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In modern homeschool circles, you may run into people throwing the fancy word “progymnasmata” around.  Modern publishers love things like this because they’re always looking for something novel to spin into new products.  We will find, for example, homeschool publishers introducing young children to the “progymnasmata” as some kind of “classical” writing exercises that are the magic remedy for modern writing problems. Total nonsense. The “progymnasmata” are nothing more than “practice exercises” for older students who have progressed through classical Grammar studies, into Reasoning and are getting ready for the study of the art of Rhetoric.  In Rhetoric, they will learn … Continue

“As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him.” (Psalms 102:13) “For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth: and as a father in the son he pleaseth himself. (Proverbs 3:12) “For thou didst admonish and try them as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn.” (Wisdom 11:11) “You are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and without blame, we have been to you that have believed: As you know in what manner, entreating and comforting you, (as a father doth his children).” … Continue

In Classical Arithmetic, we have learned how to write a basic proof using the axioms and definitions of Arithmetic. In this lesson we will learn the formal way to solve a problem in Arithmetic. Please study this lesson carefully as it teaches a method to be used throughout the course. You will have eight problems to solve to pass this lesson. Problem Solving When we studied proofs, we learned that the goal of a proof is demonstration–showing some proposition to be true in a way that leaves no room for doubt. The proof begins with a proposition that “is to … Continue

St. John Henry Newman provided the following excellent instruction on the relationship between Theology and the Natural Sciences. This is very helpful for students who are sure to struggle with these issues in modern society. God bless,Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.Classical Liberal Arts Academy

William Michael of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, suggests that Christians have been led astray from the Church’s intellectual tradition, influenced by political, religious, and philosophical trends over centuries. He argues that while modern tools like artificial intelligence can be impressive and useful, they may also distract from the chief end of man and contribute to a degradation of the quality of human (i.e., intellectual) life. He emphasizes the importance of intellectual cultivation, warning against the dangers of superficial learning and the neglect of sacred scripture and philosophical study. He advocates for a return to serious study of classical philosophy … Continue

In a recent talk, William Michael from the Classical Liberal Arts Academy shared his thoughts on a philosophy course he is taking on the history of the philosophy of religion. He expressed skepticism about the course’s premise, as he believes that philosophy and religion are distinct fields, with religion being based on divine revelation and understood through theology. Michael emphasized that our knowledge of God comes primarily from divine revelation, which is received through faith. He argued that human attempts to figure out God’s existence or nature through philosophy alone are impossible, as we can only know about God what … Continue

Essay writing is a skill that can be developed over time, leading to the ability to consistently produce quality essays. The key to achieving this skill lies in following a methodical approach, which I have successfully implemented and now teach to my students. An essay, fundamentally, is a summary of a topic or issue, typically used in academic settings. Its value lies in its succinctness, as it effectively communicates complex ideas in a clear and efficient manner. The most crucial skill for writing a good essay is the ability to communicate efficiently on a subject. This involves undertaking the necessary … Continue