather than using the current model that trains
a child for a life that fits into the current Culture. The vision takes a child into a preparation for living a life that strives for moral, intellectual and
spiritual wholeness. Many children taught in the current model of Culture never grow up. An unexamined life is not worth living. In the vision
of the Classical School Model the adult lives a life of work and leisure versus a life of work and entertainment. (See Leisure the Basis of Culture, Josef Pieper) Pop Culture reflects the values of the current society in which a life model is one of work and entertainment. This model militates against right belief and creates a society in which wisdom is not even mentioned. The very words virtue and wisdom do not sell. (re: The Merchants of Cool, (Amazon review) Today's teenagers have money and independence, their lives the object of obsessive focus by corporate America. FrontLine explores the culture of today's teenagers and how they view themselves and their parents. Teenage tastes, attitudes, and aspirations are endlessly sampled by adolescence. https://sites.google.com/site/uturnshparents/culture/mooks-and-midriffs
In the Classical Model literature is viewed as the bearer of culture. Wisdom and virtue produce maturity and mature adults. When there is too much liberty
(esp moral liberty) then old men begin to act like adolescents, and fathers imitate the lifestyles of their sons; An integral part of adolescence is moving from the small world of the family to the greater world, where parents become less important
and peers more important.
Socrates says that the beauty of reason has a greater potential to move the practitioner inward. Man is a being that can turn upward. If the student learns what beauty is, what is good and true, what is love then he will begin to see his own place in the world.
Man is the only creature that has a will and is able to reason. An animal does not have will power in conjunction with reason. Shaping thought and character which is born from will and reason by the best of thoughts and beliefs found in art and literature creates an upward
pull resulting in a vision of nobility.
It is a design that creates the five maturities:
Physical - biological adulthood; this is inevitable;
Emotional - ability not to be ruled by our feelings, but to rule them;
Intellectual - to be able to really think, and to discern between true and false ideas;
Moral - to know our values and to live according to them;
Spiritual - to know God and love Him.
Development of these needs makes a satisfied, intelligent, humane and discerning individual.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Classical Learning Resource (review seen on the Antiochian Website) http://www.antiochian.org/classical-learning-resource-center-enrollment-open-fall-2013
Check this site for Latin, Classical Greek, Greek Mythology, Homer, Philosophy, Music, Lit. and Composition, Critical Thinking
Online School http://www.clrchomeschool.com/
Order from the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese for some great material on Orthodox Christian Education: Catalog. http://orthodoxchristianed.com/files/1413/4503/0063/OCOC-Catalog.pdf
The Antiochian Village Bookstore will now be carrying all of the titles formerly stocked at the Archdiocese!
Curriculum now available through this site.
Note: The Christian Education materials list and Order Form now available! Download and use this new form to order materials for your parish program! Be sure to see the revised Billing and Shipping/handling sections of the Order Form.
You can now order your books online at: store.antiochianvillage.org
Check this site for Latin, Classical Greek, Greek Mythology, Homer, Philosophy, Music, Lit. and Composition, Critical Thinking
Online School http://www.clrchomeschool.com/
Order from the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese for some great material on Orthodox Christian Education: Catalog. http://orthodoxchristianed.com/files/1413/4503/0063/OCOC-Catalog.pdf
The Antiochian Village Bookstore will now be carrying all of the titles formerly stocked at the Archdiocese!
Curriculum now available through this site.
Note: The Christian Education materials list and Order Form now available! Download and use this new form to order materials for your parish program! Be sure to see the revised Billing and Shipping/handling sections of the Order Form.
You can now order your books online at: store.antiochianvillage.org
Connections:
Here is a Facebook page for St. Emmelia's Homeschooling Group. There is usually a conference at the Antiochian Orthodox Conference Center near Legionaire, PA. I didn't find one for this year but here is the page: https://www.facebook.com/orthodoxchristianhomeschooling
From Fr. Noah Bushelli:
I would say that Kh. Nicole Damick would be the best person to get in touch with for the St Emmelia Homeschooling group.
