Mrs. Dania C. Michael, O.P.Mrs. Dania C. Michael, O.P.

Dania Michael is the wife of CLAA headmaster, William Michael.  She studied Classics at Rutgers University and worked as an elementary private school teacher before the birth of her first child.  Since then, Mrs. Michael has homeschooled her ten children.  Mrs. Michael provides direct, daily support for homeschool families by live chat and email through the Academy website, Study Center and at office@classicalliberalarts.com.

The Imperishable Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit

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A Catholic Mother’s Encouragement to Young Women Learning to Trust God Some Things Are Harder for Women Than Others—Silence Is One of Them Let me begin with a confession. After 27 years of marriage and mothering ten children, I have come to see this clearly: being quiet is very hard for a woman. Not just staying quiet in noise, but holding back words when we believe things ought to change. We are not strong by the world’s standards. We don’t often lead by position or power. Our strength lies in our presence, our words, our tone. And sometimes, if we … Continue

Simplify to Serve: A Catholic Mother’s Guide to Creating Peace through Order in the Home

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What You Own Should Help You Love God and Serve Your Family As a Catholic wife and mother, your calling is sacred. You have said yes to God’s invitation to build a family, shape souls, and sanctify daily life through love. If you’re a homeschooling mother, your vocation includes forming minds, guarding hearts, and creating a peaceful home. But sometimes, what surrounds us in our home can either help us or hinder us. Too many things can weigh a mother down. More toys, more clothes, more kitchen gadgets, more shelves of stuff—each item asks to be cleaned, sorted, stored, or … Continue

Feeding with Peace and Purpose: A Catholic Mother’s Guide to Parent-Directed Feeding

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  Your Vocation as Mother Begins in the Quiet Hours When a Catholic woman becomes a mother, her vocation enters a new chapter. The infant in her arms is not just a person to be fed and changed—he is an eternal soul, entrusted by God. Her task is both physical and spiritual. It is to love, nurture, and order her little one’s life in a way that brings peace, security, and virtue. From the first days, how she approaches care—especially feeding—can shape not only her baby’s contentment, but the peace of the whole family. As a mother of ten children, … Continue

A Guide for the Young Catholic Wife: Building a Marriage That Lasts

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Let Love Be Your Foundation, Not Just Your Feeling As a young Catholic woman, newly married, you are beginning a sacred journey. You’ve stepped into a vocation—not just a relationship. Marriage is not merely a contract between two people. It is a covenant sealed by God. As St. Paul teaches in his letter to the Ephesians, a Christian marriage reflects the love between Christ and the Church. That love is faithful, fruitful, and forever. The world often speaks of love as an emotion that comes and goes. But Scripture and the Church tell us otherwise. Love is a choice. It … Continue

Latin Vocabulary, Lesson 34. River Fish and Pond Fish

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To complete this lesson, complete the following tasks: Lesson Piscis habet pinnas, quibus natat; et branchias, quibus respirat et spinas loco ossium: praeterea, mas lactes, foemina ova. Quidam habent squamas, ut carpio, lucius, or lupus. Alii sunt glabri, ut anguilla, mustela, accipenser (sturio) mucronatus, crescit ultra longitudinem viri. Silurus, bucculentus, major illo est: sed maximus antaseus (huso). Apuoe, natantes gratatim, sunt minutissimae. Alli hujus generis sunt perca, alburnus, mullus, (barbus) thymallus, trutta, gobius, tinca. Cancer, tegitur crusta, habetque chelas et graditur porro et retro. Hirudo, sugit sanguinem. Exposition 1. Piscis habet pinnas, quibus natat; et branchias, quibus respirat et spinas … Continue

Stella by William Cullen Bryant

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The following text is studied in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy’s Elementary Literature 7 course. Part IHear now a legend of the days of old-The days when there were goodly marvels yet,When man to man gave willing faith, and lovedA tale the better that ’twas wild and strange.Beside a pleasant dwelling ran a brookScudding along a narrow channel, pavedWith green and yellow pebbles; yet full clearIts waters were, and colorless and cool,As fresh from granite rocks. A maiden oftStood at the open window, leaning out,And listening to the sound the water made,A sweet, eternal murmur, still the same,And not the … Continue

The Sportsman, by Owen Johnson

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The following text is studied in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy’s Elementary Literature 7 course. The house championships had gone on until the Woodhull and the Kennedy emerged for the final conflict. The experience gained in these contests, for on such occasions Stover played with his House team, had sharpened his powers of analysis and given him a needed acquaintance with the sudden, shifting crises of actual play. Now, the one darling desire of Stover, next to winning the fair opinion of his captain, was the rout of the Woodhull, of which Tough McCarty was the captain and his old … Continue

United States Catholic Catechism for Adults Course Now Open

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In his letter at the beginning of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II explained that the new Catechism was meant to “encourage and assist in the writing of new local catechisms, which take into account various situations and cultures, while carefully preserving the unity of faith and fidelity to catholic doctrine.” As a response to the pope’s vision, the US Bishops published the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. This catechism follows the structure of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is arranged in four parts, “The Profession of Faith”, “The Celebration of the Christian … Continue

First Principles for a Homeschooling Mother

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Recently I’ve been contacted by several mothers, who are new to homeschooling, asking for advice on how to get started. In response, I’d like to begin a series of articles directed to these young mothers, who, in addition to their school-age children, may have other young children, toddlers, and babies to care for. Homeschooling can appear daunting at first, and that is a good thing. What you are about to undertake is serious business and should not be taken lightly. But with planning and the right principles in place, you can have a peaceful and fruitful homeschool.  As you begin … Continue