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Poem: “The Pasture,” by Robert Frost

Statement of the Whole: Classically, teachers were called magistri from the Latin magis “greater.”Yet, often we feel (especially in the Christian community) an impulse to be ministers (ministri) to our students. Are we to be lower, lesser, higher, or greater?  Luther, in describing Christians, gives us the wonderful phrase simul iustus et peccator (simultaneously justified and a sinner).  Today, I submit to you that we as teachers are simul magister et minister. In this episode, Jason and Steve promote the hierarchy necessary to great education. 

1. So how can both these things be simultaneously true?
2. Of what are we to be the greater?
   1. Greater than the student, or at least in authority over him
   2. Authority over the subject?
   3. Able to conquer the subject
3. Of what are we to be the lesser?
   1. Humility toward the subject
   2. Minister to the process of learning (Socrates’ midwife)
   3. Obedient to Truth
   4. Willingness to learn from students, yes, but also from colleagues

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The “Which One is This?” Episode

Poem: A Question – Poem by Robert Frost

Statement of the Whole: What is a question?  Is a question worth asking in class?  Is there any truth?  What makes a question great?  This episode is in question format.  Answers are in the back.

1. Some opening questions…
   1. What makes a great question?
   1. What makes a question so great?
   1. Is there anything more thought provoking than a question?
   1. Does every question have an answer?
   1. How do questions educate?
2. A brief History of the Question
   1. Biblical Questions
   1. The Greeks and the Dialogue Moving forward, man has constantly been a questioning being. 
   1. In particular, he seems to want to know what is true, good, and beautiful.
3. The question is so powerful for several reasons:
   1. It makes the receiver think, rather than receive blankly
   1. It allows for many possible answers, and thus understanding must come from considering the possibilities
   1. It inevitably joins what we already know with what we are trying to learn
   1. And more…
4. Practical Questionality – how do you develop, use, and assess questions in the classroom?