Nicole Damick ndamick@gmail.com
Here are some other resources...
My family has benefited from our participation in Classical Conversations. http://www.classicalconversations.com/
This is an excellent Christian (ecumenical) parent organization and publishing house for campuses of coop-type one-day-a-week classes.
http://www.clrchomeschool.com/
http://raphaelschool.org/ - this is a new school put together by an experienced teacher and is something that my family is considering utilizing for my children.
http://www.circeinstitute.org/lost-tools-writing - this is not an Orthodox program, per se, but it is created and administered by an Orthodox Christian.
http://illuminationlearning.ning.com/ - this site has a lot of resources for Orthodox education in general and has hosted online seminars in the past.
http://anaphorapress.com/music/writers/home-educator-barbara-shukin/ - great church history materials
Check out Fr. Noah's podcasts as well at Ancient Faith Radio: http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/letthechildren
I would say that Kh. Nicole Damick would be the best person to get in touch with for the St Emmelia Homeschooling group.
Nicole Damick ndamick@gmail.com
Here are some other resources...
My family has benefited from our participation in Classical Conversations. http://www.classicalconversations.com/
This is an excellent Christian (ecumenical) parent organization and publishing house for campuses of coop-type one-day-a-week classes.
http://www.clrchomeschool.com/
http://raphaelschool.org/ - this is a new school put together by an experienced teacher and is something that my family is considering utilizing for my children.
http://www.circeinstitute.org/lost-tools-writing - this is not an Orthodox program, per se, but it is created and administered by an Orthodox Christian.
http://illuminationlearning.ning.com/ - this site has a lot of resources for Orthodox education in general and has hosted online seminars in the past.
http://anaphorapress.com/music/writers/home-educator-barbara-shukin/ - great church history materials
Check out Fr. Noah's podcasts as well at Ancient Faith Radio: http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/letthechildren
· from Amy:
Check out Memoria Press for texts and class materials grades 1-7
Her children have enjoyed learning Greek and Latin from Memoria's materials: Classical Core Curriculum | Memoria Presswww.memoriapress.com
Check out Memoria Press for texts and class materials grades 1-7
Her children have enjoyed learning Greek and Latin from Memoria's materials: Classical Core Curriculum | Memoria Presswww.memoriapress.com
Some creative advice on Homeschooling from a young Mom with several children
all home schooled.....Experienced advice from a good source. Creative ideas from the get go.....and the process of living out and teaching..... http://achimeofhearts.blogspot.com/p/homeschool-q.html
all home schooled.....Experienced advice from a good source. Creative ideas from the get go.....and the process of living out and teaching..... http://achimeofhearts.blogspot.com/p/homeschool-q.html
· Children in Orthodox Churches (a link)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Children-in-Orthodox-Churches/178321536566?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Children-in-Orthodox-Churches/178321536566?fref=ts
Great Book as a Resource
· Orthodox Parenting
Available through Zoe Press at $25 a copy.
http://www.shop.zoepress.us/
A compendium of thought from a polling of Orthodox Parents composed over a period of years
Available through Zoe Press at $25 a copy.
