William C. Michael

In the Academy’s “Aesop’s Fables” course, students are asked to identify the moral of each fable that they read. Sometimes, the moral is pretty clear and all students say the same thing. One fable on which students disagree is the fable of “The Cock and the Jewel“. Read the text of the fable: A brisk young Cock scratching for something with which to entertain his favourite hens, happened to turn up a jewel. Feeling quite sure that it was something precious, but not knowing well what to do with it, he addressed it with an air of affected wisdom as … Continue

In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we study Pliny’s Natural History. In this course, we study the Roman philosopher’s classic work on nature, but in chapter 5 of the second book, he speaks of God, giving us a window into the religious ideas of wise men as the Church was beginning to preach the Gospel through the Roman empire. Let’s consider ten things that Romans of the first cenrtury thought about God. 1. God, in his essence, is not knowable. “I consider it, therefore, an indication of human weakness to inquire into the figure and form of God.” 2. Polytheism … Continue

In Baltimore Catechism II, students preparing for Confirmation (ages 8+) are treated to many excellent lessons. One such lesson is that which teaches them about the history and meaning of the “Hail Mary”. One sobering lesson explains to them why we ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for us “at the hour of our death”. First, we learn of God’s mercy in forgiving our sins: “No matter how bad we have been during our lives, if God gives us the grace to die in His friendship, we shall be His friends forever.” Next, we learn of the danger of … Continue

In our studies, there’s a difference between having a good, general education and having an education that prepares us for our duties in life.  We must pursue both simultaneously, and that requires that we understand the difference between mastery and familiarity in our studies. When we consider the chief end of our lives, to save our souls, we can see pretty quickly that some subjects need to be studied for mastery.  These would include Scripture and Catechism, Ethics, Grammar, Reasoning and Rhetoric.  We want to master those subjects so that we can benefit from the use of them.  This pursuit … Continue

I’d like to discuss an important topic that’s central to what we do in the classical Liberal Arts Academy and will become increasingly so as we pursue the long term objective of our program, which is to provide extraordinary students with a degree in a bachelor in classical Christian studies degree and, and present that as sort of the the final achievement of our program. The topic that I’d like to talk about, I’m going to title, the consequences of secular occupations, the consequences of secular occupations. In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we teach a course of studies that’s … Continue

For most students, their homeschool years are going to end when they apply for admission to a selective college or university. When they do, the admission reps will look at their application and ask a few simple questions. As an example, Harvard University asks the following questions: Have you reached your maximum academic and personal potential? Have you been stretching yourself? Have you been working to capacity in your academic pursuits, your full-time or part-time employment, or other areas? Do you have reserve power to do more? How have you used your time? Do you have initiative? Are you a … Continue

It’s common for any parent to hear their children complaining that they are “bored” and that there’s “nothing to do”. It may be true, in some cases, that parents aren’t doing enough to provide their children with enough activity. Many parents appear to want their children to be quiet and stay out of the way–and those parents get what they deserve. That’s not parenting. Other parents, however, provide their children with access to far more than most children in the world, or in world history, have access to and find their children complaining that they’re bored. This can be distressing … Continue