The Children's Tradition

Why are some classicists loving Nolan's Odyssey movie, and others are hating it? Is it possible for an institution that has betrayed us as much as Hollywood to still give us true stories? How does the way we experience this movie teach us about how to engage with art in general? We discussed questions like these and more as we sat down with the incomparable Annie Crawford for her take on Nolan's adaptation of The Odyssey and her thoughts on how to faithfully engage with art, both old and new.

Read Annie's article series on this topic: https://thelogresinstitute.substack.c...

Learn more about the C.S. Lewis Studies Teaching Certificate: https://www.logresinstitute.org/enrol...

Join the conversation by being apart of the TCT Toolshed, a private social network for parents desiring to cultivate educational atmospheres rich in poetic experience: https://the-toolshed.circle.so/

Web: https://www.thechildrenstradition.com/

Substack: https://childrenstradition.substack.com/

In this conversation Patrick and Amanda sit down with recurring guest Adam Taylor to discuss the controversial issue of calling TCT a "classical" curriculum. When the title "classical" is claimed by such a diverse range of schools as the Lost Tools of Learning crowds, secular charter programs, and people like us who are seeking to transmit the poetic mode of learning, it can feel like it has nearly lost it's meaning entirely. On the one hand, we are not quite ready to give it up because the poetic mode harkens to us from antiquity. On the other hand, we are playing around with the idea of being a "medieval model" program as a means of clarifying and distinguishing what Tradition we are working within. Whether you are someone who has been in the classical renewal for a long time, or someone who is in danger of not giving TCT a chance because your perception of classical education is not positive, we hope this conversation will give you some worthy thoughts for consideration. We also hope you will join the conversation by leaving your thoughts on this topic below!

Read Adam's Substack here: https://substack.com/@ajstaylor

Join the conversation by being apart of the TCT Toolshed, a private social network for parents desiring to cultivate educational atmospheres rich in poetic experience: https://the-toolshed.circle.so/

Web: https://www.thechildrenstradition.com/

Substack: https://childrenstradition.substack.com/

Wonder is often what first draws us to classical education. The ideas are fresh, the vision is beautiful, and reality seems alive with meaning. But what happens when that initial excitement begins to fade?

In this video, Patrick Faus explores the relationship between poetic knowledge and wonder, drawing heavily from Dennis Quinn's Iris Exiled. He’ll examine why wonder is the beginning of education, why it often diminishes through familiarity and analysis, and whether it can be recovered and sustained over time.

If wonder is the beginning of education, how do we preserve it throughout life?

Join the conversation by being apart of the TCT Toolshed, a private social network for parents desiring to cultivate educational atmospheres rich in poetic experience: https://the-toolshed.circle.so/

Web: https://www.thechildrenstradition.com/

Substack: https://childrenstradition.substack.com/

Join Patrick and Amanda Faus as we reflect on this year’s Recitation Night at Kalos Classical, share what summer schooling looks like in our home, and talk about some exciting projects ahead.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The beauty and fruit of recitation nights in a classical Christian community

• Why we love spending summer mornings outside and saving lessons for the afternoon

• How we approach “summer school” as homeschoolers without losing the peace and rhythm of the season

• New and upcoming courses inside The Toolshed

• Amanda’s upcoming dictation projects and why dictation remains such a powerful tool in a poetic and classical education

Whether you are planning your summer rhythm, looking for encouragement in homeschooling, or interested in classical education and poetic learning, we hope this conversation encourages you.

Join the conversation by being apart of the TCT Toolshed, a private social network for parents desiring to cultivate educational atmospheres rich in poetic experience: https://the-toolshed.circle.so/

Web: https://www.thechildrenstradition.com/

Substack: https://childrenstradition.substack.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Childrens-Tradition/61579788214333/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechildrenstradition/

In this episode, we welcome Joshua Gibbs and Trae Bailey for a lively conversation on:

The role of discernment in choosing what literature enters your home

The danger of approaching time-tested books with a hermeneutic of suspicion

What to do with good books written by morally flawed authors

What it means to become a good reader

How to cultivate a receptive, peace-filled relationship with the Great Tradition

We also ask Josh to reflect on his 16 years as a parent in the classical education movement—sharing which books he wishes his children had and hadn’t read in their younger years. It is a thought-provoking conversation that will edify and encourage all who listen!