http://www.shop.zoepress.us/
A compendium of thought from a polling of Orthodox Parents composed over a period of years
Contributing to Peace or War in your own home:
http://capturegrace.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/good-seeds-and-tares-finding-root-in-our-children/A Day At School
See also this link to a interview with Fr. Roman Braga from the same source:
http://capturegrace.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/good-seeds-and-tares-finding-root-in-our-children/A Day At School
See also this link to a interview with Fr. Roman Braga from the same source:
·
Notes toward a definition of Orthodox Christian Literature
Article by Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick at the time the article below was written he held a B.A. in English Language and Literature from North Carolina State University. He has become a Priest since that time and now hosts two podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio :
Roads from Emmaus and Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts
http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles4/DamickLitTheory.php
Notes toward a definition of Orthodox Christian Literature
Article by Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick at the time the article below was written he held a B.A. in English Language and Literature from North Carolina State University. He has become a Priest since that time and now hosts two podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio :
Roads from Emmaus and Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts
http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles4/DamickLitTheory.php
High Quality Art Work as a Basis for Education: Here are some excellent resources for paintings and painters. You will find some of these are art poster businesses and some are non-profits and will need to cull as to what is appropriate for your needs:
http://www.wikigallery.org/recommended-art-resources
http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/links.html
http://www.toulouse-lautrec-foundation.org/links.html
http://www.1st-art-gallery.com
http://www.wikigallery.org/recommended-art-resources
http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/links.html
http://www.toulouse-lautrec-foundation.org/links.html
http://www.1st-art-gallery.com
Games, Puzzles, Activities:
Activity - Paint hard boiled eggs with Wilton assorted icing colors for a special treat at lunch time.
Activity - Use vegetables like this acorn squash to make prints to decorate something special...furniture? Maybe thinking smaller...a book bag, a lunch sack?
More: Orthodox Books and Materials
An Academic Planner is a handy thing to have to keep your lesson plans in order. Here is an attractive one from At A Glance.... https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/1568e2839a8dde75
· Chrissi Hart reads Orthodox Children's Stories on Ancient Faith Radio
Under the Grapevine.....http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/grapevine
Under the Grapevine.....http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/grapevine
St. Joseph Orthodox Boys School has flashcards/card games (go fish, turn-over)
These come in Icon flash cards -$10, Things that You See in Church Cards - $8, Church Feast Day Cards-$8http://www.easterngiftshop.com/orthodox-flashcards-and-memory-cards--FlashMemory.html
These come in Icon flash cards -$10, Things that You See in Church Cards - $8, Church Feast Day Cards-$8http://www.easterngiftshop.com/orthodox-flashcards-and-memory-cards--FlashMemory.html
Coloring Book of Church Feasts
My Book of Church Feasts...printed in Greece and available through both Orthodox Marketplace and Hellenic Literature Society @ $$7.95
can be found on Amazon as well.
My Book of Church Feasts...printed in Greece and available through both Orthodox Marketplace and Hellenic Literature Society @ $$7.95
can be found on Amazon as well.
Feasts Series of Books for Young Children:
Ancient Faith Publishing (Conciliar Press) publishes this fine series by Mother Melania for young children. At $5.95 each it is a great way to build a library for Elementary youngsters on a small budget.
Ancient Faith has many other children's books on all manner of subjects for older or younger children. There are some new things on just browsing that look very interesting:
http://store.ancientfaith.com/childrens-books/
Ancient Faith Publishing (Conciliar Press) publishes this fine series by Mother Melania for young children. At $5.95 each it is a great way to build a library for Elementary youngsters on a small budget.
Ancient Faith has many other children's books on all manner of subjects for older or younger children. There are some new things on just browsing that look very interesting:
http://store.ancientfaith.com/childrens-books/
Death and Dying...Educational Material
· A Listing of Online Publishers of Games, Puzzles, Activities sympathetic to the Classical Model:
A publisher of games, reading help, puzzles etc in three separate monthly magazines Highlights Hello - 0-2, High Five - 2-6, Highlights - 6 and up
Highlights for Children http://www.highlights.com/
A Publisher of Classic Children's books; Also publisher of Games, Puzzles and Activities for Children in small paperback book format
Dover Publications - http://store.doverpublications.com/?gclid=CPvz693mgrgCFcZAMgodSHEA-A
A Publisher of Online (Kindle) Children's Books. Puts out an activities Newsletter for Children if you sign up with them.
