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CLAA Homeschool Self-Evaluation Tool

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Parents who homeschool bear a responsibility that no institution bears for them. In a school, teachers are supervised, programs are reviewed, and outside agencies conduct evaluations against published standards. In a homeschool, the parents are the administration, the faculty, and the review board at once. This is not a weakness of homeschooling. It is its nature. However, it raises a question every serious homeschooling family must eventually face: How do we know whether we are doing this well? Most parents answer that question by feel, or by comparison with public schools, with other homeschooling families, with the anxieties of the … Continue

She Shall Be Saved Through Motherhood: Taking Up the Work God Has Given You

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The Work That Belongs to a Mother Many young mothers find themselves unsure of what to do when their children become disruptive in public. They feel torn between wanting to remain where they are and knowing that others may be distracted. These moments are not easy, and they can leave a mother feeling uncertain or even discouraged. I remember being in that place myself, and I had to learn these lessons slowly over time, and not always perfectly. One truth, however, became very clear to me. The care, training, and government of my children belonged to me. This was not … Continue

How to Teach Reading at Home Using the Gospel of John (Simple Step-by-Step Method)

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A Simple and Practical Guide for Mothers Many mothers wonder how to teach reading at home in a simple and effective way. This is one of the most common concerns in homeschooling. Yet, reading can be taught simply, peacefully, and successfully—even with several children at once. The Classical Liberal Arts Academy’s English Reading Gospel of John (ELA-099) course provides a clear and orderly method. It uses phonetic flashcards and Sacred Scripture to guide children step by step into reading. In this article, we will walk through how to use this course in your home. Begin with Simple Preparation First, print … Continue

Starting Late: Restoring Order in the Home When Habits Have Already Gone Wrong

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Many young mothers begin family life with good desires, but without firm principles. They love their husbands. They love their children. They want a peaceful Catholic home. They want reverence at Mass. They want ordered sleep, happy children, and time for prayer. Yet many find themselves, after a year or two, living in disorder. The baby does not sleep well. The mother is exhausted. The father comes home from work and is quickly handed a child. Church becomes stressful. The child whines, squirms, cries, and resists restraint. The mother feels embarrassed and helpless. The father feels pressured. The couple may … Continue

Physical Education for Classical Schools

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Summary Modern education suffers from two extremes in physical training: on one side, sedentary and undisciplined children who are weak and unhealthy; on the other, overtrained athletes engaged in excessive, specialized sports that do not contribute to a well-lived life. Neither extreme is reasonable. Drawing on Aristotle, physical education must aim at a golden mean—a balanced development of the body that serves the soul. The body is the instrument of the soul, and without proper physical training, a person’s intellectual and moral potential cannot be fully realized. Physical discipline cultivates strength, endurance, temperance, and courage, all of which are necessary … Continue

Persevering in Lent: Faithfulness in Uncertain Days

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When Life Feels Uncertain There are seasons in a mother’s life when everything feels uncertain. Plans shift, news comes that we did not expect, and the future feels unclear. Yet at the same time, the dishes remain, the lessons must be taught, meals must be made, and prayers must still be said. Lent often meets us right here—in the middle of ordinary duties, carried out with a quiet heart that may feel tired or even numb. And yet, this is precisely where God is at work. On this feast of the Annunciation, the Church invites us to consider a moment … Continue

The Duties of Catholic Parents

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The duties of parents, as revealed by God and taught by the Catholic Church, should be the concern of all Catholic parents. Many parents speak of “raising saints” or “preparing children for heaven”, but these tasks require the willing collaboration of the children and, consequently, are not in the parents’ power. What parents should be concerned with are the actual duties of parents to their children. These duties are described for us in paragraphs 2221-2231 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. By studying these duties and focusing their attention on fulfilling them, parents can aim at objectives that are … Continue