
Classical Et Cetera
Join the educators, authors, publishers, and visionaries at Memoria Press to unpack and understand the world of classical education.
Latest episodes

Aug 14, 2024 • 40min
Should We Teach Students How or What to Think? | Classical Education vs. Modern Education
This week's Classical Et Cetera addresses an important question about traditional education: What is the difference between teaching children *how* to think and *what* to think?
Martin Cothran defends his stance that teachers in classical education prioritize teaching students how to think and what to do, contrasting it with modern and public education's focus on what to think (indoctrination) and how to do (vocational training). Our lively discussion highlights the differences in educational philosophies and curriculum that arise from comparing classical and modern teaching methods.
We hope you enjoy this episode! Check out all of our resources for a classical Christian homeschool on our website—https://www.memoriapress.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=134
What We're Reading from This Episode:
How to Think like Shakespeare —Scott Newstok (Tanya)
North and South —Elizabeth Gaskell (Martin)
The Concept of Irony — Søren Kierkegaard (Martin)
Our Man in Havana —Graham Greene (Paul)
The Hounds of God —Rafael Sabatini (Paul)

Aug 7, 2024 • 45min
The Secret Blueprint of Classical Education | Keys to Educating Free Thinkers
These week's *Classical Et Cetera* discusses Imitation and Emulation — What are the differences between these educational methods of teaching? How do these methods lead to the creation of free thinkers? And why does Modern Education see this differently than Classical Education?
The distinction between imitation and emulation is a nuanced one. In early education, students are primarily engaged in imitation activities by copying sentences, memorizing facts, and understanding concepts by replicating methods. As students grow older, they transition to emulation by engaging with material more critically and developing their own unique voices in their skills and studies. Understanding these differences allow educators to structure their teaching methods effectively and create thoughtful, innovative, and capable individuals.
Shop by Grade at *Memoria Press* to learn more about the progression of our curriculum— https://www.memoriapress.com/shop-by-grade/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=133
What We're Reading from This Episode:
The Hounds of God —Rafael Sabatini (Paul)
How to Think like Shakespeare —Scott Newstok (Paul)
Nearby —Elizabeth Yates (Tanya)
Material Logic —Martin Cothran (Martin)
The Schools We Need: And Why We Don’t Have Them —E.D. Hirsch (Martin)

Jul 31, 2024 • 46min
Why Lincoln's Gettysburg Address Still Matters | Lessons in Eloquence and Speech
Today's *Classical Et Cetera* is all about rhetoric! What is rhetoric? What is eloquence? And what was it about *Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address* that made it so brilliant?
Both rhetoric and eloquence involve the art of persuasion, which goes back over 2000 years to ancient Greece and the philosopher Aristotle. It's important for students to develop not only these talents, but also the practical ability to speak to an audience and connect with your listeners.
Listen to our podcast to learn all this and more. Also, check out our Classical Rhetoric curriculum at *Memoria Press* — https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/logic-and-rhetoric/classical-rhetoric-complete-set-streaming/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=132 — as well as our Writing curriculum that fosters mastery of the classical method — https://www.memoriapress.com/writing-english-grammar/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=132
What We're Reading from This Episode:
The Hounds of God —Rafael Sabatini (Paul)
Bleak House —Charles Dickens (Martin)

4 snips
Jul 24, 2024 • 41min
Families, Reading Hard Books is Good for You! | The Role of Diverse Literature in Critical Thinking
Engaging with literature that challenges your beliefs is crucial for personal growth. Discover how reading diverse perspectives enhances critical thinking in students. The conversation revolves around the importance of mentorship in navigating classic and contemporary texts. They highlight fairy tales and classics, revealing how these stories shape moral understanding. Revisiting challenging literature deepens appreciation, while exploring character connections fosters philosophical thought. Embrace hard reads to bolster your confidence in defending your views against differing opinions.