Xist Publishing http://xistpublishing.com/
Activity Cards - Wipe Clean (can be wiped clean and used over and over again) with its own pen- a variety of different activities in a box...for example Animal Doodles...Can be doodled on over and over again. http://c0791.myubam.com/c/14/flashcards-activity-cards
Activity Cards - SmartyPants, Brain building cards with Questions, Puzzles, and Games- can your brain come out and play?
http://www.melissaanddoug.com/search?q=smartypants&button.x=-856&button.y=-83&button=Go
A publisher of games, reading help, puzzles etc in three separate monthly magazines Highlights Hello - 0-2, High Five - 2-6, Highlights - 6 and up
Highlights for Children http://www.highlights.com/
A Publisher of Classic Children's books; Also publisher of Games, Puzzles and Activities for Children in small paperback book format
Dover Publications - http://store.doverpublications.com/?gclid=CPvz693mgrgCFcZAMgodSHEA-A
A Publisher of Online (Kindle) Children's Books. Puts out an activities Newsletter for Children if you sign up with them.
Xist Publishing http://xistpublishing.com/
Activity Cards - Wipe Clean (can be wiped clean and used over and over again) with its own pen- a variety of different activities in a box...for example Animal Doodles...Can be doodled on over and over again. http://c0791.myubam.com/c/14/flashcards-activity-cards
Activity Cards - SmartyPants, Brain building cards with Questions, Puzzles, and Games- can your brain come out and play?
http://www.melissaanddoug.com/search?q=smartypants&button.x=-856&button.y=-83&button=Go
A new Children's book and activities book just released by Pascha Press:
When My Baba Died, and When My Baba Died, Activity Book; Pascha Press, ,www.paschapress.com written by Marjorie Kunch, Funeral Director, includes a story and activity book directed toward helping a child deal with grief, questions and process surrounding the death of a loved one within an Orthodox Funeral setting.
In her own words:
"The Orthodox Church excels in reinforcing this concept of remembrance, with our various services dedicated to deceased loved ones. This celebration of life culminates in our Bright and Glorious Pascha, the ultimate fulfillment of the promises of our Lord. So many times the answers to questions children and adults ask can be found within the Church. This workbook is meant to be a companion to the title When My Baba Died, a tool to reinforce the concepts presented in a gentle way. To help children begin their own journey of grief accompanied by the comfort of you, the helpers in their lives, and the comfort of Christ."
KUDOS for When My BaBa Died
“This wonderful book easily guides children through the funeral process, while helping to instill a lifelong reverence for and understanding of the importance of funerals.”
— Alexandra Kathryn Mosca, author of Grave Undertakings and Green-Wood Cemetery
“When My Baba Died is a welcome resource for Orthodox caregivers facing the difficult task of tenderly guiding their children through the mourning process. The author, Marjorie Kunch, writes gently and straightforwardly about what to expect at an Orthodox funeral service and the array of emotions attached to grief. Kids and adults alike will greatly benefit from this unique tool for teaching Orthodox Christians of all ages about the Church’s hope-filled response to death and eternity.”
— Molly Sabourin, author of Close to Home: One Orthodox Mother’s Quest for Patience, Peace and Perseverance
Other thoughts:
Majorie Kunch's book follows the mainstream practice of funeral procedure in the United States, incorporating embalming and preparation of the remains in a funeral home setting. Also used by some Orthodox Churches is the method of washing the body and preparing it for burial through funeral guilds within individual Orthodox Churches, incorporating the methods used in "A Christian Ending", by J. Mark and Elizabeth Barna. (http://store.ancientfaith.com/general-books/). If your church uses the procedure outlined in "A Christian Ending", some material will not apply in your situation. In this case, perhaps the purchase of the activities book will be most helpful, as the portions that do not apply may be omitted and portions that will be very helpful, can be incorporated.
Thanks to Marji for these titles on an important topic.
When My Baba Died, and When My Baba Died, Activity Book; Pascha Press, ,www.paschapress.com written by Marjorie Kunch, Funeral Director, includes a story and activity book directed toward helping a child deal with grief, questions and process surrounding the death of a loved one within an Orthodox Funeral setting.
