Apprentice

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Apprentice

This is the first level of parent participation at Classical U, on the way toward serving as a Parent Mentor. Apprentices spend at least one year engaging in CCA life at an introductory level. Anyone with a child enrolled in the school is welcome.

Members: 4
Latest Activity: Sep 19, 2011

Apprentice Checklist

  • If you have not already seen it, you may want to review this brief introduction to the three-stage curriculum.
  • CCA families are excellent resources in all of these areas, and we are always looking for the best options under each of these headings. Please help us out by suggesting new material (and consider signing up as a Contributing Editor at Classical U in one of these six subject areas). This list is still "under construction" through the end of September 2011.
  • Despite ongoing work, this list has all the basic pieces in place, and you are free to get started at any time. Even after September, it will hopefully receive continued feedback and undergo further improvements, so please check back occasionally. With any changes after September, we will not add any new tasks only new alternatives (so the list will not grow longer and no completed tasks will become outdated).
  • In a resource list of this size, CCA does not condone every idea represented. These materials are intended to generate constructive reflection, and they by no means represent the official position of the school on any particular issue. (If you have grave questions or concerns about any resources, please contact an administrator privately.)
  • Several of these items involve posting brief reflections or reviews on Classical U. You may share all material on Classical U's main page or in the Apprentice group’s own discussion forum if you prefer.
  • Finding a couple friends to go through this material with you is a good way to make it more exciting. Married couples are welcome to complete it together as a single unit, although you might also find it fun to move through it separately.
  • Keep track of your start date and spend at least one full calendar year working to complete this set of tasks. You may take as long as you like, but you may not advance to the next tier before a full calendar year has passed from when you joined the Apprentice group.
  • Again, because we work on an honor system, please keep track of your own records as you work through this list. Print or copy this list somewhere that it can remain accessible for a year or two while you work away at it.
  • Occasionally, attendance at certain school functions (such as book salons or vittle moots) as well as some special events in our region will be announced as fulfilling or replacing some of these requirements. Please note such opportunities as you work through this list.
  • Classical Christian Education:
    1. Look over this chart on Classical vs. Modern education and post at least one question about any concept that it mentions.
    2. Review (in at least two paragraphs) any audio lecture or article through one of our “Outside Resources” (on the right-hand side-bar of the home page). These reviews should take a concrete position on some issue involved but need not agree with the content. Be as critical as you wish. (Even enthusiasts for classical Christian education diverge over some issues because it is a broad and growing movement that appeals to wide spectrum of Christian traditions and American subcultures.) You may find it helpful to get started in Classical U's own audio collection or with this list of some favorite articles:
    3. Make arrangements with any teacher to observe at least one CCA class (grammar or upper school) where a distinctive feature of classical pedagogy will be employed (to be defined at the teacher’s discretion). Examples include chanting, poetry recitation, imitative writing, debate, Socratic dialogue, Latin or rhetoric study, etc. Take a few moments to discuss your observations with a teacher or administrator at the school, feeling free to provide candid feedback and to ask questions.
  • Reformed Theology:
    1. Listen to one of these audio recordings or read one article in this list. Then provide a reflection or review (being candid) that is shared with others on Classical U.
    2. Share a link to a theologically-themed article on Classical U’s main blog or forums OR respond to two different theologically-themed posts by someone else.
    3. Optional extra credit. As you are able, consider joining one of CCA’s school assemblies (published on the school calendar) and/or observe a Bible or theology class at the school.
  • Family Life:
    1. Share a review of one article or lecture in the following list:
      • Any articles or other media available through the Pennsylvania Family Institute.
      • Excerpt from How People Change by Timothy S. Lane and Paul D. Tripp
    2. Share about one of your own favorite books or other resources on the topic of parenting or marriage.
  • School Culture:
    1. Share a review of one article or lecture in the following list [to be posted soon: material on athletic training, sportsmanship, character formation, as well as the value of collective habits, traditions and the beautiful use of space].
      • "Culture as Liturgy" by James K.A. Smith. This links to an mp3 file of an audio lecture that is a free resource from the Redeemer Sermon Store. It was delivered in the context of a church but has direct and clear application to education and school culture. (Smith's book, Desiring the Kingdom, is much valued by a wide range of classical educators.)
      • Any resource at the Center for Parent and Youth Understanding.
    2. Attend one of the school's PTF-sponsored panel discussions with our teachers.
    3. Attend at least two of our school’s athletic events and encourage some of the students afterward regarding specific instances of kindness, self-control and team-work that you observed. (Also feel free to speak with their coaches or parents if you saw points of concern.)
    4. When summaries of our senior thesis projects are posted during the school year, read and reply to at least one student with some authentic questions (as well as encouragement).
  • Arts & Literature:
    1. Share a review of one article or lecture in the following list [to be posted soon: materials designed to help people grow in their appreciation for visual art, music or literature (such as some of the classical music lectures from the Teaching Company)].
    2. Attend one of the following school functions: Upper School Poetry Festival, a student art show, one of our two annual Arts Coffee Houses.
    3. Visit an art museum or local symphony with other CCA families (taking time to prepare ahead with some education about the music or art to be heard or viewed).
    4. View some recent art by CCA students at artsonia.com and leave at least two comments. (Consider answering some of these questions about the works...) [Details to be provided soon.]
  • Math & Science:
    1. Share a review of one article or lecture in the following list.
    2. Attend one of the following events:
      • Schedule with an upper school biology teacher to observe students during a dissection, a time of wonder and reverence.

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