Annual Homeschool Review for CLAA Parents

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Based on “Complete Guide for Study in the CLAA” View in Google Docs Part I: The Purpose and Priority of Studies Reflection Things to Do Part II: Habits of Study and Student Discipline Reflection Things to Do Part III: The Integrity of Classical Studies Reflection Things to Do Part IV: The Parent’s Role and Governance of the Home School Reflection Things to Do Part V: The Student’s Readiness for the Next Stage Reflection Things to Do If you’d like to discuss your self-evaluation, please contact me. Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.HeadmasterClassical Liberal Arts Academy

The Fear of “Screen Time” in Online Education: A Reasonable Examination

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One of the most common objections raised against online education today concerns what is commonly called “screen time.” Prospective parents often express concern that enrolling a child in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy will place him in front of a computer for dangerous or unhealthy lengths of time. While these concerns are understandable in a culture already overwhelmed by entertainment technology, the objection itself is often confused because it fails to distinguish between the different uses of computers and other digital devices. The phrase “screen time” is frequently used as though all time spent in front of a screen was … Continue

Why CLAA Students Should Consider Majoring in Classics

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Students are often faced with a decision: (a) choose a different major or (b) choose a different college. Most students choose a different college, and it is usually a college that is inferior to the one they first applied to. They imagine that earning the same degree from an inferior college will be better than pursuing something else, and inferior colleges naturally encourage this thinking. That is their business. The truth, however, is that there will eventually be even fewer jobs available than spots in college admissions classes, and those jobs will become more competitive, not less. Being denied admission … Continue

New Translation Work in Logic and the Philosophical Sciences

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When most schools—even colleges—talk about “Logic” today, they are referring to school classes that study modern textbooks designed simply to provide a “Logic course” for those institutions. When we learn, however, that the Catholic Church was the source of the true teaching of the art of reasoning, we realize that there is much more to the subject than modern schools are aware of. Two of the greatest Doctors of the Catholic Church were St. Albert the Great and St. Thomas Aquinas. Most Catholics who know something about Church history, or who pay attention to the Church calendar, are familiar with … Continue

Summer Studies in the CLAA

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As we move through May and into June, most schools are preparing to close for the summer. Modern schools are only open 180 days—less than half the days of the year. One of the greatest advantages of homeschooling is that school remains open year-round. Still, some homeschool programs only serve public school standards and provide for 180 days of homeschool activity. For anyone interested in a classical Catholic education, that’s not realistic. In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, our program is available 365 days a year to parents and students. All of our online courses are open, allowing students to … Continue

Aristotle, Physics. Book I, Chapter 3 (Greek)

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In this chapter, Aristotle continues his refutation of those philosophers who claim that all reality is simply “one,” especially Parmenides and Melissus. He demonstrates that the very act of speaking about “being” requires distinctions within reality, for things may be one in one respect and many in another. A man, for example, may be one person while possessing many attributes and parts. Aristotle therefore teaches that unity and multiplicity are not mutually exclusive, but coexist according to different modes of being. Students should observe how carefully Aristotle distinguishes between substance and accident, whole and part, potency and actuality, showing that … Continue

Aristotle, Physics. Book I, Chapter 2 (Greek)

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Aristotle begins this chapter by examining the errors of earlier philosophers who claimed that reality is “one” and therefore denied the possibility of change and motion. Since natural philosophy studies things that move and change, Aristotle argues that anyone who denies motion destroys the very subject of physics itself. He shows that although beings may be united in one respect, they are not simply one in every respect, for the world plainly reveals diversity, opposition, generation, and corruption. In this lesson, students should pay careful attention to Aristotle’s method: he does not merely assert the truth, but carefully distinguishes meanings … Continue

Aristotle, Physics. Book I, Chapter 1 (Greek)

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Aristotle opens the Physics by teaching us how all true learning begins. Every science seeks knowledge through causes, principles, and elements, and therefore the study of nature must begin with the first principles of natural things. Yet Aristotle immediately warns us that the path of learning does not proceed from what is most perfect in itself to what is easiest for us to understand. Rather, we begin with what is familiar, general, and confused, and only gradually advance toward what is distinct and intelligible by nature. Thus the mind moves from wholes to parts, from universals to particulars, and from … Continue

TRV-221 Latin Reading IIA – Lesson 03. Psalmus 3

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In this lesson, we will be studying Psalm 3 from the Latin Vulgate. This psalm is traditionally attributed to King David and is associated in its title with the time when he fled from his son Absalom. That setting gives the psalm its special force, because David speaks as a man surrounded by enemies, publicly humiliated, and yet still confident in the help of God. The psalm moves from distress and accusation to trust, prayer, deliverance, and final blessing, and it is important for our studies because it teaches us how to read the language of affliction and faith in … Continue

TRV-221 Latin Reading IIA – Lesson 02. Psalmus 2

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In this lesson, we will be studying Psalm 2 from the Latin Vulgate. This psalm is one of the royal and prophetic psalms traditionally attributed to King David, the great king of Israel who lived about one thousand years before Christ. In it, the nations and rulers of the earth rise up in rebellion against the Lord and against his anointed one, yet God laughs at their defiance, establishes his king in Sion, and warns all earthly rulers to submit to his rule. This lesson is important for our studies because it teaches us how the Psalms speak at once … Continue