You can find out more about Josh's work at:

https://www.gibbsclassical.com/

https://www.theclassicalteachinginsti...

You can find out more about Trae's work at:

https://fraternus.org/

https://substack.com/@householder

And he is a much appreciated member of The Toolshed!

Books and Articles Mentioned:

Experiment in Criticism by C. S. Lewis

The Personal Heresy by C. S. Lewis

“Against Context: Next Time, Skip the Introduction” by Joshua Gibbs

“Nudity on Film” by Joshua Gibbs

Join the conversation by becoming part of the TCT Toolshed, a private community for parents who want to cultivate homes and schools filled with rich poetic and classical learning experiences:

https://the-toolshed.circle.so/

Learn more about The Children’s Tradition:

Web: https://www.thechildrenstradition.com/

Substack: https://childrenstradition.substack.com/

In this episode, Patrick explores the metaphor of education as a feast, drawing on the rich tradition of classical education that sees learning as a nourishing meal for the mind and soul. What do we do when a child resists learning or lacks enthusiasm for what is good, true, and beautiful? Patrick reflects on how parents and teachers can continue to offer a rich educational “table” even when students are hesitant to partake.

This conversation is especially helpful for homeschooling parents, classical educators, and families seeking a poetic approach to education. Discover how cultivating an atmosphere of wonder, beauty, and truth can gently awaken a child’s love of learning over time.

Join the conversation by becoming part of the TCT Toolshed, a private community for parents who want to cultivate homes and schools filled with rich poetic and classical learning experiences:

https://the-toolshed.circle.so/

Learn more about The Children’s Tradition:

Web: https://www.thechildrenstradition.com/

Substack: https://childrenstradition.substack.com/

s a classical education in the poetic mode realistic for large families? How does being enrolled in a public charter school shape a homeschool that is seeking to follow The Children's Tradition?

Welcome to our new series, A Look Inside Your Homeschool, where Amanda chats with real moms using The Children’s Tradition (TCT) — a classical Charlotte Mason curriculum rooted in the Thousand Good Books books, nature study, and poetic learning.

In this episode we sit down with Lindsay Dyson, a mom of eight children, ages 8 months to 13 years old, with five formal students. In this episode we discuss the practical aspects of giving children a poetic education in the context of a large family with lots of babies underfoot. We also discuss how Lindsay's family is able to be enrolled in a charter school, submit student work samples, and still maintain a home atmosphere that is rich in the poetic mode.

Join the conversation by being apart of the TCT Toolshed, a private social network for parents desiring to cultivate educational atmospheres rich in poetic experience: https://the-toolshed.circle.so/

Web: https://www.thechildrenstradition.com/

Substack: https://childrenstradition.substack.com/

In this video Patrick and Amanda discuss a few common misconceptions of poetic knowledge, like that it…

Is the study of poetry

Is only for pre-school children

Only has to do with stories and the moral imagination

Is romanticism repackaged

We hope you find this video helpful! If you would like to see the show notes, you can find them under resources in The Toolshed.

Join the conversation by being apart of the TCT Toolshed, a private social network for parents desiring to cultivate educational atmospheres rich in poetic experience: https://the-toolshed.circle.so/

Web: https://www.thechildrenstradition.com/

Substack: https://childrenstradition.substack.com/

On this episode we interview Alec Bianco, director of marketing for the Circe Institute. We talk about education as an invitation (but how that balances with the necessity of boundaries), the power of the moral imagination, and then, finally, we dive into the topic of the Socratic command to "Know Thyself" contrasted with the modern temptation to "Trust Thyself."

You can find Alec on X: https://x.com/alecmbianco?lang=en

The Circe Institute: https://circeinstitute.org/

Join the conversation by being apart of the TCT Toolshed, a private social network for parents desiring to cultivate educational atmospheres rich in poetic experience: https://the-toolshed.circle.so/

Web: https://www.thechildrenstradition.com/

Substack: https://childrenstradition.substack.com/

What does a day in the life of a TCT homeschool really look like? Welcome to our new series, A Look Inside Your Homeschool, where Amanda talks with moms who use The Children’s Tradition curriculum.

In this episode, Amanda sits down with McKenzie Westrom, a Texas mom of three with one Year 2 student. McKenzie has been using The Children’s Tradition since the beta year (2024) and truly embodies the heart of our program in her homeschool.