Jul 17, 2024 • 40min
Amplify Excellence Through Classical Education - feat. Andrew Pudewa
Today, Andrew Pudewa, from the Institute for Excellence in Writing joins the table to talk about the current state of the world of Classical Christian Education! With advancements in technology, changes in public school curriculum, and classroom evolution happening around us, it's always helpful to return to our grounding points, to the tenants of education that characterize well organized homeschool and private school education. Today we'll talk about excellence in writing, restoring tradition in the classroom, and the benefits of old-school education. We hope you enjoy this podcast and will take us along on your educational journey.
Be sure to check out Memoria Press at memoriapress.com for books, catalogues, curriculum and more! memoriapress.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=130
#memoriapress #andrewpudewa #classicaleducation
What We're Reading from This Episode:
The Hounds of God —Rafael Sabatini (Paul)
Winnie-the-Pooh —A.A. Milne (Martin)
Why We Remember —Charan Ranganath (Andrew)
Jayber Crow —Wendell Berry (Andrew)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory —Roald Dahl (Andrew)

Jul 3, 2024 • 47min
How To Win The Battle for Attention and Focus with your Students!
We see you parents and teachers. The struggle for your children's time in a world that capitalizes on their attention is an ever-present reality. So, what do we do about it? On this episode of Classical Et Cetera we dive into how to find the causes and solutions for this global problem and how to improve student's engagement with teaching, reading, and instruction.
Some homeschool families love to use our curriculum year-round! Check out our classical Christian curriculum packages! https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-core-curriculum/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=129
We hope you enjoy today's episode. Don't forget to check out more episodes of Classical Et Cetera! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC72BhhBtLU0LgQA6s_QTcBA
Visit our forum to connect with other homeschooling families! Get help and advice from the wealth of experience in our community. https://forum.memoriapress.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=129
#memoriapress #classicaleducation #attentionandfocus
What We're Reading from This Episode:
Beauty and Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts —Daniel Mclnerny (Martin)
Great Expectations —Charles Dickens (Tanya)
Life at the Bottom —Theodore Dalrymple

Jun 26, 2024 • 39min
How Memorization, Repetition, and Consistency Lead to Learning Success
In today's episode of Classical Et Cetera, the table sits down to talk about memorization in its place in the framework of a classical Christian education. Does memorization actually help? Or are we just wasting our time "forcing kids to memorize everything"? Is it true that drills kill the enchantment and wonder of learning? We don't think so. We believe that training the skills of memorization, repetition, and practice do far more to help develop student understanding, provide a gateway to mastery, and encourage success in the classroom. In today's episode we're going to share memorization success stories, study tools and aid for young learners, and provide a helpful strategy to encourage memorization in school and at home. Memorization works. No tricks here, only proven methodology that legitimizes memorization as part of a robust and rigorous education. How do we do it? Join us on this episode of Classical Et Cetera to find out more.
Some homeschool families love to use our curriculum year round! Check out our classical Christian curriculum packages! https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-core-curriculum/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=128
Register for this year's Memoria Press Summer Conference! Sodalitas Homeschool Conference: https://www.memoriapress.com/2024-sodalitas-homeschool-conference/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=128
Teacher Training Conference: https://www.memoriapress.com/2024-teacher-training-conference/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=128
Memoria College Conference: https://memoriacollege.org/summer-conference/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=128
Check out our writing and composition program! https://www.memoriapress.com/writing-english-grammar/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=128
What We're Reading from This Episode:
Anna Karenina —Leo Tolstoy (Carrie)
A Quiet Place: How Daily Prayer Can Change Your Life —John Bartunek (Carrie)
Great Expectations —Charles Dickens (Tanya)
The Great Tradition: Classic Readings on What It Means to Be an Educated Human Being —Richard M. Gamble (Tanya)
Man, Cattle, and Veld —Johann Zietsman (Paul)

