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Poem: “The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

Statement of the Whole: What are some basic foundational principles to constantly contemplate when trying to provide a student with a great education?  With all the specialization and misdirection in education, what are some guiding benchmarks?

1. Education is basic to life – it cannot be avoided.
   1. The question is one of quality, which is probably mostly about ends.
   2. Why are you seeking an education?
2. Education is not complex or specialized – it is humane, so don’t fall for the “expert” snobbery that surrounds us.
3. Education should not be a game, but it is. Learn the rules and then play the game.
   1. Grades are not an end, but simply communication about whether ends are being achieved or not.
   2. Those of you bold enough to homeschool, be wise and even as you forge your own path, don’t forget the game: transcripts, gradebooks, entrance testing, etc.
4. College is not for everyone, but a good primary and secondary education should prepare a student to be able to enter into college if he so chooses.
5. Don’t confuse art and science – there are things you need to know (science) but much of education should focus on things you learn to do (art), the habits of life formed well

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Cultivating Virtue

Poem: “Sonnet 94” by William Shakespeare

Statement of the Whole: Once we know what virtue is, it still a lot of hard work to flesh it out in the classroom.  In a world where virtue and vice are personal opinion, how does a teacher seek to lift up the virtues in wisdom?  Jason and Steve have some fun with this serious consideration.

1. Playing a Game: Naming the opposite of the virtue
2. The historic system of “the Virtues” from the medieval model

3. Cultivating Virtue in the Classroom
   1. Model Virtue
   2. Establish Routine
   3. Praise Habits
   4. Create Opportunities
4. Some stories to illustrate
   1. Courage:
      1. Sarcastically, model by publicly shouting at your superiors and on the ball field
      2. Establish routine by having a time where you read about courageous characters
   2. Praise both when a pupil pushes through timidity and checks rashness
   3. Create opportunities for competition and collaboration
   4. Hope: Model by refusing to be worn down by the drudgery and monotony of the third quarter
   5. Establish routine by reading stories of deliverance
   6. Create opportunities through excessive pop quizzes and painting vividly the eschaton that they might become enamored by it.
5. One last note: The Medieval virtues and vices are particularly helpful for young students to see the division.