In her own words:
"The Orthodox Church excels in reinforcing this concept of remembrance, with our various services dedicated to deceased loved ones. This celebration of life culminates in our Bright and Glorious Pascha, the ultimate fulfillment of the promises of our Lord. So many times the answers to questions children and adults ask can be found within the Church. This workbook is meant to be a companion to the title When My Baba Died, a tool to reinforce the concepts presented in a gentle way. To help children begin their own journey of grief accompanied by the comfort of you, the helpers in their lives, and the comfort of Christ."
KUDOS for When My BaBa Died
“This wonderful book easily guides children through the funeral process, while helping to instill a lifelong reverence for and understanding of the importance of funerals.”
— Alexandra Kathryn Mosca, author of Grave Undertakings and Green-Wood Cemetery
“When My Baba Died is a welcome resource for Orthodox caregivers facing the difficult task of tenderly guiding their children through the mourning process. The author, Marjorie Kunch, writes gently and straightforwardly about what to expect at an Orthodox funeral service and the array of emotions attached to grief. Kids and adults alike will greatly benefit from this unique tool for teaching Orthodox Christians of all ages about the Church’s hope-filled response to death and eternity.”
— Molly Sabourin, author of Close to Home: One Orthodox Mother’s Quest for Patience, Peace and Perseverance
Other thoughts:
Majorie Kunch's book follows the mainstream practice of funeral procedure in the United States, incorporating embalming and preparation of the remains in a funeral home setting. Also used by some Orthodox Churches is the method of washing the body and preparing it for burial through funeral guilds within individual Orthodox Churches, incorporating the methods used in "A Christian Ending", by J. Mark and Elizabeth Barna. (http://store.ancientfaith.com/general-books/). If your church uses the procedure outlined in "A Christian Ending", some material will not apply in your situation. In this case, perhaps the purchase of the activities book will be most helpful, as the portions that do not apply may be omitted and portions that will be very helpful, can be incorporated.
Thanks to Marji for these titles on an important topic.
Some Big Picture Thoughts:
I talked to different individual's associated with a couple of Orthodox Schools. In each case these people indicated that they would be willing to share their curriculum and text list with those homeschooling. If a school near you is available I would suggest asking if they would share their lists and possibly linking with them which may be to your benefit. I would also not hesitate to call a school that you feel would have good suggestions.
Some big picture information:
1. Use the Great Books (can be found online) for material choices as often as you can.
2. Pick out in the context of this material human values of good and bad that you see in the characters. Which ones do you like and trust? Which ones make you uncomfortable? Why? As you broaden your base of reading compare characters from one book to another and this will help your child begin to distinguish the characteristics of people around him as well as helping him make choices in friendships. Also important are the facts of the story, the child should retain the information that he has read as necessary practice for putting ideas together. Memorization is very good.
3.Tie as much information together from all of the disciplines as you can . That will help your child to see the practicality and the humanity in the world in which he lives.
4. As the greatest over-riding principle, ask the child to access where God is in what he is doing, reading, studying? What did Jesus say about the subject in question?
Some big picture information:
1. Use the Great Books (can be found online) for material choices as often as you can.
2. Pick out in the context of this material human values of good and bad that you see in the characters. Which ones do you like and trust? Which ones make you uncomfortable? Why? As you broaden your base of reading compare characters from one book to another and this will help your child begin to distinguish the characteristics of people around him as well as helping him make choices in friendships. Also important are the facts of the story, the child should retain the information that he has read as necessary practice for putting ideas together. Memorization is very good.
3.Tie as much information together from all of the disciplines as you can . That will help your child to see the practicality and the humanity in the world in which he lives.
4. As the greatest over-riding principle, ask the child to access where God is in what he is doing, reading, studying? What did Jesus say about the subject in question?