Jun 19, 2024 • 34min
Students aren't just minds. Teach their hearts, too.
In this insightful episode, Jessica, Paul, Tanya, and special guest Jeremy Breland explore how to intentionally shape students' character within and beyond the classroom walls:
• How morning meditations and formation talks set the tone for the day.
• The surprising impact of subjects like math and literature on character development.
• Real-life stories of students' transformative moments.
• Practical tips for implementing character education in schools and homeschools.
Transform children's manners and respect with our 14-week program designed for all learners including those with special needs: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/educational-resources/myself-others/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=127
Check out the Manner of the Week Wall Charts for engaging and practical behavior visual aids: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/phonics-and-early-reading/manner-of-the-week-wall-charts/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=127
Learn more about the Horatius at the Bridge Set for an immersive journey into ancient Roman history through Thomas Babington Macaulay's celebrated ballad: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-studies/horatius-bridge/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=127
Dive into the timeless tale of love, betrayal, and society with the comprehensive Anna Karenina Set, your essential companion to explore Tolstoy's masterpiece in depth: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/literature-and-poetry/twelfth/pre-order-anna-karenina-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=127
There are three works that are at the source of Western culture: the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid. After you have completed your study of Homer’s two works, Virgil’s epic story of the founding of Rome, the Aeneid, is your next logical Great Book to study: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-studies/aeneid/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=127
What We're Reading from This Episode:
Great Expectations —Charles Dickens (Tanya)
All Creatures Great and Small —James Herriot (Tanya)
The Man Who Was Thursday —G.K. Chesterton (Jeremy)
Shop Class as Soulcraft —Matthew B. Crawford (Paul)

Jun 12, 2024 • 50min
12 Great Christian Books You Should Read
Dive into 12 great Christian novels with themes of redemption and providential world. From Tolstoy to Tolkien, explore different styles and settings. Listen to lively debates on what makes a novel truly Christian. Discover diverse perspectives on Christian themes in literature and emotional depth in Wendell Berry's works. Reflect on doubt and faith in the gospel narratives and explore the depth of 'Les Miserables'. Delve into a tragic yet redemptive Christian tale set in 14th century Norway.

Jun 5, 2024 • 44min
Homeschool Advice, Encouragement, and Support at the Memoria Press Homeschooling Conference 2024!
Summer is here which means Memoria Press Conference week is right around the corner! In this episode of the Classical Et Cetera podcast we are breaking down the entire week and giving you the top reasons why mom and dad should attend! The Sodalitas, Teacher Training, and Memoria College Conferences are great opportunities for homeschooling parents, classical school teachers, and students of higher learning to gather together in one place to celebrate our shared dedication to classical Christian education.
The Sodalitas Homeschool Conference is a time we dedicate every year to offer homeschool families, beginners and experts alike, the opportunity to travel from all over the world to share and glean tips, advice, and motivation for the school year. It's also a great opportunity for the Memoria Press faithful and curious to get their hands on the curriculum and take advantage of great sales only available during conference week!
The Memoria Press Teacher Training Conference is the perfect opportunity to enrich your classical classroom. The 2024 conference will feature plenary sessions led by Dr. Jan Bentz, Leigh Lowe, and Martin Cothran. The two days will be filled with workshops detailing our Classical Core Curriculum, pedagogy, and classroom discipline.
The Memoria College Summer Conference invites classical enthusiasts, instructors, and students to join us for an opportunity to discuss the Great Books, learn from great teachers, and meet other great students.
So what are you waiting for? Registration is open now! Find information, travel details, and registration particulars at the links below!
Sodalitas: https://www.memoriapress.com/2024-sodalitas-homeschool-conference/
Teacher Training: https://www.memoriapress.com/2024-teacher-training-conference/
Memoria College: https://memoriacollege.org/summer-conference/
#memoriapress #summerconference #classicaleducation
What We're Reading from This Episode:
The Man Who Would Be King —Rudyard Kipling (Paul)
The Jungle Book —Rudyard Kipling (Paul)
The Covenant of Water —Abraham Verghese (Tanya)
Anna Karenina —Leo Tolstoy (Carrie)
That Hideous Strength —C.S. Lewis (Carrie)
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